AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale JOHANNESBURG - A fire has broken out at Riverlea High School in Gauteng just six days before schools are set to reopen for the second term on 5 May The fire erupted on Sunday night destroying 11 classrooms including furniture inside.  READ | Bergview principal welcomes Mchunu apology Gauteng Education spokesman Steve Mabona says of the affected classrooms, four of them were actively being used by Grade 8 learners, while the remainder were unoccupied.  Additionally the entire boys’ toilet block was destroyed in the fire, affecting all male pupils at the school. According to Mabona at least 230 pupils have been affected by the aftermath of the fire.  However, the department is working furiously to ensure that teaching and learning continue with minimal disruption, as schooling resumes. "A temporary plan has been put in place to use the school hall for affected learners while arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of four mobile classrooms, fully furnished, to replace the lost classrooms," Mabona said.  Circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are still unknown but, the MEC has condemned this act.  "An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country, and acts of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness,”  MEC Chiloane said.  The MEC has called on those who have information about this incident to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigations. Picture: Thandoluhle Ngcobo/Eyewitness News JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng police have opened a case of arson after a fire destroyed 11 classrooms at Riverlea Secondary School in Randburg  Officers say witnesses have shared information suggesting the blaze may have been deliberately started on Sunday The fire erupted in an unused classroom and spread through the building  Education authorities say they suspect that there were people on school grounds on the day of the fire including members of the forensic science laboratory will be investigating the incident and track down those responsible READ: 11 classrooms gutted by blaze at Riverlea school "The police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation. Information can also be given anonymously via My SAPS app," said Gauteng police spokesperson, Mavela Masondo. The Gauteng Education Department said about 230 pupils will be accommodated in mobile classrooms when they return to school on Monday.  Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane has condemned the incident, describing it as a senseless attack on the future of the country. Sections Preliminary investigations suggest the fire started in one of the unused classrooms The Gauteng school community was left reeling after a fire broke out at Riverlea High School in Johannesburg on Sunday gutting 11 classrooms and a boys’ toilet block adding that some community members may have witnessed suspicious activity and are cooperating with police Four of the destroyed classrooms were allocated to Grade 8 learners Temporary mobile units have already been deployed and the department has repurposed the school hall to accommodate displaced learners “This is going to have a huge impact on boy learners at the school,” said Mabona noting the destruction of the only male toilet block the department is planning to provide mobile toilet units and is considering the use of hall facilities in the interim officials are determined to ensure continuity in teaching “We will make sure that curriculum delivery is conducted and surely they should be in a position to continue with the course of teaching,” Mabona assured 230 Grade 8 learners have been directly affected by the loss of classrooms while all male students are impacted by the damaged sanitation facilities Mabona remains hopeful that the police will uncover the perpetrators with help from the community “We are truly comforted that probably police do have some information that can assist them.” the community and education authorities remain united in their call for justice and an urgent return to normalcy for Riverlea High Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Annsia Essack and Steve Mabona here Contact: advertisingadmin@radioislam.co.za  Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 06 May 2025 | 16:07 CAT “This is not only a financial loss It’s a missed opportunity to improve the lives of thousands of Johannesburg’s residents,” says Eleanor Mavimbela Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 06 May 2025 | 13:27 CAT Thousands of children across Eastern Cape schools are going hungry after schools reportedly ran out of surplus funds to purchase food sparking widespread concern about the sustainability of.. 