Pretoria Central

20 NOVEMBER, 2020 • 012-842-0300

Reports streamed in of a bus hijacking and motorists being violently attacked as taxi drivers blocked streets and off-ramps across Tshwane to demand Covid-19 relief fund payments.

Not-so-peaceful taxi protest

Sinesipho Schreiber and Keitumetse appointed roads and transport MMC protesting taxi drivers. Maako Dikeledi Selowa. Pastor Joel Johannes Peens and “At our meeting on Tuesday, the his wife Santie were on their way to On Wednesday morning, taxi association undertook to protest a nearby pharmacy when they were Tshwane residents were violently peacefully. blocked off by a taxi and another intimidated and a city bus “Their actions go against the spirit vehicle at the corner of Hendrik and hijacked in the north during of the right to protest as enshrined in Van der Hoff streets. supposedly “peaceful” protests the constitution,” she said. Santie said the men got out of throughout the city by taxi The metro subsequently decided to the two vehicles with weapons and drivers. recall all of their buses. approached her and her husband. The protests also left Selowa said this was done to not “All I could remember was that my thousands of frustrated only protect their assets, but also the husband told me I should run to safety. commuters and motorists safety of both drivers and commuters. “From a distance, I saw how they stranded and stuck in Meanwhile, Tshwane metro pulled my husband out of the car. traffi c as roads in the east spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the They started hitting him with objects of Pretoria as well as driver was hijacked “ostensibly by and kicking him. They also damaged Centurion were blocked. [protesting] members affi liated to the our vehicle. Shortly after, they sped The protest march National Tax Association (NTA)”. off , leaving my husband in a critical was supposed to “During our meeting, they said that condition,” said Santie. have been limited to the protest would start at 10:00 and Santie said she took her husband to the city centre, as that it would be peaceful. Thus, we the nearest hospital for treatment. marchers delivered allowed our buses to operate early this She said they will open a case at the a list demanding the morning. We were going to withdraw police station later today. payment of Covid-19 them just before the protest got Streets directly aff ected by the relief funds by underway,” Bokaba said. march included Sophie de Bruyn, the government “Our drivers have been warned to Bosman, Paul Kruger, Hamilton and to the transport not operate in The Orchards.” Steve Biko. department By mid-morning on Wednesday, The NTA has distanced itself from buildings as well Bokaba had confi rmed that both the the violent incidents. as the Union driver and bus had been released and NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said Buildings. the bus was taken to a depot. it noted reported incidents of violence “We condemn The passengers were reportedly on social media and urged law the hijacking forced off the bus by protesters. enforcement departments to deal with of one of our In one incident, resident Petrie those engaged in violent activities. buses in The Vogel captured on video a protester “We heard there have been calls to Orchards smashing her car’s windscreen with a violence, which we strongly abhor. We area and the truncheon. call on law enforcement agencies to threats that Although Vogel sustained step in because that is not what we had were made minor injuries, she said she was agreed on.” against our left traumatised by the attack that Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda drivers,” happened while driving in Waterkloof Muridili said the police received said the Ridge when protesters blocked reports of intimidation from motorists Tshwane Eridanus Road near the intersection of by the protesters. metro’s Rigel Avenue. “We can only report on the number newly In another incident, a pastor from of violent cases later, once all people Hercules, west of Pretoria, was aff ected have offi cially reported the brutally assaulted, allegedly by cases,” said Muridili. 2 NEWS PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 Metro to investigate ‘increase’ in the bills Noxolo Sibiya pay R800 or more for her bill. Engelbrecht said she believed that The newly re-elected Tshwane council Tshwane’s billing system was incorrect said it will look into why residents’ water and she had fi rst encountered this problem and electricity bills have skyrocketed in 2005/2006 when it was resolved - until under the temporary administrators’ it started up again three years ago. leadership. “I am absolutely not willing to pay. We “We are concerned about the signifi cant already paid more than we owe on which rise in debtor levels from R12.6-billion they earn interest and we don’t,” she said. in March to R17.4-billion at the end of She said she has sent queries to the October 2020,” said fi nance MMC Mare- metro, but none of the queries were met Lise Fourie. with any action. Engelbrecht said even She said a “high-priority” investigation though her bill was not extreme, the issue would be held into meter reading was a matter of principle and consistency performance, estimations and the success from the side of the metro. of the incentive schemes developed On average the metro receives about All uniformed TMPD offi cers were instructed to proactively enforce the by-law. Photo: File during the lockdown. 