Latest news with #PietermaritzburgHighCourt
News24
5 days ago
- Business
- News24
ECD centres still in crisis as KZN education fails to fully pay court-ordered subsidies
More than a month has passed since the Pietermaritzburg High Court ordered the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to pay all outstanding subsidies to three Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres — yet the centres say they remain in financial limbo. Anelisa Khubeka/News24 Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now Show Comments ()
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- The Citizen
Luthuli walk to honour the legacy of a liberation icon
Luthuli walk to honour the legacy of a liberation icon The legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli will once again be honoured through the annual Luthuli Walk and Fun Run, taking place on Saturday in Groutville. This year's event carries added significance, as it coincides with the recent reopening of the inquest into Luthuli's death in 1967. Luthuli remains one of South Africa's most revered political icons and was the first African recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Launched in 2016, the Luthuli Walk retraces the final steps of the late chief, who was reportedly killed by a train on the railway bridge over the uMvoti River on July 21 in 1967. Decades later, questions still linger around the circumstances of his death. The Pietermaritzburg High Court has reopened the inquest, with a verdict expected in October. More than just a tribute, the commemorative walk and fun run aim to celebrate Luthuli's enduring legacy while promoting social cohesion, healthy living and the growth of local tourism and entrepreneurship. The 11.5km walk and 7.7km fun run will both start at the Luthuli Museum, located on Nokukhanya Luthuli Street in Groutville, with staggered start times at 7am and 7.30am, respectively. Participants are encouraged to collect their race packs at the Luthuli Museum on 17 or 18 July, between 10am and 8pm. No collections will be allowed on the day of the event unless prior arrangements have been made. Contact the Luthuli Museum at 032 559 6824 or email [email protected]. 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!
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Pietermaritzburg High Court judge rules on fairness in repossession case
A judge refused to grant a summary judgment in a case where a credit provider claimed a vehicle owner fell in arrears with his monthly payment Image: Supplied The purpose of credit regulation must be seen as encouraging good faith engagement and promoting consumer rehabilitation, not as punishing transient default that has been remedied. This was the message of the Pietermaritzburg High Court in an application by BMW Financial Services (applicant) in which they wanted to repossess a vehicle as they claimed the owner had fallen in arrears with his monthly payment. The financial service provider wanted a summary judgment to be issued against Ndlangia Funeral Services and its owner Lungisani Ndlanga (the respondents). A summary judgment is a request for a court to rule in favour of one party without a full trial. This is usually when the court finds that there are no genuine disputes. But by the time the application had served before the court, the respondents had already paid the arrears. The financial service provider, however, still wanted an order allowing it to repossess the vehicle, as it argued the respondents had breached the sale agreement by falling into arrears in the first place (although this is no longer the situation). Judge Mokgene Masipa remarked that courts must remain alert to credit providers who weaponise technical breach for swift asset recovery, even where the rationale for enforcement has fallen away. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The judge noted that at the time the application for summary judgment was launched, the respondents had brought their account up to date, but this was after the default and the issuance of summons. In opposing the application, the respondents relied on the absence of arrears and their efforts to make payment to resolve the matter. The applicant told the court that prior to turning to court, a notice in terms of the National Credit Act was issued to the respondents, and thereafter summons. The core of the applicant's case rests on the enforcement of cancellation and return of the vehicle based on the respondents' failure to timeously meet their payment obligations under the agreement. Judge Masipa said while it is true that default initially occurred, the agreement was effectively reinstated when the respondents paid the arrears and brought their account up to date. He added that the matter is not one deserving of the stringent remedy of summary judgment. The continued pursuit of cancellation and repossession in these circumstances raises serious concerns about fairness and proportionality, the judge said. He added that it would be contrary to public policy for a credit provider to persist with enforcement action, particularly repossession, in circumstances where the defaulting party has rectified its breach prior to the matter being heard. 'Enforcement in such circumstances serves no purpose other than to punish the consumer, and is entirely at odds with the rehabilitative and equitable principles that underpin both the NCA and public policy.' The judge said the public interest in this matter is real and not incidental. 'The applicant is a financial service provider inherently tied to serving vulnerable members of the public. In this case, it would be contrary to public interest and policy considerations to permit the applicant to enforce its rights strictly on the basis of past default, when the underlying indebtedness has been cured.' He turned down the application for summary judgment and said the matter should be ventilated through evidence.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- IOL News
