By Phumlani Saul

Workers from the VWSA production line in Uitenhage temporarily downed tools on Friday for what they claimed was the flouting of Covid-19 regulations by the company.

Chanting struggle songs and wearing masks, workers left their stations and protested outside the assembly plant, where they were eventually addressed by management.

A worker who did not want to be named accused the company of putting their lives at risk when supervisors called employees waiting for their Covid-19 test results back to work.

“We’re feeling unsafe because we’ve been told that supervisors are calling people who are at home in isolation waiting for their results to come to work, which places the rest of us at risk of catching this virus,” the worker said.

Another worker said people were dying at VW and the move by supervisors did not take into account the risk factor.

She was echoed by a colleague who also said VWSA had, before employees returned to work, promised certain regulations and were now reneging on those.

Comment from VWSA spokesperson Andile Dlamini was not received by Friday night.

National Union of Metalworkers of SA shop steward Zama Silo said workers were concerned about health and safety issues.

“Workers are saying the company is changing regulations that while some employees are awaiting their results, they should come to work, which poses the risk of spreading the virus.

“Other issues raised, which were secondary, included the TERS (temporary employee relief scheme) as they have not received their May UIF payments.

“Workers are saying they have been waiting on money from May already, and that there has been no proper updates on this and the company has not been fully transparent,” Silo said.

Numsa regional secretary Mziyanda Twani, who was in a meeting with VWSA shop stewards, said the fundamental issue was the feeling of being unsafe in the workplace.

What we’re being told is management representatives, their isolation and quarantine periods, place other employees at risk.

“In terms of numbers, the plant has become an epicentre for Covid-19 and there are genuine health and safety concerns by our members,” Twani said.

He added that the automotive giant was running on a three-shift system but wanted to introduce a two-shift system, which workers felt would cause congestion.

“We’re meeting with management to see how we can find a way to move forward and resolve this.

“On the TERS situation, it’s more of a frustration because our members have been raising this and management showed that on June 13 their application was successful but there’s been nothing beyond that,” Twani said.

By Phumlani Saul

Tempers flared, fists flew and insults were hurled when RDP homeowners in Nkandla removed illegal connections made by residents of Endlovini informal settlement, Port Elizabeth, on Thursday morning.

Nkandla residents complain that the illegal connections (izinyoka) cause power outages and surges that damage their electrical appliances.

When Nkandla residents started to remove the izinyoka, Endlovini residents came out in numbers and grabbed their step ladder. Members on both sides carried hammers and sticks. Stones were thrown.

Nkandla residents ripped out izinyoka and burnt them at the nearby taxi rank. In retaliation, Endlovini residents demolished three shacks belonging to Nkandla RDP house owners.

Lerato Nyendwana, the owner of one of the shacks that was demolished, said, “I just bought this shack for R2,500 from one of the Nkandla community leaders and I moved in last Saturday … They stole my groceries and TV, and broke my bed.”

Mphuthumi Makeleni, deputy chairperson of the Nkandla residents committee, said: “For two days we had no electricity. Another electric pole overloaded with izinyoka connections exploded … Municipal workers came and fixed the damaged pole. The electricity came back on Wednesday.”

“On Wednesday afternoon we started to remove these illegal connections and we saw an improvement in the electric supply.”

“In the past everything was going well because the first people who started Endlovini are our backyard dwellers and [our] over aged children. But now strangers from Uitenhage, New Brighton, Zwide and from all over the metro are bullying us in this area.

“We asked them nicely to connect from our houses not directly from the poles because that damages transformers and our electric appliances. We told them that we understand their situation and we have experience of it. We did it too before we got these houses but in a respectful manner,” he said.

Phindile Mashalaba, chairperson of the Endlovini residents committee, said: “We did not come here to fight but to ask Nkandla residents to understand our pain that we are suffering without electricity … There is no need to fight against one another because our municipality [Nelson Mandela Bay] failed us.”

“Our area is four years old. It has about 600 occupied shacks. All those households share four communal taps and 14 chemical toilets.

