BY PHUMLANI SAUL

WHILE driving home after attending a funeral service in his community, the Addo cop shop’s station commander narrowly escaped death. 

This after he came came face to face with an alleged robbery suspect who pointed a firearm at him as he approached a crossing in Addo, Eastern Cape, on Wednesday, 26 April.

Colonel Priscilla Naidu said: “It is alleged that at about 6.20pm, the station commander was stopped by a group of children informing him of a robbery taking place at a supermarket. 

“While still obtaining information, one suspect approached his vehicle, pointed a firearm at him and ordered him to get out. However, the police officer sped off with shots being fired at him.

He immediately went to another police officer’s house and fetched him and together they searched for the suspects’ vehicle, a silver Chevrolet Captiva.

She said the vehicle was spotted speeding out of the Nomathamsanqa location where a high speed chase ensued. The five suspects abandoned the vehicle, ran into the fruit orchards and disappeared.

“Two firearms were found in the vehicle. Both firearms were reported stolen in Kabega Park (March 2023) and Addo (February 2023) areas respectively. The Chev Captiva was also hijacked in the Ikamvelihle area in March 2023. The property taken in the business robbery (cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cash) were found in the vehicle,” said Naidu.

She said both firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis. Police are investigating cases of business robbery and attempted murder.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene said: “Despite coming under attack, the station commander still pursued the suspects after being assisted by a fellow officer. 

“As police officers, our calling is to serve and protect our communities as mandated by the Constitution. I also urge our men and women in blue to make safety their responsibility and to adhere to the operational safety guidelines on or off duty. The actions of the station commander and his colleague are commendable.”

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

SINCE the beginning of the continuous load shedding, many residents have been left living in the dark for weeks.

Most areas in Kariega and Nelson Mandela Municipality are also not spared as they are battling with cable theft and electricity infrastructure damages.

This has left the areas without electricity and the municipality is under pressure to restore power due to lack of manpower and resources.

The municipality reportedly loses over R10 million every year due to this.The municipality’s by-law enforcement officers have been out in full force with the help of residents through tip offs to put an end to cable theft

They have, since the Easter weekend, until Monday, 10 April arrested five izinyoka in different areas. 

Some of the izinyoka were found in possession of the cables while others were caught in the act.

Municipal spokesman, Mthubanzi Mnike, said two of the suspects who were operating from a property along Cape Road behind a fuel station between Cuyler garage and Traffic department were caught with a bulk of skinned cables.

Mnike said they appreciate the cooperation by community members in the fight against cable theft.

“We are hard at work in effort to root out cable theft but we need the assistance of community members as municipal community services cannot be everywhere at the same time,” he said.

On the other hand, police spokesperson, Colonel Gerda Swarts, said suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure and will appear before different magistrate courts soon.

A resident who didn’t want to be named said they will continue assisting the municipality with tip offs as they can’t afford to stay in the dark due to izinyoka.

“Izinyoka should be grateful that they are arrested by officials and not community members as we won’t show mercy because they are costing us a lot,” said the resident. 

Others called for scrap metal workshops that buy electricity cables from izinyoka to be punished once they are found.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

Humewood detectives have arrested a man believed to be linked to the murder of the Life St George’s Hospital employee who was shot and killed on Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the detectives’ investigation had led them to a house in Kensington, where a 35-year-old man was arrested on Monday afternoon.

Carol-Ann Magielies, 49, was gunned down outside the hospital at about 7pm as she was walking to her transport after finishing work.

She was allegedly accosted by a man who pulled her to one side before shooting her multiple times.

She was rushed into the hospital but died shortly afterwards.

On Monday morning, police received information about a body found in a shack among the dunes next to Marine Drive, Summerstrand.

The body of Magielies’s ex-boyfriend, Elgin Maghienda, 51, the prime suspect in her shooting, was found after it appeared he had committed suicide.

After the discovery of the deceased ex-boyfriend’s body in Marine Drive, Detective Sergeant Ridwaan Baatjies received information of a Ford Icon, as well as the driver, allegedly involved in the murder on Sunday evening.

