Tributes pour in for Ekurhuleni MMC Andile Mngwevu who died in Mozambique floods:
The body of Ekurhuleni member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for roads and transport planning Andile Mngwevu has been recovered in southern Mozambique, bringing a tragic end to a search that lasted more than a week after the vehicle he was travelling in was swept away by floodwaters.
Mngwevu, 40, was among five people who have been missing since earlier this month in the Chokwé area after heavy rains caused rivers to burst their banks, overwhelming roads and sweeping vehicles into fast-moving water. Mozambican authorities, working with South African search and rescue teams, located his remains on Tuesday near the submerged vehicle.
The search operation began shortly after the vehicle disappeared during severe flooding that has affected large parts of southern Mozambique.
Rescue teams faced difficult conditions, including high water levels, damaged road infrastructure and strong currents, which hampered efforts to reach the area where the vehicle was believed to have been swept away. Authorities have indicated that four other occupants also died in the incident, the Mail & Guardian previously reported.
Widespread flooding in Mozambique’s Gaza province has left thousands of people displaced and critical infrastructure damaged. The region has been hit by sustained rainfall, raising river levels and cutting off access to several communities.
In a statement released after the recovery of his body, Mngwevu’s family described the incident as devastating and described him as a devoted family man and public servant whose life was marked by “selfless service, principled leadership and genuine care for the well-being of others”.
Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office said the provincial government would provide support during the repatriation and funeral process.
Ekurhuleni executive mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza described Mngwevu’s death as a profound loss to the city, saying he had played an important role in advancing road infrastructure, transport planning and mobility programmes across the metro. He said Mngwevu’s contribution to service delivery would be remembered.
“He was a critical member of the mayoral committee who paid attention to detail and ensured that the community of Ekurhuleni’s interests were looked after,” a statement issued by Xhakaza’s office said.
“The executive mayor extends heartfelt condolences to the Mngwevu family, friends, colleagues and all those affected by this tragic loss. We stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time and mourn the loss of a dedicated leader whose contribution to public service will forever be remembered.”
Mngwevu’s political activism began at age 15, through the Congress of South African Students, while he was a pupil in KwaThema. He rose through the ranks to become a national organiser of the student organisation and went on to serve in the ANC Youth League before going into local government.
Within the municipality, Mngwevu served as MMC for roads and transport planning and the leader of government business in council, a role that placed him at the centre of coordinating the city’s legislative and governance programme.
Refuse collection uneven in Randburg as Pikitup and workers trade blame:
Refuse collection remained uneven across large parts of Randburg this week, despite assurances from Johannesburg’s waste management company Pikitup that normal operations would resume following a strike by casual workers demanding permanent employment.
Waste collection had effectively collapsed again over the weekend, leaving some residents without service for more than two weeks, Democratic Alliance ward 99 councillor Hendrik Bodenstein said.
“Everything grinded to a halt over the weekend,” he said. “And residents were up in arms. There are people with 18 days without refuse collection and it is now quite clear that refuse collection is an essential service.”
According to Bodenstein, the worst-affected suburbs are those closest to Pikitup’s Randburg depot, including Linden Extension, Darrenwood, parts of Blairgowrie, Robindale, Robin Hills, Robin Acres, Malanshof and Ferndale.
“Some of these suburbs haven’t been collected at all,” he said. “On the western side of the highway things are better but within the central ring road it’s been spotty at best.”
Pikitup casual workers have been on strike for weeks over delays in their permanent placement. Waste collection resumed briefly last week after intervention by city authorities but stalled again over the weekend as tensions escalated.
Bodenstein said residents and workers were now both bearing the cost of the impasse.
“We’re bringing an urgent request for a debate in the public interest because we need a solution for the workers,” he said. “They’ve been very badly affected. A lot of them can’t afford rent this month and they’ve got nothing to eat, frankly. It’s a very desperate situation.”
At the same time, residents were being forced to pay out of pocket for private refuse collection as health risks mounted.
“It is really, really bad and has become dire,” Bodenstein said. “We’ve been given the runaround. There are reports that trucks might be on the road on Wednesday but seeing is believing — and for how many days? I’m not too optimistic.”
On Tuesday, Pikitup managing director Bukelwa Njingolo set out the entity’s position in a letter to city manager Floyd Brink and DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeonzonjoku, attributing the service disruptions to “protest action by a group of casual workers who prevented Pikitup employees from accessing certain depots”.
“Pikitup and the City of Johannesburg fully recognise the importance of uninterrupted waste collection services and the associated public health and environmental implications,” Njingolo wrote.
“It is, however, necessary to place the current situation on record in order to provide clarity, ensure factual accuracy and outline the measures being implemented to restore service stability.”
She said Pikitup had in 2024 advertised general worker positions but “subsequent internal audit and legal review identified material flaws in the recruitment process necessitating the restarting from the beginning to ensure fairness policy and legal compliance”.
Pikitup had initiated legal proceedings to obtain a court interdict against the obstruction of depot operations, which would allow law enforcement to remove protesters blocking access points, “thereby allowing employees to perform their duties without intimidation or interference”, Njingolo said.
While disruptions have been severe in Randburg, Njingolo said only three of Pikitup’s 12 depots — Marlboro, Midrand and Randburg — were affected.
