Quantcast
Channel: Western Cape Extended
Viewing all 3770 articles
Browse latest View live

Twenty dead in De Doorns bus crash

0
0

Twenty people died when a bus veered off the Hex River Pass near De Doorns.

|||

Cape Town - Twenty people died when a bus veered off the Hex River Pass near De Doorns on Friday morning, Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said.

“It was a passenger bus on its way to Cape Town when the bus driver lost control.”

He said eight people, three of them children, were critically injured. Fourteen people were seriously injured and 22 were slightly injured.

“There are still people trapped in the bus, as well as the driver, and we are pulling up the bus now,” he said.

ER24 spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson said the double-decker bus was crushed against the side of the mountain along the pass.

She initially said paramedics had recorded a death count of 13, but that this figure could change as officials cut away at the wreckage. - Sapa


Date set for Paarl child murder trial

0
0

Three men appeared in the Western Cape High Court in connection with the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a six-year-old girl.

|||

Cape Town - Three men appeared in the Western Cape High Court on Friday in connection with the kidnapping, rape, and murder of a six-year-old girl.

Judge Robert Henney ruled that their trial would start on May 20 and that they would remain in custody until then.

Asemahle Ntsabo was playing with friends in Mbekweni, Paarl, on January 21 last year when she went missing.

Her remains were found two months later between bushes near a railway track in the area.

The three were linked to the scene by forensic evidence. According to the summary of facts document, Ntsabo was killed by strangulation.

The State alleges that the three acted in conspiracy to kidnap, kill, and remove the girl's body parts. - Sapa

De Doorns bus crash toll increases

0
0

Another two fatalities have increased the death toll in a bus accident on the Hex River Pass near De Doorns to 24.

|||

Cape Town - Another two fatalities have increased the death toll in a bus accident on the Hex River Pass near De Doorns to 24, the Western Cape health department said.

Spokeswoman Faiza Steyn said two of the 24 who died were children.

Eight people were critically injured, three of them children; 14 were seriously injured; and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said the bus was on its way to Cape Town when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

“There are still people trapped in the bus, as well as the driver, and we are pulling up the bus now,” he said.

ER24 spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson said the double-decker bus was crushed up against the side of the mountain along the pass.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) sent its condolences to the families of those who had died.

“This is a terrible tragedy. We urge people to be extra cautious when it is raining and to follow all the rules of the road,” IFP spokesman Petros Sithole said.

“The traffic cops and police should investigate whether the bus was overloaded and if so, we would expect the necessary criminal charges to be laid against the bus driver.” - Sapa

De Doorns bus crash ‘unfortunate’

0
0

Government sent its condolences to the families and friends of the 24 people killed in a Western Cape bus crash.

|||

 

Cape Town - Government sent its condolences on Friday to the families and friends of the 24 people killed in a Western Cape bus crash.

“This is an unfortunate incident. Drivers are urged to be vigilant on the road and obey all traffic laws,” said acting government spokeswoman Phumla Williams.

The speedy intervention of emergency teams was commended.

Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said the bus was on its way to Cape Town on Friday morning, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the N1 on the Hex River Pass, near De Doorns.

According to ER24 spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson, the double-decker bus was crushed up against the side of the mountain along the pass.

Provincial health department spokeswoman Faiza Steyn said two of the 24 who died were children.

Eight people were critically injured, three of them children; 14 were seriously injured; and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) also sent its condolences to the families of those who had died.

“This is a terrible tragedy. We urge people to be extra cautious when it is raining and to follow all the rules of the road,” IFP spokesman Petros Sithole said.

“The traffic cops and police should investigate whether the bus was overloaded and if so, we would expect the necessary criminal charges to be laid against the bus driver.” - Sapa

De Doorns bus crash to be probed

0
0

A major investigation has been launched into the cause of the Western Cape bus accident that killed 24 people.

|||

Cape Town - A major investigation has been launched into the cause of the Western Cape bus accident that killed 24 people on Friday, transport MEC Robin Carlise said.

“Early reports from the surviving passengers indicated brake failure as the main reason for the crash,” he said in a statement.

“The Provincial Regulatory Entity will investigate the legal status of the bus including the validity of the operating licence, and whether the Certificate of Fitness is still valid.”

He said the bus was registered in the Western Cape and was owned by Atlantic City Liners.

Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said the bus was on its way to Cape Town on Friday morning, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the N1 on the Hex River Pass, near De Doorns.

According to ER24 spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson, the double-decker bus was crushed up against the side of the mountain along the pass.

Provincial health department spokeswoman Faiza Steyn said two of the 24 who died were children.

