BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Eight people were killed and two wounded in two separate incidents in KwaNobuhle near Kariega on Thursday.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene has subsequently ordered a 72-hour activation plan to track, trace and arrest those responsible for the carnage.

In the first incident, at about 11.45am, the bodies of four males were found inside a Mazda 323 in Mabi Street.

They had all been shot multiple times.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu told Daily Kasi News “a fifth male, also with multiple gunshot wounds, was found lying behind the vehicle and was taken to hospital.”

“The body of a sixth victim was found lying a few metres away from the car, “Naidu said.

The still unidentified victims are estimated to be between 18 and 25 years old.

Naidu said in the second incident, at about 12.10pm, the bodies of three men were found in Zolanqini Street.

“Two were found inside a silver VW Polo while the third was found lying outside the vehicle.

“All had multiple gunshot wounds,” Naidu said.

The victims in this incident are estimated to be between 32 and 40.

The vehicle had been reported stolen in Humansdorp in May.

The motives for the murders are still unknown at this stage.

Naidu said the police were probing a possible link between the two incidents.

Mene, meanwhile, called on the community to assist police in apprehending those responsible for the carnage and has vowed that through the 72-hour activation plan all the resources needed in the investigation would be used to swiftly trace and arrest the culprits.

“We are urgently appealing to the community of KwaNobuhle to form a solid frontline with the police in combating crime and protecting their communities from these heinous crimes.

“We condemn these horrible murders and our detectives will be working hard to make sure that these criminals are behind bars as quickly as possible,” Mene said.

BY DK-NEWS JOURNALIST

Striking healthcare workers at Dora Nginza Hospital have returned to their posts after a stand-off over congestion and working conditions.

The stand-off ended after an agreement was reached between the Eastern Cape health department and unions.The strike left the hospital critically short of staff, especially in the maternity wards.

One baby died, another was left brain-dead and a mother was facing death because there was no staff available to support doctors.

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda said provincial health department head Dr Rolene Wagner and union leaders had met on Friday and Saturday at the hospital.

“The management team shared with the union the plans that are being implemented to decongest the hospital, ” Dekeda said.

“A theatre and 16-bed ward have been activated at Provincial Hospital to provide additional capacity in Nelson Mandela Bay for patients requiring level one care and caesarean section intervention.

“Letters of precautionary suspension issued against two shop stewards have been withdrawn.

“An agreement was reached to suspend the strike action with immediate effect on Friday evening.

“All workers have reported for duty to resume their responsibilities and services were fully restored across the weekend.”

She said it was affirmed that everyone wanted to ensure that pregnant women were admitted to the hospital and assigned available beds.

“The department is meeting with the national department of health and the office of the presidency as they have offered support for sustainable solutions.The Eastern Cape health department has to address the increased demand for care in this geographic service area.

“This includes addressing the trauma burden and mental healthcare needs of the Bay.”

According to an October 7 letter from Wagner to the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union, Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA, Health & Other Services Personnel Trade Union, Public Servants’ Association and National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers, the department had sought an interdict against the unions.

However, Wagner said: “The department will not need to pursue the interdict processes in court should the conditions of the interdict be adhered to.”

She said this and other parts of the deal were made “in the spirit of rebuilding relations between management and workers at Dora Nginza”.

“These agreements are made in good faith, to give an opportunity for further engagement between management and trade unions towards permanent solutions for Dora Nginza and other matters in Nelson Mandela Bay.”

Asked about the reason for the precautionary suspensions and the interdict conditions, Dekeda said they were confidential parts of the agreement and could not be discussed.

The unions could not be reached for comment.

BY MALUNGELO BOOI AND NKOSAZANA FIKILE

Three business robbery suspects were arrested and stolen property worth hundreds of thousands recovered after a robbery at Baywest Mall this morning, October 2.

At approximately 11:00, two suspects entered a clothing store at the mall allegedly pretending to be customers. As the complainant went to the back of the store to fetch a pair of takkies for the ‘customer,’ he was followed by a suspect who pulled out a firearm. Four more suspects allegedly entered the shop with firearms, then demanded the keys to the shop and safe. Three of the employees were taken to the back of the shop while the suspects ransacked the shop. The stolen clothing was shoved into a duvet cover and dragged out of the shop as they fled.

According to police spokesperson, Capt. Sandra Janse van Rensburg, an observant and alert police official that was on duty at the mall spotted the fleeing suspects dragging the stuffed duvet and immediately alerted his colleagues at the 10111 centre.

