BY PHUMLANI SAUL

ANDISIWE Nqanqase is angry that a tavern bouncer sjamboked her in front of people for nothing.

The 29-year-old was drinking with her friend at a tavern in Mandela village in KwaLanga, near Kariega on Saturday,17 February when the friend got drunk and put her head on the table. 

Andisiwe left the tavern for a few seconds with another friend and went home to change her clothes.

When she came back, she took the sleeping friend out of the tavern. The bouncer swore at her and when she asked why he was swearing, he allegedly told her she was supposed to clean her friend’s vomit.

“I had not seen that my friend had vomited. The bouncer didn’t let me know, but approached me with a bad attitude. He then chased us from the tavern and said we must go drink somewhere else,” said Andisiwe.

She then told the man that she was drinking booze using her own money and she didn’t want to be told where to drink.

The man got angry and allegedly slapped Andisiwe on the face, but she retaliated by hitting him with a bottle

The man ran inside and fetched a sjambok which he used to whip me badly. I was embarrassed and bruised by what he did,” she said.

A group of women marched to the tavern Monday demanding answers. Community leader, Ncumisa Zondani, said they will not keep quiet in the face of gender-based violence. 

“Cops must deal with this man because it is clear he is in the habit of abusing women,” she said.

Andisiwe’s aunt Thantaswa (47) said she was shocked to see her niece with marks all over her body.

“It looks like he wanted her dead because he moered her as if my niece was a snake. I want to see that man in jail,” she said. 

Andidiwe opened against her attacker at kermish cop shop. 

Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Andisiwe opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case. 

“No arrests have been made. The investigation continues,” said Twigg.

By Phumza Wannie

Screeching tyres, horrifying screams, and then silence — this is how a witness vividly described a peak-hour accident that resulted in a traffic cop being struck and killed by a manganese ore truck on the N2 in Kinkelbos on Tuesday afternoon.

One moment Silwana Hadi, 43, was signalling for the truck to stop and be weighed, and the next she was lying lifeless on the side of the road. 

The 35-year-old driver has since been arrested.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the incident occurred at the Kinkelbos weighbridge station at about 3pm.

“She was declared dead [at] the scene,” she said.

“He is detained at the Kinkelbos police station for further investigation.”

Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the department was aware of the incident.

According to a video taken by an eyewitness, Hadi was lying on the right-hand side of the road.

“She was bumped,” the witness said.

In the same video, seen by Daily Kasi News Team, one of her colleagues is walking towards her.

DA MPL Marshall von Buchenroder said the horrific accident had once again brought into sharp focus the high volume of manganese trucks on this stretch of road and the dangers that went with them.

“There has been a steady stream of complaints regarding reckless and negligent driving and downright indecent behaviour by these truck drivers towards fellow road users,” Buchenroder said.

“Late last year, in November, a manganese truck driver was arrested after four people died in an accident on the N9 at Middelburg. 

“The DA is calling on premier Oscar Mabuyane and transport MEC Xolile Nqatha to find long-term solutions to reduce the volume of manganese ore trucks on our roads.

“It is clear that MEC Nqatha’s earlier appeals for manganese ore truck drivers to obey the rules of the road and to respect other road users have fallen on deaf ears.”

BY LUXOLO THYUME

Healthcare services at Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha were interrupted on Thursday when a majority of the workers embarked on strike action over unpaid overtime.

The strike comes a week after healthcare workers at the Livingstone Hospital embarked on a go-slow over the same issue.

Fed-up workers were seen dancing and singing inside of the building while airing their grievances.

The main gate which provides entry to the hospital grounds was forced shut, which caused ambulances to be locked inside.

This significantly delayed Emergency Services Personnel (EMS) from tending to emergencies timeously.

Eventually, the police were called in to restore calm

A source reliably told DK News that those who are owed money, include doctors and staff who commenced duty in December, and were still owed their salaries.

A spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Health Department, Sizwe Kupelo said they were aware of the protest.

According to Kupelo, the payment of all outstanding funds was being prioritised.

He said it was “unfortunate” that hospital management had delayed their payment submissions when other hospitals had done so last week.

“Our appeal to the workers is that we do not engage each other through protest actions but rather have an engagement to not endanger the lives of our patients.

“We are working on the logistics to ensure that monies are paid within the next payment run,” he said.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

A KwaNobuhle man was shot dead in broad daylight in front of a KwaNobuhle primary school on Monday.

The body of Sinawo Jonas, 28, was found sprawled in the middle of Mbengo Street in a pool of blood,  a stone’s throw from Sikothina Primary School

He was shot in the head. 

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the incident occurred at about 10.45am.

