Xpress Times

12/09/2025

SJAMBOK PENCHANT LANDS COUPLE IN JAIL

By Xpress Reporter
Flogging a person with a sjambok before hitting them with a beer bottle could land you in deep trouble.
A couple from Thembeni has learnt this lesson the hard way, after their victim laid a criminal charge, following an incident at their residence which left the complainant with sjambok pains, and a gash to the head, allegedly caused by the bottle strike.
The no-nonsense boyfriend Musawenkosi Khuzwayo (50) and his girlfriend Winile Kheswa (64), appeared at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12th September 2025, where the magistrate found no humour in the couple’s penchant for the sjambok, but also found no compelling reasons to keep them incarcerated until their next court appearance on the 12th of November 2025.
The unemployed Khuzwayo could not afford bail, while Kheswa also told the court that her old age pension money for this month had been exhausted.
The sjambok-wielding lovers were released on warning, and ordered to show up on their next appointed date…preferably without their trademark weapon.
Everyone in court seemed to agree that the ‘somewhat ill-matched’ couple would do better to keep their hands off the sjambok for the time being.

10/09/2025

‘MUMMY, PLEASE COME HOME’

In the picture is Ms Sphiwe Khumalo, the mother of Nkosinathi Khumalo and Nobuhle Mkhwanazi. Her whereabouts are unknown, and her children desperately need their mother’s love.

Social workers in the KwaDukuza Department of Social Development are appealing to members of the public to help locate her.

Anyone with information on Khumalo’s whereabouts is requested to contact the social worker, NP Ngema on (067) 136-7425.

The matter is urgent.

10/09/2025

08/09/2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Not a bad choice, ANC…
I wish to use the medium of your community newspaper to congratulate Cllr Siduduzo Gumede on his re-election as the Mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality. I believe he is the right man for the job; he has proven himself in the past as mayor, and those who came after him have unfortunately failed the ratepayers.
Under Gumede’s leadership, KDM always obtained clean audits with no corruption being reported. I, like many others, have every faith in his ability to turn things around.
Amongst his priorities will be to get rid of lazy officials and replace them with dedicated professionals, while we the electorate will do our bit by getting rid of lazy councillors.
All I ask for is proper walkways, get the landlords to repaint faded buildings, get the street vendors to always clean up their spaces, and get the street lights to be off during the day.
I wish you success, Mr Mayor; surely your success will boost the ANC’s flagging support in the 2026 local government elections.
NELSON PUCKREE
Stanger Heights

For the record, KwaDukuza Municipality has never achieved a clean audit outcome. However, the municipality has consistently obtained unqualified audits, which represent the next best thing after clean audits. – Editor

03/09/2025

RADIANT SMILES AS LEARNERS WELCOME SPRING

Learners from various schools within the KwaDukuza Circuit eagerly welcomed the beginning of spring this week, with a colourful celebration of warmer times displacing the winter chills.

29/08/2025

NO CLARITY YET ON MAYORAL VEHICLE

By Musa Mnyandu

It is still unclear if the newly elected Mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality, Cllr Siduduzo Gumede, will be utilizing the designated KDM 1 mayoral vehicle.

Xpress Times spoke to Council Chief Whip Humphrey Mbatha, who said he was under impression the vehicle was ready for use.

However, Mbatha is not certain about the current condition of the mayoral back up vehicle, with registration number KDM 2.

The former mayor Cllr Muzi Ngidi and the former Deputy Mayor Sicelinjabulo Cele were removed primarily because of the luxury vehicles which were hired for their use in the aftermath of their inauguration, an action that was done without council resolution.

29/08/2025

BREAKING NEWS:

KwaDukuza council meeting has gone on recess. Three candidates are vying for the vacant position of mayor:
1) ANC councillor Siduduzo Gumede.
2) DA councillor Privi Makhan
3) Independent Alliance councillor Co**ie Nhleko.
Voting will get underway when council resumes.

27/08/2025

ANC THANKS KWADUKUZA CITIZENS FOR ‘SHOWING PATIENCE’

By Musa Mnyandu

The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal says it is ready to deploy the replacements for the ousted mayor and deputy mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality.
Addressing the media at the party’s provincial headquarters in Durban today (Wednesday), the ANC’s Provincial Coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu confirmed that the process to interview candidates had been finalized through the Office of the Secretary General.
Mabuyakhulu said the matter would soon serve before the council of KwaDukuza Municipality.
“We are now working on the logistical issues that will see the matter serving before the KwaDukuza municipal council, for a decision. The ANC appreciates the patience and calm of the people of KwaDukuza as well as the political parties, who have given space to the ANC to conclude its internal processes,” Mabuyakhulu told the media.
The municipality has been operating without the two main political principals from the 25th of July 2025, the day on which the former Mayor Muzi Ngidi and former Deputy Mayor Njabulo Cele tendered their resignations.
The two have however stayed on as councillors, with Cele retaining his seat on the Executive Council (EXCO).
Their expulsion from the mayoral and deputy mayoral offices was announced by the ANC on the 2nd of July 2025.

26/08/2025

REVAMPED TAXI RANK READY FOR PUBLIC USE

Story and photos: Musa Mnyandu

KwaDukuza taxi commuters are ready to make their transit into and out of the central business district through a state-of-the-art taxi rank that has just undergone a multi-million Rand facelift.
The newly ramped up taxi rank was today officially open by a delegation of KwaDukuza Local Municipality, which was led by the former mayor and current EXCO member, Lindile Nhaca, and Council Speaker Dolly Govender.
The KwaDukuza Taxi Association, which started using the rank today, was represented by its Executive Committee, led by Association Chairperson, Mr D Mhlongo, who expressed his profound gratitude to the municipality for heeding an appeal by the taxi industry for a proper, commuter-friendly facility.
Almost R20 million has been spent on the facility, which features, inter alia, better loading bays, durable loading bay shelters, vending stalls, public lavatories including bathrooms for the long-distance taxi drivers, as well as upgraded storm water infrastructure.