1 457 notifi cations and queries regarding “These investigations will highlight billing per month through their CRM problem areas for correction as soon as platforms. possible,” she said. Fourie said on average 83% of those Recently, Tshwane residents have were resolved. Tshwane metro to deal with complained about receiving exorbitant “Every eff ort will be made to ensure water and electricity bills that would be that each complaint logged with the city double and, in some cases, triple their is investigated and resolved as soon as increasing illegal dumping usual bills. possible. In August, the metro’s billing system “Where a dispute is lodged on an came under the spotlight when the metro amount owing by an owner in respect of Last year, more than 600 illegal dumping sites in the metro had appointed 34 debt collection agencies municipal services, the owner shall make were identifi ed and the fi gure has since increased. to recoup more than R12-billion owed to regular minimum payments based on it by residential and business customers. the calculation of the average municipal The debt collection agencies were account for the preceding three months Reitumetse Mahope “Eradicating illegal dumping is therefore a appointed with eff ect from 2 November prior to the arising of the dispute.” key executive priority. 2020 on a three-year contract to collect The metro’s spokesperson Selby The Tshwane metro has prioritised its “To this end I had engagements with the the outstanding debt from 93 113 Bokaba said the metro had tried to resources on eradicating the increasing Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police residential and businesses. recover the outstanding debt through crime of illegal dumping in various regions responsible for Specialised Policing, and Some residents questioned the other less drastic measures such as credit in the city. with the TMPD’s by-law enforcement unit legitimacy of the debt. control actions, debt calling and via MMC for Community Safety and regarding enforcement of the city’s waste Groenkloof resident Klarissa electronic reminders. Emergency Services, Karen Meyer, said management by-law.” Engelbrecht said she was not willing to All these eff orts were, however, in vain. the metro was aware of the proliferation of Meyer said she had also spoken to the illegal dumping across Tshwane. MMC for Environmental and Agricultural “This situation has been exacerbated by Management and the Group Head of the outright failure of the administrators the Department about the liaison and to manage and provide for adequate waste interface between the TMPD and the waste removal during their unlawful tenure.” management division. Meyer said last year, more than 600 illegal She said the following key actions had GRANITE KITCHEN QUARTZ dumping sites in the metro were identifi ed. been instituted by her department interfaced SURFACES Like us on “This has evidently increased as residents with others: R456.53 R1138.72 Facebook (Rekord), dumped household and garden waste in open - The Chief of Police has issued a directive to see what’s fi elds, on roadways and outside municipal to instruct all uniformed TMPD offi cers in happening in your facilities.” every region to proactively enforce the by- community She said the Tshwane metro had become law and to apprehend suspects. 30MM and take part in the committed to ensuring that various regions - The TMPD will provide her offi ce with 30MM 20MM conversation. in the metro were stable, safe and that its weekly statistics on the number of illegal

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INSOLVENT ESTATE AUCTION - ARCADIA incidents for these to be cleared. Follow us Meyer said members of the public were UNIT 1 SS JUANITA, 601 STANZA BOPAPE STR. DENTAL CLINIC AUCTION DATE: THURS, 26 NOVEMBER 2020 @1PM on Twitter therefore encouraged to report incidents of illegal dumping when they encountered Family Unit situated for regular All Dental Gold them to the TMPD at the 24-hour contact in secure complex at R350 cash! news updates, line on 012-358-7095/012-358-7096, or via comprising of: email at [email protected]. U, L & full shape breaking “Residents and business are further 4 Bedrooms Gold t news, reminded that illegal dumping is a criminal t Full Bathroom t Guest Toilet 50% discount community off ence in terms of sections 24 the Tshwane t Lounge for cash patients. metro waste management by-law of 2016. t Kitchen Free consultations opinions and “The disposal of any waste or waste t Dining Room material at any place or on any premises t Unit Size: 123SQM for cash patients to give other than through waste collection or at t
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8PSL She said any person found guilty of illegal 17687/20-11-20 ENQ: MONIQUE SMIT – 072 041 2836 / [email protected] 010 023 2473 / 012 320 0017 @Rekord dumping was liable to a maximum period of imprisonment of three years or a R60 000 TERMS & CONDITIONS: R5000.00 REGISTRATION FEE. FICA DOCUMENTS TO REGISTER. ROOM 924 LOUIS PASTEUR DENTAL CLINIC Newspaper VIEWING: BY APPOINTMENT & 1 HR PRIOR TO THE AUCTION fi ne, or both, as determined by a court. FRANCIS BAARD STREET 374, PRETORIA Contact us Publisher Code of Conduct Audit Group Editor: Rekord is owned and published by Capital This newspaper has committed itself to report The distribution of this Sunette Visser / [email protected] Media, 32 Orpen Ave, Lydiana, Pretoria news truthfully and accurately, and to publish ABC newspaper is 0184; and printed by North West Web comment that is fair, in accordance with the highest independently audited Tel: 012 842 0300 Business Manager: Printers (Pty) Ltd, 13 Coetzer Street, standards of journalism as set out in the Press to the professional Sabine Goodwin / [email protected] Rustenburg, 0300. All rights and the Code of South Africa. Complaints that this code standards administrated Address: 32 Orpen Ave reproduction of all reports, photographs, has been breached may be lodged with the offi ce by the Audit Bureau of Lydiana, Pretoria Sales Manager: drawings and all materials published in this of the Press Ombudsman. Written complaints, with Circulations of South 0184 Bianca Pretorius / [email protected] newspaper are hereby reserved in terms of a copy of the report concerned, may be sent to the Africa. Section 12 (7) of the Copyright Act No 96 of press Ombudsman: (Fax) 011 484 3612 or e-mail: Total weekly distribution: Distribution: [email protected] 1978 and any amendments thereof. [email protected] 18 480 012 335 3760 PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 NEWS 3 Salvokop residents divided on project Reitumetse Mahope

