By Zolani Tyali

FOR the past 20 years residents of Govan Mbeki kasi in Port Elizabeth have been troubled by water that comes up from underground.

Residents of Phehlegard Street and Mbeki Road said their streets had turned into rivers.

As a result, motorists had to avoid a huge pothole caused by the water.

Nombeko Fulani (54) of Phehlegard Street told Daily Kasi News the problem started in 1999.

“Our yards and houses are always wet,” said Nombeko.

“I cut the grass and dig trenches. The water attracts mosquitoes and frogs.”

He said municipal workers couldn’t explain where the water came from.

“They come with their big machines to check where it comes from,” said Nombeko.

“Our water pipes don’t leak and the sewerage system works just fine. They’ve not found the cause of this problem.”

Her neighbour Mxolisi Matiso (62) said no one knew where the water came from.

“My yard is always wet. A big pothole in front of my house caused by this water damages vehicles,” he said.

“There’s also a leak in my yard. It’s been going on for more than a year now. But my water meter is not affected.”

DK News tried to get an explanation from Nelson Mandela Bay spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki.

He said he couldn’t comment until he had spoken with the sewerage team.

But Mniki had not answered the DK Team’s e-mails, SMSes and phone calls at the time of going to published.

Mzwandile Bhefile

SANGOMA Nombesane Duzana keeps 25 goats in his yard. They mean everything to him.

The 64-year-old from Gunguluza area 11, Uitenhage, told Daily kasi news the goats listen to him and obey instructions.

Nombesane said he only had one goat in 2002. It gave birth to twins. After that, the goats just kept on multiplying.

“I’m a traditional person. That’s why I keep goats. When former president Thabo Mbeki told South Africans to stand up and do their own thing, I came up with my plan to keep goats,” he said.

Nombesane said it wasn’t difficult to look after them. He said they were very obedient.

“When I open their pen, I instruct them to go out and graze, not to be hit by cars and to come back by 4pm, which they do.

“When I was working, I would tell them the spot where we should meet, and they would be there at the appointed time.”

The leader of the pack is Duduza, a billy goat with a huge beard.

“At one point, I had issues with the SPCA people. They ordered me to take them to the western Cape but I didn’t have the money. The last time they came, they just took photos and left,” he said.

SPCA spokeswoman Belinda Abrahams said the organisation had no problem with Nombesane.

“As long as the animals are being looked after and are safe, the SPCA will not get involved,” she said.

By Mkhuseli Sizani

YOU usually hear kids reading out loud in school corridors.

But at Joe Slovo Primary School in New Kwadwesi, Nelson Mandela Bay, the sound of bleating goats drowns everything out.

Since last Monday, gatvol parents have been preventing the school from operating, demanding a fence.

Although the education department has condemned the protest, parents became more angry on Sunday when a body was found on the premises. Parents have asked community leaders to intervene in the matter.

They’ve vowed not to allow kids back to school until it’s made safe.

Parent and ward committee member Ncedile Soxujwa told DK News : “We visited the Uitenhage district education offices on Monday. The officials told us they were scared to come last week because the R75 Uitenhage Road was closed by protesters.

“They promised they’d organise a meeting this week with the district director and inform him of our school’s needs.”

He said they didn’t feel good about closing the school.

For now, kids are not going to school because it’s not safe for them. For years, we have been crying for a fence. On Sunday, the body of an unknown person was found at the school,” he said.

Eastern Cape education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said they were waiting for a budget to become available to repair the fence.

By Daily Kasi News Reporter

Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane, has lashed out at the police for their apparent in-action in the Bhisho Legislature where EFF members and supports ran amock on Tuesday.

Chaos erupted during debate on the State Of The Province Address when Speaker, Helen Sauls-August attempted to enforce rules related to the dress-code in the Legislature.

EFF MPL’s, wearing their trademark red overalls, resisted attempts to eject them from the Raymond Mhlaba Chamber, clashing with security personnel while rowdy supporters threw objects from the public gallery.

In a strongly-worded statement, Premier Mabuyane condemned the EFF’s actions, but also blamed the SAPS for not preventing the violence.

“The failure by the SAPS to respond swiftly to the violence occurring inside a national key point resulted into the attack of the workers of the Legislature and putting lives of other members of the legislature at risk,” he said.

