2017: The year that was: January – March
Read the top stories of 2017 from the Springs Advertiser between January and March.
January 12
• Festive birthday party plans for Caylum – Caylum Willemse celebrated his first birthday after his life-changing operation in Boston, USA on December 1.
• Protestors fire shots at CPF – Protestors at KwaZenzele Informal Settlement Phase One shot at and threw stones at community members after a security company removed five illegal shacks.
January 19
• WWII cemetery revamp nearing completion – Palmietkuilen South War Cemetery, which contains 217 graves of WWII soldiers, received an upgrade.
• Springs library opens its doors – A burst pipe in the learning section forced the library to close in November 2016.
January 26
• Caylum’s birthday funds help three ill toddlers – Money donated to the Caylum Willemse Foundation in lieu of birthday gifts was used to help three children receive medical treatment.
• About 7 000 Gauteng learners still unplaced – At the end of January 7 092 learners who applied for places online had not been placed in schools.
February 2
• Paralysed woman saved from inferno by neighbour – Hannelie Swanepoel was hospitalised after she was trapped in her Olympia Park home when it went up in flames.
• Brave Zaden admitted to Bara for third skin graft – Zaden Green underwent skin grafts to his legs and body after he was burnt in a fire at his Strubenvale home on October 10, 2016.
February 9
• Gavin Ramsey dies doing what he loves, family shares grief – A passionate motorcyclist from Springs, he died during a race at Killarney racetrack in Cape Town.
• Council says vandals are breaking lights – Street lights in Tonk Meter Way are still non-operational after months of complaints.
February 16
• Late-night taxis to service mall – The Springs Taxi Association promised staff and customers would have access to night transport when the new mall opens in March.
• Metro serves notice on owner of empty house – The owner of a vacant property on Zig Zag Road, which previously housed Chance Children’s Home, were served with a notice to address the health hazards on the property.
February 23
• Mom and her autistic son survive brutal attack – A Strubenvale mother watched as a robber stabbed her autistic son several times.
• Watershedding nightmare in Casseldale and Strubenvale – Residents in Casseldale and Strubenvale are tired of regular water shedding in their area.
March 2
• Needle prick leaves big hole in woman’s arm – Natalie de Beer has a hole in her arm which she believes is the result of blood samples being taken with a dirty needle.
• Selcourt Dam an important breeding site for wild birds – Selcourt resident Bill Wilson is worried about the declining wildlife population at the dam.
March 9
• Mystery surrounds discovery of third body in Springs quarry – Within two days, the Benoni SAPS Search and Rescue Unit found three bodies in a quarry on the corner of Coaton and Tonk Meter roads.
• Tree blocks view of motorists in Seventh Street – A 2m high mulberry tree growing under a lamp post in Seventh Street is obstructing the stop sign.
March 16
• Progress being made on Payneville Extension Three – Construction has begun on low-cost housing, promising residents of Gugulethu and Everest informal settlements a brighter future.
• Skoonplaas saga continues – Red Ants Security Forces were seen at Skoonplaas demolishing people’s homes.
March 23
• Excited Springsites arrive in droves for mall opening – The long awaited Springs Mall opens with great fanfare.
• Business chamber holds 100th AGM – The Eastern Gauteng Chamber of Commerce and Industry celebrated its 100th birthday with a gala dinner.
March 30
• The Nomads: A journey through Africa – A band of four intrepid travellers set off on motorbikes on an adventurous year-long journey across Africa.
• Springs woman admits she did not help her children – The Springs Monster’s wife pleaded not guilty to a range of charges in the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria.
