Special meeting addresses big crime concerns : The reason for high crime stats in Honeydew – Cosmo City contributes the most, police revealed.

Warrant Officer Petrus van Wyk, the commander of the Crime Intelligence Management Analysis Centre dissected the crime stats at the meeting.


An intense meeting to discuss ways to reduce crime in the Honeydew Sector 2 Policing Forum left attendees with the huge task of persuading the community to join crime forums.

This meeting, held at Panorama Primary School on the evening of 26 March, kick-started with concerned critics complaining about the lack of resources at Honeydew Police Station, prioritization issue and the accusation that CPF members are in possession of state resources.

Warrant Officer Petrus van Wyk, the commander of the Crime Intelligence Management Analysis Centre leaving the meeting.

A concerned resident stated they now rely on private security companies more than on the police and that the police seem to be prioritising Cosmo City more than any other area in the Sector.

Honeydew Police Station commander, Brigadier Anesh Maharaj responded that Cosmo City contributes 60 to 70 per cent of the crime in Honeydew. Honeydew is currently rated fourth in the country and has been second over the years, Maharaj explained.

Maharaj also explained that the General looks at the cluster and deploys new constables according to the crime. He said resources are allocated by national in their scientific way, but personally he feels they have enough resources.

CPF members were accused of being in possession of police radios. Public relations officer for the CPF, Jon Rosenberg rubbished these claims, saying that nobody in the CPF carries police radios and if there was such, that person would be charged.

The new CPF Sector chairperson Eddie Kotze (right) chats with Honeydew Police Station commander Brigadier Anesh Maharaj (left) after the crime meeting.

The new CPF Sector chairperson, Eddie Kotz, encouraged the involvement of the community to win the fight against crime. “The most important thing to remember is to always start with Residents’ Associations. The community needs to join the Residents’ Association that provides access for somebody to contact them. The Residents’ Association gives access to the Sector, the Sector gives access to the CPF and that has access to the police. At the end of the day, if we can get everyone to join the Residents Associations, we can get everyone represented at the Sector which will allow us to get everybody’s concerns highlighted all the way to the police,” Kotze explained.

Kotze also explained the relationship between the CPF and private security after an issue of accountability was raised. “There is no accountability between the CPF and private security. Yes, we all work together but the accountability is between the owners that pay the security company and the security comoany.”

Warrant Officer Petrus van Wyk, the commander from the Crime Intelligence Management Analysis Centre, who dissected the crime stats, warned residents that Hillfox and Randpark Ridge are the current hot spots for theft out of motor vehicles or malicious damage to property.

Maharaj concluded by encourage residents to make use of the police hotline (10 111) in case of an emergency, explaining that the call gets logged and you get reference no. and all calls are monitored by Flying Squad and closest vehicle responds.

A Cosmo City Resident included as Builders celebrates its 24 tradesmen graduates

Twenty four tradesmen and women have graduated from the 12-month Builders Enterprise Development (ED) Programme, an initiative that aims to improve informal local businesses by imparting industry-focused skills and knowledge. The graduation ceremony took place on Friday, 23 March, and was hosted by entrepreneur TT Mbha, founder of Black Real Estate.

The first six months of the programme focused on training in basic business management and technical skills in the respective trades such as building, painting, plumbing and tiling. The next six months will be dedicated to implementation and evaluation.

Graduates are chosen from communities in Gauteng where Builders has a presence: Alexandra, Thembisa, Cosmo City, Evaton, Protea Glen, Sebokeng and Vosloorus.

Business registration

The graduates were awarded a Certificate of Completion for the Level Three (Construction SETA) Business Training Programme. As part of their development, each beneficiary was helped with formal registration of their business with CIPC, company branding and material (i.e. flyers and business cards), smartphones, a new overall set as well as Builders building material and tools to the value R40,000.

After graduation, the programme beneficiaries will embark on five months of mentoring and coaching. This will take place in a form of sessions with each beneficiary to ensure that they can apply what they have learned to their businesses. Furthermore, graduates are introduced to larger construction companies where they can undertake larger jobs as sub-contractors in their communities.

The next recruitment period for the Builders Enterprise Development Programme starts 1 April 2018.

COSMO CITY - Local coach attends Safa’s digital platform workshop

Shoko, who runs a successful club in Zandspruit, attended the workshop presented by the Safa West Rand region in Randfontein on 16 March.

Coach Proud Shoko at the workshop at Safa's West Rand region in Randfontein.


Golden Drifters Football Club coach Proud Shoko recently went all out to ensure that he understands what’s required of him to have registered players and also how to manage league and competition matches under the guidance of the South African Football Association (Safa).

