Port Elizabeth Police fired rubber bullets at protesting Nelson Mandela Bay students on Wednesday, who took to the streets in solidarity with protesting students nationwide. At least one student, identified as Noxolo Koko, was hit on the upper thigh. Students throughout the country are protesting proposed fee hikes for 2016. Police spokesperson, Captain Johan Rheeder, said police intervened early on Wednesday morning, after splinter groups of students blocked roads including Admiralty … [Read more...] about Heavy handed tactics against NMMU students
Pistorious ‘forgiven’
Port Elizabeth - On that fateful day in 2013 when Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed, she was due to speak to pupils at a Joburg school, her mother June fondly remembered on Wednesday. "On the 14th of February 2013, Reeva planned to go to the school, Sandton High in Johannesburg, and speak to the young ladies about respect and avoiding bad choices in relationships with partners. "But that morning she was shot through the toilet door and she died. She did not make it to her appointment … [Read more...] about Pistorious ‘forgiven’
Could we see an increase in VAT?
The door for an increase in South Africa's 14% value-added tax (VAT) remains open, according to Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene. Speaking to media ahead of his mini budget speech on Wednesday, Nene said the Davis Tax Committee "will look very closely at the need" for an increase in VAT and it will "look at any other taxes in our scheme". Former finance minister Pravin Gordhan launched the committee in 2013 to investigate the country's tax policy framework to help boost employment, fiscal … [Read more...] about Could we see an increase in VAT?
Four Eastern Cape health department paramedics fired and three suspended
Four paramedics have been fired by the Eastern Cape health department for serious misconduct, the department said on Wednesday. "The officials were accused of various charges including having sex with a patient in an ambulance, mismanagement of patients, taking fake sick leave in order to go and work for a private company, fraud and patient neglect which resulted in death of patients," spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo told News24. "The official accused of sex in an ambulance was found not guilty … [Read more...] about Four Eastern Cape health department paramedics fired and three suspended
Rubber bullets fired at NMMU students
Protests by students against fee increases at Western Cape universities were beginning to stir on Wednesday morning, while police in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing students. At Stellenbosch University, students gathered outside the engineering faculty and then made their way into the building to "shut it down". The faculty was later evacuated, with students leaving classes. An altercation later ensued between a protester and a lecturer, the … [Read more...] about Rubber bullets fired at NMMU students
Rhodes protesters threatened with ‘gun’
A peaceful protest by a group of Rhodes University students turned tense after a white man brandished a "gun" at one demonstrator on Tuesday. It is believed that the altercation became racially fuelled after white students in a car approached the African Street barricade and were stopped by peaceful protesters. One witness said a conversation ensued between one of the black protesters and two white men in a vehicle – also believed to be students. Speaking to News24, Sim Gayika, a … [Read more...] about Rhodes protesters threatened with ‘gun’
Mental Evaluation for PE man who stabbed wife
Port Elizabeth - A magistrate has sent a man - accused of tracking down his estranged wife and repeatedly stabbing her before leaving her for dead in front of a friend's house - to the hospital wing of St Albans Prison. Martin Stevens, accused of stabbing his estranged wife AnnaMarie, appeared briefly in court on Tuesday. AnnaMarie, 43, who was married to Stevens for six years and was in the process of divorcing him, was stabbed multiple times outside her friend's flat in Sydenham … [Read more...] about Mental Evaluation for PE man who stabbed wife
Stun grenades fired at Rhodes protesters
Grahamstown - Police fired stun grenades at a crowd of protesters on Monday afternoon, when students from Rhodes University went to support their peers at the Eastern Cape Midlands College, the university's independent student news source, Activate, reported. One person was reportedly injured in the incident. This prompted a call from Rhodes vice chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela for students to return to the campus where they were "protected under Rhodes University jurisdiction". Mabizela … [Read more...] about Stun grenades fired at Rhodes protesters
Don’t tell the whites
The Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) has condemned a voice note which cautions strikers to exclude white students because they "cannot be trusted". The voice note quickly went viral on social media. The protest action is over an increase in fees and the minimum initial payment (MIP), a 50% lump sum of their total tuition which for a full time students amounts to over R40 000. "They don't want any whites knowing because we can't trust them. So just black and non-white … [Read more...] about Don’t tell the whites
‘Facebook Stabber’ hands himself in
Port Elizabeth - A man who has been on the run after his estranged wife was stabbed repeatedly, has turned himself in, Eastern Cape police said on Monday. Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said Martin Stevens handed himself in shortly after 11:00, accompanied by his lawyer. Stevens had called police hours before, asking that he be given until Monday morning to turn himself in at Mount Road police station in Port Elizabeth. He faces a charge of attempted murder after his estranged wife, … [Read more...] about ‘Facebook Stabber’ hands himself in
Rhodes University MIP talks fail
Grahamstown - Protesting students at Rhodes University abandoned talks with vice chancellor Sizwe Mabizela late on Monday morning after no agreement was reached on a decrease in students’ Minimum Initial Payment (MIP) before registration. Mabizela arrived just after 09:00 to speak to students, the university's independent student news source, Activate, reported. University management offered 20% of full fees MIP, and an extended payment deadline. Students are, however, demanding a 10% MIP … [Read more...] about Rhodes University MIP talks fail
Mabizela to meet with student protesters
Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela is to meet with striking students after the institution's academic programme was suspended on Monday. University spokesperson Catherine Deiner said on Monday morning Mabizela was "already on his way" to engage with the group, which is believed to be protesting over the "minimum initial payment" - a 50% lump sum of their total tuition. For a new student staying in residence, the minimum initial payment would be at least R41 000. The Daily … [Read more...] about Mabizela to meet with student protesters
Rhodes University Student Protests
Grahamstown - Rhodes University has suspended classes as students started protesting against fee hikes, according to reports on Monday. The Daily Dispatch reported that a group of about 100 students, some armed with sticks, turned people away from the Eastern Cape campus on Monday morning. eNCA reported that students had barricaded entrances with burning tyres. "Students are protesting about the minimum initial payment, which means students are required to pay 50% of the fees. This … [Read more...] about Rhodes University Student Protests
Missing sailors found adrift at sea
The Frenchman and South African man who were reported missing at sea have been found. (Two missing as Yacht overturns near Port Elizabeth) Both were found alive and well adrift at sea in a life-raft about 51 nautical miles off-shore of Kidd’s Beach, East London on Sunday evening. Jean Sitruk, 65, from Lyon, France and Kyle Castelyn, 30, from Strand were found at about 18:25 by the bulk carrier CMA CGM Rossini, confirmed NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon. "The two survivors have requested … [Read more...] about Missing sailors found adrift at sea
The cheapest vaccine ever?
Proper hand washing is the single most important preventive measure that South Africans can take to improve their health. This is the message from public health specialist Dr Lehlohonolo Majake-Mogoba as the world observes Global Handwashing Day, which is marked annually on October 15. "When we talk about public health intervention beyond policies and legislature, we talk about the basic things that communities of any socioeconomic status can do on their own to improve their health and … [Read more...] about The cheapest vaccine ever?
