Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Pietermaritzburg: Transport Minister Siboniso Duma has sent his condolences to the families of five children who died in a horrific car accident at Imbali Township Unit 28 in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday. Duma says he is working with other ministers and mayors to speed up help. The children were from Senzokuhle Pre School. “According to a first report, a taxi driver lost control of his minibus taxi and it crashed into the preschool. Learners were being transported from Ward 10 to high and primary schools in Ward 15,” said Duma.
uMhlanga: The Democratic Alliance North Durban has condemned another drunken fight in upmarket uMhlanga on Saturday night. What was once the jewel of KwaZulu-Natal’s tourism economy is fast becoming like the Wild West. Councillor Bradley Singh says the lack of visible policing by Metro Police and police has resulted in lawlessness, with guns being shown off, drugs sold openly, restaurants turned into nightclubs, unregulated disc jockey battles and dangerous driving. “Municipal officials refuse to enforce business licensing during busy hours, saying no overtime,” said Singh.
Berea: The Durban Regional Court sentenced Olwethu Malakalaka, 33, and Andile Tubeni, 50, to 64 years imprisonment each for robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. On 11 June 2023, a 33-year-old victim was hijacked and kidnapped by the accused outside a night club in Cato Manor. His vehicle was later found abandoned in the Berea area. The accused demanded R50,000 ransom from the victim’s girlfriend and colleagues. R5,000 was withdrawn from the victim’s bank account. Hawks members worked tirelessly and conducted a joint operation on 16 June 2023. The accused were spotted driving along the M25 towards Inanda and police stopped them. One suspect fled and fired shots at police who shot back, killing him.
Pictured above: Transport minister saddened by the death of five preschool children.
Image source: KZN Department of Transport and Human Settlement