“On arrival, the body of Sinawo Jonas was found lying in the street with one gunshot wound to his head,” Beetge said.

“The motive for the murder is still unknown and a case of murder was opened and is being investigated by KwaNobuhle police.”

The incident follows less than a week after Nigel Ricardo Fortuin, 34, was shot dead near a primary school in Rosedale, Kariega, as pupils, parents and community members ran for cover.

As Fortuin  lay dead in a pool of  blood in Kiaat Street —   just metres away from his home — the  culprits fled on foot.

By Phumlani Saul

The musically-gifted Bala family is mourning the death of their ‘beloved father’, Sebenzile Jafta.

Zwai Bala announced the news of his death on Socials  on Saturday. He wrote: “It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our father, Sebenzile Jafta, who departed this morning.

“He left us so suddenly after being admitted to hospital on Thursday evening. As a family, we had hoped that he’d recover and return to us. As amaVala, amaZangwa, namaNgwevu, we wish for his soul to rest in eternal peace, and we are honoured to have had the opportunity to know and be with him while he was alive.”

His brother Loyiso also wrote on social media: “The Bala Family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, Sebenzile Jafta. Tatu Jafta left us suddenly after going to the Hospital on Thursday evening. Despite our hopes, he didn’t return. We express gratitude for the time spent with him. May his soul rest in peace.

Tatu Jafta, as he is best known, appeared on The Bala Family reality show, which airs on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). The show follows brothers Zwai, Loyiso and Phelo and the rest of their family as they overcome various obstacles, including individual religious and cultural beliefs, sexuality and cultural views on family life

The channel paid tribute to Tatu Jafta in a post on social media platform X (formerly known as twitter.

“Mzansi Magic would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sebenzile Jafta, affectionately known as uTatu Jafta to our viewers. May the Jafta and Bala Family be comforted during these trying times, and we thank Mr Jafta for his contribution to The Bala Family Show and our channel. Phumla Ngoxolo Tatu Jafta

By Phumlani Saul

Crumbling infrastructure, vandalism and crime have held many schools in the province by the scruff of the neck however the newly built Nkululeko Senior Secondary School in KwaNobuhle in Kariega, boasts a state-of-the-art building that is protected by security guards and cameras.

Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane, Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Babalwa Lobishe and school principal Sizwe Stokwe were among the entourage of dignitaries who were part of the flag hoisting ceremony as well as the official handover of the school where they were welcomed by a band, school choir and guard of honour.

Grey, blue and white colours flew above the premier as he announced that the long wait for a fully functional high school, was finally over.

Stokwe says the previous building in which they taught, was crumbling and did not have toilet facilities. “In this new building, we are safe, have toilets and are protected from crime.”

The R81 million facility boasts a science and computer lab, multi-purpose classrooms, a nutrition centre, a netball court and an administration block.

Furthermore, the upgraded facility also has high-security features including fencing, a guard house and safe rooms.

Mabuyane sang praises for the school and said: “One can never go wrong when investing in education.” He also implored the community to hold hands with the community policing forum to ensure that the school does not fall prey to criminals and criminal activities.

“A school is left in the hands of the school governing body, school management and the community therefore, the community needs to play an active part in ensuring that that it is not a hub for criminals. This school also gives the community a facelift because it is a beacon of hope for our leaders of the future.”

Mangaliso Saul A grade 11 learner who braved the old school building told Daily Kasi News, “ The day has been a dream come true. “Our hope and dreams have been restored. We now look forward to coming to school because of these new facilities. The new school has rules and encourages us to want to give our best at all times,” says Mangaliso

Parent Cikiziwe Zinto (45) told DK news “ We’ve waited for too long now Our wait is over.”

“Now we have to look after this beautiful school we have “says Zinto

By Noxolo Zeyo

An unknown man who got his hands on a coffin caused a social media stir when a photograph of him pulling it along Commercial Road in Gqeberha went viral on Monday

Daily Kasi News reached out to police to verify the unusual sight, when officers were tasked to scout cemeteries in the area.

Spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge says as the photo went viral a case was opened at the Algoa Park police station.

He says the man realised he was getting unwanted attention and abandoned the coffin and his trolley before fleeing the scene.

Captain Beetge says the coffin was confiscated by SAPS at about 1 pm.

He says the coffin has for now been booked in as a “found property”.

Beetge says although it is still a mystery as to where the coffin came from, the investigation continues.

When asked if there could have been a body inside, police declined to comment and said it would form part of their investigation.

No arrests have been made.

BY Phumlani Saul

The driver of the minibus was declared dead on the scene, while a 15-year-old boy died in hospital.

Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide following a fatal accident between a minibus taxi and a train which claimed the life of the taxi driver and a learner (15).

