Julius Malema's new party introduced itself at a press conference in KwaZulu-Natal, President Jacob Zuma's home province.

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EFF-KZN by Giordano Stolley

DURBAN Aug 14 Sapa

EFF ANNOUNCES ITS PRESENCE IN KZN

Julius Malema's new party, the Economic Freedom Fighters, introduced itself at a press conference in KwaZulu-Natal, President Jacob Zuma's home province, on Wednesday.

Mpho Ramakatsa, national co-ordinator for the party whose members address each other as "fighter" and not "comrade", told reporters in Durban that the party already had members across the province.

This was in spite of only releasing membership applications the week before last.

He could not say how many "fighters" had joined, but several members from the organisation's regional, provincial and national "command teams" were present at the press conference.

Ramakatsa, himself a former Umkhonto we Sizwe cadre and former African National Congress member said at the press conference the party did not solely consist of disgruntled ANC members.

He described its members as being opposed to a "military state" that used state institutions to silence its opponents.

Malema, the ANC Youth League's former president, has previously claimed he was expelled from the ruling party for voicing opinions critical of Zuma and his government.

Ramakatsa said the party would campaign everywhere in the province, including Nkandla, where Zuma had his homestead.

Ramakatsa accused the country's political leaders of using the South African Revenue Service (Sars) to achieve its aims.

"Sars is being used by those in power to deal with its opponents," he said.

He questioned why Sars became so efficient in dealing with Malema only after he was expelled from the ANC. He said a number of other people in the EFF, including himself, had recently received letters from Sars enquiring into their business affairs.

"Sars is being used to victimise EFF," he claimed.

Reggie Ncgobo, the EFF's KwaZulu-Natal co-ordinator read a statement highlighting the party's main principles.

These are: the expropriation of land without compensation; the nationalisation of banks, mines and other strategic sectors of the economy without compensation; improving the state's ability to create infrastructure to eliminate the need for tenders; free education, housing, healthcare and sanitation; industrialisation, job creation and the elimination of the wage gap between rich and poor; development of the African economy; and an open, corruption-free government without fear of victimisation by state agencies.

Sipho Mbata, another member of the EFF's "national command team", said that since the country's first inclusive elections in 1994, both the ANC and the Pan Africanist Congress had been silent on the question of land.

Sapa

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08/14/13 15-20

KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Weziwe Thusi expressed shock at the rape of two women in Groutville near KwaDukuza.

Durban - KwaZulu-Natal social development MEC Weziwe Thusi expressed shock on Wednesday at the rape of two women in Groutville near KwaDukuza.

Thusi said it was shocking that incidents such as this happened as the country celebrated women's month.

“These attacks undermine our efforts to raise awareness about women's rights and human rights in general,” she said in a statement.

In the early hours of Monday, a 72-year-old man was shot dead while his daughter and granddaughter were raped.

The man was apparently trying to help the women when he was killed.

Thusi urged police to leave no stone unturned to ensure the perpetrators were arrested and jailed.

Social workers were sent to the family to help with trauma counselling.

The MEC also welcomed the arrest of five men accused of killing an 81-year-old man in Bulwer, in southern KwaZulu-Natal.

The man was found murdered and locked in the boot of his car at the weekend.

“(These arrests) show that police are serious about ending attacks on the elderly. We hope these arrests will send a message to would-be robbers that they have no place in our society,” she said.

Sapa

Two KwaZulu-Natal men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for rape.

Durban - Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for rape, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Wednesday.

On Monday, Nhlanhla Dlamini, 19, was sentenced in the KwaDukuza Regional Court to life imprisonment, for raping a 10-year-old girl in March, said Colonel Vincent Mdunge.

Dlamini invited the girl and her friend for something to drink at his house.

“While they were drinking, he poured alcohol into her drink and forced her to finish it. Her friend ran away.”

Dlamini dragged the girl into nearby bushes where he repeatedly raped her.

On Tuesday, the same court convicted and sentenced 22-year-old Mfanafuthi Ntombela to 45 years imprisonment on three counts of rape, said Mdunge.

Ntombela dragged women into bushes or sugar cane fields and raped them. The rapes were committed in 2009 and 2012.

Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended police for the thorough investigations that led to the men's arrest.

“This is a victory to the SAPS especially in women's month.”

Sapa

A Verulam man stabbed his mother to death after she scolded him for drinking and reneged on a promise to give him money.

