By Anele Vena

Hijackers take short cut to their graves…

THE three thugs wanted a nice ride for Weekend!

So they hijacked a silver VW Polo . . .

BUT IT WAS THEIR TICKET TO HELL!

The thugs crashed the 
Polo . . . and two of them died on the spot.

It happened in Addo on Wednesday afternoon.

Addo police spokesman Major Thulani Cushe said Kirkwood cops responded to a hijacking complaint in the Crossmoor area, where a silver VW Polo vehicle was hijacked by three suspects.

“While on their way to the scene, the cops received information about another hijacking incident where the driver of a blue Hyundai was hijacked in Shallcross.

“The description of the car used by the suspects was given to the cops and it fitted the description of the car that was hijacked at Crossmoor by three men,” said Cushe.

He told Daily Kasi News that cops soon found the hijacked VW Polo overturned. Two men inside were dead.

“It is suspected that they were involved in both hijackings and their car was involved in an accident.

“The blue Hyundai was later found in Moses Mabhida area and a 9mm pistol with its serial number filed off was recovered inside the car,” said Cushe.

Cushe confirmed that a third suspect was still at large. EC provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni, praised the Addo cops for their quick response and the recovery of the firearm.

One of the dead men was later identified as Mpilo Qukubana (33) of kwaDwesi.

His mum, Mavis Qumbisa, told Daily Kasi News that her son left home in the morning without telling anyone where he was going.

“I received a call at about 3pm telling me to rush to the scene where my son had been involved in an accident.

“When I got there I was told he had already been taken to the Livingston government mortuary,” said Mavis.

She said her son was a good man who survived on piece jobs and said she was not aware her son was involved in crime.

“Mpilo was a temporary worker at a CTM factory.

He was a good man who took care of me,” said Mavis

By Sithembile Mgidi

The stars are aligning for Nelson Mandela Bay singer Jooma Mize, who is set to perform in the Easter Soul Sunday show in Kariega at the end of March before jetting overseas.

The 2020 Idols SA top eight finalist, who is also in filming for a reality TV show to be aired on Showmax, said he was excited to not only perform on home soil on March 31, but to perform at the inaugural Mhlaka Mpiloz festival in New York.

The festival is hosted by a Haitian-American alcohol brand called Crema Alcohol, with Mize set to perform on July 6.

The festival brings African and Caribbean artists together for African and Caribbean people living in New York.

He will then remain in Brooklyn for a while to record further tracks.

While he is not yet permitted to talk about the television show, he said his Easter musical extravaganza would take place at Discomplicated at 46 Cuyler Street.

He will be accompanied on stage by AfroGroove SA and Yanga HappySoul, among other artists.

The show starts at 3pm, with tickets available at the door. 

Mize said he had not given the show a name because he liked to steer away from a theme as this often caused things to become too structured or limiting.

“My set can change midway through a show,” he said. 

“That’s also why I prefer to rehearse more songs than the required number.

“I feed off the energy I get from the audience, so I can easily change the songs I had planned based on the audience’s reaction.

“It’s a pity that until now I have not been able to host a show in the place where it all began, but I am grateful I have finally been given an opportunity,” Mize said.

Having grown up in Kariega, where he attended Muir College Boys High School until grade 8, he later moved to Gqeberha with his family.

He said he carried fond memories of Kariega, where his eagerness to become a musician was born.

“School is essentially where the eagerness to want the whole musician life started.”

He drew inspiration from the musical Bala brothers, who went to the same school as him.

After the Mhlaka Mpiloz show, he planned to record new songs and collaborate with producers from Brooklyn for his single, Sudlala (Do not play).

“There is a DJ I met a few years back who is from Durban but relocated to New York and has been living there for seven years now.

“He established a name for himself and is doing really well that side.

“We have a song together which has grown in popularity and now he really wants to market it.”

Mize said the DJ had called him in the first week of January, asking whether he could come over to perform with him for about a month.

Excited about the opportunity to perform at the festival, he said while he had been to some European countries, this would be his first visit to the US. 