A meeting between Pikitup management, city officials, organised labour and representatives of casual workers on Tuesday had resulted in an agreement for normal operations to resume while “recruitment-related challenges are addressed jointly by the City of Johannesburg, Pikitup and organised labour, including representatives of casual workers”, she added.
Pikitup is currently implementing a catch-up plan to clear waste collection backlogs in the affected areas.
“Residents will be kept informed of progress and notified should any further service related challenges arise during this period,” Njingolo wrote in the letter.
“The City and Pikitup remain committed to transparent communication with residents and stakeholders and to exercising decisive leadership to safeguard public health, environmental integrity and the dignity of all Johannesburg residents.”
Bodenstein said the situation on the ground remained uncertain.
“We’re sitting with a ‘he-said, she-said’. The workers say one thing, Pikitup management says another,” Bodestein added.
The Suzuki Dzire is sensible and affordable:
Driving the Dzire over the festive season was a joy. There’s something quietly comforting about a car that knows exactly what it is. The Suzuki Dzire has never pretended to be sporty or luxurious.
Instead, it has always leaned into being sensible, affordable and easy to live with. In a country like SA, where people are struggling in a fragile economy, the Dzire makes sense.
Its prices:
- Dzire 1.2 GA 5MT: R229 900
- Dzire 1.2 GL+ 5MT: R252 900
- Dzire 1.2 GL+ CVT: R272 900
Launched in 2025, the latest Swift-based Dzire revealed itself as a small sedan with far more substance than its modest footprint suggests.
Styling — modern and quietly confident
Designing a budget compact sedan in a highly competitive market is no small challenge, and none of the cars in the segment will probably win beauty contests. But, the Dzire is one of the better-looking efforts.
The front end is neat and contemporary, with a wide black grille and just enough chrome to lift the look without losing its modest, yet dignified presence. The slim halogen headlamps do a decent job of keeping things modern, even in the absence of LED technology.
The GL+ model’s 15-inch black alloy wheels make a surprising difference, filling the arches nicely and giving the car a slightly more planted stance than the GA’s 14-inch steel wheels. Around the back, the T-shaped LED taillights and chrome strip across the boot lid give the Dzire a more upmarket appearance than you’d expect in the segment.
Importantly, it no longer looks like “a Swift with a boot”, but rather a cohesive compact sedan in its own right.
Interior and tech: Simple wins
Step inside and anyone familiar with the latest Swift will feel right at home. The wraparound dashboard, logical button layout and refreshingly physical air-conditioning controls are all very Suzuki. It’s intuitive, uncluttered and easy to operate while driving.
For many this would be welcomed in a touchscreen-obsessed world.
The cabin certainly brightens the space but the cloth seats are a questionable choice for a family car. My test vehicle was practically new yet showing faint marks. The latterly introduced darker cloth seats are more practical, especially with kids in the car.
On the tech front, the GL+ trim ticks the important boxes: a 7-inch infotainment screen with wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reverse camera, cruise control and a multifunction steering wheel. Smartphone pairing is seamless and once connected, you can largely forget about the system and let Siri or Google handle the heavy lifting.
The audio quality, however, is underwhelming and music lovers will be disappointed.
The drive: Easy, honest and efficient
“Easy to drive” is perhaps the Dzire’s greatest strength. The clutch is light, the steering is user-friendly and the 5-speed manual gearbox slots cleanly. The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine produces just 60 kW but thanks to the car’s low weight, it feels efficient in urban driving. There’s a faint thrum at idle but it fades into the background once you’re cruising.
Push harder, load it or tackle a steep incline and you’ll work the gearbox a bit more but the Dzire happily and easily maintains freeway speeds. Ride quality is well judged for South African roads, absorbing imperfections without fuss, while the brakes inspire confidence.
Most impressive of all is the fuel consumption. Suzuki claims 4.4 L/100 km for the manual. I’d concur after having had the car over December. Few things are as satisfying as handing a test car back without having to make too much effort to keep the tank levels looking healthy.
Space and comfort: A pleasant surprise
From the outside, the Dzire looks compact but climb into the back and the story changes.
Rear legroom is genuinely impressive for this segment, making it a strong option for families or ride-sharing. Being lanky, I managed comfortably at the back too.
Rear passengers also benefit from air vents, three-point seatbelts and ISOFIX mounts, while the folding centre armrest adds a touch of everyday comfort with your drinks sitting comfortable close by.
The boot is another standout, offering a generous 378 litres of luggage space, supplemented by a 60:40 split-fold rear seat for bulkier loads. For a small sedan, it’s impressively usable.
Safety and ownership peace of mind
Safety is another area where the Dzire punches above its weight. It boasts a five-star adult and four-star child Global NCAP rating, standard ESP, ABS with EBD, ISOFIX mounts and rear parking sensors. The GL+ model’s six airbags further strengthen its appeal, especially for younger or less experienced drivers.
Suzuki’s long warranty and service plan, combined with the brand’s reputation for reliability and strong resale value, round out a compelling ownership proposition.
Verdict
The Suzuki Dzire isn’t trying to impress with gimmicks or performance figures. Instead, it focuses on the fundamentals like space, efficiency, safety and value. And it gets them right. The Dzire is a sensible and likeable small sedan. Sometimes, sensible is exactly what you want.
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