Latest news with #NeighbourhoodWatch
IOL News
7 days ago
- IOL News
Thieves raid Uitsig school kitchen, leaving learners without meals
Pastor Adam and the Neighbourhood Watch with the sponsor of their new urn at the school. The soup kitchen at CL Wilmot Primary School in Uitsig was targeted by criminals over the school holidays, leaving the learners without a warm meal this week. The thieves stole the rice, tinned fish, chicken livers, pots, the school's urn as well as electric cables and equipment, forcing the school to adjust its meal plan to sandwiches. Community activist and Early Crime Prevention facilitator at the school, Pastor Adam Alexander, said the criminals stole all the ingredients meant for the feeding scheme. 'We are very disappointed. "These criminals did great damage to the school and stole food from the children's mouths. The learners did not have food to eat on their first day back to school so the school had to serve them sandwiches. "The learners do not come from privileged communities, they are from the poorest areas in Uitsig. "When they come to the feeding scheme in the morning and you ask them if they ate, they say they did not have anything to eat in the morning before school or the night before because there was nothing to eat at home. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "My biggest concern is that the residents in the community bought the food but their children are also part of the school and also come every morning to get a meal at the feeding scheme. "We received information of who the perpetrator is, and he is a regular criminal in the area and currently on the run but we are following up on any information," Alexander said. Millicent Merton from the Western Cape Education Department said: "A break-in was reported at the school on Monday, July 7, where unknown suspects gained access to the kitchen and stole equipment and non-perishable food items intended for the National School Nutrition Programme. "As a result, the school has been forced to adjust its meal provision and will be serving sandwiches to learners in lieu of warm meals. The incident has been reported to the police. "This senseless act highlights the need for collective protection and care of our schools. The theft of kitchen equipment and food meant for learners is deeply concerning. "Let's work together to safeguard these vital community assets and ensure our children have access to the nutrition they need.' The school was donated with a brand new urn thanks to a business situated in Uitsig, however is still in need of two 150 litre pots. If anyone would like to donate towards to the feeding can contact 067 169 5995. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
Sydney Morning Herald
16-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Perth needs good neighbours, but is a beer a bridge too far these days?
Given Gen Xers were raised wandering the plains of quarter-acre blocks in Perth like suburban hunters and gatherers, we were mostly spared the backyard battles that can erupt between neighbours. But as urban living becomes denser, friction can become more frequent: petty disputes over fences, trees or the unresolved murderous tension of someone butchering John Farnham songs until dawn. To some degree, such front-yard feuds are harmless and ingrained in suburbia. But I'm convinced the recent brouhaha in my street went beyond the norm. After I declined to have a beer with a nearby resident, the person unleashed a series of well-executed insults that made me rustle through my bedroom drawers looking for my old therapist's number. I was impressed by their forensic examination of my personality, given they were drawing from such a narrow source of information as we rarely spoke. I wanted to inform the relentless inquisitor my lack of charisma was because I'd been sick and was on the brink of breaking my all-time insomniac record, so I had little desire to spend time with my family, let alone some stranger. But my neighbour was pointing at me like Donald Sutherland's character at the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, their message clear: I was un-neighbourly. And unbeknownst to me, I'd been that way for years. While I have no urge to become the next Neighbourhood Watch captain, I've always tried to keep the small-scale interactions with people in my street blissfully simple. Wave. Nod. Smile. I felt this was being a dutiful fellow-dweller.
The Age
16-07-2025
- The Age
Perth needs good neighbours, but is a beer a bridge too far these days?
Given Gen Xers were raised wandering the plains of quarter-acre blocks in Perth like suburban hunters and gatherers, we were mostly spared the backyard battles that can erupt between neighbours. But as urban living becomes denser, friction can become more frequent: petty disputes over fences, trees or the unresolved murderous tension of someone butchering John Farnham songs until dawn. To some degree, such front-yard feuds are harmless and ingrained in suburbia. But I'm convinced the recent brouhaha in my street went beyond the norm. After I declined to have a beer with a nearby resident, the person unleashed a series of well-executed insults that made me rustle through my bedroom drawers looking for my old therapist's number. I was impressed by their forensic examination of my personality, given they were drawing from such a narrow source of information as we rarely spoke. I wanted to inform the relentless inquisitor my lack of charisma was because I'd been sick and was on the brink of breaking my all-time insomniac record, so I had little desire to spend time with my family, let alone some stranger. But my neighbour was pointing at me like Donald Sutherland's character at the end of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, their message clear: I was un-neighbourly. And unbeknownst to me, I'd been that way for years. While I have no urge to become the next Neighbourhood Watch captain, I've always tried to keep the small-scale interactions with people in my street blissfully simple. Wave. Nod. Smile. I felt this was being a dutiful fellow-dweller.
