Latest news with #MMCforEnvironmentandAgricultureManagement
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Buzz control: New by-law to keep beekeepers in check
Buzz control: New by-law to keep beekeepers in check The metro has approved a revised by-law to regulate the keeping of bees in urban areas. This move is aimed at protecting residents from potentially fatal bee attacks while supporting environmental sustainability. MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management Obakeng Ramabodu announced on July 16 that the updated regulation was necessary to strike a balance between urban beekeeping, public health and safety. 'Bees play a critical role in food security because they pollinate most of our edible plants, fruits, and vegetables,' said Ramabodu. 'However, African honey bees, in particular, can also pose a fatal threat.' He explained that these are known to attack humans and animals if disturbed or agitated, and in severe cases, people allergic to bee stings can die if not treated immediately. The City of Tshwane approves by-law on keeping bees to protect residents against fatal attacks. — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) July 16, 2025 Ramabodu noted that as residential areas become denser, people keeping bees on small properties increase health risks for their neighbours. The by-law seeks to address these concerns by controlling where and how beehives can be kept in urban settings. 'Under the new regulations, beekeeping will not be allowed in nature reserves, natural open spaces, agricultural land or any property specifically zoned for beekeeping.' Beekeepers in residential areas will need to comply with stricter guidelines, including relocating swarms that have naturalised in neighbourhoods and become a nuisance, he urged. 'The by-law encourages the use of catch boxes to safely relocate bees that are problematic in residential areas,' said Ramabodu. 'This will help ensure the rights and safety of all residents are protected.' The metro believes the measure is crucial to managing the delicate balance between supporting biodiversity and preventing bee-related incidents. ALSO READ: Centurion teen finds his voice through music Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Watch: Escaped Rietvlei cheetah found and captured
Njozi, the female cheetah that escaped from Rietvlei Nature Reserve earlier this week, has been safely captured. This is according to Obakeng Ramabodu, MMC for Environment and Agriculture Management. Pretoria Rekord reports that Njozi was located today after she mysteriously escaped yesterday. Ramabodu confirmed the big cat was found in the Bapsfontein area, thanks to a tracking device fitted on her. 'The team, along with veterinarians, used the tracker to locate Njozi. She is safely recovered without incident,' he said. He assured the public that Njozi was not harmed during her escape and that she did not cause any injuries or fatalities to the public. Ramabodu also revealed that the cheetah most likely escaped through a section of the reserve's perimeter fence that had been vandalised. 'We believe the escape was made possible due to damage to the fence,' he said, confirming that vandalism has compromised the reserve's security. 'We are prioritising repairs to the damaged fencing and strengthening safety measures to prevent future escapes. The safety of both wildlife and the surrounding community is non-negotiable,' he said. Ramabodu added that the department will immediately begin implementing enhanced safety measures to prevent further animal escapes from Rietvlei Nature Reserve. 'We must act swiftly to prevent future incidents, particularly involving the cheetah, which is often targeted. Our greatest concern is the safety of both the animal and the public. We cannot risk losing Njozi to injury, nor can we allow the possibility of her harming someone,' he said. Njozi was relocated to Rietvlei from the Western Cape and has a history of escaping. Yesterday, Njozi escaped from the reserve. Njozi was spotted on the R50 Delmas Road in the area of Bapsfontein, a farming town in Ekurhuleni. Derek van der Merwe from the Endangered Wildlife Trust said following an extensive search yesterday, Njozi was located in Bapsfontein but couldn't be darted as she ran into dense bushes, and it got dark, so the search was called off. He added that he believed that Njozi escaped as she was on the search for a male companion. 'If we can bring her a male cheetah, she wouldn't try to run or escape anymore. I am certain she will stay in the reserve with her companion.' This is not her first stint at escaping. In 2021, she slipped out of the reserve, and after an extensive search by officials and wildlife conservationists, Njozi managed to return on her own. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