Eight people were critically injured, three of them children; 14 were seriously injured; and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Carlisle said emergency services were on the scene. The injured were moved to various hospitals and clinics around the province depending on the seriousness of their injuries.

He vowed to make the province's roads safer and joined various parties and government in expressing his condolences to the families of the passengers who lost their lives in the crash.

“Any losses on our roads are a tragedy - an accident of this magnitude is nothing less than heart-breaking,” he said in a statement.

“But despite my shock and real sense of grief let me make one thing absolutely clear - today simply doubles my resolve to make our roads safer.”

Government also sent its condolences to the families and friends of the 24 people killed in the crash.

“This is an unfortunate incident. Drivers are urged to be vigilant on the road and obey all traffic laws,” said acting government spokeswoman Phumla Williams.

The speedy intervention of emergency teams was commended.

The Inkatha Freedom Party also sent its condolences to the families of those who had died.

“This is a terrible tragedy. We urge people to be extra cautious when it is raining and to follow all the rules of the road,” IFP spokesman Petros Sithole said.

“The traffic cops and police should investigate whether the bus was overloaded and if so, we would expect the necessary criminal charges to be laid against the bus driver.” - Sapa

Khayamandi fire leaves thousands destitute

0
0

More than 3000 people were left homeless after about 800 shacks were destroyed by a fire in Khayamandi, near Stellenbosch.

|||

Cape Town - More than 3000 people were left homeless after about 800 shacks were destroyed by a fire in Khayamandi, near Stellenbosch on Friday, disaster management services said.

“Stellenbosch municipality is being assisted by the provincial government - the social development department - in providing food and disaster housing kits,” it said in a statement.

“One meal has already been dispensed and another will be provided towards evening.”

Destitute families were staying with family and friends, while others stayed at the community hall.

“From tomorrow onwards the social relief of distress unit will be in charge of food provision. Special attention is given to the needs of babies and children.

“Critical to the smooth running of the whole process is the registration and verification of the victims. This process has already started and will hopefully be concluded by Friday night or early Saturday morning.”

Earlier, international news agency Agence France-Presse reported that two people died in the fire.

“We had two fatalities,” Stellenbosch fire chief Leon Morta told the agency.

“We suspect that it was a candle that overturned but obviously there will be a proper investigation that will determine the cause of the fire.” - Sapa

Condolences for bus crash families

0
0

Political parties and government expressed their condolences to the families of 24 people killed in a bus accident in De Doorns.

|||

Cape Town - Various political parties and government expressed their condolences to the friends and families of the 24 people who were killed in a bus accident in the Western Cape on Friday.

Democratic Alliance leader in the province Ivan Meyer expressed the party's condolences and sympathy and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

“Our hearts and prayers are with them,” he said in a statement.

“If it is determined, however, that the accident could have been avoided in any way, I will endeavour to ensure that the proper action gets taken.”

Meanwhile, a major investigation had been launched into the cause of the accident, transport MEC Robin Carlise said.

“Early reports from the surviving passengers indicated brake failure as the main reason for the crash,” he said in a statement.

“The Provincial Regulatory Entity will investigate the legal status of the bus including the validity of the operating licence, and whether the Certificate of Fitness is still valid.”

He said the bus was registered in the Western Cape and was owned by Atlantic City Liners.

Earlier, government also sent its condolences to the families and friends of the 24 people killed in the crash.

“This is an unfortunate incident. Drivers are urged to be vigilant on the road and obey all traffic laws,” said acting government spokeswoman Phumla Williams.

The Inkatha Freedom Party also sent its condolences to the families of those who had died.

“This is a terrible tragedy. We urge people to be extra cautious when it is raining and to follow all the rules of the road,” IFP spokesman Petros Sithole said.

“The traffic cops and police should investigate whether the bus was overloaded and if so, we would expect the necessary criminal charges to be laid against the bus driver.”

Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said the bus was on its way to Cape Town on Friday morning, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the N1 on the Hex River Pass, near De Doorns.

ER24 spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson said the double-decker bus was crushed up against the side of the mountain along the pass.

Provincial health department spokeswoman Faiza Steyn said two of the 24 who died were children.

Eight people were critically injured, three of them children; 14 were seriously injured; and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Carlisle said emergency services were on the scene. The injured were moved to various hospitals and clinics around the province depending on the seriousness of their injuries. - Sapa

Zuma sends condolences to bus victims

0
0

President Jacob Zuma extended his condolences to the families of 24 people who were killed in a bus accident.

|||

 Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma extended his condolences on Friday to the families of the 24 people who were killed in a bus accident in the Western Cape.

“We are in absolute deep shock at this loss of human life on our roads. We also wish a speedy recovery to all those injured,” he said in a statement.

