Post Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Billions needed to fix water system Total infrastructure collapse likely: DA JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za A FEW weeks ago, it was Chatsworth. Now residents in some parts of Verulam have been without water for 14 days. If the DA is to be believed, it is an eventuality for everyone living in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the DA, the infrastructure in the province is collapsing and KZN needs about R4 billion just to address the water backlogs. The province needs a further R100 billion to modernise the water system. The figure emerged after Chris Pappas, a DA MP, formally requested a figure on what it would cost to fix the problem from Sipho Hlomuka, the KZN MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). In his response, Hlomuka recognised the “dire state of…

FAMILIES ARE STILL IN PAIN Slain officers remembered 25 years on NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za TWENTY-FIVE years have passed but the families of the three Pietermaritzburg policemen who were killed while pursuing escaped criminals say the pain will never subside. March 17 marked the anniversary of the deaths of Captain Lurantheran Krishnaswami Pillay and Sergeant Dasaraj Naidoo, both 33, and Captain Nilenthran Naidoo, 31, all of Mountain Rise SAPS. They were ambushed and shot several times while travelling in a police minibus in Magoda, Richmond. They were searching for suspects who had escaped from the Mountain Rise police cells the night before. Pillay and Dasaraj Naidoo died at the scene. Nilenthran Naidoo died in hospital a few hours later. Two other officers, who were also present during the search, escaped without…

‘DARK TIME FOR POLICE’ Cele calls for harsher punishment NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SINCE last month, 10 police officers – on and off duty – have been killed nationally, according to the Police Ministry. Among them were five policemen from KwaZulu-Natal. On February 18, Constable Mfihloyakhe Royal Ndlovu, 45, of the Chatsworth SAPS, was shot in the chest while he and a colleague were responding to a domestic violence dispute in Welbedacht East. He died at the scene. On February 21, Sergeant Makhosaze Mdlangathi and Sergeant Mfikelwa Mtolo, of the Plessislaer and Richmond police stations respectively, were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen in Taylor’s Halt in the uMgungundlovu District. On March 4, Detective Captain Sam Nyawose, 55, of the Umkomaas detective branch, was shot while en route to work in…

DANGEROUS CAREER PATH ‘I fear for my life’ SAPS members tell why they joined the force and what the government can do to improve their working conditions. A constable, 30, of Pietermaritzburg, said he joined the SAPS in 2009. “I believe everyone has a calling, and for me it was to serve and protect my country. After I matriculated, I joined the police force and have since attained my Bachelor’s degree in policing. This is not just a job, but a career. I am passionate about what I do.” The married father-of-one said criminals had become more brazen over the years. “They are using high-calibre weapons and have no mercy. They have the stance: shoot to kill. I lost my friend and colleague at the hands of suspects and he…

DA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS Candidates promise delivery CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE DA will host its provincial congress, held every three years, at the Durban ICC on Saturday. The leadership positions will be contested by Nicole Graham, Emmanuel Mhlongo and Francois Rodgers. Samier Singh, the proportional representative (PR) councillor for ward 52, will contest for the position of deputy leader in the province, alongside councillors Christopher John Pappas and Hlengiwe Precious Shozi. The provincial chairperson candidates are Dean Macpherson and Bongumusa Nhlabathi. Shehana Kajee, the chairperson of the DA Women's Network; Marlaine Nair, the PR ward councillor for the West Durban Constituency; and Sagar Singh, the PR councillor for Reservoir Hills, are contesting for provincial deputy chairperson. The other candidates are Joseph Ngema, Sithembiso Ngema, Elma Rabe and Jacobus Theron. Singh, 40,…

LOOKING FOR COMMON GROUND Mogoeng turns down meeting request CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE Office of the Chief Justice of South Africa has turned down a meeting with #Africa4Palestine. In June last year, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng featured on a webinar hosted by the Jerusalem Post, alongside Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein. In the online programme, Justice Mogoeng expressed what some interpreted as his love for Israel. He also criticised the ANC for its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Africa4Palestine, formerly the South African Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Coalition, reported Justice Mogoeng to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), whose role is to investigate complaints about judicial officers. He was reported on the basis that a judge should not become involved in political controversy or activity. In the complaint, the group said his…