Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, Hibiscus Coast, Ugu district, South Africa, Margate, South Coast
Wednesday 12 April 2017
MISSING DIVER FOUND DEAD
A body, believed to be that of a missing diver from Germany, has been recovered.
This according to dive master Beulah Mauz of African Dive Adventure.
Two sources have told the South Coast Herald that the man had been attacked by sharks.
However, Ms Mauz said the National Sea Rescue Institute had not released any information about the probable cause of the diver’s death.
The South Coast Herald has not yet received a report from the NSRI.
NATIONAL Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon has confirmed that his organisation is involved in a search for a missing diver off Protea Banks.
He was unable to provide further details about the operation or about the missing person but Beulah Mauz of dive operator African Dive Adventures told the South Coast Herald that the diver was one of her company’s clients.
A massive search, involving NSRI boats, local ski-boats and dive boats and a helicopter was under way, she said. Ms Mauz was unable to comment further but promised to provide more information as it became available.
Mr Lambinon said a press release would be issued once the operation was concluded.
UNTU TO EMBARK ON AN INDEFINATE NATIONAL STRIKE
The United National Transport Union (Untu) on Wednesday asked its members to embark on an indefinite national strike, saying it had no other option after the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) refused to increase its final wage offer of six percent.
This comes after the Commissioner at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) issued a certificate of non-resolution on Wednesday afternoon between the two parties as Prasa management came back to the conciliation without a new mandate.
Tuesday 11 April 2017
COMUTORS LIKELY TO BE STRANDED DUE TO BUS STRIKE TOMORROW
-Thousands of passengers across the country are likely to be left stranded on Wednesday due to strike action by bus drivers.
Bus transport sector unions say their members won’t be returning to work until their demands are met.
Starting Wednesday, drivers affiliated to five unions, including Satawu and Numsa will be protesting over wages and poor working conditions.
Starting Wednesday, drivers affiliated to five unions, including Satawu and Numsa will be protesting over wages and poor working conditions.
Since January, parties have failed to reach agreement despite involving the CCMA.
The sector’s biggest union, Satawu, wants a 12-percent salary increase, but employers are offering 7.5-percent. While Numsa is calling for a 15-percent wage hike.
Unions are also demanding a 12-hour working day, while bosses insist on 14-hours.
They have accused employers of bargaining in bad faith, but employers have hit back at labour saying it is negotiating in bad faith.
RESIDENTS PROTESTING IN BAYVIEW AREA
Residents from the Bayview area and the Khokhoba Informal Settlement are once again protesting and are demanding that the ward councillor, Ganas Govender, step down from his position following unmet promises and a lack of service delivery.
Irate residents burned tyres and trees outside Chatsworth Secondary School on Lenny Naidu Drive and police blocked off the road due to safety reasons. Residents claim they will continue to protest until the councillor addresses their concerns or steps down. Hundreds of angry protesters marched to the councillor’s house in Bayview and are demanding that he addresses them.
RETAIL SECTOR REMAINS FRAGILE
Retail spend recovered in the last quarter of 2016, but experts warn that the sector remains fragile. Retail experts have warned that raising interest rates, Rand depreciation will further strain consumer disposable income in the coming months will likely hit the sector hard especially clothing retailers.
A new report by Ernst and Young shows that South Africa’s retail sector was robust last year despite the country seeing its weakest growth in seven years. The sector however is likely to weaken in the next few months as consumer disposable income comes under pressure.
Retail partner at Ernst and Young Derek Engelbrecht says consumers have been under pressure over the last two years.
In the last quarter of 2016 and first quarter of 2017 some of those external pressures have become heavier or worse and the consumers are being forced to make some very astound buying decisions. And when it hits on the currency it will again play a role. And particular the cost of debt and the ability to service that will hit on particular furniture and appliance retailers.”
http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/22b1918040be031fa4abf5d9ce9b621f/Retail-spend-recovered-in-quarter-four-of-2016-20171104?platform=hootsuite
MAN CONFESSES TO MURDER
A TWENTY-five-year-old Hillary woman was brutally attacked and stabbed to death by unknown men while walking on Huntley Road, Hillary at about 12pm on Tuesday, 28 March.
A man has been arrested and confessed to the murder of Chantal da Lange.
Bellair SAPS detectives working together with the crime prevention unit secured the arrest. Da Lange was allegedly walking home when she found herself in a fatal robbery in which her handbag was stolen.
“We arrived to find the woman in a critical condition which quickly deteriorated and she went into cardiac arrest. Advanced Life Support Paramedics worked for more than 30 minutes and managed to revive the critically injured patient,” said Garrith Jamieson, Rescue Care spokesman.
