By Phumlani Saul

In a shocking twist, four suspects appeared in the Gqeberha High Court on charges of murder, corruption, and blackmailing, all allegedly motivated by a sinister burial insurance scheme.

Siyabulela Mbane, Unathi Peter, Ntobeko, and Xolelwa Msome face a staggering 10 murder charges, 30 corruption charges, and additional counts of illegal gun possession and blackmailing. The estimated value of the corruption exceeds a whopping $3 million.

According to Court Attorney Louis Sinclair, the suspects’ intention was clear: to profit from burial insurance payouts. Sinclair revealed that the suspects even fabricated relationships with the victims to legitimize their claims.

The alleged plot began unfolding in mid-2021, with incidents reported in Kariega and Whittlesea. The case is set to continue on the 25th, with Peter facing additional charges outside of bail.

State Prosecutor said “ Justice will be served, and those responsible will face the consequences.” Said state Prosecutor

Family members who don’t want to be named said “ Justice will be served, and those responsible will face the consequences.”

Court Attorney Louis Sinclair said “ The pursuit of greed has led them down a dark path.”

By Azola Matros

The horrific murders occurred at about 6.30pm, when three men barged into a Khalendula Street home in NU11 and opened fire.null

Among the dead were three men, aged between 20 and 25, and a 16-year-old girl, police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said.

Another victim, aged 24, was left wounded after he was shot in the leg.

Beetge said murder and attempted murder cases were being investigated. The motive was unknown at this stage.

Anyone with information that could assist the police with the investigation can contact detective Sergeant Nigel Wright on 082-921-2312 or Crime Stop on 08600-10111.

By Phumlani Saul

Closing Arguments Mark Final Countdown in Omotoso Trial

The wait is finally over! Tomorrow, the Gqeberha High Court will hear the explosive closing arguments in the sensational trial of televangelist Timothy Omotoso, accused of rape and human trafficking.

The self-proclaimed “man of God” was busted in April 2017, and has been denying the shocking allegations alongside his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, both members of his Jesus Dominion International Church.

Will justice be served? The prosecution and defense will deliver their final blows before the judge delivers the verdict. Stay tuned for the dramatic conclusion!

Omotoso’s lawyer told Daily Kasi News “We maintain his innocence and look forward to the verdict.”

“ The truth will come out.” Said lawyer

By Nomalungelo Booi

At least five people, including a four-month-old baby, died in a head-on collision on the N2 between Nanaga and Makhanda on Sunday.

A further six people were injured. 

“So far, five people have died on the N2 between Nanaga and Makhanda following a horrific accident involving a VW Polo and a Chevrolet Spark,” Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha’s spokesperson, Makhaya Komisa, said.

“The accident has just occurred and emergency services are at the scene.”

It is believed that the crash occurred at 4.30pm when the two vehicles collided head-on.

It is further understood that one woman was trapped in the Polo and that the jaws of life had to be used in an attempt to free her.

Among the six injured is a boy, about seven or eight years old, whose skull was severely injured in the crash.

He was rushed to Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha.

By Phumlani Saul

Addo police have arrested five suspects for their alleged involvement in damaging a cellphone tower in the Karoo town of Jansenville on Wednesday.null

A suspicious vehicle, a grey Datsun Go with five occupants, was intercepted and stopped on the R336, just a few kilometres from Addo.

Police spokesperson WO Majola Nkohli said police had received information that the occupants of the vehicle were possibly involved in the theft of batteries from a cellphone tower in Jansenville in the early hours of that morning.

“Immediately, members were dispatched to be on the lookout for the suspicious vehicle.

“Moments later, the vehicle was spotted and pulled off the road,” Nkohli said.

“The vehicle was searched, and several implements such as grinders were recovered from the vehicle.”

He said five suspects had been arrested and charged with contravention of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act for damage to essential infrastructure.

The case was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.

The suspects, aged between 24 and 31, are due to appear in the Jansenville magistrate’s court on Friday.

