Trade union took to the streets to demonstrate against 'e-toll' lanes at Mariannhill Plaza.

Durban - Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday took to the streets to demonstrate against the introduction of automated lanes in the Mariannhill Tollgate in Pinetown.

The workers’ demonstration formed part of the resolution of the labour federation to campaign against the e-tolls.

Yesterday, workers from different unions had held aloft placards that read “Don’t register with Sanral” and “Don’t buy e-Tags” during the lunch-hour picket.

Cosatu provincial secretary, Edwin Mkhize, said the labour federation had noted that South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) was spreading the e-tolling agenda across the country through the introduction of automated lanes.

“The introduction of the automated lanes, called Shesha lanes, that work through the e-Tags, is nothing but part of their e-tolling system.

“As Cosatu we view this as dangerous in our attempts to create jobs since, there are a number of workers who work in these tollgates who are now going to lose employment,” Mkhize said.

He also said if the automated lanes were allowed, tollgates would benefit the elite and their powerful companies at the expense of the poor.

“It is worrying because government has always used jobs created through tollgates as one of their standpoint to defend tollgates.”

Mkhize also said Cosatu would intensify their demonstrations until the e-tolls were done away with.

Sanral spokesman, Vusi Mona, could not be reached for comment.

Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal leads the struggle against implementation of the e-tolls and tollgates by picketing at the Mariannhill Toll Plaza yesterday.

Daily News

KZN premier Senzo Mchunu and eThekwini Metro mayor James Nxumalo say Durban is ready to host the 21st International Aids Conference in July.

Durban – KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu and eThekwini Metro mayor James Nxumalo on Friday declared that the city of Durban was ready to host the 21st International Aids Conference in July.

Mchunu and Nxumalo made the announcement at a press conference that preceded a march through the city by senior health officials and Aids activists.

The premier, and the mayor, along with KwaZulu-Natal cooperative governance MEC Nomusa Ndube-Ncube then joined marchers through the city.

Olive Shisana, the former head of the Human Sciences Research Council and the current co-chair of the Aids 2016 organising committee, said that while much had been done in the fight, more still needed to be done.

“Unfortunately that number [the number of people living with Aids] is still growing. We have so much to gain from [hosting] such a conference. We have so much to offer.”

Shisana said the conference would be a springboard for new ideas and action to tackle the disease. She said that past conferences had created the political will to tackle the disease.

“While we have prevented many deaths, many still continue to die.”

She pointed out that annually there were still 300 000 new infections in South Africa, which has the largest number of people in the world who have contracted the disease.

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa had been scheduled to be at the events marking the countdown to the conference, but without explanation, he did not attend.

The conference was last held in South Africa in 2000 when 12 000 delegates attended. More than 15 000 people are expected to attend the conference, which has the theme “Access, Equity, Rights Now”.

African News Agency

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Ipid will investigate the death of a KZN man who died in police custody after it emerged that he may have been killed by an accidental firearm discharge.

Durban - Last month’s glory could be this month’s disgrace for KwaZulu-Natal police.

Early last month, officers received high praise for arresting four suspected armed robbers just moments after they had allegedly raided a store at a KwaMashu shopping mall and tried to blow up a local ATM.

A “suspect” subsequently died in hospital and police issued a statement at the time, saying another was killed at a police station when he tried to disarm an officer who was taking down his statement and a scuffle ensued.

Now, however, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating claims that the police station shooting was, in fact, an accidental discharge and that officers tried to pin the blame on the other two “suspects’’.

These “suspects” - who were released without appearing in court - met the Daily News on Thursday to recount their version of events. They said they had not heard from the police since.

Sabelo Ngema, 27, said that early on Wednesday, March 2, he was at his home and received a phone call from a friend who stayed nearby: he had been shot and needed a lift to hospital.

Ngema’s friend later died and the circumstances surrounding his shooting were unclear.

Ngema did not have a car, so he contacted another friend, who dropped Ngema and the injured man at the local clinic.

While there, Ngema met two others whom he and his friend knew: Xolani Biyela, 29, and Zamokwakhe Ndlovu, 24.

A short while later, police stormed the clinic and arrested Ngema and Biyela.

Ngema said they were taken to the parking lot where they were kicked and slapped.

Both he and Biyela showed the Daily News team scars and open wounds, which they said they sustained during the assault.

Police then arrested Ndlovu too and all three were taken to KwaMashu police station.

They were handcuffed and placed in a “back room” at the station.

After some time, a police officer came in.

He was either cleaning his firearm or checking it was safe, Ngema said. “I heard it cock,” he said, “and then it went off, loudly.”

The next thing he knew, officers stormed the room, shouting. “They kept asking us why we had tried to take the policeman’s firearm,” he said. “But we didn’t, I was cuffed to Biyela and Zamokwakhe was also handcuffed.” Ngema looked to the floor and his voice grew quiet, as he recalled hearing Ndlovu’s final words.

“He was crying, asking what he was dying for,” he said.

Over the next two days, Ngema and Biyela were allegedly shuffled from police station to police station and repeatedly interrogated, but they stuck to their story and on the Friday they were released.

Ndlovu’s brother, Nhlakanipho, 23, said Ndlovu was the sole breadwinner in his family of 11 - among them a sickly sister, an elderly grandmother and three small children.

“We are suffering,” he said. “Zamokwakhe used to help our sister with her asthma medication and since his death she has been suffering from attacks that the doctor says are as a result of the stress.”

Faizel Kara, a lawyer acting on behalf of Ndlovu’s family as well as Ngema and Biyela, said this case was a prime example of abuse of power.

“They think that because these people are poor, they can get away with it,” he said of the police.

Ipid spokesman, Robbie Raburabu, said the directorate was investigating.

