Table of contents for 2021-06-30 in Post

Duff is a psychic medium, SHARRON DUFF ARIES (March 21 – April 19) You are not alone, even if you feel you have to do everything yourself. This feels to be in the workspace, so delegate and make space for others to assist you. Take a break when you can. Balance is important this week. Lucky colour: blue. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Love and new relationships are in the air this week. Remember to put yourself out there and be available for love to find you. The good news in the heart space is yours this week. Lucky colour: white. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Your planning is finally taking shape as prosperity is coming into your circle. Take your time before you make your…

MEGHAN Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, says her 2-year-old son Archie already has a voracious appetite for books. The 39-year-old said Archie was a fan of her new picture book, The Bench, which was inspired by her husband Prince Harry’s relationship with their son. She said: “I knew our son would notice all of those elements, and he loves the book, which is great because he has a voracious appetite for books and constantly when we read him a book he goes ‘again, again, again’. But now the fact he loves The Bench and we can say ‘Mommy wrote this for you’ feels amazing.” The duchess, who lives in California with her young family, also revealed the book featured some personal touches. She said: “I think you can find sweet…

¼ tsp black mustard seeds 2 cloves 2 small pieces cinnamon sticks 1 star anise ¼ tsp cumin seeds 2 cardamom pods pinch of fenugreek seeds 2 sprigs curry leaves 1 small onion, finely chopped 2-3 green chillies (remove stems and leave whole) 2 bay leaves 1 tbs garlic and ginger paste 1-2 (15ml-30ml) tbs mild chilli powder or paprika powder (adjust quantity to heat tolerance) 1 tsp (5ml) coriander powder 1 tsp (5ml) cumin powder ½ tsp (2.5ml) garam masala ½ tsp (2.5ml) turmeric powder 1½ (250ml+125ml) cups canned chopped tomatoes 1 cup (250ml) dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and boiled until soft (keep-aside) 30ml cup kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) ¼ cup (60ml) cashews, boiled for 5 minutes (keep aside) salt to season fresh coriander to garnish Boil…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za TWO men who were accused of a knife attack at a mosque and orchestrating bomb scares in Durban, were among a group nabbed by police in Mayville on Friday. Law enforcement officials intend to meet the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Monday to discuss the case involving the five suspects. They were arrested at business premises where 6 050 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47, jewellery and counterfeit goods were seized. Colonel Thembeka Mbele, provincial SAPS spokesperson, said the police were following up on information after a house was broken into in Scottburgh and various items were stolen. She said the police had a lead that the stolen items were in Mayville. They obtained a search warrant for the premises. Mbele said ammunition, a Norinco AK-47…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za ZULEIKHA Mayat, an author, social activist and philanthropist, takes readers on an historical journey in her book, The Odyssey of Crossing Oceans. Mayat, 95, of Durban, launched the self-published book via a Zoom webinar on Saturday. She said the book, which was largely non-fiction, spanned 1 500 years. “It focuses on the people who migrated from Arabia to India and, over time, made their way to Gujarat and eventually emigrated to South Africa. These were the so-called passenger Indians who arrived in South Africa after 1860. “The book is historical fiction. It is based on stories told by real people, rather than what is spread by the Western media. It is about a life spent by different people, in different lands, and how they endured life and…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za MORE than 740 000 people in KwaZulu-Natal are waiting for Reconstruction and Development Homes (RDP), and the number is rising. Since the mid-1990s, families living in informal dwellings in Durban have made applications for government subsidy housing (often referred to as RDP houses). However, some of them are still waiting. Martin Meyer, a member of the KZN Provincial Legislature and a DA provincial spokesperson for Human Settlements, said the housing backlog in the province was just over 742 000. He said that according to the yearly report from the Department of Human Settlements, KZN had the second-highest housing backlog in the country. “Provincially, the eThekwini metropolitan municipality has the highest need, while the Amajuba District has the lowest housing backlog,” said Meyer. He said there were various…

