People’s Post Athlone/Lansdowne E-edition 14 April 2026
ATHLONE|LANSDOWNE
Tuesday, 14 April 2026
Patientssufferingfromdiabetes, high blood pressure andasthmanot only putextra strain on theirhealthwhen they miss medication,skips appointmentsorstoptheir treatments early, butalsotothe emergencycentres of the WesternCapeDepartmentofHealthand Wellness.
This wasthe appeal to patients sufferingfrom chronicconditionsonWorld Health Daycelebrated on Tuesday7 April.
Thedepartmentencourageseveryonetotake ownershipoftheir health andwellnessfor a healthierand society.
Millionsofpeopleworldwide arelivingwith chronicconditionsand thedepartmentoffers acomprehensive packageofcarefor localpatients at clinicscross theprovince.
“Wewantyou to work together with us to manage your chroniccondition responsiblyand avoidunnecessary tripstoour emergencycentres duetounmanaged chronicillnesses. Living with achronic illnessisa dailycommitment, andfor many people that commitment comes with very real challenges.But theconsequences of interruptingtreatment cannotbeoverstated.Whena patientmissesmedications,skips appointments,orstops theirtreatment early, thedisease does notpause with them,”saysDr MasudahPaleker,publicmedicinespecialistfor thedepartment.
Conditions like high bloodpressure,diabetes, andasthmacan deterioraterapidly andsilently, oftenresulting in emergencycentrevisits, severe complications, andoutcomesthatare far harder to treatthanthe original condition.
“Manyofthese emergenciesare preventable. Consistent uninterruptedtreatment is oneof themostpowerful toolswehave, notonlyfor individual patients,but forreducingthe burden on ahealthcaresystemthatisalready under enormous strain.Whencommunities aresupported to stay on treatmentschedules,lives are saved,”saysPaleker
Unmanagedchronic diseases result in adverse health challenges,including stroke,heart attacks, andthe need foradvance medical
“You wouldheara patientsay,‘Ican eatthis, becauseI will just take atabletand will feel better’,ratherthanchangingtheir lifestyleor eating habits fora healthierapproachtomanagetheir chroniccondition,” shesays.
“Accordingtoour data,chronic patients are collectingmedication, butfromthere it is up to thepatient to adhere to thetreatment schedule Patients need to gettoa pointwhere they are accountablefor theirown health.Takingtreatment is notmeant to be aquick fix, it is meant to be aholisticapproach.”
Dale Patience,qualified dieticianfor thedepartment,offersthe following practicaldietary tips foradjusting your lifestyle.
“Increaseyourintakeofproteins– meat, fish,eggs, chickenorlook at your plant-based alternatives of beansand lentils. Ensure there is variety. Look at carbohydrates– rice,pastas andpotatoes. Keep thesefoodsinmoderation butconsumeddaily becausetheyprovide our bodies with energy
“Overall, we wouldencourage communities to consumeasmuchfresh produceaspossible, anditisrecommended to plan mealsinadvance, purchasing affordablemeals accordingly, andpreparing mealsathomeand avoidbuying sweet treats or fast foodsthathavelittletono nutritionalvalue,” Patience says Thebenefits of meal planning andpreparation allowyou to take advantageofdiscountedprices.Ifyou’vegot amenuplannedwhengoing to do shopping,you know theingredients that youare goingtoneed.Takeadvantage of bulk buying to stretcha bitfurther,hesays. If yourequire assistance in treating or managingchronic diseases,including nutrition support,diagnosis andtreatment,makeanappointmentand visityourlocal healthcare clinic
AVRIL FILLIES
14%decrease inWCape Easter road deaths
The WesternCaperecorded a14% decrease in road deaths over theEaster period,with19fatalitiescomparedto22lastyear.
Theprovincialgovernment attributes thedecline to increased visiblepolicingand stricter law enforcementacrossmajor routes
Nationally,Transport Minister BarbaraCreecyreporteda 10% decrease in road fatalities between Januaryand mid-March, indicatinga positive trendahead of the Easter period
FinalEasterroadstatisticsare yet to be released
Despitethe improvement, theWestern Cape Government remainsconcerned that pedestriansand passengerscontinueto accountfor most fatalities
WesternCapeMinisterof Mobility IsaacSilekusaidhe observed encouragingcompliance at roadblocks over theweekend, butwarnedthatserious offences persist.
