Post Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Family injured in crossfire Husband shot in the head, pregnant wife’s leg amputated CHARLENE SOMDUTH “Their lives were just taking shape and then this had to happen Rehana Mahomed Mother of pregnant victim AN OVERPORT couple’s lives were taking shape until they were caught in the crossfire of a shoot-out between the police and hijackers last Thursday night. Omar Ismail, 30, an employee at an accounting firm, has a bullet lodged in his head. His pregnant wife, Asma, 26, a medical technologist, had to have her leg amputated. Their 21-month-old daughter, Yusraa, was also injured. The shoot-out happened about two minutes away from their home in Sheringham Road. Asma was in the back seat of their VW Jetta with Yusraa when the shootout started. She was shot in both of…

ALL DRESSED UP, NOWHERE TO GO IN FEBRUARY, the theme for this year’s Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) was announced and soon afterwards Kevin and Neloshini Naidu, of KwaDukuza, designed their outfits. But they will not be able to wear their butterfly-inspired attire to the annual event at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday. The 124th edition of VDJ will be held behind closed doors because of the lockdown and the rise in Covid-19 infections. The Naidus have, instead, opted to dress up and watch the races on television at home. WARREN MOODLIAR Fine Art Photography…

‘Covid-19’ care facility plan upsets residents NADIA KHAN RESIDENTS in Sherwood are unsettled after they heard that a home in the suburb would be converted into a care facility for Covid-19 patients. The property is owned by the IMA Baytul Nur Trust, which falls under the Islamic Medical Association of SA. The trust has allowed the Muslim Relief Alliance KwaZulu-Natal (MRA-KZN) to use the premises for its respiratory support project. The alliance is a co-ordinating platform for various NGOs interested in providing humanitarian relief. On Sunday, a neighbouring resident claimed he overheard two people discussing using the home as a Covid-19 care facility. The resident then sent a message to the suburb’s WhatsApp group administrator who alerted the community. That evening, residents went to the property to make enquiries. Shuayba…

Saddled with lockdown, VDJ fans unfazed Will still dress up but cocoon at home NADIA KHAN Supplied DESPITE fashionistas and punters not being able to fill the grandstands at the Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, many will enjoy the races in designer wear at home. The event will be held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 lockdown and televised on DStv and Tellytrack. The fashion shows will be live-streamed on social media. This year’s theme – announced in February before the lockdown – is “Butterflies”. Logie Naidoo, the former speaker of eThekwini Municipality, has attended the VDJ for 25 years. He said he would continue with the annual tradition and get dressed up. Naidoo intends to wear a light pink suit with a matching butterfly…

SOQRAT SHANGOS WITH SILVANO’S PRIDE With Vodacom Durban July fever sweeping the country despite the Covid-19 lockdown, Anand Jay, of Phoenix, provides an adventure story to this year’s line-up which includes the two reserves, Tristful and Hero’s Honour SOLDIERS of fortune and adventurers Got The Greenlight after the Duke of Belgarion announced in the Golden Ducat Magazine that whoever rescued his kidnapped son would be rewarded with a Tristful of Miyabi Gold and his only daughter’s hand in marriage. She had her audiences eating out of her hand whenever she performed the Divine Odyssey at the Bunker Hunt Festival. Hordes of hopefuls ranged from Capoeira to Tierra Del Fuego – but their best efforts were in vain. Even the world-renowned psychic, Padre Pio, eventually threw in the towel. Just as…

A DIFFERENT, BUT VERY EXCITING, DAY OF RACING ESHLIN VEDAN THE 124th edition of the Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) on Saturday will be marked differently from previous years. Because of the global Covid-19 crisis, there will be no crowd or carnival-like festivities. The VDJ nevertheless promises to bring an exciting day of horse racing to Greyville Racecourse. Justin Snaith, a veteran horseman, has five horses lined up for the event and Do It Again will be aiming to record a third successive victory. Andrew Harrison, publishing manager for Gold Circle, said although this year’s VDJ would be a strange event because of the absence of crowds, this would not detract from the quality of the racing. Harrison noted that Do it Again had not been in the best form recently,…