Pietermaritzburg - A Verulam man stabbed his mother to death after she scolded him for drinking and reneged on a promise to give him money, he told the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday.

Thandaxolo Khumalo, 27, said he was angry, went to his mother's kitchen and fetched a knife which he used to stab her several times on a day in July this year.

He left his fatally injured mother, Thokozile Khumalo, 70, on the floor of her house and fled when he realised what he had done, he said. She died later. He tried to hide clues to his actions by burning his bloodied clothes.

Khumalo said he acted out of anger. According to the post-mortem report she was stabbed in both lungs, her liver, face, and upper arm. She also had bruises on her face.

Acting Judge Enthias Xolo convicted him of the murder.

Sentencing procedures start on Thursday.

Sapa

KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela signed an agreement setting out how investigations of provincial cabinet members and department heads would be handled.

Pietermaritzburg - KwaZulu-Natal premier Zweli Mkhize and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela signed an agreement in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday, setting out how investigations of provincial cabinet members and department heads would be handled.

Madonsela said this would “expedite investigation processes in cases involving high-ranking officials and office bearers in the provincial government”.

Speaking during a meeting with the provincial cabinet, she said: “The protocol should be with all the provinces and municipalities because it ensures that timelines for responding to problems are set out clearly, which is important so that people do not lose hope that their plight is getting inadequate attention.”

Part of the agreement is that investigations should be completed within two months.

All complaints against heads of department and MECs would in future be directed to the director-general in the Office of the Premier, who has to acknowledge receipt of any complaints within five working days.

A written report has to be submitted to Madonsela's office within three weeks of such an inquiry.

A further two weeks is provided if Madonsela believes the director general's report is inadequate.

Mkhize said it was important for government and Chapter 9

institutions such as the Public Protector to work well together.

“What is good about the agreement is that it allows for better communication between the two structures helping in avoiding any misunderstanding,” said Mkhize.

Before her meeting with the cabinet, the Public Protector and her team carried out an unannounced visit to Edendale hospital on Wednesday and also met members of the public.

She used Wednesday’s meeting to report back to the provincial cabinet on all the issues observed and raised during her surprise visit to Edendale Hospital and meeting the community of Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday.

Sapa

Emergency Medical Rescue Services did not receive a letter asking for assistance with a deadly KZN job recruitment fitness test last year, an inquiry heard.

Pietermaritzburg - Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) could not properly prepare for a deadly KwaZulu-Natal job recruitment fitness test last year, an inquiry heard on Thursday.

It never received a formal letter asking for its help, EMRS provincial operations manager Muzikayise Mabaso said in Pietermaritzburg.

“I waited for the letter, I did not receive the letter,” he said.

“For us to allocate resources we need to determine the nature, activities and risk assessment, so that we can deploy appropriate resources for that event.”

Mabaso was testifying before a commission of inquiry into eight deaths during a provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) fitness test in December. The victims took part in a four-kilometre run at the city's Harry Gwala Stadium. The test formed part of a fitness test for RTI job applicants.

More than 34 000 people qualified to apply for 90 advertised RTI trainee posts. Of these, 15 600 attended a fitness test on December 27, and a similar number on December 28.

Mabaso was asked on Thursday about communication he had with a transport department official known as Mr Sithole. Mabaso said he told Sithole over the telephone on December 20 to write a formal letter asking for help for the fitness test for planning purposes.

Sithole called Mabaso on December 24, saying he did not have time to write the letter, but asked for two ambulances to be at the stadium. Two ambulances were sent on the morning of December 27 but did not enter the stadium because people had already collapsed outside the venue.

More resources were then sent, Mabaso said.

Mabaso said the transport department did not tell him how many people would participate in the fitness test and the activities that would take place.

Ravenda Padayachee, for the transport department, said it was unacceptable for someone in Mabaso's position not to ask Sithole the number of participants and if there would be enough water at the stadium.

“I do not take responsibility for their (RTI's) planning,” Mabaso said.

“My understanding is that RTI is the custodian of the law. In most of the planning meetings RTI is represented. My understanding is they fully understand how to plan for an event,” Mabaso said.

The inquiry continues on Monday.

Sapa

hree vehicles belonging to former uMgungundhlovu district municipality councillor Lucky Moloi were seized by the State.