Monday 10 April 2017
TRAFALGAR BEACH FACILITIES IN A BAD SHAPE
Lifeguards at Trafalgar beach are expected to wash their bathing shorts and dishes in the same sink.
TRAFALGAR residents are concerned about whether their beach will be able to retain its Blue Flag status or not, due to the current state of its amenities.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality manager, Max Mbili recently told media and holidaymakers that all was in order ahead of the Easter holiday season, but all is not in order at this beach, which is well-frequented by tourists.
The Herald received a number of complaints from people concerned that the beach amenities were an eyesore.
THERE'S STILL GOOD IN THIS COUNTRY
ANY woman will tell you – her purse is her life. And Priscilla Tedder recently lost hers.
When she left the Coffee Lounge, Ms Tedder accidentally left her purse on the bonnet of her car, between the windshield and wiper blades. As she turned at the circle in Scott Street, Scottburgh, the purse became dislodged and fell to the ground.
“Initially, I thought that I had left it at the Coffee Lounge but when I went back to check, they told me that I had taken it with me,” said Ms Tedder. “They played me the security footage and it showed me leaving with my purse.”
Panic set in as she and friends went in search of the purse along the roads she had travelled. After three hours of searching, it was still nowhere to be found.
“When I got home I noticed that I had received a message. Who messages me on a Sunday? I thought.”
It was then that she noticed she also had seven missed calls – all from the same number.
Before calling back, she checked the message.
“I felt concerned and relieved at the same time – concerned because the person who messaged me had my purse, and relieved that he wanted to give it back to me.”
Ms Tedder contacted the man, who suggested that they meet at Scottburgh Police Station. A bit concerned about meeting a stranger, she asked her son Paul to accompany her.
Mr Khathi soon arrived and introduced himself.
It turns out Good Samaritan Musa Khathi, the principal of Zamani Primary in Braemar, had been walking along Scott Street when he picked up the wallet which was filled with cash, cards and sundries.
Explaining the decision to return the purse to its owner, Mr Khathi said, “I thought to myself, what if this happened to me?”
Mr Khathi found Ms Tedder’s contact details on her pensioner’s card.
Overjoyed about being reunited with her purse, Ms Tedder added that she even took it to bed with her that night, scared that she would lose it again.
HOLIDAY MAKERS FINDS THIS BOX ON THE BEACH
A box containing ashes washed up at Umtentweni beach last Friday morning.
Holiday makers walking along the shore came across the box and, unsure of what to do with them, contacted the Herald.
Frank Kotze said he and his family found the box near the lagoon.
The box has a code and the surname ‘Visagie’ inscribed on the lid.
The box was taken to the Port Shepstone Police Station for safekeeping.The station can be contacted at 039 688 1005.
A 3.5 METER ROCK PHYTHON SLEEPING IN LOCAL SUPERSPAR
Restocking a fridge is usually not a dangerous job, so it was quite a shock when a worker from the local SUPERSPAR came across a huge Rock Python sleeping among the yoghurt on Friday afternoon at about 3pm, the Corridor Gazette reports.
Store manager Gert Myburgh says they have no idea how the snake slipped into the fridge.
“I’ve scanned the CCTV footage and couldn’t spot it getting in from the front of the store. I suspect it came through a drain in the fridge.”
The 3.5 metre snake did not move when it was spotted, and the area was quickly cordoned off for customers’ safety. Luckily, a local snake handler was in the shop and helped to remove it from the fridge, calling in a colleague for help.
AMANZIMTOTI ART EXHIBITION THIS EASTER
The Upper South Coast Art Association invites the Amanzimtoti public to an exhibition from Tuesday, 11 April to Monday, 17 April at the Kingsway Gallery at Caltex Toti Oasis, 458 Kingsway.
For more information, call Rose Dickens on 031-903-1820 or 072-560-1431.
SA BLOOD SUPPLY CRITICALLY LOW
THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) say that they have only 1,6 day’s stock of Group O bloodtype. This group is known as the universal bloodtype because it can be used by almost anyone. “That amounts to just over 1,500 units of O-blood available around the country,” said Silungile Mlambo, the national marketing manager for SANBS.
While the looming Easter weekend, with the unfortunate spike in road accidents that will put pressure on the national blood supply, Mlambo pointed out that incidents of trauma make up only a fraction of the demand for blood.
