Astronomer Kevin Govender, now based in Cape Town, will be the first South African to receive the prestigious Edinburgh Medal.

KwaZulu-Natal’s Kevin Govender, 38, took the saying “reach for the stars” seriously, at a young age .

The astronomer, now based in Cape Town, will be the first South African to receive the prestigious Edinburgh Medal on Wednesday.

The medal is given each year to men and women of science and technology whose professional achievements are judged to have made a significant contribution to the understanding and well-being of humanity.

It will be jointly awarded to Govender and the International Astronomical Union at the 2016 Edinburgh International Science Festival, in the UK.

Exploring from a boy growing up on a farm in Ndwedwe on the KZN north coast, Govender has always believed some day he was destined to explore the universe.

Today, he is the director of the union’s office of astronomy for development based at the SA Astronomical Observatory.

“I grew up on a small sugar cane farm and the freedom we had as kids to explore was invaluable. Having a teacher for a mother and mechanic for a father meant I had a balance between academics and being practical. This combination probably contributed to my interest in science.

“As a child we did not look at the stars as often as we could or should have because of superstitions that were rife in our communities. The one I remember most clearly was that if you counted stars, you would get warts,” he said.

His studies were in physics and only some astronomy. He holds a BSc honours degree in physics from UKZN and an executive management development programme from Stellenbosch University Business School.

Govender’s biggest influences, apart from his parents, were his older brother and teachers, and he was greatly influenced by his mentors.

“My daily activities mainly involve sitting in front of a computer. My work entails co-ordinating a global network of projects, partners and volunteers – so most work is online.

“I’m more focused on the ground and work with the people who look at the stars. I’ve travelled to many parts of the world and have been privileged to look at the stars from many different angles and through many different perspectives. My particularly favourite angle is the one in which we look at how the stars make a difference to people’s lives,” said Govender.

Despite the demands of his work, he still managed to marry a woman whom he regards to be as brilliant as him – Carolina Odman, a Swiss-trained engineer turned astrophysicist. They have two children.

“The highlight in my life and career has been our two little boys – by far the greatest achievement either me or Carolina have achieved.”

Having studied the universe extensively, Govender has had the opportunity to see the most amazing things through a variety of telescopes.

“If I were to choose the best, it would be the moon. Looking at the craters of the moon through a very modest telescope or set of binoculars can be hugely impressive – I’ve always loved it.

“However, I must admit that the most enjoyable, inspiring, special thing to look at is a dark Sutherland/Northern Cape sky on a moonless winter night with the naked eye. Anyone who has not experienced that should make their way out of light-polluted cities and experience the feeling of flying in space – as we are doing on this spaceship called Earth.”

Govender has his own theories too. He believes that maybe aliens do exist and just because scientists haven’t found any yet, it doesn’t mean they are not out there.

“In what form we find aliens and how we reach them will be an interesting journey – but it’s a big universe out there and statistically there just has to be more life in the universe than just on planet Earth,” he said,

Likewise, with the existence of God. “I wouldn’t say I, or anyone else, had studied the universe extensively, it’s way too huge. As such our limited view of the universe leaves plenty of room for God beyond our current understanding. Analogous to aliens, if we haven’t specifically found something doesn’t prove that it’s not out there,” he said,

Proud of his achievements and being awarded the Edinburgh medal, Govender said the award placed South Africa in a particularly important position on the world stage of science for development.

“If we are able to lead in this incredibly important field then we can (and do) lead in other areas too.”

Govender would now like to see the model that South Africa is developing around astronomy be fine tuned, then adopted by other sciences for development.

He would also like to see the enhancement that will ensure that there is significant societal benefit that arises from the knowledge and skills that are generated in a science community.

Govender has a message for other young aspiring scientists.

“Work hard and be humble. Success will come with hard work but at the same time always accept that there are people who know more than you and who you can learn from.”

nabeelah.shaikh@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune

After last year’s xenophobic attacks, some families still have nowhere to go.

After watching his brother burn to death during the height of the xenophobic attacks last year, he vowed not go back to Isipingo, where he was staying, or to any other township.

Mwenze Kashishi, 26, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was

traumatised.

He was constantly looking over his shoulder even though the violence had abated. He feared for his life. And going back to the DRC was not an option.

“When I think about going home the image of my father being shot repeatedly by rebels flashes back. I’m not going back there, never, I would rather die here,” said Kashishi, a former security guard.

He and about 120 other foreign nationals who refused to be repatriated or reintegrated back to their communities, sought refuge in a two-bedroomed flat in Shirley Chambers, a run-down block in central Durban.

When the Sunday Tribune visited last week, children played in the corridor, seemingly unaware of the plight of their parents, while the grown-ups stood idle, contemplating their next move, as the landlord wants them out in two weeks if they don’t pay the rent. But they don’t have the money.

“My brother, things are bad for us and we don’t know who to turn to for help. We are limping from one crisis to the next,” said Kashishi.

One room is for men and the other for women and children. Both are packed with bunk beds, which were starting to show signs of wear and tear. A stomach-turning stench wafted through the corridors, paint was peeling off the walls and most of the windows were broken.

Kashishi said this “shelter” had been arranged by the KwaZulu-Natal Council of Churches when they were forced to leave the farm.

Their last place of refuge was Hope Farm in Cato Ridge, west of Durban. But they moved out after they had a dispute with the owner over the living conditions, which they claimed were “pathetic”.

A better life

Andrew Wartnaby, the owner, said the foreigners were put up at his farm as an interim solution. However, he denied falling out with them.

“They decided to leave and I was delighted that they left here peacefully. They wanted to be heard and sitting here and doing nothing was not helping them. They just wanted their plight to be known,” he said.

