Latest news with #R600k
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- The Citizen
Woman awarded R2.2m after losing eye when hit by police's rubber bullet
The victim was struck in the right eye by a rubber bullet fired while she was at home. A woman from the North West has been awarded R2.2 million in damages after being struck in the eye by a rubber bullet fired by police during a protest. The North West High Court in Mahikeng ruled in favour of Elizabeth Matshidiso Jack, who suffered a major eye injury six years ago. She subsequently launched a civil claim against the minister of police. Although the minister conceded liability, no agreement could initially be reached on the amount of compensation. Jack initially sought R3.5 million (R3 536 677) in damages. Woman sues police minister after losing eye Testifying in court, Jack recounted that on 11 July 2019, she had been doing household chores in her yard in Ikageng, near Potchefstroom, when she was struck in the right eye by a rubber bullet fired by South African Police Service (Saps) members. The police officers were responding to civil unrest in the street outside her home at the time. As a result of the injury, Jack lost all function in her right eye. The eye was later surgically removed and replaced with a prosthesis. Jack, who was 19 years old at the time of the incident, described the loss of her eye as a deeply traumatic event that significantly affected her sense of self-worth and confidence, particularly as a young unmarried woman. ALSO READ: Wrongfully arrested woman wins nearly R600k after ordeal that led her to consider suicide She explained that she had previously been extroverted and social, but the injury caused her to withdraw from the public. The woman now avoids public settings due to the appearance of the prosthesis, which does not move in sync with her remaining eye and creates an unnatural look. She also described scarring beneath her right eye from the surgery, which she claimed adds to her disfigurement and worsens her discomfort. Loss of income Jack further highlighted the physical pain she continues to endure. According to the victim, she manages the pain by sleeping, hoping that it will subside by the time she wakes due to a lack of proper medication. She also raised concerns about the risk of infection to her prosthetic eye, explaining that she avoids basic household tasks – such as sweeping or cooking – out of fear that exposure to dust or spices could potentially lead to complications. Jack testified that she supported herself by selling atchaar door-to-door, earning approximately R3 600 per month. Since the incident, her earnings have halved to R1 800. She also stated that she would require future medical and non-medical care, with costs estimated at R604 406 for occupational therapy and assistive devices. Medical and expert testimony Ophthalmologists who testified in court confirmed Jack is permanently blind in her right eye and suffers from a mild degree of post-enucleation socket syndrome, which can be surgically corrected. Occupational therapists testified that Jack's injury affects her ability to compete with her peers in the informal work sector. They agreed she would benefit from 32 hours of occupational therapy, at a cost of R750 to R850 per hour. READ MORE: Potchefstroom man awarded R850k in damages after horrific ordeal of wrongful arrest, detention She would also require adaptive equipment, an assistant for her business paid at the national minimum wage, eight hours of weekly domestic help, gardening services in summer and winter, and home maintenance costing R20 000. Industrial psychologists also gave evidence, stating that although Jack had no post-school qualifications, no driver's licence and was self-employed, she would likely have progressed to semi-skilled employment with higher earnings over time. North West High Court ruling In his ruling, Acting Judge Randall Ralph Titus highlighted that while the minister contended that Jack had not sufficiently proven her claim for loss of income, it remained undisputed that she had suffered harm as a result of the police's 'wrongful conduct'. The judge noted that Jack could not work for five months after the incident and calculated her lost income during that period as R18 000. He referenced prior judgments to determine an appropriate compensation amount and awarded R500 000 in general damages. 'It is common cause that the plaintiff has endured pain and suffering, disfigurement, permanent disability and loss of amenities of life,' the 2 July judgment reads. Titus further ordered that Jack be paid R18 000 for loss of earnings, R1 380 469 for future medical and related expenses, and R307 098 for assistants, bringing the total to R2 205 567. The amount is to be paid with interest. In addition, the minister was ordered to cover Jack's travel, food, and accommodation expenses incurred in connection with her medico-legal appointments. NOW READ: Daveyton man seeks R350k in damages after wife left him following unlawful arrest
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Hybrid warfare as Chery Tiggo 7 takes swipe at Jaecoo J7
Special launch offer means that this frugal SUV will go on sale from less than R600k. The Chery Tiggo 7 SHS has an electric range of up to 93km. Picture: Supplied Nothing is going to stop the Chinese from bringing vehicles to market faster than anybody else. Never mind the legacy brands like VW, Toyota, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Chery has just taken a real swipe at sister brand Jaecoo. The new Chery Tiggo 7 CSH, which is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), goes straight up against the Jaecoo J7 SHS. It has the same tech and the same sort of spec level, but at a better price. The Jaecoo J7 SHS comes in at R689 900, whereas Chery is offering you a Tiggo 7 CSH Plus for R619 900. And a Tiggo 7 CSH Ultra for R679 900. And for three months only, you can get the Plus for R599 900 as part of an introductory launch price special. ALSO READ: Hybrid Chery Tiggo Cross declares war on Toyota Corolla Cross Lots of oomph Powering the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH is a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 265kW and 310Nm of torque. Thanks to an 18.3kWh battery, the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH can travel up to 93km on electric power alone it is claimed. The combined fuel consumption number comes in at 4.9 litres per 100km. This translates into a total combined range that is said to be up to 1 200km. Which should see you get you to Durban and back on a single tank of fuel. Being a PHEV, you must plug the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH in to fully charge it. This is not a mild hybrid that charges its much smaller battery up itself. But charging is said to be convenient with a full recharge taking 45 minutes to one hour using a public DC fast charger. Or between four and eight hours when plugged into an AC wall box charger at home. Comprehensive set of specfications Like petrol engine models, the Tiggo 7 CSH boasts every luxury, advanced safety aid you can think of as standard. From automatic LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights to a power-operated tailgate. To Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Right down to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with 50W wireless charging. 'With the introduction of the Tiggo 7 CSH, we're bringing advanced hybrid technology into the heart of South Africa's most competitive SUV segment,' commented Tony Liu, CEO of Chery South Africa. 'This model reflects our commitment to making smart and sustainable mobility more accessible. Without asking drivers to compromise on performance, style or comfort. It's an SUV designed for anyone looking to drive further, with less fuel, and greater peace of mind.' ALSO READ: Plug-in Jaecoo J7 and Omoda C9's shock goes further than power Chery Tiggo 7 CSH pricing Chery Tiggo 7 CSH Plus R619 900 Chery Tiggo 7 CSH Ultra R679 900 *Pricing includes comprehensive five-year/150 000km warranty and 10-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty (applicable to the first owner). It also includes five-year/60 000km service plan.