“More than that, however, the SANBS appeals to South Africans to become regular donors. By donating blood only four times a year, we can easily avoid situations such as the one in which we find ourselves,” added Mlambo.
To find out more about donating blood and to locate your nearest SANBS donor centre, visit sanbs.org.za or call 0800 11 90 31.
DURBAN CYCLIST ATTACKED
A Durban cyclist, who was pushed off her bicycle and dragged down a flight of steps on a popular beachfront cycle route, is calling on police to step up visibility to deter criminals.
The woman, who declined to be named, was rescued by a brave motorist who came to her aid during the recent attack.
She said she shuddered to think what would have happened to her if the motorist had not seen the two men attacking her.
MOTORIST HELD UP AT KNIFEPOINT
TWO men held a knife to a motorists’s throat while his vehicle was stationary at a traffic light on the M13 bridge on Richmond Road, exiting Pinetown earlier today.
According to Andreas Mathios, community and media liaison for Blue Security TV, the area has been identified as one of the key crime hot spots and was in fact the same area where a motorist jumped out of his vehicle and fired five shots at two alleged robbers three weeks ago.
One of the robbers was armed with a knife. The knife was recovered and the robber was shot in his back in the previous incident.
Paramedics treated the motorist at the scene before transporting him to hospital.
Sunday 9 April 2017
STOLEN BAKKIE TOWED BY THIEVES
"At around 4am my wife woke me up saying that my car was being stolen,” said a Sunningdale resident who did not want be named. Three suspects had attached a tow-cable from a white Opel Astra to the front of the victim’s Isuzu bakkie and driven off.
“My neighbour had actually called his security company, alerting them that my car had been stolen,” the victim said.
“Our client said that his neighbour’s vehicle had been stolen and that it was being towed down the road towards Glen Anil,”said Kyle van Reenen of Marshall Security.
“A description of the suspects’ vehicle as well as the stolen bakkie were distributed to all available vehicles in the area,” added van Reenen.
He went on to say that armed reaction officers spotted the cars on Chris Hani Road and began following them. The cars turned onto Old North Coast Road before turning left onto the R102.
“The vehicles slowed and came to a brief stop where the driver of the stolen bakkie jumped out of the vehicle, fleeing on foot into nearby bushes. The driver of the Opel towing the stolen car sped off in an attempt to evade arrest, losing control of the vehicle near the Mount Moriah area,” van Reenen said.
“The vehicles slowed and came to a brief stop where the driver of the stolen bakkie jumped out of the vehicle, fleeing on foot into nearby bushes. The driver of the Opel towing the stolen car sped off in an attempt to evade arrest, losing control of the vehicle near the Mount Moriah area,” van Reenen said.
Two suspects ran from the Opel, and a foot chase ensued. The ‘passenger’ fled into nearby bushes while the ‘driver’ was caught. Despite a search for the two other suspects, they are still at-large.
Both the Isuzu and Opel, as well as the arrested suspect were handed over to the South African Police Services for further investigation and processing.
DURBAN BUS COMPANY CRISES
The company running the eThekwini Municipality’s bus service is in a “crisis” because it is owed R140 million by the city.
Tansnat Durban CC, owned by Mandla Gcaba, filed an “urgent” high court application, which is set down for Durban on Monday, to compel the city to pay its dues.
Attorney Sandile Khoza of law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, acting for Tansnat, said the application was marked urgent because the outstanding money was crippling his client’s day-to-day operations.
More than 600 000 commuters, who relied on the company’s daily service, would be stranded if the 450 buses Tansnat operated were parked, which would also leave the company’s 900 employees jobless.
NSRI HELPING HOLIDAY MAKERS
SHELLY BEACH:
Antoinette Le Roux, NSRI Shelly Beach deputy station commander, said: At 09h20, Sunday, 09th April, NSRI Shelly Beach were activated following reports of a jet-ski suffering motor mechanical failure off-shore of the Ramsgate ski-boat club with a man and woman onboard.
We launched the sea rescue craft Spirit of Dawn and on arrival on the scene we located the couple, from Johannesburg, aged in their 20’s, off the backline and 2 local lifeguards, who had swum out to assist them, were with them and assisting to secure them.
We took them onboard our sea rescue craft and towed their jet-ski ashore without incident.
Once safely ashore no further assistance was required.
The lifeguards are commended for going out to the couple and keeping them safe until we arrived.
UNRULY ANCYL DISRUPTS A MEMORIAL SERVICE IN DURBAN
The Ahmed Kathrada memorial descended into chaos on Sunday afternoon as a rowdy crowd of ANC Youth League members heckled and booed speakers including former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize.