“Government agencies are already assisting the families in this dark hour. We express our heartfelt condolences on behalf of government and the entire nation. May their souls rest in peace,” Zuma said.

Various political parties and government also expressed their condolences to the friends and families of the victims.

The passenger bus from Gauteng lost control on the N1 in the Hexriver Pass, De Doorns, and overturned down an embankment killing 24 passengers and leaving scores of other passengers sustaining serious injuries.

On Friday night Transport Minister Ben Martins called for a speedy conclusion to the investigation into the accident.

In a statement Martins said he was saddened by the accident and unnecessary loss of life.

“We repeat our call to motorists and all road users to be vigilant on the roads at all times. Our heartfelt and sincere condolences go to the families of the deceased and we wish all those who are injured a speedy recovery.”

The Democratic Alliance leader in the province Ivan Meyer expressed the party's condolences and sympathy and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

“Our hearts and prayers are with them,” he said in a statement.

“If it is determined, however, that the accident could have been avoided in any way, I will endeavour to ensure that the proper action gets taken.”

Meanwhile, a major investigation had been launched into the cause of the accident, transport MEC Robin Carlise said.

“Early reports from the surviving passengers indicated brake failure as the main reason for the crash,” he said in a statement.

“The Provincial Regulatory Entity will investigate the legal status of the bus including the validity of the operating licence, and whether the Certificate of Fitness is still valid.”

He said the bus was registered in the Western Cape and was owned by Atlantic City Liners.

Earlier, government also sent its condolences to the families and friends of the 24 people killed in the crash.

“This is an unfortunate incident. Drivers are urged to be vigilant on the road and obey all traffic laws,” said acting government spokeswoman Phumla Williams.

The Inkatha Freedom Party also sent its condolences to the families of those who had died.

“This is a terrible tragedy. We urge people to be extra cautious when it is raining and to follow all the rules of the road,” IFP spokesman Petros Sithole said.

“The traffic cops and police should investigate whether the bus was overloaded and if so, we would expect the necessary criminal charges to be laid against the bus driver.”

Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa said the bus was on its way to Cape Town on Friday morning, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it veered off the N1 on the Hex River Pass, near De Doorns.

ER24 spokeswoman Vanessa Jackson said the double-decker bus was crushed up against the side of the mountain along the pass.

Provincial health department spokeswoman Faiza Steyn said two of the 24 who died were children.

Eight people were critically injured, three of them children; 14 were seriously injured; and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Carlisle said emergency services were on the scene. The injured were moved to various hospitals and clinics around the province depending on the seriousness of their injuries. - Sapa


24 dead, 8 critical in horror crash

0
0

"It is evident that halfway down the pass the driver had problems with the brakes because he went on to the arrester bed."

|||

 

De Doorns, Western Cape - The double-decker bus came careering down the Hex River valley outside De Doorns, the driver fighting desperately to keep control as bend after bend rushed up.

There were only two more bends to negotiate but the second-to-last bend was a hairpin and the Atlantic City Liners bus crashed into the mountainside on Friday morning.

By Friday night the death toll stood at 24 in one of the worst road accidents in South African history. Eight passengers were critically injured, 14 seriously injured and 44 others sustained minor to moderate injuries. Two of the dead were children. The bus driver was also among the dead.

Kenny Africa, provincial traffic chief, said: “Apparently the bus was coming from the Beaufort West side towards Cape Town. It is evident that halfway down the pass the driver had problems with the brakes because he went on to the arrester bed, which is used when vehicles have trouble stopping. But he went through the arrester bed down the pass.”

Dumisani Ximbi, provincial leader of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ, said some of the women passengers had come from a national women’s prayer meeting in Secunda.

In the aftermath of the crash, church members who had followed in several smaller buses could be seen dressed in their distinctive blue skirts and white headscarves milling around the scene, comforting each other and handing out blankets to shocked survivors.

A church leader gathered some of the women and led them in prayer. Rescue workers and medical personnel battled to attend to the injured and those still trapped in the mangled wreckage. The dead were laid out on the road, the bodies covered in silver blankets. Ambulances formed a steady procession ferrying the injured in the direction of Worcester and Cape Town.

“This is the worst accident scene I have ever seen,” was the refrain from almost all those at the scene.

It took about three hours for the first of the relatives to arrive from Cape Town.

One man went to the bus and pulled from the wreckage clothes he recognised as his wife’s.

He couldn’t find her. The anguish was etched across his face as he turned to go to Worcester Hospital, hoping and praying that she was one of the injured.

Rescue and emergency vehicles snaked back along the road almost as far as the eye could see, while Air Force and Air Mercy Services helicopters buzzed overhead.

