Sections AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale JOHANNESBURG - The community of Tshepisong in Roodepoort is searching for a missing three-year-old Residents accuse police of not doing enough to help the family find the missing boy Mojalefa Savhuli went missing on Sunday while following other children to a local shop ​​The Roodepoort Museum education programme continues to empower young minds with a variety of projects tailored to different age groups With April and May's school calendar brimming with school holidays the museum has become a hive of activity for visitors both young and not-so-young.A wide range of learning activities guided tours and interactive sessions explore the history of our beautiful city and province While the Museum welcomes visitors year‑round its education programme adds an extra layer of entertainment and discovery to the historical offerings.The recent sessions saw the Museum buzz with excitement on Wednesday and Thursday as Early Childhood Development (ECD) learners joined the “Gold Rush Adventure" This immersive experience brought Roodepoort's rich gold‑rush history to life through captivating tours creative workshops and hands‑on learning.Designed to ignite curiosity and meet educational objectives the “Gold Rush Adventure" blended historical exploration with interactive fun Learners journeyed through our golden past on guided tours uncovering fascinating stories and artefacts from the era Each child received a complimentary educational pamphlet and activity sheets ensuring a well‑rounded learning experience that fired both imagination and knowledge.A highlight was the 3D‑diorama workshop: learners coloured vibrant backdrops and carefully affixed gold‑rush elements onto cardboard templates These hands‑on projects not only sparked creativity but also cemented an understanding of history in a memorable meaningful way.“The energy and curiosity of the young learners were truly inspiring," said Anne Smart “Watching them engage with our history through tours and creative activities like the dioramas was a testament to the power of experiential learning The 'Gold Rush Adventure' has left a lasting impression on these young minds."The Roodepoort Museum thanks the educators parents and staff whose support made this event a resounding success The “Gold Rush Adventure" underscores the Museum's commitment to fostering a love of learning and preserving Roodepoort's heritage for generations to come.Keep an eye out for more exciting adventures at the Museum—there are plenty of educational and entertaining programmes lined up for all ages in the coming months An operation is currently underway to retrieve the body of a young child spotted floating in a dam in Roodepoort The discovery was made by community members who have spent the past several days searching for three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli The child was last seen playing near a local sports field not far from his family’s home His disappearance triggered a widespread search involving local residents and the South African Police Service (SAPS) According to community leader Mthokozisi Ndabandaba the family was alerted and called to the scene following the grim discovery “The child’s mother is here and also the family is here It is the child – the clothes he was wearing are the same clothes on the body,” said Ndabandaba While the official identification process has yet to be completed the clothing found on the body matches what Mojalefa was last seen wearing Police divers and emergency personnel have cordoned off the area and are preparing to retrieve the remains from the water SAPS has confirmed that once the body is recovered forensic experts will begin the formal identification and investigation process to determine the cause of death This tragedy has shaken the local community many of whom had joined the search efforts since the child’s disappearance More details are expected to emerge following the completion of the recovery operation and post-mortem examination 🔴 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 Link:https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Central-News-Issue-102.pdf https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content 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 and website in this browser for the next time I comment JOHANNESBURG - Three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli is still missing The Tshepisong community in Roodepoort accuse police of not taking the matter seriously They say they refused to help and even joked about the toddler's disappearance READ: Roodepoort mother pleads for son's safe return the police have deployed their K9 unit to help in the search The child disappeared on Sunday after following his cousins to a local shop in partnership with the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) invites residents and stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft Main Reef Roodepoort Urban Development Framework (UDF) The UDF outlines a strategic vision for sustainable human settlement development in the region it will serve as an official policy to guide future growth and planning.The framework focuses on areas including Matholesville Township Sol Plaatjies Township and Informal Settlement and surrounding informal settlements.Objectives of the Framework Residents are encouraged to share their insights during the 30-day public comment period This is a valuable opportunity to shape the area's future development An electronic copy can be accessed on the City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za), the JDA website (www.jda.org.za), or via this Google Drive link Written submissions can be emailed to: The deadline for comments is 13 December 2024 Your input is crucial in shaping the future of the Main Reef Roodepoort area JOHANNESBURG - The body of 3-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli has been recovered His remains were found in a stream in Roodepoort on Thursday around 8am Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Mavela Masondo confirmed this Masondo says the circumstances surrounding the death of the child is unknown however investigations are underway READ | Body believed to be of missing toddler discovered "We have opened a case of inquest to investigate what happened We are not sure if the child was killed somewhere and dumped in this dam or if the child drowned," he explained  as he followed other children to a local shop The incident sparked outrage with community members accusing police of dragging their feet But Masondo maintains that they have been hands-on in the case and have been searching for the young boy.  