Local

The sewerage infrastructure in Gqeberha’s northern areas is close to collapse with pump stations in some neighbourhoods not upgraded and maintained for the past decade. That’s the shocking revelation by Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral committee member for Infrastructure, Dries van der Westhuizen.

Foreign nationals who own businesses in the Eastern Cape say they pay a monthly protection fee to gangs, out of fear of being kidnapped and held for ransom.

Police in Gqeberha arrested 14 people and seized abalone and equipment valued at over R21 million in several busts and operations this past week.

“You know who the criminals are,” Police Minister Bheki Cele said as he again urged communities to work hand-in-glove with SAPS to root out criminals. Minister Cele on Friday delivered a eulogy at the funeral of the late police Sergeant Mario Nel in the Eastern Cape.

The South African Weather Service said a cold front made landfall on Thursday and moved over the interior of the Western and Eastern Cape bringing cloudy and cold conditions along with it.

In a first for the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality, one of its councilors has pledged to donate her entire salary to help uplift the community. Following a by-election in February where she emerged victorious, Lorraine Smith Johnson, the new Ward 5 councillor in KwaNojoli, formerly Somerset East, has not used a cent of her salary for own use.

Six years since a contractor was paid to build prefab classrooms, learners at Kulo-Mbombo Primary School in Qombolo, Eastern Cape, are still being taught in crumbling mud buildings.

Police Minister, Bheki Cele and his Deputy Minister, Cassel Mathale, will deliver the eulogies at the funeral services this weekend of two police officers who were killed on duty.

Police in Gqeberha are warning residents to be vigilant and to take precautionary measures during load shedding as members have seen an increase in cases in Rowallan Park, Kunene Park, Kabega Park, Parsonsridge and Westering areas.