XPRESS TIMES

Murder, rape on the increase in KwaDukuza

By Musa Mnyandu

The latest quarterly crime statistics, released by Police Minister Bheki Cele last week, show that, in the KwaDukuza policing precinct, 29 cases of murder were recorded, as compared to 28 cases in the corresponding period, a year earlier. In the 2020 reporting period, 15 cases had been registered, but that was still under harsh lockdown conditions, which gave very little room for criminal activity to take place.

The local police station has also reported an increase in the number of rape cases being registered, with 29 cases recorded, as compared to 27 a year ago. Cases of attempted murder reduced during the period under review, to 25 cases, from 41 cases reported in the preceding year.

Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm has seen a slight decline, from 155 cases in the previous year to 139 cases this year. This type of crime, however, remains alarmingly high in KwaDukuza, making for a very unsafe environment for citizens. The Police Minister also reported that cases of robbery, burglary and theft continue to show a fluctuating trend, albeit with some inroads being made by law enforcement agencies to rid communities of these crimes.

Disturbingly, there appears to be a proliferation of illegal firearms in the area, with police registering 23 cases in the ended three month period, as compared to 16 cases registered a year earlier. Shoplifting has also shown a sharp increase, with 49 cases being registered this year, while 26 cases were recorded in the previous year.

KwaDukuza police station also ranks among the top 30 stations in the country, with a high

INCREASE: Police Minister Bheki Cele

incidence of contact crimes, with the station coming in at number 26. The statistics further show that residents of KwaDukuza are at high risk of falling victim to robbery with aggravating circumstances, as the local police station ranks among the top 30 stations in this crime category, coming in at number 14.

Vigilantism

Minister Cele warns that there is also an increase in incidents of vigilantism in the country, which could be microcosmic of waning public confidence in the police. 528 People were killed, in the period under review, due to acts of vigilantism.

“We concede that the country's criminal justice system is far from perfect, but it is functional and should be trusted. We encourage communities to report crime and not take the law into their own hands.

“Equally, police are also urged to improve the quality of service they provide to communities, or ship out,” Cele said.

The Minister has also issued clarion call to

al social partners, including religious organizations, civil society structures, to focus on preventative measures in order to curb crimes against women and children.

“As the country heads towards the festive season, criminals tend to be brazen as they try to undermine the rule of law. But this ministry is satisfied with the provincial Safer festive season operational plans of the SAPS, to safeguard the festive season.

“The inclusion of 10 000 more boots to the service in December will intensify police visibility during the festive season and beyond. More boots will be on the ground and escalated crime prevention and crimecombating operations will be a daily occurrence until the end of January 2023.

“Nothing will replace fighting crime, than warm bodies,” Cele indicated.

STANGER

By Xpress Reporter

The number of bodies being found in local rivers is increasing. In the latest incident, IPSS Medical Rescue has reported that a body of a male was found in

Kwezane River, on the outskirts of Stanger, on Sunday.

The body is said to have been partially submerged in the river.

“The body was discovered by community members walking near the river.

surrounding the man's death,” stated ISS Medical Rescue.

Human remains found in Townview

Human remains were reportedly found in Townview, near the Assemblies Church, yesterday (Tuesday) just as we were about the go to print. While the details remained sketchy as

we went to press, KwaDukuza SAPS communications officer

Constable Siphesihle Myeni said the remains consisted of what was suspected to be human bones. No further details were available at

the time.

“We are still waiting for all the role-players, including our forensics team, to arrive. Further details will be released at a later stage,” Myeni said.

The body of the deceased was removed from the river and handed over to SAPS for further investigation into the circumstances

ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma led the party's campaign ahead of the by-election in Maphumulo's Ward 11, on Sunday. Duma addressed the party's Siyanqoba Rally at the Sindi Sports Ground in Ward 11, after leading a door-to-door campaign as part of the ANC's final push to lure voters ahead of today's election.

By-election is taking place in Ward 11 today, after the former councillor was gunned down recently.

CAMPAIGN: ANC provincial chairperson Siboniso Duma addressed the Siyanqoba Rally in Maphumulo, on Sunday

SASSA

for

month of December. The Agency says old age pension will start being paid out from Thursday,

the 1st of December, while the disability grant will be available from Friday the 2nd of December. All other grants will be available from Monday, the 5th of December.

Zweli, Cyril face off as conference looms

Mabuza?

By Musa Mnyandu

The branches have spoken. This is the reverberating message in the ANC, after former President Kgalema Motlanthe, who is the head of the ANC's Electoral Committee, announced nominations ahead of the party's 55th elective conference.

And the nomination list contains some huge surprises. It seems the majority of ANC branches still have confidence in the ability of ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead the embattled organization out of its doldrums. According to Motlanthe, Ramaphosa, who has built up quite a disreputation over the Phala Phala scandal, garnered an emphatic 2037 nominations from branches and structures of the ANC.