Residents of Salvokop are seemingly A child playing in Plastic View informal settlement. Photo: Ron Sibiya divided over plans to develop the area to the reported tune of around R18-billion. While some residents claimed there was no clarity as to what the development plan entailed, others seemed content with the Informal settlements to stay – for now proposed development. During a community meeting on Tuesday, Tshwane civic movement chairperson Despite fast-tracking human settlements projects in Tshwane, the Gauteng government admits Khomotso Sephelle said residents had not it is a problem that will be here for a ‘long time’. been told what the government plans would entail. “We are being promised opportunities as Sinesipho Schrieber Previously, Tshwane metro reported community members, however, we have that the value chain of upgrading the been not told what this exactly means. The Gauteng provincial government informal settlement for full services “We are told that some of our homes will still has a long way to go in eradicating took three to 10 years. be demolished to accommodate their plans. widespread growing informal The region has more than “But we have not been told where these settlements, MEC Lebogang Maile 800 000 people registered in the homeowners will be placed after their said. national housing needs register. houses are demolished.” Although the department was fast- “Through the housing rapid land He claimed phase 1 of the so-called tracking housing development projects release programme [release of Tshwane inner city regeneration programme it would take a long time to eradicate unutilised government buildings, was when the planned demolition was informal settlements, he said. abandoned factories, municipal expected to occur. Maile was speaking at the Gauteng shops or land for urban agriculture to “Only in phase 3 would residential areas executive council giving an update entrepreneurs, etc.] we are attempting be completed. on the implementation of the growing to deal with the housing backlog of “So where will we go?” he demanded to Gauteng together 2030 9GGT strategy. about a million and growing every year. know. “We are fast-tracking human “However, we will never have “They cannot bring developments that will settlements projects in Tshwane and resources to build a million houses put community members out on the streets.” throughout the province. immediately. Sephelle said residents also wanted clarity “But we will never fully eradicate “And that is why we are looking at on the type of jobs they would get during informal settlements [immediately]. other options such as social housing and after the planned project. “That’s why we have a programme in and the rapid land release programme He alleged that the Salvokop ward Gauteng to deal directly with these. We to deal with the backlog,’’ Maile said. councillor and other offi cials were “not have spent about R700-million apart Although the department faced singing the same tune as their superiors from what the metros are spending on several challenges, Maile said he was when engaging with residents on the this programme.’’ happy that it was able to spend its project”. The department was facing a million budget this year compared to previous Sephelle believed that government was backlog in housing allocation. years when it failed to fully spend rushing the project in Salvokop without Maile said some people on the housing grants. consulting all community members. waiting list for housing allocation “For the fi rst time this year, we will “We are not against this project, but we were part of informal settlements that not lose any money as the department are against our people being mistreated.” would be relocated to formal houses Human settlement MEC Lebogang did in the past 10 years,” he said. Maile briefi ng the media. But not all community members shared while informal settlements would be “Despite all these challenges, we are Sephelle’s concerns. formalised. making strides.” “The people who are against this project do not actually reside in Salvokop,” said local resident Fortunate Mampuru. “They only own homes which they rent out to tenants for money. They are the ones Mayor confi dent in new plan to save water disrupting community engagements like this.” Sinesipho Schrieber On Wednesday, a mayoral committee Williams said the metro’s report on water Spokesperson for the minister of public approved a turnaround plan to address losses showed that the city is eff ectively works and infrastructure Zara Nicholson told Tshwane mayor Randall Williams has high water losses because of leaking losing 30% of the total amount of revenue it the meeting that the properties being rented expressed confi dence in the metro’s new meters, pipes, illegal connections, ageing should receive from water sales. out actually belonged to the department. water-loss reduction plan. infrastructure and a lack of maintenance in Williams believed that the committee’s “There is no agreement between the the metro. approved turnaround strategy would mend department and the community to sub-let Williams said that better water this. these properties.” management processes and more accurate “With better water management processes Nicholson said the project would bring billing systems would lead to increased and more accurate billing systems, it bricklaying, landscaping and painting revenue and stabilise the metro’s fi nancial will also lead to increased revenue