Amid the death and despair there were moments of hope and prayer as relatives waited for news of loved ones.

Two men whose wives had been travelling on the bus could only look on as medics pulled badly injured passengers out through shattered windows.

“We haven’t heard anything,” one man said. “We can only hope that they will be okay.”

A crane tried to lift the wreckage of the bus to free those still trapped underneath. Seats were protruding through some windows.

A major investigation had been launched into the cause of the bus accident by late yesterday, transport MEC Robin Carlisle said.

“Early reports from the surviving passengers indicated brake failure as the main reason for the crash,” he said.

“The Provincial Regulatory Entity will investigate the legal status of the bus, including the validity of the operating licence, and whether the certificate of fitness is still valid.”

Aneeqah Salie, Communications Officer for Atlantic Charters & Tours, said: “We at Atlantic Charters hereby extend our sincere condolences to all the families and loved ones who have been affected by today’s tragic accident. We are also deeply saddened by the loss of our dear employee, who was the driver of the vehicle involved.

“We pledge our full support to the relevant authorities in the ensuing processes which are currently under way to establish exactly what happened in today’s tragic event. Unfortunately, at this stage we cannot comment any further until the relevant processes have been completed. We will revert to you should we have further information.”

Weekend Argus

Skeleton found in Cape forest

0
0

Joggers were oblivious to the skeletal remains, including a skull, that lay in a pile in what appeared to be a shrine.

|||

Cape Town - Joggers and homeless people living in Newlands Forest were oblivious to the skeletal remains, including a skull, that lay in a pile just metres away from them in what appeared to be a shrine.

 

Zayne Jaffer, who discovered the bones and who works at private security firm Mountain Security, said the bones were stacked on top of each other in a triangle, “the same way one would stack wood together to make a fire”, with the skull at the bottom.

“Underneath the skull, you could see dark coal. It looks like it’s been burnt. The bones are clean and dry. There were ribs, leg bones, pieces of spine, but no feet and no hands,” he said.

 

“If you walked past, you wouldn’t have noticed it. And even if you did, you would have thought it’s a dog’s bones.”

Jaffer said burn marks “looking like dark coal” on some of the bones indicated they had been set alight. He said he and a colleague made the find while patrolling the “green belts” (bushes) looking for

criminal activity after receiving a call from trackers employed by the company.

The trackers, Augustinos Linyansi and Manelo Baptista, initially called to alert them to a homeless man living in the forest. Jaffer found the homeless man but, after searching further, found the pile of bones too. Police officers from Claremont police station cordoned off the scene while they waited for a forensics team to arrive.

They later handcuffed the homeless man. The dreadlocked unidentified man told Weekend Argus he had no idea where the bones came from or what they were used for. Joggers didn’t pause as they passed by and saw the homeless man being put in the back of a police van.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut confirmed that “a skeleton, human remains were found”.

“That Rasta interfered with the police’s work and didn’t want to leave the scene.”

 

He said the man was due to appear in court on Monday.

Weekend Argus

Carnival à la Cape Town gets under way

0
0

It's party time as the lights, glamour, sparkle and sheer over-the-top pizzazz of the Cape Town Carnival makes its way down Somerset Road.

|||

 

Cape Town - It’s party time in the Mother City on Saturday evening as the lights, glamour, sparkle and sheer over-the-top pizzazz of the Cape Town Carnival makes its way down Somerset Road, beginning at 7pm.

 

Weekend Argus was given an opportunity to visit the carnival’s costume department this week where a whopping 1 030 costumes were produced by a team of 60 who have been working on the project for three months.

Maria von Egidy, head of the carnival’s costume department, said their deadlines were so tight this year that she thought they would be finishing off the garments as the participants were walking on to the parade street.

The warehouse was packed to the brim with row after row of costume pieces, some of them even hanging from the ceiling, as the team steamed ahead at cutting, sticking and stitching it all together.

Von Egidy joked that her favourite “fix it” item is the common cable tie.

“You can poke it through anything and you don’t need a punch! You can pull it tight and it is better than a glue gun, which can be dangerous,” she said.

The smell and sight of polystyrene and paint hung in the room, which was filled with costumes and pieces such as multi-coloured daisies, tall elephants, devil horns, a rhino and hundreds of harnesses.

This wild array all comes together in telling the carnival’s story this year of African legends.

Von Egidy said she was grateful for the space in Somerset Road. In previous years, the carnival had been held in Long Street.

“Costumes can potentially get bigger. They can never be as big as floats but this is still a good move for us,” she said.

“We need to shock people’s minds with larger-than-life costumes. We are doing well but we have the scope to go further. Impact is more important than size.”

