News of yesteryear
These were some of the local stories making headlines in years gone by.
This week we look back at the Herald of October 14, 2005:
• Accidents could escalate at dangerous crossings
With Heidelberg Road soon due for completion and the Mall@Carnival in Airport Drive scheduled to open at the end of October, Brakpan residents are concerned that these two already dangerous intersections will claim more lives.
One particularly concerned resident, Paula Tiedemann, has taken it upon herself to ensure that something is done about these “death crossings”.
“I see an accident nearly every day,” she said.
Tiedemann believes the cause of the carnage on the roads is the lack of traffic policing, especially along Heidelberg Road (R23), Springs Road and Airport Drive.
Statistics received from the Brakpan Traffic Department indicate that 56 accidents have taken place on these three roads since Janaury 2005.
These accidents have resulted in four fatalities, 12 serious injuries and 49 minor injuries.
Since June, Tiedemann has contacted chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police, Robert McBride, in an effort to address the problem.
After months of letters, faxes and emails, Tiedemann finally received a response and met with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police acting director Goodman Mzolo on Monday.
The meeting took place at the intersection of Heidelberg Road and Springs Road.
Tiedemann’s main complaint to the officers in attendance was that a majority of motorists seem to show a total disregard of traffic lights.
During the meeting, a truck travelling along Heidelberg Road went through a red robot, highlighting the problem.
It was suggested by metro police that monitoring the intersections during peak hour traffic would be best, until a permanent solution could be determined.
Tiedemann told the Herald she thought the meeting was a success.
“Maybe, now, something will finally be done about our roads,” she said.
• Robbers strike at Carnival City
The Carnival City Casino was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash on Saturday, last week.
Yolanda Bester, public relations manager of Carnival City, explained to the Herald that robbers apprehended security staff outside the main entrance to the casino, at about 2.15am.
The nine men and three women involved pushed their way inside, where they held staff at gunpoint and forced a supervisor to open open a safe.
“The robbery took approximately 10 minutes,” said Bester.
The robbers loaded the money into bags and fled in two BMWs and a white Nissan Almera.
No guests were injured and staff who suffered from shock were treated in the clinic at Carnival City.
“Counselling is being made available to staff and guests who require it,” said Bester.
Bester told the Herald that the police and Carnival City security were investigating.
• Diewe vlug met selfone
Twee mans wat hulself as klante voorgedoen het, het Vrydagmiddag ’n selfoonwinkel in Voortrekkerweg beroof.
Volgens ’n werknemer, Macsatsi Boyang (23), het die een man eers in die winkel, Brakpan Cellular, ingekom en navrae gedoen.
Hy het gesê hy gaan ’n vriend roep en beide die verdagtes het kort daarna teruggekeer.
Terwyl hulle besig was om drie fone te besigtig, het een ’n vuurwapen uitgepluk en die fone, waarvan die waarde ongeveer R9 000 is, gegryp.
Hulle het te voet gevlug.
Niemand is beseer nie en die saak word ondersoek.
• Legion honours the fallen
A stone-laying ceremony, in honour of fallen soldiers, was recently conducted by the Brakpan branch of the South Africa Legion.
The ceremony took place during the legion’s monthly meeting at the Apex Military Base in Brakpan.
It was also resolved at the meeting to embark on a special campaign in order to create awareness of the aims of the division.
These include helping ex-servicemen in need and maintaining the memory of those who died in battle.
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za
or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za
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