A taxi association in Kariega has launched a project to allow passengers easily to identify taxis involved in crime, with a sticker on the front and back of each vehicle. Each of the 460 taxis in the Uitenhage and District Taxi Association (UDTA) will have a number on stickers at the front and back of the vehicle, from 1 to 460. A third sticker, inside the taxi, includes a number to phone in case of trouble. The project was launched at the Kariega taxi rank in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality at … [Read more...] about UDTA Project to make taxi criminals easier to identify
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Why a Tax Dispute is Good News for African Penguins
With numbers dwindling, scientists are concerned about the future of African penguins.On St Croix Island in Algoa Bay, which is part of the Addo Elephant Marine Protected Area (MPA), there were 7,000 endangered African penguin breeding pairs in 2015. By 2023, the number had collapsed to 700, according to researcher Professor Lorien Pichegru. But the good news is that numbers are rising again – thanks to a tax dispute. St Croix, only 12 hectares in size and four kilometres from the Port of Coega … [Read more...] about Why a Tax Dispute is Good News for African Penguins
Rail theft accused using “Stalingrad tactics”, court hears
Syed Mohiudeen obtained a postponement of his review application for further particulars related to the criminal case against him and co-accused Mthuthuzeli Swartz for the alleged theft of 42km of railway line in the Eastern Cape. In 2019 former Acting PRASA CEO Mthuthuzeli Swartz and businessman Syed Mohiudeen were arrested for allegedly selling off Transnet railway line in the Eastern Cape illegally. The criminal case ground to a halt after Mohiudeen asked the High Court to review the … [Read more...] about Rail theft accused using “Stalingrad tactics”, court hears
Agriculture Minister must investigate failed R43 million Mantusini Dairy Project
A British man on safari walks into a bar far out in the reaches of a game reserve in Southern Africa, he stays at the bar for a while shooting the shit with the bartender and drinking like a fish, he offer to buy the barkeep a round and since no one else is within 2km of their small oasis of liquor the barkeep obliges. The englishman goes off to the bathroom to have a good old go at the porcelain, he\’s back and ready for a few more whiskeys. He\’s just sat down when suddenly in the distance he … [Read more...] about Agriculture Minister must investigate failed R43 million Mantusini Dairy Project
SIU starts its probe into street lights tender in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
Street lights on the N2 in Bluewater Bay, Gqeberha, are among many which are not working. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) arrived at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality’s offices last week to begin its investigation into maladministration in the municipality and a dodgy street light tender. Areas across the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro have been in the dark because of broken street lights, some for several years. A ward councillor told us residents do not feel safe on the street in … [Read more...] about SIU starts its probe into street lights tender in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
Nurses stop work after finding human waste at clinic door
Since the beginning of the year there has been no wall or fence around the Mabandla Clinic in Kariega.Mabandla Clinic in Kariega was closed for the second day on Tuesday as nurses refused to work after finding human waste at the door and empty bottles of alcohol strewn around the yard. The fencing around the clinic was stolen at the beginning of the year and despite promises, it has not been replaced by the provincial Department of Health. “We can’t work in this environment,” one of the nurses … [Read more...] about Nurses stop work after finding human waste at clinic door
Beneficiaries are still battling with SASSA’s new biometric system
Beneficiaries of the Social Relief of Distress Grant are struggling with identity verification processes. Beneficiaries are struggling with identity verification for the R370-a-month Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, causing delays and access issues. The process, which involves facial recognition through an SMS link, has been further complicated by delays at the Department of Home Affairs Earlier in July, SASSA rolled out a pilot program in Nelson Mandela Bay for beneficiaries without … [Read more...] about Beneficiaries are still battling with SASSA’s new biometric system
Mpondoland dagga growers left out to dry