Twenty school learners were injured in the accident which happened yesterday afternoon in the Addo region in the Eastern Cape.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu, police were called to the scene at about 15:45 police where the taxi, transporting learners from Samnkelwe Senior Secondary School back home, had collided with a train transporting Manganese near the railway crossing in Nomathamsanqa.

“The driver of the minibus was declared dead at the scene, while 20 passengers from the minibus were rushed to hospital. One of the victims, a 15-year-old boy, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Gqeberha,” says Naidu.

Unfortunately the boy succumbed to his injuries mere hours after being airlifted to Livingston Hospital.

EMS assisted with immediate assistance on the scene, while medical personnel in Addo and Kirkwood assisted the injured.

This very busy and dangerous crossing is the only legal entry into the Nomathamsanqa informal settlement. Community members and family of the learners gathered here when they were eventually allowed on the scene.

This accident adds to the current crisis with regard to the status of learner transport in the province.

The investigation is ongoing

By Phumlani Saul

MANY izangoma usually consult clients from their indumba.

But sangoma Fresh Molambo from Zimbabwe is easy to find and is always ready to help clients.

He is known as the drive through sangoma as he operates from a busy road in Gqeberha ,where he sells imbiza and helps couples with their problems.

The 57-year-old said he’s been a sangoma for 35 years, and working from the road was a good idea.

He struggled to get clients when he worked from home, so he tried to sell imbiza from the roadside and the response was positive.

He said his customers included cops, taxi and truck drivers, teachers and other motorists.

“I don’t only sell imbiza, but I talk to those who want to consult,” he said

Sangoma Fresh said he sold his imbiza in two-litre bottles and said his muthi has helped many people.

This isn’t only for men. Even women can drink it and it makes magic in the bedroom,” he said.

“It also helps men who have a problem with erection and low libido. Women struggling to fall pregnant can also drink it.”

One of sangoma Fresh’s customers, Brian Nkabi (56), said: “My wife was cheating on me because I wasn’t that active in bed.

“A friend of mine told me about this imbiza and the roadside sangoma. Ever since I knew about it, I’ve never been the same,” he said.

Another customer, Cecilia Jobo (30) had thought she was barren.

“I thought I couldn’t have kids, but didn’t want to give up. I tried this muthi and I now have three kids.”

By Phumlani Saul

Dora Nginza Hospital is in ailing health, with its power supply still cut off and staff having to rely on generators for the fourth day in a row.

Health spokesperson Dr Sizwe Kupelo said the hospital was in an emergency.

The generators are all running,” he said.

“When it comes to diesel, we have enough until about 1pm on [Sunday].

“We have arranged with Livingstone for further collection of diesel.”

Kupelo said the plan was to switch off the generators for an hour each to rest the machines and top up on gas.

“That will lead to one machine running at a time. We shared the schedule with unit managers.”

He said the bulk medical oxygen tank had been connected to a generator.

“We will also try to do the same for one of the kitchen fridges,” he said.

“C [Block] only had temporary repairs. It is holding.

“We will do the other repairs if needed during the rest period.”

The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality said earlier yesterday that the power outage affecting Dora Nginza, which started on Thursday, was due to vandalised metering and protection equipment which caused the nearby substation to trip.

Municipal spokesperson Kupido Baron said on Sunday afternoon officials were still at the hospital and working hard to reinstate the power supply.

“Work is ongoing,” he said.

“We stepped in beyond our call of duty to assist the hospital following the power outage caused by cable theft, as the hospital’s service provider had difficulty  restoring supply.

“[This resulted] in the hospital using emergency generators to continue treating patients unabated.

“The failed equipment malfunctioned due to the vandalism, and we replaced the damaged cable and are still on site in an effort to help the hospital.”

Bay safety and security boss Stag Mitchell said a singular device remained inoperable due to burnout.

“The electricity directorate is at the hospital, diligently working to normalise the situation and ensure the full restoration of all services,” he said.

According to an internal health report, seen by The Herald, there were by the time of publication no fatalities attributable to the blackout.

The report also states that the casualty unit operated at full capacity without any reported incidents.

“Patients [are] given meals according to a schedule drawn up by the food service manager working closely with Livingstone Hospital,” the report reads.

The mortuary [is] functional and emergency calls are made to private undertakers when there is a need to evacuate.”

According to insiders, the municipality inadvertently connected the medical wards and residences in an incorrect sequence by linking three live cables in the wrong order, causing damage to the switches.

As a result, the hospital is relying on standby generators.

“We are trying to get the correct sequence, then the blown unit will be replaced, which is just a plug-in unit, and then we will set the correct sequence,” an insider said.