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Newshbobat@radioislam.co.zambham@radioislam.co.za Advertising advertisingadmin@radioislam.co.za About | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy Home | South Africa The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has urged the provincial Education Department to swiftly repair the Riverlea High School This comes after a fire destroyed 11 classrooms at the school on Monday The DA has cited a similar incident at the Lancea Vale Secondary School in Eldorado Park last year The party is demanding accountability and prompt restoration of the affected facilities says children deserve to be in safe schools “The DA will be submitting questions to MEC Matome Chiloane on how many school fires have occurred and whether the school meets fire safety standards we would implement a rapid infrastructure recovery plan with firm deadlines and proper structural assessment Our children deserve safe dignified schools and not broken promises.” VIDEO | 11 classes at Riverlea High School burnt down:  A fire that started at Riverlea High School Preliminary reports state that the fire started in an empty classroom at about 6pm and swiftly spread destroying an entire block of 11 classrooms The aftermath of this fire has a direct impact on approximately 230 students because the furniture in these 11 classrooms has been completely destroyed Four of the impacted classrooms were occupied by grade 8 pupils The entire block of boys’ restrooms was also destroyed by the fire which will affect all of the male students at the school the department is making every effort to guarantee that when classes resume on May 5 learning proceeds with the least amount of disruption possible Chiloane further stated that a temporary plan has been put in place to use the school hall for affected learners while arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of four mobile classrooms “We condemn this senseless act of destruction in the strongest possible terms An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country and acts of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” said Chiloane Chiloane appealed to the public to share information about the incident “We appeal to anyone who may have information about this incident to assist law enforcement in their investigations “We remain committed to supporting the Riverlea High School community and will provide further updates as the situation develops,” he said The City of Johannesburg Emergency Management Service (EMS) confirmed responding to the fire incident “The classes that caught fire are located on the old site or building No injuries were reported during this incident and the cause of the fire was not determined,” said EMS spokesperson Xolile Khumalo Khumalo further urged residents to take extra care of all electrical appliances “Please report all incidents as soon as they occur,” Khumalo said Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy JOHANNEBSURG - Riverlea High School is not going to be rebuilt anytime soon The Gauteng Education Department says the best it can do But a shortage of funds means there are no immediate plans to renovate the school after 11 classrooms were gutted in Sunday's fire READ: Arson suspected in Riverlea High School fire Several anti-crime programmes have been put in place in the community, to battle rampant violence and gangsterism. And yet wrongdoing continues. Police have now opened a case of arson and are appealing to the community for any information, on what could have led to the blaze. eNCA senior reporter, Aviwe Mtila, says it's the second such incident at the school, after another blaze in 2023. Eyewitness News28 April 2025 | 9:4011 classrooms gutted by blaze at Riverlea schoolThe blaze, which destroyed a block of 11 classes, erupted on Sunday evening.Gauteng Department of EducationA fire has destroyed 11 classrooms at Riverlea High School. Picture: EWN/Thandoluhle Ngcobo JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Department of Education suspects that a fire at high school in Riverlea started in an unused classroom.  The blaze, which destroyed a block of 11 classes, erupted on Sunday evening. No injuries have been reported, and police are investigating the cause of the fire. Gauteng Education Spokesperson Steve Mabona said mobile classrooms will be provided. "So in this block, we have about 11 classes, and out of 11 one was utilised as a block of toilets for boys. So, four classes we were using for Grade 8 learners, which is about 213 learners, that will be affected by this fire. Mabona said they suspect that there were people on school premises at the time of the fire. "The suspicion is that there might have been people inside the school. We are just not sure...The police really need to assist us to investigate. We call upon the community to be our eyes and ears in all our schools because during recess, our challenge is theft." JOHANNESBURG - The high levels of crime in Riverlea like in many areas across South Africa,are a longstanding problem Several anti-crime programmes have been put in place in the community to battle rampant violence and gangsterism Riverlea is confronted with what some residents suspect is an arson attack on their high school.  four of which were used by Grade 8 pupils.   READ: Raging fire guts 11 classrooms, furniture and toilets at Riverlea High School When the pupils return to school on the 5th of May they will be placed in mobile classrooms.  