Disabled boy stabbed in Grassy Park

Kyle Bruiners, 17 year old disable boy from Grassy Park, was stabbed to death Saturday evening. He was dressed up to celebrate his birthday when he was robbed of his gold chain that was gifted to him.

His uncle and stepfather was left wounded while he was stabbed to death. Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened for investigation said Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana. Arrests are yet to be made for Kyle’s murder even though the family knows who the alleged perpetrators are.

Melvin Jonkers, from the Grassy Park Policing Forum, said the community is in mourning.

Anyone with information on the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crimeline on 32211. 

By Danielle Mentoor 

Zimbabwean man tries to flee the country after killing wife and five children with an axe.

In an Eastern Cape home in Dakwedi 6 bodies were found, a 42 year old woman and her five children aged between 6-months to 10 years old. The police found the bodies in a pile of blood beside an axe believed to be the murder weapon.

When the police arrived at the scene they found the gruesome scene of the bodies in a pool of blood. Provincial Police Commissioner  Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga says it is inconceivable that this horrible crime happened on the opening day of 16 Days of Activism.

A man believed to be a husband to the deceased mother had disappeared without a trace and the police asked for the community’s assistance. Moreover, the community did not take their role for granted as the police got a tip-of about his whereabouts.

He was found hiding in the flat of a relative. Detectives believe he was planning of running away to his home country. He was arrested Thursday night, 24 hours after the murder.

By Everngelista Muza

Western Cape health department believes it has enough beds to deal with covid-19 resurgence

Due to the increase of the covid-19 infections the Western Cape Health Department believes that it has sufficient bed space to cope with re-emergence.

There has been a 63% hospitalization increase with a 75% critical care admissions.

Dr Keith Cloete provincial head of health, stated that in the past two-weeks there has been an increase with over 900 like in September covid-19 hospitalized reached a low of under 500. He was astonished large number of people becoming ill in hospital such as Groote Schuur, Tygerberg, Somerset, Mitchells Plain and Brackgate which then 10% in September to over 110 on Wednesday.

Cloete said despite all private hospital having the capacity they are turning to the public sector for assistance although government hospitals are also under pressure. He warned that the death rate was also going back up

 

Done by Amber Collins

Man seriously injured after taxi struck him in Bellville, Cape Town

A man was left seriously injured on Thursday morning when he was struck by a taxi at the Charl Malan and Kerk intersection in Bellville, Cape Town.

Paramedics arrived on the scene at 09h05 on Thursday to find the taxi on the side of the road. The male pedestrian was found lying next to the patient on the sidewalk.

It is understood that members of the public had pulled the man from beneath the vehicle.

‘’Medics assessed the man and found that he had sustained several injuries and was in a serious condition. The man was treated and provided with pain-relief medication before he was transported to Tygerberg Provincial Hospital for further care,’’ said ER24’s Russel Meiring.

Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Western Cape experiencing a COVID-19 resurgence

The Western Cape Government has expressed deep concern about the growing infection rate of COVID-19 and has since confirmed that it is dealing with a resurgence.

‘’A resurgence is when the number of active cases increase, week-on-week, by more than 20%,’’ explains Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde.

Over the past week, the province reported a 52.1% jump in new COVID-19 cases.

“There is also now established community transmission of the virus again in this province, which means that it is spreading within communities at a faster rate,” says Winde.

The increase in active cases is primarily driven by two districts in the Western Cape: the Garden Route and the Cape Metro.

The City of Cape Town is following a similar trajectory to this region and looks to be about 10-14 days behind. We are therefore also issuing a hotspot alert for the Metro.

‘’It is important to highlight that the growth in cases in the City is being recorded in every sub-district and is not being driven by any one area. This is verified by waste-water treatment testing,’’ says Winde.

The biggest concern, according to Winde, is hospitalisations, which reached 904 on Wednesday, after recording a low of under 500 in September.

‘’Critical care admissions have increased by 75% since the start of November. This is particularly concerning as an admission to a critical care unit is an indication of severe illness that might lead to death.’’

The Western Cape Premier called on everyone to prevent a hard lockdown, and to ensure that there are enough empty beds in hospitals for those who need them.