in the jobs among others, to locals during the state, which he previously described as a future and help stabilise the city’s fi nancial construction phase of the project. “mess”. position.” “Locals in the area will be given fi rst “Currently, the metro is divided into 240 The strategic intervention plan would preference and where feasible they will be demand management zones in terms of include: given training,” she said. water use,” Williams said. - The installation of bulk meters; “All of these zones will benefi t from these - Log bulk meters; interventions, which will be phased in over fi ve years. - Pressure management; “The estimated savings generated from - Leak detection and fi xing; the reduction in water losses are estimated at - Pipe replacement; R8-million per month. - Meter audit/replacement; “This could lead to savings of up - Connection replacement; R100-million a year.” - Retrofi tting; He said the loss of water hit the metro’s - Water management devices; revenue hard. - Billing data clean-up; and “With about 3.3-million people living - Check demand management zones in Tshwane, the metro currently faces the boundary discreteness. challenge of meeting consumer demand In September, the metro issued a warning for water services due to the increasing to residents and businesses to use water Tshwane mayor Randall Williams population. sparingly, due to a rate of water consumption Homes and businesses in the Salvokop briefi ng the media on municipal plan. “It is imperative that the city distributes higher than the water system could area. water optimally and effi ciently.” provide. 4 NEWS PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020

Interventions at centres to deal with the backlog were announced by the Minister of Transport. Photo: Facebook Longer centre hours to process licences Reitumetse Mahope “There would also be a dedicated team to maintain and service the equipment and Several measures have been implemented at machinery that is used to process the driving local licensing centres to address the current licence renewals on a regular basis,” he said. backlog of the online booking system. During an unannounced visit to Gauteng public transport and roads Themba driver licensing testing centre infrastructure MEC Jacob Mamabolo in Hammanskraal on Thursday, transport announced that as of Monday this week, minister Fikile Mbalula committed himself all driving licensing testing centres in the to ensure that perpetrators were brought to province would be dedicated with 70% of book. booking slots and capacity to issue driving The following interventions were licence renewals in order to address the announced to ease the backlog: current backlogs. – 70% of capacity, human resources Mamabolo made the announcement and equipment at testing centres will be following a meeting with various dedicated to servicing expired driving municipality and district licensing licence card renewals and professional authorities. driving permits. “Working together with all the – 70% of slots on the online booking stakeholders, the province will ensure system will be dedicated to expired driving that 70% of all slots made available to licence cards and PDPs. the driving licence testing centres will be – Two satellite centres will be opened dedicated exclusively to processing licence at the RTMC offi ces in Centurion and renewals on a daily basis. Midrand. “Managers who undermine this directive – A task team has been established to will be dealt with harshly and face possible advise the Gauteng department of transport suspension. on the procurement of mobile centres. “We have also taken a decision that – An operations centre will be opened to available capacity in the centres such as daily monitor operations at the centres and equipment, machinery and staff will be evaluate the availability of booking slots dedicated to addressing the backlog in due to operate from Monday, 16 November driving licence renewals,” he said. 2020. Mamabolo said that a provincial – Extended operational hours will be management operations centre will be introduced with centres opening from established to monitor the activities of Monday to Sunday from next week. testing centres on a daily basis, as well as – All testing centres falling under the to ensure that the decisions taken at the Tshwane metro will open from 06:00 meeting were implemented. starting in December. Expect a ‘different’ Christmas

Sinesipho Schrieber these were not suggesting a resurgence of infections. South Africans should expect a somewhat “The cluster outbreaks in the Eastern diff erent Christmas this year thanks to Cape and Western Cape do not necessarily Covid-19, according to health minister mean the country will go into an infection Zweli Mkhize. resurgence immediately. Speaking at a virtual media briefi ng on “If we manage the cluster outbreaks well, Sunday, Mkhize said while there might not we will not see a rise in infections in other be a lockdown this December, the public parts of the country,” Mkhize said. needed to incorporate Covid-19 health regulations in festive activities. “Let’s prepare ourselves for a slightly diff erent Christmas,” he said. “I am not talking about lockdown, but changing how we do things. “We do not want people to end up with an infection. “The day-to-day festivities have to be done diff erently, keeping in mind that Covid-19 still exists.” Mkhize said sustaining Covid-19 safety measures was diffi cult as regulation fatigue set in among the public. However, preventative measures such as wearing masks and washing hands regularly should remain important to keep safe during this festive season. While other countries such as Spain and France were facing a resurgence in infections, Mkhize said some parts of South Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize. Photo: Africa were seeing cluster outbreaks, but GCIS PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 NEWS 5

