Johnson & Johnson’s has recalled two batches of Benylin Paediatric cough syrup in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Eswatini, Rwanda, and Tanzania. This is due to the contamination of a toxic compound better known in the production of coolants for engines, wallpaper strippers, inks, and other industrial products. Diethylene glycol (DEG) is toxic to humans when consumed and can be fatal. Consumption can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and acute kidney injury, which may lead to death.
The Court Watching Briefs (CWB) Unit reports revealed that 243 cases were struck off the court roll due to the inefficiencies of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the first and second quarters. This affects 25 different courts and 58 police stations. The report shows that of the 63 cases monitored during quarter one, 26 were related to gender-based violence (GBV), and in quarter two, 63 of the 180 cases accounted for GBV - 89 cases are GBV-related.
The Western Cape Police Oversight and Community Safety member of the executive committee (MEC), Reagan Allen, says that the criminal justice system has to do better. He says that the continued GBV plaguing our society must come to an immediate end. The way SAPS, and by extension the entire criminal justice system, is failing these individuals, often amongst the most vulnerable in our communities, will never be acceptable.
The monitored courts are located in:
- Khayelitsha
- Athlone
- Wynberg
- Mitchells Plain
- Bellville
- Blue Downs
- Philippi
- Kuilsriver
- Atlantis
- Paarl
- Mossel Bay
- Oudtshoorn
- Thembalethu (George)
- Laingsburg
- George
- Knysna
- Beaufort West
The SAPS stations attached to these cases are: Kuilsriver, Manenberg, Athlone, Philippi, Khayelitsha, Harare, Gugulethu, Durbanville, Delft, Lingelethu West, Kraaifontein, Nyanga, Manenberg, Steenberg, Kirstenhof, Ravensmead, Lansdowne, Grassy Park, Philippi East, Mitchells Plain, Kleinvlei, Samora Machel, Mfuleni, Parow, Atlantis, Mbekweni, Paarl East, Groot Brakrivier, KwaNonqaba, Oudtshoorn, De Rust, Conville (George), Laingsburg, Pacaltsdorp (George), Knysna, and Beaufort West.
Bellville’s water thief has finally been busted. The man was caught in the act on Sunday in De La Haye Avenue by the police's Crime Prevention Unit. He is a homeless white male and was taking water meters from Boston, Oakdale and surrounding areas for months. CPF Chairperson Emre Uygun say that he was caught by members of Bellville’s CPU team in De LA Haye with 6 stolen water meters found in his possession.
Head of Boston City Improvement District (CID) Jean Beukman says that the culprit who buys these meters is still out there, he is the one who needs to be caught. The CPF stated that they are investigating whether there are any scrapyards involved in the buying of the meters.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says once charged; he is expected to make a court appearance in the Bellville Magistrate Court for possession of presumed stolen property. From July 2022 and May 2023 2 255 stolen meters have been replaced and this has been costing the taxpayer an unnecessary R4 million.
May may bring another petrol price increase but a relief for diesel users. The Central Energy Fund is showing that there might be an increase of around 30 cents for petrol. Diesel users might see a relief of 25 or 30 cents.
This is significant because this is coming after a 60 to 67 cent increase in April and a major R1.21 hike in March. A litre of 95 Unleaded may cost you R24.63 at the coastal region. With Israel and Iran at war the international price of Brent Crude oil passed the $90 mark this month according to the Daily Voice.
Grassy Park got a visit from a neighbour, a friendly hippo. The young hippo took to the streets after an altercation with a dominant male at the Rondevlei Nature Reserve. He has been returned to his family. He tore the fence and left the reserve at the weekend. He was only seen again on Friday night in the middle of the night on Eighth Avenue in Grassy Park. Even the animals who we share this planet with have squabbles.
