Author: Dumani Moyo

One bystander was shot in the hand during an armed robbery in Cosmo City’s extension 6 on 8 November before two suspects were detained, according to police.

The incident took place at Diva Fast Food Spaza along Ivory Coast Street, said Honeydew police spokesperson Captain Balan Muthan.

Narrating the ordeal, Captain Muthan said: “Two suspects entered the Spaza shop and threatened a 40 year old shop keeper with fire arms. They fired one shot, which wounded one bystander. The bystander collapsed and was quickly rushed to hospital.

Member's from honeydew responded and managed to arrest both suspects and recovered seven cell phones, two firearms and undisclosed amount of money.

Captain Muthan said police will continue with operation Okae Molao to minimise criminal activities in the community. ~�xh��

The building of shacks in Zandspruit’s Phakamani area has caused great anxiety in the community as residents continue fighting to remain on the land they have occupied.

The first attempted land invasion on the Phakamani area took place during the lockdown, when hundreds of people reportedly marched onto the land to claim it as their own.

One of the reasons why people invaded the land, according to the informal dwellers, was that they lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and could no longer afford to pay rent.

“What we do not understand now is why they want us removed from the land,” said Nobukhosi Tlali. “There are many areas that are illegally occupied in Zandspruit, but why do they only want to remove people in Phakamani area?”

Anyone who attempts to remove people must have a valid court eviction order, said community activist Gift Mkasi.

“Law enforcers are removing us from our homes without any valid reasons,” he said. “I think the police officers are influenced by an individual who claims that he is the owner of that piece of land. We are standing against the illegal evictions.”

When police officers destroy their ‘homes,’it usually triggers violent demonstrations.

 Yandisa Phungu and Mkasi, who is also the local EFF’s development leader, recently visited Honeydew Police Station to warn the police to stop interfering in land issues in Zandspruit.

“People are continuing to occupy unused land and aren’t turning back,” Mkasi said. “Police cannot just wake up one morning and decide to remove people from the land without taking proper court procedures.”

When contacted for a comment, Honeydew Police spokesperson Captain Balan Muthan said “The police do not have the mandate to remove structures. �; ke�

 Body exercising has become the new trend amongst young and old people in the community, and Louis Café Development Gym strives to help community members get fitness classes for free.

Due to COVID-19 lockdown, most fitness enthusiasts were forced to work out in their homes as opposed to attending fitness classes in gyms.

The café is not only open for food and beverages, but also aims to give back to the community, according to Louis Café Development Gym co-founder William Mboza.

“The gym is proudly made for the residents to use,” he said. “Our aim is to use such innovations to empower the community through physical training to promote good health.”

Residents, who are fitness fanatics, attend gym lessens from Monday to Saturday at 7am under the guidance of Jury The Coach.

“We are living in difficult times, and we need to promote good health,” said Coach Jury. “What we need is to keep our community healthy.”

Fitness enthusiasts talking to the Chronicle expressed their happiness to be given an opportunity to get fitness training for free.

It is a good thing to see such a development in the community, said William Molaule of In The Dream Entertainment (ITDE). “At ITDE we are happy to see community development activities,” he said. “We recently initiated Investors’n’ Partners Investment Club to uplift communities through entertainment and education. We are currently supporting Scima on his tour.