By Luvuyo Mjekula A horrific taxi accident claimed the lives of six people and injured a few others in Makhanda earlier today. The driver of the taxi, four passengers and a teenage boy, who was hit by the taxi while walking on the pavement, were all declared dead at the scene this afternoon. Their bodies were removed from the scene a short while ago. Scores of onlookers packed the scene as paramedics attended to injured passengers and police officers carried out their investigations. The road was closed for hours and traffic officers redirected traffic. The accident is believed to have…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
Read More
NguChris Totobela Abalandeli nabathandi bebhola ekhatywayo baseMakhanda bashiyeke bebambe ongezantsi emva kwemidlalo yeMakana LFA ngosuku lwabasebenzi, umhla wokuqala kuMay. Amaqela amabini ajijisana ngendawo yokuqala kwicandelo B loompondo zihlanjiwe ebedlala imidlalo yawo yokugqibela. Omabini lamaqela eze kule midlalo yawo yokugqibela ebambene ngamanqaku angamashumi amabini anesithoba emva kokuba bedlale imidlalo elineshumi elinesithathu. ISophia Stars biqubisene ne Juventus logama iRhodes University yona ibivana amandla neLalibela Lions. ISophia Stars ize kulo mdlalo ikhokela ngamanqaku ewafakileyo emnatheni amathathu, ntoleyo ebangele ukuba omabini lamaqela axhomekeke kule midlalo yawo yokugqibela ukuze ayazi ukuba leliphi elizakujongana nqo ne XI Attackers kumdlalo wobuntshatsheli. Le midlalo yokugqibela yalamaqela kuye kwanyenzeleka…
By Amahle Cele Last Friday, The Hyacinth Wild took the stage at Makhanda’s legendary SSS venue as part of their highly anticipated Eastern Cape tour. The Zululand-based ensemble delivered an unforgettable performance that showcased their unique musical prowess and undeniable stage presence, leaving the audience in awe. The setlist featured a wide range mix of original compositions and well-known covers, highlighting the band’s ability to seamlessly blend the familiar with the fresh. Each song was admirably arranged and executed, demonstrating the exceptional talent and chemistry between band members. The energy and passion they brought to the stage were contagious, captivating…
By Chris Totobela A local fitness club launched free aerobic and fitness sessions for the whole of April, and Makhandans took full advantage of the generous offer. Fitness lovers in Makhanda came out in droves and grabbed the opportunity offered by the Joza Aerobics and Fitness Club. Experienced instructor Nomawethu” Sweshy” Simama led all the free sessions and was pleased with the effort showed by members of the public. She explained the idea behind this initiative. “We wanted to market our club and also give our community an opportunity to work with us and enjoy proper fitness activities while using…
By Luvuyo Mjekula The murder case involving former ward councillor Luyanda Sakata and three other men was postponed yet again in the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court earlier today, to the disapproval of their throngs of supporters. The case has been postponed to Thursday, 16 May, for further investigation, the state prosecutor said. Sakata, 42, and Mphithizeli Diko, 63, remain in custody. The decision left the two men’s supporters, who had packed the courtroom to the rafters, disappointed and visibly upset. Grocott’s Mail understands that an appeal is imminent after Sakata and Diko were refused bail last month. Their two co-accused -…
By Luvuyo Mjekula An 80-year-old Makhanda businessman appeared in the local magistrate’s court earlier today facing several charges of rape involving seven Hoogenoeg girls aged between 9 and 12. He was arrested on Tuesday, along with his younger co-accused, who faces 10 counts of rape involving the same children. The two made their first court appearance today. The girls’ parents, accompanied by residents of Hoogenoeg, the local area committee and the community policing forum (CPF), were also in court, to oppose bail against the two men. The mother of one of the girls told Grocott’s Mail she was supposed to…
By Luvuyo Mjekula A 31-year-old man appeared in the Makhanda High Court this week charged with raping 10 women and five girls in two Eastern Cape towns over a seven-year period. The Lesotho national, who resided in Addo, allegedly committed the rapes between October 2015 and December 2022 in Addo and Joubertina in the Sarah Baartman district. Of his 15 victims, five are girls aged between 13 and 17 years. In total, the man faces a total of 24 charges – 15 counts of rape, eight of robbery with aggravating circumstances and one of robbery. The state alleges that the…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma and Luvuyo Mjekula As provincial and local leaders of the Democratic Alliance crisscrossed Makhanda on an oversight visit-cum election campaign earlier this week, they came across two Scott’s Farm mothers who expressed strong views about service delivery and the party. One of the women, Verna Heywood, looked DA Eastern Cape leader Andrew Whitfield straight in the eye and told him: “The DA won this ward previously, but they did nothing for us.” Heywood said the biggest problems in her area included potholes, dysfunctional street lights, and a poorly maintained school, field and clinic. While agreeing with…
By Luvuyo Mjekula It has taken nearly 10 years, but there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for hundreds of Alicedale learners who have been waiting for their crumbling school building to be reconstructed in a R50m government project. In a widely welcomed development this week, the contractor, Amajuda Civils, arrived in Alicedale and undertook to finally start work on the project. The learners also returned to school this week after local residents had sent them home and closed the school for a few days due to safety concerns brought about by lengthy delays in the…
By Staff Reporter The Democratic Alliance recently launched its elections manifesto in the Eastern Cape pledging to “urgently rescue this province from the spiralling crisis of hunger, poverty and the exploding cost of living, before it is too late”. “That is why the DA is here to launch our manifesto to rescue the Eastern Cape,” said party leader John Steenhuisen. With less than two months left until the national and provincial elections on 29 May, the country is abuzz with political party heavyweights zigzagging the length and breadth of the country trying to woo voters. The DA says it has…