 

Their biggest costume is a large daisy that opens the carnival, created by the Namaqualand group.

It is 4m in diameter.

Von Egidy said the carnival was a critically important event for the costume-making industry in Cape Town.

 

“The challenge is to grow the carnival. We are maturing as a carnival… One day communities can produce costumes themselves.”

Unfortunately, with deadlines so tight this year, the hundreds of carnival participants will probably only get to see and put on the costumes for the first time today.

“There is no time. They are lucky if they have a few hours. We have got to remedy this. It is such a rush.”

 

After the carnival, the costumes will be stored and will be available for hire.

 

* The Cape Town Carnival begins at 7pm on Somerset Road. See www.capetowncarnival.com for details.

Weekend Argus

Magistrates set for week-long go-slow

0
0

The wheels of justice are expected to grind to a halt in the Western Cape’s lower courts.

|||

 

Cape Town - The wheels of justice are expected to grind to a halt in the Western Cape’s lower courts next week, as about 250 disgruntled magistrates embark on industrial action over their long-running pay dispute with the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Office Bearers.

Magistrates are aggrieved that their salaries have shrunk in recent years from 47 percent of the chief justice’s pay package to 30 percent.

Earlier this week, Parliament’s portfolio committee on justice approved a 5.5 percent salary increase for magistrates.

However, the magistrates are not happy with the offer and are to embark on a week-long go-slow from Monday.

While they will still be at court, the magistrates will only do postponements, the Judicial Officers Association of South Africa (Joasa) said yesterday.

Joasa president Nazeem Joemath said members had reported being intimidated, particularly in the Western Cape.

 

“They are planning on using clerks and court interpreters to monitor magistrates who are participating in the strike. But we are not swayed by this, we would rather have welcomed an engagement to resolve the five-year pay dispute and prevent strike action,” he said.

 

Court insiders have confirmed that court managers and area managers were advised in writing that clerks and court interpreters should be used to assist managers in collecting monitoring information.

Western Cape Justice head Hishaam Mohamed confirmed that the Magistrates’ Commission had requested that chief magistrates put contingency measures in place to ensure that courts were not dysfunctional.

He said affected courts would provide daily updates to area managers in the mornings and afternoons to enable the department to monitor the functionality of the courts.

In a letter to magistrates, Magistrates’ Commission chairperson Judge Malesela Francis Legodi ordered regional court presidents and chief magistrates to put in place monitoring mechanisms to keep tabs on striking magistrates

But Joemath said they were going ahead with the planned industrial action irrespective of the threats – unless the issue was resolved over the weekend.

“We expect about 1 400 magistrates from across the country to participate in the action,” he added.

The pay dispute is the subject of a Constitutional Court case in which judgment is expected shortly.

However, Joemath said that even if the court made a ruling, it would do little for their plight.

“Nobody has been doing anything about this dispute, and the situation has been allowed to deteriorate even further over the past few years,” he said. He added that their go-slow plans came as a last resort and that “magistrates will strike responsibly. If there’s an urgent application that involves life or death matters our magistrates would deal with it”.

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting between court staff and members of the National Prosecuting Authority was held in Cape Town yesterday.

“The province’s legal fraternity is confident that the impact of the strike on the administration of justice will be minimal.

“We expect that at least three quarters of the province’s magistrates will distance themselves from the strike action,” an insider said.

It is understood that the entry-level salary for a magistrate is about R630 000.

warda.meyer@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus

DA blamed for fatal Cape shack fire

0
0

The fire that left two people dead and over 4 000 people displaced in Kayamandi, is the DA's fault, the ANC said.

|||

 

Stellenbosch, Western Cape - The fire that left two people dead and over 4 000 people displaced in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch is the DA's fault, the ANC said on Saturday.

“The DA should take full responsibility for this disaster and its pathetic attempts to visit residents after the fire should be taken for what they are,” African National Congress Western Cape chairman Marius Fransman said.

He said if the Democratic Alliance's provincial government was committed to delivering services and homes to the poor, this tragedy could have been avoided.

“The reality is that this government of white privilege feels little if anything for these residents. It has consistently underspent its budget, especially on housing and infrastructure.”

The DA's spokesman Mmusi Maimane called Fransman's comments cheap politicking.

“It is frankly disgusting that Mr Fransman would aim to politicise this tragedy. Playing politics with this tragedy is not the right way forward.”

He said the City of Cape Town, the Town Council in Stellenbosch and province's department of social development had provided extensive support already.

“Since Friday morning, 200 temporary structures have been built to house the fire victims.”

Stellenbosch Mayor, Conrad Sidego thanked all parties who had come to assist the displaced. He said the situation had stabilised.