“Before [former mayor Mongameli ] Bobani stepped down, he promised us that there was R15 million allocated for the development of our area. Even the current leadership said that it was aware of that commitment … During the first council meeting this year we visited the municipality and we were promised that decision has not changed. But till today, we have not seen the service delivery.”

But Ward 41 Councillor Simphiwe Tyukana (ANC) said: “I am not aware of any budget allocated for Endlovini. Any development that takes place in a ward starts with the ward councillor. It’s him who submits the proposal and data of the houses that need electricity … I am not even aware of the meeting they claim they had with former mayor Bobani. In fact I never heard anything in a council meeting being discussed about Endlovini.”

“There is no way electricity can be installed there because the area is overcrowded. It has … to be de-densified.

“The community leaders must also be honest and tell their people the truth and stop blaming me,” he said.

Municipality spokesperson Mamela Ndamase said: “The City does have a programme of electrification of shacks. In the past financial year we spent more than R15 million on the electrifications of shacks programme. This financial year the City has budgeted R37.7 million for informal housing electrification to deal with the problem.”

“We are aware of clashes caused by illegal electricity connections across the city. We continue to have a challenge of illegal connections in our municipality and it poses a challenge to residents living in formal houses as their appliances get damaged, but more concerning are the deaths [by accidental electrocution] that are caused by this crime,” she said.

By Phumlani Saul

“It is easy for this government to shoot at us when we protest. But it is difficult to give us the houses we were promised since 2015”

Residents in Khayamnandi Extension confront police for firing at them with rubber bullets. Residents have been demonstrating over faulty cement foundations for years. Photo: Nonkululeko Getty

• Residents in Despatch have protested for many years about 116 failed cement foundations meant for RDP houses.
• After years of wrangling the Department of Human Settlements committed to rectifying the problem by the end of March 2020.
• Nothing has happened and Covid-19 is being blamed.

About 200 residents of Khayamnandi Extension in Despatch, between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage, clashed with Public Order Police on Friday afternoon after they blocked Old Uitenhage Road with burning tyres and rocks. They are demanding that 116 poorly built cement foundations meant for RDP houses be rectified.

Police dispersed the demonstrators with rubber bullets. Three people were arrested. Further confrontations ensued when residents demanded the police release those arrested.

“Why are you shooting us like we are animals? Do you see baboons or monkeys here? You did not even bother yourself and ask us why we are protesting? You just shoot at us,” Xolelwa Gora told the police.

“It is not nice to see elderly women living in wet and cold shacks because of empty promises by housing officials,” she said.

The problem with the cement foundations has been on-going for years with Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Housing Development Agency (HDA) playing the blame game.

Earlier this year, residents protested and the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements did an about turn and agreed to rebuild the 116 foundations by the end of March so that housing construction could resume. The Khayamnandi Housing Project will build 479 units.

Community leader Fanisile Mkolweni said the Covid-19 lockdown then interrupted things, “but now all the projects in many wards have resumed and nothing is being said about us”.

“On 26 June the municipal acting director for Human Settlements was here. He told us they were waiting for the Head of Department and MEC to sign in order for the project to start.

“He then promised to organise a video conference for us the following day with the relevant officials. But that could not take place. He told us that one of the officials at HDA offices died of Covid-19 and they could not use the offices. Since then we never heard from him. We even tried to call him but he is not picking up our calls. That left us with no choice but to come here and protest so that they can come and give us the answers,” he said.

“We are sick and tired of empty promises. Why is it difficult for this government to finish only 116 houses?” he asked. “It is easy for this government to shoot at us when we protest for our rights. But it is difficult to give us the houses that we were promised since 2015.”

Police spokesperson Gerda Swart said, “I can confirm three male suspects, between the ages of 43 and 48 were arrested on Friday following a protest action on Old Uitenhage Road.

“According to police information the suspects burned tyres and blocked the road. They were arrested on a charge under the Criminal Amendment Act – damaging of infrastructure. They will appear in Uitenhage Magistrate Court on Monday.”

