The past week has brought a mix of challenges, resilience, and inspiring stories across Carletonville, Fochville, Khutsong, and Welverdiend. From infrastructure spending questions and power outages to uplifting community initiatives and academic success stories, residents have witnessed both the struggles and strengths that shape daily life in Merafong. Here’s a round-up of the top news stories you need to know.

Merafong Municipality Spends Over R1 Million Scraping Short Gravel Road

Fochville, Concerns have been raised after it emerged that the Merafong City Local Municipality spent more than R1 million scraping a gravel road less than two kilometres long.

The figure was revealed in the municipality’s mid-year financial and performance assessment report, which noted that R1,031,342 was allocated for work on the access road leading to the Kokosi Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). The project was funded through a Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) from national government.

The road, which turns off A Lembede Drive in Kokosi and runs to the WWTW, was scraped under the supervision of Kutlo Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd. However, the report did not name the contractor who carried out the work.

Local watchdogs and residents questioned the cost, noting that the road was already in use. Fochville resident and construction industry professional Corne van der Merwe pointed out that community-funded scraping projects, such as the road to the rubbish dump, had cost only R10,610 for eight hours of work. By his estimate, the WWTW road could have been completed in a single day for under R15,000.

The spending comes amid ongoing frustrations about failing infrastructure, water interruptions, and tight municipal budgets. Critics have described the price tag as a stark example of misaligned spending priorities.

Armed Robbers Storm Blybank Home in Search of Stokvel Money

Blybank, A resident of Boxer Street endured a terrifying ordeal when four armed men stormed into his bedroom on 2 September, demanding stokvel money.

The incident occurred shortly after 8:00 PM. The victim reported that the men entered suddenly, brandishing firearms, and demanded access to stokvel funds. He told the intruders the money had already been deposited into a bank account.

Frustrated, the suspects fled with valuables including four cellphones, a pair of sneakers, and car keys. The car itself was not taken.

Police confirmed that a case of house robbery has been opened and investigations are ongoing. No arrests had been made at the time of publication.

The incident has renewed concerns about stokvel-related robberies, which often spike toward the end of the year. Authorities are urging residents not to keep large amounts of cash at home.

Residents Rally Behind Project to Revive Carletonville and Fochville CBDs

Carletonville / Fochville, Local residents and business owners are uniting behind a new community-driven project aimed at reviving the Central Business Districts (CBDs) of Carletonville and Fochville.

The initiative, supported by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), encourages urban renewal efforts without replacing municipal responsibilities. Four workshops were held last week, two in Carletonville on 3 September and two in Fochville the following day.

The sessions were led by Annemarie Loots, a spatial planner and urban designer contracted by SALGA. Loots emphasized that the goal is to build pride in the towns and foster collaboration between residents and government.

Participants, including informal traders, building owners, and business associations, brainstormed ideas for improving cleanliness, safety, and vibrancy in the CBDs. Two further workshops are planned in both towns to consolidate community input into actionable proposals.

Marais Family of Fochville Achieves Ten University Degrees

Fochville, The Marais family has achieved a rare academic milestone, with the four children of Hein and the late Malinda Marais collectively earning ten university degrees.

The latest addition came when Janke Marais (now Gorden) completed her MCom in International Tax at North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus. She is currently working in Potchefstroom and plans to continue her studies, aiming to eventually lecture at the university.

Their father, Hein Marais, had himself earned a BA degree through UNISA, instilling a strong value for education.

The family’s story has been described as an inspiring example of faith, gratitude, and perseverance.

SAVF Fochville to Host Community Fun Day

Fochville, The South African Women’s Federation (SAVF) in Fochville is preparing for a large-scale community fun day on 27 September, with activities planned for all ages.

The event will be held at the grounds of Fochville We Run, behind the Gert van Rensburg Stadium. Activities begin with a fun run at 07:00, followed by exhibitions and stalls from 09:00.

Highlights will include food stalls, a variety of exhibits, and vintage car and motorcycle displays. Proceeds from the event will go toward supporting SAVF’s welfare projects in the community.

Residents interested in hosting a stall or learning more about the event can contact Irene Meyer at 076 255 9423.

Mother and Child Traumatized in Early-Morning Home Robbery

East Driefontein, A 37-year-old mother and her child endured a frightening ordeal in the early hours of 2 September when an intruder broke into their rondavel and demanded money.

Police said the suspect gained entry around 05:00 after the woman’s husband had left for work. A key left in the burglar gate reportedly allowed the intruder to unlock the door with ease.

The man threatened the victims, demanding cash, before fleeing with money and a cellphone. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Police confirmed that a house robbery case has been opened and investigations are underway.

Residents have been urged to take extra precautions, including removing keys from gates and doors, particularly during the night and early morning hours.

Carletonville Police Meet Khutsong Ext 5 Residents to Tackle Crime

Khutsong Ext 5, Carletonville police hosted a community meeting at the local library on 3 September, engaging residents in crime prevention discussions.

The session formed part of the police’s social crime prevention programme, led by Sergeant Thabo Mathebula, with support from Lieutenant-Colonel Mzana, Constable Nabo Modise, CPF patrollers, street committees, and ward councillor Ali Motsumi.

Discussions centered on local crime patterns, with residents urged to report suspicious activity promptly. Police also encouraged the recruitment of additional patrollers and cautioned landlords to verify tenant identities to prevent criminals from operating under false names.

Attendees were reminded of the following reporting channels:

• Carletonville SAPS: 018 787 9316

• Relief Commander: 071 675 7200

• MySAPS App (free download)

• Anonymous SMS line: 32211

Police emphasised that community vigilance is key to reducing crime in the area.

Surge in Car Theft as Foreign-Plated Vehicles Targeted

Carletonville, Police have warned of a surge in vehicle thefts targeting cars with foreign number plates, particularly Toyotas, after five vehicles were stolen in the past week.

Acting Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Wessel Prinsloo said a syndicate is suspected of operating in the area, with cars bearing Lesotho and Mozambique plates especially vulnerable. Because these vehicles are not registered on South Africa’s NaTIS database, they are harder to trace once stolen.

Most thefts occurred at local mines, where cars were parked for extended periods.

Police urged all vehicle owners, and especially those with foreign plates, to take precautions such as installing tracking systems, avoiding long periods of unattended parking, and reporting suspicious activity near vehicles.

Increased patrols are being conducted, and police are working with neighbouring jurisdictions to investigate the syndicate.

Frustration Grows as Welverdiend Faces Another Prolonged Power Outage

Welverdiend, Residents are once again grappling with a prolonged blackout, just a month after enduring a month-long power cut.

The latest outage began on 10 September, when scheduled maintenance was conducted at the Frikkie van der Merwe substation. Although electricity was briefly restored, it cut out again within half an hour and had not returned by Tuesday.

Affected areas include Welverdiend, Elijah Barayi, and Khutsong Extensions 4, 5, and 8.

Some families have resorted to giving away food before it spoils. Meanwhile, many residents expressed anger at the municipality’s silence, saying they were left to rely on word of mouth and direct observation at the substation for updates.

With no clear timeline for restoration, frustration is mounting, and trust in local authorities continues to erode.

Wrap-Up

This week’s developments in Carletonville and surrounding areas reflect the many layers of life in Merafong: persistent service delivery struggles, rising crime concerns, and the power of community resilience. While residents grapple with challenges like power cuts, robberies, and questionable spending, they also continue to inspire through academic achievement, civic engagement, and projects to uplift their towns.

The stories highlight both the difficulties and determination of a community working hard to protect, improve, and take pride in its future.

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