Daily News

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The husband of Merebank mother Soraya Naidoo and his two accomplices have been sentenced to life imprisonment for her murder.

Durban - The men responsible for the murder of Merebank mother, Soraya “Charmaine” Naidoo, were on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment.

Naidoo’s husband, Inderesen “Alvin” Maistry, Mandlenkosi Jobe and Bongani Manyathi were also sentenced to 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years for her kidnapping.

Durban High Court Acting Judge Burt Laing ordered these sentences to be run concurrently with the life sentence.

Jobe was sentenced to a further two years in jail for the possession of an unlicensed firearm.

“There are a number of crimes committed among family members themselves, which is disturbing. The crime was brutal. (Naidoo) was taken by force and stabbed a number of times,” said Laing.

“Clearly the intention was to ensure she was dead.”

Speaking to Maistry, he said: “If you hated the woman so much, the simplest thing was to divorce her.””

He said there was no place in society for “people who commit such savage acts of violence”.

The men are now applying for leave to appeal against their convictions and sentences.

A date for this application has still to be arranged.

On Thursday, emotions ran high in court as Naidoo’s father exchanged words with her killer’s family before arguments for sentencing could begin.

Relatives, the investigating officer and legal counsel tried in vain to calm the father, who shouted to Maistry’s family that their child did not die.

He eventually left the courtroom. Both families have been attending the trial regularly, but things only became heated after the guilty verdict was delivered this week.

Orderlies and security guards in civilian attire then entered the court to sit behind the accused dock and in front of the public gallery.

Maistry, Jobe and Manyathi were convicted on Wednesday for Naidoo’s murder and kidnapping as well as for robbery with aggravating circumstances. Jobe, 41, was found guilty of possession of an unlicensed firearm.

Maistry, 47, and Manyathi, 28, still maintained their innocence on Thursday.

“(Maistry) has a constitutional right to maintain his innocence and unfortunately, the court may see this as not showing remorse, but I disagree,” argued Maistry’s lawyer, advocate Shane Matthews.

Naidoo was kidnapped from her home by two robbers in February 2014, killed and her body dumped in Umbumbulu.

Her car was found abandoned near the Isipingo Hospital.

Laing found that Maistry had planned the ruse of the robbery to have his wife killed.

During his judgment, he referred to several calls and texts between Maistry and Jobe, while Maistry’s stepdaughter, Rohaena Naidoo, was frantically texting and calling him from their Merebank home.

Laing felt there was a probability that Maistry was frantically trying to get hold of Jobe to say Rohaena had a phone in her possession.

On Thursday, Manyathi’s attorney, Shahin Azmuth, told the court her client had lived on the streets since he was 10.

She said there was no parental involvement to teach him right from wrong. He had several drug convictions.

Jobe’s new attorney, Innocent Mthembu, argued his client was the breadwinner to his mother and five children.

Mthembu said Jobe played a minimal role in the kidnapping, robbery and murder because he was not present. “His role started and ended when he paid the men,” said Mthembu.

State advocate, Nadira Moosa, said there was “not a single substantial and compelling circumstance” given for the court to stray from the minimum prescribed sentences of life for murder, 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and five years for kidnapping.

Further, Moosa argued there was no evidence before the court that because of Manyathi living on the streets, he was incapable of exercising any judgement.

Moosa disagreed that Jobe played a passive or minimal role as evidence proved he was the facilitator of the offence.

nolene.barbeau@inl.co.za

Daily News

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A kwaMashu man spent more than two years serving a rape sentence despite the fact that no medical evidence was ever collected to ascertain whether a sexual assault took place.

Durban - Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, the National Director of Public Prosecution and Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Michael Masutha are being sued by a KwaMashu man for more than R6 million in damages for wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution and unlawful detention.

Mfihlakalo Buthelezi, 24, spent more than two years in prison after he was arrested and charged with rape in March 16, 2010.

He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in August 30, 2011.

He launched the civil claim at the Pietermaritzburg High Court this week.

On March 24, 2014, Buthelezi won his appeal against the sentence and conviction and was released after serving two years and seven months in prison.

In court papers, Buthelezi said he had never been arrested before the arrest on the bogus rape charge, and had been a school pupil at the time of his arrest.

He said that on March 16, 2010, he was arrested by police and charged with rape.

Buthelezi claims that the conduct of the police members was wrongful in that no medical examination was ever performed on the complainant (person who reported the rape) and therefore there was no evidence of any sexual assault.

“Police acted solely on the word of the complainant without any supporting factors to sustain the allegations. Having a suspicion is not reasonable grounds to arrest someone,” Buthelezi said.

Buthelezi claims he was arrested on a main road in Ulundi in the presence of his friends and in full view of the public.

He was transported to the police station in a police van and was kept waiting in the charge office for 30 minutes before being processed.

When he enquired about the incident he was being charged for, Buthelezi claims he was told he would “find out in court”.

Buthelezi appeared in court the day after his arrest when his case was postponed for a bail application.

The bail application was postponed on various occasions and for the duration of his detention, Buthelezi said, he was treated harshly by police, kept in unhygienic cells and had no access to clean sleeping facilities or rest rooms.

He was detained at the Magudwini Police Station for 83 days before being released on bail on June 8, 2010.

Buthelezi is claiming R650 000 in damages for his wrongful arrest.

The NDPP then took a decision to prosecute Buthelezi and by pursuing a case against him on the charge of rape, Buthelezu maintains that the police and the NDPP maliciously set the law in motion.

“Notwithstanding the absence of any medical examinations being performed on the complainant or myself, which amounts to the absence of any evidence indicating a sexual assault took place, the NDPP pursued a case against me on the charge of rape,” Buthelezi said.

He added that the police had misled the court by placing on record fabricated evidence, allegedly being a statement by him confessing to the crime.