Durban - Three vehicles belonging to former uMgungundhlovu district municipality councillor Lucky Moloi were seized by the State on Thursday.

This was ahead of Moloi being sentenced in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court on Friday after being found guilty of corruption in March.

Prosecutor Makosi Mnthembu asked magistrate Jac Jordaan in court on Thursday to impose a sentence of a minimum of five years in prison on Moloi.

Moloi was convicted of receiving a “commission” of R200 000 from a property seller for recommending and approving the sale of a Pietermaritzburg property to the district municipality in October 2003

Taking inflation into account, it was calculated the value of the proceeds from Moloi's unlawful activity would be worth around R343 000 today.

Moloi's seized vehicles were two Mercedes-Benz worth R60 000

each, and a bakkie also worth R60 000.

Mnthembu said Moloi had been a prominent politician elected to be a trustee for the people, especially the poor, but had abused his position.

Sapa

A man was killed and three others injured, after a car hit a tree in Phoenix near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal paramedics said.

Durban - A man was killed and three others injured, after a car hit a tree in Phoenix near Durban on Friday, KwaZulu-Natal paramedics said.

Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said it was unclear how the accident happened.

When they arrived on the scene, paramedics found that a man had died and some people were trapped in the wreckage, Botha said.

“(A) critically injured man was placed on a ventilator at the scene and… transported to the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital for specialised care that he required,” Botha said in a statement.

Two seriously injured patients were stabilised before taken to a nearby hospital.

Botha said police would investigate the cause of the accident. - Sapa

A KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of an ANC councillor who was shot dead in Ulundi.

Durban - A KwaZulu-Natal man has been arrested in connection with the murder of an ANC councillor who was shot dead in Ulundi, police said on Friday.

“The suspect, 35, was arrested at KwaMashu men's hostel last night (Thursday) after police followed up information about his whereabouts,” Colonel Vincent Mdunge said.

He would appear in the Mahlabathini Magistrate's Court on Monday on murder charges.

On Sunday, African National Congress councillor Makhosonke Msibi, 47, was shot and killed in his home in Ulundi.

Police said a man knocked at the door soon after the councillor had returned home from a meeting in Nongoma. His son opened the door and a man asked to see the councillor.

“The man fired shots at him when he emerged. He tried to run into his bedroom but it was too late... he suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene.”

The motive for the shooting was not known.

The provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni commended the speedy arrest. - Sapa

Investors who bought shares in a company that claimed to have patented a Aids nutrition pack want their money back.

Durban - South African and British investors who bought R70 million in shares in a Durban company that claimed to have patented a “life-changing” Aids nutrition pack, have gone to court accusing the directors of lying and stealing their money.

In what is believed to be the first case of its kind in South Africa, the shareholders are asking the Durban High Court for permission to liquidate Edge to Edge Global Investments, a public company. They allege the directors, Durban couple John and Kathy Ellis and Jan Louw of Pretoria, have “acted in a manner that is fraudulent or otherwise illegal” and accuse them of “misapplying or wasting” assets.

While they accept they have probably seen the last of their money, they say they want a liquidator to probe what happened to it and they want to stop Ellis and Louw from “duping” others.

The shareholders say they believed assurances that the company had the patent on the water-purifying drops in the pack and that their money was to be used in clinical testing to be carried out in Abidjan by Nobel Prize winner Luc Montagnier, credited with the discovery of HIV.

The agreement with Montagnier and a distribution agreement with the Africa Forum was professionally bound in a white book and was presented with a flourish at dozens of meetings in upmarket-coffee shops in uMhlanga and Pretoria. But, the shareholders say, no clinical trials have been done and a British company had the patent for the water drops.

Leading the charge in the urgent application - which was adjourned by Judge Trevor Gorven on Thursday to allow Edge to Edge to file opposing papers - is Tony Pinfold, chairman of Great Wall Motors (GWM) South Africa, who says he invested R8.4m in the company.

Fellow shareholders include controversial businessman Jabulani Mabaso - recently acquitted on government fraud charges - who invested R650 000 and a London businessman, Simon Moxon, who says he introduced Ellis and Louw to many other “leading figures” in the British capital, resulting in an estimated investment of £1.2m (R18.5m).

They all say they invested on the strength of assurances by Ellis and Louw that the money would be used to undertake the clinical trials, list the company on stock exchanges and grow the business.