All that’s left from Sunday evening's fire is shattered glasses and rubble after a large section of the structure was destroyed by the blaze RIVERLEA - The South African Police Service says strides have been made to curb illegal mining activities in Riverlea in Gauteng This as the community calls for authorities to redouble their efforts as the area has become a no-go zone again WATCH | Zama zamas continue to terrorise Riverlea Zama zamas continue to fight for territory Residents say the illegal mining activities also compromise the area’s infrastructure eNCA Reporter Bafedile Moerane files this report JOHANNESBURG - The notorious illegal mining hub of Riverlea is slowly becoming a no-go area once again Residents say groups of illegal miners continue to terrorise the community as they continue to fight for territory WATCH | Illegal mining | Families identifying bodies of zama zamas Community members are calling for  authorities' intervention in the area eNCA Reporter Bafedile  Moerane files the story Home » Multimedia By Carlos Muchave At least eleven classrooms have been destroyed after a fire gutted the Riverlea High School Edward Scheepers speaks to The Citizen at Riverlea High School in Johannesburg No injuries were reported during the incident ALSO READ: ‘It’s a disaster’: Residents concerned as Vaal Dam opens 10th sluice gate [VIDEO] The Gauteng education department is urgently working on a plan to ensure that schooling is not disrupted at Riverlea High School following a blaze that gutted 11 classrooms and furniture on Sunday night The department said on Monday that according to preliminary reports the fire started in an unused classroom and rapidly spread destroying a block of 11 classrooms and all the boys’ toilets It said four of the classrooms were currently being used by Grade 8 learners and the remainder were unoccupied “A temporary plan has been put in place to use the school hall for affected learners while arrangements are being finalised for the delivery of four mobile classrooms to replace the lost classrooms,” the department said in a statement “Approximately 230 learners are directly impacted by the aftermath of this fire and every effort is being made to normalise the situation swiftly.” The rest of the school’s infrastructure remained intact and operations for other grades would continue without significant challenges Education MEC Matome Chiloane has warned that those responsible for the blaze would be dealt with An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country and acts of this nature must be treated with the utmost seriousness,” said Chiloane He appealed to anyone information to come forward and assist the police with their investigations the school’s governing body told Newzroom Afrika that security was an issue with guards and wardens only in place from Mondays to Fridays It said it had reached out to the department on numerous occasions to assist the school with security and upgrading facilities It appealed for the entire school to be rebuilt as infrastructure was in desperate need of an upgrade We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads Please support us by disabling these ads blocker Gauteng police have opened a case of arson following a fire incident at Riverlea Secondary School in Johannesburg The blaze ravaged about 11 classrooms on Saturday evening before it was extinguished by firefighters No injuries were reported and the exact cause of the fire is still subject to an investigation Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says a team of senior detectives that includes Forensic Science Laboratory members has been established to investigate the matter and trace the person or people responsible for the burning of the school “The police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation to call Captain Merinah Netshidzati on 071 675 6155 Information can also be given anonymously via MySAPS App that can be downloaded from any smart phone.” FIRE BREAKS OUT AT RIVERLEA HIGH SCHOOL DESTROYING 11 CLASSROOMS Gauteng Education MEC @matomekopano is deeply saddened to confirm that a fire broke out at Riverlea High School on Sunday evening Preliminary reports indicate that the… pic.twitter.com/8knnTtpSPN — Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) April 28, 2025 Gauteng police have initiated an arson investigation following a devastating fire that engulfed Riverlea Secondary School in Johannesburg on Sunday The blaze destroyed 11 classrooms and the boys’ toilet block According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo including members of the Forensic Science Laboratory “The police are appealing to anyone who might have information that can assist in the investigation to call Captain Merinah Netshidzati on 071 675 6155 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 Information can also be given anonymously via the MySAPS App that can be downloaded from any smartphone,” Masondo stated Preliminary reports suggest the fire originated in an unused classroom around 6 p.m before rapidly spreading through the building four were actively used by Grade 8 learners The entire boys’ toilet block was also gutted The Gauteng Department of Education is working to ensure minimal disruption to learning when the school term resumes on Monday Plans include using the school hall for affected learners and delivering four fully furnished mobile classrooms to replace the lost facilities Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane condemned the incident describing it as a “senseless act of destruction” and an “attack on the future of our country.” He urged anyone with information to come forward and assist law enforcement in their investigations Community members have expressed concern over the incident calling for increased security measures to protect schools Riverlea resident Edward Scheepers highlighted the need for the Department of Education to step up and protect educational institutions authorities are treating the matter with urgency due to the scale of damage and