“The suspects fled in a silver VW Polo and silver Kia. The vehicles were circulated and immediately police officers from surrounding stations and units were on the hunt for the vehicles,” she said.

SAPS Kabega Park was first to spot the vehicles but lost them as they sped on the N2 towards New Brighton. Back-up vehicles were in close proximity and SAPS Mount Road and Gqeberha K9 were informed that a silver VW Polo was abandoned on the N2 freeway on-ramp towards Cotswold,” she added. Janse van Rensburg explained that residents in the area directed members towards Hammerkop Street in Cotswold Extension. One suspect jumped the fence into a yard and was arrested. Two more suspects hiding in the bushes were flushed and apprehended by their four-legged K9 officer, Diesel.

“No firearm was recovered, however, various items of the stolen clothing were recovered in the boot of the car. The estimated value of the stolen property is R200 000. The VW Polo was impounded for further investigation.”

The three suspects, aged between 25 and 35 years, were detained on charges of business robbery and will appear in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court during the week.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

A case of culpable homicide is under investigation after a food delivery motorcycle driver was hit by a taxi and died on the scene last night, September 24 around 18:00.

The driver, who is 35-years old, was on his way to deliver food when he was struck by the taxi near Metlife Plaza Shopping Centre in Gqeberha.

According to bystanders on the scene the pizza he was supposed to deliver was still in his delivery bag.

According to Colonel Priscilla Naidu, police spokesperson, the motorcycle and a minibus taxi was involved in an accident in Samantha Way in Kabega Park.

The motorbike rider died on the scene. It is further alleged that both vehicles were travelling in the same direction and as the minibus wanted to turn onto the N2, he bumped into the biker. There were no other injuries,” Naidu said.

The deceased’s name has not yet been released as his next of kin has not been informed of his death at this stage.

“A case of culpable homicide is under investigation,” said Naidu.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

Nelson Mandela Bay police are investigating the murder of a security guard who was gunned down in KwaNobuhle on Thursday morning.

The perpetrators fled with his firearm.

The 22-year-old Fidelity-ADT security guard and a colleague were escorting a bread delivery truck at about 9am when they were approached by two men.

“The deceased and his colleague were escorting the bread truck along Gqabi Street,” police spokesperson Captain Gerda Swart said.

“One of the suspects drew a firearm and started shooting at them.

“The deceased returned fire, but was fatally wounded.”

The perpetrators took the guard’s firearm before getting into a vehicle and fleeing.

The Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit is investigating cases of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The victim’s name will only be released once his next of kin has been notified.

Fidelity-ADT marketing and communications head Charnel Hattingh said they had launched an investigation into the incident and were working closely with the police to trace the culprits.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

About 300 broken and damaged vehicles are piled up at the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality’s fleet department depots.

At the Deal Party depot, tyres are simply wheeled out by thieves as this facility, like others in the metro, is poorly guarded.Parts are also often stripped from damaged cars, bakkies and trucks.

City councillors have been left gobsmacked by the implosion of the fleet department, having witnessed broken vehicles gathering dust during several oversight visits this year.

Thieves walked off with 37 tyres, valued at R37,000, from the Deal Party depot sometime between September 3 and September 5.

The same depot was hit in July, when 44 tyres were stolen.The municipality is scrambling to find a solution and on Tuesday a turnaround plan was presented to councillors at a roads and transport portfolio committee meeting.

Councillors also demanded an update on the more than 40 municipal vehicles damaged due to negligent driving, dumped at the Deal Party depot since the beginning of 2022.

Municipal spokesperson Mamela Ndamase said an investigation into the tyre thefts was under way.


City councillors have been left gobsmacked by the implosion of the fleet department, having witnessed broken vehicles gathering dust during several oversight visits this year.

Thieves walked off with 37 tyres, valued at R37,000, from the Deal Party depot sometime between September 3 and September 5.

The same depot was hit in July, when 44 tyres were stolen.



The municipality is scrambling to find a solution and on Tuesday a turnaround plan was presented to councillors at a roads and transport portfolio committee meeting.

Councillors also demanded an update on the more than 40 municipal vehicles damaged due to negligent driving, dumped at the Deal Party depot since the beginning of 2022.

Municipal spokesperson Mamela Ndamase said an investigation into the tyre thefts was under way.



“The municipality together with police are investigating the theft of tyres,” she said.

“We have increased security patrols and visits to the depot.

“As the matter is still under investigation, no disciplinary action has been taken against any official.

