BY PHUMLANI SAUL AND ZOLISA WILLIAMS

Transport minister launches first leg of project between Sunland and Kirkwood

A R275m road upgrade on the R336 between Addo and Kirkwood will be the first of a series of repairs between Sundays River Valley and Gqeberha to fix the busy citrus export route.

The repairs are part of R2bn set aside by Sanral and the national transport department to fix a network of roads between the city and provincial citrus hub.

On Wednesday, transport minister Fikile Mbalula was at the R336 between Sunland and Kirkwood to launch the first leg of the works which, when completed, will cover 13.75km.

Construction has already begun and will be completed in 24 months, with the rest of the network repaired over five years.

The R336 upgrade will also include safety features such as pedestrian pavements and traffic controls.

The Sundays River Bridge will also be widened to accommodate a new pedestrian walkway.

Mbalula told DK news “department through Sanral was taking over earmarked municipal and provincial roads to assist cash-strapped municipalities.

“Small towns and municipalities suffer from lack of revenue,” he said.

“This is a regional road, but through an MOU [memorandum of understanding] and the minister’s proclamation we have taken it over to help the province.

“The R336 is the main artery that leads into the main town and beyond.”

Mbulula said the Eastern Cape was the biggest beneficiary of the non-tolling roads of Sanral.

“There are no toll gates here but some of the roads [in the province], particularly on the N2, are in pristine condition because of our investment.

We have taken over the R61 which connects to the N2 going to KwaZulu-Natal.

“In five years, this work will be complete.”

He also said he was happy with the turnover of SMMEs hired for the R275m upgrade.

The reconstruction will also cover the R335 which connects to the R336, linking the vital citrus export route from the Sunday River Municipality.

Sanral project manager Thabiso Ngozwana said the repairs were essential in supporting the harbour-bound cargo.

“The most important thing about having good roads is to make sure the fruit does not get damaged during transportation.

“This area is the second-biggest employer after the automotive sector and it is, therefore, crucial that the necessary support is there,” Ngozwana said.

According to Ngozwana, the road repairs were divided into nine packages, which will cost R2bn.

Work has already begun on the R75 between Kirkwood and Kariega.

“Construction was also under way on the R342 but has been halted becomes the contractor had gone into business rescue,” he said.

Mbulala said there would be further work with Sanral to repair roads inside Kirkwood that had collapsed.

“When you pass through the town, you see they have collapsed.

“We will extend inside and redo the roads.”

According to Mbulala, no assistance was likely to come to Nelson Mandela Bay which had budgeted R30m for its potholes.

“Nelson Mandela Bay has a lot of challenges, from political leadership to coalitions.

“This has delayed the implementation of service delivery.

“Nelson Mandela Bay does not have revenue problems but mismanagement, they have some capacity unlike here.

“But we work with municipalities,” he said.

“We need to understand what are the challenges in terms of potholes and fixing the road.”

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

Nelson Mandela Bay top cop sets sights on seizing illegal
Police in Nelson Mandela Bay have confiscated an average of more than one firearm a day for the month of October, reinforcing their renewed efforts to eradicate illegal weapons and ensure the safety of the community at large.

During the first three weeks of the month, a total of 32 illegal firearms were recovered, and while these figures are encouraging, Nelson Mandela Bay district police commissioner Major-General Vuyisile Ncata believes more can be done to curb the scourge.


In one of the latest recoveries, on Sunday afternoon, members of Gqeberha’s anti-gang unit responded to reports of shots being fired in Barcelona at about 3pm, leading to the arrest of a 31-year-old man.

In Bramlin Markman Street, police spotted a man with a firearm and chased after him in their vehicle and on foot.

After the man was cornered in a yard in Uranus Street, he turned and allegedly pointed the firearm at officers, who in turn opened fire and wounded the man in both legs.

It was established later that the 9mm pistol recovered on the scene had been reported stolen in East London in January 2019.

The man was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and will also face a charge of pointing a firearm.

Another 9mm pistol was recovered on Friday and a 23-year-old suspected gang affiliate arrested at a club in Smilex Street, Salsoneville, after a tip-off.

Several other operations last week also led to the arrest of 11 people in Bethelsdorp and 25 in Walmer, suspected of various crimes including murder, attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and charges related to stolen goods and drugs.

Ncata commended police members for their efforts, in particular the operation that led to the recovery of illegal firearms.

