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"title": "No bang to ring in the New Year in Joburg",
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"description": "Daily Maverick is an independent online news publication and weekly print newspaper in South Africa.\r\n\r\nIt is known for breaking some of the defining stories of South Africa in the past decade, including the Marikana Massacre, in which the South African Police Service killed 34 miners in August 2012.\r\n\r\nIt also investigated the Gupta Leaks, which won the 2019 Global Shining Light Award.\r\n\r\nThat investigation was credited with exposing the Indian-born Gupta family and former President Jacob Zuma for their role in the systemic political corruption referred to as state capture.\r\n\r\nIn 2018, co-founder and editor-in-chief Branislav ‘Branko’ Brkic was awarded the country’s prestigious Nat Nakasa Award, recognised for initiating the investigative collaboration after receiving the hard drive that included the email tranche.\r\n\r\nIn 2021, co-founder and CEO Styli Charalambous also received the award.\r\n\r\nDaily Maverick covers the latest political and news developments in South Africa with breaking news updates, analysis, opinions and more.",
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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The streets of Hillbrow were eerily quiet on New Year’s Eve save for the occasional homeless person and the flashing lights of police vehicles on patrol.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revellers seeing out 2020 stayed safely off the streets choosing instead to shout festive wishes from their balconies as the clock struck midnight.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-11/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-801058\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC_7959.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> People stand on a balcony (bottom right of image) as they celebrate NYE in Hillbrow. The streets of Hillbrow were desolate as residents adhered to the curfew. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fireworks went off and police armed with shotguns were on alert as they kept a watchful eye on the residents. Several gunshots were heard going off amidst the sounds of the fireworks. A few streets gave evidence that people had thrown things off their balconies but all in all, it was a quiet evening in Hillbrow.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The day is still very young but the boots are still on the ground, and we will continue until the early hours of the morning.” These were the words of Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela as he addressed members of the media in Hillbrow, shortly after midnight. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-7/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-801054\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC2223.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> Police watch people on a balcony at a block of flats in Hillbrow. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mawela commented, “Here in Hillbrow, to me, thus far. Mission is accomplished. What is it that we wanted to achieve? Peace, harmony and people enjoying themselves without being violent. Thus far we have achieved that. We did not have any conflict with the people. We wish that the people can continue to behave in the manner in which they are behaving so that we don’t have unnecessary fatalities.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier on and ahead of the 9pm curfew, Mawela, together with MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and other high ranking officials visited roadblocks in Woodmead and Fourways. Operation O Kae Molao/Safer Festive Season Operation saw the arrests of several people for contravening the Covid-19 Level 3 lockdown regulations.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Woodmead, cars stood lined up after being pulled over. People and cars were searched for alcohol, contraband and weapons. A few alcohol arrests were made.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-2/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-801048\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC1931.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> A policeman carries thee bottles of alcohol that were confiscated at a road block on William Nicol Road, Fourways. The driver was arrested. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some motorists were unaware of the roadblock ahead of them as traffic piled up on William Nicol Road in Fourways. Several were curious as to why traffic had backed up while others were concerned that being stuck in the roadblock meant they would be breaking the curfew. Several people were arrested for alcohol-related offences while one was arrested for contravening the arms and ammunition act after police found a large amount of ammunition in his boot. By 9.20pm the activity at the roadblock had quieted down and the amount of cars on the road had dropped significantly. </span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-801047\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC1900.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> Police about to arrest a motorist for contravening the Disaster Management Act at a roadblock on William Nicol Road, Fourways. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile on New Year’s morning, </span><a href=\"https://web.facebook.com/ChrisHaniBaragwanath/photos/pcb.4982307748477036/4982307315143746\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reported on its Facebook page that for the first time in its history, there were no patients in its trauma rescue area. The post displayed four pictures of empty beds in their trauma unit.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A statement issued by the SAPS, volumes of alcohol were confiscated in different incidents around Soweto. People drinking on the streets abandoned their alcohol and fled when police patrols approached them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statement also reported that about 280 arrests were made in the JHB District, which includes JHB North, Hillbrow, JHB Central and Soweto. Of the 280, 218 people were arrested for contravention of the Disaster Management Act. A majority of the arrests were for breaking curfew, transporting and dealing in alcohol and failure to wear a mask in a public space.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-3/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-801049\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC1988.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> Police and journalists gather around a car to get a closer look at a large amount of ammunition that was found at a road block on William Nicol Road, Fourways. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.</p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other arrests were for possession of drugs, drinking in public, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, possession of a hijacked vehicle and possession of a hijacked trailer. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "Police and journalists gather around a car to get a closer look at a large amount of ammunition that was found at a road block on William Nicole Road, Fourways.