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- The Citizen
Western Cape men get life for murder of disabled woman in R600k insurance plot
Western Cape men get life for murder of disabled woman in R600k insurance plot Two men convicted of the brutal murder of Nosipho 'Nomdundu' Mafani (23) from KwaNokuthula in the Western Cape have been sentenced. The Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has welcomed the sentencing of Mboneli Msila and Monde Tshemese, who were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of South Africa Western Cape Division, sitting in Knysna, for their role in the conspiracy to commit the murder of Mafani, who had a mental disability. Msila, the adoptive father of Mafani, orchestrated the murder to claim funeral policy payouts totalling R600 000. He hired three men, Mbulelo Jack, Monde Tshemese and Lungisile Lucas, to carry out the hit. Chikunga says gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remains a national crisis in South Africa, with disproportionately high rates of violence against women, girls and vulnerable groups, including women in female-headed households, women with disabilities and black African women. 'GBVF is a deeply rooted societal issue. Women with disabilities, in particular, are often subjected to extreme forms of sexual and physical violence. Despite being one of the most vulnerable groups, their experiences continue to be overlooked and under-addressed in society,' Chikunga says. The minister highlighted that Pillar 3 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, which places strong emphasis on justice, safety and protection, aims to address systemic shortcomings in the legal system and seeks to enhance the overall response to GBVF cases. It also aims to ensure that survivors have access to justice and are afforded safety and protection through improvements to the legal framework and its implementation. Although often committed in private settings, the minister warned that GBVF is not a private matter, but a serious public crime. She acknowledged that GBVF is an ongoing diabolic act of violation of human rights, particularly 'the rights of persons with disabilities should never be justified and must be confronted with all resources available'. 'It deprives women and girls of their fundamental human rights, including the right to live free from violence, discrimination and violation of bodily integrity. Failure to take meaningful action to prevent, prosecute and punish such acts constitutes a violation of human rights. 'All incidents of physical or sexual abuse, intimidation or threats must be reported to the nearest SAPS station to obtain a case number and/or protection order. Alternatively, victims of sexual offences can seek assistance from the nearest Thuthuzela Care Centre or similar support facilities,' the minister says. Government has established the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre to provide 24-hour support to victims of abuse and violence. 'We share a strong reminder that our government will continue to stand firm to protect and defend human rights as enshrined by the constitution,' Chikunga says. – 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Ramaphosa defends BEE Woman awarded R580k after arrest
Here's your daily news update for 7 June 2025. An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In today's news update, President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), while NDPP Shamila Batohi faces growing pressure to clarify her claims of political interference in the NPA. Additionally, a woman wrongfully detained for 10 days has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the SCA. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. News today: 7 June 2025 'Is it greed or jealousy?': Ramaphosa fires back at critics of BEE, Transformation Fund President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on 16 September 2022. Picture: AFP / Saul Loeb President Cyril Ramaphosa has come out swinging against critics of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), questioning whether their opposition is rooted in 'greed' or 'jealousy'. Ramaphosa was speaking during his keynote address at the gala dinner of the Black Business Council's annual summit held at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni. Continue reading here Batohi could appear in parliament to explain allegations of corruption inside the NPA National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi. Picture: Gallo Images / Phill Magakoe The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) wants the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi to appear before parliament next week to give more details about allegations of rogue elements inside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Continue reading here Wrongfully arrested woman wins nearly R600k after ordeal that led her to consider suicide Picture: iStock A woman who endured a harrowing 10-day detention after a wrongful arrest has been awarded nearly R600 000 in damages by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Cynthia Nobuhle Khedama initially sued the Minister of Police for R1 million over her arrest and detention, Continue reading here Rebuild VBS, urges ANC treasurer-general VBS Mutual Bank customers at long queues outside the bank in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Picture: Gallo Images / Antonio Muchave ANC treasurer-general Gwen Ramokgopa has pleaded with the Reserve Bank and National Treasury to assist the Vhembe community in Limpopo to rebuild the collapsed Venda Business Society (VBS) Mutual Bank. More than 53 people have been charged for theft, corruption, fraud, money laundering, contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and racketeering for stealing and looting more than R2 billion of VBS money since 2018. Continue reading here R42m water storage facility installed, but taps run dry in Xanthia village A resident of Majakaneng Village fills up containers with water on 3 February 2015. Picture: Gallo Images / Sowetan / Veli Nhlapo A R42 million water reservoir tank built in Xanthia Village, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 10 years ago has never been used since its completion. This is according to the residents, who confirmed that the construction of the reservoir did not assist in bringing a sustainable water supply to the area. Continue reading here Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: K-word teacher loses labour case | Amerikaners' future uncertain | NPA sabotage claims
