By NOMONDE CUSHE

 courier truck ferrying test samples for the National Health Laboratory Services was hijacked in Port Elizabeth Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has confirmed.

Mabuyane used his weekly media briefing on Tuesday to condemn criminal activity he said happened on Monday afternoon. 

“Yesterday we received reports that a courier vehicle transporting Covid-19 specimens for the NHLS [National Health Laboratory Service] was hijacked in Port Elizabeth and criminals who did this took a white container with the specimens. We condemn this act of criminality, which puts the lives of people at risk,” Mabuyane said.

He said anyone who sees a white cooler box must report to the police.

This is not the first time that there has been a mishap with the test kits.

Last month hundreds of Covid-19 Test kits — all marked as urgent — were found dumped on the side of a national road in the Eastern Cape.

At the time of writing, police had not been able to confirm the incident.

By Phumlani.Saul

A body of a man believed to be in his thirties has been found floating in the Swartkops River in Despatch.

Police spokesperson, Captain Gerda Swart says the body was found last week Friday and police now need the help of community members to track down his next of kin.

She says he was found wearing a black tracksuit top with a colourful top with stripes and blue jeans.

He is about 1.75m in height and weighs about 85kg. 

Any person with information can contact the Despatch police.

By Nomonde Cushe

An organiser for the Nkandla Residents Committee, was shot and wounded on Sunday morning in the ongoing battle over electricity between residents of Nkandla, Port Elizabeth, a neighbourhood of RDP houses, and Endlovini, a neighbouring informal settlement.

The shooting followed the burning of four Endlovini shacks on Friday.

The man who was shot is known to Dk news but for his safety police have asked that we not name him.

On Friday we reported the clashes between residents of the two communities. Endlovini residents have been connecting electricity illegally from houses in Nkandla because they say the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has failed to provide them with services.

The latest violence comes despite the intervention of Mayco Member for Infrastructure, Electricity and Engineering Andile Lungisa as well as police.

The clashes began last week when Nkandla residents tried to remove illegal electricity connections from municipal electricity poles. They claimed that they had no electricity for two days and these illegal connections were damaging their appliances and affecting the supply of their electricity.

After they removed some of the cables they saw an improvement in electric supply which prompted them to go back on Thursday and remove all the remaining illegal connections of Endlovini residents.

But chaos broke out when Endlovini residents tried to stop them. They threw stones at each other. Some shacks belonging to Nkandla community leaders and relatives were demolished.

Endlovini residents then restored their illegal connections. The four shacks were burnt on Friday after this.

An Nkandla community leader who asked not to be named for safety said that the organiser was shot at many times. “They tried to force the door open but he prevented them by blocking the door. But they shot him from behind the door. He then managed to escape through the other door into one of the nearby houses. On his door there are about ten bullet holes.”

“We rushed him to hospital with a bakkie. He is in critical but stable condition. Doctors are busy removing the bullets in his body,” the leader said.

Athenkosi Bokolo of Endlovini who is ill says he was woken up by a mob who threw stones at his home on Friday afternoon. “I am sick and I was lying on my bed when a huge mob arrived and threw stones at my home. They were very angry, accusing my sister of being a sell-out. His shack was destroyed.

“After Thursday’s fight the residents restored their illegal connections. But my sister refused to make illegal connections again. She advised other residents to ask for permission from the RDP house owners to connect directly from their homes not from the poles. She was then accused of supporting Nkandla while living in Endlovini.”

“I am left with this gown that I am wearing. All my other clothes and my important documents were burnt,” he said.

Njabulo Boma, a community leader of Endlovini said: “A meeting was called between us and police to make peace between our communities. But we saw Nkandla residents torching our shacks. Three of our shacks including the shack of our chairperson Phindile Mashalaba were set alight.”

“The mob was coming to mine but luckily police arrived. What is even worse, I heard that there is a hit list for all the community leaders. And I am third on that list.”

“Police said we should not retaliate and burn the RDP houses because it won’t be easy to rebuild them,” she said.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said: “Four shacks were burnt down on Friday. Due to a fight between these communities over illegal electricity connections. Then we called a meeting between the two groups to make peace with each other.”

“On Sunday at about 12am a man was shot and wounded at his home by unknown gunmen. At the moment we cannot say whether or not this incident is related to the electricity fight. That would be determined by our investigations.

“But for now the situation is tense in the area. Though there are no actions taking place,” he said.

Ward councillor Simphiwe Tyukana (ANC) said: “I called Andile Lungisa to intervene. He addressed the residents on Saturday. He then promised to send officials from his department on Monday to assess what can be done as an interim solution for electricity for people of Endlovini.”

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.”