BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

Tension rises at Eastern Cape’s biggest prison after three wardens stabbed

Tension was running high at the St Albans Correctional Facility in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday after three warders were stabbed during breakfast.

Behaviour of this nature cannot go unpunished,” said Singabakho Nxumalo, the national spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, reacting to three wardens being stabbed at the Eastern Cape’s biggest prison on Wednesday morning.


Nxumalo confirmed that three warders were stabbed at the St Albans Medium B facility by two inmates. He said the men were treated at the prison hospital and later taken to outside hospitals for treatment.

Nxumalo added that the Department of Correctional Services would, “take action against the perpetrators. A full-scale investigation will be conducted internally and a criminal case is to be registered with theEmerantia Cupido from the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services said they had been informed of the stabbings and had “mandated an investigation into the incident”.

On average, Eastern Cape prisons are overcrowded by 63%, while St Albans Medium B, according to numbers released in July, was overcrowded by 44%.

Egon Oswald represented more than 200 prisoners alleged to have been violently beaten after the fatal stabbing of a warden at the same prison in 2005.

Oswald told this reporter: “There was a stabbing of a warden there two weeks ago. Often these stabbings are related to business disputes inside the prison and linked to corruption.”

On 13 October 2022, Justice Edwin Cameron, when presenting the annual report for the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services to the Portfolio Committee for Justice and Correctional Services, raised serious concerns about the national overcrowding rate — now 31.65% (vs the 2020/2021 rate of 23%).

The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services’ annual report also showed sharp increases in hunger strikes, attempted suicides and suicides at SA prisons.

BY LAWRENCE ANTONI

“Group member disappears with thousands”

When they started the stokvel in January, they wanted to save money for Christmas.

But little did they know they were saving for someone else.

KC vs OP Social Club members will have a black Christmas because one of their members allegedly withdrew their money and fled with it.

They were supposed to share the money this month.

One of the members, Nancy Mabala (39), told Daily Kasi News “when we went to the bank, we were told the money had already withdrawn by one of the members.”

“They said he came with affidavits so that he could withdraw the money alone,” she said.

Nancy said they used the man’s details when they opened the account.

“There were three of us when we opened the account and we were told we must come together if we want to withdraw the money, but it is shocking that he was able to do it on his own,” she said.

The members said they lost about R120 000.

“That money was supposed to help us and now it’s all gone. We all had plans for it,” they said.

They said they’ve been trying to call the man, but his phone goes to voicemail most of the time.

“He told one of our members that he was in an accident, but we don’t believe him. All we want is for him to return the money,” said Nancy.

The members said they couldn’t open a case.

“We went to the police station and they said we don’t have enough documents to open a case,” she said.

The DK-NEWS tried to call the man many times, but his phone was off.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

AT LAST THEY CAN SPEAK, EAT MEAT AND DRINK UMQOMBHOTHI WITH THE MEN.

ALL their lives they were treated like kwedini and had to eat meat with the women.

But all of that is in the past now as the two madalas have finally been to the mountain to be circumcised.

The madalas told Daily Kasi News that men who are not circumcised aren’t allowed to speak to the ancestors. They also said they can’t occupy a leading position in cultural activities. That is why the two madalas went to the bush to get circumcised.

“Before I was cut I was never honoured as a madala. Instead I was insulted as a boy,” said umkhulu Zwelinzima Makeleni of Khayelitsha near Kariega, in Nelson Mandela Metro.

“I have been in and out of prison for the last 28 years. I was selling dagga and I have served long sentences on three occasions.”

Umkhulu Zwelinzima said his family helped him to get the circumcision done.

“I followed all the protocols and I have been to the doctor,” he said.

“I am happy. I have taken back my power and I have the authority to speak to the ancestral spirits.”

Another madala, also from Rosedale, said: “I am a coloured man but my father is Xhosa. I decided to go back to my roots. I told my wife and she agreed to my plan

The two madalas were afraid of the operation because they were told old men take longer to heal, but they are recovering well in the bush near Kwanobuhle near Gunguluza, outside Kariega.

They said they were treated with respect in the bush by the other initiates. Other amakwetha called them mkhulu. After the operation they were called qabane, which means, my friend.

Ingcibi Zukile Bangani of Khayelitsha, who is known as “Snake”, said: “I didn’t do the circumcision. My friend did the work. I was told the one is 67 and the other is about 58.”

He said they treat older initiates differently.Older men can approach me even if they don’t have enough money. We will talk,” he said.

