BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Three men were arrested at the weekend in two separate incidents relating to theft and damage to Nelson Mandela Bay metro facilities.

The latest arrest was in Kariega on Sunday morning when city security officers, patrolling the KwaNobuhle Multipurpose Stadium, spotted four men acting suspiciously.

The suspects fled in different directions and a chase ensued, culminating in one arrest.

Safety and security political head Lawrence Troon said the suspects had allegedly been stripping roof sheets from the building.

In an earlier incident, two suspects were arrested late on Friday night after being found in possession of suspected stolen municipal palisade fencing.

Patrolling metro facilities protection response team officers came across an Isuzu bakkie parked on the N2, behind the Fishwater Flats wastewater treatment works.

Two women and a child were in the vehicle.

“On further inspection, they noticed the vehicle was fully loaded with green palisade fencing bars, the same as those at the outer fence of Fishwater flats, which are close by.”

Officers found two men hiding in nearby bushes and took them back to the bakkie.

They two showed the officers where they allegedly stole the fencing at Fishwater flats and were instructed to drive their vehicle to the Swartkops police station under escort, but sped off.

A chase ensured, during which the bakkie drove into one of the municipal vehicles in Bluewater Bay.

The officers managed to corner the bakkie and apprehend the suspects, who were taken to the Swartkops police station, where the men were arrested.

The arrests followed the recovery, at a scrap dealership, of nine sections of palisade fencing stolen from the North End Cemetery on Friday afternoon.

“This arrest is a breakthrough as we have since learnt that the vehicle used is the same bakkie that is implicated in the North End Cemetery vandalism and theft case,” Troon said.

BY DOREEN LOUBSER

Less than a week,Another police sergeant has been gunned down in Motherwell in Gqeberha

Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, says the officer attached to the Swartkops Rapid Response Unit was shot outside Aya’s tavern at Mgwalana Street on Sunday.

She says the motive for the shooting is not known yet, but the Hawks are investigating the matter.

The shooting follows just five days after a court orderly was gunned down inside the Motherwell court building.

The slain Sergeant was identified as 42-year-old Mario Nel

A man accused of killing Nel was wounded in a shoot-out with police and already made his first appearance in court where the matter was postponed to the 5th of June.

This is the third police Sergeant to be killed in the Eastern Cape in the space of a week.

A week ago, 41-year-old Sergeant Lwando Bunga attached to the Public Order Police (POP) unit in East London was killed when he responded to a cash-in-transit robbery in West Bank

BY LUXOLO NDABAMBI

A GOOD Samaritan and neighbour has dedicated time to helping Gloria Ludidi. 

Joshua Loyi (46) been carrying Gloria (57) on his back after her left leg was amputated at Provincial Hospital in May 2022 due to diabetes.

He told Daily kasi News he saw it fit to help Gloria as the family lives on a hill in Dubai informal settlement in Gunguluza, Eastern Cape and taxis cannot reach their area.

“I will continue to help the family with the spirit of Ubuntu. The family cannot afford to carry the woman down to the taxis or push her in a wheelchair because the place is full of rocks,” he said.

Joshua said he carries Gloria when she goes for check-ups. “The situation is bad. No one works in their home and I even share food with them. They even ask for help at night,” he said.

Joshua appealed for help for Gloria as she is suffering.

Gloria said she is thankful she lives next to a kind neighbour who doesn’t mind helping her.

She said Joshua has never complained about carrying her on his back, adding that she is looking for a better place as she struggles to go to the hospital or shops.

“I live with my only daughter Noxolo and five grandchildren. They receive child support grants, but the money is not enough to see us through the whole month. 

“I am appealing for help because I struggle to reach the hospital without help. The place I live in is full of rocks. I struggled when I had two legs, but now it’s worse since my other leg had been amputated,” she said.

Noxolo (39) said her mother’s situation is very bad and she cannot do anything on her own without help.

“We struggle to take her to the taxis if she wants to go the hospital. We appeal for a better place where she can move easily in a wheelchair,” she said.

