Category Archives: South African News

News24.com | WATCH | Tourist robbed of goods worth R100 000 in driveway of Morningside hotel

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A 69-year-old UK tourist didn’t even have time to properly acclimatise to South Africa, before being robbed in the driveway of a hotel in Morningside on Sunday. 

The man was travelling in an Uber from the OR Tambo International Airport. 

CCTV cameras captured the moment two armed men pounce on the vehicle. A third suspect then grabs the items worth R100 000, from the boot of the car before all three flee the scene.  

“A case of armed robbery was opened at Sandton police station,” national police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili told News24.

“A 69-year-old man was allegedly robbed of personal items valued about R100 000, at the gate of a hotel in Morningside on arrival from the OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.”

No arrests have been made.

Police are investigating the matter. 

News24.com | Body of KZN teen who tried to save drowning neighbour found

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The body of a KwaZulu-Natal teenager who tried to save his seven-year-old neighbour who was swept away following heavy flooding has been found, paramedic services said on Monday.

“The body of the 14-year-old who tried to save the seven-year-old from the Nonoti River last week was recovered this afternoon, bringing closure for the family,” IPSS spokesperson Paul Herbst said.

He added the body had washed up on the river’s banks near the Darnall Mill. A police search and rescue team was on the scene together with other officers to investigate the incident.

The seven-year-old boy’s body was found on Wednesday.

The province was hit by severe rains early last week with a tornado also claiming two lives in eMpolweni, New Hanover, on Wednesday.

The South African Weather Service has predicted more heavy rains for the province this week.

News24.com | Fake news hurting debate on Comprehensive Sexuality Education – department

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The education department said on Sunday that fake news and false media reports were hurting the debate on the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) component of the Life Orientation curriculum.

“False reporting by some media organisations and fake news have created unnecessary confusion and anxiety among parents in particular,” said department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.

“The department therefore wishes to distance itself from a series of images that have been circulated on social media in recent weeks. These images are not part of the books produced by the department.”

Parent24 recently reported that parents and teachers were in uproar in recent weeks, in response to alleged updates to the CSE leaked by the African Christian Democratic Party and shared by FOR SA.

READ | Are the new Comprehensive Sexuality Education lesson plans really too much?

Mhlanga said members of the public had been contacting them about videos with incorrect information that were being distributed on social media.

Information

He said social media had been an integral part of a “fake news campaign” against the department.

“[The department] is aware of a lobby group against CSE that is creating misleading social media posts and feeding the public contaminated information. One of the many images shows adults in bed with graphic details. Another piece of fake news says the department will distribute condoms with stationery in 2020. There is also a video of an individual spreading wrong and potentially harmful information.”

Parents were urged to verify with the department before trusting information published by certain organisations and individuals.

Mhlanga said the purpose of CSE was to address issues such as sexual abuse, HIV infections, pupil pregnancy, bullying and peer pressure, to help pupils stay in school until they completed Grade 12.

The department also addressed reports stating that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga had told parents they could opt out of the current curriculum.

Mhlanga said Motshekga’s response to a Parliamentary question had meant that a parent could opt out by seeking another curriculum offered at a Cambridge or IEB school, not that they could opt out of specific sections of the curriculum.

“In other words the Minister said nothing new other than to remind of the general provisions available regarding the choice parents have when deciding on where to enrol their children,” he said.

“Parents are also free, and indeed, encouraged, to look into any aspect of what their children are taught in any subject at any time. It’s all available to them in various ways. The department has now made available all the scripted lesson plans for people to read and review.”

He said the department would continue engaging with concerned citizens who had an input to make regarding the scripted lesson plans on CSE in particular and Life Orientation in general.

News24.com | JUST IN | DA chooses Steenhuisen, Meyer as interim federal leader and chair

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The Democratic Alliance has chosen John Steenhuisen as its interim federal leader and Ivan Meyer as its interim federal chairperson during a closed federal council meeting held at the party’s headquarters in Johannesburg on Sunday.

The party’s national spokesperson Solly Malatsi confirmed this in a tweet, shortly before the two were set to address the media.