“The situation is under control and the municipality is working hard to normalise the situation for those affected by the fire.”

The latest disaster management report showed that 1,250 shacks were affected and that the total number of displaced people was 4,500.

He said that the municipality had offered two halls to be used as accommodation for the victims, but that only 12 people took up the offer.

Thirty mobile toilets were set up on Friday evening, only five were found this morning.

“Theft under these conditions should be condemned. The community needs to work with the municipality in ensuring that they are in fact benefiting from the relief efforts. Theft cannot be tolerated,” said Sidego.

Food was being provided by the Provincial Department of Social Development and clean up efforts had also started.

The department of Home Affairs had registered victims and the process of re-issuing IDs and social grant access cards was underway, said Sidego.

School uniforms were being purchased for affected children.

It was reported that two people died in the fire. - Sapa

Chaaban gives up on his appeal

0
0

Badih Chaaban has decided to “focus on more important things”, so he’s abandoning his appeal against his assault conviction.

|||

 

 

Cape Town National People’s Party president Badih Chaaban has decided to “focus on more important things”, so he’s abandoning his appeal against his assault conviction. It dates back five years to when he lost his temper and threw an espresso cup at a fellow party member.

Last week, his lawyers filed a notice at the Western Cape High Court, which indicated that he would no longer proceed with the appeal.

His attorney, Cornel Stander, confirmed that his client had abandoned the appeal. He said: “(Chaaban) has just decided to put it behind him. He has more important things to focus his energy on.”

Chaaban said he dropped the appeal because “the best I could do” was reduce the conviction from assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm, to common assault.

“So it was not worth the effort,” he said.

 

The conviction stems from an incident in September 2007, when he and fellow party members John van der Merwe and David Sasman met in Milnerton to discuss party matters.

He lost his temper during the meeting, and insulted them by calling them dogs and bastards, before throwing the cup at Van der Merwe. Van der Merwe sustained a gash to his forehead, between his eyes.

During the trial, Van der Merwe testified that he and Sasman had requested the meeting because they were unhappy about the party’s constitution.

He said Chaaban went “berserk” without provocation, picked up a pile of papers and threw them at Sasman. He then picked up the empty cup and threw it at Van der Merwe’s face.

Chaaban’s version was, however, that he had arranged the meeting to address various issues, including the fact that the pair had spent R2 200 which was supposed to have funded a trip to George, and had sent “destabilising” SMSes to other NPP members.

He claimed he had gestured wildly, sending papers into the air and causing a small espresso cup to bounce off the desk and strike Van der Merwe in the face.

However, in August 2009 magistrate Menze Tyulu fined Chaaban R5 000 or six months in prison. A further six months was suspended for five years.

The magistrate told him he needed rehabilitation because he couldn’t control his anger.

Weekend Argus

Residents ‘channel anger’ to rebuild after fire

0
0

“For me it’s touching that people in the community whose houses weren’t burned are willing to skip work to help us out.”

|||

Stellenbosch, Western Cape - Kayamandi residents were putting out the last of the flames from the fire that raged through the informal settlement outside Stellenbosch on Friday, leaving thousands homeless, others were already putting up frames to rebuild new shacks.

“The time for crying was last night. This is a tragedy, but it is not the end of the world.

“People are very frustrated, because we have been promised decent housing by the government many times. They are channelling that anger and energy into rebuilding their homes,” said Eddie Diko, who lost everything in the fire.

“You must understand, this is humiliating for us. To have television cameras here pointing at us when the community is so vulnerable is not a good feeling.

“Look at me – I am dirty, I do not have a job, nor an ID, nor a spare change of clothes. Be honest, would you want to employ me if I showed up for a job interview?” he said as his eyes welled up.

His sister, Babalwa Diko, moved over to comfort him.

With the soles of his shoes melting on the hot concrete where his shack once stood, Nelson Mayezana was one of the first residents to erect the corner poles for a new shack.

His plot was abuzz with activity, with six friends from a gospel choir helping with the rebuilding.

“For me it’s touching that people in the community whose houses weren’t burned are willing to skip work to help us out. We owe them a lot, but we would do the same if the situation was reversed,” he said.

“I think we’ll have the roof up tonight. By tomorrow maybe we’ll have walls and then we’ll just about be finished.”

Christa Liebenberg, municipal manager in Stellenbosch, admitted that an aerial surveillance of the area suggested preliminary reports that 600 shacks had burned down were gross underestimations.

She would not put a figure on the extent of the damage, but opinions gleaned from residents suggest that between 2 000 and 4 000 households lost their homes.

Virtually all those affected by the fire worked through the night, salvaging their possessions and battling the blaze.