\nPhoto / Shiraaz Mohamed.",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The streets of Hillbrow were eerily quiet on New Year’s Eve save for the occasional homeless person and the flashing lights of police vehicles on patrol.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Revellers seeing out 2020 stayed safely off the streets choosing instead to shout festive wishes from their balconies as the clock struck midnight.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801058\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-11/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-801058\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC_7959.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> People stand on a balcony (bottom right of image) as they celebrate NYE in Hillbrow. The streets of Hillbrow were desolate as residents adhered to the curfew. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fireworks went off and police armed with shotguns were on alert as they kept a watchful eye on the residents. Several gunshots were heard going off amidst the sounds of the fireworks. A few streets gave evidence that people had thrown things off their balconies but all in all, it was a quiet evening in Hillbrow.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The day is still very young but the boots are still on the ground, and we will continue until the early hours of the morning.” These were the words of Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela as he addressed members of the media in Hillbrow, shortly after midnight. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801054\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-7/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-801054\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC2223.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> Police watch people on a balcony at a block of flats in Hillbrow. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mawela commented, “Here in Hillbrow, to me, thus far. Mission is accomplished. What is it that we wanted to achieve? Peace, harmony and people enjoying themselves without being violent. Thus far we have achieved that. We did not have any conflict with the people. We wish that the people can continue to behave in the manner in which they are behaving so that we don’t have unnecessary fatalities.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Earlier on and ahead of the 9pm curfew, Mawela, together with MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and other high ranking officials visited roadblocks in Woodmead and Fourways. Operation O Kae Molao/Safer Festive Season Operation saw the arrests of several people for contravening the Covid-19 Level 3 lockdown regulations.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Woodmead, cars stood lined up after being pulled over. People and cars were searched for alcohol, contraband and weapons. A few alcohol arrests were made.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801048\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-2/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-801048\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC1931.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> A policeman carries thee bottles of alcohol that were confiscated at a road block on William Nicol Road, Fourways. The driver was arrested. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some motorists were unaware of the roadblock ahead of them as traffic piled up on William Nicol Road in Fourways. Several were curious as to why traffic had backed up while others were concerned that being stuck in the roadblock meant they would be breaking the curfew. Several people were arrested for alcohol-related offences while one was arrested for contravening the arms and ammunition act after police found a large amount of ammunition in his boot. By 9.20pm the activity at the roadblock had quieted down and the amount of cars on the road had dropped significantly. </span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801047\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-801047\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC1900.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> Police about to arrest a motorist for contravening the Disaster Management Act at a roadblock on William Nicol Road, Fourways. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile on New Year’s morning, </span><a href=\"https://web.facebook.com/ChrisHaniBaragwanath/photos/pcb.4982307748477036/4982307315143746\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reported on its Facebook page that for the first time in its history, there were no patients in its trauma rescue area. The post displayed four pictures of empty beds in their trauma unit.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A statement issued by the SAPS, volumes of alcohol were confiscated in different incidents around Soweto. People drinking on the streets abandoned their alcohol and fled when police patrols approached them.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The statement also reported that about 280 arrests were made in the JHB District, which includes JHB North, Hillbrow, JHB Central and Soweto. Of the 280, 218 people were arrested for contravention of the Disaster Management Act. A majority of the arrests were for breaking curfew, transporting and dealing in alcohol and failure to wear a mask in a public space.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_801049\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"2362\"]<a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/new-years-eve-3/\"><img class=\"size-full wp-image-801049\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/DSC1988.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2362\" height=\"1575\" /></a> Police and journalists gather around a car to get a closer look at a large amount of ammunition that was found at a road block on William Nicol Road, Fourways. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other arrests were for possession of drugs, drinking in public, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, possession of a hijacked vehicle and possession of a hijacked trailer. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"summary": "Hillbrow on New Year’s Eve is usually a hive of activity, coupled with flying projectiles from balconies, except when there’s a pandemic, as Daily Maverick discovered after spending the night with the SAPS enforcing Lockdown Level 3 regulations.\r\n",
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People stand on a balcony (bottom right of image) as they celebrate NYE in Hillbrow. The streets of Hillbrow were desolate as residents adhered to the curfew. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
Police watch people on a balcony at a block of flats in Hillbrow. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
A policeman carries thee bottles of alcohol that were confiscated at a road block on William Nicol Road, Fourways. The driver was arrested. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
Police about to arrest a motorist for contravening the Disaster Management Act at a roadblock on William Nicol Road, Fourways. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
Police and journalists gather around a car to get a closer look at a large amount of ammunition that was found at a road block on William Nicol Road, Fourways. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.