“Cape Town residents told to prepare for ‘loud sirens’ on Tuesday – but why?” – Koeberg Nuclear Power Station Siren Test- https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/why-loud-sirens-cape-town-alarm-koeberg-tuesday-9-march/

'Remain calm', 'do not panic', and 'keep your pets indoors': That's the message from local authorities, as Cape Town braces for an unusual event on Tuesday.

The Western Cape Government has warned locals that loud sirens will be heard throughout locations in the Cape Town Municipality on Tuesday. For two hours, the cautionary blasts are set to be sounded in 12 separate regions.

That’s because the Koeberg Nuclear Facility has to test its warning systems out. The extended PA service is in place to warn those living nearby of any potential meltdowns or disasters which would require an evacuation. The purpose of Tuesday’s exercise is purely precautionary, but it will cause a racket for people living in these districts.

Atlantis

Duynefontein

Melkbosstrand

Van Riebeeckstrand

Philadelphia

Bloubergstrand

Bloubergrant

West Beach

Sunningdale

Parklands

Robben Island

The farms surrounding Koeberg Nuclear Power Station

According to the local government, the tests could also be fired up again on Wednesday or Thursday – but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. They are urging locals to remain calm, and if possible, keep pets indoors so they don’t get spooked.

“A full siren test of the Koeberg Public Warning System will be conducted… between 10:00 and 12:00 on the morning of Tuesday 9 March 2021. You do not need to take any action, as this is only a test. But as a precaution, ensure that your pets are kept inside, and remember to turn off radios and televisions so you can hear the PA announcements.”

“Please do not panic, this is only a test – and if necessary, individual sirens may be retested on Wednesday and Thursday. Please note that the sirens form part of the Koeberg Emergency Plan, and must remain in working order.”

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“Harvest thefts by heavily armed syndicate gangs – Mpumalanga farmers at their wit’s end”- https://southafricatoday.net/south-africa-news/mpumalanga/harvest-thefts-by-heavily-armed-syndicate-gangs-mpumalanga-farmers-at-their-wits-end/

The FF Plus in Mpumalanga has sent an official letter to the MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, requesting him to step in and urgently address the ongoing illegal activities of livestock and harvest theft in the province.

The incessant theft of products is a great cause for concern seeing as the macadamia, avocado, citrus and timber industries lose an estimated R340 million every year due to theft.

Every year during harvest time, producers are harassed by armed syndicates that unlawfully profit from their harvests. Mpumalanga yields 50% and 30% of South Africa’s macadamia and avocado harvests respectively and provides work for 19 000 permanent and temporary employees.

The police’s intelligence reports indicate that up to ten groups of heavily armed gangs will target a single producer at a time. They then steal up to 20 tonnes of that producer’s product in one night.

It appears as if the profits and risks associated with such raids are more rewarding for these gangs than committing transit heists.

Producers and security firms are at their wit’s end and seem to have no defence against the looting.

Reports also indicate that even when individual suspects are apprehended, case dockets disappear and police officers are often unhelpful. Farmers are also frequently injured during these raids.

This lawlessness puts Mpumalanga’s local economy in a serious financial predicament and leads to great job losses.

Producers are now forced to use the profits they make to upgrade their security and mechanise their farms in an attempt to improve control on their farms a well as to prevent trespassing and internal theft.

The FF Plus has requested Shongwe so immediately engage with the police in order to draw up a plan of action for the upcoming harvest season with the aim of helping farmers and security firms maintain law and order.