Sitting alongside a pile of furniture, Bulelwa Masanini said she would not sleep until she knew that her possessions would be safe.

She said she had been told at a meeting that the municipality had promised to provide R1 200, 15 zinc sheets and 10 poles to each of the affected households.

There have been three confirmed deaths – two adults and a baby.

His mother, Elishia Mdoda, sat in solemn silence near where her son’s charred body still lay as police secured the scene.

She said the fire had come up too quickly for her son to wake up and escape.

Near where Mdoda had lived, residents had inadvertently hampered the firefighting efforts by packing their possessions in one of the only streets in the area.

This provided a channel for the fire to spread to a section of formal housing, where three cars and six houses burnt to the ground.

The wall of furniture, along with the density of that section of Kayamandi, made it virtually impossible for the 12 fire engines and 50 firefighters to get hoses to many burning areas.

A relief station has been set up by the municipality’s disaster management at Strong Yard community hall, where people can register to receive aid, food, and blankets. The hall will also be available to house those who need it, said Liebenberg.

The Department of Home Affairs has started reissuing IDs to those who lost their documents in the fire

“There is urgent and immediate need and I appeal to the residents, students and businesses of Stellenbosch to open their hearts and give in abundance, to help alleviate the desperate need and desolation of fellow citizens,” said Stellenbosch mayor Conrad Sidego.

* If you can help by donating non-perishable food, blankets and clothing, contact Shezayd Siegels at the Stellenbosch Disaster Management Centre on 082 050 4834 or lucindas@stellenbosch.org.

Weekend Argus


Gang link probed in Belhar man’s murder

0
0

Police are investigating a case of murder after an 18-year-old man was gunned down in Belhar on Sunday night.

|||

Cape Town - Police are investigating a case of murder after an 18-year-old man was gunned down in Belhar on Sunday night.

Charley Appolis was crossing a park when he was approached by a man. Several shots were fired and Appolis was fatally wounded, police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said.

The gunman fled. Police have not made any arrests. They were investigating if the incident was gang-related.

Witnesses told the Cape Argus Appolis had survived an attempt on his life a few weeks ago. They said the gunman fled the scene on a motorcycle.

Van Wyk said anyone with information on this incident, or the whereabouts of the gunman, should contact the investigating officer, Constable Thembaletu Xesi, at Belhar police at 021 953 8100 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

Cape Argus

Cop arrested for shooting motorist

0
0

A police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly shooting a motorist in an apparent road rage incident in Knysna.

|||

Knysna - A 42-year-old police sergeant has been arrested for allegedly shooting and wounding a motorist in Knysna, Western Cape police said on Monday.

Captain Bernadine Steyn said a man reversed his bakkie from a pavement into the road, in front of an oncoming green Mazda bakkie on Sunday evening. The Mazda driver stopped and got out.

“The owner of the Mazda bakkie, who is an off-duty sergeant based at Knysna, allegedly took out a firearm and shot the victim in the chest.”

The man was taken to a hospital in George in a stable condition. The policeman fled the scene, but was arrested later. He was expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Steyn said the firearm used had been stolen earlier that evening from the Knysna police station. The circumstances surrounding the theft were being investigated. - Sapa

Red flags over N2 crash bus

0
0

A preliminary investigation has revealed that the bus involved in the horror Hex River Pass crash had several certification problems.

|||

Cape Town - The bodies of the 24 people killed in Friday’s horror bus crash were to be identified on Monday, as a preliminary investigation revealed that the bus had several certification problems.

Western Cape Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle ordered an investigation after the double-decker bus crashed on the Hex River Pass on Friday morning. Carlisle said the investigation would include addressing four main concerns:

* Was there a proper operating licence?

* Was the licence of the driver correct?

* Was the vehicle roadworthy?

* What was the safety history of the company that owned the bus, as well as that of the vehicle testing centre that tested the bus?

Carlisle said a preliminary investigation had established that the bus’s roadworthy certificate had not been renewed, as it ought to have been.

Second, the operating licence had been issued on December 25 - a day on which the Provincial Regulatory Entity’s offices had been closed.

Third, Carlisle said the previous, now-expired roadworthy certificate had involved equipment owned by another testing station, which had been closed down for fraud.

He was especially concerned about the roadworthiness process since he had recently been given an in-depth report by consultants in which they alleged widespread fraud at testing stations across the country.

The Provincial Regulatory Entity is to investigate the legal status of the bus.

Atlantic Charters and Tours’s legal representative Shaheid Schrueder told the Cape Argus on Sunday that he could not comment on the investigation while it was ongoing.