Nonkanyiso Bhulabhula and her husband, Lungisani Khumbafathi, rely on cultivating their dagga crop for survival.The police could never shut down the trade of dagga from Mpondoland. But the gradual decriminalisation of cannabis, ironically, has posed a bigger existential threat to these small farmers than law enforcement did. While anti-cannabis laws were enforced, there was a ready market for dagga grown in remote Eastern Cape villages. But with the flourishing of the often illicit, but largely … [Read more...] about Mpondoland dagga growers left out to dry
Apartheid-era hostel causing a stink in Eastern Cape town
The families living in Molo hostel in Butterworth have no running water or toilets. More than 200 families are living in a dilapidated hostel in Butterworth, Eastern Cape, without toilets and electricity. The hostel was built in the 1970s to accommodate learners attending a whites-only school. A few years after the 1994 elections, the hostel was closed. People from the surrounding townships and villages coming to the town to look for work began occupying the vacant buildings. Now the families … [Read more...] about Apartheid-era hostel causing a stink in Eastern Cape town
Seal attacks contribute to African penguin’s looming extinction
In 2009 Mercury Island, off the Namibian coast, had a thriving African penguin population. Today, there is not a single penguin on the island.If the African penguin population continues falling at current rates, the bird will be extinct in the wild in about 10 years. There were about 25,000 breeding pairs across their range eight years ago, there are now about 10,000. While overfishing is the main cause of their demise, seal predation has decimated the remaining colonies on Namibian islands, as … [Read more...] about Seal attacks contribute to African penguin’s looming extinction
Exploring the Growth Potential of the E-Bike Market in South Africa
In recent years, the E-Bike market in South Africa has seen a significant rise in popularity, with more individuals opting for eco-friendly and convenient modes of transportation. Two key players that have contributed to this growth are WOWeBikes and Green Riders, each bringing their unique offerings to the market.WOWeBikes: Pioneering Innovation in E-Bikes WOWeBikes, a leading E-Bike manufacturer in South Africa, has been at the forefront of pioneering innovation in the industry. With a focus … [Read more...] about Exploring the Growth Potential of the E-Bike Market in South Africa
Nelson Mandela Bay in the dark due to dodgy street light tenders
An internal audit document from 2023 on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro municipality’s street light supply and maintenance tenders revealed a flawed supply chain management process. Households in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro have been left in the dark due to dodgy street light tenders, according to a municipal councillor. An internal report shows that the municipality bungled two tenders related to street lights. One of which exceeded its budgeted amount by R24-million. This follows the Special … [Read more...] about Nelson Mandela Bay in the dark due to dodgy street light tenders
Makhanda learners demand maths teacher
Learners at Mary Waters Secondary School in Makhanda have been protesting since Monday, demanding that the department of education appoint a permanent maths teacher.The Eastern Cape Department of Education on Wednesday appointed a temporary teacher to teach mathematics at Mary Waters Secondary School in Makhanda, after days of protests by learners. The school has about 1,200 learners, with an average of 45 learners in some classes. Learners have been gathering at the school gates since Monday, … [Read more...] about Makhanda learners demand maths teacher
SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in Nelson Mandela Bay
In 2021 GroundUp reported on streetlights in Kariega, under Nelson Mandela Bay, that had been off for years despite complaints by residents.The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been given the green light by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate “allegations of serious maladministration” at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality. The SIU will look into the alleged unlawful conduct by municipal employees, and recover financial losses connected to a dodgy contract to supply … [Read more...] about SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in Nelson Mandela Bay
The 2024 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #4 – EP Win
The defending Carling Currie Cup Premier Division champions, the Toyota Cheetahs, as well as the two sides from Gauteng, the Fidelity ADT Lions and Vodacom Bulls, all managed to record their second successive victories of the season, while the semi-finalists for the First Division have been confirmed.The Free Staters increased their points tally to a “perfect 10” from two games with a 37-17 win over DHL Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday, but the Fidelity ADT Lions were the biggest … [Read more...] about The 2024 Carling Currie Cup Bulletin #4 – EP Win
