Soweto has been identified as the great sinner when it comes to outstanding debt to Eskom. The latest figures show that Soweto’s debt to the power provider is over R17bn.
Last week, technicians threatened that they would no longer perform repairs in neighborhoods where their security is threatened, areas effected including Soweto.
Head of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF), General Solly Shoke, as well as Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, admitted during the parliamentary session that SANDF has financial difficulties. It is also said that the deployment of the military to counter gang violence on the Cape Flats is not feasible because the army is not trained to combat urban civilian violence. SANDF troops have been in Cape Town for a week, but have not yet left the barracks because they are waiting for intelligence reports and still waiting on a withdrawal strategy.
An investigation by Johannesburg City Council at Four Ways revealed that the Council lost nearly R9 million in revenue due to illegal electrical connections.
Buildings’ water and sewer connections have not been registered since 2015. It seems to be the tip of the “iceberg” as the investigation was done only in one suburb.
The Hawks arrested seven traffic officials for issuing drivers licenses for payment. A security guard and six female test officers will appear in court on complaints of fraud and corruption.
The violations at Khayalitsha have taken place since January 2015 and October 2018. It appears that these types of offenses are not eradicated, as licensing officers are shortly arrested for the same complaints.