Government Officials Slam Sarah Baartman Project Delays, KZN Police to Increase Presence in Pietermaritzburg, and PepsiCo Launches Probe After Rodent Found in Bread
In a recent development, government officials have expressed frustration over the delays in a major infrastructure project at Sarah Baartman’s burial site in Hankey, Eastern Cape. The project, initially valued at over R168 million and expected to be completed by October 2016, has faced numerous setbacks, including contractor changes, financial issues, and delays due to poor workmanship, COVID-19, and community unrest. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has called for urgent action to prevent further taxpayer money from being wasted.
Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has announced plans to increase the number of police stations and officers in Pietermaritzburg in response to persistently high crime rates. The Plessislaer policing precinct in Pietermaritzburg is one of the areas with the highest recorded cases of violent crimes, including murder and robbery. Mkhwanazi has assured that additional resources will be requested from head office to strengthen the capacity in the area.
In a separate incident, PepsiCo South Africa has launched an investigation after a woman found part of a rodent in a loaf of bread. Nombulelo Mkumla from Durban shared her experience on social media, explaining that she bought the bread from a local store on August 27. The company has acknowledged that the loaf of SASKO Low GI Seeded Whole Wheat bread did not meet their strict quality standards and assured that an investigation is underway.
These incidents highlight the importance of effective governance, law enforcement, and quality control measures to ensure the well-being of citizens and the integrity of public projects.