Buthelezi denies he made any such confession.

For his malicious prosecution, Buthelezi is claiming R1m in damages.

Arising from his arrest and subsequent prosecution, on August 30, 2011, Buthelezi was convicted of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment.

He said that the presiding officer (magistrate) did not apply his mind to the inconsistencies which appeared from the evidence given by state witnesses.

Because of these inconsistencies, the presiding officer convicted Buthelezi without probable cause.

The State failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and as a result, the court of appeal later reversed Buthelezi’s conviction.

Buthelezi accuses the NDPP of being motivated by statistics to pursue a conviction instead of the interests of justice and accuses the police of fabricating evidence against him.

He also accuses the NDPP of failing to disclose evidence to the court which may have assisted in his defence and could have resulted in an acquittal.

During his detention, Buthelezi was transferred to several prisons, including Nongoma Prison, Ncome Prison in Vryheid and Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni.

During his imprisonment Buthelezi claims he suffered from constant anxiety and depression and was subjected to intimidation and torture by other prisoners, including sexual assaults and physical abuse.

Buthelezi revealed that he was detained in unliveable conditions with more than 50 prisoners placed in his cell.

For his wrongful conviction and sentence, Buthelezi is suing for R5m.

The Ministers of Police and Justice and the NDPP are defending the action.The case has been adjourned to May 24.

Daily News

The former principal of one of Durban’s top schools appeared briefly in the court on charges of fraud amounting to an estimated R5 million.

Durban – The former principal of one of Durban’s top schools appeared briefly in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Friday on charges of fraud.

National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson said Trevor Kershaw was alleged to have made 177 fraudulent payments worth an estimated R5 million.

Kershaw, 55, who recently resigned as principal of Durban’s Glenwood Boys High School, was granted bail of R100,000 and ordered to surrender both his South African passport and and his British passport.

Ramkisson said the court was told that Kershaw was viewed as a flight risk as he had two passports and had recently put his house in Westville up for sale.

Apart from surrendering his passports and paying R100,000 bail, Kershaw was also ordered to report twice a week to the Westville police, barred from applying for any new travel documents, and ordered not to leave KwaZulu-Natal without permission.

A statement released on the school’s website read: “”It was with sincere regret that after the headmaster indicated his intention to leave Glenwood High School during 2015 to pursue other interests, and after he had tendered his resignation to the department of education by whom he is employed, an unrelated, snap audit uncovered the possibility that the headmaster may have been involved in some financial irregularities.”

According to the statement Kershaw had denied any wrongdoing and the school had appointed external auditors to conduct a forensic audit.

Glenwood is one of the top schools in the province and is especially known for its strong rugby teams. The case was adjourned to June 21.

African News Agency

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Paramedics who responded to reports of a collision on the N3 at Townhill found a dead woman slumped in the driver’s seat of a car. She had been shot in the head.

Durban - Mystery surrounds the murder on Thursday night of a woman in her twenties, shot dead on the N3 at Townhill in Pietermaritzburg.

ER24 paramedics who attended the scene said they had initially responded to a call-out for a vehicle collision.

On arrival, they found the car up against the roadside barrier. Bullet holes were found on the vehicle.

The woman was slumped in the driver’s seat with a bullet wound to the head. She was declared dead at the scene.

Police have not, as yet, released the identity of the victim.

The N3 at Townhill was closed for several hours as police tried to piece together the events that led to her death.

Investigations continue.

Daily News

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A 70-year-old wheelchair-bound man was seriously injured after being shot outside a doctor’s rooms in Pinetown, emergency workers said.

Durban - A 70-year-old wheelchair-bound man was seriously injured after being shot outside a doctor’s rooms in Pinetown on Friday, emergency workers said.

Three robbers attempted to hijack a vehicle in which the man and two of his family members were in.

“Medics worked frantically to stabilise the critically wounded man before transporting him to a specialised hospital in Durban for the care that he urgently required,” said Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha.

Police spokesman Major Shooz Magudulela said one person had been arrested and would be charged for attempted murder and attempted car hijacking.

Independent on Saturday

Shock waves reverberated through Durban’s high school community at the news that Glenwood High School’s former headmaster, Trevor Kershaw, had been arrested for fraud.

Durban - Shock waves reverberated through Durban’s high school community on Friday at the news that Glenwood High School’s former headmaster, Trevor Kershaw, had been arrested for fraud.

Kershaw appeared in the Durban Commercial Crime Court on Friday morning for his first appearance, facing a charge of fraud relating to 1 577 payments totalling more than R5 million.

Kerhsaw retired from the well-known Durban school in February, and was given many accolades for his strong leadership during his 16 years at the helm.

At that time he said he wanted to complete a Master’s degree and spend more time with his family.

Kerhsaw was arrested on Fridaday morning and taken to CR Swart police station before arriving in court, where a large media contingent had already gathered.

During the court hearing, state prosecutor Wendy O’Brien said that, with the investigation still under way, further charges might be added.

O’Brien told the court that the authorities were concerned that Kershaw might attempt to flee the country.

She said that, in terms of flight risk, Kershaw holds dual citizenship - British and South African - had resigned from his position at the school, and his house was up for sale.

She also highlighted media reports in which Kershaw indicated he was going to look for jobs in either Dubai or the UK.

“There is a prima facie case against the accused to be arrested and charged in this matter,” said O’Brien.

The charge sheet reads: “In that on or between January 2007 and December 2012, and at or near Glenwood High School, Durban, the accused did unlawfully and with intent to defraud, misrepresent to Glenwood High School and/or the employees of Glenwood High School that he was entitled to be paid the amount of R5 054 280 in respect of valid claims to which he was entitled as either part of his renumeration package or as reimbursement for school expenses incurred by him, and did thus induce Glenwood High School to pay him a total of 1 577 payments to the value of R5 054 280.”

