Latest news with #Ngubane
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Prospecton infrastructure upgraded for resilience
THREE years on from the devastating April 2022 floods, eThekwini Municipality has transformed the crisis into an opportunity, launching a city-wide reconstruction programme with a focus on Prospecton Road, the Umlazi canal network, and the vital M4 transport route. Also read: Floods hit Prospecton industries hard These vital routes, severely battered during the floods, are now at the heart of an ambitious 'build back better' strategy to create infrastructure capable of withstanding the realities of climate change. Speaking on the progress, Vincent Ngubane, Director of the Disaster Management Directorate, highlighted the shift from emergency recovery to proactive resilience-building. 'Our mission goes beyond emergency response. It's about building a city that is prepared, protected, and proactive. Prospecton Road and the Umlazi Canal are no longer just being restored, they are being transformed into resilient defences protecting our communities and industries,' said Ngubane. He added that Prospecton Road and Umlazi Canal, once overwhelmed, are now being fortified to protect homes, industries, and livelihoods. The M4 highway, a crucial link between Durban and the southern basin, which experienced landslides and washaways, is now being rebuilt to withstand extreme weather events. The newly designed sections feature reinforced embankments, upgraded stormwater drainage, and flood mitigation barriers. Also read: City officials survey storm damage in Umgababa Chief civil engineer in Roads Provision, Linga Govender, emphasised the municipality's adoption of advanced engineering techniques. 'These are not simple repairs. Prospection Road and the M4 are being rebuilt with future disasters in mind. The Umlazi Canal is being widened and reinforced to prevent the kind of catastrophic overflows we witnessed before,' said Govender. The municipality has also placed community involvement at the centre of its recovery strategy, rolling out public education campaigns on disaster preparedness and integrating local knowledge into infrastructure planning. As part of its holistic disaster risk reduction approach, eThekwini is combining infrastructure upgrades with early warning systems, climate-smart urban planning, and community training programmes. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take part in community preparedness initiatives as eThekwini accelerates its journey towards becoming a climate-resilient metro. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
eThekwini rebuilds flood-damaged infrastructure after 2022 floods
The M4 and M19 corridors, once rendered impassable by the 2022 deluge, are being rebuilt as climate-resilient routes. Three years after the devastating April 2022 floods, eThekwini Municipality is not just repairing its damaged infrastructure; it's reimagining it. The city is rebuilding key roads, bridges, and stormwater systems with a focus on resilience and long-term sustainability. Director of the Disaster Management Directorate Vincent Ngubane said the recovery strategy is rooted in the global Build Back Better framework, shifting from mere restoration to long-term resilience. 'Our mission goes beyond emergency response, it's about building a City that is prepared, protected, and proactive,' Ngubane said. 'These disasters illustrate how various stakeholders can work together to enhance the resilience of eThekwini, ensuring comprehensive support for all.' Key corridors rebuilt to withstand floods The M4 and M19 corridors, once rendered impassable by the 2022 deluge, are being rebuilt as climate-resilient routes. Similarly, the flood-prone Prospection Road and uMlazi Canals are now being fortified to protect nearby homes and businesses better. Shallcross Bridge. Picture: Supplied/ eThekwini Critical bridges, including Shallcross and Coedmore, are also being reconstructed with advanced engineering techniques. 'We are not just reacting to disasters, we are anticipating them, and designing our city to withstand them,' Ngubane added. ALSO READ: Cogta warns municipalities against wasting R1.2 billion disaster relief A smarter, more proactive approach The Municipality's approach integrates early warning systems, community preparedness initiatives, and climate-smart infrastructure planning. Programmes aimed at educating communities about disaster readiness and resilient construction methods have also been launched. Chief Civil Engineer in Roads Provision, Linga Govender, said the new structures are designed with future climate risks in mind. 'These new bridges are engineered to stand the test of time and the changing climate,' Govender explained. M4 Corridor. Picture: Supplied/ eThekwini 'They represent a new era of infrastructure that is smarter, stronger, and safer.' Community participation is at the heart of the rebuilding efforts, aligning with the Municipality's belief that resilience must be a shared responsibility. Ngubane said the structures being rebuilt are not just replacements but are engineered to withstand extreme weather events and rising flood risks. NOW READ: KZN flood victims face eviction crisis as government scrambles for R128m
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Alexandra community safety structure dissolved amid internal misunderstandings
The Alexandra Community Policing Forum (CPF) has been dissolved, following 'misunderstanding among executives,' inactiveness of certain members and a breakdown in dialogue between its executives and Station Commander Brigadier Vusumuzi Ngubane. Brigadier Ngubane stated that he dissolved the forum after trying unsuccessfully to mediate tensions between CPF executives. 'I have been trying to solve this thing, but it looks like it is getting out of hand. I called the executives of the CPF, the sectors, and the members representing the community. We were discussing a way forward, but when we discussed, members were not happy about certain things, and they did not want to talk about it.' Also read: Alex CPF concerned about GBV victims' reluctance to press charges Reports emerged on social media claiming the forum was dissolved after a failed attempt to oust Ngubane, but CPF chairperson Sarah Matomeamohale rejected the claims. 'There is nothing like that. It is a lie. That they were not trying to remove the station commander,' Matomeamohale said. Asked if she knew anything about the disbandment of the CPF, she said that she was not told anything about that. Ngubane attributed the decision to dissolve the whole structure of the CPF to a myriad of issues, including inactive members, absenteeism, and growing misunderstandings. He said that sectors must have monthly meetings and activities meant to address crime, but that was not happening. 'In our monthly meetings with the detectives, the station commander, and the VISPOL, we raised issues that we must have a constitution, community safety plan and Imbizo in our community, and all those things were not happening.' Ngubane confirmed that the forum has been dissolved 'until further notice,' with the matter now referred to the district office and the MEC. A new structure will be formed from the ground up, starting with sector elections to appoint fresh CPF executives. In the meantime, an interim structure is expected to oversee CPF operations. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