Since his appointment in July, Ncata has dedicated time and resources specifically at removing illegal firearms from the hands of criminal elements in the Bay.“We are taking firearms off the streets, but it is concerning to see there are still many firearms going onto the streets when they are taken during burglaries and robberies,” Ncata said.We find that homes are targeted specifically because of their likelihood to have firearms.

“Security operatives and armed guards have also fallen prey to these criminals, and recently we even had an incident where a traffic officer was killed for her firearm.”

Ncata said he would like to see more formal engagements with the National Prosecuting Authority to follow up on cases where suspects were arrested for the illegal possession of firearms.

He said the police should be able to track the progress of these cases, and he would like to see harsher sentences.

“Firearms are the weapon of choice for criminals, and the theft and illegal possession of firearms often lead to much more serious crime.

“We need to chase harsher sentences as a deterrent for would-be criminals.”

Ncata said he also aimed to embark on a campaign to check up on legitimate firearm owners, to ensure they were adhering to the required regulations.

Part of this campaign would include verifying addresses, safe inspections and checking if firearm licences were up to date.

BY NONKQUBELA MALIZA

A Gqeberha businessman was abducted in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon.

Though details are scant, it is believed Ashraf Laher was abducted in Korsten.

The businessman’s bakkie was abandoned and later recovered by police in Struandale near Eveready.

When The Herald arrived at the scene, two police vehicles, a metro police vehicle and an unmarked law enforcement vehicle were parked alongside the cordoned off area.

A member of the Gelvandale community police forum, Iresh Chetty, said he was not in a position to divulge details at this stage, but would comment later after the police had released a statement.

This is a developing story.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Five men charged with the murders of nine people and the attempted murder of another, appeared in the KwaNobuhle Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where their case was postponed to October 24.

Luvuyo Madela, 29, Nkosinathi Zonke, 30, Ludwe Djantjies, 29, Smiselo Lukwe, 26, and Siyabulela Ndamase, 34, were arrested between Friday morning and Saturday night after a shooting rampage in the Kariega township on Thursday.

The victims were finally identified by the police as Lizo Ntantawe, 26, Siphiwo Mtana, 53, Wamkelo Lukashe, 37, Siphosethu Jonas, 23, Misumzi Willie, 26, Zukisa Sokhiya, 25, Siyamthanda Vusani, 24, and Siyamthanda Spogter, 18.

The identity of the ninth person killed has not yet been released.

The state has already indicated that it will oppose bail, with at least three of the accused facing unrelated murder charges for which they were out on bail at the time of Thursday’s mass shooting.

The men appeared in court under heavy police guard on Monday morning before being escorted back to the St Albans prison, where they remain in custody.

During their brief court appearance, it emerged that one of the men needed time to appoint a legal representative.

The remaining accused are represented by Legal Aid SA.

Chaos had erupted in the large township on Thursday.

In the first incident, at about 11.45am, police attended to a shooting in Mabi Street where the bodies of four men were found in a Mazda 323, with a fifth lying a few metres from the car.

In the second incident, at about 12.10pm, the bodies of three men were found in Zola Nqini Street.

The sole surviving victim, also with multiple gunshot wounds, was discovered lying behind the vehicle and transported to hospital for treatment.Later that same day, the body of a man aged between 18 and 25 was found lying on the side of the road in Rooihoogte near KwaNobuhle.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene had ordered a 72-hour activation plan on Thursday evening to track, trace and arrest the culprits.

By Friday morning, four men had been taken in for questioning and by Sunday they were formally charged.

The police team had established that a white Toyota Quantum was used in the commission of the murders and had worked around the clock to trace the vehicle.

The vehicle was eventually spotted at about 6.10pm on Saturday, travelling from Langa township in Kariega towards town, and a 34-year-old man apprehended.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

A traditional herbalist had the shock of his life when he discovered a fully clothed human skeleton in a drain bridge in Kwanobuhle, Kariega.

Monwabisi Makhwetha says that while he was looking for indigenous herbs on Saturday evening, as he usually does on weekends, he noticed something wrapped in a blanket near Nomakhwezana Street.

He says out of curiosity he unwrapped the blanket and to his surprise, a human skull rolled out of it.

He says he was so shocked that he immediately left the area and went home but he didn’t sleep a wink.

“I went home after I saw the skeleton but I couldn’t sleep all night as I kept having visions of what I had seen,” Makhwetha added.

On Sunday, a panicked Makhwetha contacted an DK-NEWS journalist who was in the same area to assist him in trying to contact the relevant authorities.

He also took the journalist to the scene where he had made the discovery.

Makhwetha reported the matter to a Mkoko police station who went out to the scene with him.

