By Tembile Sgqolana

ABAHLALI are still in shock after a man was arrested for an evil deed against his daughter (15). 

This after the 35-year-old man from Komani in the Eastern Cape allegedly raped and impregnated the teenager. 

According to the neighbours, the mum of the child left her 15-year-old daughter and a four-year-old with the father when she went to work in Joburg, Gauteng.

A resident alleged that the man raped his 15-year-old daughter while the mum was away, and this was only discovered when she fell pregnant.

“The community confronted the dad and asked him. He admitted to sleeping with his daughter and claimed he was bewitched. He told us his people bewitched him and made him rape his daughter,” said the resident. 

The resident claimed that the community wanted to beat the dad, but the victim’s uncle asked them not to take the law into their own hands.

We waited for the police to take him,” he said.

He said it was inhuman for any person to sleep with their kids and as a community, they demand justice.

The man appeared in the Komani Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 9 October. He has since applied for legal aid and will appear again on Monday, 14 October.

Police spokeswoman Captain Namhla Mdleleni confirmed the incident, saying the suspect is facing a rape charge. 

“He’ll be appearing again in court on Monday, 14 October 2024 for a formal bail application,” she said.

BY AZOLA MATROS

MEET Cian “Mahlalekhaya” McClelland, a traditional healer.

The 55-year-old traditional healer from KwaNonqaba in Alexandria rural, Eastern Cape, embraces amadlozi through zol.

He has worked with different traditional healers in Mzansi, including the late isanusi Vusamazulu “Credo Mutwa”, where he learnt about plants for medicine.

He runs a company called Druids Garden, where they plant zol for commercial and research purposes.

Mahlalekhaya said Africans who are becoming more westernized view izinyanga as witch doctors and evil.

“It’s not true. They’re indoctrinated by the West. This is a beautiful culture, not witchcraft. Zol is a powerful medicine. Our community in South Africa has been using it as food and medicine for many years,” Mahlalekhaya said.

He started his journey as an inyanga in 1990 and registered in 2019. He heals through questions, focusing on the body, mind, and pain.

Mahlalekhaya believes amadlozi are not evil but ancestors who are with God. He connects with the spirits and energy of ancestors and God, living near the mountains.

Mahlalekhaya has never seen a mamlambo but believes they exist. He started smoking zol and was arrested three times.

“Zol is the most powerful medicine in the world. I even used muthi in 1990 to wash my face for the magistrate to be nice to me,” said Mahlalekhaya.

He loves Xhosa traditional culture and energy and encourages other mlungus to embrace African culture and its medicine.

“It’s natural, and it has no side effects. It heals in a clean way,” he said.

The zol tree can make medicine, bricks, oil, fuel, plastics, clothes, and more.

Mahlalekhaya works with different plants and has more than 30 community projects in the country. 

He collaborates with gobela Simon “Mkhulu sijo” Varrall, understanding both African and Western ways of life.

Kariega Hospital on Brink of Collapse: Nurses Threaten Strike Over Staff Shortage and Unpaid Overtime

By Phumlani Saul

Kariega Hospital, formerly known as Uitenhage Provincial Hospital, is facing a crippling staff shortage, pushing nurses to the breaking point. Overworked and underpaid, they are now threatening to down tools unless the Eastern Cape Health Department addresses the critical shortage of workers and settles outstanding overtime payments.

The hospital’s understaffing has resulted in an unbearable workload for the remaining nurses, forcing them to assume additional responsibilities. Exhausted and demoralized, they claim that the department’s inaction has left them no choice but to consider industrial action.

Nurse told Daily Kasi News “We’re at a breaking point,” , who wished to remain anonymous. “We can’t keep shouldering the burden of inadequate staffing. Patient care is suffering, and our well-being is at risk.”

The nurses’ grievances include:

1. Chronic understaffing: Insufficient personnel to manage patient load.
2. Unpaid overtime: Staff have not received compensation for extra hours worked.
3. Increased workload: Remaining staff must take on additional responsibilities.