ROODEPOORT - The search for three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli has taken a tragic turn It's believed his body has been discovered in a nearby stream READ: K9 unit deployed to search for missing Roodepoort toddler sparked outrage with community members accusing police of dragging their feet A community leader said the body was discovered by children nearby ROODEPOORT - Two illegal miners remain trapped underground in a disused mine in Roodepoort Rescue operations were halted after efforts to get down the mine shaft and save them became too dangerous The community is aware of illegal mining happening in the area and say they're desperate to get the two men out alive WATCH: UPDATE: Illegal mining | Rescue efforts halted at disused mine in Roodepoort It's unclear whether the two men are still alive as oxygen levels have dropped to around 14 percent in the shaft There's also been no announcement on when the rescue operation will continue.  JOHANNESBURG - Rescue operations have been called off at the Rand Lease Mine in Roodepoort.  Efforts to retrieve trapped miners were halted due to safety concerns.  Joburg EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said the rescuers went down seven metres and reached a makeshift platform "There was a hole leading to makeshift stairs That area is dangerous for rescuers," he said "We will find a way to get information which may lead us to the main hole they may be using to see whether we can access the same shaft." over 1,000 illegal miners and the bodies of 78 others were pulled out of an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein in the North West.  ​The Roodepoort Museum is celebrating the resounding success of its “History Happens Here" youth programme which ran throughout February and will continue into March 2025 The programme aims to inspire a love of history in young learners by connecting them with museum exhibits that align with their school curriculum Chief Curator Anne Smart expressed her enthusiasm saying: “This initiative provides students with an immersive historical experience The programme's key elements – interactive museum tours and an educational booklet – have proven to be a winning combination." Guided tours took students on a journey through Roodepoort's history from its farming origins to the transformative gold rush on the Witwatersrand The “History Happens Here" booklet served as a valuable resource offering teachers and students additional context and activities to reinforce classroom learning Museum guides Sam Struurman and Rebecca Modise captivated learners from Thabang and Lodirile primary schools by bringing historical artefacts to life These included reconstructions of a 19th-century farmhouse and a late Victorian home as well as the museum's renowned decorative arts collection Teachers praised the programme for its alignment with the national curriculum and its ability to enhance historical understanding and critical thinking Principal Tebogo Maarela from Lodirile Primary School in Dobsonville said: “This was more than just a museum visit—it was a memorable journey through time for our students." added: “The materials and tours made history tangible and exciting." highlighting the hands-on exploration of artefacts and the engaging storytelling of the guides “I loved seeing how people lived long ago—it helped me understand the past," said a nine-year-old student from Thabang Primary School “The success of 'History Happens Here' reflects our commitment to education and community engagement," stated Smart “Seeing young minds light up as they discovered their heritage was incredibly rewarding We are already planning to expand this initiative in the coming years." For more information about the youth programe or future educational opportunities please contact Carolina Geldenhuys at Roodepoort Museum on 082 411 6898 Written by Anne Smart and Dr Karabo Semenya06/03/2025 The body of three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli The information was confirmed to the Roodepoort Record by provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo Mojalefa’s body was discovered in a nearby stream in Tshepisong Phase 1 was last seen at the local playing field wearing green shorts Police and community members had been actively searching for him and had appealed to the public for information to assist in locating him The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal Read original story on www.citizen.co.za Home | South Africa The search and rescue operations for alleged illegal miners trapped in a mine shaft in Roodepoort has been temporarily called off due to safety reasons It is believed that the three mineworkers are trapped underground after their pulley system snapped while they were in the shaft. Johannesburg Emergency Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi says they are searching for alternative routes to access the trapped illegal miners. “We reached the makeshift platform where there’s a hole which leads to a makeshift test, that area is actually dangerous for the rescuers. Hence the decision to terminate the operation. We are looking at other avenues to try and see whether we cannot use any other avenues but we cannot do that with the maps which we have because that is the only area which we are able to move in. We are told also that the illegal miners that, that was their first attempt to get into that area.” VIDEO | Mulaudzi says the rescue team is checking if there are other entrances that can be used to reach the miners:  JOHANNESBURG - Mine rescue experts have suspended the search for two illegal miners trapped in an abandoned mine in Roodepoort indefinitely. This follows safety concerns at the decommissioned gold mine in the west of Johannesburg. The two zama zamas are believed to have been at the Rand Leases mine for the first time when a rope they were using snapped, trapping them underground. A rescue operation that kicked off on Monday was called off soon after following safety concerns. Joburg Emergency Services spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said that a new timeline for the rescue operation was yet to be established. "We don't have a timeframe but that one will be determined by the information we get from the community in terms of which we can explore for now." Mulaudzi also confirmed that the shaft was initially sealed but was again blasted and tampered with by a group of illegal miners in search of gold. "The ground around that shaft is not safe. We thought to ensure the safety of the technicians and everyone who is going to be working around that area, let’s call it off and then we reconvene again." JOHANNESBURG - Residents have been warned not to go near the disused mine shaft in Rooderpoort.  