Latest news with #R400
IOL News
2 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Veterinary clinic liable for emotional damages after Yorkshire Terrier suffers burns
Triesie the Yorkshire Terrier who suffered a burn wound from a hot water bottle: Image: Supplied The Pierre van Ryneveld veterinary clinic in Pretoria was ordered to pay emotional damages to the owner of a Yorkshire Terrier called Triesie, who underwent a cruciate ligament repair but was badly burnt on her other leg by a hot water bottle. Riaan Nortje turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, where he demanded damages from the Pierre van Ryneveld Veterinary sued the veterinary clinic for R400 000 for emotional damages. Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba granted the claim for emotional shock but ordered that the veterinary clinic pay the proved damages. Nortje also succeeded in his claim for travelling and related costs as he visited Triesie at the clinic following her injuries. The clinic was, in this regard, ordered to pay his proven damages. His claim for R103 800 in damages, following his allegations that Triesie was bought as a show dog, and if it was not for her injuries, she would have earned this amount through shows; however, this claim was turned down. The drama started when Triesie underwent a cruciate ligament repair but was allegedly badly burnt on her other leg by a hot water bottle. A few days after he had fetched her, he noticed that she had swelling on the right-hand side of her body and that she experienced severe discomfort when touched on her right-hand side. Nortje spoke to his veterinarian about it and was told that a hot water bottle was pressed against her right-hand side during the operation, which could explain her discomfort. He said he was advised to treat the swelling with a hot and a cold cloth. He said Triesie began 'oozing pus' from the skin on her right-hand side, and it emitted an odour of rotting flesh. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ He was given medication for her, but things did not improve, and he yet again returned her to the clinic as the wound smelled bad. He stated that when he returned her on another occasion, part of her skin had been removed from the burnt area. At this juncture, Nortje said she still needed to be assisted with feeding; she was unable to walk, nor could she defecate. According to him, the veterinarian apologised for the burning of the dog and said it was a mere accident. Nortje said that during this entire ordeal, she had lost about 25% of her body weight. Veterinarian Dr Hester Van Zyl testified that she performed the cruciate ligament repair procedure on Triesie. The hot water bottle used during the operation is prepared by a nurse who ensures that the bottle is filled with 50 percent cold and 50 percent warm water. The bottle is also covered with a blanket or towel to prevent burning patient animals, she explained. According to her, she did not observe any injury on the dog when she was discharged and said Nortje only later showed her the burns. She disputed that Triesie's right-hand side injury was caused by the hot water bottle used during her operation. The veterinarian said that given the circumstances, reasonable post-surgery management and aftercare treatment were provided to Triesie. Judge Lewaba found that given the evidence and pictures handed to court of Triesie's injuries, it is probable that when her right-hand side rested on the hot water bottle, she had sustained the burns. He acknowledged that Nortje had suffered emotionally and remarked that he had tears in his eyes when he testified that Triesie was like his child and that her pain also affected him.
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Every single billboard on R21 to OR Tambo Airport is illegal, says Sanral
Billboard owners, emboldened by industry intimidation tactics and government inaction, are costing local and national authorities millions of rands in lost revenue. The outdoor advertising industry has gone rogue. The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), backed by the City of Ekurhuleni, admitted that not a single billboard on the R21 freeway — stretching from Johannesburg to OR Tambo International Airport — has been lawfully installed. An investigation by Daily Maverick uncovered that billboard owners, emboldened by industry intimidation tactics and government inaction, are costing local and national authorities millions of rands in lost revenue. Worse yet, some are structurally unsound and could collapse, endangering motorists. They can also cause dangerous conditions by obstructing road signs. Outdoor advertisers are required to pay upfront fees — up to R400,000 — for leases at high-visibility spots, as well as 20% of their monthly earnings from the billboards to the local and national entities, a regulation that's largely ignored. There is a deliberate pattern of non-compliance — companies exploit loopholes to install boards on private property, knowing that enforcement is weak and legal battles are costly for authorities. Monitoring efforts have been largely abandoned by road and council officials, allowing illegal installations to multiply. Ekurhuleni councillor Jill Humphreys admitted the city had 'given up' on removing the illegal structures. 'The industry takes advantage of this. There is no money, no manpower. The industry knows we can't fight them and is taking advantage of that.' Sanral confirmed that every billboard on the R21, including those mounted on bridges, is illegal under the Sanral Act. Sanral spokesperson Lwando Mahlasela said it was difficult to track illegal billboards. 'It is influenced by many factors such as billboards not yet reported by routine road maintenance, those in the process of being illegally erected, those in the process of being removed, as well as those under consideration by the municipalities.' He said workers tasked with removing illegal billboards had been threatened. 'There have been threats made against officials by certain individuals and companies within the outdoor industry. These incidents have been reported and are currently under investigation by our legal department for further handling.' He said billboards on private land must be authorised. 