Author: Staff Reporter

Following an alleged mob justice attack, four suspects aged between 34-46 were arrested and charged for the torture and murder of a 19-year-old man in Makhanda on Monday, 14 September 2020. Three suspects appeared in court on 17 September and were released on R500 bail. The fourth suspect, aged 34, was expected to appear in court today. Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga condemned acts in which people take the law into their own hands. “No one should torture or kill another one and all crime suspects should be reported to police so that justice can take its course,” Ntshinga…

In a media statement this morning, Eskom said the managers of two power stations had been suspended pending disciplinary enquiries. This followed the sudden implementation of loadshedding to Stage 4 over the past two days. The Eskom Board was working closely with the Executive Management to speedily resolve the matter, the power utility said. While there were 5 000MW of capacity currently on planned maintenance, there were also 10 950MW (12 units over the past seven days) on unplanned breakdowns. The resulting energy demand deficit of around 3 000MW had been aggravated by very high demand during the cold front. ‘The Board is…

The National Arts Council (NAC) has called for bursary applications for the academic year that begins in January 2021. The invitation is open to postgraduate arts students, as well as registered education and training institutions in South Africa providing tuition in theatre, dance, crafts, literature, multidisciplinary arts, music, visual arts, cultural policy, and arts and culture management and any other arts-related course. The invitation extends to students applying for a Bachelor of Technology degree in the arts. Applications for fashion design must incorporate a cultural element as part of the studies. Particular attention will be paid to postgraduate qualifications that address…

Lucas Radebe, Karen Zoid, Andre Snyman and PJ Powers among celebrities collaborating to raise funds for the Solidarity Fund The South African Chamber in the UK has brought together some of South Africa’s well-loved celebrities for a global Solidarity Walk. The Solidarity Walk aims to unite South Africa’s diaspora and friends of the country to show support for those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The SA Chamber also aims to raise awareness and donations for the Solidarity Fund. #SolidarityWalk is a symbol of unity encouraging businesses, groups and individuals around the world to support the Solidarity Fund in strengthening critical prevention, detection, care and support activities for those impacted by the…

Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga has praised the work of investigating officer in the Grahamstown Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit, Detective Warrant Officer Luthando Mthyobile, for helping to put a rapist behind bars for life. A 21-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and 15 years for attempted murder in the Grahamstown High Court on Monday 3 August 2020. The court heard that Mojalefa Rampai (21) was at a party with the survivor on the night of 7 December 2019. When the woman decided to walk to a nearby tavern, Rampai offered to escort…

In the past two weeks, joint efforts by the National Consumer Commission (NCC), the National Prosecuting Authority’s Johannesburg office of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) led to the seizure of assets and the freezing of bank accounts relating to a pyramid scheme, the NCC said in a statement. More than 228 900 consumers had been defrauded in the scheme, which had amassed millions of rands. Established in terms of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA), the NCC is responsible to enforce this Act. Its responsibilities include receiving complaints concerning alleged prohibited conduct…

vNAF artists stay online As news filters through about the closures of more theatres and general devastation to the arts industry locally and abroad, artists are increasingly finding a home online. The Virtual National Arts Festival has extended the run of the curated selection of Festival content until 31 July 2020. At the same time, the vFringe’s online platform continues to grow with the first crop of Standard Bank Ovations being announced to recognise productions that truly stand out on the independently produced vFringe. “No one is able to predict where we are going to be as an industry in six months…

Alcohol ban back plus 9pm-4am curfew and other key points from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech to the nation on Sunday 12 July 2020. Setting the scene: South Africa now has more than 12 000 new Covid-19 cases a day – or 500 every hour. At least 4 079 people have died from Covid-19 – a quarter of those in the past week. More than 134 000 South African have recovered from the coronavirus. The problem: Careless behaviour (not wearing a mask in public; large gatherings etc) are contributing to a soaring rate of infection. Measures taken include: More than 2 million coronavirus tests…

A large-scale campaign has been launched, to gather details of black South Africans who served during World War One. To help fill in the missing pieces of these men’s lives, who until now have not received any recognition for their sacrifice, the organisers have asked the public to contribute information. Over the course of the War, thousands of black South Africans enlisted for non-combatant duties serving in various labour units including the Cape Coloured Labour Regiment, Cape Auxiliary Horse Transport, the Military Labour Bureau and the Military Labour Corps. Unlike the South African Native Labour Contingent, which would serve in…

The Makhanda Kwantu Choir, Three Years in the Making will hold the premiere for their Virtual National Arts Festival event during a live-streamed performance at 7pm Friday 10 July on their facebook page – http://facebook.com/kwantuchoir On 2 July, three years ago, this vibrant and colourful ensemble had just completed their first performance as a choir – then named ‘The Cathedral Jazz Ensemble’. “We wish to take this time reflect, celebrate and appreciate everybody who has been supporting us over the last remarkable three years!” said the choir’s conductor Kutlwano Tshekiso Setchaba Kepadisa. “Especially to the Grahamstown Cathedral for birthing and…