She also said the school intended to recover the monies from Kershaw, and described the offence he was charged with as a “very serious” and carrying a possible 15-year sentence.

O’Brien also requested strict bail conditions, which were agreed to by defence lawyer, Carl van der Merwe, who highlighted his client had no previous convictions and had emotional ties in the community.

Bail was set at R100’000. The conditions set down include that Kershaw must report to Westville police station twice a week; both his passports must be surrendered to authorities; he is not to communicate with witnesses, including school employees and governing body members; and he is not to enter the premises of the school.

He cannot apply for any travel documents and, if he wishes to leave the province or change residence, he must do so with the permission of the investigating officer.

Last night, Glenwood High School issued a statement via their lawyers, Venns Attorneys.

It stated that, after Kershaw had indicated last year his intention to leave Glenwood High School to pursue other interests, and after he had tendered his resignation to the KZN Department of Education, “an unrelated snap audit uncovered the possibility that the headmaster may have been involved in some financial irregularities”.

“The headmaster has denied any wrongdoing and, in the interests of the preservation of the school funds, the governing body resolved to engage the services of external auditors to carry out a forensic investigation to establish the true position.”

The statement further read that the major portion of the investigation was “completed only this week and, having ascertained that some transactions may have been questionable, and acting on the advice of the auditors, the governing body had authorised the auditors to present their findings to the appropriate authorities”.

Kershaw is due to appear again on June 21.

Independent on Saturday

After a harrowing encounter with a 2.2m black mamba, which bit her on April 1, a grateful Mitzi Hazell is counting her blessings as she talks about the incident.

Durban - April 1 will be for ever etched in the memory of 55-year-old Mitzi Hazell of Inchanga, about halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, as the day her neighbours and a team of doctors rallied around her to help her cheat death.

After a harrowing encounter with a 2.2m black mamba, which bit her last Friday, a grateful Hazell is counting her blessings as she talks about the incident from her hospital bed in the intensive care unit at Durban’s Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital, where she is receiving treatment.

She is clear about one thing: Had it not been for the support of her neighbours and the expertise of seasoned trauma expert Dr Kevin McEwen, she would not have been around to tell her story.

“Dr McEwen’s expertise and knowledge in snakebites saved my life, as did my wonderful neighbours, who made sure I got to the hospital in a remarkable nine minutes.

“Our home in the Inchanga Conservancy, close to Hammarsdale, is about 40km away from the hospital, and ordinarily the journey would have taken around 40 minutes - time I did not have.”

It was the second time in less than a week that her neighbour, Elthea Coffee, had stepped in to help get Hazell to hospital.

The Saturday before, Mitzi came face to face with a spitting cobra.

On that occasion, Coffee took her to the local hospital to have her eyes flushed and treated to prevent blindness after the snake spat venom at her.

This time around, Hazell was checking on her prized show rabbits when she came across the highly aggressive black mamba, one of the deadliest snakes in the world, which bit her on the leg.

It had seemingly slid into the rabbit enclosure for a little shade on a hot 35°C day.

Coffee once again loaded Hazell into her car, this time taking her to St Augustine’s Hospital, the closest medical facility equipped to treat a life-threating snakebite.

En route to the hospital, Andre Grové, a neighbour Hazell did not even know, caught up with Coffee‘s vehicle and helped drag the by-now paralysed Mitzi into his faster vehicle to get her to Durban quicker.

In the interim, another neighbour, Michelle Schrauwen, wisely contacted St Augustine’s, where a team was ready and waiting to treat Mitzi when she got there.

According to McEwen, Hazell arrived with paralysis already having set in.

“Her eyes were drooping and she was having difficulty talking. She also could not walk. When the black mamba bites, it injects a neurotoxic poison into the body which attacks the central nervous system. One of the first signs of paralysis is drooping eyes and double vision. This is followed by difficulty in speaking. Difficulty in breathing follows.”

When Hazell arrived at the hospital, she was given five ampoules of anti-venom serum, while her vital signs, including blood pressure and heart rate, were constantly monitored.

“She recalls nothing of what transpired during the first few hours of the treatment.”

“We were not out of the woods yet. One of the greatest risks associated with the administering of high dosages of anti-venom is the ensuing anaphylactic reaction.”

“It was a long Friday night for the whole medical team involved in her treatment,” says McEwan.

“Everyone pulled together.”

“When I checked on Mitzi on Saturday morning, her leg was very swollen and red... but her condition was stable and her vitals were normal. It was clear we had turned the corner.”

By Monday Mitzi was left feeling stiff and sore, while her joints were quite inflamed.

McEwan has treated five black mamba bites during his 23 years as a trauma doctor at St Augustine’s. All the patients survived.

Before anti-venom, a bite from a black mamba would probably have been fatal, killing a person in 20 minutes.

In terms of advice for victims of a black mamba bite, McEwan suggests they be taken to the nearest hospital which has anti-venom and can treat the victim for anaphylactic shock.

Independent on Saturday

Cattle will be left out in the cold this winter, out of reach of their owners but in the hands of thieves because stock theft is expected to rise.

Durban - Cattle will be left out in the cold this winter, out of reach of their owners but in the hands of thieves.

That’s because stock theft is expected to rise as the beasts wander far and wide in search of grazing that is less available in a drought year.

“We envisage a bad season. It’s going to be a challenge,” said Colonel Freddie van Tonder of Pietermaritzburg-based Midlands Stock Theft Unit.

The emerging farmer is one who will feel the brunt of it the most, he told The Independent on Saturday.

“Commercial farmers fence their animals in camps and have security.”

A proactive way to close the gap is to encourage emerging farmers to brand their animals. “After a branded animal is found, I can go on to my computer and within minutes establish who the owner is.”