The Eastern Cape Health Department has been urged to:

1. Recruit more staff to alleviate the workload.
2. Settle outstanding overtime payments.
3. Improve working conditions.

Failure to address these concerns may lead to a full-scale strike, compromising patient care and exacerbating the hospital’s crisis.

The provincial health department has promised to investigate the matter, but nurses remain skeptical. “We’ve heard promises before,” said the nurse. “This time, we need action.”

As the situation unfolds, patients and the community hold their breath, hoping for a swift resolution to ensure quality healthcare and prevent a catastrophic collapse of Kariega Hospital.

BY Azola Matros

A 16-YEAR-OLD Gqeberha pupil has died after a taxi overturned.

The taxi, which was carrying 29 pupils overturned on Swartkops, near Gqeberha on Monday, 07 October.

The driver was transporting pupils from Motherwell. They attend various schools in the Gqeberha and Swartkops areas.

Police revealed that the 25-year-old driver, who has since been arrested, doesn’t have a driver’s licence. 

When the DK Team arrived at the scene, the taxi was still upside down on the side of the road. When it was later removed by a car towing company, a school bag, pencils, water bottles and hair extensions with some blood stains were found at the scene.

Police spokesman, Captain Frederick van Wyk said the taxi was overloaded.

Swartkops police registered a culpable homicide, driving without a valid driving licence, unroadworthy vehicle and overloading case for further investigation following an accident around 6.30am on Monday, 7 October, between Tafelberg street and Spine Road, where a Toyota Quantum carrying about 29 schoolkids lost control and overturned,” Van Wyk said.

“According to reports, the minibus taxi was transporting schoolkids to different schools in Swartkops and Motherwell when it lost control and overturned. A 16-year-old girl was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel due to injuries sustained. Others were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The 25-year-old taxi driver was arrested for the abovementioned charges and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court once charged

We’re deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving a vehicle transporting pupils this morning, which resulted in the heartbreaking loss of a young life. 

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family of the dead during this incredibly difficult time. We also wish those who were injured speedy recovery. The safety and well-being of our kids are of utmost importance, and this incident is a devastating reminder of the fragility of life,” Sileku said.  

By NOMALUNGELO BOOI

The muthi battle between a wife and a nyatsi has left the 43-year-old wife with a husband who won’t poke her – and even if he tries, his erection can’t stand up to the occasion.

The woman from Duduza, KwaNobuhle, near Kariega told DK-News she’s been married to her husband for 13 years and she knows he has cheated on her several times. 

In September she found out her husband was cheating on her again and this time she decided to fight the nyatsi because she had already tried to sort out her husband and the woman was from her kasi.

“We were even in a stokvel together,” she said

She went to a sangoma.

“The sangoma told me this woman was already using muthi to try and destroy my marriage,” she said. 

She said the sangoma gave her some muthi to burn while communicating with her ancestors. 

She did as she was instructed and early in January, she bumped into the nyatsi at the mall.

“I confronted her and threatened to block her punani,” she said. 

But a week later, her husband’s 4-5 started failing when it was time to poke. Now the husband doesn’t want to poke her anymore and told her she needed to fix whatever was wrong with her punani. “This makes me angry. We’ve got this problem because of him!” she said. 

DK-News team spoke to the husband (49) who said he regretted cheating and would try his best to stop. He said he didn’t know why his 4-5 fails. 

He also said he had stopped seeing the other woman and would help his wife through this journey of getting her punani sorted out. 

The sangoma she consulted, Gogo Nomathongo Mngomezulu, confirmed the husband’s 4-5 is affected by the muthi the nyatsi was using to block the wife’s punani. 

She said in order for them to get their bedroom life back and to protect their marriage, they’d need to do certain things together. “It can’t just be the wife,” said GogoNomathongo. 

DK- team tried speaking to the nyatsi but she hung up when the reporter said she’s from the newspaper

BY AKHONA FENI

Inqweba Music Festival: A Celebration of Music, Community, and Economic Growth in Addo when Tennis Chic Takes Center Stage at Valencia Stadium on Saturday.

The picturesque town of Addo, nestled in the heart of the Eastern Cape, came alive with the rhythms of the Inqweba Music Festival.