the potential criminal intent behind the fire The police are committed to tracing the person or people responsible for the burning of the school 🔴 Central News Weekly Edition | Issue 102 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “Hope for Matjhabeng as Executive Mayor Khalipha Rolls Out Plan for Renewal After ANC Reinstatement” Direct PDF 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To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za For Business Related:business@centralnews.co.za Newsroom:Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Office Administrator:admin@centralnews.co.za Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. are increasingly fearful of illegal mining activity near gas pipelines under their homes already flagged by police as an illegal mining hotspot also faces serious service delivery issues such as illegal dumping A recently closed mine shaft was reopened by illegal miners in search of leftover gold READ: Riverlea residents remain concerned about informal settlement and alleged links to illegal mining Gauteng Police Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni vowed to tackle illegal mining across Johannesburg when he took office this year, but Riverlea residents feel these promises have yet to bring real change.  They say their fears now extend beyond crime, to the safety of their own lives, with Sasol gas pipelines running less than a metre under their homes. Police visited the reopened mine shaft this week, promising to find a permanent solution to the community’s plight.  a Grade 7 pupil from Wilhelmina Primary School who was shot in Riverlea in the last week of November 2024 JOHANNESBURG - The father of a 14-year-old boy who was shot and killed in Riverlea says he cannot rest until those responsible are found Aiden Witbooi was shot eight times last week Jordaan said he had been threatened by gangsters shortly before his son was shot because they were convinced he was part of a rival gang But he disputed this and added he makes a legitimate income I don't know why they are targeting me because I don't have a gun The father of the deceased, Angelo Jordaan, says he has confirmation from the South African Police Services that investigations are underway.@Jay_Mbatha pic.twitter.com/J6y5iuHcmV JOHANNESBURG - In part three of our Endangered People special feature we examine Riverlea in Johannesburg - another community living in fear of crime and violence Aside from ongoing battles with illegal miners this community has seen rising levels of gang violence in recent months.  Over the past few years Riverlea has become a hotbed of illegal mining That’s despite numerous attempts by the SAPS and government to curb this deadly practice But unchecked unemployment levels here have birthed another threat We drove through the streets of Riverlea just minutes after a reported shooting in broad daylight but this was not the case on the third of May in this street Cecil Radley remembers the day when unknown gunmen opened fire on his home which claimed the lives of two of his children it’s clear that the small suburb has been left to ruin Rubble is strewn across open fields that have been neglected for years Then there are the running battles between gangs that have made these streets deadly for those who live here drew mothers who have all lost loved ones to gang violence to share their grief Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths of two learners from Wilhelmina Hoskins Primary School in Riverlea over the last two days which has left the school community in mourning A Grade 7 learner was shot dead at his family’s home in Riverlea on Saturday by unknown assailants with authorities now investigating the circumstances surrounding the boy’s death after reportedly falling ill from consuming biscuits purchased at a local spaza shop Around 30 children have died in the province since the start of the food contamination crisis Emergency services were called to his home to provide medical care but he was pronounced dead during the treatment Chiloane extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and the broader school community we are saddened by these deaths and wish to convey our condolences to the families and the school community during this difficult time,” he said The department has dispatched its Psycho-Social Support Unit to Wilhelmina Hoskins to offer counselling and emotional assistance to learners The support sessions will begin on Tuesday The investigation into the learner’s death will focus on determining whether the biscuits he consumed were contaminated and tracing the source of any potential health hazard Chiloane’s department has previously pledged to work with local leaders law enforcement and health authorities to address these issues and ensure that learners have safe environments both at school and at home A devastating fire tore through Riverlea High School in Johannesburg on Sunday evening destroying 11 classrooms and damaging critical infrastructure Police have since launched an arson investigation as the blaze raises major concerns about school safety and security in Gauteng ALSO READ: Vaal Dam Flood Alert: Water Levels Surge Above 118% flames engulfed the old building on Riverlea High School’s premises consuming classrooms and destroying everything in its path Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo confirmed that while the cause of the blaze remains