“Thispastweekend, Ijoinedtrafficofficers at variousroadblocks
A36,1% DROP IN DUIALCOHOL ARRESTS
andwas encouraged by theoverall compliance from most motorists. However, therewerestill serious concerns,including driversgetting behind thewheel underthe influence,bribing andassaulting traffic officers,and allowing unlicensed driverstooperate minibustaxis carryingpassengers,”hesaid.
Sileku addedthatthe reduction in fatalities showsthatenforcement efforts arehavinganimpact.
“The decrease in fatalities is an encouragingresultand showsthat stronger enforcementbyour traffic officers andbetterbehaviour by road usersare making adifference
“Thisincludesa 36,1%dropin drivingunder theinfluenceofalcoholarrests, suggestingthatconstantvisible policing is effectively discouraging riskybehaviour.”
Atotal of 108motorists were arrested fordriving underthe influence, with thehighest alcohol readingrecordedinVredendal at 1,46 mg/l,morethan five timesthe legallimit
Trafficofficers also removed293 unroadworthy vehicles andidentified 1778 unlicensed vehicles
Adverseweather conditions on Good Friday,particularlyalong theN1and in Cape Town,did not disruptoperations.
Authoritiesalsouseddronesto monitorpedestrianmovementand public transportareas
However, nine pedestriansand sevenpassengerslosttheir lives,
with many incidentsinvolving pedestrianswalking on high-speed roads, oftenunder theinfluenceof alcohol.
Although totalarrestsdroppedby 29%, indicating some behavioural improvement, officialswarnthat speeding, reckless andnegligent driving, notwearing seatbelts, and drivingorwalking underthe influence remain majorrisks
In principle, witnessesare grantedlegal protection fortheir testimony, ensuring that what is said in thesespacescannotbeused directly to prosecutethem.
In practice,thatprotectionis incomplete
Testimonymay be shielded in a narrowlegal sense, butits effects arenot contained.
What is said in acommitteeroom canstill triggerinvestigations, expose relationships, shiftpolitical attention, andrippleintoenvironmentsfar beyond Parliament
Therecentproceedings of the Madlanga Commission have again broughtthistension into focus, particularly throughevidencegiven
Theuse of anonymityisnot procedural detail
It is asignalthatdisclosure carries risk
It acknowledges acentral contradictionthattruth-telling in formal settingsisnot always aneutral act.
SouthAfricansoften assume that silenceorhesitationinsuch forums stemsfromfearofprosecution.But thereality is oftenmore layered.
It includes retaliation, reputational damage,and thedestabilisation of networks that once provided protection or influence.
In systemsshapedbypatronage, politicalcontestationand institutional overlap, thoserisks arenot theoretical. They arelived realities. This does notabsolve witnesses of responsibility to be truthful.Accountability dependsontestimony that is accurate,consistentand complete
Withoutit, oversightmechanismslosetheir effectiveness. Butitdoescomplicatethe assumption that fulldisclosureis simply amatterofwillingness. Thereisalsoa psychologicaland environmentaldimension that is frequently overlooked in public interpretation of testimony. Memory is nota fixedrecord.
It is shaped by stress, isolation, time andcircumstance.
Witnesseswho areincarcerated, underinvestigation,ortestifying from restrictiveconditionsmay experience real difficultyrecalling events with precision.
Yetpublicexpectation often assumesclarity,coherence and completeness.
This createsa gapbetween what is demanded andwhatisrealistically available.
Commissionsand parliamentary committees continue to rely on the principleoffulldisclosure.
Butthe environmentinwhich that disclosure is produced often undermines itscompleteness.
Theresultisnot necessarily deception. It is oftenfragmentation
This tensionsitsatthe heart of SouthAfrica’saccountability architecture
On onesideisthe expectation that public hearings will reveal the fulltruth of complexnetworksof wrongdoing
On theother is asystemthat cannotfully protectevery witness from theconsequencesofwhat they reveal
Even when legalprivilege applies, it does notextendtoall outcomes
Testimonycan stillguide investigations, shapemedia narratives, or shiftpolitical andlegal scrutiny onto individualsand institutions in ways that aredifficult to predictor contain.