However, many are reluctant to do this, preferring to cut their losses if an animal straying on a road is found to be the cause of an accident and a civil claim could come their way.

“It’s a vicious circle,” said Van Tonder, adding that advantages to branding included being allowed to sell them at stock sales. “But very often people just sell them among themselves.

“It’s an educational thing. It has improved but we are not there yet.

“It can be hard to recover animals that are not branded. It’s like hoping to find a stolen car without an engine number.”

Van Tonder said his unit had a 60 percent recovery rate for cattle reported stolen but only 30 percent for goats, which are less identifiable.

“They all look alike and are consumed quicker. Also, they can be hidden easily, as it does not take long to slaughter it and make the evidence disappear.”

He said syndicates often used plantations to hide cattle under the cover of trees while waiting for trucks to load them and take them “mostly to KwaMashu and uMlazi where there is a demand for red meat”.

Demand, however, is highest over the festive season with cattle theft cases spiking in November, before Christmas and New Year feasts.

Many stolen cattle end up wandering on public roads joining others that are encouraged to use the roadside grass along what is known as the “lang plaas” (long farm) for grazing, said pound master Bruce Mattison.

He manages pounds across the province where stray cattle are interned, inoculated and owners traced, failing which they are sold at auctions.

Van Tonder said the Cato Ridge and Hammarsdale stretch of the N3 as well as the Bulwer to Howick stretch of the R617 were stray cattle hot spots.

Independent on Saturday

Motorists are warned to be on the lookout for the “freeway fixer”, a man who stops and offers to assist vehicles broken down and who is suspected of burning a house down.

Durban - Durban motorists are warned to be on the lookout for the “freeway fixer”, a man who stops and offers to assist vehicles broken down between Durban and Pietermaritzburg and who is suspected of burning a house down in Waterfall this week.

This has come to light after one good turn for another led to disaster and tragedy for the Van der Merwe family.

Jacques van der Merwe said the strange turn of events started a couple of weeks ago when his vehicle had broken down on Field’s Hill, between Pinetown and Kloof.

“It was late afternoon and my wife was with me. My battery had died and this guy called Shane stopped and offered to help us. He said he drives between Durban and Pietermaritzburg and stops to help motorists whose cars have broken down, to earn money.

“He helped us to get home and then assisted in getting me a new alternator for my car and getting the wiring done,” said Van der Merwe.

About a week later, when Van der Merwe arrived home, “Shane” was waiting in his driveway.

“He said his car had broken down, he had nowhere to go and no money. He was driving a 1995 Nissan Sentra with five-star rims, a spoiler on the boot and the car was dripping oil and smoking.

“I invited him in for supper and told him he had a bed for the night,” said Van der Merwe.

For the next week, “Shane” stayed with the family as he stripped his car's engine to reassemble, with Van der Merwe's help.

“He seemed a nice guy, we worked on the car together. He was social, played darts with my family when they came to visit, and came to the shops with me. He is very thin, like a coat hanger, and has a scar under his left eye.

“On Thursday, my wife and I left for work and my daughter went to school. I received a phone call around 10.30 in the morning to say our house was on fire.”

Two of the family’s five dogs died of smoke inhalation, two survived while still in the house and a third was outside.

“One of our neighbours is a retired firefighter and he, with another neighbour, rushed to start putting it out ahead of the fire department arriving. Firefighters found three of my gas bottles in the house had been opened. It is suspected the fire was started on the couch in the lounge.

“Police have since advised me that Shane’s’ car had been reported as a stolen vehicle.”

After the fire had been put out, it was confirmed a television, a sound system and a DVD player were missing, as well as a bike jacket, tools and shoes.

SA Community Crime Watch’s Steven King, who was at the scene, said neighbours had seen “Shane” leaving the property on Thursday morning while smoke was coming from the house.

“A passing neighbour had seen him pushing his car and stopped to help. She saw smoke coming from the house, but he told her everything was under control. After he had gone, she went back to the house, saw it was on fire and called for help.

“We are busy investigating with the police,” said King.

Van der Merwe added the community had been “absolutely awesome” since the fire.

“It’s only when something like this happens, that you experience this kind of support.

“Would I be the good Samaritan again? Yes, I will definitely keep on helping people, but it’s important to find out if a person is legit or not,” he said.

Police spokesman Major Shooz Magudulela confirmed that charges of arson and theft were being investigated by Hillcrest SAPS.

Independent on Saturday

A multi-drug resistant bacterial infection is suspected to have claimed the lives of two babies at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital - all within a month.

Durban - A multi-drug resistant bacterial infection is suspected to have claimed the lives of two babies, with seven others infected, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital - all within a month.

The infection, known as Acinetobacter, is a bacterium that causes septiceamia, meningitis and hospital-acquired pneumonia, especially in people with compromised immune systems. But the Department of Health says there is no outbreak.

Leaked documents, sent to the DA in Pietermaritzburg, show a string of e-mails between health professionals and includes a list of patients infected with the bacteria.

One e-mail, with the subject line “MDR Acinetobacter outbreak in the NICU (Neonatal ICU) IALCH (the hospital)” read: “We have (had) 9 babies with this organism from February to date. Four babies came in with the organism (three from Lower Umfolozi and one Prince Mshyeni Hospital) and the remainder was acquired here...

DA MPL Dr Imraan Keeka said he received a call from a source last week informing him of the outbreak.

The caller, who is believed to be from the hospital, sent documents to Keeka, which he verified before going public.

On Sunday Keeka sent a letter to the health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.

“The fact that the department kept this information under wraps is criminal. Inkosi Albert Luthuli’s neonatal ICU is regarded as the top unit in the province. Babies referred there are the sickest in the province and often have multiple complications and are either scheduled for, or have had, multiple surgeries.