under investigation but the extent of the damage left a section of the school in ruins Gauteng police wasted no time in opening a case of arson Spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo announced that a team of senior detectives including experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory Investigators are working to determine whether foul play was involved and who might be responsible Authorities have called on the public for assistance Anyone with information about the fire is urged to contact Captain Merinah Netshidzati at 071 675 6155 four were being actively used by Grade 8 learners the entire boys’ toilet block was completely gutted leaving male students without essential facilities Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that furniture and learning materials were also lost in the blaze the Gauteng Department of Education has moved swiftly to limit the disruption to teaching and learning MEC Matome Chiloane announced that schooling will resume on Monday The department has arranged for learners to be temporarily accommodated in the school hall four fully furnished mobile classrooms are being delivered to replace the destroyed structures Other grades will continue learning without interruption as the rest of the school’s infrastructure remains intact “We are doing everything we can to normalise the situation,” said Mabona “Our primary goal is to ensure that learning continues without delay.” Local residents expressed frustration and fear following the incident Riverlea resident Edward Scheepers told The Citizen that the fire marks the second suspicious event at the school Community members are now demanding tighter security and better infrastructure to protect learners “We need the Department of Education to step up and protect our schools,” Scheepers said “Our children deserve a safe learning environment.” Calls are growing for CCTV cameras and increased security personnel especially in vulnerable communities like Riverlea and nearby Eldorado Park MEC Matome Chiloane strongly condemned the fire calling it an attack on South Africa’s future “An attack on a school is an attack on the future of our country,” Chiloane said “We urge anyone with knowledge of this crime to assist law enforcement in their investigation.” He reassured the public that the department remains committed to supporting the Riverlea High School community and restoring the damaged facilities The fire at Riverlea High School highlights the urgent need for enhanced security and community involvement in safeguarding schools While the Department of Education has taken commendable steps to restore learning this incident serves as a wake-up call for systemic improvements in school safety across Gauteng the Riverlea community—and South Africa at large—awaits answers and justice for what many believe was a deliberate act of destruction and website in this browser for the next time I comment Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio “It might be very tense in Riverlea,” Klaas Mhlongo warned.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads He had recently moved into a backroom in a neighbouring community and knew that skirmishes between rival gangs of zama zamas (informal miners) had intensified recently in the nearby informal settlement of Zamimphilo Fed-up Riverlea residents had occupied the streets shortly after drawing the attention of the then Minister of Police who made a site visit and promised swift action “Specialised” police units had been duly deployed We would be walking in the tense aftermath of all of this people will assume you are dangerous or crazy We parked at the Sasol garage on Nasrec Road crossing over into Riverlea’s river-inspired street grid: Colorado branching onto Pongola On Molopo Street a man in a black golf shirt greeted us and said: “Is julle kort iets Riverlea makes the news for all the wrong reasons: seasonal flooding pulmonary issues connected to the nearby mine dump illegal mining and a high rate of violent crime (Map: Lotte Manicom/Surefire Communications) A large tailings dam sits above the far end of Riverlea, extending some way down river. Walking in its shadow we came to a band of orange soil that had spilled out of the dam, like mud left behind after a flash flood. Two little graves humped the middle area, and a third had been dug but left empty.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads and said: “I think it’s dogs – some people really love their dogs.”  Little crosses made from tied-together sticks stuck out of the mounds A mole had pushed up little hills in the space between dug into a land spill from a slimes dam on the edge of Riverlea We continued over the land slip and stopped short again Dangling down from a stout eucalyptus was a belt Mhlongo mumbled: “This is no kind of place.” A police helicopter passed low above the treetops We continued around the base of a ridge that lichen had turned lime green It was pleasant walking now – the path was well defined We came to a wetland created entirely by leakage from a brick pumphouse looked like an aquaculture display in a herbarium filled with waterlilies and waving pond grasses Mhlongo looked at the water flowing over our gumboots and said: “This was meant for people but it is leaking into the river Long-standing water leaks alongside the river have created artificial wetlands Copper cable theft on an epic scale has crippled