“At about 2pm on Monday, an address in Haigh Avenue, Kensington, was visited and a 35-year-old male was arrested and the vehicle confiscated,” Janse van Rensburg said.

The man was detained on a charge of murder and was expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

A man believed to have shot dead a Life St George’s Hospital nurse outside a Gqeberha hospital after she finished a 12-hour shift, has been found dead.

The nurse, Carol Ann Magielies, 49, was killed on Sunday night while she was on her way to her transport home, and the gunman fled on foot

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensberg said police were on the hunt for 51-year-old Elgin Maghienda in connection with the murder.

“It is further alleged that the deceased (Maghienda) is suspected of having been involved in the shooting of Carol Ann Magielies, who was fatally shot outside a hospital in Park Drive last night,” Janse van Rensburg added.

He and Magielies had a rocky relationship.

She added that Maghienda approached residents of a nearby informal structure at around 20:00, about an hour after Magielies had been shot, looking for shelter for the night. He was allowed to stay overnight.

On Monday, the residents left him behind when they went to the shops and upon their return at about 11:00, they found Maghienda dead, Janse van Rensburg said.

Police opened an inquest docket.

Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said

Life Healthcare Group CEO Adam Pyle said Magielies had succumbed to her injuries after a suspected domestic violence-related shooting outside the hospital.

“Tragically, the employee was shot while leaving the premises to get transport home after concluding her shift. Our heartfelt and sincere condolences go out to her family, friends and the Life St George’s Hospital team,” Pyle said.

He revealed that the group’s employee wellness programme was rolling out trauma counselling to all hospital staff.

“We know this is an extremely difficult and devastating time, and our thoughts are with them all,” he added.

Anyone who can assist with the investigation can contact SAPS Humewood Detective Sergeant Ridwaan Baatjies at 073 130 3018, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or contact the nearest police station

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

TWO tsotsis were rescued by cops in Bishibha, near Kirkwood on Monday, 3 April.

This after community members cornered the thugs, tied them with ropes and paraded them in the streets.

The thugs were accused of robbing people of their cellphones in Bhishibha and Bhongweni kasis before stabbing them.

Resident Xolisa Ndabeni told Daily Kasi News there have been a number of murders in recent months.

He said three thugs, who are known to the community, committed the crimes and the residents reported them to the police, but they are not arrested.

“They are proud that they don’t get arrested and keep on killing,” said Xolisa.

Residents claimed the thugs targeted all the people who reported them to the police.

“The thugs are now ruling our area and putting our lives in danger,” said a resident.

On Sunday, 2 April the thugs allegedly killed someone and ran away to Bhongweni town flats to hide, but the police were on their trail.

Gatvol residents also took to the streets on Monday looking for the thugs and found them in their hideout in Bhitshiba.

They torched the block of flats and one of the thugs escaped through the ceiling, but the other two were nabbed by the angry community members.

One of the residents at the flats said: “The escaped suspect is the owner of the flats and always brings his friends who steal electricity cables at the flats.”

Another resident said while the thugs were being assaulted by the flat residents for stealing copper cables, Bhongweni community members arrived and demanded the three thugs.

“Two of the thugs were caught by angry community members. They weretied with ropes and dragged to Bhongweni,” said the resident.

The police arrived in numbers and rescued the two men.

Police spokeswoman Sergeant Ndambi Toeland said the cops rescued two men from angry residents who accused them of having a cellphone belonging to someone who was killed in Bhishibha.

She said the matter is under investigation and the suspects are expected to be charged with theft.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

An employee at Life St George’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries after being shot while leaving the hospital on Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the police were investigating a case of murder after Carol Anne Magielies, 49, died in hospital after being shot several times shortly after 7pm.

“It is alleged the deceased was on her way to get into her transport after she finished work,” she said.

“She was approached by an unknown suspect, who pulled her aside and fired multiple shots at her.”

She said the suspect had fled and the victim had been rushed into the hospital, but had died shortly afterwards.

While the motive for the shooting is still unknown, bystanders alleged Magielies’s ex-boyfriend might have been involved.

