An alert off-duty police officer saw to it that a rape suspect who had been on the run for eight months was arrested in Makhanda last weekend. South African Police Service spokesperson Colonel Sibongile Soci said Sergeant Ray Daniels from Grahamstown Detectives spotted the suspect in a yard in Sun City informal settlement. Daniels called for backup and the suspect was arrested, Soci said. The suspect appeared in the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court this week and bail was opposed.
Author: Staff Reporter
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Speak up even when your voice shakes, even when your voice trembles, even when it’s difficult. Kingswood College recently week hosted the inaugural Uyinene Mrwetyana Commemorative Lecture in partnership with the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation. The annual event, held for the first time on Monday, 29 March 2021, is intended to celebrate the life and legacy of Uyinene around the time of her birthday each year – “a keen academic, a born leader, a talented musician, a smile that lit up a whole room – this was Uyinene Mrwetyana” the school said in a statement. Uyinene was raped and murdered in Claremont, Cape…
The National Arts Festival scored a major victory this week when the South Gauteng High Court dismissed attempts by the National Arts Council (NAC) to enforce unilateral changes to a contract which forms part of the Presidential Economic Stimulus Programme (PESP), currently being managed by the NAC. The NAC initially granted the Festival R8 million to run three projects that would have provided employment to 400 artists, both nationally and in the Makhanda region. With the projects under way and the bulk of the funds committed, the NAC then reneged on the agreement and attempted to force the Festival to…
The South African Mint has released two new coin ranges for 2021 including the highly anticipated Big Five African buffalo coin. This completes the Big Five range. Introduced in 2019, the Elephant, Lion, Rhinoceros and the Leopard have already been issued as part of the Big Five coin series. The range, issued twice annually, six months apart, sees each of the majestic creatures issued in the following variations: a brilliant uncirculated quality coin struck from 999.9 fine silver and a proof-quality version of the same (only available in a double capsule); a 1oz gold coin; a 1oz platinum coin; and…
Fifty six people, including several University of Fort Hare students, were arrested and fined for contravening Alert Level One Curfew conditions in Alice on Friday 26 March. The arrests were in the course of Operation Gijima Tsotsi Blitz conducted by the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) in partnership with South African Police Service (SAPS) to clamp down on non-compliant liquor outlets in and around Alice. Similar operations will be conducted in other areas in the province in the coming week. Liquor Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya said the operation was part of the ECLB and SAPS initiative to enforce responsible liquor trading…
An Ombud is an independent and impartial officer who deals with complaints about an organisation or agency, whether private or public. Typically these complaints involve issues that the organisation or agency has been unable or unwilling, to resolve to the complainant’s satisfaction. The Office of the Tax Ombud operates independently of the South African Revenue Service as an impartial mediator between the South African taxpayers and SARS. FAIR AND IMPARTIAL PROBLEM SOLVING The Tax Ombud is appointed by the Minister of Finance to whom it reports directly. The Tax Ombud reviews and addresses complaints that are of service, procedural and…
The following is a summary of the #NationalShutdown protests. It’s an updated version of information we previously published. It’s intended to inform our readers what is behind the protests, and update you on the current situation at Rhodes University. Four days of protests Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela will address the University community on Friday 19 March 2021 at 3.30pm. This follows four days of protests in Makhanda under the banner of the #NationalShutdown, On the eve of the planned shutdown of university campuses across the country, Rhodes University urged the Department of Higher Education to find a sustainable…
Three police officers were injured in an accident on the Ecca Pass 15km north of Makhanda early on Thursday 18 March. In rainy conditions, the officers were reportedly driving a state vehicle patrolling the R67 provincial road towards Fort Brown police station around 7.15am. Police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said according to the report, they were on the Ecca Pass when a light blue Toyota Corolla approached them from the opposite direction. “The passengers allege the Toyota Corolla was approaching them quickly from the opposite direction, in their lane. They were on a curve and the police tried to avoid…
A case of murder is being investigated following and the stabbing of a 28-year-old Joza resident on Friday 12 March 2021. South African Police Service Spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said Joza SAPS members responded to a report of a stabbing at Cool Spot Tavern in Joza Street. “At the tavern, they were met by a response officer from SMHART security who informed them that the security camera [had] captured the deceased… being stabbed in the neck while in the tavern at 9.23pm,” Tonjeni said. “It appears that the deceased accompanied his girlfriend to the toilets and while standing in the…
Port Alfred emergency services recovered the body of a woman in her 30s from a vehicle driven into the Kowie River around 5.30am on Tuesday 16 March. The South African Police Service responded to a report of a vehicle that left Wharf street and drove into the Kowie River, spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said. “Emergency services responded and found the vehicle submerged approximately five meters in the river.” The body of a woman in her 30s was retrieved from the vehicle. Her identity is still be established and will be released once the next of kin have been informed. The vehicle…