“We need every person in the Western Cape to help prevent a lockdown and to ensure that there are enough empty beds in our hospitals for those who need them”

‘’We must be under no illusion as to how serious the situation is, and how quickly it can deteriorate further,’’ said Winde.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

SA embarks on five days of mourning for those who lost their lives to GBVF & COVID-19

Wednesday marks the start of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children – the same day we commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

According to the United Nations, one in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence – mostly by an intimate partner.

Deputy President, David Mabuza, has called on South Africans to wear a black armband, a ribbon, or any sign that signifies an act of mourning, in order to demonstrate respect for those who have passed away due to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, as well as those who lost their life to COVID-19.

In his last state of the nation address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said this is to remember the victims of both COVID-19 and gender-based violence and femicide between Wednesday and Sunday. Flags across the country will fly half-mast between 6am and 6pm.

The Deputy President called on churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and houses of prayer to hold prayer sessions to support surviving families to cope with the loss of their loved ones.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

More than 200 Golden Arrow buses are being stoned on average on a monthly basis

More than 200 Golden Arrow buses are being attacked on average every month.

At a recent meeting of the provincial government's standing committee on Transport, it was revealed that six to eight robberies were committed weekly, many of them on buses, while in other instances shots were fired at the vehicles and depots had been petrol-bombed.

Recently, 12 Golden Arrow bus coaches have come under attack resulting in financial losses of just under R29 million.

‘’At the standing committee, the severity of the arson attacks and violence highlighted the need, above all else, for safety measures and criminal justice reforms to be put in place. It was thus further noted that the nationally-managed Traffic Courts are overwhelmed, with cases being rolled over or struck from the roll,’’ says DA Western Cape Committee Spokesperson on Transport and Public works, Daylin Mitchell.

Last week, three vehicles were torched during protests in the Khayelitsha area.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

PRASA employee arrested for providing info on cash & stolen copper cables to criminals

A joint operation between the South African Police Services, Transnet and Western Cape Metrorail Protection Services, arrested six suspects on Tuesday for being in possession of stolen railway cables.

Twenty-four officials and eight vehicles were deployed in four teams to conduct foot patrols and scrap yard inspections. 

‘’Fifteen individuals and 14 vehicles were searched resulting in the arrest of six suspects. One vehicle and 31kg cabling positively identified as rail catenary cable (estimated value R190 000.00) were confiscated. The arrests were made in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act on charges of damage to essential infrastructure and being in possession of stolen property,’’ says Riana Scott, MetroRail Western Cape.

Acting Regional Manager Raymond Maseko said the collaboration between rail operators and law enforcement agencies is invaluable: ‘’We have had exceptional support from provincial and Railway Police with excellent results’.

‘’Our stakeholders and communities are equally valuable resources in the fight against metal theft; they provide intelligence and information which are taken into account when planning crime combatting operations,’’ Maseko added.

In a separate incident, on Monday, a number of suspects were found in possession of copper cabling and a significant amount of cash, amongst those a Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) employee.

‘’The cash was allegedly to bribe Prasa employees. An employee was arrested shortly afterwards as a result of the information provided. All the cable was recovered. All suspects are being detained at Woodstock SAPS.’’

Maseko commended the Regional Security Manager and his teams, saying their commitment to stop the scourge of vandalism was highly appreciated: “Our collective focus is to restore and improve the train service against all odds. Sadly those odds include our own employees.’’

The Acting Regional Manager encouraged employees and the public to continue reporting such crimes.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

A week-old baby amongst fourteen people who were left injured, following collision in Plumstead

A week-old baby are amongst fourteen people who were left injured, when a car crashed into the side of a taxi on Main Road in Plumstead, Cape Town on Wednesday morning.

‘’At approximately 08h30, ER24 paramedics along with the Metro and Fire Services, arrived on the scene to find the two vehicles in the middle of the road. Several people were found inside the taxi while several others were walking around on the scene,’’ says ER24’s Russel Meiring

Medics assessed the patients and found that fourteen people, including a week-old baby girl, had sustained minor to moderate injuries. Meiring confirmed that no fatalities were found on the scene.

‘’The patients were treated for their injuries and were thereafter transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment. Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.’’

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Beer Association SA calls for responsible trade and consumption of alcohol as Black Friday approaches

The Beer Association of South Africa (BASA) has appealed to traders and consumers to sell and consume alcohol responsibly and moderately as Black Friday approaches.

BASA said that given the rise in Covid-19 infections in some provinces over the past few days, it is critical that all role players do their bit to help prevent the spread of the virus.

“While the majority of South Africans do not consume alcohol at all, those who drink excessively place a heavy burden on our health system,”  the association said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We simply cannot afford to go back to the total banning of alcohol as we did during previous lockdowns. Such strict measures cost the beer industry an estimated 7 400 jobs, R14.2 billion in lost sales revenue, and more than R7.4 billion in lost taxes and excise duties.”

The Beer Association said it was critical that both retailers and consumers continue to adhere to the level one lockdown regulations, most importantly to ensure the wearing of masks at all times, the continuous sanitising of hands, and the enforcement of social distancing.

‘’We also call on consumers taking advantage of specials, to please refrain from socialising in large groups and to drink in moderation,’’ said Patricia Pillay, CEO of BASA.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

Due to the shooting on Monday the police had a breakthrough of seven poeple, and including a wheelchair-bound woman, at Cape Town station deck taxi rack. A second suspect aged 39 has been arrested with a firearm seized. Another suspect was arrested aged 31-year-old just after the shooting had happened.

Police spokesperson sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana said that the 39-year-old would appear in court once charged.  Just few hours after the Cape Town shooting, there was about five people who were killed and three other people who were injured by unidentified assailants in Nyanga.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa said: That the reports from Nyanga shooting said that on the scene reveal that seven people were sitting in the taxi at Nyanga Terminus, and a gunman approached and just shot at roughly around 9:30pm. Round about four men ages between 30 and 36 had passed away on the scene. 

 

Done by Amber Collins

Five killed in Nyanga Terminus Shooting.

Another taxi shooting took place yesterday evening at the Nyanga terminus where four people were killed and three others injured by yet-to-be identified assailants. Reports say that up to seven people were seated in a taxi in Sihlanu Avenue near the Nyanga Terminus when the gunmen approached and shots fired multiple times around 9:30pm. Four men between the ages of 30 and 36 died on the scene. Three others were taken to a medical facility after sustaining serious injury. A fifth victim died in the hospital and two other victims nursing injuries.

Brigadier Novela Potelwa said that a team of investigators are working on pursuing specific leads, the motive for the incident is believed to be taxi-conflict related. The investigators have opened murder and attempted murder cases

Earlier that day at the Cape Town Station Deck Taxi a shooting took place that resulted in several people injured. In relation to the Nyanga shooting incident and Cape town station deck on Monday afternoon, police have bolstered deployments at potential hotspot.

 

By Everngelista Muza

Unpacking the Integrated Development Plan / Public Participation

The Integrated Development Plan tells the municipality what's it's going to do to develop an area.

The Municipal Systems Act of 2000 describes the IDP as a principal strategic planning instrument which guides and informs all planning and development and all decisions with regards to planning, management, and development of the municipality.

The IDP process is a 5-year plan, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The IDP focuses on basic service delivery, local economic development and most importantly – good governance and public participation.

Public participation enable us to interact with government on an ongoing basis on matters that concern us. Through public participation, government remains in touch with our needs and we can hold government accountable for it.

Our constitution and laws spells out what government has to do to facilitate public participation in important municipal decision-making processes such as the drafting of by-laws and the IDP.

Done By: Mitchum George

Bush Radio1 · Municipal Financing Show on IDP process & Public Participation(17 November 2020)

A trip gone wrong for 52 year old Durban woman

 

While at Kloof Gorge Waterfall in Durban a woman fell down four meters onto rocks. She was reported to have sustained serious injuries after she had lost her footing and fallen to the rocks below.

The incident took place Sunday 22 November and it was reported at 10:24 whereby the paramedics quickly responded. Shawn Herbst a 911 Netcare spokesman stated that the 52 year old woman was treated on the scene by Netcare emergency care practitioner. The team took a long hike where the woman had fallen, she was airlifted to a hospital. Herbst stated that the woman was carried down using a specialized stretcher. It took the team up to four hours to get her to an agreed time and place where she was loaded into a Netcare helicopter.

 

The rescue team used a rope-rescue system to go down a steep hill then flown to a specialized facility.

Done by Amber Collins

Mboweni asks his almost 1 million followers if we need national airline

Sunday evening Finance Minister Tito Mboweni tweeted: Ok.Do we need a national airline, Maybe that’s the question? Is it?

 

This notion went and brought about their anger seeing as this was posted a short while after SAA was granted 10,5 billion additional funding for business rescue. Some people agreed with this by stating we need a national airline, a restructured SAA. RSA is a nation state with an air force which means we need to integrate saturation of domestic civilian expertise into our defense strategy, Our SoEs fumbled by thinking the things they were built to subsidize should be profitable.

 

Many people were not so supportive to this question with some tweeters bashing or reprimanding Mboweni for seeming incompetent. One twitter user said, South Africa should instead allow domestic startups to encourage investment and competition in its aviation industry. Free up the SA air space and cut down the beaurocracy in the industry. No we don’t. We need to kick start the economy, lift our ratings from junk status and focus on letting business people run businesses. Political interference must be kept as far away as possible. If you don’t even the UIF and pension funds will not be enough. People will starve from your losses yet you will blame the white people and apartheid for your catastrophic failures unfortunately that’s the ANC way.

 

The country although it might need bational airline is not in the best capacity to take that burden. The economy needs to be worked on until we are viliable enough.

 

By Everngelista Muza

Man killed over R100 due in court

A teenager is expecting to appear in the Eshowe Magistrate court Thursday, 19 Novemeber 2020, for killing a man after they were arguing over a R100.

According to the police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele, it was alleged on the 17th November 2020, a 18 year old suspect had stabbed a victim on the upper left shoulder in the Mbomboshana area in Eshowe. 

The police was informed that the 35 year old male had an argument over amount of R100.

The suspect reportedly stabbed the victim on the upper left shoulder before he fled from the scene.

She said that the police officers managed to trace the suspect that was hiding in the Mbomboshane area. There was a murder weapon found in his possession, and she said the suspect was changed with murder.

Done by: Amber Collins

Cape Flats march to protect kids from hit list

 The residents of Scottsdene held a march urging gangs to lower their guns because many children have been dying in gang shootings. The residents believe that the area allegedly has a hit list with children’s names that are marked for being shot. 

The march had about 400 people. While marching to one of the crime hotspots, people could hear gun shots being fired from Klipbok Street. 

A grandmother of a young boy that has his name on the hit list said that the march was “much needed”. “It could not have come at a better time because my grandson is on the gang members’ ‘hit list’,” said the 74 year old grandma. 

Anthea Visagie, the mother Duran Visagie who is an 11 year old boy who was died because a gang shooting, also attended the march. Members attending the march wore tshirts with Duran’s face on it. 

One of the residents said that he feels very disappointed that so few people attended the march. “More people could have turned up today. But it’s a good start, and it mustn’t end here.” said Dennis Taibosch.  

By Danielle Mentoor

New Covid-19 cases in South Africa

 

New Covid-19 cases in South Africa

1 245 new Covid-19 cases has been identified in SA in the last report. From Monday, the number of the detected Covid-19 cases is 752 269, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement on Monday 16 November 2020..

He said, more than 73 Covid-19-related deaths have been reported 

Eastern Cape has 32,

Free State has 23,

Gauteng has 7

Western Cape has 11.

In total the number of covid-19 related death stands at 20 314.

From the 73 deaths, 15 reportedly occurred in the last 48 hours:

7 from Eastern Cape,

2 from Gauteng

6 from Western Cape.

Number of the recoveries stands at 695 496, which the recovery rates of 92.5%. The cumulative number of the tests conducted to data is 5142 948. With also 12 755 tests conducted since the last report.

Done by Amber Collins

The taxi rank, a woman’s nightmare

 

Twitter recently blew up with a viral video of two woman being chased after by men at un-identified taxi rank, forcefully stripping and assaulting them.

Discussions erupted on what prompts these kind of assault with some users pointing out that the girl being followed was wearing the bare minimal. While her friend on the other hand was wearing a dress, yet one man saw it fit to lift up her dress as shown in the video posted by @_This_Is_Bee, when she pulled her friend away from the group of men. In the 30 seconds video in the background voices of woman shouting at the man to leave the girls alone could be heard. One user @Unclebecs reprimanded people pointing out their attire by saying ”Y'all are always blaming women for wearing whatever clothing they want butiIgnore the gents that warass women like this. User @tlouu also stated that the fact that they are following them and making sexual moves on them is rape culture at its best, with the audacity to pull up the other girls dress.

One can only imagine the trauma these girl went through with many failing to see that women should not be dictated to as to what they should wear. Offenders must be reported as this is against the law, there’s campaigns that should help in getting heard. Many people pointed out on how one girl was dressing in a provoking manner yet this statement show how some people thinks woman are objects that dress to appease them. Often times it’s the woman and children being abused by their driver’s. A taxi rank is business place drivers shouldn’t prompt this kind of abuse, commuters should be at ease when they come to or from home.

By Everngelista Muza

Tremors felt in Saldanha Bay, Cape Town after 3.5 minor magnitude earthquake

Minor magnitude - 3.5 earthquake - 41 km south of Saldanha, South Africa, on Monday, 16 November 2020 at 22:27 (GMT) reported Volcano Discovery. Tremors struck various parts of the northwest of Cape Town, even though the earthquake is reported that it did not cause any major damages but people still felt a minor shaking of the earth in up to approximately 100 km distance from the epicenter said Volcano Discovery.

More than 1000 people shared their experiences on Twitter, affirming that it was broadly felt in the area.

Here are some of the tweets shared:

According to Professor Andrzej Kijko from the University of Pretoria's Natural Hazard Center, mining can initiate earthquakes. He believes that 95% of South Africa's tremors are brought about by mining, particularly around the regions of Klerksdorp, Welkom and Carletonville. Reported by IOL, he said if Cape Town were to be hit by a large seismic event, there would be major damage to the city’s infrastructure and property.

 

Done by Chwayita Hlangwana

 

Teacher lies about homeschooling

 Gugulethu mother, Portia Mdletye, says that her son has been deprived of his education since March 2020. The teacher believes that the 5-year-old boy is a “high risk” for contracting the virus and fears that he might infect other learners. 

Portia said that the teacher told her that “all grade R pupils would continue to learn from home for the rest of the year”. However, recently she found out that this was not the case and her son was the only one being turned away. 

“My child developed flu symptoms in March in the week schools were scheduled to close due to lockdown. I took him to the pharmacy and received medication for that.” said Portia. 

“I did an unannounced visit to see for myself and met the teacher outside. She was rude to me. When I followed her into the classroom, it was indeed full of pupils.” The mother claims that her son is always neat and does not always have a bloody nose. 

She said she made a complaint at the Maitland and Ndabeni Western Cape education department district offices, stating that she was asked to home-school her son without the home-schooling form, as per government directives, and regarding her son’s health.

By Danielle Mentoor 

Covid-19 spike along Garden Route

 

According to Premier Alan Winde, the government has come up constructional procedures to contain the recent covid 19 cases that has risen in Garden Route.

On his regular virtual news conference, Winde stated that over the past seven days, the Western Cape has seen a 20% increase in the number of new Covid-19 cases with most cases recorded in the Garden Route district. They are particularly concerned about the increase in the number of cases in George, Knysna and Bitou, where the test positivity rate is around 32%.

In order to manage and contain the spread of infections, hot soft teams are working closely with health teams including the SAPS, law enforcement and municipalities. Communication to the Garden Route is done through SMS and social media messaging.

Head of health Dr Keith Cloete said: “The latest data available from the department as of yesterday (November 12) shows that George, where 95 new cases were reported Wednesday, was the worst affected area.

She said they are continuing with ongoing community screening and testing in all the areas with community health workers including in Pacaltsdorp and Uniondale where the team is struggling and under a lot of pressure.

Albert Fritz, Community Safety MEC welcomed the progress made on the implementation of the provincial Safety Plan through its partnership with the Western Cape economic development partnership.

The safety priority is to reduce interpersonal violence, which requires an evidence-informed, data-led, and area-based public health approach to law enforcement and violence prevention, said Fritz.

Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo spoke of her visit earlier to the Bellville Taxi Rank and said: “The message remains the same, we’re open but rely on you, the public, to ensure that we control the infection rate. For instance, crowded areas should be avoided at all costs,” said Mbombo.

BY Everngelista Muza

NSFAS takes away hope of children

 

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is being taken to court by Trade Union Solidarity’s youth arm after the NSFAS alleged mismanagement that cost students to lose bursaries.

Many of these students are one of a lower income group without their own funds for studies, the bursary was the hope they had and has been taken away. The students who are asking that they continue receiving NSFAS funding, complained that they only receive messages to say that their household incomes exceeded the threshold. The students however argue that, that’s not the issue and that they in fact comply with the rules. The union said this matter is extremely urgent as they are consequences, one being without funding their institution will hold onto their marks.

The union said the fund was created for the less fortunate now they are being deprived of this by irregularities in the aid scheme. Solidarity refuses NSFAS’s claims that they acted fairly and within its rights by cancelling and withdrawing financial support to students. A lot of these students were able to attain their bursary successfully only to for NSFAS to suddenly stop paying. Anton van der Bijl, head of legal services at Solidarity, said, what NSFAS did is not only immoral but unethical as it seems like the scheme forgets many future depends of it.

In its court papers, Solidarity rejects NSFAS’s claims that it acted fairly and within its rights by cancelling and withdrawing financial support to students.

Solidarity say that all “irregularities” should be stopped immediately and requests the court to order NSFAS to honor what it stands for and with its students that have entered the agreement with.

By Evergelista Muza

Murdered police officer family asks for protected police villages

 The family of Constable Lizwi Mbambeni, is asking the government and police management to reestablish police villages and barracks where officers and their families to live. These villages would ensure the safety of the officers and their family.

The constable was shot and killed in Mfuleni 9 November 2020. A male in his twenties was injured as well. The incident happened after an argument broke out between a group of people at the New Flats.

Constable Lizwi Mbambeni’s grandfather, Mzwandile Mfazwe, said that the villages will not only protect the police families but also reduce corruption amongst police officers. “These officers become friends with criminals and they target those who they do not like.”

Police spokesperson Andre Traut said that no arrests have been made yet. Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz asked on the police to make swift arrest of the guilty parties involved in the murder, saying an attack on the police service was an attack on the state and must be treated as such.

Anyone with information that could assist in the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stop using the number 086 001 0111 or via the MySAPSApp.

By Danielle Mentoor 

Inside 'whites only' matric ball

 Details about the private Brakenfell High matric ball was leaked to the Daily Voice. According to the invitation that was send to the private group, the event was called the “Masquerade Ball MX’20”. It was held at Skillpadvlei Wine Farm in Stellenbosch on 17 October 2020. 

Tickets to the event was cost R500 per person and was limited to 100 people. Details about the events was shared on a private group chat called “Matrix 2020”, where several teachers were members of. Students of colour said that they were excluded from the private group chat, “We have class WhatsApp groups where information is usually shared, but it was not the case on the event which clearly shows we were meant to be excluded.”

The school governing body (SGB) and Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) both stated that it was a private event and did not include the school at all. According to the leaked seating chart, at least 4 teachers were included in the 77 seated guests. 

A video and photography company that does events for the school, uploaded a video of the event on the “Hoerskool Brackenfell High” Youtube channel. The video clearly shows students arriving at the venue. The video was later removed after having 1000 views.: “They rubbed it in our faces when they posted it on the school social media platforms, and one of the people that planned it is in the SGB. On the SGB it’s white parents only because when they elect people, they speak in Afrikaans.”, said an upset black learner. 

“There are 170 white, 50 coloured and 34 black matriculants. You want to tell me out of all these coloured and black matriculants, the white children did not have a single person they are friends with or get along with to invite to the event?”. An upset coloured learner said they were deliberately not invited. 

By Danielle Mentoor 

Mother wants justice for murdered son

 

Atlantis mother, Letitia Moore, is set to get justice for the murder of her 16-year-old son. Jordan Moore (16) was allegedly murdered by gangsters.

He was stabbed and mauled by dogs on Friday evening. Earlier that evening, Jordan, his cousin and a friend got held at gunpoint in a park by two suspects.

Jordan was Letitia’s only child for 15 years before the birth of her second son Reece. Letitia believes that she will get justice for her son’s murder but first, she needs to face the loss of her son.

“My child didn’t deserve to die the way he did and just the thought of him fighting for his life, it’s not right what they did to him.”, said Letitia. A memorial service will be held at Jordan’s high school on Tuesday afternoon. 

By Danielle Mentoor

Activists ask for marking leniency

 

Education Activists has asked the Basic Education examination markers to be more lenient when marking the grade 12’s matric exam scripts this year.

 Hendrick Makeneta, education activist, said that this year has been an extremely difficult year for students as their education literally came to a standstill due to the covid-19 lockdown. “It is for this reason that activists within the terrain of education call on the department to do the right thing by being lenient to our learners in matric as they mark their scripts.”, said Hendrick.

 According to Hendrick, the grade 12 scripts was set up long before covid-19 started, therefore there was need to alter the papers in light of our current situation. “We cannot expect to function normally under abnormal conditions of Covid-19. The learners cannot be punished for something that was not created by them.”

However, Faiq Salie, principle at Mitchells Plain High and ex matric marker, disagrees with this statement. He does not think lenient marking is the answer as the matric marking is already lenient to begin with. He thinks that a true reflection of the marks will help them understand the impact of covid-19 and how to move forward into 2021.

 Faiq said that leniency in marking would make the students think that mediocrity is okay when facing hardships. However, he does think that universities could look into induction strategies for student who attained good results and accept them for they course they registered for. 

By Danielle Mentoor

A Conspiracy with lover to murder Groblersdal farm manager

A woman arrested for murder of Raymond Papapavlou has been reported to have a relationship with the murdered husbands wife, Simone.

On Thusrday Patricia appeared on court on charges for conspiracy and murder of the farm manager. It has been stated in a charge sheet she along with Patricia allegedly intentionally conspired the murder of Papapavlou. Although her lawyer on Sunday of-record was able to confirm their relationship, he still strongly denies her involvement. He believes they are trying to use the knowledge of her lesbian relationship to flash out the killer.

It was reported Papapavlou was shot five times and there was no sign of struggle. Whilst his wife also fired several times she has yet to be arrested nor was she in court Thurday, she has however been instructed to not make any comments.

by Everngelista Muza

Teachers voluntary invigilate Covid 19 matriculates

 

Basic education department last week announced pupils who have the coronavirus could also write the national senior certificate. They however will only write in their own venue.

It was decided after some members of the teachers union raised their concern over the safety of their people. It has been stated that teachers should volunteer instead of feeling pressured to invigilate. The basic education department said although students have the right to write, the health and safety of educators is just as important. On Monday protocols was issued to help schools prepare therefore, parents of children with covid 19 are urged to contact school immediately so that correct protocols are issued.

by Everngelista Muza

 

Underage pupil dies from illegal initiation

 Traditional leaders of SA in the Eastern Cape have said they are disappointed to know that before the un-ban of the initiation, one life of an initiate has been lost. Bathandwa Funda, the 15-year-old boy from Gxulu village died Saturday night from the illegal initiation. He was part of a group of 10 initiates who had gone for the traditional process at an illegal initiate school (Ibhoma) eight of them ran away later ran away.

His parents rescued his cousin when the school was busted by the Nyandeni initiation forum while the rest ran away. The family is in a somber mood preparing for the funeral and said they will only speak with the police. It has been stated they are in the process of looking for the pupils in charge of the illegal school.  Gwadiso chairman of the forum also said the reason why the boys fled was because they find shame in being discovered, and are in the process of looking for more boys discovered at another illegal school. Some parents have said they were not aware they children were there.

By Everngelista Muza

Hennenman robbery gone wrong, father and son attacked.

 

Four people have been arrested as suspects of an attack on Thursday that left the father dead and son severely injured.

Whilst the father Hills was shot dead the son, Eddie was stabbed by the robbers and is in a critical condition. One of the suspects was later found dead while in police custody on Saturday. The father and son were found by their maid Anna Bochedi Friday morning, after Hills’s wife called because she couldn’t get a hold of her husband. The husband was declared dead on the scene. The mother reported on Sunday the sons condition has yet to change. One of their worker is also a suspect who distracted the dogs so the other suspect got in. Two or three handguns are suspected to have been stolen.

By Everngelista Muza 

Victory as Kataza returns to troop

 The ongoing battle between Kataza and the City of Cape Town has been settled. Kataza won after many of his supporters put up great fight helping him return to his troop. After many weeks of silent protests, petitions, social media posts and threats to sue in support of Kataza, the city finally surrendered.

Kataza was forcefully removed from his troop by the city and the residents of Cape Town fought for his return to his troop. 

The return of Kataza will be done according to the approved guidelines provided by the baboon management. It will take place as soon as possible. For the sake of public safety, no public citizens will be allowed in the area when his return is taking place. 

The director of the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute, Francesca de Gasparis, said that they are thrilled to hear that the city has decided to return Kataza back to his troop. However, they are unsure if the decision was linked to the courtcase that was taken out against the city. 

Diana De Agrela, creator of Take Kataza Back Home petition, has gathered more than 30 000 supporters. Diana said that this is to ensure that was has been done to Kataza will never happen again. 

By Danielle Mentoor

SA firearm a disaster

 The South African Arms and Ammunition Dealers’ Association (SAAADA) says that it has been difficult to register firearms because the regulations are constantly changing. 

The SAAADA asked the police to speak to the firearms community in order to work together towards a violent free South Africa. Allowing citizens to be safe, gain from the economic activity and free to practice their legitimate and lawful pursuits. 

The Central Firearms Registry (CFR) has voluntarily stopped engaging with leaders in the firearms fraternity since early 2018. These include collectors, gunsmiths, hunters, sport shooters, dealers etc. 

SAAADA chairperson Jonathan Fouché said that the police (SAPS) constantly changes policies without disclosing those changes with the stakeholders. Thus making it extremely difficult to keep up with the regularities and increasing the chance of firearm dealers and owners to unintentionally break the law. 

Gun Free SA director Adèle Kirsten said that the presidency should put in place and independent forensic audit for all firearm licences, permits etc. from January 2015. This would investigate who was issued what licence and for what reason. “Corruption in the national firearms control management system is systemic, widespread, deeply entrenched and deadly,” she Adèle. 

By Danielle Mentoor 

72-year- old suspect arrested on 5 November for the unlawful ownership of ammunition and illegal drugs

A joint operation between the Metro Police K9 Unit and SAPS CIG led to the arrest of a 72-year- old suspect on 5 November for the unlawful ownership of ammunition and illegal drugs. Officers executed a search warrant at an address in Milnerton just after 5pm. The owner and two minors were present at the time that the warrant was executed. 

In the living room, the K9 members found 262 live rounds of ammunition, concealed in a container in a cupboard which consisted of :

• 72x R5 rounds
• 50x 9mm S&B rounds
•  9x 38mm rounds
• 59x 7.65 rounds 
• 4x9mm short rounds and
•  68x 7.62 rounds

A further search of the cupboard led to the discovery of 9 whole mandrax tablets.

In the suspect's room, the officers also found R76, 440 in cash in the cupboard which the suspect could not answer for.  He was arrested for the illegal possession of ammunition and possession of drugs and was detained at Milnerton SAPS. The money was also booked in and a guardian was arranged for the minors.

By: The Bush Radio news team