He said he expressed his “disappointment and displeasure” with the leadership of the SAPS in the Eastern Cape.

“All those that were involved in this violent act, including the MPLs representing the EFF, must be arrested and be charged for their crime,” Mabuyane said.

Sauls-August said, “hooliganism will not be allowed in the Eastern Cape Legislature Chamber”.

“We have rules and we have procedures and we expect that all Honourable Members must comply with those rules and responsibility,” she said.

In a statement on Facebook, the EFF in the Eastern Cape said the “continued forced removal of EFF members from the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature” was a violation of its right to be represented in Legislatures across the country.

By Phumlani Saul

Chippa United got back to winning ways in the Absa Premiership with a narrow 1-0 victory over AmaZulu on Saturday evening.

Norman Mapeza recalled the likes of Tercious Malepe, Lehlohonolo Masalesa and William Twala while Usuthu welcomed back Sibusiso Magaqa and Siphelele Magubane.

The opening quarter of this bottom-half contest remained evenly balanced with loads of jostling for possession and few and far between goalmouth chances.

Chippa came into the game on the back of five league matches without victory, with their counterparts battling at the foot of the table as the encounter failed to liven up.

Mapeza’s boys came out for the second half with more optimism and with that, found the breakthrough with a fine finish from Ruzaigh Gamildien.

Mapeza also adopted more variations and pace around the attacking third with the removal of Twala for Thabo Rakhale signalling such within the 51st minute.

Sphesihle Maduna managed to carve out Usuthu’s first chance two minutes later when he went clear with Veli Mothwa, who managed to get down to smother the youngster’s attempt.

Usuthu kept coming however as Mothwa palmed Bonginkosi Ntuli’s goal-ridden header behind for a corner following the 62nd minute.

A telling moment for the visiting side seven minutes later saw MultiChoice Diski Challenge graduate Bayanda Shangase given his first-team debut.

It was all Usuthu following the closing stages, as Siyethemba Sithebe going inches wide of target after getting onto the end of Shangase’s ball.

Chippa absorbed all the pressure to return to winning ways, as pressure mount of Jozef Vukusic’s head.

By Phumlani Saul

ON MONDAY morning two families went to Shweme and Shweme Funeral Parlour, demanding that they fix what happened at the funeral of Teregana Dyala (75) in Wentzel Park, Alexandria, near Port Alfred.

The wrong body was sent for burial twice.

After the DK news published a story about the funeral from hell, the family of Elsie Vulindlu (90) from Endlovini kasi in Bathurst realised they had buried the wrong body.

Gogo Teregana’s body is still missing.

Mabhaso Dyala (37) said: “We told them we want to bury our mum by Saturday.”

Cameron Titi, provincial chairman of the National Funeral Directors Association of South Africa, said: “Shweme and Shweme must take full responsibility for this problem. In most cases people are scared to look at the body of a person, while some families are strong enough to identify them. So it is an undertaker’s duty to make sure such mistakes do not occur.”

Police Captain Mali Govender said: “This is a civil matter. The families must get a lawyer to approach the magistrate so that the body can be exhumed.”

Monde Hedashe, the manager of Shweme and Shweme, did not answer his phone or respond to SMSes.

Photo by Mzwandile Bhefile

By Mzwandile Bhefile

JUST after the shops had opened in the busy Commercial Road in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday morning, a sound of gun shots forced the shoppers to run into different directions while others took a cover.

One of the shopkeepers was allegedly shot by two unknown men for a pie.

One of the hawkers told DK news, “One of them came near my stall carrying a firearm. He stood behind a bakkie. I thought he was going to break into it. But to my shock he changed his clothes and went down towards the taxi rank as if he had done nothing.

Another bystander said: “After the shooting I saw two men carrying firearms and crossing the road. I could not believe my eyes because these guys were cool and calm. While from the shop we saw the foreign shopkeepers rushing the victim to the hospital in a private car.

“He was heavily bleeding from the upper body. People who were closer to him said he had suffered two gunshot wounds in the head.”

One of the shopkeepers from Pakistan said: “How can a good guy like him get shot for a pie? This has spoilt my day. Why someone can just lose his life over a pie?

“His shop is well protected with burglars in fear of these drug addicts who rob us every day.”