By Nomalungelo Booi

PUPILS full of emotions on the first day of school.

It was a morning of mixed emotions at Progressive Primary School in Dispatch,Eastern Cape on Wednesday, 15 January.

There were tears of joy on parents’ faces, while the pupils were excited to start school. 

OVER 13 million pupils return to school for the first day of the 2025 academic year. 

It was a joy as friends met after a long break in some schools. 

But for others, it was a nightmare as they were not willing to leave their mothers to venture into territories, they were not familiar with. 

Some new students held tightly to their mothers at Noninzi Primary School in Gunguluza area 9, reluctant to enter the classrooms.

At Zanolwazi Secondary School in Dispatch , some residents threatened to disrupt classes because they did not want the principal. 

But nothing happened. 

Youth leader Nonetso Malao said they have been at the school to guard against disruption. 

“Nothing happened. We cannot allow certain individuals to close the school because they have agendas. We understand people who belong to a certain political party. We don’t want politics in school.

Nonetso said since the new principal joined the school in 2021, a certain faction has repeatedly attempted to remove her. 

“We are guarding the school. On Monday, we cut the grass to ensure pupils arrive at a clean school,” said Nonetso

Principal Meloni Maseko confirmed things went well on the first day, and there was no disruption by the said party. 

“District officials were here to observe, and none of those individuals succeeded.” 

At Mayfield Primary, parents who said they were not refunded the failed school trip money were at the school to demand the refund, but the principal locked himself inside his office. 

In 2024, Daily Kasi ran the story where they locked teachers out as they were demanding their money.  

This morning, they stormed into the school to demand their money. 

The department has since promised to investigate the matter. 

By Tembile Sgqolana

RESIDENTS of Komani in the Eastern Cape have spent more than a month without water. 

When the water trucks arrive, the residents fight to be the first to get it before it runs out. 

This is the day-to-day struggle of residents.  

Recently, on the Railway under the Mlungisi location, a fight started between two people arguing about their positions in the queue to get water

In a video that has gone viral on social media, the two argue while attempting to attack each other. 

Some are holding the two women who are begging for blood. 

One of the residents, Unathi Mbenene, said fights are common when residents are waiting for the water trucks. 

Our leaders don’t care about the people of Komani. All they want is our votes,” Unathi said. 

When the Daily Kasi News went around the location, scores of people were seen sitting on their buckets, waiting for the trucks that cart water to arrive. 

Some were walking up and down the location, looking for any house that might have water. 

On Monday, 13 January, Mlungisi residents marched to the Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) offices demanding water. 

The Department of Water and Sanitation reports that the two dams supplying water to Komani are nearly full.  

The Waterdown Dam is at 98%, and the Xonxa Dam is at 99%. 

CHDM Mayor Lusanda Sizani clarified issues raised and reiterated interventions that have already been put in place to ensure continued water service in the area.   

“These include rationing of available water supply for even distribution until the situation improves; additional water tankers that are deployed to the affected wards, with each ward allocated a dedicated truck; additional JoJo tanks currently sourced to be placed in strategic points in each ward to be easily accessible to communities; drilling of boreholes to be connected on solar windmills around Berry Dam to augment raw water inflow into the dam, to be fast-tracked,” he said.  

Sizani further indicated that a depleted Bonkolo Dam is unimaginable during the rainy season, and some partners have indicated interest in assisting the municipality’s efforts to drill these boreholes.  

“Works are currently underway at Xonxa Dam to repair pumps and pipeline snags, and this is expected to be completed by March 2025. The district municipality has also prioritised repairs to water leaks along the Waterdown Pipeline, with one major leak identified already repaired, adding a much-needed 1,8 mega litres per day of raw water inflow,” he said.

Sizani assured the community of the quality of water provided by the water trucks.  

He emphasised that the water supplied to the communities comes from purified municipal sources.  

He also urged communities to remain vigilant, noting that water trucks servicing the wards are branded clearly. 