This is whyinquiry processes oftenproduce partialnarratives
rather than complete accounts
Theissueisnot only whether witnessesare willing to speak. It is whetherthe conditions in which they speakallowfor fulland unguardedtestimony
If SouthAfricaisserious about strengtheningaccountability,it must confront this structural gap directly
Howare witnessesprotected beyond thehearing room? What safeguards existwhen testimonyintersectswithongoing investigations?
Andhow caninquiry processes balancetransparencywiththe real risksfaced by thosecalledto speak?
Thesequestions arenot abstract
They go to thecredibility of the country’soversight institutions
Notbecause truthisabsent, or becausewitnessesare necessarily unwilling,but becausethe cost of fulldisclosureremains high in a system whereconsequencesare difficult to contain.
SouthAfrica’schallengeisnot alackoftestimony.Itisa framework that stillstruggles to make truth-telling safe enough to be complete
Untilthatchanges,the country will continue to hear fragmentsof truthinroomsdesignedtoproduce clarityand mistakethose fragmentsfor thewhole story.
NAMHLA MONAKALI
TheWestern Cape recorded a14% decrease in road deaths over theEaster period. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
ECDin desperateneed of help
AVRILFILLIES
The fifthUkukhulisaEarly Childhood DevelopmentCentreinParkwood is seekinghelpfromthe public to improvethe facility,including outdoor portable apparatus, sponsorlearning materialsand dailyresources
“Weare in BlackbirdAvenueonthe premises of themasjidand have 60 learners dividedinto threeclasses.
“Weteach them aboutrecycling,making useofscrap to create somethingnew.Before theEasterweekendold cardboardboxes were turned into beautiful Easter boxes, masksand bunny ears.The children learnthrough play andart andeachchild received three Easter eggs as well as othergoodies, donatedby ourparents,” says RuwaydaMajiet, principal.
“Westarted tenmonthsago andprovide qualityeducation to children andfamiliesinthe Vlei informal settlement in Parkwood”.
Theother four ECDs areinFlamingoinformal settlement, Belgravia, LowerCrossroadsand Khayelitsha.
Themotherbodywas establishedin2015and is aregisterednon-profitorganisationwiththe Department of Social Services
Ukukhulisa is awordfromthe isiXhosa andisiZulu language,meaning “toraise”, “to nurture” and“to develop”.Itreflects theidea of fosteringgrowth, particularly in children,by providingcare, guidance andsupport,sothey canreach theirfullpotential,” shesays. Theorganisationadoptsa holistic approach to education, focusing notonlyonacademicdevelopmentbut also on theemotional,socialand physical well-beingofeachchild,while creating safe,nurturing environments wherechildren can flourish “Weserve acommunity that facessignificant challenges,including exposure to drugsand gang activity.Our mission is to provideyoung children with asafe, nurturingand stimulating environmentwhere they canlearn,growand
Flushots urged after earlyonset
DESIRÉERORKE
Thepublicisurged to vaccinate againstinfluenza as the fluseasonhas commenced earlierthan usual, theNationalInstitute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) recently announced. This year’s influenzaseasonbegan in the second week of March, with therespiratory syncytialvirus (RSV)seasonstartingsimultaneously. Theconcurrent onsetmeans clinicians couldpotentially seea high burden of patients with respiratoryillnessinmedical facilities in thecomingweeks.
“The fluseasonisdeclaredwhenthe rate from theNICDsentinelsurveillanceexceeds thedefinedlevel forthe season to startand is sustainedfor twoconsecutive weeks. While this year’s season hasstarted earlierthanin recent years, it is similartolastyear’s, when the season startedinthe week of 24 March,”says NICD spokesperson Vuyo Sabani Vaccinesare nowavailable at pharmacies for interested individuals.
“The earlystart to theseasonmeans that this year,the vaccine is only becoming availableas theseasonisgetting started, so membersof thepublicwho fall into groups at high risk for severe influenzaare urgedtoget theirvaccines as soon as possible,”saysSabani.
However, it is nottoo late to vaccinate once theseasonhas begun.
“The majority of people with influenzapresent with mild illness, whichusually resolves within threetoseven days.However,influenzamay causesevereillness, leadingtohospitalisation or possiblydeath,especially amongstthose at risk,while RSVisthe leadingcause of bronchiolitis andlower respiratorytract infections in youngchildrenand canleadtosevereillness in infants. It is highly contagious,primarily spreadingthrough respiratorydroplets.”
