Xpress Times

01/08/2025

PLEASE KEEP THEM IN JAIL, URGES SAMWU

Nokulunga’s death “left deep pain among" colleagues

Story: Musa Mnyandu
Photo: Vernon Pillay

The KwaDukuza Branch of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) wants the two men accused of murdering KwaDukuza Municipality’s Manager in the Office of the Mayor, Nokulunga Mashabane, to be remanded in custody.
In a strongly worded statement issued shortly after this week’s arrest of the two suspects, one of whom is said to be Nokulunga’s husband, the union applauded the police investigators assigned to the case, and expressed optimism that justice would be served. The two suspects are appearing at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court today (Friday).
“Mashabane was a valued municipal employee, a union member, and beloved colleague whose life was taken in an act of horrific violence. Her death has left deep pain among us (KwaDukuza employees) and the wider KwaDukuza community,” the union said.
Throngs of KwaDukuza municipal workers and members of the community are currently picketing outside court, calling for the two accused to be denied bail.

31/07/2025

ILEMBE LEARNERS READY TO TAKE ON THE PROVINCE

11 learners from Ilembe District are gearing up to represent the district at the KwaZulu-Natal Inkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History Championship, to be held on Saturday, 02 August 2025. The team was selected at the district competition held on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, at Luthuli Museum in Groutville.
Six of the learners will compete in the Research Category for Young Historians, while five will be pitted against the crème-de-la-crème in the province in the category: Story Telling, Story Writing, Indigenous Poetry, Western Poetry and Letter Writing to the President.

31/07/2025

NOKULUNGA MASHABANE’S ALLEGED KILLERS DUE IN COURT

“Gender-based violence is a reality”

By Musa Mnyandu
The two men linked to the recent, shocking murder of prominent KwaDukuza Municipality’s employee Nokulunga Mashabane, are due to appear at the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 1 August 2025.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, the two suspects, aged 32 and 26, were arrested on Wednesday, 30 July 2025, following an intensive investigation by KwaDukuza detectives, assisted by private security companies. One of the suspects is believed to be the husband of the deceased.
“The investigation team from KwaDukuza…worked around the clock, leaving no stone unturned as they searched for clues and leads, which culminated in the arrest of the two suspects,” Netshiunda stated.
Former Ilembe District Police Commissioner, now Acting Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Major General Anthony Gopaul, commended KwaDukuza detectives for working tirelessly to solve the case.
“The combination of SAPS specialised skills, our E2 partners and forensics teams, as well as an effective crime scene management is what led to the arrest of these ruthless suspected murderers.
“Gender-based Violence is a reality and it is heart-breaking when those who are meant to love and protect women become monsters that snatches away their lives and future” Gopaul said.
Mashabane (pictured) was found dead inside her vehicle on 27 June 2025, on the Link Road between Zinkwazi and Darnall.

30/07/2025

COULD ANC LOSE CONTROL OF KWADUKUZA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY?

By Musa Mnyandu
The ANC’s 'feeble' control of the beleaguered KwaDukuza Local Municipality faces a serious challenge, following the inexplicable decision to postpone a scheduled council meeting at which the new political principals of the municipality would have been inaugurated.
Xpress Times can now reveal that the Democratic Alliance (DA) had intended to field its own mayoral candidate at the postponed meeting.
DA Caucus Leader Privi Makhan had written to other opposition parties in council, requesting them to consider supporting the DA’s candidate, in return for the party, which controls nine council seats, supporting another opposition candidate for the position of deputy mayor.
The ANC controls 28 out of 59 council seats, after losing Ward 28 to the MK Party. The ruling party’s grip on the municipality is anchored on very thin support by the ATM and the AIC, who each control a solitary seat.
Consequently, any opposition consolidation in council could prove ‘politically fatal’ for the ANC, which has been stumbling from one blunder to another in terms of governing the municipality.
“Let us work together and support the DA candidate for mayor. In return…the DA will support a deputy mayor from the broader opposition bloc, ensuring a collective leadership that reflects the diversity and strength of all parties who stand against ANC misrule,” Makhan wrote to the leaders of the opposition bloc.
In response, ActionSA, which controls five seats in council, called for a more direct engagement between the opposition parties.
“ActionSA believes the letter should not replace direct engagement. To this end, we propose the DA convenes a meeting with the opposition bloc to discuss candidate and power-sharing options.
“In a time of ongoing fractures within the ANC, the people of KwaDukuza require collaboration rather than competition from the opposition benches,” ActionSA Caucus Leader Nel Sewraj wrote back.
The tone of ActionSA’s response to the DA’s proposal should send a strong warning signal to the dilly-dallying ANC. The two parties have never been overtly conciliatory with each other in council matters, previously.
ANC KwaZulu-Natal did not respond to a request for comment.