A key component of the “immunity supplement combo pack” was the “blue gold” water-purification drops. Pinfold alleges he was told that Edge to Edge had a 50 percent shareholding in Blue Gold Water and Chemicals, which owned the patent for the drops.

He had since discovered this was not true.

Pinfold said when the promised period for the completion of the clinical trials ended in December, he realised something was “seriously amiss” and discovered that the company no longer occupied its premises, was trading without a company secretary, owed staff more than R2m, and was being pursued by the taxman for R15m.

Meanwhile, shareholder recruitment was continuing unabated at “coffee shop meetings”.

Pinfold said at the time that he bought the shares he had been unaware that Ellis had three previous convictions, now expunged, and that Louw had a 2001 judgment against him for R200m.

He said he did not make “serious allegations of fraud” against the directors lightly and had given them every opportunity to explain their conduct. But they had engaged in delaying tactics and obfuscation, including refusing to answer a list of 31 questions raised in a letter sent last month.

A “face to face” meeting to be attended by all shareholders, including those from England, was cancelled at the last minute.

Pinfold said it emerged that there had been no genuine intention that it take place because the venue, the Durban Country Club, advised that Ellis had cancelled the booking the week before, citing the death of “one of the presenters”.

Pinfold said last week Ellis and his wife had sent an e-mail to shareholders advising that “in light of the accusations and questions” they would be calling in their loan accounts in the company totalling R40m, claiming they had funded the company over 10 years.

“They rely on (former employee and chartered accountant) Jennifer Etchells to confirm what they state, but she is one of the applicants in this matter and does not agree or support their version… they do not explain where the alleged loan accounts come from,” he said.

“They could only have come from converting investors’ money into loan accounts.”

In a letter attached to court documents, a businessman said he had recently been pressured by Louw to purchase shares for R10m.

A shareholder, surgeon Dr Tommie Meyer, of Centurion, said that in June, Louw had offered him more shares for R5 each.

“He said after Montagnier’s research, this is a total cure for Aids, that he foresees that shares will be worth R100,” Meyer said.

“He said the company would be listing on the London, New York and Johannesburg stock exchanges.”

Tina Halstead, the attorney acting for the shareholders, told The Mercury they also intended to lay criminal charges.

“My clients would have liked to have seen the clinical trials completed because they believe the product has the potential to elevate the standard of living for those with HIV.

“They have accepted while they will in all likelihood never recover their investments they are not prepared to sit back and watch Ellis and Louw continue to live extravagant lifestyles,” she said.

The matter will be back in court next week.

tania.broughton@inl.co.za

The Mercury

Shareholders of Edge to Edge Global Investment Pty Ltd want a liquidator to probe what happened to the money they invested.

Durban - “What has happened to the money?” This is the question shareholders of Edge to Edge Global Investment Pty Ltd want a liquidator to probe because, they say, it is clear the company has very few assets - but a lot of liabilities.

Jennifer Etchells, a chartered accountant who worked for the company and who is also a shareholder, says in her affidavit in support of the court application that the company has only ever sold about 15 nutrition packs - consisting of porridge, nutritional supplements and water purifying drops - and generated no real trade income.

She said it would seem the company was insolvent and the only source of future revenue would be from further loans or investments.

She estimates debts of about R20 million - excluding any claims from shareholders - and says even though she left the company in March she is being “hounded” by Sars officials for money owing.

With regards to lifestyle, Etchells has attached an invoice from a wedding organiser reflecting that the company paid R1.4m for a wedding for director John Ellis’s daughter last year.

“This excluded the cost of the photographer, liquor, and wedding dresses which were made in London, plus various flights with family members to have the bridesmaids’ and wedding dresses fitted in London. It seems the cost of food was also not included in the invoice.

“Ellis stated to me that the wedding had cost in excess of R2.4m. He even caused to be built a whole new toilet and bathroom facility in the garden of his property in Marriott Road and installed toilets, as his daughter did not want her guests using porta loos and the toilets in the house were not enough for the number of guests invited,” she said.

Shareholder Tony Pinfold says in his affidavit that the directors enjoyed an “extraordinary high and expensive standard of living”, taking frequent trips overseas.

While Ellis lives in a house in Gladys Mazibuko (Marriott) Road, bought for R8.9m, it has a R6m bond over it and is registered in the name of the Ellis Family Trust, which also holds two sectional title units with large bonds. There are recent judgments against these properties.

