Sweatshops Saga: Action Taken Against Another Clothing Manufacturer
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Pinetown
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Council seeking to liquidate company says it has failed to disprove allegations it relies on sham co-operatives that pay below minimum wages
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Bargaining council alleges that pay is below minimum wage and workers endure appalling conditions
Hyundai Pinetown Breaks National Sales Record
The Hyundai Pinetown dealership has once again raised the bar in South Africa’s automotive retail sector, setting a new all-time monthly sales record for Hyundai Automotive South Africa. The dealership sold an unprecedented 300 vehicles in November, surpassing its own previous record of 265 vehicle sales. This exceptional performance comes against the backdrop of an …
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EThekwini Municipality commits to building houses for flood victims
EThekwini Municipality commits to building houses for flood victims
EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba says the city remains committed to ensuring that permanent houses are built for the families affected by the recent floods.
Speaking at during an Executive Council (Exco) meeting held this week, Xaba reported that between 19 February and 15 March 2025, the recurring floods have claimed the lives of 15 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
Xaba said the report received from the Joint Operations Centre indicated that 1 452 houses and 5 939 people were affected. The worst affected areas include Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu, Pinetown, KwaDabeka and Lamontville.
Xaba conveyed the council’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, saying that the city is working with the bereaved families to ensure that their loved ones receive a dignified burial.
“Together with the Premier [Thamsanqa Ntuli] and the Chairperson of Trading Services, Mduduzi Nkosi, we visited the affected families in Inanda and Lamontville, including those who have been relocated to family-friendly accommodation in the inner-city. As... [the three spheres of] government, we are committed to ensuring that permanent houses are built for these families,” Xaba said.
However, Xaba noted the challenges encountered in building permanent houses in identified sites.
He said the existing community members are not cooperating, either because they themselves are flood victims who have not been allocated houses, or they do not want low-cost houses in their neighbourhood.
“As the rains persist, we will continue to face the shortage of land to resettle flood victims, considering that the city has 603 informal settlements and some of them are located in flood-prone areas. Working together, we must intensify public awareness campaigns urging people not to settle in flood plains because the frequency and intensity of floods, due to climate change, poses a huge risk to human lives and infrastructure,” Xaba said.
Since 2017, the city has been experiencing recurring floods, and this has put a huge strain on the city’s water drainage system.
In eThekwini, stormwater systems are designed to handle a "1-in-10-year" storm event, Xaba said.
“Our large canals and river protection works are built to withstand 1-in-50 or 1-in-100-year storm events. In the last two months, we have been experiencing heavy downpours that we would ordinarily receive in every 20 - 40 years.
“It is in this context that we must continue to urge members of the community to dispose of waste in designated places so that during heavy rains, the same waste does not clog our drainage system and flood our homes,” Xaba said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 03/20/2025 - 10:09
147 views
Fight against GBV continues
Fight against GBV continues
The South African Police Services’ (SAPS) men and women in blue continue to fight against the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV).
Detective Sergeant Edward Mndeni Mzila who is based at the Serial and Electronic Crimes Investigations (SECI) Unit in Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, is among the officers of SAPS making a difference in their communities.
This as the country continues to mark the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.
SECI is a specialised investigation unit that deals with the investigation of serial rape cases and sexual crimes committed through electronic mediums such as child pornography.
As an investigator, Sergeant Mzila has dedicated the past decade to investigating serial rapists as well as ensuring that they serve lengthy sentences in prison.
He ensures that sex predators no longer pose a threat to the community, moreover, especially to vulnerable groups such as women, children, and people living with disabilities.
To date, Sergeant Mzila has secured 79 life term sentences and an additional 1 336 years’ imprisonment for 50 sexual predators.
His outstanding detective work saw him arresting and securing harsher sentences for several serial rapists and sexual predators in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mzila’s career highlights include the arrest and sentencing of a 30-year-old Moses Mavila dubbed the ‘Durban Highway Rapist’ for the manner in which he attacked his victims along the busy M19 freeway in Durban.
Over a period of seven years, Mavila preyed on unemployed women, aged between 20 and 58 years. He would lure his unsuspecting victims to the Westville and New Germany areas under the premise of employment opportunities. He would then rape them and rob them of their belongings.
“Mavila’s case landed on Sergeant Mzila’s desk for further investigation. The suspect was not known for a period of seven years, but the tenacious Sergeant Mzila’s dedication and stellar investigative skills brought Mavila to book.
“Sergeant Mzila meticulously pieced all the evidence together and linked the suspect with DNA to 32 cases of rape, as well as two cases of attempted rape and robbery.
With overwhelming evidence which Sergeant Mzila brought before the court of law, Mavila decided to plead guilty to all charges. On 31 August 2019, the Pinetown Magistrates’ Court sentenced Mavila to 32 life terms and 384 years imprisonment on 32 counts of rape, attempted rape and robbery,” said the SAPS in a statement.
In a separate case involving a Facebook serial rapist, Sergeant Mzila’s investigative skills and hard work put another sex predator behind bars when he secured lengthy sentences for 31-year-old Siyabonga Ndwandewe.
Ndwandwe used Facebook to lure his victims to Durban, offering them prospective employment as child-minders and tuck-shop assistants. Once they arrived in Inanda, he would take them to a secluded area and rob and rape them at knifepoint.
Sergeant Mzila thwarted his reign of terror, which lasted for two years, when he traced and arrested Ndwandwe in 2020.
With a water-tight case brought against him by Sergeant Mzila, Ndandwe was left with no option but to plead guilty on all seven charges of rape. He was sentenced to 175 years’ imprisonment in the Ntuzuma Magistrates’ Court.