BY ZONWABELE JANUARY

A SEX worker has told Daily Kasi News she is tired of selling her body and keeping it a secret from her family.

“I don’t want to live a lie.

I’m scared all the time that one day my family will judge me for this bad work,” she said.

“I was introduced to sex work by a friend She told me to bath and wear smart clothes and we went to a club.”

She said this was in May after she lost her job at a fast-food outlet.

The woman said on her first gig as umagosha, she was paid R300 for the night.

She said she was operating in the Gqeberha Central CBD and sometimes in Motherwell.

“At first, I was shy but then I became a professional,” she said.

“I regret becoming umagosha and am tired of having sex with different men every day.”

She said she never did drugs but was always drunk.

She said she told her family she was now working in retail.

“It’s bad out there. Some clients pay R1 000 a night without a condom or R500 per night with a condom,” she said.

“As a magosha, sometimes you get raped by evil men.”

She said she wasn’t ready to live with a man as she’s looking for a job.

Her message to young women is that they must stay away from such a trade because there are consequences.

“The consequences that come with sex work include being raped, undermined by the community and chances of being a victim of human trafficking are high,” she warned.

The sad woman said she needed help to start a new life.

“I’m ready to give my life to Christ,” she said

BY LOLWETHU LEEU

THE annual Ebubeleni music Festival is finally back!

The festival had to be suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organisers managed to keep the brand alive,hosting small monthly events which were a build-up towards the main event in December.

This year the artist line-up boasts the country’s creme de la creme of music the annual Ebubeleni Music Festival returns to its original date on December 30 after two years of lockdown restrictions.Artists include Gqeberha-born Zonke Dikana, Ami Faku, Vusi Nova and Phinda, Makhadzi, Msaki, Mandisi Dyantyis, Nomfundo Mho, Musa Keys, K.O and 10 other locals.

Ebubeleni music Festival Organisers will also usher in the 2023 in style on January 1 when Sjava, Berita, Samthing Soweto and Simmy take to the stage at Victoria Park for New Year’s Day in The Park

“The positioning of this event at the end of the year provides homecoming entertainment to all those who work and study far away in big cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban,” Mahambehlala Communications managing director of marketing and publicity Tembi Mahambehlala said.

“The festival attracts festinos from all over the country.”

In December 2020, the festival took to the small screen for the first time when it struck a partnership with Channel O to have a pre-recorded version of it air on the channel.

The event was recorded under strict Covid-19 regulations at the Boardwalk Hotel over two days and aired on December 30, with Nelson Mandela Bay artists and famous faces including Somizi, Kamo Mphela, Sao Matrix, Zain SA and Nomcebo Zikode entertaining viewers.

Over the 10 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 increasing tourism numbers, creating temporary jobs and the use of event service providers, providing a platform for local artists to showcase their talents and earn some money while bringing entertainment to the people of the Bay during the festive season,” Mahambehlala said. .

“The Ebubeleni Festival forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s annual summer season programme and is the only long-standing annual cultural flagship event in Nelson Mandela Bay.”

Tickets for the festival on December 30 cost R250 and R200 for the New Year’s in The Park.

Tickets can be bought on Webtickets or from Pick n Pay and Boxer stores.

Tickets to GQ Socials-New Year’s Day in the Park are available at Webticket, Pick n Pay and Boxer. There is special offer of R200 which is extended until the 10th of December thereafter tickets will sell at R300 for general ticket, Cooler Box ticket is R100 and R1000 for VIP.
Gates open at 10:00am and will end at 7:00pm.

BY YOLANDA PALEZWENI

Police in Gqeberha are investigating a case of robbery after Kwazakhele Assembly of God congregants attending a church service were robbed at gunpoint by five unknown men on Friday night.

Police in Gqeberha are investigating a case of robbery after Kwazakhele Assembly of God congregants were robbed at gunpoint by five unknown men on Friday night.

It is alleged that at about 11.40pm, the congregants were attending a church service in Marele Street when five unknown men walked into the building carrying two firearms.According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, the suspects demanded cellphones and money from the congregants.

“The suspects made off with five cellphones and a little bit of cash before fleeing in an Avanza, however, no-one was injured,” he said.

Beegte said no arrests had been made but police were still investigating.

