Latest news with #Katlehong
The Herald
13-07-2025
- General
- The Herald
'Now I can do it myself': Gogos learn to use smartphones in 'Gogos with Vuma' digital skills training programme
In a step towards digital inclusion, 49 elderly residents from Katlehong graduated on Friday from a digital skills training programme aimed at empowering senior citizens with essential tech knowledge. Hosted by VumaTel in partnership with goGOGOgo (NPC) at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong on the East Rand, the programme equipped the participants, many of whom had little or no prior experience with technology, with vital digital skills. It covered fundamental skills such as using smartphones, navigating the internet, sending emails, using social media, accessing online services and practising digital safety. One of the graduates, Phinet Lekau, 88, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said he was grateful to have been part of the course as he now knew how to use the internet, order supplies from shops and speak to his friends with ease. 'I knew nothing about the internet before this course. My grandchildren would simply call me holding the phone, telling me what to do. But this course has opened my eyes. I can now do all of those things on my own,' said Lekau. Agnes Letsoge, 82, said she can now use her smartphone. 'I am very happy to have been part of this programme, because the phone was being used by my grandchildren and they would constantly finish my money and airtime. Since I've been taught how to use it by myself, I can finally enjoy my pension money,' Letsoge said. Before doing the course she couldn't even load airtime, she said. 'Now I can do it myself, they can no longer rob me,' she said. Vumatel CSI co-ordinator Thando Mokoena said with most NGOs focusing on the youth and children, they identified a gap for training for the elderly. 'We know that almost 40% of children in South Africa are living with grandparents. We want to revive that thing that they are still here, we still care and we see that they matter. The course we put them through is a standard ICT course, learning how to browse the internet, and how to use a smartphone, as most of them used or knew how to use small phones,' Mokoena said. The programme, which was part of Vumatel's ongoing commitment to community upliftment and digital inclusion, also fostered intergenerational learning, with younger facilitators helping to mentor the elderly participants throughout their training. Jane Simmonds, founder and executive director for goGOGOgo (NPC), an NGO aimed at building capacity in elderly people raising grandchildren, Simmonds explained that with 9.7-million children in South Africa essentially living in multigenerational households with grandparents playing an important part in their upbringing, the organisation is working to strengthen the role of the older people to build their footprint and amplify their voices. This is to ultimately give them knowledge, information and modern-day practices to navigate raising children in the digital age. 'Many of these older people are also raising fourth generation, so they raise their children, their grandchildren and are now looking after their great-grandchildren. We are working at strengthening the role of these women and men, building their footprint, their voice, amplifying their voices, giving the knowledge, information about modern-day practices. When raising children with internet and wi-fi, social media, violence, GBV, so many things that these elderly people have to address when raising children. We provide programmes where we strengthen the role of grandparents raising grandchildren and recognise the importance of this vulnerable, marginalised, often excluded population of people who are the heroes of South Africa,' she said. Simmonds said the initiative, which started during the Covid-19 lockdown, has funded more than 10 programmes with about 400 beneficiaries. She said the grandparents are identified through local schools and organisations. TimesLIVE
The Herald
12-06-2025
- The Herald
R60k reward offer for third suspect in murder of IFP deputy chief whip
Gauteng police are offering a R60,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspect in the murder of IFP MP and deputy chief whip Khethamabala Sithole. They are searching for Zamani Ngila Ximba for the shooting of Sithole and the attempted murder of two other party members at Buyafuthi Hostel in Katlehong in Gauteng on May 31. 'Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspect is urged to call Maj-Gen Mbuso Khumalo on 082-556-8642 or Capt Abe Montoedi at 082-461-4794, Crime Stop at 08600-10111 or by using the MySAPS App. All received information will be treated as confidential,' said police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo. Two other suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on the IFP members. The investigation continues. TimesLIVE
News24
12-06-2025
- Politics
- News24
R60 000 reward for info on ‘dangerous' man sought for IFP MP's murder