Colonel Priscilla Naidu said, “It is alleged that at about 9:30am, the suspect walked into a take away shop in Commercial Road and ordered a pie. But the suspect did not take the pie.

“The owner who was at the door was shot twice in the chest. The suspect ran away and the victim, Anamul Mohammed (36) died on his way to hospital. The motive of the shooting is unknown.”

A case of murder was opened but no one arrested.

By Nomathamsanqa Magwa

TWENTY families have been left homeless after a fire ate their shacks and killed a teenager in KwaZakhele, Port Elizabeth, on Monday.

Captain Andre Beetge said: “The fire started at about 1.30pm and spread to 20 shacks in the Ndulini informal area.

“Witnesses heard the screams of Zintle Zabo (14), who was trapped in a burning shack. Attempts were made to break open the door, but the fire was raging and spread quickly to surrounding shacks.”

Beetge said the teenager died and 20 shacks were destroyed, leaving more than 100 residents homeless. Assistance has been offered to the victims, who’re still trying to pick up the pieces.

“The police would like to thank Nelson Mandela Bay Disaster Management for their response, as well as the ward councillor and Triple Care for their assistance with blankets and mattresses, as well as the Somali society, which donated food,” he said.

“There remains a need for clothing, bedding and food. Anyone who wants to help can call Lieutenant-Colonel Peter Norman on 082 457 2868 or visit New Brighton Police Station.”

By Phumlani Saul

RESIDENTS are battling to breathe because of sewage running through their kasi.

They said the municipality’s failure to collect rubbish has made the situation worse.

Residents of Moses Mabhida zone 4 in Kirkwood, Eastern Cape, claim the situation has affected their pig business.

They said the pigs drank the sewage water and ate food residents dumped in the streams.

Xolani Langbooi (35) said they eat the pigs anyway.

He told Daily kasi news: “Since 2010 we’ve been experiencing overflow drains ekasi. When drains in upper level areas such as Ntakazilali, Bhongweni and Ethembeni become blocked, all the raw sewage overflows into our area at the lower level.”

They reported the matter to the municipality daily.

“Instead, the municipality made a cement trench in order for the sewage to flow into the dams,” he said.

“We have pigs which are our source of income.

“But people no longer want to buy them for fear of a disease outbreak.”

Another resident Zoliswa Cima (49) said: “It’s hard to get in and out of my yard as sewage overflows in front of my gate.”

Sundays River Valley municipal spokeswoman Zusiphe Mtirara said: “An investigation was conducted in 2017 on the cause of overflowing of sewage.

“It revealed the existing infrastructure couldn’t match the growing population.”

The municipality has registered the upgrading of sewer lines in the municipal infrastructure grant funding.

“The programme is being implemented in Addo and Paterson to address a similar issue.

“We have jetting trucks which unlock pipes, and this is done daily.”

She said the municipality failed to collect rubbish due to truck problems.

“Residents were made aware the refuse won’t be collected during those few days.

“Otherwise, the municipality collects rubbish.

“We urge residents to only take out rubbisj during collection days.”

By Phumlani Saul

JIKELEZA taximen have asked residents to protect them from criminals.

Two drivers who operate from the Kenako Mall in Port Elizabeth were apparently robbed and hijacked within five days.

Lusindiso Cakwebe (30) was shot and killed on Monday while trying to fend off two suspects who forced his girlfriend to withdraw cash at an ATM in Bethelsdorp.

Cases of robbery and murder were opened. No one has been arrested

In another incident, Anele Mlahwa (20) was hijacked in Booysens Park. Three men shoved him into the boot of his car and then robbed a supermarket in Uitenhage.

Cops gave chase and a shoot-out ensued. Anele was fatally wounded and one suspect was injured.

The three suspects were charged with business robbery and attempted murder. An inquest docket was opened for investigation.

Kenako Jikeleza Drivers Association treasurer Thabiso Goduka said thugs hijacked taxis and used them as getaway cars.

“We’re scared to work in areas such as Zinyoka, Veeplaas, Soweto-on-Sea, New Brighton and KwaZakhele.”

Captain Gerda Swart said it had not been established if the man found in the boot was not part of the robbery.

She said: “At this stage we can’t confirm if the victim who passed on was part of the robbery.”