“In an effort to curb such criminal incidents, the city has now secured a more secure space for the stock to be kept safe.”

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg confirmed the thefts.

“Investigations are ongoing,” she said.

The 300 vehicles are part of the city’s 2,500-strong service delivery fleet that ranges from sedans to light vehicles and trucks.

In a report outlining the turnaround plan, roads and transport acting executive director Givon van Eyck said the deterioration of the fleet department was attributed to various issues.

At the centre of the department’s challenges are staff shortages, the loss of work ethic and a lack of investment in fleet infrastructure.

“At present, the fleet department has over 300 vehicles in its various workshops waiting for repairs,” Van Eyck wrote.

“All these vehicles are critical instruments in the service delivery value chain.”

The report, dated September 14, also states that since its establishment 22 years ago, there has been no review of the fleet institutional arrangements.

“The environment has significantly changed over the past 22 years,” he said.

His short-term plan included:

Security assessment of all depots and improvement of security and access control;
Filling of critical vacancies;

Procure and streamline all repair and maintenance services; and
Centralise the storage of irreparable vehicles to provide space in workshops.
Addressing councillors, Van Eyck said while he was not present during previous oversight visits, he had met supply chain officials to discuss issues hindering the department.

“We recently had a meeting with the supply chain to alleviate some of the immediate challenges we’re faced with.

“We had a number of resolutions, one of which was repairs and maintenance, which is now being done and expedited to clear the backlog,” Van Eyck said.

He said the contract for specialist work had been cancelled due to challenges, but work continued to be sent to available contractors.

“The issue of the misuse of fuel is also being resolved, we are waiting for the commencement of the installation of the fuel monitoring system.

“We are also going to conduct sight visits and develop security plans.

“We will be dependent on security companies to manage our depots because there are issues with the internal security personnel.”

The report states that the department uses officials to carry out repairs and maintenance but has limited resources.

ANC councillor Gamalihleli Maqula demanded a report on the rampant theft and damage to municipal vehicles.

“In the last meeting we had with officials, we asked for an investigation into the stolen vehicle tyres but that report is not here,” he said.

“You can’t come with excuses and you equally can’t have drunk security guards damaging municipal vehicles and nothing is done about it.

“I won’t take part in the adoption of a turnaround plan until we get a report about what is being done about government vehicles that aren’t working.”

He suggested the adoption of the turnaround plan be deferred to a steering committee.

DOP councillor Florence Hermaans said the need to install tracking devices to monitor state vehicles was a clear indication that they were being abused.

“[Van Eyck] spoke about systems that are obsolete, and about devices that will be installed to monitor state vehicles in terms of fuel usage and whether municipal vehicles will be used for the intended purpose.

“All this is a result of abuse of municipal vehicles without any consequence management in place.”

ACDP councillor Lance Grootboom said the issues at the fleet department affected services across the metro.

“I am looking at the turnaround plan but there are no time frames to measure performance.”

DA councillor Buyelwa Jacobs requested a report that would show how many vehicles the city had and what they were used for.

Patriotic Alliance councillor Bradley Murray said while municipal departments were dependent on each other, in some cases it was used as an excuse for work not being done.

“If supply chain management is the problem, then we need to invite officials from that division to explain the reasons for delays in purchasing the vehicles we need,” he said.

BY TSHEPISO MAMETELA

Angola community members in KwaNobuhle are not wavering in their support for a grieving family while the two men allegedly responsible for a senseless killing in the area in August continue to roam the streets.

Abulele Mdana, 26, died after being stabbed in the neck during a tavern brawl at Mandy’s Lounge in Phato Street on August 28.

He was buried on September 3, with the community unrelenting in its efforts to get answers from authorities on why the suspects were set free.

Community leader Thembisile Nogampula said they would continue to offer comfort to the family after assisting them to raise the money for Mdana’s burial.

“We hadn’t met with the family since the funeral and felt it was now necessary to be in the same boat with them,” Nogampula said on Thursday.

He said a meeting involving the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) at a community hall in KwaNobuhle on September 2 had not materialised.

The community was still at a loss over the suspects’ release from custody.

On August 30, the KwaNobuhle Magistrate’s Court struck the matter off the roll, citing insufficient evidence.

Police spokesperson Captain Gerda Swart said investigations were continuing.

She said the docket would be taken back to court for a decision from the prosecutor once the investigations had advanced.

“At this stage, investigations are still being conducted,” Swart said.

A witness to the incident at the tavern agreed to provide a statement but feared for her safety.

Nogampula said he was attempting to get her to speak to the police.