This was despite the Durban High Court granting an interdict preventing members of the youth league from disrupting proceedings at the event held at Sastri College in Greyville, Durban.
The organisers, the Active Citizens Movement (ACM), had approached the court at the weekend trying to bar Youth League members from attending. The court granted the YL permission to attend the event but said that they should not disrupt the event.
League leaders were also instructed to issue statements in which members were told to behave properly. League provincial secretary Thanduxolo Sabelo addressed the memorial service and urged league leaders to respect members of the ANC. He reminded the crowd that Gordhan was a leader of the party as he sits on its national executive committee.
LANGELER TOWERS - BEAUTIFUL NEW RESIDENTIAL AREA FOR ELDERLY
THE launch of Langeler Towers heralds the dawn of a new era for Tafta, an organisation well known for its dedication in serving the needs of the elderly in Durban.
Langeler Towers is a new residential block that is not only a home for hundreds of senior citizens, but stands as a symbol of hope and belonging. Tafta’s commitment to providing safe, sheltered housing and care for the elderly within eThekwini, saw a vacant plot of land on Durban’s South Beach transformed into a pristine 11-storey residential property. The development also contributed to the substantial investment into the regeneration of the Durban beachfront promenade by the Municipality.
“The plot of land which was previously rented from the municipality as a recreational space for residents was later identified as an ideal site for the complex due to its location, which offers elements of relaxation, tranquillity and comfort as well as ease of access to public transport and government hospitals,” said Tafta CEO Margie Smith.
“The building was named Langeler Towers – in honour of a generous donor who rescued Tafta from closure many years ago. This, coupled with assistance from KZN’s Department of Human Settlements, as well as generous donors and sponsors, turned this dream into a reality,” said Smith.
Langeler Towers was designed specifically to respond to the housing requirements of those earning low incomes, providing an environment which offers essential supportive services and a continuum of care as required.
The complex, which links to the fully renovated John Conradie House, has access to a newly designed frail care unit and an extensive assisted living unit, and also offers top of the range security, allowing residents 24-hour safety.
In addition, Langeler Towers will make available self-catering units with a monthly rental option, geared so that the units are affordable. The building will become home to 900 elderly citizens offering them top class facilities and care.
The flatlets, which are now available for occupation, feature various sizes and will be rented out on a ‘per bed’ basis. The independent living facilities range from bachelor or single units to those that offer the option to share. The flatlets offer fully tiled bathrooms including safety rails.
Langeler Towers has a range of facilities, including an on-site coffee shop, beauty salon, laundromat, convenience store, library and a service centre that provides a full range of activities for residents.
Saturday 8 April 2017
LOCAL CHURCHES UNITE IN PINETOWN
LOCAL churches in Pinetown united with the community and police for an awareness prayer walk against crime earlier today.
More than 100 participants gathered at Payne Street opposite Knowles SuperSPAR at 9am and then proceeded through Pinetown.
W/O Muzi Maphumulo, communications officer at the Pinetown SAPS said the walk was embraced by the presence of the police drill and police band. The churches also partnered with the SAPS and CPF for this event.
The march also coincided with the churches’ theme, ‘Jesus Belongs in My City’ and there were skits depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Andreas Mathios, community liaison and marketing officer for Blue Security recorded this video in his community earlier today.
DA FILES CHARGES AGAINST DURBAN MAYOR
THE Democratic Alliance has opened assault and incitement of violence against eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede and Thanduxolo Sabelo, the KwaZulu-Natal secretary of the ANC Youth League following the attack of a DA supporter during #AntiZumaMarches in Durban on Friday.
Sixty-year-old DA supporter Robert Lemon was manhandled by youth league protesters in North Beach, Durban. The youth league had marched to the beach in "defence of President Jacob Zuma", changing the route of their march.
The DA said Gumede and Sabelo uttered words that fueled the violence witnessed at the march.
The victim Lemon was accompanied by DA KZN leader Zwakele Mncwango and DA KZN chairperson Haniff Hoosen when they opened a case at Durban Central Police station on Saturday.
Friday 7 April 2017
SOUTH AFRICA STANDING TOGETHER
Sounds the call to come together,
And united we shall stand
Let us live and strive for freedom,
In South Africa our land...
ANCYL ATTACKS DA SUPPORTER ALONG DURBAN BEACHFRONT
THE peaceful protests march along the Durban beachfront turned violent today as ANCYL members allegedly attacked a DA supporter. Police were forced to use stun guns to disperse the crowd.