NPA welcomes 25-year sentence for Sindiso Magaqa's murderer
Sibusiso Ncengwa, convicted after confessing to the murder of ANCYL leader Sindiso Magaqa. Image: Bongani Hans/Independent Newspapers The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the family of slain ANC Youth League secretary-general, Sindiso Magaqa, have welcomed the 25-year prison sentence handed to Sibusiso Ncengwa, on Monday. Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Nontuthuzelo Mlaba sentenced Ncengwa, who is already serving a lengthy sentence for unrelated crimes, to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder, 25 years for murder, and short terms for attempted murder, malicious damage to property, and being in possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. All sentences will run concurrently. Ncengwa is now expected to testify against two other accused, who were allegedly present during Magaqa's shooting on July 13, 2017. 'Indeed, the NPA is glad and we are happy for the sentence passed in court, which will be effectively 25 years imprisonment,' said NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara. Ncengwa's two accomplices were former police officer Sibonelo Myeza and businessman Mbulelo Mpofana. The third accomplice, Mlungisi Ncalane, will not see his day in court as he had been declared mentally unfit to stand trial and has been confined to a mental institution. Another alleged accomplice, Jabulani Mdunge, who allegedly sprayed Magaqa and others with AK-47 bullets, died in a shootout with police. Myeza and Mpofana had been served with an indictment to appear at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on October 6. Lwazi Magaqa, a spokesperson for the Magaqa family, said they welcomed the sentence. 'The day we have been waiting for, the sentencing of the hitman has finally arrived. 'As the family, we see the light, and the sentence is fit for (such a) brutal offence. 'Sindiso's children are still without a father, his mother is still without a son, as the family we still don't have a brother, and the ANC is still without its member,' said Magaqa. He said the sentence brought hope that the "big fish", who had a reason to eliminate Magaqa, would soon be brought to book. Two councillors, Jabulile Msiya and Nonsikelelo Mafa, who were with Magaqa during the attack at a car wash, were also shot but survived. 'We have been crying for justice to be served, and this is only the beginning of what will follow. 'Magaqa's mother always cries, this sentence might help her to find closure,' said Msiya. On the day of the murder, Magaqa was spotted arriving at the car wash he often frequented. The assailants were paid a total of more than half a million rand for the murder. Magaqa was killed for speaking out against a corruption-riddled tender to construct a local memorial hall. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The South African
07-07-2025
- The South African
Former ANCYL secretary-general's killer gets hefty prison sentence
The Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday, 5 July 2025, sentenced 37-year-old Sibusiso Ncengwa to an effective 25 years in prison for the murder of former ANC Youth League Secretary General Sindiso Magaqa and several related crimes. Ncengwa pleaded guilty under Section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act on 6 June 2025, admitting to shooting Magaqa in uMzimkhulu on 13 July 2017. He also confessed to attempting to kill Jabulile Msiya, Nonsikelelo Mafa, and Nceba Mazongolo, damaging vehicles and unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition. In his admissions, Ncengwa outlined the events leading to Magaqa's murder and named his co-accused Sbonelo Myeza, Mlungisi Ncalane and Mbulelo Mpofana. He also revealed the names of the alleged masterminds who planned the assassination. During sentencing, Advocate Elvis Gcweka presented victim impact statements from Magaqa's brother and a KwaZulu-Natal ANC member. Magaqa's brother described him as a community leader who had established a soccer team for local youth and was his family's breadwinner. The ANC statement described Magaqa's death as a loss to the organisation. The court sentenced Ncengwa to 25 years for conspiracy to commit murder and another 25 years for murder. He also received five years' imprisonment for each of the three counts of attempted murder. Three years for each of the three counts of malicious injury to property. For the firearm-related offences, the court sentenced him to five years for unlawful possession of a prohibited firearm. Another five years for unlawful possession of a firearm, and one year for unlawful possession of ammunition. The court ordered that these sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of 25 years. KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions Adv Elaine Harrison welcomed the conviction and praised law enforcement partners, especially the Political Killings Task Team. 'We hope sentences like this deter like-minded individuals,' she said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