'If not removed when requested, the owner can be asked to provide access to the property for removal, but should there be objections, a court interdict may be needed to enter the property.' Warnings The City of Ekurhuleni claims that the advertising industry has largely ignored calls to regularise billboards. This month, the city gave advertisers 21 days to register their billboards, ending on 4 August. The MMC for developmental planning and real estate, Nomadlozi Nkosi, placed 'illegal advertising' stickers on three billboards in Bedfordview, Alberton and Sunward Park, threatening the owners with fines, legal action and possible removal of the billboards at their own cost. The average cost to remove an 18 sq m billboard is between R100,000 and R150,000. If they are erected illegally on private property and the owner refuses access, court applications are needed to enter the property. Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the municipality only had three people to monitor for illegal billboards. Safety risk He said illegal billboards placed motorists at risk by blocking visibility and obscuring road signs 'They may also be structurally unsafe if not approved, increasing the risk of collapse, especially in extreme weather conditions,' he said. The billboards are uninsured and do not carry public liability or professional indemnity insurance. 'There have been incidents where bylaw enforcement officers were threatened or met with resistance when attempting to remove illegal advertising signs,' said Dlamini. 'In some cases, individuals claiming ownership of the signs have intervened aggressively to prevent removal. 'These incidents have been reported through the appropriate internal channels, and where necessary, law enforcement support has been requested to ensure the safety of officials and compliance with the city's bylaws.' The city estimates there are about 78 illegal billboards on the R21. 'The department is exploring means to vigorously deal with the insurgent illegal advertising across the city in terms of bylaw enforcement,' said Dlamini. The exact loss in revenue is unquantifiable, but Dlamini points out that legal applications to erect billboards cost R1,810, with an inspection charge of R250 per square metre, plus 20% of the monthly revenue generated by the billboard. 'None of this money reaches the city when structures are off our records. In addition to the direct revenue loss, illegal signs undermine regulated competition and place a financial burden on the city's enforcement resources,' he said. The city's outdoor advertising bylaw enforcement unit removed 873 illegal billboards from council-owned properties and road reserves during the 2023-2024 financial year. Industry's response Angelo Tandy, the chairperson of Out of Home Media South Africa (Ohmsa), a voluntary industry umbrella body, said: 'While isolated instances of non-compliance may occur in any industry, these do not reflect the values of the majority of our stakeholders. We also work tirelessly with government and the various municipalities to fix the challenges facing the industry in efforts to positively transform the outdoor industry.' Ohmsa does not possess regulatory enforcement powers, but it functions as a self-regulatory body by promoting adherence to municipal bylaws and national regulations. 'We offer guidance, training, and a code of conduct to our members, reinforcing governance and operational accountability,' said Tandy. Tandy dismissed accusations of 'mafia-style' organisations in Ekurhuleni that threaten officials who try to remove illegal billboards. 'We are not in possession of verified information regarding these allegations and cannot comment on speculation. We strongly condemn any form of intimidation or criminality and encourage municipal officials and stakeholders to report unlawful conduct to the appropriate authorities.' Tandy said the regularisation of boards with municipalities was an ongoing process. 'Our efforts include ongoing stakeholder engagement to encourage best practices, providing training and resources to our members, and actively supporting policies that promote fair competition and innovation. 'We advocate for an inclusive and transparent permitting process, prioritise SMME development, and support municipal enforcement efforts to dismantle non-compliant boards while expanding compliant access for new entrants. 'The regularisation of alleged illegal billboards is an ongoing issue in South Africa, especially in larger urban areas. However, Ohmsa encourages its members to work closely with local authorities to remain compliant and to help mitigate the challenges.' Neither Jinja Outdoor Advertising or Alliance Media, companies that own boards on the R21, responded to a request for comment. DM
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Call to extend driver's license validity
South Africans have complained about the slow pace at which driver's license cards are being issued. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) executive director advocate Stefanie Fick has written to Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy to consider extending the validity for all licence cards to 10 years and waive fines and temporary licences for those whose new licence cards are stuck in the backlog. This comes after the Department of Transport reported a backlog of 690 000 driving licence cards, arising from the breakdown earlier this year of the sole card-printing machine. Outa CEO Wayne Duvenhage said after months of delay, the department had finally filed papers in the High Court in Pretoria aimed at overturning the R898 million contracts awarded to Idemia South Africa to supply a new driving licence card machine. Duvenhage said the auditor-general took their concerns seriously: 'We commend Minister Creecy for acting on them. This is how civil society, oversight institutions and public representatives should work together to tackle maladministration.' He added: 'In early September last year, Outa exposed procurement irregularities in this contract and submitted a detailed report to Creecy, who passed it on to the auditor-general of