Since  Idols, he had gone on to perform in Dubai, Turkey and Greece, but felt this latest opportunity would bring him closer to reaching his goals.

“There is always that fear of disappearing after a show like Idols.

“I was afraid I might fizzle out to nothing and eventually give up on the whole music thing.

“But over the past three years, things have been moving for me in leaps and bounds.

“I have done things I never thought were on my spectrum of things to do, or things that were available to me.

“This one is really big for me, I have never been to America. I can’t wait to network, and who knows what could happen,” Mize said.

By Phumlani Saul

Immerse yourself in the healing power of gospel and Afro at this explosive concert…

“Back By Popular Demand”! The third instalment of the “Healing Gospel and Afro-Soul 

Explosion Concert will this year be hosted on the ‘Holy Good Friday’ on the 29th of March 2024 at Boardwalk ICC in Gqeberha.

“This is a Gospel and Afro Soul live music event meant to unite, give healing and strength to our people as we continue to recover and rebuild our economy.”

 “This initiative creates a platform, develops and generates income for our local freelance and marginalized artists, musicians and arts and culture service providers in Nelson Mandela Bay” said Siyavuya Marwanqa CEO of Sandla Black’s , and the organiser of this concert.

The event was first launched on 4 June 2022 in Nelson Mandela Bay, Gqeberha at Boardwalk ICC and featured artists such as Kelly Khumalo, Jaziel Brothers, Butho Vuthela, Legato SA and was programme directed by Dr. Sylvester Funani of the Joyous Celebration fame.

The concert was a resounding success with it receiving great reviews and reaching a SOLD OUT status. Over the two years of hosting this concert we have managed to create over 101 Jobs in the arts and culture sector. 

The 3rd edition of Healing Gospel & Afro Soul Explosion Concert will feature award winning artist, gospel sensation and Minister Lebo Sekgobela sharing the stage with Gqeberha’svery own afro soul star Vusi Nova.

Get ready for a night of high praise, powerful worship fused with African rhythms and soul music this Easter Good Friday.

Tickets are available at Webtickets, Pick n Pay and Boxer Stores nationwide. No tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 18:00 | Show starts at 19:00 | Refreshments will be sold at the venue, 

 

 

By Xoliswa Cushe

A GOOD time over drinks almost ended tragically when a friend stabbed another.

And now Bongiwe Woza is nursing wounds after her friend allegedly stabbed her four times in Bongweni, Kerkwood on Monday, 05 March .

The 37-year-old said she has never been stabbed before and the pain she felt was terrible. She said her friend, Vuyo Tyebela (35), stabbed her with a knife, but the incident happened so fast she couldn’t run away.

“My only sin was to ask her boyfriend to buy me a Black Label quart. I never thought she’d be jealous because she is my friend,” she said.

Bongiwe said that her friend accused her of trying to steal her boyfriend as she looked like a yellow bone. 

“I will now stay far away from her because she is not comfortable when I am around her and her boyfriend,” she said.

“I am feeling pain. My friend almost killed me,” she said.

Bongiwe said they were drinking together and her friend normally jokes that she will beat her, but she never took it seriously.

She said a man took the knife away from Vuyo during the fight, which saved her life.

“I am still in pain and struggling to do anything at home,” she said.

She said she’s waiting for her friend to apologise.

“We drink alcohol together and spend time together,” said Bongiwe.

She said she won’t open a case against her friend, but is still waiting for an apology from her.

Vuyo said she stabbed her friend because she was angry.

She said her friend also klapped her for no reason.

“I haven’t apologised to her, but will visit her and see how she is doing,” she said.

Vuyo said she felt bad about what she did, but said her friend must stay away from her boyfriend.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

ANDISIWE Nqanqase is angry that a tavern bouncer sjamboked her in front of people for nothing.

The 29-year-old was drinking with her friend at a tavern in Mandela village in KwaLanga, near Kariega on Saturday,17 February when the friend got drunk and put her head on the table. 

Andisiwe left the tavern for a few seconds with another friend and went home to change her clothes.