Shoko, who runs a successful club in Zandspruit, attended the Safa workshop in Randfontein on 16 March.

Golden Drifters FC coach Proud Shoko with current Safa President, Danny Jordaan at a workshop in Sandton.

He explained the whole purpose of the workshop. “The main objective is to build a consolidated registration and competition management database,” he said.

He added, “This integrated database management system was developed specifically to suit the way the Safa regions and the LFA manage their leagues and competitions. We were taught how to use it, so that we can register our players and keep track of our club results.”

Shoko said youth clubs in the West Rand region would benefit from this programme. “Our stream, consisting of Zandspruit, Muldersdrift, Itsoseng, Malatjie, Cosmo City and Kya Sands will be the first to use the system within our youth leagues.

We have more than 500 players who are going to be registered this season and all of them will be using My SAFA cards soon,” he explained.

Veteran referee Ace Ngcobo and Golden Drifters FC coach Proud Shoko at the Safa workshop in Sandton.

Apart from the workshop, Shoko had a chance to chat with Jason Anderson, the workshop coordinator, about the development. Shoko has proven many times that he makes time for soccer development meetings, and also recently attended a workshop in Sandton where he met Safa president Danny Jordan and veteran referee Ace Ngcobo, who is running for Safa presidency.

COSMO CITY - Sgodiphola Secondary learner awarded by the EFF for being Cosmo City’s top matriculant

 An award to encourage matriculants to aim for better results

Sgodiphola Secondary School's principal Reginah Mpete, Primrose Dube, EFF's Donald Mabunda and Karabo Ndini. The top matriculant in the area, Primrose Dube, was awarded for her efforts in last year’s exams with a R10 000 cheque. The award was given to her by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for achieving the most distinctions among matriculants from schools such as Blue Eagle High School, Cosmo City Secondary and Far North Secondary School. Primrose matriculated from Sgodiphola Secondary and achieved seven distinctions in subjects such as mathematics, physical science and isiZulu. She has now gone to the University of Cape Town to study civil engineering. The EFF hosted the award ceremony in the school’s hall in front of this year’s matriculants to instil hope in them. Dube is already attending classes in Cape Town and came back home to attend the ceremony. She was very happy about what she accomplished but said that it was due to hard work and good planning. “I chose to study civil engineering because it shapes people’s lives and is instrumental in bringing water to a community,” said Dube. “My goal was to get seven distinctions and that is what I worked towards from January, but I was still surprised by how well I did. It shows that with hard work, anything is possible. “I was never much of a planner when it came to my school work but I was determined to pass so I started in Grade 11 and by matric, I had perfected my study schedule.” Principal Reginah Mpete has pointed to Dube as a good role model for the children of Cosmo City and said the study programmes they have put in place for matriculants are yielding results. “We have matric camps during the holidays and the children sleep at school for the weekend and do nothing but school work along with the teachers. “The children use the time not only to study but sharetheir problems with the teachers in order to better help them.” EFF councillor Donald Mabunda, who was the driving force behind the award, said they want to challenge more children to achieve good marks in matric and to work hard towards such a goal. “We live in an era where education is important and we must instil a sense of pride in the children about taking their school work seriously. “We want to ensure that children know that education is important no matter their background. This award is to motivate the children and show them that if they put in the hard work, they too can achieve good things.”

Cosmo City, Lanseria Airport water supply to be disrupted on 20 MarchCosmo City, Lanseria Airport water supply to be disrupted on 20 March

Cosmo City and surrounding areas, including Lanseria Aiport, will experience a planned disruption to water supply on the 20 March 2018.

On Monday, 12 March, Joburg Water, which is the water entity of the City of Johannesburg, issued a notice alerting residents of a planned disruption in the supply of water from 07:30 am until 18:00, on Tuesday, 20 March. During this period there won’t be any water, and water supply will be restored in stages from 18:00 – 20:00.

The disruption is caused by a planned installation of two valves at the Cosmo City Reservoir and P15, next to South Africa Drive.

According to the notice, the following areas will be affected: All Extensions Cosmo City, Zandspruit Ext 4, Mostyn Park, Malibongwe Ridge, Lion Park with Informal settlements, Itsotseng Informal Settlement, Eskom Informal Settlements and Lanseria Airport, Lanseria , Hoogland, Sandpark A.H, Millgate Farm A.H and Tirong Ext 4.