02-06-2025
- Eyewitness News
Olorato Mongale's family pleads with SAns to show compassion to man cleared as suspect in her murder
BLOEMFONTEIN - The family of Olorato Mongale is pleading with South Africans to show compassion towards Fezile Ngubane, the man police cleared in connection with the 30-year-old's murder. Ngubane was taken in for questioning last week, but authorities have since confirmed that he played no role in Mongale's death. The master's student was laid to rest in Bloemfontein on Sunday, a week after her body was found dumped in Lombardy West in Gauteng. ALSO READ: - Olorato Mongale's mother vows to follow her daughter's advice and live life to the fullest - Olorato Mongale murder: After being cleared as a suspect, Fezile Ngubane vows to turn life around - Olorato Mongale murder: Family of man who turned himself in feared he would be killed by vigilantes Although Ngubane was cleared by police in the matter, Mongale's family said it was worried that the damage had already been done, fearing he may now face unfair stigma. They said that Mongale would not have wanted Ngubane to pay for a crime he didn't commit, adding that the 30-year-old would have wanted the KwaZulu-Natal man to rebuild his life. The Mongale family said that Ngubane was also a casualty, adding they believed that Olorato fought for justice from beyond the grave. "The most incredible thing that happened with Olorato is that as she goes, as she bows out, she made sure that a co-victim is liberated because he was wrongfully accused," said family spokesperson Chriselda Kananda. The family said they were still searching for closure, with the second suspect still on the run.
IOL News
02-06-2025
- IOL News
After wrongful arrest, Fezile Ngubane shares his story: 'This was my last opportunity
A high school picture of Fezile Ngubane. The KwaZulu Natal man believes his vindication by SAPS in the murder of Olorato Mongale is an opportunity to turn his life around. Image: X Fezile Ngubane, the KwaZulu Natal man who was arrested and later released for the gruesome murder of Olorato Mongale insists he has never laid his hand on a woman. It was previously reported that Ngubane was handed over to authorities by his father at the KwaMashu police station after learning that his son was sought in connection with the murder case. According to police, a multidisciplinary investigation team, headed by Major General Mbuso Khumalo, Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Crime Detection in Gauteng, conducted thorough interviews and preliminary investigations that ultimately absolved Ngubane. He has been deemed a victim, having been unwittingly drawn into a sinister scheme, and has since been released from police custody. Ngubane, who is a father to a teenage girl and ekes a living by washing cars, was wrongly implicated in the horrific murder of Mongale, after a suspect in the murder, Philangenkosi Makhanya, allegedly used Ngubane's identity to register multiple SIM cards. Makhanya allegedly used the SIM cards registered in Ngubane's name communicate with various women. Speaking to journalists, a shaken Ngubane said despite struggling with drug addiction, he is not a violent person. "I would like South Africans to know that I have never been involved in crime, i have never been a person who is a fan of crime, I do not entertain crime. It is just that the addiction, the life that I have put myself in, is the one that is really hurting me. For these three days, as I was in the holding cells, I was shaking for my life, I saw that maybe this is my last opportunity in life to turn back, to do good," he said. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Most of my life, I have hurt my parents and I have hurt myself. I would like to say to South Africans, anybody who thought I was involved in this should know that I have never done anything wrong, I have never left home, I have always been at home with my parents and I have never laid a hand on a woman. I have one child in my life. I am not a violent person." Ngubane said from the time he was arrested, and went on to spend days in police holding cells, his neighbours have been vouching for him, because they know he is not a violent person. Ngubane said he would be happy to receive help to quit his reliance on intoxicating substances. "I would kindly be glad if help was offered," he told reporters. On Sunday, IOL reported that Deputy Police Minister Dr Polly Boshielo has called for society to help the authorities combat gender-based violence at Mongale's funeral in Bloemfontein. Boshielo extended her condolences to Mongale's family, particularly her mother, Poppy Mongale. "We may not have been able to prevent the death of your child, but one of her perpetrators is now in permanent custody and will never rise again to terrorise other women," she said. Olorato Mongale was recently found dead after going on a date. Image: X The police's National Anti-Kidnapping Task Team and Gauteng Provincial Investigating Unit were activated immediately after the case was reported last Sunday. "Ladies and gentlemen, it was important that we get to these criminals first before they do, what they did to Olorato, to another woman. "To Poppy and the family, may you find solace in knowing that because of Olorato's spirit, Philangenkosi Makhanya will no longer terrorise women in South Africa." Boshielo emphasised that at least 20 cases are being linked to the suspects, with incidents reported in Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Midrand, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Lebowakgomo, and Johannesburg. Victims were lured under the guise of romantic interest, only to be robbed and, in some cases, kidnapped. She also reiterated that Ngubane, previously thought to be a suspect, has been cleared following evidence that he was a victim of identity theft. Cape Argus