Gabriel Crouse IMAGINE a doctor runs some tests and comes back to say: “Cancer is not the problem here, but you do have diabetes, arrhythmia and high blood pressure.” That would be partly good news (about the cancer), but mainly bad news (looming heart failure). Then, imagine if the patient turned to his wife and said: “This doctor says cancer is not a problem – she must be crazy.” As project leader of the Racism is NOT the problem initiative, I think I know how the good doctor would feel. Critics turn the move to acknowledge that most people are not racist into a silly, straw man idea that “racism is not a problem”, anywhere, ever. Here is the background. At the end of last year, Markdata, polling experts hired…

WITH reference to the article, “Community activist takes EFF president to court” (the POST, June 15-20). I support Narendh Ganesh, who lodged a formal complaint against Julius Malema, the leader of the EFF, for alleged hate speech, at the Equality Court on Monday. Indians are employed as magistrates and prosecutors because they are intelligent and hard working. We must not and cannot allow the likes of Malema to ride all over us because of his nefarious agenda. Minister Pravin Gordhan has never done anything for the Indian community and he is not representative of the Indian community but of the ANC. Some politicians are incompetent, inefficient and corrupt. Laying blame on minorities is unacceptable and we, as Indians, should rise. We should support Ganesh’s efforts to hold Malema and others…

THE pidgin-style saying, “monkey see, monkey do”, is often used to describe the kind of behaviour that is mimicked by children. When I first entered high school, I had a penchant for world leaders and learning about them – what they represented, who they represented and how they behaved in leadership roles. Unlike today, I had to painstakingly search for such information the old-fashioned way, in the absence of modern technology. One speech that I came across in a textbook at the time was delivered in South Africa in 1966 by American senator Robert F Kennedy on the affirmation day of the young people of South Africa at the University of Cape Town. This was at the height of apartheid. His poignant words resonated immensely and made a lasting and…

I SAT in many community meetings over the years and not only did I complain, but I also listened to others complain about their grievances. I then thought about what my late dad told me when I was young and had problems. I told him I did not know what was happening, as everything was going wrong. I also told him that I was doing everything the same way as when all was good, but nothing was working out. He smiled and said: "If you do things the same way, you will always get the same results. If you want a different result, then change the way you do things." So you see, we sit and complain about poverty, unemployment, high tariffs, taxes, etc, yet we vote for the same…

IT IS said everybody is born with a gift, but to cricketer Keshav Maharaj it comes naturally. He has become the second South African to pick up a hat trick in a Test match. With a devastating five-minute period and the first in more than 60 years to take a Test hat trick, he has now etched himself in the cricket record books. Congratulations and well done. Let us celebrate his achievements. For far too long our cricket administrators have been resting on their laurels and engaged in a power struggle. Now is the time for these administrators to pay attention to sports development at school and club level. Hopefully, with the new board of directors, they will regain the public’s trust and rebuild the confidence of players, sponsors and…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za MANAGEMENT and staff at Megazone FM were left shaken after they were robbed at gunpoint at the station’s premises in uMhlanga on Friday evening. Vishal Maharaj, the founder of Megazone FM, said he had just concluded a meeting with 10 staff, some of whom then left the boardroom. He said while the rest of them were chatting, one of the presenters, Leshav Dilraj, heard glass breaking. “From our office, we could see men at a salon opposite our premises. We initially thought that kids were messing around, but we nevertheless went out to alert security, and I activated the panic alarm.” He said two men from the group managed to enter their offices. “One punched and pushed Leshav to the ground, while the other pointed his gun…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za JOB cuts due to Covid-19 have affected South African women the hardest. This is according to the Old Mutual Claim Statistics, which found that of the three million jobs lost in the early lockdown, between February and April 2020, two-thirds were held by women. Now, more than a year into the pandemic, the statistics reveal that 58% of 2020 retrenchment cover claims were paid out to women. The statistics said this confirmed that the economic impact of Covid-19 affected working women harder than it did working men. Vanitha Manikam, 57, of Croftdene in Chatsworth, said she lost her job. She worked as a machinist at a clothing factory. Manikam said when the lockdown started the company started making masks. "I was allowed to work because this…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za “ALL we have ever wanted is proper brick homes,” said Mala Chinnsamy of Malagazi near Isipingo. Chinnsamy, 49, has lived in her three-room informal dwelling for more than 30 years. Her three sons, her brother and their respective families have also built wood-and-iron homes on the same plot. She claimed the seven-hectare land belonged to her late grandfather and that it was later passed on to her father, who has since died. But over the years, Chinnsamy said other people began building informal structures on the property. Chinnsamy, a widow, said 25 years ago she applied for a house at the old Isipingo Town Board. “I often checked on the progress of that application and I eventually gave up.” She said about 10 years ago, she then…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za THE 125th Vodacom Durban July and Post Race Day is set to go ahead as planned on Saturday, July 3, amidst the new Level 4 lockdown regulations. The event will be held without spectators. Covid-19 safety protocols will be enforced, with only essential services personnel granted access to the track, according to organisers Gold Circle. “Gold Circle can confirm that the Vodacom Durban July race day will go ahead. On course attendance at all race meetings in KwaZulu-Natal from today until further notice, will be limited to essential services personnel, trainers, jockeys, grooms, NHA Staff and Gold Circle Staff required to ensure each race meeting can proceed. No owners, Gold Circle members or box/suite holders will be permitted access to either Hollywoodbets Greyville or Hollywoodbets Scotsville…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za AT JUST 11, Tevin Reddy, of Queensburgh, is making his mark on the music scene. The Grade 6 pupil at Falcon Park Primary in Chatsworth has released three singles under the record label, Boss Life Entertainment. His debut single, Born for This, which was released two months ago, has notched more than 1 000 views on YouTube. His previous singles were Vibe on Check and Wildest Dreams. Tevin discovered his love for music while listening and watching music videos in his dad’s recording studio. “When my dad built a recording studio, they signed Siphesihle Mhlanga, known as Verge The Rapper, whom I was inspired by. I spent a lot of time in the studio after school and the producer, Njabs, ensured we had fun. So it became…