“To then acquire this life-threatening infection, while being in what is supposed to be one of the best units in the country, is shocking. The confirmation of nine cases within one unit can, under no circumstances, be regarded as normal.

“Clearly infection control regulations are not being adhered to as this is not the first of such outbreaks.”

Keeka said he would urge Dhlomo to act and table a motion in Parliament on Tuesday.

“We expect the department to conduct an immediate and comprehensive inspection of infection controls in that facility,” he said.

The leaked document also highlighted the outcome of a spot inspection report done at the neonatal ICU in March. Among the findings were:

*Poor waste management with mixing of food items with medical and other waste.

*Dirty waste container lids being changed by an Ecocycle staff member in the middle of the unit.

*An untidy sluice room with shelves thick with dust and linen not being removed in regulation yellow bags.

*An emergency trolley that had still not been checked by 10am on that day with the oxygen cylinder not prepared.

*A dead baby’s chart revealed there was no referral letter. The same chart revealed the mother was not kept informed of the child’s condition until death.

*Medication administration delayed by two hours in one instance.

Health department spokesman, Sam Mkhwanazi, said the hospital had identified the presence of the Acinetobacter, and it had been addressed as per infection control protocols.

“These protocols were extended to the mentioned hospitals. The babies who passed away were born prematurely and had poor immunity. They were in the intensive care unit and had been on life support. The bacterium was not the primary cause of death.

“The department regrets the loss of lives and extends its condolences to the families. The situation has been dealt with and there is no outbreak.”

clinton.moodley@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune

Social media was abuzz after the SPCA Durban posted a story about the stray cross breed labrador that spent four days tending to an injured dog that was hit by a train.

Durban - Social media was abuzz this week after the SPCA Durban posted a story about the stray cross breed labrador that spent four days tending to an injured dog that was hit by a train at the Shallcross station in Chatsworth.

Hero, who remained with his canine friend until someone rescued her, brought the dog food and water and tried everything in his power to help save his fellow canine.

While his female friend had to be euthanised after enduring a severe spinal injury, Hero’s bravery to try to save her has warmed the hearts of many.

Hundreds of requests to adopt the eight- month-old poured into the SPCA on Thursday, offering to provide a loving environment to Hero after his traumatic experiences as a stray. The lucky family to take him home are the Connors from Mount Moreland.

Shiri Connor said she had seen the Facebook post and was taken by the “valiant dedication of Hero”.

Connor said she had a dream about the dog on Thursday night and the next morning made it her mission to visit him.

“I told my three children on the way to school that I had to meet the dog as his story really touched me. His story was sad and beautiful at the same time. It was such a special moment. He was all I ever imagined him to be and Hero will be a great addition to our family,” she said.

Sunday Tribune

The South Beach Urban Improvement Precinct is calling for the removal of car guards from the area amid allegations that they are aiding and abetting crime.

Durban - The South Beach Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP) is calling for the removal of car guards from the area amid allegations that they are aiding and abetting crime.

The organisation has alleged that the guards are operating as drug runners for dealers and have been illegally employed by the community policing forum (CPF) because some have criminal records.

Ebrahim Vadachia, chairman of the UIP, said about 25 guards had been appointed by the CPF last year.

After being monitored, several of them were caught involved in illicit activities by two private security companies.

“A while ago the CPF came up with the idea of employing car guards in the area and said that they would be vetted by the police. However, we don’t believe this was done correctly. Many of them have criminal records and we have verified this. They are involved in the drug trade and car break-ins. Residents have seen this and brought it to our attention, but the guards are still operating freely. They are not even supervised.”

The CPF said it did had not employed the guards but given them reflector vests. The SAPS was responsible for vetting the guards.

“The SAPS found some were up to no good, so we got rid of them. They were not employed by us but were already in the area. We just tried to introduce a system to have some control over them,” he said.

A resident, Riaz Amod, said he had seen car guards sell drugs on the streets.

“The police are sometimes parked nearby and do nothing.”

Yvonne Badenhorst, who has lived in the area for 27 years, said: “We don’t want them in the area. They must go. In the years I’ve lived here, the area has deteriorated drastically. We don’t need more crime because of car guards.”

Two car guards in the area, Tony Jordaan and Erick Mkhosi said they had been appointed by a policeman last year.

“Lieutenant Peter Zikhali from the Point police station came and took our details and fingerprints. We were then given vests and name tags. We officially started in December. I understand why some residents are upset. Some car guards are involved in illegal activities and they give us all a bad name,” said Jordaan.

Zikhali did not answer his phone and KZN police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane was unable to respond by the time of going to press.

nabeelah.shaikh@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune

The Lion King producer Lebo Morake and his fiancée were roasted for their lavish holidays and unreasonable luxurious demands in a maintenance court ruling.

Durban - The Lion King producer Lebo Morake, popularly known as Lebo M, and his fiancée, Zoe Mthiyane, were roasted for their lavish holidays and unreasonable luxurious demands in a maintenance court ruling last week.

This arose during their court battle against radio and TV sports presenter Robert “Madluphuthu” Marawa.

Mthiyane, who is the mother of Marawa’s 4-year-old son, was suing him for R23 000 of child maintenance a month, but the court ordered him to pay only R6 000 instead. Marawa has been paying R2 500 all along.

The court rejected and labelled Mthiyane’s claims for domestic assistance, garden services and entertainment as “far-fetched”.

Focusing on Mthiyane’s demands, magistrate MJ Setlhabi, in his judgment, said: “The needs of the child as outlined by the applicant are not free from influence by Lebo Morake’s expensive lifestyle.

“Most, if not all, of the child’s needs are tainted by this. They have their basis or roots from the said lifestyle.”