“Any unmarked water trucks that communities allege to be drawing water from unpurified sources are not from CHDM,” he said

By Phumlani Saul,Akhona Maseti and Nomalungelo Booi

MATRIC pupils left disappointed as newspapers fail to arrive on time.

In the early hours of Tuesday, 14 January, hundreds gathered at a Shell petrol statiom in KwaNobuhle, Kariega , only to be told newspapers haven’t arrived.

Pupils danced and sang in eager anticipation, but their excitement soon turned into disappointment.

We came here with our parents, who braved the cold to celebrate with us,” said Samukelo Ntuli (18), who had been waiting since 10pm for the newspapers to arrive.

Despite his disappointment, Samukelo share with Daily Kasi News  that he checked his results online and was thrilled to find out that he passed with a bachelor and one distinction.

“I don’t know how possible this was. I’m no hard worker but work smart and listen in class. This has worked in my favor,” said Samukelo.

I’ve applied to study Emerging technologies. I can’t wait to share the good news with my parents.”

Another pupil, Phumzile Sali , shared with DK- News his ambitions to study Software Engineering.

I’m anxious, and afraid but relaxed at the same time. I have hope that my results will be great. I’m expecting a bachelor or diploma pass,”Phumzile said.

Kwezi Lomso Secondary School in Gqeberha celebrated a 87% pass for 2024. 

Eastern Cape education spokesman Yongama Mtima noted improvement in township schools’ education. 

“In this school, everyone passed. We’ve made significant improvement in township education, with many achieving bachelor passes. We encourage pupils and parents to believe in our commitment to enhancing education in the township,” he said.

By Phumlani Saul

Tragedy struck in the usually quiet neighborhood of Veeplaas on Sunday evening, leaving a community in shock and grief. A senseless act of violence claimed the lives of six men, including Siyabonga Befile, who had been enjoying a drink with friends at a local RDP house.

The evening had begun like any other, with family members bidding farewell to Siyabonga as he headed out to socialize with friends. But in the blink of an eye, the tranquility of the evening was shattered by the sound of gunfire.

At approximately 10pm, a hail of bullets tore through the small house, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake. When the dust settled, six bodies lay lifeless, including Siyabonga’s.

As news of the massacre spread, the community was left reeling in shock and horror. Friends and family members of the victims gathered at the scene, struggling to come to terms with the senseless loss of life.

The motive behind the killings remains unclear, and police have launched an investigation into the incident. As the community mourns the loss of six young lives, one thing is certain: the people of Veeplaas will never forget the tragic events of that fateful Sunday evening.

A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The massacre has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving many to wonder how such a senseless act of violence could occur in their own backyard.

“We are still trying to come to terms with what happened,” said a neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s just so senseless. Those were young lives, full of promise and potential. It’s heartbreaking to think that they’re gone.”

As the investigation into the massacre continues, the community is coming together to support the families of the victims. A memorial service is planned for later this week, and a fund has been established to help cover funeral expenses.

In the meantime, the people of Veeplaas are left to pick up the pieces and try to make sense of the senseless. One thing is certain: the memory of Siyabonga Befile and the five other victims will never be forgotten.

By Phumlani Saul

Mass Shooting in Veeplaas Leaves Six Dead and One Injured

A team of seasoned detectives has been tasked with investigating a devastating mass shooting that occurred in Kani Street, Veeplaas, on Sunday night.

The incident resulted in the deaths of six men, aged 21-27, and left a 21-year-old woman injured.

According to Lieutenant-Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, police spokesperson, officers responded to a shooting report in Kwazakhele at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Upon arrival, they found the bodies of the six victims and the injured woman, who was promptly taken to the hospital.

Preliminary information suggests that the victims were attacked by unknown armed suspects, but the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The Kwazakhele police station has opened six counts of murder and one of attempted murder.

The identities of the victims will be released once formal identification has been completed. Lieutenant-Colonel Mawisa assured that the investigation team will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the culprits is urged to contact Warrant Officer John Lourens at 071-352-4706 or CrimeStop at 08600 10111.