Life St George’s Hospital management confirmed the incident and said the police had its full co-operation.

“The hospital has been secured and remains safe for patients, staff and visitors,” it said in a statement.

“Hospital services have not been affected and the emergency unit remains operational for medical emergencies.”

After the incident ambulances were temporarily diverted to other hospitals while the police were still on the scene, but services have since returned to normal.

BY LUDWE MANGALI

A 40-year-old businesswoman from Gqeberha, who was abducted at gunpoint from her business premises in New Brighton on Sunday, was found on Monday evening and is back home with her family.

Members of the police’s Flying Squad followed up on information that led them to Ezinyoka, in Missionvale, where the woman, a Chinese national, was found.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the kidnapping took place at about 2.30pm on Sunday when two armed suspects allegedly entered the shop, grabbed the victim at gunpoint, and took her outside where she was loaded into a brown VW Polo.

The car was found abandoned in Klaas Street, Zwide, hours later.

It is alleged that a ransom demand of R20m was made to the victim’s family.

“According to the victim she was blindfolded and taken to a roofless deserted house in Mbeki Street, Ezinyoka. Her hands were tied with cable ties,” Mgolodela said.

However, on Monday evening she managed to untie herself and jumped over the wall and asked neighbours for help, leading to members of the Flying Squad finding her. 

Mgolodela said the investigation is ongoing and no ransom was paid.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

A FAMILY is grieving the death of their son Ayabonga Malatjie (17) was hit by a speeding locomotive train.

Ayabonga left home to herd seven cows for grazing.

But he never made it. He was hit by a locomotive engine whilst crossing the herd on the vandalised railway line which cuts through Demist outside Kariega near CBD , Eastern Cape on Saturday, 18 March at about 9 am.

His saddened uncle Moses Malatjie (45) said they became worried when they heard the train rattle as it honked its horn repeatedly before stopping.  

“The train stopped a distance away after hitting him and the cow. It then reversed to the scene. But it quickly sped off as people came running to find out why.

“We couldn’t believe our eyes seeingAyabonga and the cow lying bleeding next to the railway tracks. We alerted the police who quickly activated paramedics who certified him dead upon arrival at the scene,” he said.

Malatjie said Ayabonga was an orphan and raised him after his mum died in 2007.

He said the young herdsman loved animals and dreamed of becoming a veterinary doctor.   

“We are blaming the Transnet Freight Rail for his death. As you can see, this infrastructure is fenceless, damaged and poorly maintained. They have to handle his funeral,” Malatjie added.  

KwaNobuhle Livestock Farmers Association Chairman Nicholas Kooi said: “This infrastructure is vandalised starting from Despatch and Demist as well its fence alongside causing many livestock, especially the cows and constantly vulnerable to be killed by the train. We have long been complaining about it.”

Transnet Freight Rail spokeswoman Kathy Jaftha confirmed that the incident was reported in Uitenhage on the Demist line.

“There is a push from some within the local Community Forum to force Transnet Freight Rail to prematurely take responsibility for this fatality. Through our community engagement channels, we have indicated to the community that this incident is a focus of an ongoing police investigation. We can only make pronouncements on this fatality once the investigation has been concluded,” she said.  

Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said an inquest case was registered for investigation.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

A healing gospel show as a means to bring people together to pray for their Friendly City.

As crime, violence, load-shedding and a crippling drought wreak havoc on South Africans, a healing gospel show will be held at the Athenaeum to bring people together to pray for the country.

The Healing Gospel and Afro-Soul Explosion Concert 2023 will be held tomorrow — and the timing could not be better, as residents in Nelson Mandela Bay mourn loved ones slain by gun-toting criminals.

Sandla Black told Daily Kasi News: “By hosting this event, we are reaching out to our Maker to send us His blessings and stop this carnage in our country,” Siyavuya Marwanqa, from organisers

“On the last Sunday in February our religious leaders took to the streets of Gqeberha, preaching and asking for intervention to end this violence.

“We believe that music is always a very strong unifier in all situations,” Marwanqa said.