the Soweto-Johannesburg railway line We rejoined the banks of the stream at the point at which its waters tumble down towards New Canada Dam which once supplied water to Consolidated Main Reef mine Sacred ibis – harbingers of rotten water – took flight and we encountered the sewage spill around the next bend: a 300mm pipe jutting from the yellow embankment Gabion baskets that had once run the length of the embankment had curled away into the river and the effluent was cascading into the gap that had opened between the rock-filled baskets and the riverbank Carpets had been laid out in this space by sewage miners to catch valuables dropped into the sanitation system A large sewer line break decanting into the Klip River at New Canada Dam Note the carpet placed in the flow by sewage miners to catch items that have been dropped into the sanitation system in the Bosmont area An analysis of water samples from the spruit by the University of Johannesburg’s Process Energy and Environment Technology Station (UJ-PEETS) found a whopping 4,000 microbiological elements in the samples including a number of so-called Eskape pathogens which are the leading cause of highly antimicrobial resistant infections The analysis was done on behalf of Bosmont-based NGO Community Green Projects (CGP) which is using the information to identify “It’s like things are coming together in a perfect storm leading to major problems downstream,” he said through a corridor of basalt rock that has been painted with Cyrillic markings by congregants of the Nazarite church Colourful candles had melted down amongst the green we spotted what appeared to be a man walking two dogs but there was something wrong with the image: they were all impossibly big rocking back on its haunches in an attempt to put its paws on our shoulders wrestling Loverboy back to earth with the lead double-wrapped around his meaty hand the founder and owner of Amayhira boerboels which refocused our attention on the specific details of the riverbank Old trenches that had never been backfilled made it difficult to walk abreast The dogs jostled against each other and panted with soup-plate-sized tongues Biokineticist and boerboel breeder Loyiso Maquina with his prize dogs We came slobbering towards the traffic circle that moderates the meeting of Klipsruit and Nancefield Morokoa roads On the other side of a green pond a concrete billboard advertised Soweto Motel which was built in 1951 to accommodate single Zulu men has experienced several floods in recent years After 400 households were inundated in 2022 city officials declared that the affected homes were within the 100-year floodline and no structures should be re-established in the same area Maquina said the community wasn’t buying it “It seems like there is a new 100-year floodline every year What’s the point of having a 100-year floodline if it changes every year?” he asked A taxi association medallion in the riversands alongside Klipspruit Valley Road A young man approached on the other side of Klipspruit road “Pitty,” Maquina murmured: “I don’t trust Pitties.” The man ordered his pitbull to sit and shouted across at us: “She’s very well socialised.” Maquina made no effort to close the distance so the man yelled out a question about tick control In fact if you come and see me just now I will help you,” Maquina offered and the younger man thanked him and carried on “Literacy around pet ownership in Soweto is on the rise,” Maquina said “That’s the thing about these riverbanks,” Maquina said “You never know what your animal will ingest He excused himself from walking any further downstream and steered his enormous hounds towards home passing pedestrians froze and turned away from the sight “they believe they will become invisible if they do not look” Klipspruit Road tracked the reed-fringed river down towards Eldorado Park so we ended our walk at a nondescript Engen garage This is the second in a three-part series on the Klip River Read part one: Walking Johannesburg’s hidden waterways on a journey through history and neglect along the Klip River Water leaks that have gone on for so long that they form wetlands? Jo’burg Water: can’t you do better than that? Lets open it up as an official hiking route It’s amazing how quickly the scene above could be turned around if one rallies citizen support mobilises political will and motivates the municipal officials But this is not exciting politically sexy stuff ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Six suspected illegal miners have been arrested in Riverlea Police have also recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as illegal mining equipment Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says the suspects face charges of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition the suspects started shooting at the police and the shootout ensued Police arrested two suspects who were found in possession of two firearms Four more suspects were arrested in the vicinity Further investigation revealed that all the suspects are illegal in the country.” #sapsGP Six males who are suspected to be illegal miners were arrested in Riverlea, Langlaagte, following a shootout with the police on 27 December 2024. Police recovered unlicensed firearms and ammunition used by the suspects. The suspects are facing charges that include… pic.twitter.com/Pinzjh3Us1 — SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 28, 2024 author Chris van Wyk left behind an impressive literary legacy But perhaps he is best remembered for his memoir Shirley, Goodness & Mercy, which chronicles his growing up in Riverlea and introduces us to the colourful characters who helped to shape his life and inform the stories he wrote.