There is nothing registered in Ellis’s or Louw’s name, neither personally, nor in a trust with links to Louw.

According to documents before the court all three former employees are suing for unpaid salaries - Hendrik Stassen for R1.4m, Etchells for almost R1m and Leon du Plessis, for R77 000. Etchells is also suing for a R100 000 loan she gave the company.

According to the court papers, the company’s website has been suspended, its landlord has obtained judgment for non-payment of rent and its moveable assets have been attached.

The Mercury

“The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal commends the police for the arrest of a suspect for the murder of comrade Makhosonke Msibi.”

Durban - The ANC has commended the police's swift response in arresting a man linked to the murder of an ANC councillor in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal.

“The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal commends the police for the arrest of a suspect for the murder of comrade Makhosonke Msibi,” spokesman Sicelo Khuzwayo said on Friday.

The 35-year-old man was taken into custody in the KwaMashu men's hostel on Thursday night, Colonel Vincent Mdunge said.

Khuzwayo said hostels seemed to be a hiding place for criminals and urged police to pay special attention to them.

“In a separate incident, suspects from Ulundi, who are accused of killing the ANC branch leader Cde Sthembiso Ngidi in eThekwini’s ward 75, were hiding in Jacobs hostel last month,” Khuzwayo said.

Msibi's funeral would be on Saturday, he said.

The man would appear in the Mahlabathini Magistrate's Court on Monday on a murder charge.

On Sunday, Msibi, 47, was shot and killed in his home in Ulundi.

Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni also commended the speedy arrest. - Sapa

Eight pupils have been arrested in connection with an apparent vigilante attack on an 18-year-old man, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Durban - Eight school pupils have been arrested in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old man in Umbumbulu on Friday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Aged between 17 and 19, they were taken into custody while at school, Colonel Vincent Mdunge said.

Sanele Phewa was assaulted and stabbed to death on Thursday by boys accusing him of criminal activities at the Sunduzwayo Reserve.

KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Mmamonnye Ngobeni said any form of vigilantism would not be tolerated.

The teenagers would appear in the Umbumbulu Magistrate's Court on Monday, said Mdunge. - Sapa

A Hilton College pupil died after he suffered seizures while hiking in the Drakensberg mountains as part of an excursion.

Durban - Hilton College suffered a second tragedy on Thursday when a Grade 9 pupil suffered multiple seizures while hiking in the Drakensberg mountains as part of a leadership excursion.

Chris Loxton was evacuated from the mountain but suffered further seizures and died early on Friday morning.

Earlier this week another grade 9 pupil, Xilombe Tlakula was seriously injured when a boulder fell on him in the Cathedral Peak area. His arm had to be amputated.

Chris’s Outward Bound group was in Sehlabathebe National Park in Lesotho. It is part of the school’s teamwork initiative.

In a statement released by the school on Friday morning, principal Peter Ducasse said Chris was hiking on the Drakensberg mountain on Thursday afternoon when he had a seizure.

“After specialist medical advice had been sought, a decision was made to evacuate him from the mountains.

“A 4x4 ambulance was dispatched from Underberg to collect the boy and to transfer him to a hospital in Pietermaritzburg,” Ducasse said.

He said Chris was accompanied in the ambulance by two paramedics.

They were Brett Deavin, director of Berg Protection Services and paramedic Aubrey Mweli.

“During the transfer, Chris suffered repeated seizures and his condition deteriorated to such an extent that the medical team was unable to save him.

“Tragically he passed away during the early hours of this morning,” said Ducasse.

On Friday morning the school’s marketing spokesman, Paul Guthrie, told the Daily News their focus was now on their pupils and their families and the school would issue a statement later on Friday.

He said the various groups on excursion were returning on Friday.

Gavin Raubenheimer, Mountain Club of South Africa search and rescue convener, was involved in co-ordinating both rescues.

He said Chris’s group was walking in the Southern Drakensberg far away from Xilombe’s group.

“There were two adults and a group of about nine to 10 boys.

“Two paramedics from the Berg Protection Services in Underberg were also involved,” he said.

Deavin said he and Mweli had been joined by a policeman for the trip to the national park.

Captain Veybrandt Conradie of the SAPS assisted them with getting through the Lesotho border post.

He said Chris had been having seizures throughout the day and right up to the time they picked him up at 8pm on Thursday.