Fleeing their home countries was the only option they had as those who rebelled against orders were killed. “That’s why we came to South Africa. We hoped for a better life. We couldn’t stay in our countries,” said Kashishi.

Despite their woes, Kashishi said: “Things like this happen in every family. I know that one day we will be able to sit down and reconcile with our brothers and sisters as a family.

“But I honestly don’t know what is it that we did to our brothers and sisters from South Africa for them to treat us in this manner,” he sighs.

Another foreigner Kabange Kaji, 42, also from the DRC, recounted how she had fled her country during the political turmoil after the assassination of Laurent Kabila, president from 1997 to 2001. This was the last time she saw her husband, whom she had been married to for five years.

“I don’t know whether he is alive or dead. I have never heard from him or his relatives.”

Kaji gave a grim story of how she had escaped a mob of rebels armed with bush-knives and pangas. But her brother wouldn’t run. He was killed. She fled to South Africa in 2001.

“Everything was good in the beginning, we felt welcomed. But things changed and our brothers have turned against us,” she said.

The attacks forced her out of a two-roomed house in Mayville lasy year.

Her four children dropped out of school after the attacks. Her eyes fill with tears when she talks about her pain at seeing her kids idle at home while schooling was in full swing.

“These are the future leaders but now they are roaming at home because we can’t send them to school as we don’t have a permanent place to stay. We are always moving from one place to the next,” she said.

Making ends meet is proving difficult for Kaji. “Sometimes we go to bed with empty stomachs. We are used to it now,” she says, managing to laugh.

Kaji ran a clothes-selling business before last year’s attacks.

After learning about the plight of foreigners at the flat in Shirley Chambers, the Islamic Medical Association came to their aid, providing food, clothes, cleaning materials and other necessities.

Honey Allee of the IMA said: “The situation is terrible there and we couldn’t sit and watch when people were suffering. We plead to more business people and government to also weigh in,” she said.

Kashishi said: “We are very thankful to them. They come at least once a week. But we can’t rely on them. We have to fend for ourselves. That’s all that we ask for is government to ensure that we are safe.”

Christian Njiya, strategic partner of the Nelson Mandela Foundation in KwaZulu-Natal, who has been working on xenophobic-related issues since 2008, said the cost of keeping displaced foreigners at Shirley Chambers was difficult. The cost has risen to R82 600 in a period of two weeks. He urged other NPOs to assist.

“All our efforts are not producing result. But we will continue to fight until these people get help.”

eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo said a task team headed by deputy city manager, Dr Musa Gumede, had been formed to re-engage with the foreigners. The team included officials from the provincial government, the police and Home Affairs.

“When we negotiated with them last year they didn’t want to be reintegrated or sent back to their countries. But we hope this time we will find some solution to this crisis,” said Nxumalo, adding that there were time frames set for the team.

The SA Human Rights Commission has yet to release its full report into what triggered the attacks last year.

lungani.zungu@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune

The drug-related deaths in KZN demonstrate the urgent need of SAPS specialised anti-drugs units, the Democratic Alliance said.

Durban - The proposed SA Police Service (Saps) specialised anti-drugs units need to be established urgently, as demonstrated by the latest drug-related deaths in KwaZulu-Natal, the Democratic Alliance said on Sunday.

Police Minister Nathi Nhleko should speed up the roll-out of Narcotics Enforcement Bureau units in priority policing clusters to crack down on illicit drug trafficking following the tragic drug-related deaths of at least four young people in KwaMashu, Durban, this week, DA spokesman Zakhele Mbhele said.

“After President [Jacob] Zuma announced that these specialised anti-drug units would be established, I wrote to minister Nhleko requesting information on the detailed implementation plan for the Narcotics Enforcement Bureau, but to date there has been no response,” he said.

This should not be a difficult task. The SAPS should start by reconvening what was left of the personnel who constituted the specialised anti-drug units that were disastrously disbanded by former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi in 2006.

The next step should be to identify priority clusters where the initial reconstituted units would begin their focussed investigations and intelligence-led policing operations.

The 2014/15 crime statistics already provided an evidence-based guideline which would indicate that KwaMashu should be a priority surveillance area because it lay between the two KwaZulu-Natal police precincts that registered the highest number of drug-related crimes in the province - Durban Central and Phoenix, Mbhele said.

Setting up a task team to address the emerging crisis, as had been reported, was not adequate to ensure a long-term, sustainable solution.

The task team approach had been the “default modus operandi” of the SAPS to deal with syndicate crime since specialised units were disbanded, from vehicle hijacking to gang violence, but its impact had always been short-lived and failed to stop year-on-year increases in drug-related crime and aggravated robberies.

“The DA expresses its condolences to the families of the four young people whose lives were prematurely cut short by toxic drugs that ravage too many communities and sympathises with the 36 others who were critically affected after ingesting the so-called ‘Mercedes’ concoction.

“This tragic turn of events should spur the police minister and [SAPS] top brass to hasten the implementation of the specialised anti-drug units in order to minimise more innocent deaths in future,” Mbhele said.

According to media reports, the teenagers died after suffering symptoms of poisoning allegedly from a new form of ecstasy, known as “Mercedes”, while celebrating at an end-of-term party.

African News Agency

KwaDukuza firefighters narrowly averted disaster as they battled a blaze for hours that had overwhelmed two fuel tankers and threatened to engulf a petrol station.

Durban - KwaDukuza firefighters narrowly averted disaster on Sunday as they battled a blaze for hours that had overwhelmed two fuel tankers and threatened to engulf the Shell Ultra City garage in Umvoti on the N2.

Firemen moved gas cylinders out of the path of the fire and stopped it spreading to the underground tanks. The N2 northbound was closed as they fought the fire.