Nokuthula Mabuza nokuthula.mabuza@inl.co.za TO distract herself from the pain of losing her family, Alicia Ramdharee vented through letters. These have now become part of her book, Orphaned by Suicide. In 1999, Ramdharee, then 12 years old, lost her parents and two siblings. Her father Des Sewdass, 40, shot her mom Sunitha, 32, her sister Tasha, 8, and her brother Shivenn, 4, in their home in Blue Jill Crescent in Chatsworth, Durban. Her dad then turned the gun on himself. “I became an orphan instantly after losing my family to suicide in one go,” said Ramdharee, now 33. She said the incident happened during the December holidays while she was at her maternal family’s home in Johannesburg. Ramdharee said even after she relocated to Johannesburg to…

The ripple effects of suicide Latoya Newman latoya.newman@inl.co.za A SPATE of recent suicides and attempted suicides in the country has drawn attention to the topic and that of mental health. Recent incidents: In May, a North West mom allegedly poisoned her husband and six children after a domestic dispute. She then committed suicide. Also in May, a Glenwood woman took her boyfriend's firearm, walked to a nearby park and threatened to kill herself, firing shots into the air. In April, a Durban man shot a policewoman and a former girlfriend, before turning the gun on himself. Also in April, a 17-year-old boy from Hammanskraal died by suicide at his school hostel after allegedly arguing with his teenage girlfriend. Actor Ceagan Arendse died on February 14. His family…

¼ tsp black mustard seeds ¼ tsp cumin seeds pinch of fenugreek seeds 2 sprigs curry leaves 1 small onion, finely sliced 1 tbs (15ml) garlic paste 2-3 green chillies (remove stems and leave whole) 1-2 tbs mild chilli powder or paprika powder (adjust quantity to heat tolerance) 1 tsp (5ml) cumin powder 2 cans chopped Italian tomatoes 1 cup (250ml) dried butter beans, pre-soaked overnight and boiled until soft salt to season hot water for cooking fresh coriander to garnish Heat the pot over medium to high heat. When the pot is hot, add the black mustard seeds. As soon as the seeds start to pop, turn down the heat then add the cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds and curry leaves. Add a ¼ cup water. Give the…

