Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Durban: The City of eThekwini has withdrawn its controversial decision to ban long distance minibus taxis from the city after several associations across South Africa resorted to a mass shutdown. This comes after a meeting between taxi bosses and senior city officials of eThekwini that was held on Thursday afternoon in Durban. The meeting was addressed by eThekwini Speaker Thabani Nyawose who apologised to the taxi bosses and promised to retract their decision. Last week eThekwini told long distance operators that their vehicles are no longer allowed in Durban because the city centre has no stands any more due to the influx of taxis in their ranks. Santanco Chairperson of the Greater Johannesburg Region Velanto Thwala said that they are glad that Nyawose acknowledged their mistake as the city. “Since they have withdrawn their decision, we had to cancel the shutdown. And our taxis will no longer be on strike on Friday,” said Thwala.
Edendale: The Pietermaritzburg Regional Court has sentenced a 20-year-old man to 22 and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape. The offences occurred in June 2024 and January 2025 in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg. During sentencing, the court deviated from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment after finding the accused’s guilty plea and age to be substantial and compelling circumstances. The complainant, who was seven years old at the time of the first incident, is the biological younger brother of the accused. The children lived with their mother, who would leave the complainant in the care of the accused while she was at work. The accused raped the complainant on two occasions and threatened to assault him should he report the incidents.
eMpangeni: The Inkatha Freedom Party will on Saturday officially launch its Voter Registration Drive in eMpangeni, north of KZN, marking the start of a focused nationwide campaign ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections, while advancing its Workers’ Month programme. The party said that IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa will deliver the keynote address. They said that this launch sends a clear message that South Africans must rise, register and reclaim the power to fix their communities.
Pictured above: eThekwini Speaker Thabani Nyawose.
Image source: eThekwini