The two positions became vacant following Mmusi Maimane and Athol Trollip’s surprise resignations, three days after Helen Zille was elected as the party’s federal council chair in October. Zille replaced James Selfe, who had been in the position for nearly two decades.

Steenhuisen, the party’s current parliamentary leader was facing off against Gana, who is a Gauteng MPL for the position.

Meyer, who is deputy federal chairperson, was competing with Khume Ramulifho who is also an MPL in the Gauteng legislature and Nomafrench Mbombo, the DA Women’s Network leader and Western Cape health MEC for the position.

The two party interim leaders will hold the fort until its early congress in 2020.

A total of 160 DA council members had gathered to cast their votes. The members were made up of premiers, MECs, mayors, members of the different mayoral committees in the country as well as all national and provincial spokespersons.

The federal council is the DA’s highest decision-making body when federal congress is not in session.

More to follow.

News24.com | Man dies in agony after ambulance takes 10 hours to arrive

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“I really believe deep down in my heart that the father of my child would still be alive if the ambulance had arrived in time,” said Buyiswa Magxiyane, whose partner, Lizalise Ndamase, died on November 5 at their home in Mahlabathini, outside Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal.

Magxiyane said they waited for 10 hours for an ambulance, GroundUp reported. She said she and other community members had called the ambulance at 07:00 when Ndamase fell ill. He was sweating and vomiting non-stop.

The ambulance arrived at 16:00, by which time Ndamase had died. He was 53.

Magxiyane said the first time they called, there was no answer, but the second time they were told that the ambulance was coming. When they called a third time, they were told that the ambulance was on its way and that they must wait for it at the main road to give directions to the home.

They waited for hours at the side of the road with no sign of an ambulance. When they called for the fourth time, she claimed that they were told to “learn to wait” by the operator.

READ: Five hour wait for ambulance that never arrived

Magxiyane said she was very angry when the ambulance finally arrived.

“I didn’t want to face them because I strongly feel that if they did not take so long to arrive, my son’s father would still be with us. After being told to learn to wait, look at where my waiting led to … I lost my partner. I fail to understand what took them 10 hours to get to us when it [Osindisweni Hospital] is only 30 to 45 minutes drive.

“At least they should have told us to seek help elsewhere if there was no available ambulance, instead of telling us to wait. My partner died a painful death. It was very traumatising to watch him die … My heart is bleeding and what’s happened makes me hate the sight of an ambulance,” she said.

Other community members said they were disappointed by the emergency services and wanted answers as to why the ambulance took so long.

Robert Mckenzie, KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson, said on Friday November 8 that our queries had been referred to their corporate communications’ department. GroundUp still had no response at the time of publishing.

Spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Noluthando Nkosi said, “Firstly, without prejudice, the department wishes to convey its sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased individual. The department is extremely concerned by these allegations, and is currently investigating them. Should any individuals be found guilty of an offence, the department will not hesitate to effect the necessary sanction.”

News24.com | Man, 87, recalls the time a massive tornado hit New Hanover – in 1948

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When a tornado struck in New Hanover, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday and wreaked havoc on the small town, it brought back memories for 87-year-old Valentin Volker of similar scenes more than 70 years ago.

Then a 16-year-old pupil in Wartburg, Volker told News24 it was an afternoon in April when they noticed the tornado forming in New Hanover, which is north of Pietermaritzburg.

“What I remember is that a classmate of mine’s home was completely destroyed by the tornado,” he said. “Then, surrounding communities banded together to help build a new home for the family,” Volker recalled.

When the most recent one hit the area – 71 years later – “it struck a memory … when these things happen, it revives things that happened in the past”. “It’s something that doesn’t happen regularly in the country,” Volker said.

The extent of the damage caused by the tornado is yet to be determined, but the provincial government has said it could run into the millions.

‘There were no tiles on the roof’

On Tuesday, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs activated councillors and volunteers to assist affected communities.

A statement issued by municipality spokesperson Mandla Nsele on Wednesday warned: “Severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours are expected over most parts of KwaZulu-Natal from Thursday into Friday afternoon.

“Improvement is expected from Friday evening, however, there will still be some rain in places over KwaZulu-Natal.”