Children from the latest UkukhulisaEarlyChildhood Development CentreinParkwood with theEaster boxesand bunnyears made from cardboardboxes andotherrecycle materials.
‘Werescue and rebuild lives’
NAMHLAMONAKALI
At27, Salome Geiger arrivedinCape Town alone, withoutknowing anyone,stepping into alifeshe describesasbothexcitingand overwhelming.
“The last 15 yearshavenever been easy,” she said.“Idid notknowanybody before Icame here.Everythingwas exciting,but also made me ask, ‘WhatamI getting myself into’?”
Originally from Germany, Geiger grew up in afaith-centred home andsaysshe always knew shewantedtoworkwithchildrenand vulnerablewomen
“I always knew Iwantedtobea kindergarten teacher, andI knew Iwantedtobea missionary,”she said.“Ihad theprivilege of growingup in alovelyhomecentred in faith, andI wanted to make Godknown andshare that.” Herstudies in earlychildhood development (ECD)took heracrossEurope, including Germanyand Spain, whereshe experienced contrastingapproaches to learning “InGermany,itwas allabout play,” shesaid. “InSpain,itwas more academic.The people were so friendly,and it gave me alovefor the nations.”
Butitwas herarrivalinSouth Africa that wouldshape herpurpose in unexpected ways
“I have neverseen povertysoclose to oneanother,”she said.“From thebeginning,I worked in aplace of safety,and it wasshocking.”
Despitethe challenges,she says SouthAfrica also offered connection andcommunity
“South Africans areveryhospitableand open-hearted,” shesaid. “I have made really good friendsherethatI stillhavetoday.”
Geiger’s passion forvulnerablewomen is deeply personal.“It is my ownexperienceof walkingthrough abusethatgavemea passion forvulnerablewomen,” shesaid.
During hertimeinAmsterdam,she encounteredwomen involved in prostitution, an
COMBAT TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION THROUGH PREVENTION,AWARENESS AND RESTORATION
experience that reshaped herunderstanding of exploitation
“Theywould say, ‘No, we love what we do’,” shesaid. “But as Ibuilt relationshipswiththem, Irealisedmanywantedtobreak free andwere actually forced into that life andwereabused.”
That realisationstrengthenedher commitment to creating safe spaces andsupporting thosewho areoften unheard.
Today, Geiger is thefounder andchief executive officerofBeyondPriceless, an organisation workingtocombattraffickingand exploitation throughprevention, awarenessand restoration.
“Wedon’t just rescue children,werebuild lives,”she said
Oneofthe organisation’s keyinitiatives is Truckers AgainstTrafficking, whichengages truckdrivers to help identify andreportsuspiciousactivity.
“Wehavedonea huge survey with truck driverstocometoa safe spacewhere they can become whistleblowers,” shesaid.
Beyond Pricelessalsooffersstakeholder training, equipping professionalsand community memberstorecognise andrespond to traffickingand exploitation
“Wedoa lotofstakeholder training andwork with differentgovernmentstakeholders,”she said.“Trustbuildingismajor.Wealsolook at mental stateand health.”
Theorganisationfurther focusesoncommunity innovation anddevelopment,working with localpartnerstostrengthenawareness and support systems, whilealsoproviding places of
safety forthose in need
Geiger said herworkremains deeply personal androotedinher ownjourney.“This work is personal becauseI went throughabuse myself,” shesaid.
Beyond Pricelessisexpanding itsreach,with planstoestablish asafespace in theKaroo and grow itsoutreachacrosscommunities
“The work is growingsofast,”she said “Human traffickingishiddeninplain sight. We need to educateourselves andstand up forthe voiceless.”
Sheencouragesthe public to getinvolved by inviting theorganisationintoschoolsand churches or by volunteering.
“You caninviteustoyourchurchoryour school,” shesaid. “Weare also lookingfor volunteers.”
. Formoreinformation,visit beyondpriceless.org.
Salome Geiger,founderand CEOofBeyondPriceless, reflects on her15-year journeyinCapeTown supportingvulnerablewomenand combating human trafficking. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Armybrings renewedhope
AVRILFILLIES
Nocomplaintsabout thepresence of theSANationalDefence Force in Manenberghavebeenreceived from localresidents andoverall they are pleasedwiththe army’s presence.