Masiza Mazizi, spokesperson for Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC Nonkqubela Pieters, said, “We are engaged in a process of ensuring that projects of outstanding rectification of houses and construction 116 additional houses kicks off. The delay was due to lockdown regulations.

“The MEC has delegated senior officials of the Department to meet with community leaders on Monday at 10am for a proper briefing in this regard. Both delegations from police and the community have agreed to this request.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

According to insiders she was taken off air two weeks ago.

She also denied allegations that one of the station’s senior managers was suspended for sharing information with a sister station.

“There’s no truth that one employee of Umhlobo Wenene had shared an idea of a Spar calendar with Ukhozi FM. Over the years, Spar has sponsored both stations.” Nomonde’s suspension follows allegations that she has been repeatedly playing certain songs more than twice on her hour-long show, Iqonga Levangeli.

An informant claimed Nomonde is facing charges of misconduct, following allegations that she accepted payola from artists. The source said the SABC first launched an investigation before taking her off air.

Commented the informant: “This isn’t the first time Nomonde’s been accused of accepting payola from artists and played their songs repeatedly in one show. “Years ago, she was investigated for the same thing but cleared of any wrongdoing. But now she’s been given the boot.” Another mole said Nomonde, who hosts a show on Tuesdays, may have gotten the short end of the stick.

“I suspect she took the fall for someone, but this doesn’t mean she wasn’t involved. I guess she wasn’t lucky.” Mmoni could not divulge as to how long is Nomonde going to be off air for. But another mole insisted that she has been fired. Nomonde could not be reached for comment. Daily kasi news reported last month that several music producers complained to the station management that she was playing songs for the people who had paid to be on air.

In 2017, the the public broadcaster cleared her after allegation that she had asked for money to interview Yongama Mrwetyana.

By Phumlani.saul

Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane will lead a team of government officials on Tuesday to the opening of phase 1 of the field hospital built by Volkswagen Group South Africa and funded by the German government for COVID-19 patients in Port Elizabeth.

The Premier’s Office says Germany’s R107 million donation, as well as funds from VWSA, means that the facility can accommodate up to 3 300 beds for patients once fully operational.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will be responsible for its daily operations and management.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize will attend Tuesday’s event and deliver the keynote address.

By Thelma Vena

Two people were killed and 13 others injured following a collision on the R75- Uitenhage Road in an area known as Chatty Dip.

 minibus taxi collided with a Volkswagen Golf in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

According to Provincial traffic, the taxi carrying 13 occupants was travelling from Perseverance towards Bethelsdorp when it collided into the Golf at 4 am.

It is alleged that reckless and negligent driving was the cause of the collision as one of the vehicles failed to obey the traffic signals.

Both occupants in the Golf died at the scene, while passengers in the taxi including the driver were taken to Dora Nginza Hospital for further medical assistance.

A case of culpable homicide is being investigated

By Phumlani.Saul

The correctional services department is in a rush to release almost 17,000 prisoners in just over four weeks in an effort to reduce the prison population in line with a special parole dispensation.

The department has until July 17 to place thousands of sentenced offenders who will benefit from a special parole dispensation announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 8.ADVERTISEMENTnull

The special parole for low-risk qualifying sentenced offenders with five or less years remaining on their sentences is aimed to reduce the prisoner population from overcrowded correctional facilities to manage the spread of Covid-19.

The department’s spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the placement of convicts who will benefit started on June 10 and 2,280 have been released.null

Nxumalo said the rate of cases of special paroles being considered “is expected to increase in the coming weeks”.

“The project is scheduled to run over a 10-week period and with placement of qualifying offenders… to [run until] July 17 2020. The schedule provides for placement of qualifying offenders in controllable groups and that vulnerable groups are prioritised,” Nxumalo said.

“The department is working tirelessly to ensure that the target date is met whilst ensuring that the consideration, victim participation and offering of programmes to qualifying offenders are not compromised,” Nxumalo said.

