By Nomathamsanqa Magwa
The Department of Correctional Services has warned of consequences for the ringleaders behind an incident at St Albans Correctional Centre in Port Elizabeth where awaiting trial prisoners set fire to their prison uniforms.

Spokesperson, Singabhako Nxumalo, said the incident on Tuesday followed demands by the inmates for cigarettes and also to be taken to court for their cases to be heard.

He said officials explained to them that the sale of cigarettes is prohibited under Level 4 lockdown regulations while courts administer their own rolls and issue dates for all those awaiting trial inmates whose cases were remanded.

Nxumalo said once they realised that their demands were not going to be met they set fire to their clothes and tossed the burning items out of the cell windows.

He said the situation was contained without the need to use force and the burning items were extinguished.

Nxumalo warned though that the ringleaders would face the consequences.

Daily kasi news Reporter

The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed the deaths of two inmates at the East London Correctional Centre.

Spokesperson, Singabhako Nxumalo, said the deceased had “underlying co-morbid conditions” and died five days apart.

He said the Department had sent messages of condolence to their families.

Six new cases were also reported at the prison, taking the number of confirmed cases at the EL Centre to 100. These included 35 officials and 65 inmates.

“Our health care practitioners are already on-site providing an array of health services. They have been provided with adequate Personal Protection Equipment and they are attending to the cases and are monitoring the situation so that those in need of urgent medical attention can be attended to,” Nxumalo said.

He added that there were 58 recoveries, which he said was “a clear indication of the effectiveness of the containment and treatment pillar of the DCS’ Covid-19 Disaster Management Response Strategy.”

Under this strategy, there is rapid identification of laboratory-confirmed cases, and inmates who test positive are isolated and have access to quality healthcare that enable their recovery, he said.

Nxumalo also said that the total number of Covid19 cases within the Department of Correctional Services stood at 165 countrywide, with one death in the Western Cape under investigation.

“We continue to work with the Department of Health, adhering to all their guidelines in fighting against this pandemic,” he said.

By Phumlani Saul

Volkswagen Group South Africa said it had secured about R107m in funding to convert its Port Elizabeth plant into a temporary medical facility to assist in the fight against the covid19 pandemic.

The money would come from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, after an approach from VWSA chairman and managing director, Thomas Schaeffer.

Over the next six to eight weeks, the 66 000 square metre building in Korsten, Port Elizabeth would be converted into a medical facility, able to accommodate 1 484 patients after the first phase is completed.

At full capacity, the facility would be able to accommodate up to 4 000 beds.

Schaefer said that the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) would provide funding of 5.2 million Euros (R107 million).

This would support the conversion of the plant as well as the procurement of protective gear (PPE) for staff at regional tertiary hospitals, regional Primary Care Clinics and 49 Covid-19 test centres.

He added that VWSA would contribute R28 million to the project and would provide the project management for the conversion of the facility and management of the procurement of the critical Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

“The plant will be made available to the government until March 2021, with the Department of Health and the NMBM responsible for the management and daily operations of the facility,” he said.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber’s role would be to assist in facilitating the project and garnering further support from its membership base.

Schaefer said that this commitment was VWSA’s latest move in the fight against the global Covid-19 crisis.

“The company has also been working on the manufacture of ventilators, respirators and masks in partnership with other local businesses, and has offered ongoing support to the Business Chamber and the Municipality in their coordinated efforts to bolster medical care in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.”

“Solidarity is crucial in a crisis and Covid-19 is an unprecedented global threat,” he said

By Phumlani Saul

The New Brighton police station in Port Elizabeth has been closed after a SAPS member tested positive for the covid19 coronavirus.

National police spokesperson, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, said that all other SAPS members are being screened and tested and are in self-isolation

He said the building is currently undergoing decontamination and the public will be informed when it reopens.

Naidoo said the community Service Centre will now be operating from the Nongeza Jebe Hall which is in Ntshekisa Street in New Brighton.

People are advised to call 10111 for all emergencies and complaints which will be attended to by the Mount Road Operational Command Centre members.

Brigadier Naidoo said that the telephone lines at New Brighton police station community service centre will no longer be accessible.

“The SAPS management apologises for any inconvenience that may arise from this,” he said.

New Brighton police station closed due to COVID 19 yesterday

By Phumlani Saul

Volkswagen Group South Africa has donated 150 beds to the isolation facility at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The motor giant says this is in support of the local and provincial government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the Metro.

The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality recently announced that the stadium would be used to isolate patients who had been infected with the coronavirus.

The facility will be managed by the Department of Health, with support from the Municipality.

VWSA was approached by the Department of Health to assist in equipping the facility to house more patients. Within the space of a week, the company answered this call and sourced the required 150 bed bases. These beds were delivered and handed over to the government by VWSA and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber.