Two tankers and a truck were burnt, and three houses were damaged, as were parts of the exterior of the shops.

KwaDukuza fire chief Nonhlanhla Mkhwanazi said she had sent six firefighting vehicles and called for back-up support from eThekwini.

“There were two fuel trucks carrying 42 000 litres of fuel each. There was another smaller truck parked in-between these two trucks. We are not certain what started the fire and we are still investigating.”

She said her team’s chief job had been to contain the blaze and prevent more explosions. “There were gas cylinders in the line of the fire. We had to move them to prevent an explosion that might interfere with the petrol storage in the garage (underground) and lead to an escalation of fire.

“There was significant danger (to the firefighters), but we were more concerned about containing the situation and preventing more explosions,” she said.

Samantha Meyrick, the media liaison officer for IPSS Emergency Medical Services and one of the first people at the scene, said they had not received any information that anyone had been injured.

KwaDukuza Ward 12 councillor Thulani Ntuli said he had been to the scene and believed the garage would be trading again soon, as it had not suffered major damage.

“One house next to the garage was damaged. The owners were not at home. The roof there was burnt. The garage did not suffer much damage. There was a little damage to the back of the Steers franchise.

“We spoke to the drivers (of the trucks) and they were still very frightened. They said all they saw was the fire burning. They had no idea how it started.

“They normally parked there and this was the first time something like this has ever happened.”

Dineo Pooe, a spokeswoman for Shell South Africa, said they were still investigating.

thami.magubane@inl.co.za

The Mercury

KZN law enforcement agencies have been out in full force to curb road violations this long weekend.

Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is predicting a drop in the number of road crashes and fatalities this Easter weekend compared with last year's.

Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said they were still consolidating their figures, but the indication was that there had been a decline.

Provincial law enforcement agencies have been out in full force to curb road violations this long weekend.

Ncalande said since Friday last week, about 230 people had been arrested for drunken driving.

A number of drivers had been caught driving at speeds of more than 200km/h on the N2 south of Durban.

Police spokesperson major Thulani Zwane said the police were still busy with their operations and would only have accurate reports on the number of accidents and fatalities on Monday.

Six people were injured on Sunday when a light vehicle rear-ended another on the N3 highway near the M7 turn-off in Pinetown.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said one car lay on its roof in the median while the second had pulled off the right side of the road.

Two of the injured were children, aged 12 and 13.

Paramedics treated the patients and took them to St Mary's Hospital.

Also on Sunday, six people were injured when three vehicles collided on Styledrift Road in the Osizweni area of Newcastle.

ER24 paramedics discovered that five occupants of the overturned vehicle and the driver of the bakkie had been injured.

Two of the patients were a boy and a girl, aged two and four.

Paramedics treated the patients and took them to a nearby hospital.

Early on Sunday Netcare 911 paramedics received a call about two vehicles that had collided on the R61 in Port Edward.

Eight people had sustained injuries ranging from serious to minor.

Medics stabilised the injured at the crash scene before taking them to various hospitals for the care that they required.

The Mercury

While the foundation phase has been identified as a critical component, unions say this is not reflected in the way Grade R teachers are treated.

Durban - Teachers’ unions in the KZN province are taking on the Department of Basic Education demanding better working conditions for Grade R teachers, starting with the doubling of their salaries.

While the foundation phase has been identified as a critical component in improving the quality of pupils produced by the system, the unions say, this is not reflected in the way Grade R teachers are treated. In fact, they declare, the sub-par treatment of the Grade R teachers is leading to instability which undermines the department’s own plans.

Deputy President of the National Teachers’ Union, Allen Thompson, said these teachers were treated like stepchildren of the department.

“We feel the R24-million allocated for payments of their stipend is not adequate. They should be paid R10 000 a month because the current R6 000 stipend is way too little,” he said.

Thompson said in the province, almost 5 900 teachers in Grade R were still owed six months’ back pay.

“The department and the ruling party have done research which points out those learners who started schooling in Grade R have better chances of succeeding.

“So why are these teachers not recognised according to what they are paid by the respective provincial education departments? When is the department going to develop a policy which seeks to equalise what they are paid with other teachers?”

He said these teachers should enjoy benefits like medical aid, housing allowances and pensions.

“They must be able to get maternity, paternity and family responsibility leave like other educators. If we are serious about turning around our education, the foundations are the most important aspect.”

South African Democratic Teachers Union provincial secretary Nomarashiya Caluza said it was not only salaries they were concerned about, but the general treatment of Grade R teachers. Through Sadtu’s intervention, some grade R teachers who had not been getting their salaries last year would be paid.

Stability

Caluza said the treatment of teachers affected the stability of the foundation phase, which undermined the department’s initiative to improve foundation phase learning.

“There is no stability there. The moment people get qualified they will leave the foundation phase and join mainstream teaching.”

Anthony Pierce of the National Professional Teachers Union of South Africa, said it was ridiculous to expect someone who was experienced and qualified to be earning R5 000.

“The stipend they have been receiving has not kept up with inflation. We are calling for the Grade R teacher to be part of the staff complement,” he said.

The National Department of Basic Education directed all questions to the provincial department.

Department of Education spokesperson Sihle Mlotshwa said the Grade R phase was important and the government was doing all possible to make sure it was given priority. He said the department would engage with unions to iron out concerns and difficulties.

The Mercury

The drug has claimed the lives of at least four KwaMashu residents believed to be teenagers and left more than 32 in hospital.

Durban - Police have been deployed around Durban to raid suspected drug dens as they try to get to the dealers and manufacturers of the deadly drug popularly known as “Mercedes”.