This comes as several correctional facilities across the country have recorded Covid-19 infections with several hundreds of inmates testing positive.ADVERTISEMENTnull

Nxumalo said the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases had, among others, created a stigma against its employees at correctional facilities.

“The increase in the number of officials and offenders testing positive for Covid-19 has created a stigma against offenders and officials.

“This is negatively affecting the confirmation of support systems of offenders who are benefiting from the special parole dispensation, in that some families are reluctant to sign for some offenders with fear that upon placement the offenders will infect them.”

By Phumlani Saul

An alleged gangster  accused of murder, attempted murder and other offences is expected to learn his fate next week.

Closing arguments in the case against Walter Williams, 22, were heard in Port Elizabeth High Court on Thursday.

It is alleged that Williams, of Helenvale,  is a member of the New Time Bozzas gang, but  he insists he had no gang affiliation before his arrest.

However, Williams, who has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, claimed that after his arrest and  incarceration at the St Albans Correctional Facility he had joined the 26 gang for his own protection.

Williams is accused of attempting to kill a state witness and injuring two passers-by, aged 13 and 16 at the time, during a shooting on December 9 2018.

It is alleged that the next day, Williams shot and killed alleged gang informant Richard Marius Stuurman at a house in Kobus Street, Helenvale.

Williams testified this week that at the time of the shootings he worked as a hawker and was selling fruit and vegetables in the Greenacres area.

During closing arguments on Thursday, state prosecutor advocate Rafiq Ahmed pointed out that, at the time of his arrest in January 2019 and twice thereafter, Williams had told detectives he was unemployed.

Ahmed said Williams, who pleaded not guilty to 10 charges, including one of murder, three of attempted murder and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, was a poor witness and his evidence was so contradictory that the court should not believe a word he said.

According to the witness, after Williams consumed a glass of cold drink he stood up, apologised to the homeowner and pulled out a gun, pointed it at Stuurman and fired a shot at his head.

Stuurman died at the scene.

In the earlier incident, Williams’ alleged target, a state witness in the case against convicted gangster Maxwell Muller, said he had seen Williams approaching him and, knowing he was a target, ran away before Williams opened fire on him, injuring the two teenagers in the process.

Muller was found by the court to be a member of the New Time Bozzas gang when he was convicted of murder in October.

Williams’s defence counsel, advocate Jodine Coertzen, said though the witnesses from both the Kobus Street shooting and the earlier incident were unreliable and lacked credibility, her own client was also a poor witness.

“I am not going to deny that [Williams] was a poor witness,” Coertzen said.

She said the state had not proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Williams was the shooter in the two incidents.

Acting judge Sureshni Moodliar is expected to hand down judgment on Monday.

Daily Kasi News Reporter

Department of Transport in EC

The Department of Transport in the Eastern Cape says there has been a significant spike in criminal activities and accidents in the Province since the country moved to Lockdown Level 3 on the fist of June.

The Department said in a statement that they fully support the EC Premier’s call for a review on the unbanning of alcohol.

The Department said in the first ten days of the month, 60 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, whilst 35 cases of culpable homicide is under investigation.

According to statistics provided by the South African Police in the province, there have been 114 murder cases opened, 61 attempted murders and 117 cases of rape.

In some cases, just the nine days into Level 3 has accounted for nearly half of what was recorded in April and May respectively. The two months marked the core of Lockdown Level 5 and 4 and the total ban on the sale of alcohol in the country.

Eastern Cape Transport, Safety and Liaison MEC, Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe says these numbers just cannot be ignored.

By Thelma Vena

Alert police members attached to the Port Elizabeth Port of Entry have seized drugs worth more than R80 000 whilst conducting their day to day duties at the Airport on Tuesday

Spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci says the members were busy searching and profiling packages from courier companies when they came across a suspicious parcel.

She says custom officials were immediately called to conduct a drug test which confirmed their suspicions.

The parcel contained a total of 30 heroin tablets, 121g of dagga and dagga seeds.

No arrests have been made and the investigation continues.