Community and Social Development, Peggy de Bruin, said she escalated the matter to the provincial Social Development Department to see how Gloria could be helped.

BY BRENDON NEL

At least four gunmen opened fire at a Gqeberha medical facility on Wednesday night, fatally wounding the doctor inside. 

The doctor, Bantu Noqekwa, 56, died inside his practice in Njoli Street, Zwide.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed the shooting. 

“The four suspects entered the Noqekwa practice this evening [Wednesday] and killed Bantu,” Beetge said.

He said police were investigating. 

“The motive is yet to be determined.”

The shooters were still at large on Wednesday night. 

The violence in Zwide was the latest in a string of fatal shootings in Gqeberha.

BY ARON MAKELENI

A police officer was shot dead inside the Motherwell court building.

It is believed the officer’s service pistol was taken.

Unconfirmed reports say a colleague may also have been shot.

police sergeant who was serving as a court orderly at the Motherwell Magistrate’s Court in Gqeberha on Wednesday morning.

At the time of his death, the 42-year-old sergeant had 16 years’ service with the police.

Provincial spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana said that according to the police’s preliminary investigation, the arrested suspect entered the Motherwell Court building at about 9.20am, disarmed the member, shot and killed him with the State firearm and thereafter fled on foot.

“Members of the Anti-Gang unit who were patrolling the area immediately responded and were alerted by a taxi driver that the suspect who was in possession of the firearm was in the taxi.

“The suspect immediately opened fire at the police and members returned fire, and the suspect sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to hospital under police guard,” Kinana said.

Kinana also said that police recovered the member’s state firearm, and commuters who were in the taxi at the time were not injured in the crossfire.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

TWO suspects have been arrested for possession of illegal firearms and dealing in drugs in Mandela Village near Kariega , Eastern Cape.

Their arrest on Friday morning, 5 May, comes after intense investigations by the provincial drugs and firearms unit.

Colonel Robert Ntsundwana said one suspect (28) was found in possession of 750 heroin capsules, two firearms whose serial numbers were filed off and ammunition.

“Another suspect, a 43-year-old man, was also nabbed with 900 capsules of heroin. The two will appear in Kariega Magistrates Court soon,” said Ntsundwana

He said on Wednesday, 26 April, officers from the same unit arrested a suspect who was found in possession of a state-issued firearm and a homemade gun as well as rounds of ammunition in emahlabathini area of KwaLanga.

“Investigation are underway to determine how the state firearm landed in his hands.

“A day later, 27 April 2023 members attached to the same unit arrested a suspect who was found in possession of rock cocaine, Mandrax tablets and crystal meth in Rosedale,” he said.

BY NOMA-AFRIKA BENELWA

A two year old toddler has died in a fire after the family’s shack was gutted during the early hours of Sunday morning in the Kingstown informal settlement in Despatch.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said it’s alleged that at about 15 minutes after midnight, the owner of the shack  was woken by the smell of smoke and fire.

She said the man ran out of the shack to get help and was assisted by the community  members to save his family.

Colonel Naidu says a group of community members assisted, however when the shack was completely engulfed by the fire, they then realised that the little boy was not accounted for.

Sadly, little  Adriaan Leeuskieter perished in the blaze.

It is suspected that a candle may have been the cause of the fire.

Police are investigating an inquest.

BY LOLWETHU LEEU

The unique IsiXhosa music festival was on fire as they promise to uphold its standard at St George’s Park Cricket Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday April 29.

The festival was conceptualised and delivered in partnership with Standard Bank, Umhlobo Wenene FM and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. It was first hosted in December 2015 and was the largest indigenous language festival in the Eastern Cape.

Tongue twisting, finger licking isiXhosa cuisine were sold at the event, cooked by the best isiXhosa chefs in the country. The dishes include Umphokoqo, Umxhaxha and Umkhuphu amongst other famous isiXhosa dishes.