Schrueder said Friday’s crash was the first of its kind in the company’s history.

According to Schrueder, company records of the bus driver - killed in the crash - described him as a “very experienced driver”.

There were 80 passengers on the bus, most of them women members of the Twelve Apostles Church in Christ in Khayelitsha, returning from a national gathering in Secunda.

In total, 24 people were killed, 14 were seriously injured and 44 others sustained minor injuries after the crash.

This morning, families gathered at the Khayelitsha Site C Sports and Recreation Centre to leave for Worcester to identify the bodies.

Lindeka Zilindlovu, 33, said her cousin, Boniswa Kodwa, 34, had been on the bus.

Zilindlovu said her family had been unable to locate Kodwa in any of the hospitals.

“We heard she is in a coma and other people who were on the bus told us she died at the scene. We don’t know what to believe. We are nervous and thinking of the worst,” she said.

Cape Argus

SAPS probe discovery application postponed

0
0

A legal bid to force Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and three others to hand over documents in the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry court matter has been postponed.

|||

Cape Town - A legal bid to force Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and three others to hand over documents in the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry court matter was postponed by the Western Cape High Court on Monday.

The application was brought by Western Cape premier Helen Zille and provincial community safety MEC Dan Plato last week, but it was postponed.

Legal teams met with Judge Nape Dolamo in chambers and decided to postpone the matter again until next Tuesday.

Zille established the inquiry last August to investigate alleged police inefficiency in the area. Mthethwa opposed the inquiry in the Western Cape High Court. His application for interim relief was dismissed in January.

In the judgment, it was concluded that Zille had fully complied with the principles of co-operative governance.

The main application, by the police, to have Zille's decision to set up the inquiry reviewed is pending before the High Court.

In November, Zille and the community safety council served notice on the applicants (the police) to provide them with documents they had referred to in their founding papers.

They said these papers were either not annexed to the affidavits delivered in support of the application, or that only extracts of these documents were supplied.

The documents related to affidavits given by Mthethwa, national police commissioner Riah Phiyega, Western Cape police commissioner Arno Lamoer, and civilian secretariat for the police service Jenni Irish-Qhobosheane.

Should these parties fail to comply with such an order, they wanted authorisation to make further applications for the dismissal of the main application with costs.

Mthethwa recently lodged a direct appeal to the Constitutional Court against the denial of interim relief. The matter is likely to be heard on August 6. - Sapa

Couple hire engineer to probe scaffolding collapse

0
0

The couple seriously hurt when scaffolding collapsed at the V&A Waterfront have hired an engineer to investigate the incident.

|||

Cape Town

The Namibian couple seriously hurt when scaffolding collapsed on them at the V&A Waterfront have hired an engineer to investigate the incident.

Drikus and Danita Swanepoel were still recovering in Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Cape Town on Monday, and while Danita spoke to the Cape Argus, Drikus was in surgical ICU and in too much pain to be interviewed.

He has a broken pelvis, left femur and right knee. He had surgery on Sunday and doctors are waiting for him to regain strength before operating on his knee, Danita said.

She has a cut to her head that needed 13 stitches.

The couple, who run a sport hunting business outside Windhoek, had dined at the Waterfront on Saturday evening and were on their way for a ride on the Wheel of Excellence, the giant Ferris wheel, when scaffolding which was part of the Absa Cape Epic’s registration area collapsed on them. It had been put up by a contracted rigging company.

The Cape Epic did not respond to queries, including questions about the identity of the company involved.

“The last thing I remember is walking from the restaurant. When I came to, both of us were lying on the ground. I was covered in blood and Drikus was holding my hand,” Danita said.

While she was speaking, her lawyer Basil de Sousa rang, asking her to retract specific information. He told the Cape Argus they had a “pretty good idea” why the scaffolding collapsed, but declined to elaborate, saying the engineer’s report would probably be the basis of a civil case.

Meanwhile, mayor Patricia de Lille’s office declined to give an update on the investigation into a scaffolding collapse outside Cape Town Stadium last year.

Florentina Heaven-Popa, 33, died and 20 people were injured after the scaffolding supporting an advert collapsed before a Linkin Park concert in November.

De Lille immediately assured people “the city has moved pro-actively to institute an independent external investigation into the causes of the incident”.

She said the police and a structural engineering firm were investigating.

On Monday, her spokesman, Solly Malatsi, said: “The police have requested that the city not release the findings of its investigation, so as to avoid prejudicing the legal process. The city is co-operating with this request.”

Police spokesman Captain FC van Wyk said police were awaiting a report from the Department of Labour “that will indicate further investigation direction”.

daneel.knoetze@inl.co.za

Cape Argus

Viewing all 3770 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images