When she came back, she took the sleeping friend out of the tavern. The bouncer swore at her and when she asked why he was swearing, he allegedly told her she was supposed to clean her friend’s vomit.

“I had not seen that my friend had vomited. The bouncer didn’t let me know, but approached me with a bad attitude. He then chased us from the tavern and said we must go drink somewhere else,” said Andisiwe.

She then told the man that she was drinking booze using her own money and she didn’t want to be told where to drink.

The man got angry and allegedly slapped Andisiwe on the face, but she retaliated by hitting him with a bottle

The man ran inside and fetched a sjambok which he used to whip me badly. I was embarrassed and bruised by what he did,” she said.

A group of women marched to the tavern Monday demanding answers. Community leader, Ncumisa Zondani, said they will not keep quiet in the face of gender-based violence. 

“Cops must deal with this man because it is clear he is in the habit of abusing women,” she said.

Andisiwe’s aunt Thantaswa (47) said she was shocked to see her niece with marks all over her body.

“It looks like he wanted her dead because he moered her as if my niece was a snake. I want to see that man in jail,” she said. 

Andidiwe opened against her attacker at kermish cop shop. 

Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that Andisiwe opened a case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm case. 

“No arrests have been made. The investigation continues,” said Twigg.

By Phumza Wannie

Screeching tyres, horrifying screams, and then silence — this is how a witness vividly described a peak-hour accident that resulted in a traffic cop being struck and killed by a manganese ore truck on the N2 in Kinkelbos on Tuesday afternoon.

One moment Silwana Hadi, 43, was signalling for the truck to stop and be weighed, and the next she was lying lifeless on the side of the road. 

The 35-year-old driver has since been arrested.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the incident occurred at the Kinkelbos weighbridge station at about 3pm.

“She was declared dead [at] the scene,” she said.

“He is detained at the Kinkelbos police station for further investigation.”

Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the department was aware of the incident.

According to a video taken by an eyewitness, Hadi was lying on the right-hand side of the road.

“She was bumped,” the witness said.

In the same video, seen by Daily Kasi News Team, one of her colleagues is walking towards her.

DA MPL Marshall von Buchenroder said the horrific accident had once again brought into sharp focus the high volume of manganese trucks on this stretch of road and the dangers that went with them.

“There has been a steady stream of complaints regarding reckless and negligent driving and downright indecent behaviour by these truck drivers towards fellow road users,” Buchenroder said.

“Late last year, in November, a manganese truck driver was arrested after four people died in an accident on the N9 at Middelburg. 

“The DA is calling on premier Oscar Mabuyane and transport MEC Xolile Nqatha to find long-term solutions to reduce the volume of manganese ore trucks on our roads.

“It is clear that MEC Nqatha’s earlier appeals for manganese ore truck drivers to obey the rules of the road and to respect other road users have fallen on deaf ears.”

BY LUXOLO THYUME

Healthcare services at Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha were interrupted on Thursday when a majority of the workers embarked on strike action over unpaid overtime.

The strike comes a week after healthcare workers at the Livingstone Hospital embarked on a go-slow over the same issue.

Fed-up workers were seen dancing and singing inside of the building while airing their grievances.

The main gate which provides entry to the hospital grounds was forced shut, which caused ambulances to be locked inside.

This significantly delayed Emergency Services Personnel (EMS) from tending to emergencies timeously.

Eventually, the police were called in to restore calm

A source reliably told DK News that those who are owed money, include doctors and staff who commenced duty in December, and were still owed their salaries.

A spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Health Department, Sizwe Kupelo said they were aware of the protest.

According to Kupelo, the payment of all outstanding funds was being prioritised.

He said it was “unfortunate” that hospital management had delayed their payment submissions when other hospitals had done so last week.

“Our appeal to the workers is that we do not engage each other through protest actions but rather have an engagement to not endanger the lives of our patients.

“We are working on the logistics to ensure that monies are paid within the next payment run,” he said.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

A KwaNobuhle man was shot dead in broad daylight in front of a KwaNobuhle primary school on Monday.