1 cup (250ml) split pea dhal, cleaned and rinsed 4-5 cup water, to boil the dhal ¼ tsp mustard seeds ¼ tsp cumin seeds 1 sprig curry leaves 2-3 dry red chillies 3 fenugreek seeds 2 cloves 1/3 cup (80ml) water, to braise onions ½ small onion finely sliced (about 1/3 cup or more) 1 tbs (15ml) fresh garlic and ginger paste 1 tsp (5ml) turmeric powder ½ tsp (2.5ml) cumin powder 1 small tomato finely diced 1 tsp (5ml) salt ¼ cup (60 ml) fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped Boil the dhal with water until soft. The dhal should be smooth and with a thick but pourable consistency. Once cooked, keep aside. Heat a pot over medium to hot heat. Add the mustard seeds, curry leaves, cumin seeds,…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za VISHAY Singh will never be able to fulfil his dream of serving his country as a member of the SANDF. The 23-year-old trainee officer, who was run over by two vehicles outside his home in Marburg, Port Shepstone, died last Wednesday after six months on life support. Singh suffered a brain injury, fractured legs and ribs, and a punctured lung in the incident in January. Reevek Ramlall and Durell Govender were arrested and charged with attempted murder. The matter is being heard in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court. They are on bail. Their next court appearance is on July 7. Singh’s sister, Verona Singh, said her sibling was based in Klipdrift, Potchefstroom, and that he returned home for the December holidays. On January 9, both accused allegedly…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za KIREN Naidoo worked in a corporate environment before exploring his entrepreneurial skills. But his decision to delve into the pharmaceutical industry has been the most rewarding. Naidoo, 36, formerly of Reservoir Hills, runs Frontier Pharma which he co-founded in London in 2015. The company recently acquired Zdravlje, one of the largest generic pharmaceutical companies in Eastern Europe. Frontier Pharma is a UK-based specialist pharmaceutical investment and advisory firm. It is focused on high-growth markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Naidoo, who obtained a Bachelor of Business Science degree in finance at UCT, started his career as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch, a US multinational bank, in Joburg in 2007. Following a merger, Merrill Lynch later became Bank of America Merrill Lynch. In 2009, Naidoo…

NIKITA CHINIAH nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za CLINICAL psychologist Dr Rani Samuel recently launched her debut novel, In Search of Daniel, which deals with trauma, forgiveness, healing and hope. It is about a young man, named Daniel, who discovers a family secret on his 18th birthday. As his life spirals out of control, he embarks on a journey of healing, from Cape Town to Rwanda and Israel. Samuel, a clinical psychologist for 20 years, said the journey through emotional trauma could leave anyone feeling out of control, lost, and in tears. “The word ‘trauma’ has its origins in the Greek language and refers to ‘a wound or injury’. It is caused by an external force, which can be physical or psychological. Across the world, trauma and emotional distress are happening to all of us…

The Department of Human Settlements’ website lists the criteria needed to qualify for a home. Applicants must: Be a South African citizen. Be contractually capable. Be married or habitually cohabit with a partner. Be single and have financial dependants. Earn less than R3 500 a month per household. Be a first-time government subsidy recipient. Be a first-time homeowner. Be a single military veteran without financial dependants. Be an elderly single persons without financial dependants. The website said the waiting lists were a locally driven initiative. The waiting period in each municipality differed. “Housing development normally takes place within a planned and prioritised process where the local conditions dictate what area should receive assistance first. “You must also remember that housing development takes time, normally at least two years before…

EDWIN NAIDU JULIUS Malema must have a secret curry fetish. The EFF leader is always mouthing off angrily on South Africans of Indian origin in a distasteful manner. While it unfairly raises alarm with some fearing that he might morph into the despised Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, Malema has more charm and intellect than the former cook who is said to have murdered between 300 000 to 500 000 people before dying in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2003. But Malema needs to curb his inner extra-hot spice with a good dose of facts on who controls the economy, plus an understanding of the history of those who contributed to the Struggle. After all, with respect, he was in nappies when the Struggle was being intensified in South Africa and…

AT A news conference in Baghdad, before Portugal’s soccer match against Poland at Euro 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo pushed two bottles of Coke aside and held a bottle of water. He said one should drink water as it was healthier. Ronaldo, who plays for Portugal, is a health fanatic and made a bold statement. This resulted in Coke losing €4 billion in market value immediately after the snub. But fans and environmentalists celebrated. At last, someone was brave enough to take on Coca-Cola. For decades, health experts and environmentalists have been campaigning against Coke. It is high in sugar and the bottling has resulted in a lot of pollution. But, in the past few years, as growing environmental awareness sweeps across the globe, Coke has reluctantly acknowledged its harmful role.…

JULIUS Malema, the leader of the EFF, has overturned our politics. His rhetoric is a crude strategy to achieve power through demagoguery and then to use that power for his own gain. His latest outburst against Indians occupying strategic positions in major companies is propaganda fodder for his band of followers as he rummages for votes. Perhaps Malema needs to be reminded that we gained our positions through excellence, hard work, honesty and perseverance in the face of adversity? Excellence is not an exception. It is a prevailing attitude, which is ingrained in our work ethic and embedded in our culture. Get out of your dreamland and stop trying to harvest wealth belonging to others. Malema may be unaware that many of the world’s top companies are run by Indians.…

SOUTH Africa’s unemployment figure of 32.6% is alarming. The consequences of this are increased poverty and crime. A significant factor in South Africa’s unemployment crisis is its poor economic performance that has resulted in organisations having to shed jobs. Other factors contributing to the high levels of unemployment include the labour market surplus of unskilled workers relative to the increased demand for and limited supply of skilled workers. There are numerous young, unemployed people in South Africa. Some of them attended tertiary institutions and have diplomas in various trades but they cannot find jobs because employers want people with experience. I suggest employers train them instead of turning them down. The government should create jobs by securing investors to build factories. The public sector should also absorb some unemployed…

WITH the Vodacom Durban July approaching, here is my contribution to this great sporting event on July 3, titled She’s A Keeper and a Silver Host. Time was against Shah Akbar of Crown Towers in Belgarion, and he was a worried man. Several attempts to rescue his sons were unsuccessful. They were held captive on a remote island off the Matterhorn Coast. In desperation, he announced in the ExpressFromTheUS that whoever rescued them from the clutches of the evil Rascallion would receive a Tristful of jewels and his only daughter’s hand in marriage. Hordes of hopefuls ranged from Rainbow Bridge in Nexus to a Linebacker with a Sovereign Spirit but their best efforts were in vain. Just as the Duke was about to console himself with never seeing his sons…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A FORMER murder accused, who turned State witness, gave his account of the assault that led to the death of a KwaDukuza taxi conductor in 2017. Dillon Puckree, 24, of Glenhills, was allegedly punched and repeatedly kicked by a group of men outside a sports bar in KwaDukuza on September 9, 2017. Puckree later died in hospital. Preston Naidoo, 28, who turned State witness, previously faced a charge of murder. He pleaded guilty to assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, in January last year. In October last year, Naidoo was sentenced to three years in jail. The sentence was suspended for five years, on condition that he was not convicted of a similar offence. He also received three years’ correctional supervision. This entailed 16 hours…

Chanelle Lutchman, Nokuthula Mabuza and nikita Chiniah THE adjusted level 4 lockdown would slow down South Africa’s economic recovery and threaten job security, said experts this week. On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed the country on a level 4 lockdown following the rise in Covid-19 infections and deaths. He said the more contagious Delta variant of the virus was detected in five provinces. Gauteng now accounts for more than 60% of new cases in the country. The lockdown regulations, which will be reviewed after July 11, were gazetted on Monday. They include: The ban of alcohol (both on and off-consumption). The adjusted curfew is from 9pm to 4am with closing time at 8pm. There is no sit-down service but takeaways and deliveries are allowed. Gyms, casinos and leisure facilities are…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za POLITICAL parties have lashed out at the eThekwini Municipality for implementing an additional hike above the yearly tariff increases. Last week, the city released a statement saying that it would introduce a new water and sanitation infrastructure levy. According to the statement, residents will be charged an additional R1.50/Kl for water and R1.50/Kl for sewerage disposal for the next three years. According to the statement, the money will be contributed towards the R1 billion needed to fund the upgrading of the city’s ageing water and sanitation infrastructure. “The municipality has experienced an increased number of faults at pump stations and treatment works which have impacted negatively on the delivery of basic water services,” the statement said. “These faults are due to ageing infrastructure but can also be…

NIKITA CHINIAH nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za A YEAR ago, Shanice Subbiah and Jardel Govender posted their first comedy skit on social media and since then, their fan base has kept growing. The video was titled Things You Would Only Hear in an Indian Home and for some TikTok and Facebook users, it was a welcome relief soon after the national lockdown. The video has garnered more than 74 000 views and 859 shares on TikTok, while on Facebook it has more than 56 000 views and 800 shares. After the video went viral, the Chatsworth friends realised that they were indeed humorous. To date, they have uploaded close to 100 videos relating to Indian community scenarios and situations. Some of their characters are Nody, Steven, Evelyn, Gono, Mali, Cooks and Roger. They believe…

FAMILIES and friends were called to spread the news of the late Sewdass family of Chatsworth. Radio stations were to announce the message on air for those we could not reach. I was told to relax and see if I could sleep, but my mind wouldn’t allow me to do that! Why was I crying? I mean there was a possibility of my family still being alive! The insanity was surreal. I had to keep myself sane. My thoughts told me it was a lie. They are still alive. It’s only a lie. They are waiting for you to come home. You know your father wouldn’t do such a thing and leave you behind. I made up things in my brain. Everyone around me dealt with this news differently and…

500g green beans, trimmed and sliced 1 cup (250ml) gadra beans, boiled until soft but firm ¼ tsp black mustard seeds 2 cloves 2 small cinnamon sticks 1 star anise ¼ tsp cumin seeds 2 cardamom pods pinch of fenugreek seeds 2 sprig curry leaves ½ small onion, finely chopped 1 bay leaf 1 tbs (15ml) garlic and ginger paste 1-2 tbs (15ml-30ml) mild chilli powder or paprika powder (adjust quantity to heat tolerance) 1 tsp (5ml) coriander powder 1 tsp (5ml) cumin powder ½ tsp (2.5ml) garam masala ½ tsp (2.5ml) turmeric powder salt to season hot water for cooking 30ml cup chopped tomatoes (I used canned tomatoes) fresh coriander to garnish Heat the pot over medium to hot heat. Add the black mustard seeds. When the seeds…

1 electric pressure cooker 1 medium onion, finely sliced 2 star anise 2 small pieces cinnamon sticks 2 cloves 3 cardamom pods 1 tender sprig curry leaves 2 bay leaves ¼ tsp fennel seeds ¼ tsp cumin seeds 2 large cloves garlic, minced 2 medium potatoes, washed, peeled and quartered 1/3 cup (80ml) sliced green beans 1/3 cup (80m) sliced carrots 1/3 cup (80ml) peas (fresh or frozen) 1 tbs (15ml) coriander powder ½ tsb (7.5ml) cumin powder 2 tsp (10ml) turmeric powder 1 tsp (5ml) garam masala 1 tbs (15ml) mild chilli powder or mixed masala 1-2 tsp (5ml-10ml) salt ¼ cup (60ml) mint leaves, roughly chopped 1 large gem tomato, finely diced 1 cup (250ml) par-boiled basmati rice 2 ½ cup (625ml) boiling water Place the sliced onion…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A TIP-OFF from an undercover agent in the US has led to the arrest of a Malvern father for allegedly being in possession of child pornography. The businessman, 53, appeared in the Sexual Offences Court, located in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, on Tuesday. He was granted R2 000 bail. The accused, who cannot be named until he pleads, was allegedly found with child pornography on his cellphone on Monday. Captain Nqobile Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, said that in May the police received information from an undercover agent based in the US about a suspect who was in possession of child pornography and who was distributing it on social media. She said the Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit’s serial and electronic crime…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za NEWLANDS East and surrounding areas is where Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, is expected to launch his bid for the presidency. Duduzane embarked on a campaign in ward 11 at the weekend, when he met ANC branch members and residents. ward 11 comprises Newlands East, a section of Newlands West, Siyanda and Quarry Heights, near KwaMashu. Zuma junior, who is new to active politics, plans to run for ANC branch chairperson in the ward. The election for this position is to take place at the party’s branch general meeting (BGM). It is believed he will use the position to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa for the ANC presidency next year. During the campaign, Zuma spoke of his plans to oversee ward 11, which is run by Joyce Johnson,…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za A DURBAN father has realised his 30-year dream of becoming an advocate. Thanigasalan Moodley, 48, of Silverglen, Chatsworth, recently took the oath of office before Deputy Judge President Isaac Madondo and Justices Thoba Portia Poyo-Dlwati and Rob Mossop in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in June. Moodley said his journey, however, was not an easy one. At the age of 14, Moodley said his father was killed in a hijacking incident. “I had to instantly grow up and become the man of the house. “I had to take care of my mom and two younger sisters. “After school, I helped my mother at our family business, a service station, in Silverglen.” Moodley, who matriculated from Southlands Secondary School, enrolled to study for the BA law degree at the…

Chanelle Lutchman chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za BEFORE the advent of democracy, Naseema Latiff and her family lived in a wood-and-iron home. Twenty years later, they continue to share the same informal dwelling on Pond Street in Welbedacht East, Chatsworth. “It is about time the government builds us dignified homes,” said Latiff, 54. The mother of seven said she applied for a Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) house with the KZN Department of Human Settlements in 1999. “My husband and I initially lived with his family but due to the lack of space, we had to move out. We heard about Welbedacht East and we decided to move to the area. We thereafter applied for a home with the department and they gave us a green card with an application number. But since then…

AS WE were saying goodbye to the annus horribilis that was 2020 and ushering in this year, a striking phenomenon was observed at several major hospitals across the country during the climax period of the festive season. The trauma units at several major hospitals – including Durban’s King Edward VIII and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto, the country’s largest, and the Worcester Regional Hospital in the Western Cape that normally look like war zones around that time of the year – lay empty. A major difference was the national alcohol ban imposed as part of the government’s arsenal of weapons for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. Doctors, nurses, cleaners and other health workers were pleasantly surprised to see empty beds in breezy wards during what are normally “horror shifts”…

WE NEED to put aside any myths and false information that lead to hesitancy in taking the Covid-19 vaccine. The virus is here and we need to focus on getting vaccinated and building up our immune systems so we can achieve herd immunity. Yes, there will be concern and fear as to whether to take it or not. But consider the long-term effects. Look at the facts and figures. Let us rid our communities of this virus and act in solidarity. The choice is still, however, yours to vaccinate or not to vaccinate. VENOLIN GOVENDER Pietermaritzburg (nurse practitioner, World Health Organization. Covid-19 trained)…

A WATER meter in Phoenix was recently knocked and damaged by a motorist. The motorist immediately reported the incident to the eThekwini Municipality. Water gushed from the site for more than five days. That’s how long it took for the municipality to repair the leak. I got to thinking and looked at my own water bill, which is exorbitant and excessive. Many residents in Durban complain about the unaffordable tariffs, and now I could see why. That water lost from that broken meter, and every other burst water pipe left unattended, means we are paying for it. Non-revenue water losses in Durban account for about 40% of the total amount we pay. When you look at the water that gushes from broken water taps in informal settlements and the pipe…

WITH reference to the article, “Stop truck-yard operations” (the POST, June 23-27). A new truck stop has opened in a shopping centre off Newlands West Drive. Trucks are conveniently blocked from the public eye as it’s behind a major supermarket and tyre centre. These truckers also opened a driveway near the library off Loopwest Crescent and stones and debris are coming on to this main road. Traffic on Newlands West Drive has become a nightmare during peak times as these trucks clog the single lane that takes residents in and out of the Newlands West area. Residents have complained to the authorities but enforcement has absolute no meaning for the eThekwini Municipality. Metro police and the city's development and planning unit are useless. Anarchy sets in when we allow little…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za ADRIAAN Pillay, a former Cell C information technology employee, stood alone in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Johannesburg last week. Pillay, 39, who was charged with fraud and corruption amounting to R130 million, was to appear with his co-accused, Ismail Adanjee Mohamed, 44, but the latter had taken ill. As a result, Pillay’s attorney requested an adjournment. Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, a spokesperson for the Hawks, said the matter would be heard on August 25 for disclosure. “This means the defence will have an opportunity to peruse the docket as per the alleged offence committed by the suspects,” said Mulamu. Pillay and Mohamed were arrested separately following investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Germiston. Cell C had opened fraud and corruption charges against…