The drug has claimed the lives of at least four KwaMashu residents believed to be teenagers and left more than 32 in hospital. It is believed there are other cases which have not been reported, and police have urged people to come forward.

Police spokesperson Thulani Zwane said they were aware that people who had information about the manufacturers and dealers might be scared to reveal information that might lead to the arrest of the culprit.

“We appeal to those with information to come forward. So far we have not found anything,” he said.

Pupils from Chesterville who spoke to The Mercury on Sunday said the “new” drug had also reached their area.

“I was going to a party on Friday and one guy who joined us gave my friends and me this drug. We thought it was the same as umgwinyo, which we are used to. We took it and I was high from 11pm partying without getting tired. At about 4am my body started feeling weird. There was no pain, but it was like I am losing my mind,” one teenager said.

Her friend said: “It depends on the dosage. I took four. I am told I was hysterical and running for my life. Fortunately there were people who pressed me to the ground so I would not run away.”

A task team of crime intelligence and local police has been set up with the urgent task of nabbing the dealers. Zwane said the priority was to find samples to send for laboratory testing. He could not give details about the drug and the suspects because of “the sensitivity of the investigation”.

DA spokesperson on police Zakhele Mbhele said setting up a task team was not adequate to ensure a long-term and sustainable solution.

“The task team’s approach has been the default modus operandi of the SAPS to deal with syndicate crime since specialised units were disbanded, from vehicle hijacking to gang violence, but its impact has always been short-lived and failed to stop year-on-year increases in drug-related crime and aggravated robberies,” he said.

Mbhele said the deaths indicated the urgency of implementing the planned narcotics enforcement bureau, and they repeated their call for Police Minister Nathi Nhleko to speed up the roll-out of the bureau in priority clusters. He said this would help crack down on illicit drug trafficking.

“The 2014/15 crime statistics indicate that KwaMashu should be a priority surveillance area because it lies between the two KwaZulu-Natal police precincts that registered the highest number of drug-related crimes in the province, Durban Central and Phoenix,” he said.

The chairperson of the Congress of South African Students in KwaZulu-Natal, Siyabonga Phakathi, said everyone in society had a role to play to eradicate the use and selling of drugs. “Parties organised by students need to be heavily monitored, or not allowed if they don’t have an assurance that they are safe.”

sphelele.ngubane@inl.co.za

@sphengubane

The Mercury

Premier Senzo Mchunu has ordered an urgent probe into the "violation of human rights" of "many" families living on a Richmond farm after a boy was attacked by a baboon.

Durban - Premier Senzo Mchunu has ordered an urgent investigation into the “violation of human rights” of “many” families living on a farm in Richmond after a 6-year-old boy was attacked by a baboon on Friday.

Seluleko Xaba, 6, was playing in their yard with another child when the baboon attacked him. He is in a critical condition in hospital with severe wounds to his back and thighs.

His mother and grandmother were away for a church service when the incident happened. His grandfather, Bhekumuzi Xaba, came to his rescue after he heard him screaming.

Xaba said when he arrived to help his grandson, the baboon continued attacking Seluleko.

“The baboon only left when Seluleko was lying on the ground, his chest and ribs showing after it had raked him,” he said.

The boy was taken to Edendale Hospital where a team of doctors treated him.

“He was admitted with deep lacerations on the back and thigh. He has been sent to theatre… He is on strong pain control and antibiotics,” Mchunu said.

The Mercury has seen a photograph of the wounds.

Xaba said they lived next door to a farm where the baboons were and had, for many years, asked the owner to remove them or lock them up in a cage, but their complaints fell on deaf ears.

The Mercury tried to contact the farm owner, but he did not answer.

Seluleko’s grandmother, Eunice Xaba, said that on Tuesday last week, a troop of baboons camped outside the door of their home.

“We phoned the farmer. He came with his son, who was armed with a firearm. He instructed the son to scare the baboons off and told him not to kill them.

“The following day, one of the baboons returned and we phoned him. He sent a farmworker whom he also told not to kill the baboon but just scare it off,” she said.

Eunice Xaba said that on Thursday when it returned, she took a bush knife and threatened it.

The baboon left their property and it was not seen on Friday morning.

“It came later on and found the kids playing,” she said.

Mchunu said he was outraged that baboons were receiving preferential treatment at the expense of the safety of the farm dwellers.

“It has been brought to the attention of the Office of the Premier that the attack took place after the farm owner had warned that his baboons should not be hurt.” The owner gave the instruction “after the family had alerted him about a troop of baboons that were roaming on the farm and chasing children”, he said.

“It is unfortunate that we are ending human rights month with such a gruesome incident involving an innocent child. This is a sad reminder of ongoing violation of human rights of farmworkers and farm dwellers.

“Families complained bitterly that for years they have been fending off sustained attacks from a troop of baboons owned by the owner of the farm.

“For years, family crops have been destroyed by these baboons, exposing the families to food insecurity and abject poverty.

“Sadly, repeated pleas to the farm owner have been ignored. This is a clear indication that the welfare of baboons is the priority,” he said.

sphelele.ngubane@inl.co.za

@sphengubaneMchunu

The Mercury

Police are investigating a case of arson in the fire that nearly burnt down the Ultra City garage at the Umvoti tollgate on the N2 northbound.

Durban - Police are investigating a case of arson in the fire that nearly burnt down the Ultra City garage at the Umvoti tollgate on the N2 northbound on Sunday.

Sources at the scene alleged that there was an illegal operation going on before the fire started, in which fuel was being stolen.

Two petrol tankers carrying a combined load of 84 000 litres of petrol and diesel were parked behind the Steers outlet at the garage rest stop when the fire started. The blaze overwhelmed both trucks and almost burnt down the garage. Another smaller truck carrying skid tanks, which was parked between the two trucks, was also burnt.