In her affidavit, Mthiyane claimed R5 000 a month for the child’s lodging.

“The house that we are staying in is leased at R35 000 a month. I divided the amount according to the occupants in the house.

“So there are two adults and three minors. So I divided R35 000 by seven and the answer I got was R5 000,” said Mthiyane. She also demanded R2 000 for clothing per season and R2 500 for transport a month for Marawa’s son. She further asked Marawa to pay R1 316.67 a month for holidays because they go on holiday four times a year, a claim which was supported by her fiancé when he took to the stand.

“We have a beach apartment at uMhlanga.

“We go to the Palace Hotel (Sun City).

“I would feel uncomfortable having to discriminate when I am in the Palace Hotel… to separate the two 4-year-olds and put the one in a smaller hotel,” Lebo M said in his statement to the court.

Lebo M explained that, among his six children, he also has a 4-year-old and did not want to treat Marawa’s son differently from his own.

“Any suggestion that, as a father, I would feel uncomfortable if I have to take one child to a nice school and the other to a government school when I know that I and Marawa can actually afford to give these two children a comfortable environment to be educated at (is wrong),” Lebo M said.

But the magistrate continued to indicate that the court’s decision would in no way be influenced by the expensive lifestyle of Lebo M.

“Establishing a relationship with the child’s mother and subsequently allow her to move in with him while fully aware of the existence of the child was Morake’s own choice, which has nothing to do with the father.

“His expensive lifestyle and his knowledge of Marawa’s personal and employment background are not allowed by the court to determine the cost of the child’s needs.

“The evidence as a whole is clear that the unemployment of the applicant is also as a result of the relationship which led to her getting pregnant, something which also had nothing to do with Marawa.”

Marawa said in the court papers that he has paid R2 500 maintenance since the birth of the child.

He also declared that he pays R4 000 for medical aid, of which R1 800 is for his son. He told the court that he preferred buying clothes for his son and paying for school fees directly to the school.

Mthiyane said in court papers that the child was attending a private school, the Monaghan Montessori, which cost R5 000 a month.

But the court only offered her R1 000 a month instead, because “Marawa did not consent to the child being registered at the school”.

The court said: “The evidence of the applicant (Mthiyane) and that of her fiancé is extremely prejudicial to the respondent (Marawa) and, if not handled with caution, may cause the respondent to suffer undue prejudice.”

The R6 000 has been broken down as follows: Lodging R1 000, groceries R1 000, clothing R500, school fees R1 000, extra murals R500, transport R1 000, holidays R500 and aftercare R500. Marawa and Lebo M have known each other for years - even before Marawa started dating Mthiyane.

Lebo M and Mthiyane are about to walk down the aisle after they announced their engagement on a yacht in December.

It will be Lebo M’s sixth marriage.

Sunday Tribune

Chemicals to enhance one’s skin or build a bomb? That’s what cops are trying to work out after they intercepted a parcel posted in Durban bound for Joburg.

Durban - Chemicals to enhance one’s skin or build a bomb? That’s what police are trying to work out after they intercepted a parcel posted in Durban on Thursday which was bound for Joburg.

It all started when a 31-year-old man tried to post a parcel at PostNet in Davenport Square.

When the shop assistant stamped the package, it exploded behind the counter.

The man ran away but was stopped by security guards at the centre.

The SAPS explosive unit and fire department were called to investigate. The suspect was arrested and is being detained at the Berea SAPS.

It is believed the chemicals included glycerin, potassium and permanganate - three common chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives and home-made bombs.

But the chemicals are also used in the treatment of certain skin conditions.

Sunday Tribune

Lungani Zungu talks to the husband of KZN's top cop about the allegations she faces.

Durban - While the future of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni hangs in the balance, her husband has leapt to her defence, arguing that the probe against her was aimed at shielding former police boss Bheki Cele.

Ngobeni has been accused of a corrupt relationship with Durban businessman, Thoshan Panday, and not following procedure in the procurement of police accommodation.

In an interview this week, Lucas Ngobeni, a police brigadier, said his wife had been targeted to deflect attention from Cele, now the deputy minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He questioned why the Hawks had not investigated Cele who approved the R60 million tender for police accommodation during the 2010 World Cup, while still national police commissioner.

Ngobeni was appointed in 2009 and her five-year contract renewed in 2014.

The tender, awarded to Panday, has been mired in controversy.

Panday, it has been claimed, is close to the Ngobenis. It is also alleged that he paid for Lucas’s surprise 45th birthday party at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in 2010. The R60m tender and the birthday triggered the suspension of Mmamonnye.

In an affidavit filed in the Durban High Court in December 2014 by then provincial Hawks head, Major-General Johan Booysen, it was claimed an independent forensic audit report showed a ”possible corrupt relationship” between Mmamonnye Ngobeni and Panday.

While admitting his family’s association with Panday, Lucas Ngobeni said Panday never paid for the birthday bash, and his wife had never played a role in awarding the R60m tender.

He said neither of them had met Panday before the party and that staffers at his wife’s office had sought Panday’s services to arrange the party. Afterwards, there was no communication between them, he said.

“He organised my party and billed us. We paid him.”

He said the bill was around R39 000.

On the allegation that his wife blocked the investigation into the R60m tender, Lucas Ngobeni said this was not true.

He then asked why she was the only person probed when she had not been involved in approving the tender.

Lucas said something was amiss because, for six years, different people had investigated his wife and still found no evidence against her.

“I can tell you my wife is not a criminal. She is a law abiding citizen. We have been married for close to 27 years and I know the kind of person she is. I bet my last cent my wife is not a criminal.

“The question I[‘m asking is why the Provincial Commissioner should receive a notice of intention to suspend her. For what?

“It makes no sense. But I understand they would do everything they can to protect that (Cele’s) signature,” he said.