TMPD offi cers and Gauteng traffi c engaging with commuters over GBV crimes at taxi ranks and where and how they can report these Gauteng Traffi c spokesperson Sello crimes. Maremane at a GBV engagement campaign at Bosman taxi rank as a build- up towards the 16 Days of Activism for No Help expose GBV at taxi ranks Violence Against Women and Children. Reitumetse Mahope GBV at taxi ranks in the area. law enforcement agencies in the province. He cited Mamelodi east and Temba in “We are also worried about Whistle-blowers in the taxi industry have Hammanskraal as GBV “hotspots”. unroadworthy minibus taxis.” been of great help in arresting perpetrators According to him, the visit was also part Despite the taxi industry’s help in of gender-based violence (GBV) at taxi of the run-up to the upcoming 16 Days of fi ghting GBV, he said that they cannot ranks, a spokesperson Activism for No Violence Against Women expect any special treatment this festive for the Gauteng traffi c and Children campaign. season when it comes to fl outing the rules department said. “We want to encourage female of the road. The visit “Through their commuters to report all GBV incidents,” “We want them to uphold the law and leads, we could said Maremane. we will enforce it unconditionally,” he formed part of crack down “Our aim is to break the cycle of said. the provincial on several violence against them.” About 11 Tshwane taxi drivers have crimes,” said The visit formed part of the provincial been dismissed over the past year for “government’s Gauteng traffi c government’s campaign against GBV and their role in GBV, a local taxi association campaign spokesperson femicide as well. said. Sello “We visit various taxi ranks once a week “The industry has always condemned against GBV Maremane. right around the province through the any criminality at taxi ranks where we and femicide He said these regular O kae molao operations. We also operate,” said South African National as well. whistle-blowers engage with taxi associations members on Taxi Council (Santaco) Tshwane regional were protected, as the ground.” spokesperson Mack Makata. “we do not expose He said taxi members belonging to “Any drivers who have been reported them to any form of various associations were encouraged as being ill-mannered towards women danger”. to assist commuters who appeared cannot be allowed. Maremane made the remarks during “distressed”. “The industry’s stance is that any driver a visit to the Bosman taxi rank in the “We have arrested several perpetrators or employee found to be violating women Pretoria CBD on Monday. of GBV with the help of taxi association will be dismissed and handed over to the members.” police.” The visit was part of a regular campaign Gauteng traffi c police engaging with Despite this, he said that taxi violence He said a decline of such crimes could by Gauteng traffi c police and the Tshwane commuters at taxi ranks. metro police to raise awareness about and reckless driving were of concern to be attributed to customer care training. Hospitals are ‘stable’ in wake of Covid-19 Sinesipho Schrieber 887 966 patients enrolled on the central chronic Despite the burden placed medicines dispensing and on the health department distribution programme, by the Covid-19 outbreak, with 105 127 new patients hospitals are currently in enrolled in the second Service delivery to be impacted as protesting workers trash Tshwane headquarters. good standing. quarter alone.” According to Gauteng Malotana said they aimed health department acting to implement a picture head Lesiba Malotana, the archiving communication province’s health system system that would improve Mayor has labour unions’ support was currently “stable” even data management and patient though the province was the diagnosis at Kalafong country’s hotspot during the hospital in Atteridgeville by ‘We will focus on how we can ensure a harmonious labour environment.’ July infection peak. the end of the 2020/2021 “The health system has fi nancial year. Reitumetse Mahope labour relations, discussed a lower for months, there would demonstrated its resilience “Once we have the multitude of issues. be ongoing discussions about his being able to contain the system, the idea is that we It was all systems go this week, as But “most importantly we focused matter. pandemic to the best of our should not have a situation municipal worker unions reassured on how we can ensure that going He said the mayor also planned on ability.’’ where patient fi les are not the newly elected Tshwane mayor forward the metro’s work is not optimising working arrangements Malotana said the moved around but for them of “their support and desire to work disrupted”. with the unions to ensure that more department needed to to be easily accessed.’’ with the metro’s political leadership” Mayoral spokesperson Jordan work was done with fewer strikes. re-prioritise its health Malotana said the – regardless of political affi liation. Griffi ths said some of the issues “This will be managed through development plans. department planned to This as Tshwane mayor Randall raised by the unions included staffi ng continuous engagement and One of these plans implement the system in all Williams on Monday met with the matters at particular departments communication.” was closely tracking the community health centres by leadership of the two major unions in and the management of some of the “The Local Labour Forum (LLF) performance of essential 2022. the metro, namely the South African city’s strategic assets. is one such structure in the metro services and priority “The department will Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) Crucially, the pay increase agreed which has political representation programmes. continue to improve health and the Independent Municipal and upon by the administrators to be paid and engages directly with the unions. “[Ironically] the infrastructure and health Allied Traders Union (Imatu). to offi cials of the metro in December If this is managed well, it can ensure Covid-19 crisis outbreak services, despite existing “I felt that it was important to meet were discussed. that labour unrest is prevented in the helped in fast-tracking pressures at various with the union leaders as quickly “This was tied to whether or not future. the department’s fi ve-year administrative levels.’’ as possible once I took offi ce, as it the city achieves a 95% collection “As the country likely prepares health infrastructure plans,” In July, the province was is critical to maintain a harmonious rate.” to move out of lockdown it will be he said. the epicentre of Covid-19 labour environment in the metro.” Griffi ths said as the collection rate crucial that all services are stabilised “Good progress has been infections seeing 5 000 cases He said the metro, along with of the metro had been signifi cantly going forward.” noted in a few areas such as recorded daily. 6 PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020

Themba Zwane celebrating a goal with Bongani Zungu during Bafana Bafana’s 4-2 win over São Tomé and Príncipe. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns website Downs players shine for all their countries The weekend has been a hectic one for the Tomé and Príncipe. The fi rst game took Mamelodi Sundowns family. place at Moses Mabhida stadium and the Masandawana had players doing duty for home side was victorious by a two-goal their respective countries in the African Cup to zero margins. The second game took of Nations and also in the Women’s Cosafa place in Port Elizabeth and Themba Zwane Cup fi nal. stepped up as he netted a brace to give The biggest news to come out of the Bafana a 4-2 victory to close the gap. international week is the sterling job done by Peter Shalulile took the fi eld for Namibia the following Mamelodi Sundowns ladies: as they took on Mali away from home and Andile Dlamini, Karabo Makhurubetshi, the result did not favour the Brave Warriors Lebogang Mabatle, Karabo Dhlamini, as they lost by a goal to nil. Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Oratile Mokoena and Denis Onyango got the weekend of Chantelle Esau. international football off as his country They were called up for Banyana Banyana Uganda took on Sudan and the Cranes came to play in the Cosafa Cup which they out on top at home with a 1-0 victory. eventually won without losing a game. Four days later the Ugandan national team Lyle Lakay, Motjeka Madisha, Mosa lost in the return leg match to South Sudan Lebusa, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Morena away from home. and Kermit Erasmus were in action for Onyango’s national side is currently Bafana Bafana also over the international sitting on the second spot with seven points week, as they were out to help the national and one point away from group leaders team close the gap when they took on São Burkina Faso. Switching back to his passion Is less better? The Tuks athlete, Rivaldo of a sprinter, the fl exibility of a gymnast Roberts, will hopefully know by the end and be aggressive. It is important to control of April next year whether his decision to your aggression. If you let it get the better of switch back to 110m-hurdles is the right one. you, it is going to slow you down,” Roberts While still at school, he was considered to explained. be a 110m-hurdles champion in the making According to Roberts, he does not think and with good reason. when he races. He was the national u.18 champion and “To me, everything boils down to muscle represented South Africa at the World Youth memory. Doing what you have trained to Championships and went on to win a bronze perfection. Only one thing matters. That medal at the African u.20 Championships. is getting in the quickest possible time Everything, however, changed when he from start to fi nish. Never once touching a was convinced by coaches that he should hurdle,” he remarked. switch to running the 400m-hurdles. Roberts said he has been mesmerised by In hindsight, it might be perceived to be a athletics since he can remember. mistake. Roberts had his moments, but they “Getting to watch the heroics of the were few and far between. He was slowly legendary Usain Bolt and South Africa’s fading from the athletics scene. In 2015 it Llewellyn Herbert on television has helped was the last time he was selected for any inspire me to have my own dreams of being South African team. fast,” Roberts concluded. It started to bother the Tuks hurdler. He was, after all, not training to becomeome a mere “also runner”. Roberts realised he iiss nonott getting any younger. Next year hhee will be 25 years old. At the beginning of the year, thingshings ggotot to a point where Roberts and his coach,oach, Riana Raath, discussed the way forward.d. The national Covid-19 lockdownwn turneturnedd out to be a blessing in disguise. It enabled Roberts to relearn what iitt taktakeses to be fast over 110m-hurdles withouthout being under any pressure. “Being back to basically sprintingting iiss a relief. For the fi rst time in nearlyly fi ve years, it feels like there is a fi re burningburning inside me. The hunger to representnt South Africa is back. I can’t wait to racece tthehe 110m-hurdles,” he said during a recent interview. What does it take to be a good 110m-hurdler? Rivaldo Roberts in action during a “You need to have the speed andnd powepowerr training session. Photo: Reg Caldecott PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 SPORT 7 Covid-19 crisis could ensure Bulls their win This after the match between the Sharks and Stormers was cancelled – the only two teams that could have dethroned the Bulls.