According to reports, the protesters clashed in front of the Pavillion Hotel where a DA supporter was assaulted with sticks, by several individuals wearing ANCYL t-shirts.
The DA supporter was immediately whisked away into a police vehicle for safety.
DA KZN provincial chair, Haniff Hoosen confirmed the attack during a telephone interview, saying that the the violence had marred the ‘otherwise successful #MarchForChange’.
He said the ANC Youth League, who had also organised a march at Absa bank in the Durban CBD this morning, deviated from their original planned route and came face to face with dispersing DA protestors who had finished their march about 200-300 metres away.
The ANCYL accosted and attacked one of the DA activists who was wearing a DA T-shirt.
#ZUMAMUSTFALL SHELLY BEACH
SOME 300 people of all ages, races and genders gathered in Marine Drive, Shelly Beach this morning to join in the country-wide call to protest the axing of Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan and the growing corruption in the country.
Protestors lined both sides of Marine Drive, waving placards calling for President Jacob Zuma to resign, blowing whistles and encouraging passing motorists to hoot.
DEATH TOLL RISES AT NOTORIOUS 'SUICIDE BEND'
FOUR people, three men and a woman, died this morning as a result of a collision between a minibus taxi and a tipper truck (horse and trailer) at the notorious ‘Suicide Bend’.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid, said the accident occurred in rainy conditions at about 7am.
http://southcoastherald.co.za/200484/just-three-dead-devastating-crash-suicide-bend-sunwich-port-watch/
FATHER SHOOTS HIS TODDLER SON
A father fatally shot his 22-month old child then turned the gun on himself in Msikaba ward, Bhomela near Paddock yesterday.
According to police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid, the tragedy apparently occurred after an argument.
“The mother rushed the toddler to a clinic but the child died,” she said.
A gun was found in the man’ s hand.
Two inquest dockets will be investigated by Port Shepstone SAPS.
15 YEAR OLD BOY DIES IN HOUSE FIRE
A 15-year-old boy was killed this Friday morning, April 7, when a fire broke out in a home in the Illovu Section B settlement, in Lovu, Durban, South Coast Sun reports.
ER24 paramedics found fire services battling the blaze, which took some time to completely extinguish.
“Once the fire had been extinguished, paramedics found the body of a 15-year-old boy lying in his bed,” said ER24’s Russel Meiring.
Unfortunately, the young boy had already succumbed to his serious wounds, and he was declared dead at the scene.
“It is not yet known how the fire started, but local authorities will be investigating further.”
2 DEAD IN AN HORRIFIC M41 ACCIDENT
TWO people have died after a horrific accident on the M41 (going south) near the Ridgeside office park. According to Marshall Security’s Kyle van Reenen, one of the deceased included a teenage girl.
“The Hyundai mini-bus lost control and collided with a light pole in the centre median going towards the city. The vehicle rolled several times and the driver was ejected out of the vehicle. He was declared dead on arrival by paramedics. Tragically, a second person, approximately 16-years-old was also declared dead on scene. She was found in the back seat of the vehicle. Traffic has been severely affected by the accident,” Van Reenen said.
According to Chris Botha of Netcare 911, the vehicle was traveling towards Durban when the accident occurred.
“Exact detail to the cause of the crash and preceding events is still speculative and will form part of the police investigation. Paramedics arrived at the scene and found that two people, a man and a young girl, tragically died at the scene due to the extensive injuries that they sustained. A third person sustained serious injuries, she was treated on scene and then transported to hospital,” Botha said.
MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAMS IN DURBAN
Massive traffic jams frustrated motorists around Durban today as rogue bus drivers blocked major arterial routes into Durban this morning.
Most roads were open and traffic was flowing by lunch time.
Local aerial photographer Steve McCurrach sent us these images of the snarl ups this morning.
McCurrach has been involved in aerial photography for the past 20 years and is famed for his retake of the Beach to Berg shot showing the city in the foreground with snow on the Berg.
Catch his pictures on his website www.airserv.co.za
Meanwhile eThekwini spokesman Tozi Mthethwa had this to say about the blockade: "The buses were parked by bus drivers this morning after leaving the depot and the reason for this is suspected to be linked to the national mass action taking place today."
"The affected roads include Umgeni Road, The M4 North and South and the N2 near Spaghetti Junction.
"City officials and the bus operator are working to move the buses as quickly as possible as well as to identify the culprits and take the necessary disciplinary action.
"Metro Police and City Fleet are currently towing the buses to the depot.The M4 North has since been reopened. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes while these buses are being towed away from blockaded roads.
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