The body of Sinawo Jonas, 28, was found sprawled in the middle of Mbengo Street in a pool of blood,  a stone’s throw from Sikothina Primary School

He was shot in the head. 

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the incident occurred at about 10.45am.

“On arrival, the body of Sinawo Jonas was found lying in the street with one gunshot wound to his head,” Beetge said.

“The motive for the murder is still unknown and a case of murder was opened and is being investigated by KwaNobuhle police.”

The incident follows less than a week after Nigel Ricardo Fortuin, 34, was shot dead near a primary school in Rosedale, Kariega, as pupils, parents and community members ran for cover.

As Fortuin  lay dead in a pool of  blood in Kiaat Street —   just metres away from his home — the  culprits fled on foot.

By Phumlani Saul

The musically-gifted Bala family is mourning the death of their ‘beloved father’, Sebenzile Jafta.

Zwai Bala announced the news of his death on Socials  on Saturday. He wrote: “It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our father, Sebenzile Jafta, who departed this morning.

“He left us so suddenly after being admitted to hospital on Thursday evening. As a family, we had hoped that he’d recover and return to us. As amaVala, amaZangwa, namaNgwevu, we wish for his soul to rest in eternal peace, and we are honoured to have had the opportunity to know and be with him while he was alive.”

His brother Loyiso also wrote on social media: “The Bala Family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved father, Sebenzile Jafta. Tatu Jafta left us suddenly after going to the Hospital on Thursday evening. Despite our hopes, he didn’t return. We express gratitude for the time spent with him. May his soul rest in peace.

Tatu Jafta, as he is best known, appeared on The Bala Family reality show, which airs on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). The show follows brothers Zwai, Loyiso and Phelo and the rest of their family as they overcome various obstacles, including individual religious and cultural beliefs, sexuality and cultural views on family life

The channel paid tribute to Tatu Jafta in a post on social media platform X (formerly known as twitter.

“Mzansi Magic would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sebenzile Jafta, affectionately known as uTatu Jafta to our viewers. May the Jafta and Bala Family be comforted during these trying times, and we thank Mr Jafta for his contribution to The Bala Family Show and our channel. Phumla Ngoxolo Tatu Jafta

By Phumlani Saul

Crumbling infrastructure, vandalism and crime have held many schools in the province by the scruff of the neck however the newly built Nkululeko Senior Secondary School in KwaNobuhle in Kariega, boasts a state-of-the-art building that is protected by security guards and cameras.

Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane, Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Babalwa Lobishe and school principal Sizwe Stokwe were among the entourage of dignitaries who were part of the flag hoisting ceremony as well as the official handover of the school where they were welcomed by a band, school choir and guard of honour.

Grey, blue and white colours flew above the premier as he announced that the long wait for a fully functional high school, was finally over.

Stokwe says the previous building in which they taught, was crumbling and did not have toilet facilities. “In this new building, we are safe, have toilets and are protected from crime.”

The R81 million facility boasts a science and computer lab, multi-purpose classrooms, a nutrition centre, a netball court and an administration block.

Furthermore, the upgraded facility also has high-security features including fencing, a guard house and safe rooms.

Mabuyane sang praises for the school and said: “One can never go wrong when investing in education.” He also implored the community to hold hands with the community policing forum to ensure that the school does not fall prey to criminals and criminal activities.

“A school is left in the hands of the school governing body, school management and the community therefore, the community needs to play an active part in ensuring that that it is not a hub for criminals. This school also gives the community a facelift because it is a beacon of hope for our leaders of the future.”

Mangaliso Saul A grade 11 learner who braved the old school building told Daily Kasi News, “ The day has been a dream come true. “Our hope and dreams have been restored. We now look forward to coming to school because of these new facilities. The new school has rules and encourages us to want to give our best at all times,” says Mangaliso

Parent Cikiziwe Zinto (45) told DK news “ We’ve waited for too long now Our wait is over.”

“Now we have to look after this beautiful school we have “says Zinto