He told DK NEWS that he will sleep peacefully knowing that the deceased person’s family who might have been in the dark about his whereabouts will finally get closure.

The identity of the victim is unknown at this stage and anybody who might have information is asked to contact the police.

He was wearing brown pants and a denim jacket with a purple cap.

It is not yet clear if police are investigating a murder or an inquest.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene has welcomed and applauded the multi-disciplinary team that swiftly traced and arrested five men suspected to be connected to the murders of nine people and the injury to another in three separate shooting incidents in Kwanobuhle and Kariega on Thursday, 13 October.

In the first incident, it is alleged that at about 11:45 on Thursday, police attended to a shooting in Mabi Street where the bodies of four men were found inside a Mazda 323.

Colonel Priscilla Naidu, police spokesperson, said all the men sustained multiple gunshot wounds to their upper bodies.

“A fifth male (also with multiple gunshot wounds) was lying behind the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. A sixth victim, who had already succumbed to his wounds, was found lying a few metres away from the car,” Naidu said.

The victims are between 18 and 25 years old.

“In the second incident, at about 12:10, the bodies of three males were found in Zolanqini Street. Two were found inside a silver VW Polo while the third deceased was found lying outside the vehicle.”

They all had multiple gunshot wounds to their bodies.

“The victims are estimated to be between 32 and 40 years old. The vehicle was reported stolen in Humansdorp in May 2022.” As soon as the murders were reported, Mene instructed the implementation of the 72-hour activation plan.

“Within this time frame, at about 08:00 on Friday, 14 October four men who were persons of interest were detained for questioning. The men, aged between 26 to 30-years old, were found at a possible hideout in Summerstrand.

“It was further established that on the same day of the murders, another body of a man aged between 18 to 25-years old was found lying on the side of the road in Rooihoogte near Kwanobuhle.”

During the investigation, the investigating team established that a white Toyota Quantum was suspected to have been involved in the murders.

“Police worked tirelessly and around the clock to trace this vehicle and on 14 October at about 18:10, the vehicle was spotted driving from Langa location in Kariega towards town. The vehicle was stopped in Van Riebeeck Hoogte and a 34-year-old man was apprehended. The Quantum was confiscated.”

Naidu confirmed that the three murder scenes are linked.

All five suspects are charged on nine cases of murder and one of attempted murder. They will appear in the Kwanobuhle Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 17 October.

Mene commended the team for their outstanding and brilliant investigation.

“The effect of the 72-hour activation plan was felt as the joint multidisciplinary SAPS team worked around the clock to ensure the speedy apprehension of the alleged suspects. It is, however, extremely disturbing that lives could be lost in such a cruel and violent manner. We will be collaborating closely with the NPA to make sure that bail is denied as well as to ensure a successful prosecution,” added Mene.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Eight people were killed and two wounded in two separate incidents in KwaNobuhle near Kariega on Thursday.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene has subsequently ordered a 72-hour activation plan to track, trace and arrest those responsible for the carnage.

In the first incident, at about 11.45am, the bodies of four males were found inside a Mazda 323 in Mabi Street.

They had all been shot multiple times.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu told Daily Kasi News “a fifth male, also with multiple gunshot wounds, was found lying behind the vehicle and was taken to hospital.”

“The body of a sixth victim was found lying a few metres away from the car, “Naidu said.

The still unidentified victims are estimated to be between 18 and 25 years old.

Naidu said in the second incident, at about 12.10pm, the bodies of three men were found in Zolanqini Street.

“Two were found inside a silver VW Polo while the third was found lying outside the vehicle.

“All had multiple gunshot wounds,” Naidu said.

The victims in this incident are estimated to be between 32 and 40.

The vehicle had been reported stolen in Humansdorp in May.

The motives for the murders are still unknown at this stage.

Naidu said the police were probing a possible link between the two incidents.

Mene, meanwhile, called on the community to assist police in apprehending those responsible for the carnage and has vowed that through the 72-hour activation plan all the resources needed in the investigation would be used to swiftly trace and arrest the culprits.

“We are urgently appealing to the community of KwaNobuhle to form a solid frontline with the police in combating crime and protecting their communities from these heinous crimes.

“We condemn these horrible murders and our detectives will be working hard to make sure that these criminals are behind bars as quickly as possible,” Mene said.

BY DK-NEWS JOURNALIST

Striking healthcare workers at Dora Nginza Hospital have returned to their posts after a stand-off over congestion and working conditions.

The stand-off ended after an agreement was reached between the Eastern Cape health department and unions.The strike left the hospital critically short of staff, especially in the maternity wards.

