Celani Sikhakhane brings KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Pongola: A 17-year-old maiden, Amahle Kweyama from Richmond, was injured after being struck by a vehicle outside Mashobeni Royal Palace during this year’s Reed Dance, suffering a fractured leg.
The driver, who works for a car dealership in Ulundi, was arrested after a breathalyser test conducted by Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers recorded a reading of 0.74mg of alcohol per litre of breath, nearly three times the legal limit. KZN Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said Kweyama has since recovered and returned home, and thanked RTI officers, community leaders and health professionals for their swift response. He said the driver is expected to appear in court.
The incident came despite an extensive safety operation over the weekend, during which more than 76 “No Nonsense” RTI and Operation Shanela officers were deployed for roadblocks and vehicle inspections. A separate motorist delivering bread and water for maidens and guests was also arrested for drunk driving after failing a breathalyser test with a reading of 0.29mg/l, along with a female motorist recording 0.30mg/l and another male motorist recording 2.00mg/l. Duma said more than 100 buses and 700 taxis were used to transport maidens, with traffic officers deployed from Jozini, uMhlabuyalingana, Inkosi uMtubatuba, uPhongolo and Abaqulusi local municipalities.
eThekwini: KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has commended emergency responders for their swift action in containing a fire at the Kennedy Road informal settlement in eThekwini on Monday.
eThekwini Fire Services received an emergency call at around 12:13pm and dispatched two fire engines and a water tanker to the scene. Preliminary assessments indicate around 20 informal structures were destroyed; no injuries or fatalities have been reported. Affected residents are currently being sheltered by neighbouring community members while disaster response teams assess humanitarian needs. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with Cogta’s Provincial Disaster Management Centre coordinating with eThekwini Municipality to provide relief to affected families.
KwaNdengezi: A 19-year-old pupil was shot dead in front of classmates at a school in KwaNdengezi, near Pinetown, west of Durban, on Monday morning.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the shooter was apparently wearing the same school uniform as the victim, and that the two were seen walking into Ndengezi Intermediate School together shortly before the shooting. The gunman allegedly shot the pupil several times before fleeing. The pupil was declared dead at the scene.
Pictured above: A drunk driver was arrested after striking and injuring a 17-year-old Reed Dance maiden outside eMashobeni Royal Palace.
Image source: KZN Department of Transport