Joburg Water has made provision for alternative water supply points during the disruption, and water tanks will be located at:

Tirisano Mmogo Primary: 3759 Brazil street, Corner or Equador, Cosmo City (four water tanks).
Cosmo City West Primary: 3760 Equador Street, Corner of Paraguay Crescent, Cosmo City (four water tanks).
Blue Eagle High: 1291 Tanzania Street, Corner of Liberia Street, Cosmo City (two water tanks).
Cosmo City Secondary: 2322 Angola Street, Corner of Kenya Street, Cosmo City (two water tanks).
Cosmo City Primary 1: 2631 Angola Avenue, Corner of South Africa, Cosmo City (two water tanks).
Cosmo City Junior Primary 2: 2632 Angola Avenue, Corner of South Africa, Cosmo City (two water tanks).
Sgodiphola/Blue Roof Secondary: 7355 Central African Republic Avenue, Cosmo City (six water tanks).
Meridian Combined: Tennessee Street, Corner of South Africa, Cosmo City (five water tanks).
Lion Park Primary: 144 Malibongwe Drive, Corner of Thabo Mbeki, Lion Park Informal Settlement
Lanseria Business Park: Malibongwe Drive at Lanseria Airport
Cosmo City Medical Centre: Tennessee Street, Corner of South Africa, Cosmo City (five water tanks).
Royal Mount College: 8670 Russia Street, Corner of Ukraine Street, Cosmo City (seven water tanks).
Royal Mount High: 10570 Afghanistan Avenue, Corner of South Africa, Cosmo City (nine water tanks).
Cosmo City Mall: Malibongwe Drive, Corner of Dawn Road.

COSMO CITY - Bullying discouraged by police during school workshop

Muthan said they spearheaded the school talk because of the prevalence of bullying in schools and the community in general.

Honeydew Police Constable Ella Mudjedzi monitoring the noisemakers during the bullying talk.

About 400 learners at a public learning centre in Cosmo City were taught about the wrongs of bullying during a community workshop held by the Honeydew Police on 7 March.

The members of the Social Crime Prevention Unit, led by Captain Balan Muthan, the station’s spokesperson, and volunteers from a local non-profit organisation visited the Tirisano-Mmogo Primary School to inspire change.

Honeydew Police spokesperson Captain Balan Muthan talking to the learners about bullying. Photos: Supplied.

Muthan said they spearheaded the school talk because of the prevalence of bullying in schools and the community in general.

He added that they also presented a short talk about domestic abuse and discouraged stealing among children. “The children were excited to have us and were extremely disciplined throughout the session,” Muthan commented.

Liquor shop robbed during the weekend - Cosmo City

The suspects are accused of holding up a bottle store in Cosmo City on Saturday, 3 March, and helping themselves to an undisclosed amount of money.

Five suspects are wanted for business robbery. 

The Honeydew Police are on the lookout for five armed suspects who were involved in a business robbery during the weekend.

The suspects are accused of holding up a bottle store in Cosmo City on Saturday, 3 March, and helping themselves to an undisclosed amount of money.

Police spokesperson, Captain Balan Muthan, said the business robbery occurred at Moscow Liquor in Extension 7. “The suspects entered the store as if they were customers, then threatened the staff members and customers with pistols and instructed them to lie down,” he said.

He added that the suspects demanded bottles of whisky and an undisclosed amount of cash from the till and fled the scene.

The escape vehicle was not identified by the victims. Muthan also mentioned that no shots or injuries were reported.

City officials address attacks on EMS personnel

City officials talk about addressing the serious issue of attacks on EMS personnel.

Acting EMS Chief Mhlengi Makhubalo (left) accepts the general salute along with other colleagues and the MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun. 

The opening of the state-of-the-art fire station at Cosmo City on 1 March did not only bring joy to role-players and some community members, but left serious questions about the safety of those employed to serve at the station

The precinct this fire station will serve was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons recently, particularly for the attacks on Joburg Emergency Management Service personnel.

Acting EMS Chief Mhlengi Makhubalo delivers the overview brief.

A group of thugs allegedly hijacked an ambulance in Cosmo City while it responded to an emergency in September last year. Early this year, an ambulance was stoned in Zandspruit while attending to a pregnant woman.

This fire station that also has two ambulances was built to improve response time considering the rapid growth of Cosmo City and neighbouring areas. It remains questionable whether the station will improve the services in those areas though.

MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun shown around the pool at the fire station along with delegates and EMS officials. 

To address this issue, EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi, who has encourages residents on several occasions to report these act of criminality said, “We are looking at working with CPFs that already exist in the communities and making sure that we work with community leaders. We will be conducting our awareness programmes by visiting communities to remind them of the importance of protecting us because if they protect us we will be able to deliver services effectively and quickly,” he explained.

