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The Citizen
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
DA takes eThekwini municipality to court over sewage crisis
The DA is taking eThekwini municipality to court over years of sewage spills, failed service delivery and crumbling coastal infrastructure. The case will be heard in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday and Friday, July 25 and 26, with a public protest planned outside the courthouse. A years-long sewage crisis has plagued communities, damaging tourism, the environment and public health. The DA, which is fully funding the civil suit, is urging residents to join the protest and demand accountability for environmental degradation and the collapse of public amenities. Provincial leader Francois Rodgers MPL, provincial chairperson Dean Macpherson MP, and DA eThekwini caucus leader councillor Thabani Mthethwa will lead the demonstration. 'This case centres on the inability of the ANC-IFP-EFF-run municipality to implement a turnaround plan to fix infrastructure issues and comply with environmental directives from both national and provincial government,' said Macpherson. 'We will hold the failed ANC-IFP-EFF-run eThekwini municipality accountable for the terrible state of service delivery in the city.' Communities such as Umdloti, Tongaat, La Mercy, Mount Moreland, and Westbrook have endured years of sewage spills and infrastructure neglect. Umdloti and Westbrook have suffered the worst effects, with unsafe beaches impacting tourism, the environment and public health. DA Ward 58 councillor Geoff Pullen highlighted the environmental and economic toll. 'We have a sewerage crisis in eThekwini,' Pullen told the Courier. 'We have lost all our Blue Flag beaches due to E. coli contamination from poorly maintained sewer works.' In 2020/21, 12 eThekwini beaches, including Westbrook Beach, Umdloti Tidal Pool and Umdloti Main Beach, held Blue Flag status. Today, none remain. Pullen emphasised the blow to tourism caused by pollution. READ MORE: Sewage spill nightmare in Tongaat | North Coast Courier 'Just think how many tourism jobs we are losing because our sea is polluted. The DA is keen to get our sewerage works functioning properly,' he said. The office of eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba could not be reached for comment. However, in a July 8 blog post on the eThekwini Municipality's website titled Enhancing Service Delivery Remains a Goal, Xaba acknowledged the issue. 'We are also responsible for reticulating sewage without spillage and for treating and discharging sewage at an acceptable quality,' wrote the mayor. READ MORE: Sewage spill in Umdloti blamed on sand infiltration and budget constraints | North Coast Courier Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- The Citizen
KZN father accused of beating daughter (8) to death
A 34-year-old father has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of his eight-year-old daughter in the Wosiyane area of Ndwedwe in KZN. According to police, the man allegedly assaulted his daughter with a belt while teaching her the alphabet in her bedroom last Thursday. North Coast Courier reports that the child reportedly suffered multiple injuries and bruises to her body as a result of the beating. Paramedics were called to the scene but were unable to save the girl. She was declared dead on the scene. The father was arrested at the scene and is expected to appear in court soon. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
KwaDukuza municipal official accused of attacking wife with hammer
KwaDukuza municipal official accused of attacking wife with hammer A woman is in a coma after a KwaDukuza official, her husband, allegedly beat her with a hammer during a domestic dispute. North Coast Courier reports Mlekeleli Gcabashe, a senior official at the KwaDukuza Municipality and former sub-region secretary, has been charged with attempted murder and remains in custody following his court appearance on Friday. The alleged assault occurred on Wednesday at a flat in KwaDukuza. The victim, who is also employed by the municipality, reportedly suffered multiple blows to the head and is currently in a coma in hospital. It is further alleged that another man who tried to intervene during the incident was also attacked by Gcabashe with the same weapon. Appearing in the KwaDukuza Magistrate's Court with a bandaged hand, Gcabashe claimed through his attorney that he was injured and required medical attention. The court remanded him in custody. He is expected to appear again next Friday. KwaDukuza Municipality had not released an official statement at the time of publication. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
KZN boy scalded with boiling water, sister assaulted: Uncle to appear in court
KZN boy scalded with boiling water, sister assaulted: Uncle to appear in court A 27-year-old man has been arrested following a violent domestic incident in Nyoni (Mandeni), KZN, on Saturday during which an 18-year-old girl was assaulted and her eight-year-old brother scalded with boiling water. The North Coast Courier reports that, according to iLembe SAPS spokesperson Priya Nunkumar-Bukum, the man – who is the children's uncle – became involved in an argument with the siblings before they were attacked, allegedly by him. 'The eight-year-old was scalded with boiling water and taken to a local clinic for treatment,' said Nunkumar-Bukum. The man was arrested shortly after the incident and is facing charges of attempted murder and assault. He is expected to appear in the Nyoni Magistrate's Court in due course. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Family scammed out of R15K in KZN holiday booking con
Fraudsters targeting holidaymakers are becoming increasingly effective at leveraging online platforms for their scams. North Coast Courier reports that this is according to the acting chairperson of the Umhlali Policing Forum, Josha Daniel, who says reports to Umhlali SAPS, of scam-related incidents, are on the rise, averaging two per week. 'We are seeing everything from fake pet sales to fraudulent Airbnb-style listings and investment cons,' says Daniel. 'Scammers are using social media and fake websites to trick people into making payments for services that don't exist.' One recent case in Tinley Manor saw a Hilton family of 13 scammed out of more than R15 000. According to Michelle Wilkstrom, who made the booking, everything seemed to be above board as she found the accommodation through what she believed to be a reputable platform. After making payment and receiving booking confirmation, her family got ready for the weekend away and made the trip. 'When we arrived at the accommodation on June 14 to book in, there was no caretaker as promised to open,' says Wilkstrom. The caretaker of a neighbouring property eventually responded to their calls and asked what was happening. 'We advised we were there to book in for the long weekend. He told us there was someone that had been staying there for two weeks already.' After getting in touch with the legitimate property owner, they said there was no record of the booking. The property owner claimed that their email and banking details had been hacked and that Wilkstrom had dealt with a scammer. Wilkstrom opened a case of fraud at Hilton SAPS and the investigation is ongoing. Daniel urged property owners and letting platforms to strengthen verification processes and advised consumers to be cautious when booking online. 'The property sector, particularly in short-term letting, needs to be vigilant,' he said. 'Owners should regularly audit their digital profiles and ensure booking communications happen through secure, traceable platforms. As consumers, if something looks too good to be true, it probably is.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