Koos Venter Durban on Saturday has been cancelled following positive It looks like the Bulls will tests among the Sharks’ tight be crowned champions of head props. the SuperRugby Unlocked It follows the cancellation of tournament this coming the Lions’ matches against the weekend, even if their game Cheetahs and Pumas. against the Pumas – which was “Players and management moved to Saturday instead of are urged to employ extreme Friday – does not take place. caution in their social This follows after Saturday’s engagement. It only takes one Pieter Coetzee in action in the swimming pool. Photo: Reg Caldecott match between the Sharks careless interaction by a single and the Stormers in Durban player to have the knock-on was cancelled, after one of the eff ect that impacts on 45 other Sharks’ props tested positive for players, team managements, Young swimmer aims to ‘be best’ the Covid-19 virus. the schedule and potentially the The two teams are the only destination of the title,” said “If you don’t believe you are the times in each of the backstroke “Swimming is possibly one of ones who still had a realistic Jurie Roux, SA Rugby CEO. best, then you will never achieve events. He missed out by a mere the most challenging sports. You chance of catching up with the Roux said as fi t young all that you are capable of.” 0.06s to compete in the fi nal of the got to put in the hours in the pool. Bulls on the log, although the athletes it may be tempting to These words of football 50m-backstroke. But I love it. My reward is when outcome of the Bulls’ game think that they are ‘immune’ legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, is He has now set his sights on at galas, I get to improve on my against the Pumas, which was to infection and are free of the inspiration of a young local trying to qualify for next year’s times,” Coetzee remarked. moved to Saturday, could also comorbidities that make them swimmer from TuksSwimming, World Shortcourse Championships Does it not get monotonous to have an impact on the log. vulnerable. Pieter Coetzee. (25m pool). swim up and down day in and day The latter game will take But a positive test for one “From a young age, Ronaldo “I am possibly not yet strong out? place if the Bulls and the of them can have massive was never content. He wants to win enough to swim the A-qualifi cation “No. It gives me time to think Pumas’ full squads both test repercussions. “I trust that team more than other people and to show standards, but I can get real close to things through,” was the Tuks negative for the virus later this managements will underline that he is better than the rest. This the B-qualifi cation standards in the swimmer’s honest answer. week. that message on a daily basis to extreme will to win and be the best 50m and 100m-backstroke events,” He was just as honest when It is highly doubtful whether their playing personnel,” Roux motivates him to work harder. I am he said. asked what he needs to work on to there will be time for the Sharks concluded. striving to do the same,” Coetzee Swimming was not always improve his times. vs Stormers game – or any of The Pumas’ match against the explained. Coetzee’s fi rst love. He wanted to “I defi nitely can work on the other cancelled matches – Bulls – scheduled for Friday That is why the youngster is run. Whether it was on the athletics improving my start, as well as to be played before the Currie evening in Pretoria – has been on an endless quest to learn, to track or with a rugby ball in hand. my underwater turns.” I have Cup series starts on Friday pushed back until Saturday, improve, and to evolve. Not only It did not matter. Running was what watched videos of last year’s 27 November. In a statement 21 November for player welfare to please the coach but because it mattered. World Junior Championships. issued by SA Rugby, players reasons (kick-off time to be is vital for him to be satisfi ed with His sister was, however, a My overall swimming speed and team management have confi rmed). what he achieves. swimmer. So, he tagged along compares favourably to that of the been cautioned to practice strict The Pumas squad – which Coetzee is already reaping the when she competed at galas. It was international swimmers. It was Covid-compliance measures to returned several positive tests rewards for being so dedicated. his mum who suggested to him to during the turns that I tend to fall minimize the risk of infection, last week – will be re-tested on During last year’s African Junior also “dive in”, and he did. To his behind,” Coetzee replied. following the third cancellation Thursday. Championships in Tunisia, he won surprise, he enjoyed swimming According to Coetzee, a defi nite of a SuperRugby Unlocked The results will be known fi ve gold medals. At the World galas. By the time he got to high perk to swimming is that he gets match on Tuesday. on Friday, allowing time for a Junior Championships in Budapest, school, swimming was his only the opportunity to travel. It is a SA Rugby then offi cially training session after 10 days the Tuks swimmer set personal best sport. passion of his. announced that the Sharks’ in isolation before meeting the match with the Stormers in Bulls on Saturday. TuksAthletics makes sure young talent stays in city TuksAthleticsTuks beefed up their most exciting thing about Potgieter ssprintingprin talent with the signing of is his all-round abilities. “He has a tthehe 118-year-old Eckhardt Potgieter. good start, is fast around the bend EarlierEa this year during the and can keep his top-end speed. GauGautengt North Championships It makes him an asset for any at TTuksu the Afrikaanse Hoër 4x100m relay team.” SSeunskooleu athlete ran a time of The World Athletics Junior 1010.29s.2 in the 100m and 20.58s World Championships has been secoseconds in the 200m. postponed to 22 August next year. HisHi heroics compares It is still going to be held in Kenya. favourablyfavou to the times the South Cornelius predicts that Potgieter AfricanAfric sprint legends Akani has what it takes to contest the SimbineSimb and Wayde