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.”

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

SINCE the beginning of the continuous load shedding, many residents have been left living in the dark for weeks.

Most areas in Kariega and Nelson Mandela Municipality are also not spared as they are battling with cable theft and electricity infrastructure damages.

This has left the areas without electricity and the municipality is under pressure to restore power due to lack of manpower and resources.

The municipality reportedly loses over R10 million every year due to this.The municipality’s by-law enforcement officers have been out in full force with the help of residents through tip offs to put an end to cable theft

They have, since the Easter weekend, until Monday, 10 April arrested five izinyoka in different areas. 

Some of the izinyoka were found in possession of the cables while others were caught in the act.

Municipal spokesman, Mthubanzi Mnike, said two of the suspects who were operating from a property along Cape Road behind a fuel station between Cuyler garage and Traffic department were caught with a bulk of skinned cables.

Mnike said they appreciate the cooperation by community members in the fight against cable theft.

“We are hard at work in effort to root out cable theft but we need the assistance of community members as municipal community services cannot be everywhere at the same time,” he said.

On the other hand, police spokesperson, Colonel Gerda Swarts, said suspects were arrested for tampering with essential infrastructure and will appear before different magistrate courts soon.

A resident who didn’t want to be named said they will continue assisting the municipality with tip offs as they can’t afford to stay in the dark due to izinyoka.

“Izinyoka should be grateful that they are arrested by officials and not community members as we won’t show mercy because they are costing us a lot,” said the resident. 

Others called for scrap metal workshops that buy electricity cables from izinyoka to be punished once they are found.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

Humewood detectives have arrested a man believed to be linked to the murder of the Life St George’s Hospital employee who was shot and killed on Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the detectives’ investigation had led them to a house in Kensington, where a 35-year-old man was arrested on Monday afternoon.

Carol-Ann Magielies, 49, was gunned down outside the hospital at about 7pm as she was walking to her transport after finishing work.

She was allegedly accosted by a man who pulled her to one side before shooting her multiple times.

She was rushed into the hospital but died shortly afterwards.

On Monday morning, police received information about a body found in a shack among the dunes next to Marine Drive, Summerstrand.

The body of Magielies’s ex-boyfriend, Elgin Maghienda, 51, the prime suspect in her shooting, was found after it appeared he had committed suicide.

After the discovery of the deceased ex-boyfriend’s body in Marine Drive, Detective Sergeant Ridwaan Baatjies received information of a Ford Icon, as well as the driver, allegedly involved in the murder on Sunday evening.

“At about 2pm on Monday, an address in Haigh Avenue, Kensington, was visited and a 35-year-old male was arrested and the vehicle confiscated,” Janse van Rensburg said.

The man was detained on a charge of murder and was expected to appear in the Gqeberha magistrate’s court on Wednesday.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

A man believed to have shot dead a Life St George’s Hospital nurse outside a Gqeberha hospital after she finished a 12-hour shift, has been found dead.

The nurse, Carol Ann Magielies, 49, was killed on Sunday night while she was on her way to her transport home, and the gunman fled on foot

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensberg said police were on the hunt for 51-year-old Elgin Maghienda in connection with the murder.

“It is further alleged that the deceased (Maghienda) is suspected of having been involved in the shooting of Carol Ann Magielies, who was fatally shot outside a hospital in Park Drive last night,” Janse van Rensburg added.

He and Magielies had a rocky relationship.

She added that Maghienda approached residents of a nearby informal structure at around 20:00, about an hour after Magielies had been shot, looking for shelter for the night. He was allowed to stay overnight.

On Monday, the residents left him behind when they went to the shops and upon their return at about 11:00, they found Maghienda dead, Janse van Rensburg said.

Police opened an inquest docket.

Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said

Life Healthcare Group CEO Adam Pyle said Magielies had succumbed to her injuries after a suspected domestic violence-related shooting outside the hospital.

“Tragically, the employee was shot while leaving the premises to get transport home after concluding her shift. Our heartfelt and sincere condolences go out to her family, friends and the Life St George’s Hospital team,” Pyle said.