    “But if they continue attacking us, these kinds of attacks will create fear and panic among emergency services personnel who are supposed to respond to the call-outs. This would also disrupts service delivery and will mean that every time we have to respond to an emergency, we will go via a police station to get a police escort, which will affect our response times,” he further explained.


The acting EMS Chief Mhlengi Makhubalo added that the MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun should intervene to address the matter as the police need their vehicles for their own purposes. Fortunately, the fire station is situated opposite the Cosmo City Satellite Police Station.

MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun is shown the new fire engine.

In response, Sun said they were alarmed by the attacks, saying, “It started out as theft from ambulances and fire engines, but has escalated to physical assaults where they actually hijack the EMS personnel”.

He added that hot spots have been identified. “Our EMS team has gone out to the hot spots to engage the community leaders to remind them that these equipment, vehicles and staff members from EMS are here to serve and save their lives in an emergency. They need to help us by not only protecting us but also to identify unsavoury elements, so when we are doing our job we are protected by the residents,“ Sun explained to Cosmo City Housing Reporters.

Cosmo City Fire Station successfully opened

The building of the station started in the 2013/14 financial year and was completed in November last year.

MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, delivering the keynote address during the opening of the Cosmo City Fire Station. 

 Early yesterday morning protest outside the new Cosmo City Fire Station was contained by law enforcement officers, making it possible to continue with the opening of the fire station after the arrival of the City of Joburg’s MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, who delivered the keynote address on 1 March.

This state of the art, fully equipped facility, including an ambulance emergency unit which overall cost the City R33,5 million to build was celebrated and welcomed by many delegates of the City and residents who supported this idea.


The building of the station started in the 2013/ 14 financial year and was completed in November last year. The acting chief of the Emergency Management Services, Mhlengi Makhubalo, gave a brief overview of the reasons for the building of this facility.

    “This area was developed in 2008/ 9, and created a challenge in terms of our response time. We measure our response time to the community in terms of responding to fire calls,” he said.

    The public protest outside the new fire station. 

Makhubalo explained that area received services from various surrounding stations which at times did not meet the response time. “In terms of responding to fire calls, we must respond within 12 minutes and when we look into medical incidents, we must respond in nine minutes, but because the fire engines and ambulances were responding from different fire stations such as Hunters Hill, Randburg, Lonehill and Diepsloot, responding within a reasonable time was a challenge. This fire station thus had to be built to address the needs of the community as it continues to grow and develop,” he said, adding that in order for businesses to be attracted in the community, a strong emergency unit was needed.

Besides being situated in the community of Cosmo City, the fire station will also assist Zandspruit, Lanseria Airport, the North-West and trucks ferrying hazardous substances. Acting EFF councillor Donald Mabunda was excited that Zandspruit will benefit since it is no secret that fires break often break out there, especially during winter.

Sun, in his keynote address, made it clear that putting together this project was not an overnight job, saying, “This happy and joyous occasion did not come dropping from the sky, it required many hours, months and years of extremely hard work. We were put under strict oversight by the Section 79 committee, which really held us to account when it came to this station,”


    A brand new fire engine and two ambulances were handed over by the City. Sun said when the City received three new ambulances they decided to bring one to Cosmo City. Understanding the dire need for emergency services in the rapidly growing community.

    Sun said, “We understand that two ambulances may not be enough but we are working on getting two more so that at least we can achieve the service level of a thousand people to one ambulance.”

    MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun, delivering the keynote address during the opening of the Cosmo City Fire Station. 

According to Sun, the building of fire stations has resulted in many more successes, reducing the number of fatalities to half of the 2016 figure.

MMC for Public Safety, Michael Sun observes the hoisting of the flags. 

Sun and other delegates from the City were taken on a site visit, during which they were shown the entire facility, which includes a swimming pool, that will be used by personnel to conduct rescue training and also be used to teach children how to swim.

COSMOCITY-Locals protest against the opening of Cosmo City Fire Station Uncertain if event will continue

Protesters in front of the Cosmo City Fire Station.

The official opening of the Cosmo City Fire Station has been interrupted by a protest action by local residents who blockaded the entrance to the premises this morning, 1 March.



About 50+ residents staged a protest in front of the Fire Station on South Africa Drive, preventing Joburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba, from officially opening the station, saying that they want the building to be run by residents of Cosmo City since the station was built by the previous administration.

It was unclear whether the event would take place, as residents continue to chant in front of the entrance. In the meantime, Johannesburg Metro Police Department officers are on scene monitoring the tense situation.

Protesters in front of the Cosmo City Fire Station.