“The only solution is to convince the witness to prepare her statement [but she does] not trust the system to guarantee her safety,” Nogampula said.

“For safety reasons, I have [assured her] anonymity.

“She agreed [to come forward] the last time we spoke, and now I need to follow it up.”Swart said witnesses should go to the KwaNobuhle station commander, Colonel Patric Goeda, for the police to obtain a statement.

“If a witness doesn’t want to come forward to give a statement, it becomes difficult for us to proceed with the case.

“Witnesses fearing for their safety need to take it up with the station commander,” she said.

BY YOLANDA PALEZWENI

Five social workers were robbed at gunpoint in Gqeberha on Thursday outside an old age home.

This comes after social development MEC Bukiwe Fanta raised concerns about attacks on social workers earlier this week and called on the police to act swiftly.She revealed that 18 social workers had been held at gunpoint in the northern areas, New Brighton, KwaMagxaki and western suburbs of the city.

On Thursday, the five social workers were robbed of their possessions including cellphones.

The keys to a government vehicle were thrown onto a nearby rooftop.

“The recent armed robbery has now pushed up the number of social workers that have been robbed,” Fanta said.

“We really cannot operate in conditions where each and every social worker has to be escorted for them to do their work.

“It is unacceptable and I’m planning to have a meeting with the provincial police commissioner to discuss interventions.

“But I must say it again that communities need to work with us and protect our social workers.”

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the social workers were robbed in Mlisane Street, Zwide, at about 10am.

She said they had been travelling in a minibus and stopped in the street to collect equipment.
The suspects robbed all the occupants in the vehicle of their cellphones and fled,” Janse van Rensburg said.

No-one was injured. Police are investigating
While waiting, three people approached them.

BY MKHUSELI SIZANI

Several hundred protesters from Westville informal settlement in Gqeberha blocked Mission Road on Monday morning with rocks, burning tyres, electric poles and sewage pipes demanding housing they say they was promised in 2015.

The construction of 6,500 housing units promised by the provincial housing department has been halted since 2017 by delays in building bulk sewage and water infrastructure by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

The protest started at 8am. Residents got angry when ward 36 councillor Khanyisa Mani (ANC) failed to satisfy them with responses to questions. He was accused of being distanced from the community, failing to giving them progress reports about developments in the area and failing to “thank them” for their votes.

He said: “When I took office there were no documents to check which projects have been completed or left incomplete. Secondly I did not know which committee to report to because I heard that there are two committees that represent the community.”

Some of the residents insulted him and accused him of being useless and ungrateful.

Just before 12pm, after he and police had left, protesters started stoning vehicles. A truck delivering chips was stoned, looted and torched.Sipho Ntsondwa, chairperson of Westville Development Committee, told GroundUp that during meetings with Mayor Eugene Johnson, the provincial Human Settlements department had blamed delays on the municipality’s failure to finish bulk water and sewage.

“In the meeting we asked Human Settlements to speed up the construction of our houses but the Department told us it cannot build us houses if there is no bulk water and sewer infrastructure. It asked the municipality to finish up the bulk and sewer project first. Then it will immediately build our houses.”

Ntsondwa said they decided to protest in order to get attention. “About 600 residents participated in today’s protest,” he said.

Ntsondwa said the settlement was over 22 years old but still had no proper roads, houses and flush toilets.

“We share 300 chemical toilets that are cleaned once a week. These toilets are not enough. We believe our bucket system was much better because we had privacy in them. These chemical toilets are shared by five households and they are disgusting.

“We have 68 standpipes and 35 are not working. Our streets are always muddy because of the leaking taps. Rubbish is not collected and we resorted to illegal dumping. We report these problems to our ward councillor but he is failing to help us,” he said.

Philasande George has been living in the area with her family of eight since 2000. “Most of our taps are faulty and others had to be closed,” she said. “On weekends there are always long queues. Our shacks are leaking and old. Most of us here survive on social grants and we don’t have money to renovate them.”

“But our main problem is the toilets.”

On Tuesday afternoon a public meeting was held between the ward councillor and residents. Mani said he would investigate the reason for the delays in construction. He said residents had also demanded new toilets, refuse removal and rubbish bags. The meeting had agreed to delegate some residents to work with him on these issues, he said.

Asked for a comment on Monday, acting Provincial Director for Human Settlements Caswell Mabunda told GroundUp he would prepare a response. He has not yet done so. Municipal spokesperson Mthubanzi Mniki has not responded to our questions since Monday or answer our calls.