This highly anticipated event brought together music enthusiasts, local and national artists, and community members for a day of unparalleled entertainment and unity.

Zolani Thukani ( 34 ) told Daily Kasi news “ iNgweba Festival is my favorite event of the year, the vibes are always electric!.

We’re excited to be here and create unforgettable experiences for this festival.

Amanda Rens ( 33 )said “ Festival brings our community together, it’s a truly special experience.

The festival showcased an impressive lineup of artists, blending genres and styles to cater to diverse musical tastes. National headliners shared the stage with local talent, providing a platform for emerging artists to shine.

The electric atmosphere was palpable as festival-goers sang along to familiar tunes and discovered new favorites.

Mr. Thela Steals the Show

As the sun began to set, the crowd’s anticipation grew, awaiting the arrival of the festival’s main attraction – Mr. Thela. The dynamic performer took to the stage, delivering an electrifying set that left the audience mesmerized.

Hundreds of festival-goers danced and sang along, lost in the infectious energy of Mr. Thela’s performance.

Community Spirit and Economic Growth

Beyond the music, the Inqweba Music Festival aimed to contribute meaningfully to the local economy. By hosting this event, organizers sought to:

•⁠ ⁠Boost tourism in the Sundays River Municipality
•⁠ ⁠Support local businesses and entrepreneurs
•⁠ ⁠Foster community engagement and social cohesion

The festival’s impact extended beyond the music, cultivating a sense of pride and ownership among residents. As local businesses benefited from increased foot traffic and revenue, the community came together to celebrate their shared heritage.

The Inqweba Music Festival proved an unqualified success, surpassing expectations and setting the stage for future events. As the dust settles and plans begin for next year’s festival, one thing is clear – Inqweba has cemented its place as a premier music event in the Eastern Cape.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Shocking twist Convicted of 600 Counts of Fraud, Former Fleet Administrator’s Sudden Death Raises Eyebrows

In a stunning turn of events, a former Volkswagen fleet administrator, convicted of an astonishing 597 counts of fraud, has died just two months into his prison sentence.

Christo de Juger 45-year-old convict, was found guilty earlier this year in an Eastern Cape court of swindling millions from the German automaker through elaborate fraudulent schemes.

Sources close to the investigation revealed that the former employee exploited company policies to approve fake invoices, manipulate vendor accounts, and siphon funds for personal gain.

“The extent of his deceit was staggering,” said a prosecution spokesperson. “He abused his position of trust, causing significant financial harm to Volkswagen.”

After a lengthy trial, the convicted fraudster was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. However, his life behind bars was cut short when he succumbed to unknown causes.

The Department of Correctional Services confirmed the inmate’s death but refused to disclose further details, citing ongoing investigations.

“This is a tragic and unexpected development,” said a Volkswagen spokesperson. “We hope that justice will still be served, and that the circumstances surrounding his death will be thoroughly investigated.”

As authorities probe the circumstances surrounding the convict’s demise, many questions remain unanswered. Was his death related to his crimes, or was it a tragic coincidence?

The case has left many stunned, sparking debate about the effectiveness of South Africa’s justice system and the consequences of white-collar crime.

BY AZOLA MATROS

Gqeberha Blooms with Vibrant Heritage Celebration

Sunday, September 22, marked a spectacular display of Eastern Cape’s artistic heritage as the All-White Heritage Day Picnic painted Gqeberha white-hot with culture! As spring’s vibrant hues brighten up the Bay, this stunning event drew over 3,000 enthusiasts, previewing the excitement building up to December’s Ebubeleni Festival.

The impressive turnout at the picnic, presented by Ebubeleni Festival organizers, sets the stage for a phenomenal festival experience. This precursor event showcased the best of local talent, leaving attendees eager for more.

“The overwhelming response is a testament to our community’s passion for heritage and culture,” said Marc Mahambehlala . “We’re thrilled to build on this momentum for Ebubeleni Festival.”

“ Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of culture, music, dance, and art as the annual Ebubeleni Festival takes center stage in December. This extravaganza promises to usher in the new year with a bang!”