This was far ahead of his

only rival, former Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize who limped his way onto the ballot paper with 916 nominations, mainly from his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. KZN gave Mkhize a total of 643 nominations. In line with ANC Constitution, nominations can still be made from the floor, on the day of the conference.

For the position of ANC Deputy President, the

nomination outcome was startling, to say the least.

Current Treasurer General (and Acting Secretary General) Paul Mashatile secured an impressive 1791 nominations, which put him firmly in pole position.

Mashatile's three rivals for the position, Ronald Lamola (Justice Minister), Oscar Mabuyane (Eastern Cape Premier) and Thandi Modise (National Assembly Speaker) only managed 427,

397 and 6, respectively.

Current National Chairperson and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe stands to lose his place in the top six, after coming second best to Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha with 979 nominations to the latter's 1492.

David Masondo (Deputy Minister of Finance) trailed the duo with a lacklustre 501 nominations.

The battle for the highly influential position of Secretary General has also produced some fireworks, with former KZN Provincial Secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli surprising many by bagging the most nominations, at 1225. Hot on his heels is former Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle, with 889 nominations, while Transport Minister Fikile

Mbalula scored a reasonable 749, with former Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa tottering in with a measly 146 nominations.

For the position of Deputy Secretary General, the branches and structures overwhelmingly opted for the controversial former Environmental Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, who raked in 1779 total nominations. Her only rival for the position, Febe Potgieter, doddered onto the final list with a paltry 905 nominations.

The biggest surprise of the nomination process was undoubtedly the nomination of the relatively unknown Benjamin Chauke for the position of Treasurer General. Chauke received 552 nominations, followed closely by current National Spokesperson Pule Mabe with his 428 nominations. Trailing not too far behind was former Ekurhuleni

Mayor Mzwandile Masina,, who, much to the amazement of many, managed a total of 348 nominations.

Current party Deputy President David Mabuza did not go on the ballot after failing to receive sufficient nomination numbers to qualify for the final list.

Meanwhile, political analysts have warned that the nomination list, as announced by Motlanthe, is not a true reflection of what is likely to transpire at Nasrec, as top positions in the ANC are highly contested. Analysts predict that, apart from Ramaphosa, who seems almost certain to retain his position, none of the other nominees is guaranteed a spot in the top six, come the 55th elective conference.

The conference will take place at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec, from the 16th to the 20th of December 2022.

Mayor, MEC lead Crime Awareness Campaign

By Xpress Reporter

Ilembe District Mayor Cllr Thobani Shandu and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Community Safety Sipho Hlomuka, led a massive Crime Awareness Campaign in Maphumulo (Ward 11) on Friday.

The campaign coincided with the start of 15 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children. The area of Maphumulo, according to Mayor Shandu, is one of the hotspots for crimes against children and stock theft.

“This programme came at an opportune moment because fighting crime rest on the shoulders of everyone. We have a seen rampant crime in our communities, with an escalation in crimes such as stock theft, gender based abuse and many other serous contact crimes.

“We particularly welcome the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in this programme. We all have a role to play in defeating the demon of crime,” stated Mayor Shandu.

Men are perpetrators of GBV, says Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa ahs expressed serious concerns about the role of men in the perpetuation of violence against women and children.

Writing in his weekly newsletter just days after the start of the 16 days of Activism Campaign against GBV, the President said men in South Africa were part of the problem, instead of becoming part of the solution.

Ramaphosa says most worrying of all, is the fact that even children are not safe on the streets, and homes, of South Africa. Figures show that over 500 children were killed in South Africa in the six months to September 2022. Ramaphosa says that, shockingly, almost 1000 women were murdered in South Africa, in the three months from July to September 2022.

“We are in the grip of terrible crimes in which offenders are known to the victims. Women and children are being violated not only by strangers but by people who are known to them by their fathers, boyfriends and husbands, by colleagues, teachers and even classmates.

“However, as a society, we are

not powerless to stop these crimes. We can stop genderbased violence,” Ramaphosa said.

The President stressed that men had a responsibility to change their attitude towards women and girls. He added, in order to give meaning to the 16 days of Activism Campaign, government would be engaging men about issues of toxic masculinity and their attitude towards women.

“In these dialogues, we need to examine our understanding of sexual consent. We must challenge the myth that rape is only considered rape if it involves a stranger, or if the victim responded by screaming for help,

fighting back or reporting the matter immediately to the police.

“By bringing together men of all races, classes and generations to speak frankly about their understanding of masculinity, we can show how some assumptions and practices that many people consider 'normal' are harmful to women and children.

“We must change beliefs that men are strong and women are weak, that men have to be in charge, or that men can do as they please with women. Men need to understand that they can and should express their pain and frustrations without inflicting harm on others,” Ramaphosa said.