KwaDukuza fire chief Nonhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who led the fire team that risked their lives to contain the fire and moved gas cylinders that could have caused a bigger explosion away from the fire, said they were aware of the allegations of fuel theft.

“We are still going to convene today and view the footage from the scene to determine what happened,” Mkhwanazi said.

Police spokesman Thulani Zwane did not comment directly on the allegations that fuel theft was the cause of the fire, but said: “No arrest and we are investigating an arson case.”

However, sources insist that fuel theft was the real reason for the fire.

“The police suspect that someone was trying to move diesel and petrol from the trucks,” said a source.

Another said many things about the fire did not add up.

“The drivers only showed up after the fire was out; they said they were afraid and had run away when the fire started,” said a source.

“One of them said he had been burnt on the arm and we took him to an ambulance for assistance.

“Our question was: Why did they run away if it was just an accident, not their fault?” said the source.

“Another thing is the way the trucks were positioned. There were two fuel tankers and, in-between, a smaller truck carrying skid tanks.”

The source said this was suspicious.

Dineo Pooe, a spokeswoman for Shell South Africa, said they had heard similar (fuel theft) allegations.

“At this point it’s still allegations and speculation. We cannot comment on that.”

The Mercury

A KZN game farmer has strongly denied being responsible for a gruesome baboon attack on a six-year-old boy.

Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal game farmer has strongly denied being responsible for a gruesome baboon attack on a child at the weekend.

Six-year-old Seluleko Xaba, who was in a stable condition in Edendale Hospital on Tuesday, was mauled by a lone male baboon on the Masosheni Farm, in Richmond.

The boy suffered severe injuries to his back and thigh, prompting accusations from the community that the farmer had introduced the dangerous primates to the farm, which is the subject of a land claim. 

Read: Baboon attack horror

Farmer David Aadnesgaard, however, said he did not own the baboons, and that they had been brought to his game farm by Durban’s Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow).

“I run a game farm and Crow approached me to accommodate the baboons on my farm. They have been taking care of these animals since about 2009 when they were delivered. When I heard about the incident I went over and put it down,” he said.

Aadnesgaard on Tuesday morning rejected claims that his neighbours had previously complained the baboons were raiding their crops and that he had done nothing in response.

“It’s absolute nonsense,” he said.

He said there was no friction between himself and his neighbours and that he empathised with them.

“If my child had been attacked by a baboon, I would be very, very upset too,” he said.

Aadnesgaard said it was possible the baboon that attacked Seluleko was from a wild troop, but that he thought it was unlikely.

Wild baboons were afraid of people, he said, whereas this baboon was clearly not.

Crow director, Claire Hodgkinson, said they were saddened by the incident and deeply concerned.

“It is a serious incident and we are taking it seriously,” she told the Daily News on Tuesday morning.

She said Crow was waiting to hear from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and planned to meet the farmer and community to discuss the incident.

The interests of the community was the organisation’s first priority, Hodgkinson said, but hoped the baboons would be given a chance to remain in the area.

“They are all orphaned or injured baboons,” she said.

Hodgkinson confirmed that Crow had released a troop on to the farm in November 2013, but said there were also wild baboons on the farm and it would be difficult to ascertain which group the baboon was from.

“We are concerned about the community’s claims about problems with the baboons in the past,” she said.

“This is the first report we’ve received.”

The attack on Friday led the office of the premier to call on the SA Human Rights Commission to investigate whether the rights of the community had been violated.

The boy’s grandfather, Bhekumuzi Xaba, blamed Aadnesgaard for the attack.

He claimed Aadnesgaard had brought the baboons to his game farm to make the lives of neighbours difficult. The Xaba clan had for many years been on the farm.

On the morning of the attack Seluleko opened the gate for his grandfather. Xaba said the boy’s mother and other children in the family were traumatised.

“I’m only able to watch such injuries because I’m a man. His mother is devastated, and cannot stand the sight of the child’s tiny body in such a state. He will be scarred for life,” he said.

He said the boy and another 6-year-old were doing chores when the animal pounced.

“I heard screams and when I reached where the commotion was, my grandchild was pinned to the ground and this thing was biting him with its long teeth. When it finally let go, it did not run, but strolled off. Since our neighbour brought these animals here we have had no peace.”

He said the primates were not scared of people and could be seen roaming their farm. Xaba said Aadnesgaard was aware of this but did nothing to keep the baboons away from their homes.

In a statement on Tuesday, Premier Senzo Mchunu, said: “A team of health professionals has been assigned to ensure the provision of quality health care to Seluleko, who remains in a critical but stable condition at Edendale Hospital. He suffered deep lacerations on the back and thigh. He is on strong pain control and has also been given an anti-rabies vaccine.

“It is for this reason that I have assigned officials attached to the human rights unit and office of the Status of Women and Children located in the premier’s office to liaise with the SA Human Rights Commission.”

Mchunu and Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo planned to visit the child in hospital on Tuesday.

Daily News

Two prominent figures in the creation of Moses Mabhida Stadium have denied that a Grade 11 boy's concept was used without crediting him.

 Durban - Claims that a schoolboy’s concept of the now famous Moses Mabhida Stadium was used by the developers without crediting him have been roundly dismissed by two prominent figures in the arena’s creation.

Deputy Minister Bheki Cele and former city manager Michael Sutcliffe have rejected arguments by the boy’s family, and the former mayor of eThekwini, Obed Mlaba, that it was Sibusiso Nene’s idea when he was in Grade 11.

Read: Who designed Moses Mabhida Stadium?

In August 2004, Nene crafted a wire model of a stadium, winning the KwaZulu-Natal leg of an Eskom Expo for Young Scientists for designing the best 2010 soccer World Cup stadium.