Janine Moodley janine.moodley@inl.co.za A MAN linked to three separate counts of armed robbery in different areas in Durban will serve an effective 30 years in jail. Mons Clifton Sithole, 30, of uMlazi, was sentenced to 15 years on each count in the Durban Magistrate's Court last week. Sentencing on the third count will run concurrently with the sentence in counts one and two. Sithole was found guilty of an Isipingo house robbery in 2016 and two jewellery store robberies in 2017. He made off with a collective R2 million worth of jewellery from Cherry Design Jewellery in Hillcrest and Platinum Jewellers at The Pearls in uMhlanga. Deon van Rensburg, manager of Cherry Design Jewellery, said: “What he did was very wrong, and the justice system has caught up with him.”…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za ARANAJULAM Govender and Madanlall Ramdial have been living in wood-and-iron homes in Emona, Tongaat for more than 20 years. Shortly after they moved into the area, they applied for RDP homes through the eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal. In June 2018, they received letters from the municipality, requesting them to register for RDP homes at a new, multimillion-rand development called the Emona Sunhill housing development. Govender and Madanlall went to a community hall in the area to register. But in 2019, when the homes were being allocated, they were not on the recipient list. Two years have passed and they still want to know why they were left out. Govender, 57, lives alone in his one-bedroomed home. He does not have electricity,…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za FEARING job losses after the adjusted level 4 lockdown came into effect on Monday, residents in Verulam said the pending increased electricity tariff was unfair. Electricity prices in eThekwini Municipality will rise by 14.59% from Thursday. The residents from Canelands do not believe they should pay more for electricity, particularly since there were frequent power outages in the area. They did not have electricity last week. A father, who declined to be named, said: “We live near an informal settlement. To power their homes, they illegally connect our power supply to their homes. Once the supply is overloaded, it cuts off for us. This has been happening for years. We either have electricity for a few hours or not at all.” He said he wrote, phoned and…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za SHERWOOD resident Seth Parusnath was one Golden Arrows’ impressive performers last season, helping the club to finish fourth in the league. The Lamontville club’s league form was especially impressive, considering that they worked with limited resources in comparison to the so-called “big teams” such as Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and now even KwaZulu-Natal rivals AmaZulu. “We were a fearless team that showed a good brand of South African and modern day football. My personal highlight was winning the man of the match award in the draw against Celtic in April. It was something I’ve worked hard towards and finally got,” said the former St Benedict School pupil. Former Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi drew praise for his ability to get the most out of young and local…

THE sardines are here so make the most of this spectacular event while the weather is good. The shore-based fishing has been wild on the South Coast. The rest of the coast has been fairly quiet but this is mainly due to the pull of the silver tide drawing everyone to the action. The North Coast has not had much in the form of reports. This is mainly due to the pull of the sardines. There have been some good inedibles hooked up north but most of these have been on droned baits. The deeper drops have produced some very big fish. Those throwing baits have been mainly hooking the smaller inedibles and flatfish. Mackerel head and cutlets have been producing bites for those able to get the baits into…

WITH his inauspicious Argentina debut nothing but a distant memory, Lionel Messi became his country’s most capped player on Monday in their 4-1 Copa America victory over Bolivia. A perennial candidate in the ‘Greatest of All Time’ debate, Messi marked the occasion in style with a virtuoso performance, scoring twice and setting up another in his 148th national team appearance, surpassing Javier Mascherano’s record. It was all a far cry from his debut in 2005 when he was sent off after just 43 seconds. Going on as a second-half substitute in a friendly against Hungary in Budapest, the then 18-year-old was red carded for swinging an arm in an opponent’s face. Argentina’s record scorer, Messi’s 74th and 75th international goals helped extend the side’s unbeaten run to 17 games on…