“It normally takes a person a day to reach this destination.

“They were at Sehlabathebe and the terrain is quite rough, worse than Sani Park.

“We had to get special permission from the SAPS and from Lesotho to keep the border posts open.

“We tried to stabilise him, which was quite difficult.

“So we felt our only alternative was to get him to hospital as quickly as possible,” he said.

They left the park at 9pm and were told to take him to the Mediclinic in Pietermaritzburg but decided that the hospital in Kokstad was closer.

According to the school’s website, various year groups, forms one to three, left on Outward Bound excursions on Tuesday to learn about team work, leadership and enjoying the outdoors.

The Form I group stayed in the Valley at the Henley Lapa, the Form IIs were hiking in the Drakensberg and the Form IIIs were at the Spirit of Adventure near the Shongweni Dam.

Also from the school’s website, Chris had been an avid rower and was on the school’s U15 team.

Messages of condolences were already on Twitter on Friday morning.

“My heart bleeds for the Loxton family today and always xxx,” tweeted Ali Mclean.

Andrew Mclean tweeted “RIP Chris Loxton, Hilton Grade 9 boy, son of Stuart & Debbie Loxton.”

“Thoughts and prayers go out from the Hilton family to the Loxtons after their tragic loss,” tweeted Hilton College.

On Wednesday, Chris’s classmate, Xilombe was rescued off the mountain when his arm was partially severed by a falling rock.

The school said Xilombe’s arm was amputated yesterday and that he was in a stable condition.

The group Xilombe was in had been hiking through the Tseke Tseke Pass in Cathedral Peak with two adults and eight boys.

Some of Xilombe’s group had to trek up a pass for about an hour to get a cellphone signal and others stayed behind to support him and tried to stem the bleeding.

Daily News

The KZN government has called on all political parties to exercise tolerance before the 2014 general elections.

Durban - Recent political killings have caused concern among provincial cabinet members, and the KwaZulu-Natal government has called on all parties to exercise tolerance before the general elections next year.

This was in a statement released by the cabinet’s head of communication, Cyril Madlala. He said cabinet members were concerned that the political violence might result in the return of political no-go zones in KZN.

“We encourage each and every one of us to work more towards a peaceful resolution of any differences.”

The statement came after the murder of ANC councillor Makhosonke Msibi in Ulundi at the weekend.

Violence monitor Mary de Haas said she was concerned that there could be more killings in the province as the elections drew closer.

“I can’t predict that there will be a huge increase, but I also won’t contest that there will be violent incidents that will affect people.”

De Haas said although she believed there could be more political violence, it would not necessarily be the same as the province underwent in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Premier Zweli Mkhize said because of the province’s violent past, there were communities that were heavily armed.

Daily News

The body of a troubled Kingsway woman was found behind the Toti Canoe Club building.

Durban - The body of a troubled Kingsway woman was found behind the Toti Canoe Club building on Thursday.

Rikesh Baddalbal, of security company Alpha Alarms, confirmed that a guard had been alerted by a resident and informed the police.

Jolene Jacobs, 24, of Amanzimtoti had been seen leaving the Olies Pub and Grill on Wednesday afternoon.

A car guard, Terence Dimba, 21, said he saw her walking out towards the club building, which is about 100m from the pub, with a bottle and a blanket.

“She sat alone outside the empty building. After my shift ended, she was still sitting there,” he said.

An employee at a nearby bottle store, who did not want to be named, said that Jacobs had tried to commit suicide by jumping off a building on Saturday night, but the police had managed to “calm her down”.

Jackie Branfield, of NGO Operation Bobbi Bear, described Jacobs as a tortured soul who had sought help at the centre on more than one occasion.

The family was too distraught to speak to the Daily News, but said that the police were investigating her death.

Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said that a case had been reported at Amanzimtoti SAPS, but officers were still busy at the scene.

Jacobs leaves behind two children, one boy and a seven-month-old baby girl.

nkululeko.nene@inl.co.za

Daily News

Pietermaritzburg police have warned residents against con-artists who swindle victims out of their cash with the promise of enormous returns.

Pietermaritzburg - Police have warned Pietermaritzburg residents to beware of confidence tricksters who swindle their victims, sometimes out of their life savings, with the promise of enormous returns.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Joey Jeevan confirmed Pietermaritzburg detectives were investigating several cases involving millions of rands.