“He is the brains behind it. I want to make it public that he needs to be honoured,” Mlaba told the Sunday Tribune.

But Cele, at the time the chairman of the ANC in eThekwini, and Sutcliffe said this claim was “most unfortunate, and simply not true”.

In a letter to newspapers they sketched the background and build-up of the project, seeking to refute Mlaba’s argument that it was Sibusiso’s idea and that he needed to be honoured for it.

Nene’s father, Sipho Nene of Hammarsdale, also accused the creators in the Sunday Tribune: “They took my son’s idea and sidelined him afterwards. My son was never credited for his idea, and he never received any payment.”

But Cele and Sutcliffe said the design was inspired by the South African flag where the central arch, together with compression rings, held up the roof.

“Its other features included its compliance with both the specifications of Fifa and the IOC, and that it is not a complete bowl, allowing for natural air flow and a panoramic view of the cityscape from within the stadium,” they said.

“These, and many other features show that there is simply no similarity between S’bu Nene’s model and that of Moses Mabhida Stadium.”

They argued also that the project leader of the Ibhola Lethu Consortium, which produced the winning proposal, had no knowledge of Sibusiso’s involvement.

“We would love to know who it was that he actually met with and what he was told,” Cele and Sutcliffe said. They were addressing claims by Mlaba and Nene’s father of further meetings the boy had had with metro officials.

Sipho Nene told the Tribune: “After Sibusiso approached the mayor, he was called to do presentations with city engineers and they liked his project.

“People from the municipality used to take him from home and bring him back later because they were still using him.

“When they started building the stadium, they started ignoring him.”

Sibusiso Nene died in January 2009. Cele and Sutcliffe said they were sad to hear this. “He was a rare talent,” they said.

“It is a pity that the creative talent of S’bu Nene is not today assisting us as we re-shape our buildings and cities.”

Daily News

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A 35-year-old woman is the third person arrested in connection with the murder of Shakila Singh in an upmarket Musgrave complex.

Durban - A woman has been detained for questioning in connection with the murder of Musgrave resident Shakila Singh.

The 35-year-old was taken in by police on Tuesday.

She is the third person that has been linked to the 56-year-old retired teacher’s murder on February 29.

Police believe robbery was the motive.

Read: Principal quizzed over murdered teacher

Kennedy Amon Ngongi, 28, and Ally Juna Abdullah, 34, both from Tanzania, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Ngongi was arrested in Durban last Wednesday by members of the Provincial Task Team, comprising warrant officers Rajen Govender, Praved Maharaj, Lenny Naidoo and Denver Parbhu.

He was walking on a street when police pounced.

Abdullah was arrested that same evening in the Springfield area.

Both men, who are known to each other, are being held at different police cells pending their bail application, which is expected to take place on Friday.

The men are facing charges of murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Singh, formally from Umzinto, and living in an upmarket Musgrave duplex, was found lying on the floor of her home.

Police believe she might have been strangled.

Singh and her domestic worker had been at home when the attack took place.

It is not yet clear how the intruders entered the unit, which has a security gate at the front door, but there appeared to be no signs of forced entry.

The domestic worker, who was assaulted and also gagged and bound with cable ties, managed to roll down a flight of stairs to the outside, where she alerted another domestic worker.

The robbers fled with two cellphones belonging to Singh as well as jewellery. Police found Mauritian rupees on Singh’s bed. One of the cellphones has since been recovered.

Police are still searching for one other person who is also believed to be linked to the murder.

Post

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Two suspects were due to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court following an inferno which destroyed three trucks at a service station near the Mvoti toll plaza.

Durban – Two suspects were due to appear in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted theft, malicious damage to property and arson following an inferno which destroyed three trucks at a service station near the Mvoti toll plaza, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.

The trucks were destroyed in a blaze at the Shell Ultra City filling station on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala said: “On Sunday 27 March 2016, at approximately 11:30, three trucks caught fire at a service station in Umvoti near the toll gate. Multiple explosion were heard as the containers exploded.

“It is alleged that a nearby house was also burnt. Two suspects, aged 45 and 56, were arrested,” Gwala said. “Investigations were conducted and it was established that three trucks were parked with an intent to steal the diesel. The generator which was used to pump the diesel accidentally caught a spark and a fire broke out.”

No injuries were reported during the incident.

African News Agency

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A man was killed after being struck by a train in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Durban – A man was killed after being struck by a train in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Tuesday.

Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said that the incident happened near Cedara shortly before 2pm.

“Reports from the scene indicate that a security guard was walking along the tracks when he landed in front of the train.”

Botha said that the man, who was found lying on the tracks, had died before paramedics arrived at the scene. He was declared dead.

Authorities were investigating the incident.

Cedara is about 15 kilometres north of Pietermaritzburg.

African News Agency

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The Hawks have dismissed suggestions of an imminent arrest in the case of murdered Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.

Durban - The Hawks on Sunday dismissed suggestions of an imminent arrest in the case of murdered Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Senzo Meyiwa.

“Our main client is the deceased’s family, and if there are any developments, they are the first to know, and then the information is relayed to the media,” said Hawks spokesman, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.

He was commenting in response to a media report in the Daily News’s sister publication, the Sunday Tribune, which said police were on the verge of arresting a suspect, who was one of the people present when Meyiwa was murdered.

The former goalkeeper and uMlazi born Orlando Pirates captain was fatally shot on October, 26, 2014, while visiting his girlfriend, Kelly Khumalo, at her mother’s house in Vosloorus on the East Rand.

A police source was quoted as saying the suspect was identified after a re-enactment of the shooting two weeks ago and a study of the initial police reports.