The Herald
15-07-2025
- The Herald
Ballito residents warned of indecent exposure by young man
Ballito residents have been warned to be on the lookout for a young man who has been indecently exposing himself to women in the popular KwaZulu-Natal north coast town. Ballito Neighbourhood Watch (BNW), on its Facebook page on Monday, issued an alert about 'unfortunate incidents of indecent exposure' in the town. The body said it had received two reports about a white male, believed to be in his early 20s, who has been exposing himself to women. 'In the first incident a female jogger had passed the Boathouse when the driver of a white Toyota Aygo with GP plates stopped and asked for directions. He then exposed himself to her before driving away.' In a separate incident two holidaymakers aged about 16 and 20, were walking on the boardwalk on Saturday when they were confronted by the man. 'When they got close to Clarke Bay, a young, clean-cut white male exposed himself to the women.' BNW appealed to women to 'report immediately if you fall prey to this person'. The body also posted an image of the man from behind walking on the boardwalk. 'If you happen to know who this man is, please contact the authorities immediately. The lack of respect for females in our town is definitely not something that will be tolerated.' BNW did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Public indecency can lead to a fine of up to R4,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both, according to the Sexual Offences Act. Public indecency is a common law crime, not always specified by legislation but rather determined by court rulings. The severity of the act and circumstances influence the sentence. According to Psychology Today, a publication that focuses on psychology matters and human behaviour, 'exhibitionistic disorder is a condition marked by the urge, fantasy or act of exposing one's genitals to non-consenting people, particularly strangers. 'People with exhibitionistic disorder may have a preference to show their genitals to prepubescent children, adults or both. Some people may deny they show their genitals to unsuspecting others or deny the act causes them distress. If they have exposed themselves repeatedly to non-consenting people, they may receive a diagnosis of exhibitionistic disorder.' TimesLIVE
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane goes to court in bid to douse volunteer firefighting services
Tshwane moves to court, citing safety and legal concerns over volunteer firefighting and unauthorised use of city resources. The City of Tshwane is accusing volunteer firefighting services of operating illegally, interfering with the city's command and control structures during emergency incidents and compromising incident scene management. The city also put a stop to AfriForum's Neighbourhood Watch and cleaning operations. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city has filed a court application to enforce compliance with legislation. Tshwane accuses volunteer firefighting groups of illegal operations 'These entities are functioning without legal authority, regulatory approval or formal agreements with the municipality, in direct contravention of national and local legislation governing emergency services. 'This development presents serious safety, legal and operational concerns that the city cannot ignore,' he said. ALSO READ: One dead in a shack fire at informal settlement in Ekurhuleni Mashigo said the city views this court action as necessary to restore order, protect public safety and ensure the regulation of emergency services. 'The provision of fire services is a constitutional mandate reserved exclusively for municipalities, as set out in Schedule 4, part B of the constitution of South Africa, 1996. 'Accordingly, any decision to outsource such services must be made by the municipal council following a rigorous process that includes public consultation, as required by the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000).' City has not adopted resolution to outsource its fire services Mashigo said to date, the city has not adopted any resolution to outsource its fire services, nor has it entered into service level agreements with any private providers. 'Furthermore, the Fire Brigade Services Act (Act 99 of 1987) stipulates that any fire service operating outside a municipality must obtain a formal designation from the relevant provincial authority. ALSO READ: WATCH: SA Breweries depot in Soweto goes up in flames 'None of the private fire services operating in Tshwane, including Fire Ops SA, Fidelity Secure Fire, Sinoville Firefighting Association and Laudium Disaster Management, has obtained such designation from the Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, as required by law,' he said. 'Moreover, they draw water from municipal fire hydrants without authorisation, contributing to unaccounted water losses and violating city bylaws. 'Beyond the legal infringements, these private services function on a 'for-profit basis', selectively targeting affluent suburbs and industrial areas, while ignoring the broader community,' he said. City made efforts to engage with entities 'They also issue no burn permits in contradiction of the city's official procedures, creating confusion and undermining the authority of legitimate emergency services.' The city has made multiple efforts to engage with these entities. ALSO READ: Man dies after fire guts shack in Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni Directives were issued and engagements were referred to the appropriate disaster management authorities. However, these services remained noncompliant, he said. 'When letters of demand were served, they were met with threats and resistance. Despite several attempts at resolution, no cooperation was achieved.' The Sinoville Firefighting Association (SBBV) hit back and said they will continue to save lives and serve the community, despite the court application. SBBV hit back SBBV founder Johan Botha said the SBBV operates within the law and was not illegal. 'The SBBV is a volunteer organisation from the community, for the community. Not a single cent of SBBV's income is spent on salaries,' he added. ALSO READ: DEMS celebrates firefighters for their strive to save lives Botha said SBBV has applied for official recognition, which was denied. 'It is time Tshwane emergency services recognises that organisations such as the SBBV are their allies.'
