Celani Sikhakhane brings the latest news from Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Howick – The ANC deputy chairperson and KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane took a break from trying to explain the party’s defeat in the province by hosting her elegant wedding to eThekwini ANC councillor Sifiso Mngadi. The wedding was attended by the Who’s Who in politics, top business people and government officials. Mngadi and Simelane have been a couple for some few years. In 2020 they caused havoc when they held a birthday party during the height of the lockdown. Simelane’s birthday party was organised by Mngadi and caused outrage after a leaked video was seen on social media showing the couple and friends dancing without masks or social distancing. Their opulent wedding was held at the luxurious Zungunes in Howick outside Pietermaritzburg over the weekend.
Durban – Second quarter crime statistics revealed that most murders occurred in rural areas and townships. The revelations were made by KZN Premier Thami Ntuli and KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Tuesday. During the reporting period, 186 victims were women and 77 were children. Three SAPS members were killed during this period; one of them was killed while on duty, and two while off duty. It was noted that 202 of the murder cases were pre-planned (“hits”). This figure is less than the second quarter in 2023-24, which had 221 cases. The following stations contributed the highest number of cases in volume for murder and also appear within the national top 30 stations for the highest murder cases reported: Inanda, Pinetown, Mariannhill, Mpumalanga/Hammarsdale, Ntuzuma, Umlazi and Plessislaer in Pietermaritzburg.
Pietermaritzburg – The Pietermaritzburg High Court sentenced Fano Sibisi, 54, to 20 years direct imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances, two counts of theft, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. On 8 February 2016, Sibisi and his accomplice robbed a security guard who was going to load cash into an ATM at Symons Centre in Pietermaritzburg. Seven days later a joint operation was conducted around Pietermaritzburg and Durban. Sibisi was arrested together with his accomplice who later turned state witness. During the arrest two stolen vehicles, three firearms and R80,000 in cash were recovered.
Pictured above: MEC Nomagugu Simelane and her partner eThekwini councillor Sifiso Mngadi tied the knot in a lavish wedding over the weekend.
Source: Supplied
