Pedestrian Fatally Struck on R102 in Mt. Edgecombe, KZN

by Mamello MailaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

A horrendous accident occurred on the R102 in Mt. Edgecombe, KwaZulu-Natal, this morning (Thursday) when a female pedestrian was fatally struck while attempting to cross the road. The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) Phoenix Operations Centre received multiple distress calls from motorists requesting urgent medical assistance. RUSA responders were immediately dispatched and arrived at the scene at approximately 06:49.Upon arrival, emergency teams discovered the woman’s lifeless body in the southbound lane. According to the driver of a white VW Polo involved in the incident, the pedestrian suddenly attempted to cross, leaving him with little time to react. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries before first responders arrived. Her identity has yet to be confirmed. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed. Authorities are investigating the incident further.

The MK Party Plans to Fix eThekwini’s Water Crisis

by Mamello MailaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

The people of eThekwini are facing a serious water crisis. Many families lack enough water to cook, clean, or maintain proper hygiene. Businesses are also struggling to operate due to the shortage. Frustrated and angry, residents have taken to protesting, demanding that their leaders address and resolve the issue. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) has spoken out about this crisis, saying that poor management and bad decisions by the municipality are to blame. Let’s look at what’s causing the problem, how it’s hurting people, and what can be done to make things better. One of the main reasons for the water shortages is that the government told the water supplier, Umgeni uThukela Water, to give less water to eThekwini. This decision was made because more than half of the water in the area (55%) is wasted due to leaks, illegal connections, and old pipes. Instead of addressing the leaks and broken pipes, the government chose to reduce the water supply, which does not solve the underlying issues. Many of the pipes are old or damaged, causing significant water wastage. Additionally, some people are making illegal connections to the system, leading to an uneven distribution of water. Furthermore, the water infrastructure has not been updated in many years, despite the growing population in the area. Another major issue is that many water meters in eThekwini are over 30 years old and no longer measure water usage accurately. As a result, some residents receive extremely high water bills, even though they hardly have any water due to the ongoing cuts. To make matters worse, the municipality’s billing system is in complete disarray. Many residents have reported being overcharged and have voiced their frustration to the MK Party. This situation has left people feeling angry and powerless, as they are being forced to pay for water they aren’t even receiving. The MK Party is urging the government to fix the billing system to ensure residents are only charged for the water they actually use. If the government fails to act swiftly, the MK Party plans to take legal action to protect the people’s right to water. The MK Party is standing with the community and calling on the government to fix the water crisis. By working together and making the right changes, eThekwini can have a better, more reliable water system for everyone.It’s time to end the suffering and take action to ensure that every home and business has access to the water they need!

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu Backs Fundraising for SAPS Education Trust

by Mamello MailaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

Minister Senzo Mchunu has revealed plans to raise over R6.6 million for the SAPS Education Trust, (Picture Credits: Supplied) Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has revealed plans to raise over R6.6 million for the SAPS Education Trust, which helps fund the education of children whose parents lost their lives while serving as police officers. In 2024, the trust supported 18 matric students, who collectively earned an impressive 17 distinctions. To support this initiative, Minister Mchunu participated in a fundraising golf day held at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club in Durban. He highlighted the importance of the fund, saying, “The purpose of this trust is to care for the families left behind when a police officer dies. Police officers safeguard our democracy and ensure the nation runs smoothly.” The SAPS Education Trust provides financial aid for schooling and higher education for children impacted by the loss of their parents. This initiative ensures they have access to opportunities for a brighter future. By supporting the families of fallen officers, the trust honors their sacrifices and ensures they are not forgotten.

KZN Commemorates 146th Anniversary Battle of Isandlwana – Nquthu

by Anele ZumaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

The KwaZulu-Natal province commemorates the 146th anniversary of the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu today. (Photo credits: NewsliveSA and VM Radio) The province of KwaZulu-Natal, led by King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini remembered the victory in the Battle of Isandlwana in Nquthu on Wednesday, 22 January 2025. The battle, led by King Cetshwayo “uJininindi omnyama” kaMpande is a historical battle, which was part of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. On 22 January 1879, the Zulu army won victory over the British forces during the celebrated Impi yaseSandlwana. The King is expected to address the 146th anniversary of the battle to thousands of people on the Isandlwana Mountain.

Strike Continues as Landlords Await NSFAS Payments,Swinton Coastal College

by Anele ZumaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

Umbumbulu Campus, Swinton Coastal College, (Picture Credits: News Live SA & VM Radio) After a strike at Swinton Coastal College over unpaid fees from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), landlords brought their protest to the Umbumbulu campus in KwaMakhutha on Tuesday. Allegedly, It is said that landlords received only partial payments from NSFAS, with the rest given directly to students, amounting to R13,000. From February to November, landlords haven’t received full payments for student accommodation, which has caused problems in maintaining their buildings and covering expenses. Landlords together with the students camping outside Umbumbulu Campus, (Picture Credits: VM Radio) Thembi Jili , on behalf of landlords said after so many attempts of sending overlooked emails to NSFAS, the college management from Umbumbulu campus was able to communicate with NSFAS to address the matter. “As we were waiting for feedback from Swinton campus after yesterday’s meeting, we decided to resume the strike and went to Umbumbulu campus. Fortunately, we were able to speak to Sibongile Mncwabe from NSFAS who assured us that trimester payments owed to us from September to November will be paid , while they discuss the remaining payments for annual students.” The strike continues while landlords await payments owed to them by NSFAS.