The most recent victim, a 55-year old man, was approached by a smooth-talking conman in Church Street. The man was handed a pamphlet.

“The victim contacted the person whose number is on the pamphlet with the aim of requiring assistance with an injury he sustained years ago,” Jeevan said.

An appointment was set up and the victim was told to be at offices in Theatre Lane in the CBD. He was directed to a dark room and was told that his ancestors would speak to him.

It is alleged that the victim’s “ancestors” told him to hand over his pension money to the suspects and he would be rewarded with R5 million.

The victim apparently withdrew his R700 000 pension and handed it over to the con artists.

It was the last he heard from them and on returning to their offices he discovered the building was empty and the suspects had disappeared.

The con artists also tell victims they will help them with injuries, problematic relationships and financial problems in return for cash.

Police believe that others may have also fallen victim to the scamsters, who were believed to be operating in the Pietermaritzburg area.

Police have appealed to anyone who may have fallen victim to such scams, or who have information that can assist police in their investigations, to contact the SAPS Pietermaritzburg detectives at 033 845 2400/2442 or visit them at the police station.

Daily News

A construction worker was killed when he and a colleague were buried after a sandbank collapsed at a church in Redhill.

Durban - A construction worker was killed on Thursday when he and a colleague were buried after a sandbank collapsed at a church building site in Redhill.

The surviving worker was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to Addington Hospital.

Jay Kanniappen, divisional commander for the Durban North Fire Department, said when they were called out to the New Covenant Fellowship church, they were under the impression that there had been a structural collapse.

When they got there, they found a dead man, his injured colleague and a group of shocked construction workers.

“Apparently, the two men had been digging a trench that was 3m to 5m deep next to a sandbank when it suddenly collapsed and buried them,” he said.

Other workers had rushed to dig the two men out of the sand but it was moist and heavy, Kanniappen said.

“The workers had managed to pull both their colleagues out and moved them from the danger zone but, unfortunately one of them died as a result of the incident.”

Kanniappen said he had stopped all work at the site, where a parking lot and offices were being built.

All the necessary authorities had been called to the site, he said.

“The co-workers who were still in shock received a trauma debriefing at the site. It was a very sad moment,” he said.

The Daily News was not allowed on to the church premises but workers were seen sitting at the construction site, not far from their colleague’s body, which had been covered.

The woman who answered the phone at the church said the pastors were not taking calls as they were traumatised by what had happened.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Labour spokesman, Nhlanhla Khumalo, said officials would be working to ascertain the cause of the accident.

“The department’s officials attended to the construction site and the (work) prohibition notice was served,” he said.

Khumalo said a comprehensive report on the incident would be released to all the affected parties.

George Watt, of Avalon Steel Projects, the contractor working on the project, said they would only be able to determine what had gone wrong once a team had visited the site today.

The Sunday Tribune reported this week that the construction of the parking lot had not been authorised and that a notice had been issued to the owner of the property requesting that plans be submitted to local authorities for consideration in terms of building regulations.

The Daily News was unable to confirm last night whether the building plans had since been submitted.

Police spokesman, Colonel Vincent Mdunge, said an inquest docket had been opened.

Daily News

Three security guards who allegedly colluded with robbers and a traditional healer to rob a pension-payout point are to appear in court.

Durban - Three security guards who allegedly colluded with a gang of robbers and a traditional healer to rob a pension payout point were due to appear in court on Friday with their co-accused.

Security guards Gelaphi Ndaba and Mbhasobhi Gumbi, both 41, and Patrick Ngema, 43, were arrested on Tuesday while they were at work in Mkhuze in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

On Friday they were expected to be joined in court by a traditional healer and another suspect, arrested last month.

A sixth suspect was killed in a shoot-out with police in Gauteng last month.

The five face charges of armed robbery and carjacking, and the arrested inyanga (traditional healer) faces additional charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The arrests follow a robbery last month in the Mbazwana area, east of Sodwana Bay.

At about 7.30am on July 18, a gang of about 10 men accosted four security guards at a pension payout point in the Mbazwana area.

At gunpoint, they disarmed the guards before taking an undisclosed amount of cash.

The men hijacked a Toyota Hilux in the vicinity and used that and their Ford Courier as getaway vehicles. The two vehicles were later found abandoned in the area.