30/07/2025

BREAKING NEWS:
The KwaDukuza council meeting scheduled for Thursday, 31 July 2025, at which the mayor and the deputy mayor were expected to be inaugurated, has been postponed.

30/07/2025

29/07/2025

BREAKING NEWS:
Xpress Times can now confirm that the new mayor and the deputy mayor of KwaDukuza Local Municipality are scheduled to be inaugurated at a special council meeting on Thursday, 31 July 2025.

28/07/2025

EX-BOYFRIEND SENT TO JAIL FOR DOUBLE MURDER

By Xpress Reporter
Detective Sergeant Langelihle David Mbatha of Mandeni SAPS spared no effort in ensuring that a man who callously gunned down two people and attempted to kill a third goes to jail for a long time.
The 37-year-old murderer committed his heinous acts in September 2024, after the victims failed to provide him with the contact details of a male who had supposedly dated his (the culprit’s) ex-girlfriend.
According to police reports, the man went to a homestead in the area of Mangethe, within the Mandeni policing precinct, and confronted the three occupants, demanding to know the whereabouts of the absent male.
“The victims explained to the suspect they did not have the contact number or know the whereabouts of the male he was enquiring about, which led to the suspect threatening the victims.
“The suspect pulled out his firearm, and fatally shot the first victim, an elderly male (62), the suspect then shot the second victim, who pretended to be dead, the suspect also followed the third female victim who attempted to flee the home, and fatally shot her,” police said in a statement.
The man was arrested within 12 hours of committing the crime, and was remanded in custody until his sentencing, in June 2025. The Eshowe Regional Court sentenced the man to 15-years each for the two murders, and ten years for attempted murder, which will run concurrently with one of the two sentences for murder.

In the photo (sitting) is Detective Sergeant Langelihle Mbatha, who is seen together with Warrant Officer Jayson Pillay

28/07/2025

ANGRY PARENTS BLOCKADE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES

By Musa Mnyandu
A group of parents from Aldinville Primary School has this morning shut down the school, and turned learners back home.

The group later proceeded to the Ilembe District offices of the Department of Education (DoE), where they blockaded the entrance, demanding to be addressed by senior officials.
A group spokesperson who identified himself only as Mr Mhlongo accused the DoE of dawdling on the issue of renovating the decrepit school.

He said parents wanted immediate action on the condition of the school, before children got hurt.

“It’s been more than two years since the department promised that a new school would be built, but nothing has happened. While the children were writing their examinations in June, an old upstairs structure collapsed, thus putting the safety of learners and teachers at great risk, We were thereafter promised that the structure would be completely demolished, since it was no longer safe to use. That, too, has not been done.

“We want answers, and action, as a matter of urgency,” Mhlongo told our reporter.

Xpress Times has also learnt that the prefab classrooms brought to the school as an interim relief measure, turned out to be unusable because of faulty electrical wiring, with one of the educators reportedly nearly losing their life after they were electrocuted recently.

Mhlongo said the parents were willing to allow the children back at school tomorrow (Tuesday) if the department provided satisfactory answers.

25/07/2025

HLOPHE WANTS SECRET BALLOT ON RAMAPHOSA MOTION

By Xpress Reporter
MK Party’s Parliamentary Leader, Dr John Hlophe, has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, requesting a secret ballot when Members of Parliament decide on the motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The motion was brought by the MKP, on the 22nd of July 2025.

In motivating for his request, Dr Hlophe said a secret ballot would ensure that MPs were able to exercise their constitutional duty without fear of political reprisal.

“This is particularly important given the sensitive nature of the motion and the potential political consequences for individual members. A secret ballot will safeguard the integrity of the voting process and ensure that the outcome reflects the true will of the Members of Parliament

“We further request that the speaker consults with relevant stakeholders and provide a decision on this matter at the earliest opportunity, given the urgency of the motion,” Dr Hlophe told Didiza.

24/07/2025

PREGNANT MOTHER CRITICAL, SONS KLILLED IN ACCIDENT

By Xpress Reporter
A pregnant mother is in a critical condition in a medical facility, while her two sons were killed after the trio were hit by a vehicle, on the N2 near Amatikulu.

Kelsey-Jae Meyrick from IPSS Medical Rescue said the incident happened in the evening of Wednesday, 23rd July 2025. The mother and her sons were on their way home when the vehicle struck them, reports suggested.

“Sadly, both the boys, aged 6 and 10, were found to have sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased on (the) scene.

“Their mother is currently in a critical condition and (was) stabilised on (the) scene by an IPSS Medical Rescue Advanced Life Support paramedic before being transported to hospital for further care,” Kelsey-Jae Meyrick reported.