Is it end of the road for DD

ANC Presidential hopeful Zwelini Mkhize enjoys strong support in KZN

President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a tough challenge from former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize

Ilembe District Mayor Thobani Shandu (2nd from left) and MEC Sipho Hlomuka (3rd from left) are seen leading an anti-crime march in Maphumulo

A huge crowd gathered at Siphamandla in Maphumulo for a Crime Awareness Campaign

SOLUTION: President

Cyril Ramaphosa challenges men to be part of the solution to end gender based violence

Mthiyane joins Board of SASCOC

By Xpress Reporter

Well known sports administrator Sanele Mthiyane from KwaDukuza is continuing to spread his wings in the sporting fraternity at national level.

Mthiyane, the current President of Basketball South Africa, has this past weekend been elected as the new Board Member for the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), an umbrella

UPWARD: KwaDukuza

body for sporting federations in South Africa.

According to an announcement made by Basketball SA, Mthiyane defeated two other candidates for the vacant board seat at SASCOC.

“We wish to take this opportunity to congratulate our President and wish him all the best in his new role as a SASCOC Board Member,” stated Basketball SA.

The annual general meeting (AGM) of SASCOC took place at the SASCOC headquarters in

Johannesburg on Saturday, and Mthiyane's election into the Board came as a result of the resignation of Alan Fritz.

Speaking at the AGM, SASCOC President Barry Hendricks announced that the organization was showing tremendous growth, with its finances also greatly improving. The organkzation has received an unqualified audit outcome.

Meanwhile, Sports Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has made a commitment to resolve the perennial problems that

affect sports in South Africa.

“Judging by the packed calendar of events we enjoyed during the year, we can only applaud the huge bounce-back experienced by sport, in the direction of full normality, following the devastating pandemic of the past few years.

“Together with SASCOC, we have made it our priority to remove all controversies around issues like the payment of incentives to our medallists. We will also continue to call upon the sports bodies to nominate candidates for the various sports awards, on offer,” Minister Mthethwa said.

1st Awards function

Up and coming new Glenhills Volleyball Club who made their debut in the KwaDukuza Volleyball Association this year, honoured their players for their dedication and contribution at their first Awards Presentation evening held at the Glenhills Community Hall last Saturday. The team is made up

youth, both male and female from the Glenhills area. In their debut season Glenhills gave a good account of themselves in both the male and female categories. They probably had the hugest support base in the league.

Treval Premalal was the toast of the team as he scooped the attacker of the year award.

Nicholas Naidoo was adjudged the most valuable player was the female award was given to Jermaine Milligan.

14-man Boks smash Twickenham bogey

For the first time since 2014, a 14man Springboks became the Lords of London, and through their deserved 27-13 win against England on a cold, but heart-warming autumn Saturday night, ended their tour on the highest of notes. England's coach Eddie Jones had clearly hinted that they knew the Springboks were going to come

through the front door. That is exactly what they did as a passionate, proud and precision-like performance from the Bok forwards ensured their Twickenham bogey was well and truly smashed.

There also was Damian Willemse's measured display at flyhalf that produced two drop goals to help floor the hosts. The Boks survived the loss to replacement prop Thomas du Toit to an unnecessary red card in the 60th minute and five missed points off the tee by Faf de Klerk on a night where they may have been slightly scrappy, but were the better side.

England's second home loss of the Autumn Nations series was greeted by loud boos from the 81 000 crowd who simply couldn't will them over the line as they did last week against New Zealand.

South Africa's forwards, and their team in general, have resilience in bucketloads. They could've lost their heads in the last 20 minutes, but exhibited a calm defensive composure that in the end, was too much for the hosts. The result meant the Boks ended their tour with two wins from four games, which is a fair reflection of their developmental steps, but also the latent inconsistency they need to shake off.

The Boks didn't start the Test very well, but once they found their stride, they were difficult to stop.

It wasn't the best of omens when De Klerk missed six practice attempts during the warm-up, so it didn't come as a surprise when he missed the first penalty in the fifth minute after a hard-earned scrum penalty.

Glenhills Volleyball squad honoured at awards function

Glenhills Volleyball Club female team

resident Sanele Mthiyane has joined the board of SASCOC

This Day In History

1947 Civil War in Palestine

Also known as the Civil War in Mandatory Palestine, the conflict began the day after the United Nations General Assembly voted on a resolution that provided a partition plan for Palestine. The war was wracked by violence which began on

Mbozamo Primary School hosted its annual beauty pageant recently, to crown the school's beauty queen and king for the year 2022. Pictured are the winners.

The 1947 Palestinian civil war started after the UN approved a partition plan for Palestine

November 30 after two buses full of Israeli passengers were attacked by Arab gunmen and snipers shot pedestrians in Tel Aviv. On May 14, Israel declared itself an independent state and on May 15, the Civil War turned into a regional war after a coalition of Arab states that included Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, joined the conflict.