He revealed that the group’s employee wellness programme was rolling out trauma counselling to all hospital staff.

“We know this is an extremely difficult and devastating time, and our thoughts are with them all,” he added.

Anyone who can assist with the investigation can contact SAPS Humewood Detective Sergeant Ridwaan Baatjies at 073 130 3018, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or contact the nearest police station

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

TWO tsotsis were rescued by cops in Bishibha, near Kirkwood on Monday, 3 April.

This after community members cornered the thugs, tied them with ropes and paraded them in the streets.

The thugs were accused of robbing people of their cellphones in Bhishibha and Bhongweni kasis before stabbing them.

Resident Xolisa Ndabeni told Daily Kasi News there have been a number of murders in recent months.

He said three thugs, who are known to the community, committed the crimes and the residents reported them to the police, but they are not arrested.

“They are proud that they don’t get arrested and keep on killing,” said Xolisa.

Residents claimed the thugs targeted all the people who reported them to the police.

“The thugs are now ruling our area and putting our lives in danger,” said a resident.

On Sunday, 2 April the thugs allegedly killed someone and ran away to Bhongweni town flats to hide, but the police were on their trail.

Gatvol residents also took to the streets on Monday looking for the thugs and found them in their hideout in Bhitshiba.

They torched the block of flats and one of the thugs escaped through the ceiling, but the other two were nabbed by the angry community members.

One of the residents at the flats said: “The escaped suspect is the owner of the flats and always brings his friends who steal electricity cables at the flats.”

Another resident said while the thugs were being assaulted by the flat residents for stealing copper cables, Bhongweni community members arrived and demanded the three thugs.

“Two of the thugs were caught by angry community members. They weretied with ropes and dragged to Bhongweni,” said the resident.

The police arrived in numbers and rescued the two men.

Police spokeswoman Sergeant Ndambi Toeland said the cops rescued two men from angry residents who accused them of having a cellphone belonging to someone who was killed in Bhishibha.

She said the matter is under investigation and the suspects are expected to be charged with theft.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

An employee at Life St George’s Hospital succumbed to her injuries after being shot while leaving the hospital on Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the police were investigating a case of murder after Carol Anne Magielies, 49, died in hospital after being shot several times shortly after 7pm.

“It is alleged the deceased was on her way to get into her transport after she finished work,” she said.

“She was approached by an unknown suspect, who pulled her aside and fired multiple shots at her.”

She said the suspect had fled and the victim had been rushed into the hospital, but had died shortly afterwards.

While the motive for the shooting is still unknown, bystanders alleged Magielies’s ex-boyfriend might have been involved.

Life St George’s Hospital management confirmed the incident and said the police had its full co-operation.

“The hospital has been secured and remains safe for patients, staff and visitors,” it said in a statement.

“Hospital services have not been affected and the emergency unit remains operational for medical emergencies.”

After the incident ambulances were temporarily diverted to other hospitals while the police were still on the scene, but services have since returned to normal.

BY LUDWE MANGALI

A 40-year-old businesswoman from Gqeberha, who was abducted at gunpoint from her business premises in New Brighton on Sunday, was found on Monday evening and is back home with her family.

Members of the police’s Flying Squad followed up on information that led them to Ezinyoka, in Missionvale, where the woman, a Chinese national, was found.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the kidnapping took place at about 2.30pm on Sunday when two armed suspects allegedly entered the shop, grabbed the victim at gunpoint, and took her outside where she was loaded into a brown VW Polo.

The car was found abandoned in Klaas Street, Zwide, hours later.

It is alleged that a ransom demand of R20m was made to the victim’s family.

“According to the victim she was blindfolded and taken to a roofless deserted house in Mbeki Street, Ezinyoka. Her hands were tied with cable ties,” Mgolodela said.

However, on Monday evening she managed to untie herself and jumped over the wall and asked neighbours for help, leading to members of the Flying Squad finding her. 

Mgolodela said the investigation is ongoing and no ransom was paid.