One baby died, another was left brain-dead and a mother was facing death because there was no staff available to support doctors.

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda said provincial health department head Dr Rolene Wagner and union leaders had met on Friday and Saturday at the hospital.

“The management team shared with the union the plans that are being implemented to decongest the hospital, ” Dekeda said.

“A theatre and 16-bed ward have been activated at Provincial Hospital to provide additional capacity in Nelson Mandela Bay for patients requiring level one care and caesarean section intervention.

“Letters of precautionary suspension issued against two shop stewards have been withdrawn.

“An agreement was reached to suspend the strike action with immediate effect on Friday evening.

“All workers have reported for duty to resume their responsibilities and services were fully restored across the weekend.”

She said it was affirmed that everyone wanted to ensure that pregnant women were admitted to the hospital and assigned available beds.

“The department is meeting with the national department of health and the office of the presidency as they have offered support for sustainable solutions.The Eastern Cape health department has to address the increased demand for care in this geographic service area.

“This includes addressing the trauma burden and mental healthcare needs of the Bay.”

According to an October 7 letter from Wagner to the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union, Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA, Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union, Public Servants’ Association and National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers, the department had sought an interdict against the unions.

However, Wagner said: “The department will not need to pursue the interdict processes in court should the conditions of the interdict be adhered to.”

She said this and other parts of the deal were made “in the spirit of rebuilding relations between management and workers at Dora Nginza”.

“These agreements are made in good faith, to give an opportunity for further engagement between management and trade unions towards permanent solutions for Dora Nginza and other matters in Nelson Mandela Bay.”

Asked about the reason for the precautionary suspensions and the interdict conditions, Dekeda said they were confidential parts of the agreement and could not be discussed.

The unions could not be reached for comment.

BY MALUNGELO BOOI AND NKOSAZANA FIKILE

Three business robbery suspects were arrested and stolen property worth hundreds of thousands recovered after a robbery at Baywest Mall this morning, October 2.

At approximately 11:00, two suspects entered a clothing store at the mall allegedly pretending to be customers. As the complainant went to the back of the store to fetch a pair of takkies for the ‘customer,’ he was followed by a suspect who pulled out a firearm. Four more suspects allegedly entered the shop with firearms, then demanded the keys to the shop and safe. Three of the employees were taken to the back of the shop while the suspects ransacked the shop. The stolen clothing was shoved into a duvet cover and dragged out of the shop as they fled.

According to police spokesperson, Capt. Sandra Janse van Rensburg, an observant and alert police official that was on duty at the mall spotted the fleeing suspects dragging the stuffed duvet and immediately alerted his colleagues at the 10111 centre.

“The suspects fled in a silver VW Polo and silver Kia. The vehicles were circulated and immediately police officers from surrounding stations and units were on the hunt for the vehicles,” she said.

SAPS Kabega Park was first to spot the vehicles but lost them as they sped on the N2 towards New Brighton. Back-up vehicles were in close proximity and SAPS Mount Road and Gqeberha K9 were informed that a silver VW Polo was abandoned on the N2 freeway on-ramp towards Cotswold,” she added. Janse van Rensburg explained that residents in the area directed members towards Hammerkop Street in Cotswold Extension. One suspect jumped the fence into a yard and was arrested. Two more suspects hiding in the bushes were flushed and apprehended by their four-legged K9 officer, Diesel.

“No firearm was recovered, however, various items of the stolen clothing were recovered in the boot of the car. The estimated value of the stolen property is R200 000. The VW Polo was impounded for further investigation.”

The three suspects, aged between 25 and 35 years, were detained on charges of business robbery and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court during the week.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

A case of culpable homicide is under investigation after a food delivery motorcycle driver was hit by a taxi and died on the scene last night, September 24 around 18:00.

The driver, who is 35-years old, was on his way to deliver food when he was struck by the taxi near Metlife Plaza Shopping Centre in Gqeberha.

According to bystanders on the scene the pizza he was supposed to deliver was still in his delivery bag.

According to Colonel Priscilla Naidu, police spokesperson, the motorcycle and a minibus taxi was involved in an accident in Samantha Way in Kabega Park.

The motorbike rider died on the scene. It is further alleged that both vehicles were travelling in the same direction and as the minibus wanted to turn onto the N2, he bumped into the biker. There were no other injuries,” Naidu said.

The deceased’s name has not yet been released as his next of kin has not been informed of his death at this stage.

“A case of culpable homicide is under investigation,” said Naidu.