BY PHUMLANI SAUL

HE worked hard for the whole week and when he finally got his salary spent it all on traditional beer called mshove.

The unknown man who was too drunk to walk, pissed himself and kept boasting that he had enjoyed his R4 000 salary very well.

Residents in Kwa Nobuhle, Gunguluza area 11 who saw the man in Second circle said mshove was not to be taken on an empty stomach.

The unknown drunk man was first seen pushed in a wheelbarrow by three before they decided to dumb him in the middle of the street.

One of the three men told him: “That’s what mshove will do to you when you drink with an empty stomach!”

But the drunken man responded: “I don’t care, I worked hard alone the whole week, I also deserve to enjoy mshove drink with my R4000 salary.

After he wet himself, the drunken man then tried to stand up but failed, that’s when he walked with his hands and feet. 

No one seemed to know the man and some residents felt sorry for him while others didn’t feel sorry for him, saying men like these are the one promoting crime as they attract criminals and bring shame to the community. 

One woman told Daily Kasi News that the man didn’t look like he knew where he was and what he was doing.

“It’s disgusting to see the man so drunk and peeing on his pants in the middle of the street while our children are watching. How can a man boast by drinking his money?” the woman said.

He tried several times to stand up but kept on falling down until some of the young boys volunteered to help him stand up and walk.

By PHUMLANI SAUL

A large crowd of onlookers gathered as blood spatters on a sidewalk and yellow police tape marked the aftermath of a brazen daylight shooting that claimed the life of a 42-year-old man in Korsten .

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said Alfredo Ruiters was killed after being shot multiple times in the head and body while sitting in a chair on Monday afternoon.

“He was sitting in front of a container on the corner of Durban Road and Cottrell Street in Korsten,” Beetge said.

“Police members on foot patrol close by heard the shots being fired and ran to the scene, where they saw two suspects jumping into a white NP200 bakkie and fleeing from the scene.”

Beetge said one of the police members fired shots at the suspects and the bakkie in an attempt to stop them.

“But the suspects managed to evade arrest.”

A case of murder is under investigation.

By Daily Kasi News Reporter

The flagship, annual Ebubeleni Festival which takes place over the last weekend of the year, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, provides a tantalising backdrop for ushering the New Year with fan-fare. Intentionally produced as an outdoor music event, Ebubeleni is presented and themed as a picturesque picnic setting that’s heavily complemented by the blue, sunny skies and a great South African summer, enhancing Kodak moments for our music-loving festinos.

People from Eastern Cape appreciate the popular and highly anticipated Ebubeleni Festival for affording them yet another chance at homebrewed entertainment, mingling, catching up, see and be seen, as well as letting their hair down among well-known faces. Holidaymakers and a couple of tourists in pursuit of unspoilt beauty, blue flag beaches and historical landmarks in the province, stumble on the festival, its peripheral cultural activity, love it and get hooked! 

Aptly named Ebubeleni which means a friendly place. It’s also reflective of the warmth, loving and hospitable nature of our people. They are imbued with Ubuntu they generously shower visitors with. Undoubtedly the biggest selling point of the lifestyle festival. Once exposed to it, music lovers and holiday-makers scramble to get it into their annual bucket list. Gqeberha becomes their destination of choice and musical Mecca for the festive season. 

“Through this festival, we are making a concerted effort to revitalise the entertainment, events, SMMEs and tourism industries in Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape Province”

Marc Mahambehlala the event organiser Said: “ Unemployment is rife in our province, If we continue to create employment opportunities albeit for short periods of time, it alleviates the burden of poverty” concluded Marc. Our support comes from all nine provinces as the ticket sales indicate, but our loyal and greatest supporters are from all the nooks and crannies of the Eastern Cape. Proving why it’s the mother of all fests in the entire province is its ability to dish out world class eclectic, captivating music to entertain the festinos.

Ebubeleni is credited with enabling Nelson Mandela Bayto reclaim the slogan “friendly city”. The fest is not only ground-breaking but arguably the biggest in Eastern Cape and longest running in Gqeberha today.