On Friday 3April thered carpet wasrolled outwhenthe army waswelcomedwithcheers andscreams of “Wewantpeace”asthe policing convoy lead by theManenberg police moved into thearea.
ColHarry Brickles,actingstation commander,CaptDavid Solomons andCaptJannie Vermeulenleadthe team of crime fighters in an ongoinghigh-densityintegratedmultiplier patrols, throughthe streetsofManenberg and down ManenbergAvenue.
“The jointforcesbrought renewedhopetothe community in avisible taking thestreets back with ano-nonsense approach.The army hitthe ground runningastheydealt with ashooting incident in Heideveld, executed asearchwarrant in Laingsburg Road in Heideveldand the localcrime prevention unit supported by the
THE ARMY HITTHE GROUND RUNNING,HAVING TO DEAL WITH ASHOOTING
army,arrested a26-year-old male forpossession of drugs,”saysBrickles.
Cocainewitha street valueofR13 000 was confiscated at an addressinZak Road,Manenberg.The 26-year-oldwas foundwith39units of cocaineand apacketofuncut cocaineinhis possession
“The soldiers were takendownManenberg Avenue guided by thepoliceofficers,withchildren andyoung people screamingand shouting forjoy,acknowledging thearmy’spresence alreadyshowing thesuccess of thedeployment.
“These operations will continue dailyand the Manenbergpoliceofficers have putits proverbial stampofapprovalonthison-goinghigh-density operation,”Bricklessays.
. Anyone with information about crime cancontact Manenbergpoliceon021 6999400orCrime Stop 0860010111.
Policenailthugsinajointpatrol
Ahighlyfocused integrated crimeprevention team wasdeployedwithgreat success within theManenberg Precinct from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 Marchtocombatcrime andillegal gang activity
“Manenberg police prides itself on servingthe community at differentlevelscreatingsuccessful partnerships in breaking thebackofcrime We prideourselves on thededicated loyallaw enforcementofficers who fightcrime without fear or favour,bringingjustice to victimsleft behind.These active crime fighting initiatives form part of changing thefaceofManenberg,” says Brig JayceNaidoo, stationcommander
On Saturday 28 Marchat08:30 officers were doinghigh-densitypatrols in KlipfonteinRoad in Heideveldand arrested a25-year-old male in possession of a9mm pistol.The pistol wasnot reported stolen andbelongs to a firm,Primrose, in Germiston, Gauteng. Becauseitwas not reported stolen anegligent loss will be opened andthe ownerwillfacea charge underthe firearmact
At 15:20onthe same dayofficers of the flying squadrecovered an abandoned9mm pistol in ScheldtRoadinManenberg aftertheywere calledtoa shooting incident in theimmediate area
“Continuousdeploymentwilltakeplace to fightcrime andensurethe safety of everybody within theManenberg Policing Precinct,” says Naidoo.
He also praisedthe tenacity andbrilliant investigativeskills of SgtDaryl vanNoiewhose investigationintothe murder of a41-year-old male whowas shot on Saturday 5April 2025 led to anothersuccessful conviction handed down in theWynberg Regional Court.
“29-year-old Ashwin de Wetand 27-year-old Fabian Abrahams were both foundguiltyand sentencedto15years imprisonment formurder andanadditional five yearsfor defeatingthe
Brig JayceNaidoo,Station Commander of ManenbergPolice. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
ends of justiceeachonFriday20March
“Thiswas aftertheyshota 41-year-oldmale walkinginJordanRoadand he succumbed to hisinjuriesinhospital. Thedeceasedwas injuredonSaturday5 Aprillastyearina gang relatedshootingincidentand wasstructinthe lowerpartofhis body
“The twomales fled thescene andwithout any witnessesVan Noie pieced together evidence whichled to thearrestsofthe twosuspects,” says Naidoo. This wasaninvestigation with integrityand professionalismleading to thesuccessful conviction.
. Naidoo appealstothe communitiesinthe ManenbergPrecinct to report anycrime or gang activitytoManenbergPoliceStation on 021 699 9400 or Crime Stop 08600 10111.
Children and youth running throughthe streets of Manenbergwhen the redcarpet wasrolledout forthe soldiers deployed in the community PHOTO:SUPPLIED