Daily News

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Two teenaged brothers drowned in Richards Bay while on a trip with a group of churchgoers from Bethal, Mpumalanga, for a church service near the beach.

Durban - The bodies of two brothers who drowned at a Richards Bay beach during an Easter weekend celebration had been recovered by sea rescuers, police said on Sunday.

The siblings had been on a trip with a group of churchgoers from Bethal, Mpumalanga, for an Easter weekend church service near the beach.

The church had erected a tent about 500 metres from the beach in an open space.

The bodies of Bheki and Thembelihle Mthethwa, 13 and 15, were recovered on Sunday afternoon.

They were apparently warned by their mother not to go to the beach.

The distraught mother, Nomthandazo, told the Daily News she had been pleading with her younger son to go and shower in the change rooms before he slipped away with other boys to the beach.

It was not clear if there were any lifeguards on duty at the time of their drowning.

“I had told him to go and shower, but he refused,” said his mother on Sunday.

“I warned him not to go. I have a heavy heart now because had he listened to me none of this would have happened, both my sons would be alive,” she said crying.

Mthethwa said her older son, Thembelihle, had been trying to save Bheki when they were both swept into the sea.

Neither knew how to swim, she said.

“We got a phone call to rush to the beach and my mind shut down; I could not believe what happened,” she said.

Provincial police spokesman, Major Thulani Zwane, said police were investigating an inquest docket for the drownings, and said the boys’ bodies were recovered on Sunday.

The National Sea Rescue Institute spokesman, Craig Lambinon, said rescuers had been performing a training exercise just before 2pm when they were alerted to the drownings between Bay Hall and Pelican Beach.

Bishop Sakhile Buthelezi, of the Utholakele uMuzi Woku-thula Christian Church, who had been leading the contingent, said his heart was broken.

He said they were concerned that there was no swimming signage along the area where the boys drowned and called for the signage to be put up to minimise loss of life.

“The sad thing is that people swim there and there is no signage to say no swimming.”

Daily News

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KwaZulu-Natal taxi associations are embarking on a two-day strike to protest the impounding of vehicles for not having permits.

Durban – The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) have announced a taxi protest for Wednesday and Thursday in KwaZulu-Natal.

KwaZulu-Natal taxi associations, including short and long distance associations, have come to a complete standstill.

The strike was called in protest against the Department of Transport Road Traffic Inspectorate and Shanela Environmental Management impounding taxis for not having permits.

This comes despite an alleged agreement between taxi associations and the Department of Transport that taxis would not be impounded for delayed permits by the transport licencing board.

Although taxi associations had originally said that no blockages were planned, Durban Metro have reported taxis travelling in contraflow in busy city central roads such as West and Warwick Street.

There are also reports of blockages outside the Durban Station in Umgeni Road as well as Moor Road.

Reports also indicate that the R66 towards Umlazi is completely blocked off by taxis.

IOL

A metro policeman, wrongly convicted on sex-related charges opened by his landlord and colleague, has spoken about his nine years of “hell”.

Durban - A metro policeman, wrongly convicted on trumped up sex-related charges opened by his landlord who had wanted to evict him, has spoken about his nine years of “hell”.

Ronson Pillay’s conviction and sentence for indecently assaulting the 13-year-old daughter of his landlord and former police colleague was recently set aside by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Pillay, 37, who had been sentenced to four years imprisonment, which was later reduced to two by the Provincial Appeal Court, said he had been vindicated and now wanted to get his life back.

His life, he told POST on Tuesday, had been on hold for the past nine years after the complainant’s father, also a Durban metro policeman, had opened the “very serious and unsubstantiated charges” against him.

He was alleged to have also exposed himself to the girl and taken a photograph of his private parts.

Although convicted, Pillay had not spent time behind bars as his bail had been extended pending his two appeals.

Pillay said he had always known he was innocent but was treated like a criminal by colleagues and civilians alike.

“I was removed as an officer in the field and moved to the charge office. My firearm was confiscated after the complainant’s father, who was my landlord at the time, complained to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate that I had threatened him and his family with a state-owned firearm,” he said.

“It is an understatement to say that my life came to a standstill after I was charged for the crimes I did not commit.”

Pillay, who became a policeman in 1998, said he would have been promoted from the rank of sergeant to inspector but had skipped the exams because of the charges he then faced.

“I hope that people who shunned me will accept the ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal that I am not a criminal and was not involved in any indecent acts. I prefer working in the field and want to do that,” he said. “My other aim is to become a captain in a few year’s time.”

Pillay said he and his attorney, Ravindra Maniklall, were now planning to sue the former colleague “for wrecking my life”.

In the judgment penned by Judge DH Zondi, the Supreme Court of Appeal said that magistrate Jenny Pillay had misdirected herself and that Ronson Pillay had been wrongly convicted.

The policeman had initially lodged an appeal in the Provincial Appeal Court which, however, confirmed the conviction on four charges of indecent assault but halved the four-year prison term imposed by the trial court.

Judge Zondi said Magistrate Pillay had erred by “unreservedly” accepting the complainant’s evidence as being the most probable version.

“From the reasoning of the trial court, it does not appear that it fully appreciated the dangers inherent in the acceptance of the complainant’s evidence and the need to subject her evidence to proper scrutiny to avoid the risk of a wrong conviction,” the judge said. “The trial court misdirected itself by applying the wrong standard of proof in determining the guilt of the appellant (Pillay).

“It (the trial court) rejected as far fetched and fanciful the appellant’s suggestion that the charge against him was orchestrated by the complainant’s father to have him evicted. That approach was incorrect ‘ said Judge Zondi.

The judge said the State, in its argument at the appeal, had agreed that there were serious shortcomings in its case.

