Author: Sue Maclennan

On Monday 14 September, traffic police closed off the R67 near Bathurst as a group of protesters toyi-toyied from around 6.30am. The road was re-opened by 9am. The demonstration came nearly a year after a process of negotiations began with people living on land owned and/ or leased by a farming operation in the area. Ndlambe PR councillor Xolisa Runeli, who represents the EFF, told Grocott’s Mail that around 80 people  from nearby areas took part in the action. He said they were objecting to a process begun in 2019. Runeli said people living on the property had been offered…

The story behind the wall that collapsed at Fort Selwyn A historic wall that recently collapsed at Fort Selwyn opposite the Monument hill collapsed 22 years ago, in exactly the same spot, says Albany Museum’s Archaeologist Celeste Booth. And the proof comes in the form of an article in Grocott’s Mail. Booth was called in to record and report the damage so resources can be brought in to repair and secure the heritage site. Grocott’s Mail met the Albany Museum team at the Fort, who were there to seal off the damaged section with tape. “Please don’t climb on any part…

Fourteen children living at the Ikhaya Losizo foster homes in Joza had to spend the weekend indoors thanks to a massive sewage spill that flooded the grounds on Saturday 5 September. House mothers says they’ve lost count of the number of times sewage has spewed from an inspection cover close to the complex. The cluster homes are currently home to 14 lively and active children – all under the age of 10. They are the culmination of a long-held dream to create a family environment in a safe space for Makhanda’s vulnerable children. Community members raised funds for the facility…

Clicks says it will take steps to ensure the safety of staff and customers at its stores. Branches of the retailer across the country were forced to close amid protests by EFF supporters on Monday 7 September. In Makhanda, a group of six EFF stalwarts held up placards and sang outside the retailer in High Street in support of the party’s national campaign. EFF leader Julius Malema had called on his party’s followers to “attack” more than 880 Clicks stores across South Africa, after an advertisement they said was racist appeared on the retailer’s website last week. The advert, which…

A Makhanda man linked by investigators to no fewer than 12 housebreaking incidents in Joza over two years appeared in court on Friday. The 20-year-old is charged with 12 counts of Housebreaking with the intention to steal, and Theft. The incidents occurred between July 2018 and July 2020 at homes in Extensions 4, 2 and 3, and other parts of Joza, as well as in Extension 10. Cellphones, laptops and television sets are among the 100-odd items with a combined value of close to R100 000 that are listed as having been stolen over the 24-month period. Other items include…

At the very moment a select Parliamentary Committee was discussing Makana’s recovery status during a virtual sitting last week, lawyers for the Unemployed People’s Movement were at work in their Makhanda offices on putting together evidence that they believe shows the municipality is beyond redemption. On Tuesday 25 August, the UPM’s lawyers Wheeldon Rushmere and Cole were compiling a document to persuade the judiciary that without further delay, Judge Stretch’s 14 January order must be effected – the Grahamstown High Court ruled at the beginning of 2020 that Makana Council be dissolved and the municipality be put under full administration.…

(Clockwise from back left) Michael Tyelbooi, Nkosinathi Feni, Promise Songcata and Songezo Songcata are pothole repair specialists, ‘Fixiole’. Here they are in Dundas Street on Monday 17 August after repairs there funded by businesses in the area. The Makhanda based enterprise buys locally manufactured coldtar and slurry and use 100% local workers to repair roads and pavements. They also sell the sealer direct to DIYers. ‘Sponsor your street, suburb or just in front of your property,’ says owner Promise Songcata. ‘We will come and do a complete job.’ Songcata says they work in partnership with Makana Revive and that the…

Wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds says poaching statistics have dropped substantially in the Eastern Cape, thanks to effective law enforcement. But ahead of the appeal bid by convicted rhino poachers the Ndlovus in the High Court in Makhanda this week, he was worried. “When poachers have money… they’re able to appeal these cases and just take just take them higher and higher up the judicial system until they succeed and get away with it,” Fowlds said. Jabulani Ndlovu, Forget Ndlovu and Sibusiso Ndlovu were sentenced to an effective 25 years imprisonment each in April 2019 on 55 counts for rhino-poaching…

The state of Makhanda’s rubbish dump in the coming weeks could determine whether Makana’s Mayor and Municipal Manager escape a six-month jail sentence. This comes as Judge Miki Mfenyana this week dismissed with costs their application for leave to appeal her contempt of court ruling. In a judgment handed down on 4 March 2020, the Judge ruled that the Mayor and Municipal Manager were in contempt of court for failing to comply with a five-year-old order to properly manage the Cradock road landfill. In 2015, Judge Jeremy Pickering handed down a detailed court order requiring Makana Municipality to undertake specific…

ZAMUXOLO JOSEPH PETER 10 January 1965 – 31 July 2020 Former Mayor of Makana Municipality Zamuxolo Joseph Peter.succumbed to Covid-19 on Friday, 31 July 2020. He passed away in hospital. Zamuxolo Peter was born on 10 January 1965 in Riebeeck East. He started his secondary schooling Masiphathisane High School, Motherwell in Port Elizabeth. There, he became an active member of the Congress of the South African Students (Cosas), the Youth Congress and the Civic Movement – all under the United Democratic Front). He continued with his studies, obtaining an accredited course from Border Technikon in the Eastern Cape. Comrade Peter…