Ebubeleni Festival Cash Injection to the City and Province:-

Over the 11 years of Ebubeleni’s existence the festival can pride itself for contributing immensely to the economy of the City and Province through visitors attending the event thus increasing tourism numbers, creating direct temporary jobs, the use of event service providers, providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents and earn some money whilst bringing entertainment to the people of the city and province during festive season.

Artist Line Up: Artists were carefully selected as requested by the festinos some through votes on oursocial media pages. These award winning musicians and artists will be gracing the Ebubeleni Stage and entertaining our loyal fans on Saturday 30 December 2023at the 12th Annual Ebubeleni Music Festival to be held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Veteran, Afro-Soul Singer, Composer and Producer – Ringo Madilingozi; Lady of Afro-Soul Singer Amanda Back of “Amazulu’ fame; Afro-Pop, Nathi Mankayi ; the KZN Gqom creators – DJ Tira and Dladla Mshunqisi with Cape Town based Gqom Mr.Thela; singer, rapper and actor Sjava; Amapiano songstress – Nkosazana Daughter whose ‘Amaphutha’ song is currently dominating the airwaves; Uitenhage born R&B/Pop Singer Lloyiso; Afro Soul singer – Azana and popular DJ MördaAsante.

Eastern Cape’s crème de la crème, led by the multi-talented baritone – Dumza Maswana; Gospel Singer – Butho Vuthela; Hip –Hop singer Sleeze; Afro-Singer Jooma; Gqom Vocalist – Zintle Kwaaiman; Afro-Soul – Thembi Mona; R&B/Pop Singer-Bevin Samuels; DJs Amber; Dani; Exceedo and Luniq SA.

The event will be directed by Somizi Mhlongo; Mafa Bavuma (Umhlobo Wenene) Reggie Solani (TruFm) and Makaziwe Tsako (KQ Fm).

Ebubeleni Festival is proudly sponsored by the National Dept. of Sport, Arts & Culture, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, National Arts Council, Eastern Cape Dept. of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Umhlobo Wenene FM, Tru FM, Mzansi Magic Music and Nkqubela FM. Mahambehlala Communications are the founders and producers of Ebubeleni Festival.

Gates at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will open at 10:00,the event starts at 12:00 and ends at 02:00. Strictly No under 18s, Food & Beverages will be sold at the venue, Cooler Box must have a Cooler Box Ticket, No Glass , No Weapons, Sharp Objects & Firearms | No Pass-Outs & No Refunds | No Entry after Midnight (00:00), No Cooler Box Entry after 20:00.

Tickets are available from webtickets, Pick n Pay and Boxer stores. All Specials are sold out but the general tickets costing R355 and VIP tickets at R2000 per person are still available.

By Phumlani Saul

Nursing staff at Uitenhage Provincial Hospital are struggling financially as they say they are not allowed to work additional shifts.

Adding to their woes, the first responders allegedly face delays in receiving payment for working Sundays, after hours and public holidays.

Due to this, the nurses held a 30-minute mini-protest at the hospital on Monday morning, demanding overtime and outstanding allowances.

Some said the overtime issue had been going on since 2021.

“We haven’t received overtime since about two years ago.

“They keep saying they are waiting for some code,”  a nurse, who declined to be named for fear of reprisal, said.

“We feel demotivated and unhappy, and as a result we have low work morale.

“Even public holiday and night shift allowances are not paid on time, such as the June 16 public holiday that we worked and only received the allowances after two or three months.

“We are also not paid monthly for working weekends.”

Another nurse said: “We are not allowed to work overtime or any additional shifts.

“Sundays are classified as overtime but we’re not getting paid on time — we only get paid months later.”

A third nurse said they wanted scheduled overtime.

They [allegedly] allow nursing staff from other institutions to work overtime here,” she said.

“Many nursing staff have since left the hospital because of this issue to pursue a higher income and overtime privileges, and this adds to the workload on the staff left behind.

“Within the last six months, several staff members have left.

“Yesterday [Monday], we halted our work and contacted management.

“We maintained a skeleton staff, ensuring at least one nurse remained in each room.”

The picket took place from 10.30am to 11.30am.

Health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said overtime had to be pre-authorised before employees were allowed to work the shifts.

“It is not part of the benefits,” he said. 

“The CEO of the hospital is still engaging with head office to check if the authorisation code was issued or declined.