A case of armed robbery and carjacking was opened at Mbazwana police station and the case was handed to the Richards Bay Organised Crime Unit (OCU).

The unit made a breakthrough when the first suspect, Philani Madondo, 37, was arrested in Gauteng on July 31.

On August 5, OCU members arrested inyanga Mahlalezweni Joseph Tembe, 43, near Jozini.

They had received information about a local traditional healer who had allegedly harboured robbers in his house the night before the pension point hold-up.

The inyanga was allegedly found in possession of the three rifles that were taken from the guards during the robbery.

Daily News

A KZN man may face plastic surgery, skin grafts and physiotherapy after being mauled by his neighbour's pitbulls.

Durban - A Verulam man may have to undergo plastic surgery, skin grafts and physiotherapy after he was mauled by his neighbour’s pitbulls early on Wednesday morning.

Speaking from his Osindisweni Hospital bed, Rishaan Singh, 23, said he had arrived home from a friend’s house when the attack happened.

“I parked my car at the bottom of the embankment of my apartment. Both the dogs were at the top, growling.

“They suddenly ran down. There was no barking. They just attacked me.”

Singh tried to fight the dogs off for about 10 minutes, while shouting for the owners’ attention.

“I tried to fight but as I got one off the other would come back at me. I put my hands up to block them and they bit my hands. Luckily they didn’t reach my head or they would have crushed my skull. I had a pocket knife but couldn’t get it open so I punched and kicked but they wouldn’t let go.”

Even though Singh was wearing takkies, the dogs managed to bite through the shoes.

Singh’s mother and surrounding neighbours awoke to his shouts and, as they came out the apartment block, the dogs ran off down the road.

“My mother hit them with a stick and they tried to go for her but more people came out and they ran away. If the people hadn’t arrived I wouldn’t be alive today.”

Singh said the owner came out about 10 minutes after the attack but wasn’t particularly helpful.

Singh claimed the dogs were locked up for months at a time which only adds to their aggression.

“The owner did say he would try to help pay for the medical bills but we haven’t heard anything.”

Suren Balram of the Trans Natal Flying Squad was the first on the scene at the Mountview residence.

“I arrived at about 12.30am and walked up the stairs where there was just a trail of blood. The young man was bleeding profusely. He was in a state of shock and was losing consciousness.”

Balram had a first-aid kit on hand and bandaged up the open wounds on Singh’s, legs, shoulders and feet.

He said this wasn’t the first time he’d been called out because of attacks by the same dogs. Last year Balram was called out when they killed another neighbour’s dog.

He claimed they also attacked a man passing by leaving him badly injured.

Balram said the owner of the pitbulls was on the scene at the time of the attack but did not show any remorse.

“He has a male and female dog as well a number of pups upstairs in his apartment. He breeds them.”

On arrival, Balram said the dogs were nowhere to be seen, and when asked, the owner replied that they’d disappeared.

The victim was taken Osindisweni Hospital in the Buffelsdraai area where he will remain for five days.

“I visited him in hospital yesterday. The lacerations from the attack are approximately 8cm deep and up to 12 to 15cm long. Two of his fingers are not functioning and the doctors said he will have to go for plastic surgery.”

The owner of the dogs, Clement Chetty, said because a number of cars had been broken into in the area, he’d let his dogs out for protection at night. He said the dogs were “basically harmless” and this was the first person they’d attacked.

Chetty said ultimately the dogs had done what they were supposed to do, although he was sorry it had happened to his neighbour. He said he didn’t see the incident and that Balram had not attended to Singh but “just stood there, he didn’t do anything”.

“I was going to put the dogs down but I treat my dogs like my children and have decided to give them to a farm owner in Inanda.”

He said these dogs were not thoroughbred but rather pitbull/German shepherd crosses. He denied ever having bred dogs but said he had previously had a mix of other dogs which he’d since given away.

Chetty said he’d been charged with assault after a close friend and himself got into an altercation over their dogs.

“He had boerboels and tried to make them fight my dogs. He hit my dogs and I assaulted him so he pressed charges.”

He confirmed that the SPCA had been to his home, but said it was for “routine checks”.

“I’m not allowed to have more than three dogs which is why I gave the others away. Now I will have no dogs.”

Regarding Singh’s medical bills, Chetty said he was in contact with the family and they were awaiting blood tests.

lauren.anthony@inl.co.za

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