Police have urged anyone with information that could lead to the arrests of the suspects to contact their nearest police station.The information may also be shared via Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

All information is strictly confidential and callers have the right to remain anonymous

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

Gelvandale detectives have appealed to the community for assistance in identifying a murdered man whose body was found in Schauderville, in Gqeberha’s northern areas, at the weekend.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said a bush dweller had been rummaging in the bushes looking for scrap next to a school in Grundling Street at about 9am on Saturday when he noticed a big cream bag lying behind a tree.He opened the bag and found the decomposing body,

The victim had a belt around his neck, his hands were tied behind his back with another belt and his feet were bound with tape. The bag was also tied up.

The man immediately alerted the community before running away.

The deceased was wearing a white T-shirt and blue denim jeans. He was big in stature.Anyone with any information on the identity of the victim or the murder should contact Sergeant Landiswa Sokanyile on 073-448-5539, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or the nearest police station.

All information is confidential and callers may remain anonymous.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

“No photographers will harassing the public in Boardwalk again “

The 2022 festive season along the Gqeberha beachfront will likely be the safest yet.

Ringing it in on Wednesday was the launch of a hi-tech 24/7 security control room, unveiled during a Beachfront Safety Sector Forum collaborative showcase at the PE Beach Yacht Club in Summerstrand.Hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists are expected to descend on Gqeberha and can be assured of a sound holiday as law enforcement, private security and other role players work together to root out crime along the busy beachfront.Initiated in 2014 by the previous DA ward councillor, Dean Biddulph, and later taken over by the incumbent, Renaldo Gouws, it is a culmination of years-long round-table discussions cemented in June.

“The beachfront has, for a long time, not been a designated sector. It had been the only one in Nelson Mandela Bay without this,” Gouws said.

“And so, after arguing and having lots of back and forth over many years, a bunch of role players came together in June to [share ideas] about how we could resolve this.”

In the background, as sponsors — corporates, hotel groups and private institutions — finally joined the SAPS and the Metro Police to reveal the new centre for the first time, beach revellers along the shoreline added to the electric atmosphere.

Partly privately funded while the local government has committed to financing the rest, it took just 10 days to install the facility as part of an initial half-a-million-rand project.

The state-of-the-art control room boasts number plate recognition capabilities to track stolen and other suspect vehicles that link to a national database.

Beachfront safety sector project manager Sean Tappan said the control room would be developed to run facial recognition imaging using artificial intelligence (AI).

“In this way, the police will be able to look for suspects who are wanted or need to be observed.”

Emerald Fire, a forum sponsor, set up eight cameras in and around the Boardwalk precinct, including two 360° PTZ security surveillance cameras.Four static cameras have gone up in the parking area adjacent to the beach, while the rest are in the Summerstrand area.

Bay Tourism chair and forum chair Shaun van Eck said the action plan created for the project could be implemented throughout the metro.

“This is just the start.

“We can implement it in other areas like Route 67 in Central and on the northern beaches.

“Tourism routes in our townships should also be a priority,” he said.

Van Eck said residents and visitors to the city would be assured of a near incident-free beach experience.

“These are great efforts that are going to benefit the metro.

“We would like no incidents, and that is the aim of this project, to cut everything out to displace criminals from the area.

“We want our tourists to feel safer than anywhere else in our country.”

Metro Police acting commissioner Trevor Smith welcomed the collaborative effort, saying his department was ready to hit the ground running during the busy periodAmong the bylaw enforcement targets, Smith said unsolicited and illegal photography along the boardwalk, where visitors are often surprised by unknown cameramen, was a priority.

“We have a huge problem with photographers harassing the public. We plan to deal with that.

“We plan to have a 24-hour operation in the area from the centre and will, of course, collaborate with our partners in the hope that this is the most successful summer season in the Bay.”

Boardwalk Casino and Hotel general manager Tute Tsunke said the business looked forward to hosting citizens and overseas visitors on the city’s shores, free from safety concerns.

“Our investment will go a long way, and we want to be serious about it.

“It stands to protect the reputation of the city and the integrity of our business.

“It is a good initiative, and we are happy the forum opened us up to it.”

BY SMTEMBILE MGIDI

Enough is enough — that was the sentiment of about 20 Kwazakhele residents who started the Gaika and Maronga Street Neighbourhood Watch two months ago to take back their community from criminals.

The neighbourhood watch held a march on Saturday with members wearing reflector vests and holding placards saying, “Let us stop crime and drugs” and “In our community, we can fight crime”.They marched from Gaika Street to Maronga Street, attempting to recruit new members to join their neighbourhood watch.

Organisers Mbulelo Stuurman and Phathiswa Ngumbela said there had been a drop in crime since the watch was started.