“VWSA remains committed to supporting the Business Chamber and local government in their efforts to contain Covid-19 and save lives,” said Thomas Schaefer, Volkswagen Group South Africa Chairman and Managing Director.

Volkswagen main entrance in Uitenhage

By ANDREW Lloyd

Eastern Cape health MEC Sindiswa Gomba has apologised for the “wrong impression” created when she uttered the word andidikwe (I am fed up) after a zoom briefing with health minister Zweli Mkhize on Tuesday evening.

Gomba, together with other provincial health MECs, was giving an update on efforts to combat Covid-19.

The MEC said she had noted that it may have come across as though she was fed up with the briefing, however, that was not the case, adding that she was not heard saying ndiyatsha (I am getting hot) shortly thereafter.

“I understand the impression that was created when I said andidikwe’ ndiyatsha during the briefing.

“At the time of saying that I was moving away from the laptop and taking off the doek.

“I profusely apologise for the wrong impression that this created as I am committed in the fight against this pandemic,” she said.

Gomba said she had had a long day visiting hospitals in the Mthatha area during the rainy and cold weather on Tuesday.

She said exhaustion had got the better of her as she forgot to mute her microphone after the virtual media briefing when she expressed how uncomfortable she was, having worn warm attire since morning.

Eastern Cape health MEC Sindiswa Gomba apologises to health minister Zweli Mkhize for her ‘andidikwe’ blunder

By Nomathamsanqa Magwa

Umhlobo Wenene FM listeners have been plunged into mourning after the shock death of popular sports anchor and news producer Loyiso Sitsheke on Wednesday.

Stunned Umhlobo Wenene station manager Phumzile Mnci said he had not come to terms with the sudden death of the popular presenter.

“Where do I start?” he said.“We received the news of Loyd’s passing this afternoon (on Wednesday afternoon)….. we are shocked.

“It is with great shock and sadness…..”

Sitsheke was on air on Umhlobo Wenene FM on Tuesday and stunned listeners took to social media to communicate their shock after the news broke on Wednesday.

Mnci paid tribute to Sitsheke and said his death is a huge loss to the nation and not just to the radio station’s listeners.

He described him as an extremely talented presenter who is leaving behind a powerful legacy after he grew the listernership of all the station’s sports shows.

“It hurts, these news hurt so much, it is devastating actually,” he said.

“We want to send our condolences to the family, the fans and also the millions of listeners of Umhlobo Wenene FM.

“We are saying to them their loss is our loss, their loss is the nation’s loss.”

Details of his funeral arrangements will be communicated at a later stage.

The late Umhlobo Wenene FM popular sports presenter Loyiso Sitsheke.

By Phumlani Saul

Police in Uitenhage have launched a manhunt for an unknown gunman who shot and killed a 26-year-old man in Rosedale.

Spokesperson, Captain Gerda Swart, says the man was standing with a group of friends when they were approached by an unknown suspect who suddenly fired several shots at them, at the corners of Lanner Crescent and Kamesh Road, after midday on Thursday.

She says the man sustained multiple shots to his upper body and was rushed to a local hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Swart says while the motive for the murder is unclear at this stage his identity will only be revealed once his next of kin are informed of his death.

Police are urging anyone with information relating to the fatal shooting, to contact them as soon as possible.

By DK news Reporter

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation this evening on additional economic and social relief measures that form part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The President’s address flows from recent deliberations at Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council, the President’s Coordinating Council, and the National Economic Development and Labour Council, among others.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko says the Presidency will announce the time for the President’s address during the course of today.

The address will be broadcast on radio and television and will be streamed live.

By Phumlani Saul

Police are maintaining a strong presence in Kwanobuhle in Uitenhage after Jikeleza taxi drivers whose vehicles were impounded, protested outside the police station on Monday.

National police spokesperson, Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, said about 40 taxi drivers converged in front of the police station in Mkoko Street to demand the release of their vehicles.

He said about 60 taxis were impounded in various operations after they were found to be unroadworthy and the drivers were also fined for contravening the Disaster Management Act.

“Police were forced to use stun grenades to disperse the crowd that was burning tyres at the entrance of the station,” Naidoo said.

A 28-year-old man was arrested for public violence and will face an additional charge of contravening the Disaster Management Act.

“Currently, there is a strong police presence from other stations and specialised units to assist with patrols and enforce lockdown regulations,” Naidoo said.

Meanwhile, he said a case of public violence is under investigation after a group of people tried to loot a spaza shop in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, also on Monday morning.

Naidoo said the crowd started throwing stones when they were requested to disperse.

He said Public Order Police Unit members used teargas rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the crowd.

Nothing was taken from the spaza shop and no one was arrested.

Protesters in KwaNobuhle near Uitenhage burning tyres in front of Mkoko Police Station. Photo by Phumlani Saul