BusDriver Shot and Killed in Westham, KZN

by Mamello MailaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

Picture Credits: VM Radio and News Live SA A 33-year-old bus driver was tragically killed in Westham, KwaZulu-Natal, early Monday morning, 20 January 2025. Witnesses claim that three people in a white Toyota Etios, with an unknown registration number, opened fire on the bus before speeding away. Fortunately, there were no passengers on the bus at the time of the attack.  Witnesses claim that three people in a white Toyota Etios, with an unknown registration number, opened fire on the bus before speeding away. Fortunately, there were no passengers on the bus at the time of the attack.  The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and police are investigating the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

TikTok Goes Blank, US Ban Concerns Rise

by Mamello MailaCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

Many TikTok users in the United States are worried that the app might be banned. Reports are coming in that TikTok is going blank for many users, making it impossible to watch or upload videos. This has caused confusion and concern across the country. Some people think it’s just a technical problem, while others believe it could be the beginning of a government ban. Recently, there have been talks about banning TikTok because of security issues, which is why this sudden problem has many people feeling nervous. TikTok has not released an official statement yet, but users are turning to other social media sites to share their frustrations and findout if others are facing the same issue. Many users hope the app will be back to normal soon, since TikTok has become a big part of their daily lives. Some tweets and a screenshot have shown a message that says: “We regret that US law banning TikTok will take effect on January 19 and force us to make our service temporarily unavailable. We are working to restore ourservice in the US as soon as possible, and we appreciate your support. Please stay tuned.” For now, it’s still unclear whether this problem is a technical glitch or the start of a ban. Millions of TikTok fans in the US arewaiting for answers.

Triple Murder shocks KwaMashu Community

by Leigh NgwaneCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

A gruesome discovery was made this morning in KwaMashu Section M, KZN, when three bodies were found with execution-style gunshot wounds. Police have confirmed that the suspects are still at large. Zwelibi Msomi, a family member of one of the victims, shared that the bodies were discovered outside Durban, in Section M. Msomi explained that he received a call this morning, which led him to the scene where he identified one of the victims as his son. The other two victims were reportedly neighbors. While details surrounding the incident remain unclear, Msomi speculated that the victims may have been involved in a fight or mugging before their deaths. The police investigation is ongoing. The triple murder has shocked the local community, which is already grappling with concerns over rising crime rates. Community activist Siphamandla Mazibuko expressed alarm over the recent spike in violence, pointing to a recent incident in Bhambayi where five people were killed. Mazibuko called for urgent action to address the growing crime problem in the area. In response, SAPS Inanda confirmed that they are investigating the triple murder and are doing everything possible to identify the suspects. They have urged the community to assist with any information that could help bring those responsible to justice. The police also reassured residents that they are increasing patrols in response to the recent violence. The tragic event has further intensified calls for heightened police presence and swift action to curb the rising crime in the area, as locals fear for their safety. The community remains in shock as they await answers, hoping that justice will soon be served.

Hlokomela Campaign Promotes Learner Safety in eThekwini Schools

by VMRADIOCurrent Affairs, Santaco / Moja Cruise NewsPosted on No Comments

As the new school year kicks off, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has stepped up to ensure the safety of learners. On Friday, SANTACO conducted a special safety operation in Isiphingo aimed at making school transport safer for children. The initiative, led by SANTACO’s Hlokomela campaign, focused on inspecting taxis and other vehicles used for transporting learners to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Officials checked the roadworthiness of vehicles, driver licenses, and Professional Driving Permits (PRDPs). SANTACO Representative, Mabandla Mkhize emphasised on the importance of the operation and it’s effectiveness as there are new drivers on the road transporting learners. “By doing this inspection, new drivers will be introduced to the regulations and safety precautions in order to avoid endangering practices like overloading and absence of PRDP’s to maintain road safety.” The operation, conducted in collaboration with the eThekwini Metro Police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), uncovered concerning practices , ,including overloading and unlicensed drivers. Some vehicles were found using unsafe modifications, such as stacking buckets as makeshift seats to increase passenger capacity. Any violations were handed over to Metro officers or the NPA. Officials checking the roadworthiness of vehicles, driver licenses, and Professional Driving Permits (PRDPs), Picture Credits: Sbusiso Wanda) Daniel Hiralall from the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA), spoke on the alternative approach to ensure that learner safety is maintained. “Likewise, as we have the Moja Cruise project which is active, added to the Public Transport sector is our next project that we’ve already initiated with SANTACO focusing on learner Transport because we believe that learners are important role players as kids. The sector transformation is still underway.”Hiralall also stressed the importance of drivers’ dress code, wellness, and understanding their core role in transporting students. The operation is still underway.

Workers Protest Against Retrenchment

by Leigh NgwaneCurrent AffairsPosted on No Comments

[WATCH]NUMSA & RETUSA Speak Out on Workers Protest Against Retrenchment at BIDVEST Workers from the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) have been on strike outside Bidvest South Africa Container Depot in Durban since January 6th, 2025. The strike follows the retrenchment of 106 workers, with the employer citing outsourcing and plans to hire through labour brokers. In this exclusive report, we speak to Mzamo Khoza, NUMSA Regional Secretary, and Nthimotse Pakkies, RETUSA official, to get their perspective on the strike and the workers’ demands. Despite attempts to reach out, Bidvest SACD has not provided a comment.