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The public persona of this witty and wise raconteur was well known who liked nothing better than to spend time with his sons Kevin and Karl and the friends and family who were his primary sources of inspiration Kevin van Wyk’s astute observations of his father and the strong bond they enjoyed throughout Chris’s life have resulted in a memoir that is as affectionate as it is entertaining we witness the inner workings of the mind of a storyteller from the flowering of his father’s activism wit and wisdom to the sources of his occasional quirky outbursts In December 2017 I attended a graduation ceremony at Wits University Among the many graduates being honoured on that day was my brother Karl who would have his doctorate in English bestowed upon him after many years of toil Karl’s doctorate was a momentous achievement but it was also shrouded in a touch of sadness This was the first graduation ceremony for either of us that was not attended by at least one of our parents Our academic successes were as much a recognition of the sacrifice encouragement and support our parents had given us as it was of our abilities It was a team effort all round and both Karl and I acknowledged the role they played in our individual success It was nonetheless an exceptionally proud moment and I am confident that both my parents left this world knowing how grateful we both were for their unwavering support Karl’s doctorate helped him to secure a teaching position at Wits University He had clearly inherited our father’s love of English literature and his transition into academia seemed a natural one Apart from the occasional reminiscing about our parents every so often we received an external reminder of them Karl sent me an email with a rather cryptic message: ‘See below.’ As I scrolled down the virtual page I couldn’t quite fathom what Karl wanted me to see There were the usual notices about various academic departments I picked up what my brother had wanted me to see: ‘Council approved the recommendation from the Senate that the following candidates be bestowed with honorary doctorates: … Mr Chris van Wyk (Doctor of Humanities – posthumous award)’ One of the foremost tertiary institutions in the country had resolved to bestow upon my father an honorary degree As I read this my face lit up with excitement and a lump simultaneously formed in my throat Karl and I walked onto the stage of the Wits Great Hall along with the Chancellor and a host of other professors and academic staff members We sat on the elevated stage facing the audience comprising over 200 students from various disciplines in the Faculty of Humanities who were about to have their Bachelor of Arts degrees bestowed upon them comprising Karl’s husband Trevor and his parents I concluded my speech with a message to the other graduates that my father would have approved of: Our stories and those of our parents and grandparents who came before us are as important and valuable as any other tale We needn’t be rich or famous to tell our stories One of the tragedies of South Africa is that apartheid taught many of us that our stories are not important but this could not be further from the truth What my father had realised was that people no matter who they were or where they came from were proud of their stories and wanted them to be told These people were not mere onlookers or footnotes in the history of this country but were intricately part of its story today marks a seminal moment in each of your lives I urge you to tell your own stories because those stories will inspire your family friends and children – to believe in themselves by seeing what others have achieved before them He was busy with so many other writing projects and I have this tangible sense that he was just about to reach the peak of his powers as a storyteller This moment is also bittersweet for our family because my mother is also not here to celebrate in this success having lost her own battle with cancer in 2017 She formed an integral part of my father’s career and she would be exceptionally proud of this achievement I would go so far as to suggest that she deserves this degree as much as he does But their absence will not take away the immense sense of pride my brother Karl and I will carry for the rest of our lives we are indebted to you for bestowing this degree on my father I’ll take pleasure in updating my father’s Wikipedia page to include this esteemed honour I have often wondered what my father would have made of the world as it had evolved in the years after his untimely death science or simply listening to his fellow man one thing I can be sure of is that it would have infuriated and excited him in equal measure All those new experiences would have given him fodder for more stories to share with the world I have decided to take my father’s advice to tell stories These are stories I remember which were inspired by my father and the ever-present rock behind his success I may not be able to tell a story quite like him but one thing is for sure: he left me with the curiosity about life which I learned from observing him for most of mine I learned a lot more from him than I imagined something that has been confirmed for me with each passing day since his death I don’t know if I have managed to discharge my mandate of proving that my father was a genius but I’ll leave you with one last anecdote to conclude my argument asked me a question I should have instinctively known the answer to: ‘How many books did your father write?’ I’m embarrassed to admit that I actually didn’t know I quickly set about listing as many of his books as I could remember with a little help by browsing my bookshelf and digging into the recesses of my memory including two that were published posthumously That is virtually one book published for every year he was alive poetry and short stories is not a bad effort and it made me wonder how to best sum up my father’s legacy as the Covid-19 lockdown held the world hostage for many months I received a phone call from Flo Bird on behalf of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation The foundation had nominated my father for a special recognition and wanted to erect a plaque outside his childhood home in his honour a small online event was held to celebrate the unveiling of my father’s plaque outside 13 Flinders Street The challenge for the foundation was to capture the essence of my father’s life in less than 100 words and I think their effort was near perfect publishing his first volume of poetry at the age of 22 His poem ‘In Detention’ conjures up the evils of apartheid repression bubbles with humour and love for his mother Chris van Wyk – Irascible Genius: A Son’s Memoir by Kevin van Wyk is published by Pan Macmillan South Africa (R360). Visit The Reading List for South African book news ​Riverlea's senior citizens were treated to a delightful trip down memory lane as they belted out iconic songs organised by the Region B Sports and Recreation Department in partnership with Pedro and Olga Da Silva's Karaoke Go back or visit Home Page JOHANNESBURG - The community of Riverlea said illegal mining stems from an informal settlement The Zamimpilo informal settlement has been raided on several occasions following heightened tensions in the area which saw the community stage several protests in 2023 This after a war between rival zama zama gangs erupted claiming the life of one innocent resident and leaving the community in fear the Riverlea community handed over a petition to government calling for the demolishment of the Zamimpilo informal settlement READ: Riverlea Mining Forum remains concerned about rising water levels at area's mining shafts And despite police and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) conducting several raids and confiscating illegal mining equipment, the zama zamas are back in the area, having gained access to shafts which were previously closed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).   Chairperson of the Riverlea Ratepayers’ Association, Anthony Sherman, said government had yet to deal with their concerns around Zamimpilo. "A lot of the illegal mining activity finds it springboard right here in Zamimpilo because you find the zama zamas live there, they work here, their shafts are in this camp. If you see an empty shack, you know there is a shaft in that shack." In an attempt to rid the area of zama zamas, DMRE spent millions in closing several shafts in the region, however, when Eyewitness News visited these shafts, zama zamas had found ways to enter by digging holes just a few metres away. Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor in Riverlea has expressed his disappointment with government officials who were a no-show for the community’s peaceful strike This comes after the Riverlea’s Safety Cluster CPF stakeholders and community members  had a peaceful strike on Monday The gesture was after one person died and three others  injured in a shootout at the weekend national and provincial police structures and all those responsible for community safety ignored this desperate cry for help The community and the surrounding areas struggling with gun violence want safety to be prioritised “It was sad to see the community strike in tears and air their frustrations to deaf ears Yet another day pass with no solutions for the safety of our people and children There is no urgency to protect and attend to the cries of the community.” Doyle said this despite confirming that Mazibuko and Cele had not been invited to the march The neighbouring Westbury has been making a similar call claiming that more than 40 people have been killed in the crossfire Police spokesperson lieutenant colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed the matter He said police have opened a case of murder and attempted murder Masondo said the motive for the shooting cannot be confirmed at this stage He explained: “The police received a complaint of shooting at Kamanasi Street they found the paramedics attending to the victims One of the victims was certified dead at the scene Three of them were taken to the nearest medical care center for medical treatment.” Masondo said preliminary investigation suggests the victims were standing at the corner of Kamanasi and Riet Streets in Riverlea About four suspects approached them and shot at them The township is situated just outside Soweto Visit SW YouTube Channel for our video content Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy.