By Aphiwe Ngowapi Convicted murderer Nomsa Seyisi should be sentenced to direct imprisonment because she has shown no remorse and is not fit for rehabilitation. This was the recommendation of a Makhanda social worker to the Makhanda High Court on Wednesday. Nomonde Stamper, who worked for the Department of Correctional Services before becoming a private social worker, told the court Seyisi, 48, did not take responsibility for her actions. Seyisi still denied killing her cousin’s boyfriend or attempting to kill her cousin. She was convicted of the murder of Thembinkosi Wambi and the attempted murder of her cousin, Zukiswa Frans.…
Author: Aphiwe Ngowapi
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By Aphiwe Ngowapi In a significant ruling yesterday, the High Court in Makhanda found Nomsa Seyisi guilty of the murder of Thembinkosi Wambi and the attempted murder of her cousin, Zukiswa Frans. However, the 48-year-old paramedic was found not guilty on the charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances. Wambi, 41, was shot in the head on 25 August 2023 and Frans was shot and injured on the hand, and surived after pretending to be dead. Seyisi had also been charged with robbing Wambi of his Stylo cellphone. She was arrested a month after the incident, but her two alleged accomplices…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi After 15 years of serving the Makhanda community, Red Café on High Street will close its doors at the end of October 2024. Known for its resilience, including surviving the challenges of COVID-19, the beloved local spot is transforming into the Red Café Online Art Gallery. This evolution aims to preserve the café’s ethos of community and creativity, while shifting focus from food to art. To mark this transition, Red Café will host the “Red Rebirth” Art and Memory Auction on Friday evening, October 25, 2024. Initially planned for last month, the auction was postponed as owners…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi A year after Grocott’s Mail reported the abrupt closure of Makhanda’s only specialist tuberculosis (TB) hospital, the now-abandoned Temba TB Hospital has become a target for criminals. The vacant facility has suffered extensive vandalism and looting by thieves who have stripped the premises of valuable materials. A recent visit by Grocott’s Mail, revealed a desolate scene: sewer pipes were dug up, electric cables torn out, and doors and burglar gates removed. On October 23, Grahamstown Anti-Crime members responded to a call reporting thieves on the premises. While a Smhart Security officer, Thabo Nkwinti, was dispatched to investigate,…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi The last day of October could be a pivotal moment for Nomsa Seyisi, the Makhanda paramedic charged with shooting to death her cousin’s boyfriend and attempting to kill her cousin. Last week, after the state and defence presented their closing arguments, the case was postponed until 31 October for judgment. State advocate Jan Engelbrecht spent less than an hour outlining the state’s case, and defence advocate Charles Stamper needed only 15 minutes. Engelbrecht told the judge: “It boils down to the way that you’re going to decide whether the accused person was a mere innocent spectator, a…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi In a fascinating development in the much-talked-about Nomsa Seyisi trial in the Makhanda High Court, the murder-accused paramedic took the witness stand this week. On Wednesday and Thursday, Seyisi testified, defending herself against allegations related to the August 2023 shooting of Zukiswa Frans and her boyfriend, Thembinkosi Wambi. Leading Seyisi’s testimony, defense advocate Charles Stamper, focused on discrepancies between Seyisi’s testimony and that of Frans, particularly around the events leading up to the incident, and Seyisi’s involvement. Stamper questioned Seyisi about her request for Frans to accompany her to Black Cat’s place on August 25, 2023. According…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi In a town rich with history but with modern challenges, a year-old organization named Imbumba Yeemboni (IY) is lighting a path toward empowerment, sustainability, and unity. Established on 20 September, 2023, by a group of passionate community members, this Non-Profit Company (NPC) will swiftly catalyze positive change in Makhanda. Imbumba Yeemboni translates to “a collective unity of visionaries”, a fitting description for this community-based organization. After Kagiso Trust’s Capacity Building and Asset Based Community-Led Development (ABCD) workshops in 2023, some driven and passionate members independently formed this NPC to tackle the persistent social challenges that plague Makhanda’s…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi A momentous ruling emanated from the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court this week, putting an end to a legal battle that has gripped the local community for months and affording relief to four influential community members, their families and supporters. On Wednesday, 2 October, the court dropped all charges against Grahamstown Anti-Crime leaders Luyanda Sakata, 42, Mphithizeli Diko, 63, Xolisile Mlatsha, 54 and Vuyo Madinda,42, finding that the evidence presented against them was inconsistent and unreliable. Grocott’s Mail previously reported that Sakata, a former Makana Municipality ward councillor, Diko, Mlatsha and Madinda, were all charged with beating Siviwe Sajini,…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi Rhodes University’s Eden Grove was the site of a crucial and timely discussion on sexual harassment, gender-based violence and consent within South African universities on Thursday evening. The talk, presented by the Office of Equity and Institutional Culture, the Political and International Studies Department and the Gender Action Forum, featured a panel presentation responding to the landmark case “S vs Coko” and a detailed report on ongoing issues of sexual violence in university settings. The discussion was facilitated by Prof Siphokazi Magadla, the Political & International Studies head of department at Rhodes, with guests Sibongile Ndashe, the…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi Makhanda is set to celebrate Women’s Day with a theatrical bang as production, Madam President Evelyn, returns to the Joza Indoor Sports Centre stage in Extension 6 today. First showcased during the 50th anniversary of the National Arts Festival this June, the satirical, dance-infused play has captured the imagination of audiences with its touching portrayal of Evelyn Peter, a domestic worker vying for the presidency in South Africa’s 2024 elections. Directed and written by Thumamna Sibhozo and choreographed by Likhaya Jack, the production draws inspiration from Jacklyn Cock’s 1980 seminal work, Maids & Madams, which exposed the…