He said Cele should have been at the centre of the investigation.

Last week the acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane served the provincial commissioner with her notice of suspension, pending the outcome of the board of inquiry established to probe her fitness to hold office.

Phahlane gave her until Thursday this week to give reasons why she should not be suspended.

She responded on Wednesday last week but Lucas Ngobeni would not give details of her response.

He said they were waiting for a response from the national commissioner before they made their next move.

But she would not go down without a fight, he said.

lungani.zungu@inl.co.za

Sunday Tribune

An 18-month-old boy was killed alongside five other family members as a result of what is believed to be a feud between two Zululand families.

Durban - Five people have been arrested for a brutal attack in which a toddler was hacked to death with a bush knife in rural KwaCeza in Zululand on Saturday night.

Vangeli Xulu, who was 18 months old, was killed alongside five other family members as a result of what is believed to be a feud between two families. His mother, Sukumile Sibiya, 16, who died in hospital on Sunday, was also hacked with a bush knife.

His aunt, Khululiwe Buthelezi, 30, was shot in the head and died while trying to escape the attackers.

His cousin Aphiwe Zondo, 6, grandmother Emma Zondo, 62, and grandfather Mpandlana Zondo, 73, were shot dead and the rondavel they were sleeping in was set on fire.

Bongimpilo Zondo, Buthelezi’s husband - who narrowly escaped the massacre - said they went to bed at about 7pm and at 9pm he was awoken by Buthelezi peeping through the window.

“When I asked why she was on her feet, she only said: ‘Are you still asking?’ and opened the door and ran for her life,” he said.

Zondo said when the attackers pursued his wife he made his way out of their home and headed for the induna’s residence to report that they were being attacked. When he got there, the induna said there was nothing he could do but report to the police.

Zondo then raced to his uncle’s home near the home of the induna, and told him about the incident.

“I could hear the gunshots, one after another. He tried phoning police, but they ran out of airtime,” he said.

Zondo went to his aunt’s home, where he asked for shelter.

“About 11pm I heard police vans going towards my home and I went back. When I got home there was no one. Everyone in the yard had been killed.”

A surviving member of the family, Nonhle Mthethwa, said the feud between the two families started when their nephew was assaulted by a man from the other family, suspected to have carried out the attack.

“There is a guy who killed the man who had assaulted my nephew and there were rumours that I had paid that guy for the murder.

“We even got an SMS threatening us. I told my family to go away and hide because I could see the threats were serious - but they did not,” she said.

Mthethwa is the daughter of the elderly Zondos who were killed. She said she was no longer sleeping at her house because of the threats.

“Although police have arrested the five suspects, there are others from that family still at large. I am scared they will come for me,” she said.

Police spokesman Shooz Magudulela confirmed the attack and the deaths. He said the family was attacked by at least five suspects.

“The motive for the killing is still under investigation. Five counts of murder and attempted murder have been opened at Ceza police station.

“A task team has been established to investigate. Five arrested suspects aged between 25 and 33 years will appear in the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.

KZN Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu said the attack was “inhuman and callous”.

sphelele.ngubane@inl.co.za

@sphengubane

The Mercury

A Durban woman has been slapped with a high court interdict stopping her from badmouthing the father of her child on social media.

Durban - A Durban woman has been slapped with a High Court interdict stopping her from badmouthing the father of her child on social media.

The woman, who lives in Morningside but cannot be named to protect the identity of the child, did not oppose the granting of an interim order against her on Friday - but The Mercury believes she is contemplating filing opposing papers before the case is next in court at the end of this month.

In his affidavit in the urgent application, the dad said he met the woman in October 2014 and, even though he was married with two children, they began an affair.

She fell pregnant in March last year and “after she was adamant that she wanted to have the baby, I accepted the responsibility”.

He said that during the pregnancy, their relationship deteriorated and he broke up with her to concentrate on fixing his marriage.

“I had informed my family about the unborn baby. She felt that I was being pressured by my family and failed to accept that it was my choice.”

He said through his attorney it had been agreed that he would pay for medical expenses for the birth at a hospital of her choice and with doctors of her choice.

He had taken out a loan of R48 000 to pay for this, which he could ill-afford because he only earned R5 000 a month.

The baby boy was born in October last year.

The dad said by this time he was only communicating with his ex through WhatsApp messages.

In December last year she asked for money and he paid her between R400 and R500 a month for milk.

His attorney then made an offer of R700 a month in lieu of maintenance.

“She refused this, saying she would approach the maintenance court.”

The father said he welcomed that, because then it would be clear that her demands were impossible.

“She has continued making unreasonable demands - once she came to my home, her intention being to disrupt my family, and she spoke to my stepmother.

“She then sent a message saying she no longer wanted to sue me as she was happy that the child was being acknowledged but she changed her mind again and demanded money.”

He said that earlier this month she took to social networking sites, in particular Facebook, “depicting me as a recalcitrant father and making defamatory remarks.”

She posted pictures of me and the child. The posting has gone viral.

“She posted it in as many groups as she could.

“Her intention is to blackmail me into giving further money as she knew I did not want the affair to go public.

“I was contacted by various people, including members of my family, who assumed I had run off, when in fact I had been in communication with her and living and working at the same address as always.

“This has caused huge embarrassment for me and my wife of seven years. My attorney wrote (to the woman) asking her to remove the comments from social network, but she failed to.”

He said: “It is clear she intends litigating in public instead of going to maintenance court.

“I have always acknowledged my son and have undertaken to pay what I can afford. But she wants to hold me ransom.”

In terms of the order, the woman was ordered to remove and delete all the postings and interdicted from putting any further comments about the matter on social media sites.

She may only communicate with the father of her child through his attorney.

tania.broughton@inl.co.za

The Mercury

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