South Africa and asked for further investigation. That request was accompanied by Outa's detailed report outlining allegations of procurement irregularities.' ALSO READ: 'Self-destructing' number plates for Gauteng? Here's what to know Duvenhage said the court papers outline multiple flaws in the contract, including a nearly R400 million cost escalation, from the original Cabinet-approved budget of R486.385 million to the signed contract of R898.597 million. Also contributing was the use of outdated pricing, omission of printing material costs, evaluation errors in scoring, machine assessments and bidder non-compliance and weak documentation. AfriForum also wanted Creecy's to issue temporary licences free of charge to motorists who renew their licences on time, amid the backlog in the issuing of driving licence cards. Spokesperson Louis Boshoff said the department had ignored workable solutions, such as extending the validity period of licence cards. – [email protected] NOW READ: RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
EMPD arrests two for drug offences in Tsakani
EMPD arrests two for drug offences in Tsakani Tsakani – The EMPD Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) apprehended two men in separate incidents for drug-related offences in Tsakani on July 9. According to Zweli Dlamini, the CoE spokesperson, officers on patrol witnessed the deal take place and pounced on a 43-year-old man. 'He was arrested and charged with dealing in drugs. The officers confiscated the illicit substances, estimated to have a street value of R400. 'In a separate incident, officers followed up on information about a drug peddler operating at the Tsakane Shopping Centre. On arrival, they caught the 26-year-old man with an illicit substance with an estimated street value of R200,' explained Dlamini. 'His stash was seized, and he was charged with possession of drugs.' Both suspects were detained at the Tsakane Police Station and will soon appear in the Tsakane Magistrate's Court. ALSO READ: EMPD nabs man in Tsakani for skipping court after firearm charge ALSO READ: Suspect caught with 4.4kg of dagga in Tsakani following police tip-off At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
City spends R28 million on foreign national accommodation as eviction plans unfold
Foreign nationals inside Wingfield tent. Image: Ian Landsberg Documents citing the eviction of foreign nationals from Wingfield Tent in Kensington and Paint the City in Bellville have revealed that its upkeep has cost state organs, including the City and the Department of Home Affairs, R28 million in maintenance since its inception. In an affidavit by Cape Town mayor, Geordin Hill Lewis, revealed that it cost the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and other government departments over R400 000 per month for the running cost of Wingfield Tent and over R240 000 per month for Paint the City. In the court documents shared with Cape Argus, spreadsheets, including the eviction application, details of the foreign nationals' places of residency and other particulars were clarified. 'I attach hereto FA23' an excel spreadsheet. Demonstrating the total costs that have been incurred by the DHA to date. As appears therefrom an amount of approximately R28 m has been expended by the state in accommodating the respondents,' said Hill-Lewis via his affidavit. 'The City sourced, supplied and initially paid for the rental of the tent at the Wingfield site. This was done on an expedited and urgent basis during April 2020. 'The City thereafter received a negative audit finding by the Auditor General regarding its expenditure to its expenditure at Wingfield. The expenditure was objectionable for two reasons.. 'To date an amount of over R15 million has been expended by the DHA on the cost of Wingfield alone. The current monthly spend at Wingfield is at least R424 905.00.' He suggested that rental for the Wingfield tent was R356 500.00, mobile toilets R31 500 and generator and fuel cost 36 905.00. Hill-Lewis said in Paint the City, the rental of the tent was R221 829.90 per month and mobile toilets and cleaning cost R26 946 60. 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 ✕ 'I am advised by the DHA that to date an amount of R7 million has been expended by the DHA on the costs of Paint City property and which amount continues to increase by at least R248 773.70 per month,' he stated The City in collaboration with the City, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson and Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber made an eviction application for the occupants of the tents. According to the documents, respondents (the occupants), are to be evicted within 30 days of the court's order and if they do not vacate, the Sheriff and police will be authorized to remove them and any structures they occupy. The responding parties have fifteen days to file answering affidavits after notifying their intention to oppose and failure to respond will result in the application being granted without opposition on October 8. The documents further outline that Paint the City has 340 individuals whose gender distribution are predominantly male and female individuals, with nationalities primarily from Burundi, Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the site currently has 150 documented and 190 undocumented. Paint City measures approximately 29,000 m² and has a marquee tent of 960 m² while Wingfield measures 133,616 m² and has a marquee tent of 2,000 m² and both properties were initially used for emergency accommodation during the COVID-19 lockdown. The court document cites that the occupation has led to illegal taxi ranks and other unauthorised structures around the properties. Approximately 160 individuals occupy the Wingfield site, while around 200 are at Paint City and the living conditions are poor, with issues related to hygiene and safe. Earlier this month, the refugees said the plans to evict them were against their human rights and that they continued to live in squalor and that their tent was damaged, in what they believed was an attack. The DHA did not respond to Cape Argus queries. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