Two illegal miners remain trapped underground in a disused mine in Roodepoort READ | Illegal mining | Two miners trapped in disused Roodepoort mine Rescue operations were halted after efforts to get down the mine shaft and save them became too dangerous. Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources is expected to survey the disused Roodeport mine to try and locate the trapped illegal miners.  JOHANNESBURG - An operation to rescue illegal miners trapped at the Rand Leases gold mine in Roodepoort has been temporarily suspended due to safety concerns Mine rescue experts arrived on site on Monday to begin technical work to bring the illegal miners back to the surface ALSO READ: Emergency teams playing it safe during rescue operation to retrieve 2 zama zamas from abandoned Roodepoort shaft Officials believe there are two trapped illegal miners, but it is unclear if there are others in the disused shaft.   A member of the technical team was sent down the shaft earlier for an assessment.   At 70 metres and with an oxygen deficiency, the team was unable to continue any further.  Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, explained what the mine rescue experts found during their assessments: "We reached the makeshift platform where there’s a hole that leads to makeshift stairs.  "That area is actually dangerous for the rescuers, hence the decision to terminate the operation. We are looking at other avenues to try and see if we cannot use any other access, but we cannot do that with the maps that we have because that is the only area we are able to move into." While the teams have packed up for now, a final decision is yet to be made about if or when to resume operations. Today marks 6 days of prolonged area outages in Roodepoort. Since Wednesday the 19th of February 2025, residents in almost all the wards in Roodepoort, not only had to deal with inclement weather conditions, flooding and badly repaired potholes opening again, but they also experienced vast outages in their areas. This has, unfortunately, become a daily occurrence in Roodepoort. Residents often must deal with outages ranging anything from 24 hours to up to 14 days. Areas like Witpoortjie in Ward 71, especially Honeydew, Wilgeheuwel and Radiokop are synonymous with continuous and prolonged outages. Not a day goes by that Line 1 or Line 2, or both are off in Tshepisong. Strubensvalley, Little Falls, Radiokop. The list is just endless. The agricultural holdings in Honeydew, Ambot AH and Wilgespruit, have recently come out of a 5-day outage. Agricultural Holdings in these areas are reliant on borehole water. Boreholes cannot function without electricity. Thus, this means that animals, in particular horses, are without drinking ActionSA is concerned that almost zero outages are dealt with within the prescribed SLA. What is even more disheartening is the lack of accurate feedback from City Power. On most occasions both residents and councillors are supplied with incorrect feedback or a statement copied and pasted from previous statements. All too often residents and councillors are met with no statements at all. ActionSA implores Roodepoort SDC General Manager Mr. Sibusiso Xulu and his team to address these power outages in a timeous manner and supply clear and true feedback to the residents of Roodepoort. JOHANNESBURG - The community at the Jerusalem informal settlement in Roodepoort has called on the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to speed up plans to formalise artisanal mining Their calls add to growing pressure on government to make artisanal and small-scale mining a safe and transparent sector that is able to attract investment and create jobs ALSO READ: Mchunu says plans in the pipeline to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining The community said that so far, their calls had fallen on deaf ears and they were worried that rampant illegal mining would continue unabated until the sector was formalised. They raised their concerns on the back of an operation to rescue two illegal miners trapped at an abandoned gold mine in the area. Community leader Zibuse Memela said: "Unemployment here is very difficult because many South Africans are not working. "These people who enter these holes are from outside of South Africa, but even South Africans have a problem because left and right, they are not working. It becomes better when the government is coming with some projects to develop the area." JOHANNESBURG - A rescue operation continues in Roodepoort on Monday morning as emergency services work to retrieve alleged illegal miners underground at a disused mine shaft.  Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) said it received reports of two people inside the Rand Leases gold mine on Saturday.   EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, said there could be more zama zamas underground.   "There is also some information surfacing that it might be more than two, which we cannot really confirm at this stage." Mulaudzi said the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) was involved in the ongoing rescue operation.  "This area, the jurisdiction of this area where we’re operating, is under the jurisdiction of DMR. Mine rescue teams are also on site, facilitating the lead service in terms of this rescue operation." The operation comes a month after 78 bodies of illegal miners were retrieved from a disused mine in Stilfontein in the North West during a government-led operation. Ntokozo Khumalo17 December 2024 | 5:52City Power to interrupt power supply in parts of Roodepoort for maintenanceThe entity said this was essential to prolong the lifespan of the network and also improve the quality of power supply.City PowerPicture: Aekkarak Thongjiew/123rf.com JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg City Power said it would be interrupting electricity in parts of Roodepoort for maintenance starting on Tuesday. The entity said this was essential to prolong the lifespan of the network and also improve the quality of power supply. Spokesperson Issacs Mangena said they had been working on fixing Lasepark and the surrounding areas, as well as Cecil Payne Stadium, which have been affected by an outage. “In the next three days, we will undertake planned maintenance work at Manufacturer substation, also Glen Lee substation, and Penny Street switching station respectively to ensure that we enhance the quality of our services.” JOHANNESBURG - Joburg Water has installed a new generator at the Roodepoort pump station in an effort to fast-track the revival of its water circulation system.  This comes after the area has experienced rampant shutdowns in recent months, negatively impacting residents in neighbourhoods including Florida, Maraisburg and Willow Park.  During a media tour of its infrastructure on Thursday, the utility said it was confident the strategy would improve the city's water woes. "Predominantly at night, the queue in the pipeline is sufficient to supply the area but during the day, when the supply pressure drops away, that is when the pump station comes in to supply the network," said Johannesburg Water's operations manager, Adam Wilsenach. seeking urgent intervention to fix Roodepoort’s broken sewage pipe which puts residents’ health and the environment at risk Thousands of litres in raw sewage are discharged hourly into the local water networks The prolonged contamination presents devastating implications for water systems See photos here, here and here repeatedly escalating the issue to Johannesburg Water The lack of urgent intervention demonstrates a critical failure in municipal infrastructure management During his State of the Province Address (SOPA) Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated that the Green Scorpions have made great strides in enforcing environmental laws Yet these laws are now being flouted because the province and municipalities are failing to fix broken sewage pipes A DA Gauteng-led provincial government will conduct an immediate comprehensive review of the sewage infrastructure across the province and engage with the municipalities to ensure that its sewage repairs are completed within the standard timelines registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO a cornerstone of the community in the west of Johannesburg has been honoured with a Blue Plaque by the City of Johannesburg This prestigious plaque is awarded to heritage sites of significance highlighting the library's rich history and architectural importance The Blue Plaque at the library reads: “This library was formerly the first permanent office for the Roodepoort-Maraisburg Municipality and was declared a National Monument in 1985 the building was designed by Charles Hoskins with the west wing added in 1918 by the renowned architectural firm of Baker and Fleming The building served as municipal offices until 1936 Roodepoort Library stands as a vibrant hub derived from Afrikaans for “red valley" reflects the farm on which the town was originally developed The local community and surrounding areas take immense pride in this historic building and the services it provides are both passionate about the library's role in the community they firmly believe that the library as a physical space will remain relevant “It's a place where people gather to learn or work in a quiet environment," said Gulwa Sibisi added: “The library is especially busy in the afternoons and during exam periods likely because it is in a central business area Many people come here for business or work and we see a lot of traffic from surrounding educational institutions." “We host coding and digital literacy classes for nearby schools we had a group preparing for the upcoming Rangers Digital Competition at the Johannesburg Zoo on 28 August We are confident that we will come out on top," Sibisi added with a smile expressed gratitude for the services offered “I am a matriculant preparing for my exams and I am thankful for the quiet space the library provides Not everyone has the privilege of a peaceful environment at home." Sibisi concluded: “During the pandemic we saw a significant increase in the physical use of the library We aim to encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of what the library has to offer." Roodepoort Library, located at the corner of Berlandina and Hodgson streets, Roodepoort, is open from 9am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.cojelearning.org.za JOHANNESBURG - Joburg Water said it was working on maintaining the Roodepoort reservoir systems as the area battles access to water owing to aging infrastructure.  The system consists of one reservoir, three towers and three booster pumps that supply water to the areas including Florida, Maraisburg and Helderkruin. The utility said that old systems have had a severe impact on its ability to supply water to its regions. However, it's optimistic that a newly upgraded Florida North pump station would alleviate pressure. Joburg Water mechanical manager, Theo Mhlom: "We get water from Rand Water and it supplies directly into the zones, but there are times when the demand is high, then that's when the pump station kicks in now and pumps the water into the tower and the water gravitate into the end user." JOHANNESBURG - The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) has issued a notice of a road closure at an intersection on Mijn Street and Van Wyk Street in Roodepoort. This is due to illegal mining excavations which saw several massive holes on the road, causing it to collapse. The JRA has urged motorists to refrain from removing the barricades from the road, citing that it was a contravention of the National Road Traffic Act Motorists are urged to use Currie Street and Herbert Street or Fredrick Street and Manuel Street.