The Boland serial killer, Johan Willams, was convicted in the Western Cape High Court yesterday. Williams used to seduce women with the promise of work and then kidnap them, he would rape them and murder them. He used to beat them and the charges include assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). He also failed to comply with a protection order and was found guilty of attempted rape. He kidnapped and murdered Maria Isaacs on the 16 July 2012. Chantell Mathyssen from Kuilsriver went missing after meeting Williams. He has been found guilty of kidnapping, rape and murder. Williams also stabbed and raped his ex-girlfriend multiple times at knifepoint.
Judge Rosheni Allie says that the killing pattern that seemed to emerge when Williams perpetrated the horrendous crimes. Forensic pathologist, Dr Denise Lourens says that they found the women and they were all found tied up. She says that they had a sock, scarf, or shoelaces tied around their necks, in a double or triple knot. She says in her testimony that sticks were kept in the knots, so the person who had tied the victims could tighten the knots. Ligature marks were also found around the necks of the women which was an indication of strangulation.
Judge Allie says that the 20 charges against Willaims, and the evidence found that the State provided, proved that he is guilty of the charges against him beyond any reasonable doubt. According to IOL the court found him guilty of three counts of murder, six counts of kidnapping, six counts of rape, assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted rape, failure to comply with a protection order, housebreaking with the intent to commit arson, and arson. He will be sentenced on the 4 March.
The general elections for South Africa has been determined that we will all meet at the polls on the 29 May 2024. President Cyril Ramaphosa says that beyond the fulfilment of our constitutional obligation, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of our democratic journey and a determination of the future that we all desire.
He calls on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote and for those who will be campaigning to do so peacefully, within the full observance of the law. They are urging unregistered voters to use the online registration platform to register. The proclamation to declare the date will be issued as soon as possible.
The Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana is presenting the Division of Revenue Bill also known as the Budget Speech to the Members of the National Assembly. Godongwana will introduce the Appropriation Bill today. The House are also considering two reports of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on the recommendation to remove Judge President John Hlophe and Judge Nkola Motata from judicial office. The budget speech will take place at the Cape Town City Hall.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says that Cape Town's economy is growing faster, with this city at the heart of national economic growth. They will keep up this momentum by spending R43bn on infrastructure over three years. This investment is more than Joburg and Durban combined, and is expected to directly create 135 000 jobs, aside from the many other economic benefits that come with improved infrastructure.
Alderman James Vos, the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth says that the campaign secured 12,914 employment opportunities for Capetonians. The bulk of the jobs created-– 9,147 are in call centres across the metro and came via CapeBPO, the City's Special Purpose Vehicle in the industry.
The Mayoral Committee of the City of Cape Town says they will extend the operating contract of the N2 Express MyCiTi bus service. It will continue for another two years, until the 30 June 2026. Thousands of commuters from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha rely on the N2 Express to travel to the CBD. Given the implosion of passenger rail over the last decade, it is even more important that we provide commuters with a scheduled and affordable alternative says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
Quintas adds that if all goes as planned, some of the routes will be operational until 2026. The N2 Express service consists of four routes: two from Kuyasa serving commuters from Khayelitsha East and Khayelitsha West, and another two from the Mitchells Plain Town Centre and Kapteinsklip in Mitchells Plain. The buses travel via the N2 highway to the Cape Town CBD and back.
The directors of Inspire Network attended the Memorial Service of Mrs Fiona Smith in Epping Forrest yesterday. Inspire Network Chief Executive Officer Imraahn Mukaddam says that Mrs Smith was a member of Inspire Network and we had regularly collaborated with the Yahweh Foundation of which Mrs Smith was the founder. We remember her as a passionate and deeply religious community worker. Her work with especially troubled and impoverished children from Epping Forrest and surrounding areas was groundbreaking and exposed these children to life skills and the arts. Yahweh has regular productions and their spiritual dancers perform all over the community.
Fiona Smith had enormous energy and passion for her community work, she was a scoutmaster, ran the Yahweh aftercare, volunteered at the Day Hospital and was actively involved with a number of primary schools in the area. We pay tribute to this giant in our community and indeed a tall tree has fallen. We extend our sincere condolences to her family and the broader Yahweh family. She succumbed to cancer after a brave battle expressing concern for her children and community till the end. May Her dear soul rest in peace said Mr. M on behalf of Inspire Network.
SASSA Payment dates:
MARCH 2024 Older Persons Grants: Tuesday, 5 March 2024. Disability Grants: Wednesday, 6 March 2024. Children’s Grants: Thursday, 7 March 2024.
APRIL 2024 Older Persons Grants: Wednesday, 3 April 2024. Disability Grants: Thursday, 4 April 2024. Children’s Grants: Friday, 5 April 2024.
MAY 2024 Older Persons Grants: Friday, 3 May 2024. Disability Grants: Monday, 6 May 2024. Children’s Grants: Tuesday, 7 May 2024.
JUNE 2024 Older Persons Grants: Monday, 3 June 2024. Disability Grants: Tuesday, 4 May 2024. Children’s Grants: Wednesday, 5 May 2024.
JULY 2024 Older Persons Grants: Tuesday, 2 July 2024. Disability Grants: Wednesday, 3 July 2024. Children’s Grants: Thursday, 4 July 2024.
AUGUST 2024 Older Persons Grants: Friday, 2 August 2024. Disability Grants: Monday, 5 August 2024. Children’s Grants: Tuesday, 6 August 2024.
SEPTEMBER 2024 Older Persons Grants: Tuesday, 3 September 2024. Disability Grants: Wednesday, 4 September 2024. Children’s Grants: Thursday, 5 September 2024.
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