Mamelodi residents have lived another year, without much change in crime as 2024 has been riddled with repeats of prior years: unfinished projects worth millions of rands, shortage of water, high municipal bills, and the never-ending violence against women and children.
The following stories made headlines and left many residents in shock and disbelief.
Decade-long R94-million Mamelodi court project to get a new contractor
The decade-long Mamelodi Magistrate’s Court construction is still on hold, following the termination of Fikile Construction Company.
Construction started in 2014, but community unrest and poor performance by the terminated contractor led to the project stalling in 2023.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) announced the termination of the contract in October 2023.
DPWI spokesperson Thami Mchunu said a new contractor had not been appointed as yet but would be soon.
The unfinished building remains incomplete with no sign of progress and residents are wondering what the next step is.
“The court was built to provide effective judicial services in Mamelodi and the surrounding areas based on the need analysis outcome done by the Department of Justice,” Mchunu said.
He added that any remedial work that may be required will be included in the scope of work of the new contractor.
“There is additional funding required to complete the remaining work,” he said.
The new building on Tsamaya Road in Tsakane, was initially scheduled for completion in 2015, and then 2018.
Mams residents haunted by high bills
Ratepayers are concerned about incorrect municipal bills, claiming their taps have been dry for years.
Mamelodi residents are at their wit’s end as the Tshwane metro “continues to send them abnormally high electricity and water bills.”.
President of the Mamelodi Concerned Residents’ Association Oupa Mtshweni claimed that he was a recent unfortunate victim of the “abnormally high consumption bill”.
Mtshweni said his electricity and water bill totalled R145 729 for October only.
He said in 2017, his electricity and water bill was R275 176, then increased to R333 075, but somehow has decreased to R145 729.
He said Tshwane had made arrangements for him for October.
“I have never been to Tshwane municipal offices or signed any document to a make payment arrangement or decrease the amount, but it decreased and an arrangement was already made for me.
Who made the arrangement?”
Mtshweni said he had been complaining for years about the estimated billing system.
He said the metro should scrap all these abnormal bills “so we can start all over again.”.
Walter Mabaso of Ikageng in Mamelodi East said he couldn’t recall the last time he collected a drop of water from his tap, yet Tshwane metro has billed him R3 400 for June.
“We have been without water for four years, and every day it’s a struggle to get water,” said Mabaso, adding that the metro was not taking residents of Mamelodi seriously.
“We are running up and down almost daily searching for water.
“My tap is dry, and it’s been years we have been complaining to the Tshwane metro about a shortage of water in the area.”
He claimed the problem started years ago with low water pressure before there was no water at all.
He said the metro then sent water tankers as an interim solution, “but this had problems of its own.”.
“We have to walk long distances to collect water from the tankers because they only deliver to Ikageng Hall, near the informal settlement,” said Mabaso.
Tshwane removes illegal connections at Mamelodi reservoir
Unauthorised connections, affecting both electricity and water supplies, were found at the inlet valves to these crucial reservoirs.
On August 6 Tshwane finally removed the illegal water connections at the R3 and R4 reservoirs that had caused water disruption in Mamelodi.
The metro also took the operation a step further and tackled illegal electrical connections in various areas of Mamelodi.
[Former] MMC for Utilities and Regional Operations and co-ordination Themba Fosi then said the unauthorised connections were to the inlet valves.
“We also dislodged and removed unauthorised water network components.
“The Mamelodi R3 and R4 reservoirs are vital components of the water supply infrastructure for Mamelodi and broader areas,” said Fosi.
“Recent challenges in maintaining optimal water levels were directly linked to these illegal connections, which compromised the integrity of the water supply system and impeded the reservoirs’ ability to meet community demands.”
[Former] MMC for Finance Jacqui Uys, who was on site, said the illegal connections caused a significant strain on the city’s finances and infrastructure.
She said Mamelodi residents have been plagued by irregular water supply for years and had to rely on water tanks.
“This is due to illegal connections. [These] were removed after we fenced the reservoir area and made it safe so illegal connections cannot happen again,” said Uys.
She said the Tshwane metro also removed all illegal electricity connections to stabilise power supply.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious or unauthorised connection to the city on 012 358 7095/7096.
Tshwane Metro is removing all illegal electricity connections next to Mamelodi Reservoir.
Fosi said illegal connections pose serious risks, including damage to infrastructure and loss of revenue for the city.
Ikageng Ext 3, Mahube Valley, and Mamelodi East phases 3 and 4 have also been experiencing water problems. The problem started four years ago with low pressure to no water at all, affecting a few schools in the area.
Officer in wife murder case denied bail, back in court in September
The accused, Zakhele Bennet Hlongwane (53), asked to be released on bail because, after committing the offences, he had handed himself over to the police.
Hlongwane is accused of shooting his wife, and will remain in police custody until his trial starts.
NPA Tshwane spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the accused appeared in court and was facing charges of the premeditated murder of his wife, Tili Desire Ngobeni (33), pointing of a firearm and housebreaking with intent to murder.
On April 1, around 05:00, the accused allegedly went to Ngobeni’s residence in Mamelodi, broke open the door and shot her multiple times in the presence of their five- and three-year-old children.
Mahanjana said Ngobeni’s brother heard the gunshots, came outside to investigate, and the accused pointed a firearm at him.
An hour later, Hlongwane handed himself over to Mamelodi police and has been in custody since.
Hlongwane said he needed to take care of his 15-year-old daughter and feared that criminals would continue to vandalise his residence in his absence.
However, state prosecutor Tshilidzi Mugeri opposed the bail application, saying the accused knew the witnesses, therefore granting him bail would endanger their lives, and that the court had the duty and responsibility to ensure their safety.
Mugeri also said the court should take into consideration the prevalence of this kind of offence, as South Africa has a notably high rate of femicide cases.
Furthermore, he said the court should ensure that such murderers are not granted bail.
Magistrate Mlombo ruled that she believed the state had a strong case against the accused and that his minor daughter being affected by his incarceration wasn’t exceptional.
She said the fact that the accused had handed himself over to police wasn’t exceptional either, but rather the right thing to do.
Mlombo also found there was a likelihood Hlongwane would evade trial because if he is found guilty, the prescribed minimum sentence would be life in prison.
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