Thuleyliwe Ndlovu, a mother of three, lost her 40-year-old daughter Sphe Ndlovu. She was distraught on Wednesday as rescue teams and officials arrived in the ravaged community.

Ndlovu said there had been heavy winds and rain, which forced them to take shelter.

“We ran into the house and closed the door. After we closed the door, I went to the bedroom to look for a jersey. While I was looking for the jersey, I heard the roof tiles making a huge noise. When I looked up, there were no tiles on the roof.”

She said a concrete block had fallen on top of her daughter.

“I couldn’t move the blocks because they were heavy. I tried and tried until the neighbours came to help me.”

7-year-old social entrepreneur brings hope to Mzansi

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Prince Mashawana, aged seven years old, has created a compelling new superhero – SuperMash – whose adventures will help young kids face some of life’s biggest challenges.

Not only will this be an adventure sharing initiative, but there will be a business concept added to it, which will open a unique revenue stream specifically aimed at supporting the initiative.

Social entrepreneurship and content creation have become the buzzwords of our age, and the idea of the socially orientated entrepreneur often grabs the headlines. Traditionally, a social entrepreneur is expected to be an adult, working in the adult world, but in South Africa, a seven-year-old has changed the game completely.



Mashawana has developed a compelling Superhero called SuperMash and will be launching his character to the world on the 17 November 2019 with a comic book, supported by merchandise including T-Shirts, caps, lunch boxes and bags. To evoke social responsibility and self-awareness, there will be a specific focus on what SuperMash does and importantly highlighting the reasons behind what he does when faced with a challenge.

SuperMash is a special character – who is posed with the most common challenges and draws inspiration in how those challenges can be overcome. The storylines dig into many of the most emotionally challenging issues facing young South Africans today, such as adapting to new living environments, learning how to read and write as well as self-confidence issues.

I wanted to see a superhero with stories that are more like real life,’ says Prince. ‘Young people in Mzansi have a lot of challenges. I thought it would be fun to have stories and a hero about that. So that’s what the business is all about.

SuperMash is reportedly the country’s first black child fictional superhero, who reciprocally encourages young kids to see themselves as heroes. The idea is for him to be the friend that can share his superpowers, and this is unleashed by wearing the SuperMash wrist band. Not only will children be better equipped to meet and overcome challenges, but they will also learn the true depth of the power within themselves as they assume personal responsibility, grow emotionally and boost self-awareness.

To support SuperMash, the young entrepreneur has established a business model where he co-produces animated bedtime short stories, movies and books. He also sells stationery, school bags, lunch boxes and a clothing range, all featuring SuperMash as the hero.

Of course, at seven years old a certain degree of assistance is required, and Mashawana has had strong support from both his parents being his mother, actress Lerato Zah and his father, prominent businessman Collen Mashawana. But while his parents have been happy to support his entrepreneurial drive, they’re both amazed at their son’s creativity and entrepreneurship.

‘It’s been fascinating to watch someone so young develop something like this,’ says Collen Mashawana. ‘The desire to use creativity to help young South Africans deal with life challenges in a positive way has been incredible to see. Even more amazing to see was the hard work and dedication that Prince has put in while working on this project with Omphile and Phemelo Dibodu at Rainbow Nation Comics. It’s been an inspiring and motivating journey for all of us, and one we’ve really enjoyed and are extremely proud of’.

Rainbow Nation Comics, a South African comic book publisher that creates original, authentic and proudly South African Superhero Stories has partnered with the young entrepreneur to take his concept to a fully professional level that will see readers entertained with the added benefit of having options to own the merchandising.

He has worked actively with Phemelo Dibodu, story writer and editor, and Omphile Dibodu, illustrator and creative director.

‘It’s been a wonderful experience,’ says Phemelo Dibodu. ‘We have no doubt SuperMash is going to have a very positive impact on his readers, and this comes as no surprise when you meet Prince himself. He is a passionate and smart young man, and we think his social business idea is going to go a very long way in South Africa – to everyone’s benefit.’

The SuperMash launch will take place on Sunday, 17 November 2019 at Pirates Club in Greenside, Johannesburg.