“The incidents which resulted in the appellant’s conviction lacked the clarity required to conclude that the appellant’s guilt was proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial court must fully appreciate the dangers inherent in the acceptance of the evidence of a child witness.”

According to Judge Zondi the trial court failed to interrogate the complainant’s evidence-in-chief, her cross-examination, discrepancies in her evidence and her statement to police in June 2007.

“One of the glaring inconsistencies in her evidence compared to what is reflected in her statement to police is the incident relating to her claim that the appellant, after (exposing himself), had taken a photograph of his (private parts) on his cellular phone. The aspect of the photograph was not mentioned to police,” said the judge.

POST

Sharks hooker Kyle Cooper has been charged with assaulting a father and his daughter at a bar in the early hours of Sunday.

Durban - Sharks hooker Kyle Cooper was arrested at the weekend and appeared in court on Tuesday charged with assaulting a father and his daughter at a bar in the early hours of Sunday after playing the Crusaders on Saturday evening.

Cooper is on bail of R500 and will appear in the Wentworth court again this Friday.

The charges - one of common assault and the other assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm - relate to two incidents at the Wagon Wheel Saloon in Lighthouse Road on the Bluff.

He is accused of punching 19-year-old Camilla Johannessen after a verbal altercation.

Eyewitnesses said a bouncer had to intervene and pull him away.

The young woman informed her 42-year-old father, Donald, of what had happened and he confronted Cooper in the car park where, it is alleged, Cooper’s friends held him down while Cooper hit him.

Both family members laid complaints at the local police station and visited a doctor for forensic examinations detailing their injuries.

In an interview with The Mercury, wife and mother Cindy Johannessen said her husband had injuries to his ribs and face while her daughter had a cut inside her mouth. She said the family was consulting a lawyer “because we want to take this further”.

“He must pay for the costs involved,” she said.

Attorney Jacques Botha confirmed that he is representing Cooper. “The matter was adjourned to look at an alternative dispute resolution.”

He said his client had laid a counter charge of assault at Wentworth police station but it had “disappeared” and he was investigating why it had not been registered.

Cooper was a reserve for Saturday’s match but came out to play late in the second half.

Novashni Chetty, PR Manager of the Sharks said: “We are aware of the incident surrounding one of our players over the weekend. It is difficult to pass comment on an incident we know little about, knowing also that there are always two sides to a story, which is why we trust the judicial system to run its course and action will be taken, if needed, on the eventual outcome.”

The owner of the bar did not respond to a message asking for comment.

The Mercury

The infiltration by a cop of a syndicate which preyed on truck drivers on the N3, beating them up to steal expensive wheels, has been found to be legal.

Durban - The infiltration by a police officer of a syndicate which preyed on truck drivers stopped on the N3, beating them up to steal expensive truck wheels, has been found to be legal by the Supreme Court of Appeal, even though he participated in crimes in which members of the public were at risk.

During the course of the undercover operation, drivers were killed and one woman passenger was raped, but the policeman continued with his investigation. He was not involved in the violence.

The appeal before the court was lodged by three members of the syndicate. The kingpin, Chatsworth resident Shamdutt Singh, and Lelelani Mbanjwa appealed against their convictions on charges of racketeering, corruption, robbery, kidnapping and money laundering and their respective effective sentences of 35 years and 30 years, while a third accused, Mazibongwe Ngobe, appealed against his conviction of robbery and sentence of 30 years.

The men were convicted in 2010 by Durban High Court Judge Ron McLaren on the evidence gathered by a Sergeant Smith, who went undercover as “Darryl”, infiltrating the gang and acting as one of them in six truck hijackings during which video cameras and tracking devices were activated.

The main challenge to the evidence was that Smith and the police had been present during the commission of some of the crimes and had not put a stop to them.

But a judgment penned by supreme court Judge Zukisa Tshiqi, with four judges concurring, said the operation was aimed at protecting the general public. The judges agreed with the finding of Judge McLaren that the benefit outweighed any risks.

According to evidence in the initial trial, the undercover operation - sanctioned by the director of public prosecutions - was necessary because the investigation was floundering. This was because the crimes occurred randomly, usually in the evenings, anywhere on a long stretch on the N3.

Although spotters, guards and robbers had been arrested, it was difficult to secure arrests and convictions of the main role-players because they were not present at the scenes of crimes.

The crimes were becoming more violent, with the murder of two drivers and the rape of a woman passenger.

Smith’s main role in the syndicate was to transport the wheels removed from the trucks to a specific address, and he did not initiate any of the criminal activities.

Judge Tshiqi said Smith always disclosed his movements to the investigations team and was “very cautious”.

“It is alleged that the conduct of the state was detrimental to the administration of justice in that it continued with an operation while aware of a real possibility of further public exposure to violence.

“The use of undercover agents is long-established and acceptable in our constitutional democracy. What has to be balanced is a respect for the Bill of Rights and respect for judicial process,” the judge said. “The State says the basis of the operation was to protect the public. The actions of the syndicate not only exposed victims to violent conduct but also had huge implications for the economy because of transportation delays.”

The judge said public opinion was a relevant consideration in this matter, “and it is unacceptable to the public when courts exclude evidence indicating guilt, particularly in the current state of endemic crime”.

“Had Smith not infiltrated the syndicate, the probabilities are that it would have continued. The public would balk at the idea that law enforcement agencies failed to act against an organised crime syndicate because of the fear there may be a danger to the pubic. Indeed the reaction would be one of shock, fury and outrage,” she said, ruling that the convictions must stand.

After a concession by the State that the sentences could be considered harsh, she amended their cumulative affect to 20 years for both Singh and Mbanjwa and 15 years for Ngobe.

The Mercury