A popular young gospel artist Ayanda Ntanzi, 29, will be featured at The Healing Gospel and Afro-Soul Explosion.

Not only is Ntanzi blessed with a beautiful voice, he also boasts an LLB degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

The “Qhawe Lam” hit maker, Zuko SA and the Buffalo City Praise Encounter Choir are included in the line-up.

Sandla Black was mentored by Mahambehlala Communications, owners of the Ebubeleni Festival, as part of its objective to assist companies with the potential to stage events in the city and province but which lack production knowledge.

This is the third time Sandla Black will partner with Ebubeleni.

A healing gospel show will be held at the Athenaeum in Gqeberha.

Doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm.

Tickets cost R250 and are available through Webtickets, Pick n Pay outlets and Boxer stores

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

‘We don’t care’ if hospital patients die! These are the words of Angry Healthcare workers.

There has been ongoing strike action in certain health facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay today, March 7, with striking health workers demanding an increment of at least 10%.

Heavy black smoke could be seen in Stanford Road since this morning, where NEHAWU members protested, blocked roads, chanted and used hand sanitiser as accelerants to burn tyres outside Livingstone Hospital.One of the protesters, who did not want to be identified, said that they are tired of everything that is supposedly going on inside this hospital.

The worker claimed that the hospital allegedly does not have enough medication, some facilities, such as stoves are not working and they haven’t received new uniforms since 2010.

Things are much worse than it looks and we are expected to just keep quiet and work like this. We are working very hard but with no increase. We asked for 6.5% in 2018 and did not get it. Now we want at least 10%.”The worker added that they would continue with the strike action for as long as their union tells them to do so.

“We will come back every day until an agreement is reached and we are told by our leaders to stop. They are inside the hospital discussing this while we protest here,” the worker added.

When asked about healthcare interruptions inside the hospital, the worker said that the patients are still inside the hospital. “We told them that we will not touch the ICU and theatres. Surgeries can continue,” the worker said.

Eastern Cape Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, reiterated that health is an essential service, which means that strike action in this sector is unprotected and unlawful, more so where these acts of intimidation and withholding of services affect abilities to provide care and make employees feel threatened.

“We understand that workers have a right to demonstrate but when they do, they cannot infringe on the rights of others. We cannot afford to have a situation where the lives of patients and staff not on strike are in danger as a result of the action of those who have embarked on this action.

“We have noted that the NEHAWU-affiliated workers have embarked on the strike despite being interdicted by the high court. Such lawlessness is condemned with the contempt it deserves,” Meth said.

“We urge workers to go back to their workstations so that we can continue delivering quality health and care services to our people,” she added.

According to Meth, the disruptive actions by certain members at some health facilities around the province affects access for the non-protesting staff and also denies patients access to healthcare services.

“Such acts of intimidation and violence violate the constitutional rights of the people to life and access to healthcare. Any form of violence and intimidation directed at health workers, patients and infrastructure is condemned in the strongest terms.”She explained that four out of five unions are not supporting the strike action and have raised concerns that their members are being intimidated and denied access to their work stations. “We do appreciate responsible shop stewards who have called their members to order where necessary, ensured that critical services continue and that our patients receive necessary care. However, we take very seriously those employees who intimidate others, and cause services to be affected negatively.”

She added that appropriate action will be taken in all such instances, and law enforcement agencies are being deployed to support the facilities where there are such acts of lawlessness. In addition, a no-work-no-pay principle will apply to all the officials participating in the strike action.

“The department wishes to ensure the public that services are being offered at our health facilities by members who are not on strike and we are doing everything we can to bring stability to the service. There are reports of disruptions in some areas attributable to acts of intimidation. The department will continue to engage NEHAWU leadership about such incidents.

“Members of the SAPS are highly applauded where they have intervened and dealt with these kinds of incidents, protecting both the members of the public, staff and state infrastructure from these illegal activities. We are, however, maintaining high levels of vigilance, until the strike action is called off.”

Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said at approximately 14:00 that the protests were still peaceful.