“The employees or their unions must clarify the type of protest they engaged in as unprotected protest action may have dire consequences in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

“I will ask for an investigation if there was a protected protest action at the hospital so that due process can follow.”

Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (HAITU) president Rich Sacini said the nurses’ allegations were concerning. 

“We are concerned, and it’s something we have raised previously,” he said.

“We are sitting on a ticking time bomb … what is happening at Uitenhage Provincial is a symptom of a failing and neglected system.

“It shows that those in positions of authority have embraced a mediocre and substandard way of doing things.

“It’s just a complete mess. We hope the government will wake up in 2024, adhere to what they are employed to do and start caring.”

By Azola Menti

TAXI drivers MEN are having a rough time. Drivers said they no longer make as much money as they did in the past because many people are no longer working. 

Making matters worse, they said taxi bosses don’t want to understand this. Taxi driver Nkululeko Mapupa from Holomisa ,Kariega, was moered black and blue allegedly by his boss when he failed to meet his target for the day.

“He kicked me and hit me with his fists and stick, demanding R1 500 he said I owed him.”

The taxi driver, who ferries commuters between Holomisa and eMabhomeni, said he was expected to bring R500 a day.

He said his boss wouldn’t listen when he tried to explain he had used some of the money to buy petrol.

“I work hard for that man and he still doesn’t want to appreciate me,” he said. 

Nkululeko said he would be opening a case. He reported the matter to the kariega Taxi Association

“He hasn’t paid me for five weeks and when I say I want my money, he says I owe him R1 500. Cars need petrol too. We are not driving with air,” he said. 

Nkululeko said what made him most angry was that he had family responsibilities.

“He only thinks about himself. Other people don’t matter to him,” he said. 

Taxi owner Sibusiso Mashaba said he will pay Nkululeko Mapupa the money he owed him. He declined to comment on the assault. The association’s chairman, Mduduzi Mntambo said: they don’t allow taxi owners to assaulted their drivers. “The owner, depending on the harm caused, can be fined or have his membership revoked.”

By Phumlani Saul

THE gobela and his thwasa should thank their ancestors that they are still alive.

They were beaten by four boys in the early hours on Sunday.

Gobela David Mbili (32) said he was coming back from the tavern when he was attacked. His thwasa, Zane Ncuka (31), said he was trying to save his gobela when he got the beating of his life.

The gobela from Jansenvell Village near Phumlani told Daily Kasi News: “I was going home to sleep after spending the night at the local tavern on Saturday. The time was around 3 o’clock in the morning on Sunday. I noticed a group of boys following me. I tried to run away but my legs couldn’t carry me.”

He fell to the ground.

“They started beating me all over the body. I don’t know why they were beating me,” he said.

“They beat me so much that I could feel no pain. They took my phone and left me lying on the street. I tried to scream for help until my thwasa came to my rescue,” he said. 

The gobela said his whole body was painful and he couldn’t walk properly

“I didn’t do anything wrong and I almost died for nothing. Those boys will rue the day they were born. I will get better and open my indumba and all hell will break loose,” he said. 

Mbili told the DkTeam the boys attacked him while he was trying to save his gobela. “They came from behind and hit me on the leg and ran away. I was trying to pick up my gobela from the ground. I thought they were already gone. I also had to lay down on the ground.

“A Good Samaritan appeared and helped us. We went to hospital and my gobela was given medication to ease the pain. I’m limping and use a stick to balance when walking,” he said. 

Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said the victims must open a case at the police station. He said police must have their statements so the culprits can be arrested.

By Phumlani Saul

The atmosphere at Nogoza Jebe Hall on Saturday night was electric as a crowd of around 258 people eagerly awaited the highly anticipated roast of Dr. Tebelele and Mafa Bavuma. The arch rivals, radio host Mafa Bavuma and celebrity medical practitioner Dr. Mthembeni Tebelele, were set to take center stage and unleash a plethora of humorous jabs at each other.

The event, aptly named the Roast of Dr. Tebelele and Mafa Bavuma, promised to be a laughter festival, and it certainly lived up to expectations. Held in Gqeberha at the Nangoza Jebe community hall on November 25, the evening had been eagerly anticipated with several build-up events throughout the year.