Follow SuperMash on social media:
Twitter: @supermash4
Facebook: Super Mash
Instagram: @super_mash_

News24.com | Police pounce on multimillion-rand drug den in Free State

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A high-speed car chase involving the police and suspected drug dealers led to the arrest of two people in Phuthaditjhaba, the Free State, who are believed to have been operating a multimillion-rand lab, the police say.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said a multi-disciplinary operation led the police to a drug laboratory in two buildings on Lefaso farm in Phuthaditjhaba on Thursday.

Naidoo said upon seeing the police closing in, one suspect fled on foot while another fled in a Toyota Fortuner.

The high-speed chase came to a stop in Warden and a suspect in his 50s was arrested.

The other suspect, a 32-year-old, was also arrested.

“The two buildings that should have been used for farming were instead being used solely for the manufacture of mandrax tablets. 

“While one building was being used to manufacture the finished product, the other was being used for the storage of chemicals and other ingredients as well as for the preparation of the mixture for the making of the tablets,” said Naidoo.

Following the discovery on the farm, teams simultaneously raided two houses in Kiblerpark and Forrest Hill, Johannesburg. 

Both houses have been positively connected to the farm after drugs, chemicals and substantial amounts of cash were found in both houses, Naidoo said.

While the exact value of the operation was difficult to ascertain, Naidoo said “it can be no less than R100m”.

The arrest of the two suspects had brought the number of suspects arrested in connection with these drug operations to 11, he added.

News24.com | WATCH: Truck driver dies after crashing into home in KZN

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A truck driver who lost control of his vehicle that crashed into the wall of a house in Reservoir Hills, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday has died, the authorities say.

Six passengers who were also in the truck were stable, Rescue Care spokesperson Garrith Jamieson told News24.

According to Jamieson, the two passengers who were seated in front with the driver were trapped in the cab and the Jaws of Life was used to free them. The other four passengers were travelling on the back of the truck.

The accident happened at about 17:30, said Jamieson.

No one in the house was injured.

Jamieson said while the weather in the province – with rescue workers and disaster management teams on high alert as thunderstorms loom – remained bad, “it is calm”.

truck, kzn

The truck driver died after the vehicle ploughed into a home in KZN. (Supplied, Rescue Care)

Inclement weather in KwaZulu-Natal has seen two tornadoes form in the past two days – one in New Hanover on Tuesday and the other in Bergville on Thursday afternoon.

PICS | 9 images of the devastating KZN tornado aftermath – uprooted trees, dead chickens and a lonesome flower

On Wednesday afternoon, the body of a seven-year-old boy, who was swept off the Soweto bridge in Darnell while walking home from school, was found. 

The province has been warned to expect more bad weather in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs indicated that preparations were in place to assist with any incidents resulting from the stormy weather.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Sipho Hlomuka told the media a provincial joint operation centre in eThekwini would co-ordinate responses across the province.

News24.com | KZN govt expects tornado damage to run into the millions

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The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government says it expects damage to homes and infrastructure to run into the millions following Tuesday’s tornado which ripped through New Hanover, Pietermaritzburg.

The province is still bracing itself for more inclement weather – which will bring with it severe thunderstorms over the next few days – as some families continue to pick up the pieces.

The broad strokes of the statement released by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Wednesday were aimed at how the province has been grappling with bad weather over the past few months.

“Since October 2019, KwaZulu-Natal has been experiencing extreme weather conditions, triggering severe thunderstorms, lightning strikes, gale-force winds and heavy downpours that have wreaked havoc across the province. 

“They have caused fatalities, injuries and inflicted major damage to households and public infrastructure,” the statement said.

ALSO READ: KZN govt dispatches disaster management team following tornado, fears possibility of missing, dead people

Regarding Tuesday’s storm, the department said disaster teams would remain on the ground to provide support to affected communities.

Co-ordinated response units would be channelled via the human settlements, transport, social development, education, health and public works departments as well as municipalities.

The statement continued: “The estimated damage will be known once full assessments have been concluded but the damages are estimated to run into millions of rand. As the assessments continue, figures continue to change as new homes are being added to the list.”

In the meantime, public facilities such as churches and community halls are being used as temporary shelters for those displaced by the storm.

The eThekwini Municipality has warned residents of a looming downpour on Thursday and Friday, adding the anticipated downpour could result in flooding.