Don’t miss the ultimate cultural experience in Gqeberha!

Nokululeko Mondile (32) told Daily Kasi News The All-White Heritage picnic was a truly unforgettable experience! The energy, the music, the people – everything came together to create a magical atmosphere.”

“I loved how the event celebrated our heritage and culture. It was amazing to see so many people from different backgrounds coming together.”said Nonkululeko

Siyasanga Nkala (27) said ⁠”The picnic was a beautiful display of unity and diversity. I can’t wait for the Ebubeleni Festival in December!”

⁠”The music, the fashion, the food – everything was on point! It was an incredible celebration of our heritage.” – Siyasanga Nkala

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Police are still searching for the gunman who shot and killed a 59-year-old man in front of the VW ATM in Kariega on Friday.

A brutal and senseless shooting outside an ATM in Algoa Road, near the VW factory, has left one person dead and sent shockwaves through the Kariega community.

According to Captain Andre Beetge, spokesperson for the South African Police Service (SAPS), the deceased, a resident of Kwanobuhle, had stopped at the ATM with a female passenger. As she exited the vehicle to withdraw cash, a green Chevrolet Spark pulled up in front of their Mercedes.

In a brazen and deadly attack, an unknown male suspect approached the driver’s side window and fired multiple shots, fatally injuring the driver. The female passenger fled towards the VW factory while the suspect escaped in the Chevrolet Spark, heading towards Kariega.

“The motive behind this senseless killing is still unknown,” Captain Beetge said. “A case of murder is currently under investigation by the SAPS.”

The SAPS has urged anyone with information that could aid the investigation to come forward.

Unknown person who don’t want to be named told Daily Kasi News “ The incident has left the Kariega community and the Volkswagen workers reeling, with many expressing concern about the escalating violence and crime in the area.”

“This senseless killing is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by our community,” said local resident.

“We urge the authorities to take swift action and bring the perpetrators to justice. It’s a first time people got shot near VW and we don’t feel safe anymore “

The incident raises concerns about the safety of ATMs and public spaces in the area.

“The SAPS will increase patrols and visibility in the area to ensure public safety,” Captain Beetge assured.

Appeal for Information

Anyone with information about the incident or the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Kariega police station .

BY Lolwethu Leeu

The Afrika Unite Cultural International Festival that was scheduled to take place this Saturday at East London has been postponed due to the Metro’s security cluster being stretched out of resources by the Chippa United FC vs Richards Bay FC game on the 21 September 2024. 

 

The event organizer, Luzuko Khohli expressed disappointment and said he understood the inconvenience that this will cause to the many loyal and new patrons that had “already made plans to celebrate their heritage with us” 

 

According to Khohli, numerous meetings were held with the security cluster, and they did indicate the capacity challenge and tried their level best to rescue the situation but unfortunately it didn’t work out. 

 

Speaking on behalf of the Stadium Management Group, the stadium manager Bongani Tobadi confirmed that “indeed the Afrika Unite team had booked the venue on time and the necessary arrangements had been made to be able to host the two events simultaneously. Both teams did everything possible to ensure that both events take place but unfortunately, due to the above-mentioned circumstances the event had to be postponed. However, the stadium management is still looking forward to hosting the festival upon confirmation of their new proposed date.” 

 

Khohli and his team has set 16^th December 2024 as the new proposed date of the event and promised that they have communicated with all the artists and stakeholders about this date, as a result of this, “we will keep 90% of the line-up and have started making calls to see which other artists we can add to accommodate a vast audience. It must be noted though that as much we have consulted with stake holders on the date, the date will only be formerly communicated after all necessary considerations by parties. Khohli said that “at Afrika Unite, we always strive to do better, we will maintain this mantra” 

 

Ticket holders have the option of claiming their refunds via the same platform they used to purchase their tickets or to keep the tickets for the proposed 16^th of December. 

 

“Speaking on behalf of the entire Afrika Unite organizing team, we wish to thank all the people who continue to support us, this includes our partners and funders in Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency. We also thank our media partners who assisted us in spreading our message.” said Khohli.