PR, Marketing & Advertising Manager at Amandla Management Services Rebecca Tlabago said: “The festival has been celebrated since 2015, and this year we are proud to announce that we are hosting the second official instalment of the festival.

“Over the years, we sat and reflected on the first event, in the hopes to maintain the standard that it holds. We were ready and excited for what is to become of this year’s showcase.”

It feature Ringo Madlingozi, Nathi Mankayi, Amanda Black, 047, Max-Hoba, Ntsika – formerly of The Soil, along with Zuko_SA, Dumza Maswana, Nomty Ngwetsheni, Zimsto Eroofini, Andy Ndlazilwana, Dongadala (poet), Joliza, Nosisi Mavela, Qhama Afrika Dance Group, Luckeez Mfowethu, Phila Madlingozi, Asanda Mqiki, KingJade and BabyJoe.

Tlabago said: “The festival is a celebration of the second most spoken indigenous language in South Africa. Our aim is to promote, preserve and develop our isiXhosa heritage, language, culture, and tradition. We are not only about the music, but we are also providing people with an opportunity to explore isiXhosa culture through food, attire, accessories and souvenir stalls, a Xhosa market.

“The IsiXhosa Music Festival is a festival of the people. It is a very inclusive space that welcomes all people from all parts of the universe.”

She further detailed on the attire that attendees should show up in.

“We would like to have all our guests dressed in IsiXhosa regalia, this does not mean that you may not come as you are, but we do encourage the public to proudly dress for the occasion. We also extend traditional wear to other tribes, as we have confirmed that the festival is not limited to just Xhosa speaking people.”

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

A gruesome accident claimed the lives of two people outside KFC in Caledon Street, Kariega, this morning, April 29.

The driver of a Toyota Yaris was travelling from the direction of Despatch and allegedly lost control of his vehicle shortly after arriving in Kariega at approximately 07:30.

Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said that the driver, who has been identified as John Tessner, hit a concrete pole and started rolling.

In the process, the car hit two pedestrians and another pole before coming to a standstill outside KFC’s doors.

Tessner (36) died on impact. 

One of the pedestrians, Cesare di Basilio (51) also died at the scene. The other pedestrian, Bennie Greeff (60) was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“All of them are from Kariega,” Naidu said.

A case of culpable homicide is under investigation.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

WHILE driving home after attending a funeral service in his community, the Addo cop shop’s station commander narrowly escaped death. 

This after he came came face to face with an alleged robbery suspect who pointed a firearm at him as he approached a crossing in Addo, Eastern Cape, on Wednesday, 26 April.

Colonel Priscilla Naidu said: “It is alleged that at about 6.20pm, the station commander was stopped by a group of children informing him of a robbery taking place at a supermarket. 

“While still obtaining information, one suspect approached his vehicle, pointed a firearm at him and ordered him to get out. However, the police officer sped off with shots being fired at him.

He immediately went to another police officer’s house and fetched him and together they searched for the suspects’ vehicle, a silver Chevrolet Captiva.

She said the vehicle was spotted speeding out of the Nomathamsanqa location where a high speed chase ensued. The five suspects abandoned the vehicle, ran into the fruit orchards and disappeared.

“Two firearms were found in the vehicle. Both firearms were reported stolen in Kabega Park (March 2023) and Addo (February 2023) areas respectively. The Chev Captiva was also hijacked in the Ikamvelihle area in March 2023. The property taken in the business robbery (cigarettes, airtime vouchers and cash) were found in the vehicle,” said Naidu.

She said both firearms will be sent to ballistics for analysis. Police are investigating cases of business robbery and attempted murder.

Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene said: “Despite coming under attack, the station commander still pursued the suspects after being assisted by a fellow officer. 

“As police officers, our calling is to serve and protect our communities as mandated by the Constitution. I also urge our men and women in blue to make safety their responsibility and to adhere to the operational safety guidelines on or off duty. The actions of the station commander and his colleague are commendable.”