With tensions brewing between the two personalities for months, the audience was in for a no-holds-barred roast, offering a rare opportunity for Dr. Tebelele and Mafa Bavuma to let loose. The show featured well-known Gqeberha comedians, along with a number of local comedic talents and surprise celebrity guests.

The event’s success was evident, with tickets selling fast and a packed hall filled with eager spectators. Fans of both Dr. Tebelele and Mafa Bavuma were not disappointed as they unleashed their wits and humor in a battle of banter and good-natured ribbing.

The Roast of Dr. Tebelele and Mafa Bavuma is undoubtedly an unforgettable night of entertainment, laughter, and lighthearted humor. With the resounding success of this event, it is anticipated that similar roasts featuring other well-known personalities from Gqeberha may follow.

All in all, Saturday night’s event at Nogoza Jebe Hall was a resounding success. It was a night filled with laughter and camaraderie, leaving attendees eager for future events of the same caliber.

By Zola Mkhiva

JABULANI Dladla (41) from Zwide outside Gqeberha , Eastern Cape found his house in a mess when he returned home on Wednesday.

He said his girlfriend told him the cops were responsible and it didn’t take long before they came back and confronted him, demanding that he hand over a firearm.

“I was not home when they first came. My girlfriend called me telling me that cops are looking for me. I immediately went home,” said Jabulani.

He said when the cops returned, they allegedly dragged him into the house and demanded a gun.

“They still would not tell me what I did or what the search was about. They searched the house and when they couldn’t find the firearm, they started beating me up,” he said.

“I was humiliated in front of my girlfriend and children. Those cops must pay for what they did to me,” he said

Jabulani’s girlfriend, Babalwa Pholo (35), said the cops came to their house and demanded to see Jabulani.

“The incident has really left us confused and traumatised,” she said.

Babalwa said she has never seen a firearm in the house.

police spokeswoman Colonel Adele Myburgh confirmed that a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm was registered at Zwide Police Station.

“No arrest has been made yet,” said Myburgh.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) national spokesman Robbie Raburabu, said they have received a case of assault, adding that it will be investigated

By Phumlani Saul

TRAFFIC cops And Police Officers often encourage people to drive roadworthy cars.

But residents are concerned the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police and SAPS doesn’t practice what it preaches.

They said the government is failing to maintain its vehicles.

This after a photo of a broken down Police vehicle circulated on social media.

In the photo, two men cops are seen pushing the vehicle in kariega corner of M19 Despatch.

A resident said it’s worrying for SAPS cars to break down on the roads.

“They always tell us to maintain and keep our cars in good condition, but they are clearly failing.

“How are we supposed to respect them when they seem to be failing?” said the resident. 

Another resident said unroadworthy cars shouldn’t be on the road. 

“Cops should check the car before they drive it but in this case I don’t think they did that.”

Metro police spokesman Senior Superintendent Parboo Sewpersad said he was aware of the photo.

He said the car broke down while the police were on duty. 

“So instead of just parking the car in the middle of the road, they decided to push it off the road in order to avoid traffic. 

“There is nothing wrong with what they did and I commend them for doing that.” 

He said people shouldn’t post photos on social media to make the police look bad.

By Nomalungelo Booi

MORE than 50 foreign-owned shops were closed by angry residents.

Community members in Moses Mabhida, Kerkwood, took to the streets on Monday.

Residents were angered by the tragic death of two siblings who had consumed an alleged poison in the snacks they bought at a local spaza shop in Moses Mabhida.

The community leader, Lawrence Mokhele, accused the Health and Environment Department inspectors and the relevant government department of taking bribes instead of protecting the lives of the children.

“We have received reports of children losing their lives and some being admitted to local hospitals for consuming expired food. We are calling on the foreign owned businesses to pack up and leave our kasi in peace. We cannot sit and hold hands while our children die.We’ve managed to close down almost 50 shops, including wholesalers,” he said

Provincial health spokesman, Mondli Mvambi disputed a social media report that three siblings were admitted to Provincial Hospital after consuming sweets from the local tuck shop.

Mvambi said some of the reports provoked the community into xenophobic attacks.

“We do not have such patients in our health facilities. We have a team that responds to outbreaks and has acted as first responders to similar incidents. We are waiting for the final reports on these incidents,” he said