“We started this neighbourhood watch after we saw a rise in the level of crime in our community.

“We were having restless nights and we cannot walk freely in the streets,” Stuurman said.

“We are afraid to even go to the local shops close to our homes because we fear for our lives.

“The most common crime in our area is having your phone stolen.

“A person could act like they are walking past, but they are seeing their next meal with your cellphone.

“At least three times a week we would hear that cellphones were stolen or hear a person screaming, because they were being robbed,” Stuurman said.

He said criminals would boldly kick down the doors of people’s homes and steal valuable items such as TV sets.

The latest trend was the theft of brass gates, which he suspected were sold at scrapyards.Stuurman encouraged other communities to start their own neighbourhood watches in Kwazakhele and partner with them to create a safer community for themselves and their children.

He said hotspots were outside big retail stores.

“They know they stand a good chance to get money from the people who shop there.

“Since we started our neighbourhood watch, crime has gone down a bit. People can walk to retail stores freely.

“If we can do this neighbourhood watch between Gaika and Maranta streets, it can be extended.

“That is why we are mobilising people to start their own neighbourhood watches so we can work togetherNgumbela said they worked well with the police and handed criminals over when they caught them.

“It is painful that when people come back from buying groceries from Shoprite they get robbed of their valuables and their groceries.

“You can be followed if they see you making a withdrawal from an ATM and then they steal your money.

“There is also hijacking of people’s cars.We have family members who do not live in this area.

“When they visit us they can get robbed while waiting for the gate to be opened for them.

“Because of crime we are forced to lock our gates all the time.”

She said it was time that residents took their community back.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Security measures stepped up ahead of festive season, officials say

Jail cells housing more than 1,900 inmates, many serving lengthy terms, were raided at St Albans prison on Thursday night.

Emergency security officials in riot gear, led by correctional services national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale and acting regional commissioner Lucky Mthethwa, raided cell blocks during the operation, searching for contraband and other controlled substances.
A procession of footsteps signalled the start of the raid at the maximum security section of the jail as the emergency prison security swooped on seven cells.

Nearly five hours later, with the inmates back in their cells, the 55-person security team from six management areas, including St Albans, Kirkwood, East London and Mthatha, had netted 185 contraband items.

Among the seized items were:

A padlock;
A dagga pipe and other dagga paraphernalia;
Smart TV converter;
TV converter adapter;
Smart TV remote;
Huawei Wi-Fi router;
21 cellphones;
29 dagga slope;
38 cellphone accessories;
38 tik rolls; and
49 dagga rolls.
Officials also confiscated R553 in cash.

“We did the raid as part of our normal security operations,” Thobakgale, who was appointed prisons boss in September, said.

“It focused on St Albans Correctional Facility for the past two or three days.

“We aim to keep clean facilities, first in terms of contraband like cellphones and unlawful objects.

“This is also to help the offenders keep a clean record.

“If they don’t, we have to mete out discipline.”

He said information about the raid at St Albans had been highly confidential.Our operational plans are communicated through very strict channels.

“Even the specialised task team involved did not know the units [until the raid went ahead].”

With correctional centres experiencing an increase in admissions, assaults and contraband smuggling ahead of the festive season, according to officials, intensified security measures had to be undertakenA national plan focusing on operational security at SA’s 143 prisons will be launched in Mpumalanga on November 30.

Thobakgale said he was pleased with the raid, adding wardens were encouraged to observe standard operating procedures daily.

“Officials should examine and inspect the cells every day.

“In the morning, when offenders go for breakfast, we should inspect cells, checking for any objects inmates could use [to commit an] escape.”

He said movement inside the centre and patrols along the perimeter fencing would help to minimise prison escapes.

“We only experienced 21 escapes in the 2021/2022 financial year, arresting 16.”

In its annual report released in August, the department indicated the number of inmates who escaped from correctional facilities totalled 22 out of 143,223 prisonersSeven inmates, five awaiting conviction, escaped from Makhanda prison in October.

They managed to make their way out after “compromising the window bars”, Thobakgale said.

Of the seven, three have since been arrested.

“Working with the police, we’re still pursuing the other five [escapees], and our information points to getting the offenders back.”

Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said officials conducted the search operation in line with approved policies to protect inmate rights.

He said no inmate had a request or complaint following the security operation.

“Offenders were locked up at their respective houses after searching.

“All the items confiscated will be handled as per the security standard operating procedures.

“Correctional services will hand the cellphones to the police for forensic checks and disciplinary steps will be taken against the relevant culprits.”.