van Niekerk fi nal in both sprints. On a good rranan wwhen they were the same age. day, he could even win a medal. At 18 Simbine clocked 10.57s Potgieter is not the only exciting iinn ththe 100m and 21.27s over 200m young prospect Tuks signed for whilewhil Van Niekerk ran 10.58s and next year. 21.02s.21.02 The 18-year-old Kirsti Bell “I“I have no doubt that Potgieter (Menlopark), who last year won wouldwoul have been even faster the South African senior title in the ifif it wwere not for the national 3 000m-steeplechase is also going lockdown.lockd He is a real talent. to don the coveted striped vest in Our challenge at Tuks is to make 2021, while there is a real chance Eckhardt Potgieter at full speed suresure he is adequately managed that the Youth Olympian, Carmie After a decade of silverware drought, it looks like the Bulls are going during a race in the colours of overover the next few years,” said Prinsloo (Montana), will also be to win their fi rst trophy under the guidance of their new coach, Jake his school, Afrikaanse Hoër DanieDani Cornelius, manager of competing for Tuks next year. She White. The last notable trophy that the Bulls could win was the Seunskool. TuksAthletics.Tuks is a world-class middle-distance SuperRugby trophy in 2010. Photo: simondp@actionimage Photo: Reg Caldecott AccordingAc to Cornelius, the athlete. REKORD I N S I D Covid crisis could ensure Bulls become PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 20 NOVEMBER, 2020 E SuperRugby Unlocked champion Local athlete wins famous trail challenge Koos Venter also completed his fi rst Comrades marathon. The route of the famous Otter Trail This was followed by three more Run and Otter Trail Challenge is successful attempts in the Comrades considered one of the most diffi cult ultra-marathon, while he also in this popular and growing sport in completed the Two Oceans ultra- South Africa, as athletes have to face marathon four times. very rough terrain, steep rocks and in In addition, he is also an avid some places also the ocean. triathlete, who already completed his These two races, of which the 2020 fi rst Ironman Challenge in 2018. version recently took place in the As a cyclist, this father of three has Knysna area, annually attract only completed the 94.7 race more than the bravest among the trail runners. 10 times, while he also excelled on While the professional athletes battle the football and cricket fi eld in his it out in the Trail Run, the younger years. adventurous amateurs enter However, Hoosen immediately the Challenge. fell in love with Trail Running To the great joy when he was introduced to it a and pride of the few years ago. Last year he was Jacaranda Athletics 13th in his fi rst Otter Challenge, Club in Laudium, while also completing the diffi cult Pretoria, one Mont-aux-Sources Challenge in the of their own Drakensberg in Kwazulu-Natal. stalwarts fi nished He loves new challenges and the as winner in famous Sky Run in Lady Gray in the the Otter Trail Eastern Cape is one of the trail runs Challenge this he defi nitely wants to tackle in the year. future. Abdullah Hoosen Hoosen told Rekord that Abdullah Hoosen. a physiotherapist he surprised himself with his from Laudium, won the performance in this year’s Otter open section of the Otter Challenge, as the national lockdown Challenge in a time of 5:50,57. period had a major impact on his This achievement is undoubtedly training programme. There was the highlight of Hoosen’s career as a long period during which he an athlete so far. He told Rekord that basically could not train at all and Abdullah Hoosen shows his joy when he was able to run fi rst he had already started participating that is why he is so much prouder of over the fi nish line in the recent Otter Challenge Trail Run in in road races as a schoolboy and his achievement in this year’s Otter the Southern Cape. Photo: Peter Kirk Media in his fi rst year as a student he Challenge. Spin bowler boasts with career-best Koos Venter But they lasted only 8.2 overs as duck followed by Theunis de Bruyn Shamsi grabbed three of the fi nal four for 13. Tabraiz Shamsi claimed the best-ever wickets in the form of Mthiwekhaya But Heinrich Klaasen (20) and fi gures by a Momentum Multiply Titans Nabe (6), top-scorer Sinethemba Aiden Markram (19) settled the bowler breaking Dale Steyn’s record Qeshile (28) and Stefan Tait (0). nerves, before quickly chasing down from 12 years ago to help his team crush The other wicket was claimed by the runs to seal another big win. the Warriors by eight wickets on the Lizaad Williams, who ended with The two teams will take on each fi nal day of their 4-Day Domestic Series 1/48. other again in both teams’ next match, encounter in Port Elizabeth last week. The Titans received a minor scare which will be played from 23 to 26 The Proteas spinner fi nished with an at the start of the chase when Nabe November at SuperSport Park in impeccable 8/32 in 16.2 overs as the (2/27) got rid of Dean Elgar for a rare Centurion. hosts were emphatically blown away for 124 on the fourth morning – setting the visitors a meagre target of 63. They got there in nine overs at St George’s Park to move top of Pool B with a second win in as many games. The foundation for this victory was laid in the fi rst two days of the match, when half centuries by Heinrich Klaasen (68), Dean Elgar (66) and Sibonelo Makhanya (58) gave the Titans a fi rst innings lead of 62 runs. But Shamsi was the star of the fi nal two days with his career-best return, leaving the Warriors in a spin during their second innings. In the end his fi gures bettered Steyn’s return of 8/41 for the Titans against the Eagles that were recorded at Bloemfontein way back in 2007/08. The home side began the last day Tabraiz Shamsi in action in port on 97/6 after being rocked on the Elizabeth, where he took eight wickets penultimate evening by the spinner as in the Warriors’ second innings. Heinrich Klaasen was the Titans’ top batsman they sought to build on their precarious Photo: Titans against the Warriors in Port Elizabeth. 35-run lead.