Gauteng police are offering a R60 000 reward for information on Zamani Ngila Ximba. Ximba is wanted for the murder of IFP MP Khethamabala Sithole and the attempted murder of two other party members. Sithole was shot 12 times during an IFP branch launch in Katlehong, and Gauteng secretary Alco Ngobese and party member Sambulo Nxumalo were injured. Gauteng police have offered a R60 000 reward for information on a 'very dangerous' man who is wanted in connection with the murder of IFP MP Khethamabala Sithole. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said Zamani Ngila Ximba was also wanted for the attempted murder of party members Alco Ngobese and Sambulo Nxumalo. 'The suspect is tall, dark in complexion and deemed armed and very dangerous,' he added. Sithole was shot 12 times while attending the launch of an IFP branch at Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong on 31 May. IFP Gauteng secretary, Ngobese, was wounded in his head and party member, Nxumalo, was shot in the abdomen. Last week, two other people made their first appearance in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court in connection with the shooting. They face charges of murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. They are expected to appear again on Thursday. Anyone with information can contact Major General Mbuso Khumalo on 082 556 8642, Captain Abe Montoedi on 082 461 4794, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the My SAPS app. Khethamabala Sithole/Facebook News24 previously reported that IFP Gauteng chairperson Bonginkosi Dhlamini said the shooting was not politically motivated and that witnesses told them that the shooters targeted Sithole. 'To confirm that it was a hit on Sithole, after shooting him, the shooters left and returned to finish him off with more bullets. Their target was Sithole alone,' he said. In an interview with News24 last week, Ngobese said he was wounded and crawled to safety on his stomach. Later, he pretended to be dead.
The Herald
01-06-2025
- General
- The Herald
Gauteng police seek information on murder of IFP deputy chief whip
Gauteng police are calling on anyone with information on the murder of an IFP leader, Khethamabala Petros Sithole, to come forward. Sithole was gunned down on Saturday afternoon in Katlehong in what his party has described as an assassination. According to Gauteng police spokesperson Brig Brenda Muridili, Sithole was shot during a meeting at a hostel. 'It is reported that a group of men had a meeting at Buyafuthi hostel in Katlehong on May 31. At about 5.30pm, three unknown men passing by the meeting opened fire on the group. 'One person was declared dead on scene while two more people were taken to the hospital with gunshot injuries. One of the two injured was treated and discharged while the other one is still in hospital. The motive for the shootings is unknown at this stage, and no-one has been arrested,' Muridili said. She said police investigations were continuing and asked anyone who might have information that could assist with the investigation to contact the Crime Stop toll-free number 08600 10111 or anonymously report tip-offs on MySAPS App. In a brief statement, IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said Sithole was assassinated in Katlehong by unknown assailants. 'Details are still sketchy at the moment and it is the IFP's expectation that the law enforcement agencies will spare no effort to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice,' Hlengwa said. He said Sithole was a member of the IFP's national council and served as the party's deputy chief whip in parliament. He described him as a hard-working servant and leader of the people and the country. 'We have lost a trusted patriot and a diligent leader of the IFP. Jobe joined the IFP in his youth and served in various party structures, including being IFP Gauteng provincial chairperson. 'He served as a councillor in Ekurhuleni and thereafter served a brief stint in the Gauteng Legislature from 2009 to 2010. He was redeployed to the National Assembly in 2010, where he served with diligence until his passing.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
29-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Gang of 10 open fire at taxi rank in Katlehong, killing two people
A member of a minibus taxi association and a security officer were fatally shot at the Zonkizizwe rank in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, early on Thursday. Police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a white Toyota Fortuner with about 10 men inside arrived at the rank and started shooting at security officers. A bakkie belonging to the officers was torched. A second vehicle had multiple gunshot holes. 'The motive behind the shooting is suspected to be taxi violence-related and one rifle has been seized for further investigations. No-one is arrested yet,' said Nevhuhulwi. 'In a separate incident on Thursday, a team of police members comprising the highway unit, Hillbrow tracing unit and Johannesburg metro police tactical response unit pounced on three suspects at a warehouse in Dawn Park. 'The trio were found in possession of an R5 rifle, ammunition and three magazines. These will be taken for ballistic testing to determine if the firearm was used in the commission of crime.' Nevhuhulwi asked anyone with information that can assist with the police investigations to contact the Crime Stop Line at 08600-10111 or anonymously report tip-offs on MySapsApp which can be accessed on any smartphone. TimesLIVE