Currently, Sergeant Mzila is investigating a case of the murder and rape of a 17-year-old girl, where he managed to trace and arrest three suspects within a short period of time.
Mzila has vowed to fight for justice for vulnerable groups in society and has pleaded with the victims of gender-based violence to speak up and report perpetrators to the police.
“Working on these cases has given me the drive and passion to fight the scourge of gender-based violence not only within ‘16 Days of Activism’ but as an ongoing thing.
“Looking at the degree of violence perpetuated against women and children, including people living with disabilities who can’t fight for themselves, I took it upon myself to use my skills to fight for them and put perpetrators behind the bars for the rest of their lives,” said Mzila.
The 16 Days campaign forms part of government’s comprehensive 365 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.
This year’s campaign is being held under the theme: “30 Years of Advancing Collective Action to End Violence against Women and Children".
The campaign is held from 25 November to 10 December every year.
– SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 12/09/2024 - 10:29
355 views
eThekwini Municipality launches compliance campaign for spaza shops
eThekwini Municipality launches compliance campaign for spaza shops
In response to the rising public health concerns and recent fatalities linked to contaminated food, eThekwini Municipality’s Health Unit is set to implement a comprehensive multidisciplinary operational campaign targeting compliance monitoring and enforcement in spaza and tuck shops across the city.
This comes amid the growing need for government to regulate the informal food outlets.
City’s Health Unit Head, Rose Van Heerden, emphasised the need for both enforcement and public education as part of the campaign, which will take place over the next two months.
Van Heerden said the unit’s campaign aims not only to enforce compliance but also educate business owners and the public about safe food practices, thereby safeguarding community health and well-being.
“Before we can enforce regulations, we must educate tuck shop owners about health standards. The continued sale of unsafe food items poses a risk, especially to vulnerable children in our communities.
“We need to engage with those who sell to schools, be it tuck shops or individuals, about practicing good safety standards and basic food hygiene,” Van Heerden said.
She said the campaign will cover various areas, including KwaNyuswa, Embo, Molweni, KwaDabeka, Wybank, Hillcrest, Waterfall, and uMlazi, with teams from Environmental Health Services, Metro Police, SAPS, and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development.
Van Heerden noted that from January to September 2024, the Health Unit conducted over 600 inspections, and more than 700 enforcement actions across its three sub-districts.
During a similar operation conducted in November last year, authorities condemned hundreds of food items from over 80 tuck shops in Pinetown and surrounding areas.
To protect public health, Van Heerden said the teams will check food expiry dates to prevent the sale of expired goods.
She said the municipality had closed shops that had no legal documents to operate a shop and they were also going to do the same during the campaign.
“Our law enforcement partners will arrest undocumented individuals who do not present required business permits, the shutdown of illegal establishments, and the issuance of compliance notices and fines for any by-law violations,” Van Heerden said.
Van Heerden has encouraged residents to remain vigilant when purchasing food from informal vendors and to report any concerns regarding product safety to the appropriate authorities.
Complaints can be directed to the city on 031 311 3555 or via WhatsApp on 083 560 3974. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Thu, 11/28/2024 - 11:46
31 views
Extended train services for MTN8 soccer fans
Extended train services for MTN8 soccer fans
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has announced additional train services for spectators attending the highly anticipated MTN8 Final match between Orlando Pirates and Stellenbosch FC, in Durban this weekend.
“To ease traffic congestion and ensure an enjoyable experience for fans, PRASA will operate dedicated train services connecting regional stations to Moses Mabhida Station,” the agency said on Tuesday.
Services will be available from Umlazi, Winkelspruit, KwaMashu, Cato Ridge, Pinetown and Crossmore to Durban station, where fans will then connect to Moses Mabhida Station.
The MTN8 Final is taking place at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 5 October 2024.
Durban Station to Moses Mabhida
The train shuttle service from Durban Station to Moses Mabhida Station will be available every 15 minutes from 13:00 to 17:00 and resume back from Moses Mabhida Station to Durban Station from 20:15 - 22:00.
Additional special trains, above the normal Saturday train service schedule, will run as follows:
Umlazi to Durban:
• Umlazi : T9219 (departure - Umlazi station @ 13:27 ), Direct to DUR.
• Umlazi : T9229 (departure - Umlazi station @14:27) direct to DUR.
• Umlazi : T3288 (depart from Moses Mabhida station @ 20:15) , direct to Umla.
• Umlazi : T3296 (Moses Mabhida station @21:00), direct to Umlazi.
South Coast: Winkelspruit to Durban:
• Winkelspruit: T0763 (depart from Winkelspruit station @ 14:01 ), direct to DUR.
South Coast: Moses Mabhida to Winkelspruit:
• Winkelspruit : T3792 ( depart from Moses M @20:45), direct to Winkelspruit.
KwaMashu to Moses Mabhida:
• KwaMashu : T9434 (depart from KwaMashu station @15:22), direct to Moses Mabhida.
Moses Mabhida to KwaMashu:
• KwaMashu : T9495 (depart @21:15), direct to KwaMashu.
Pinetown to Durban:
• Pinetown: T0063 (depart Pinetown station @14:13 to Rossburgh), connect train from
• Rossburgh T9229 @15:19 to DUR.
Durban to Pinetown:
• Pinetown: T3792 (depart @20:45 ), connect train at Rossburgh to Pinetown T3094 @21:16.
Crossmoor to Durban:
• Crossmoor : T9667 (depart from Crossmoor Station @14:03 to Merebank station) , connect train from Merebank - T0763 @14:51 to DUR.
-SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Tue, 10/01/2024 - 12:33
427 views
Clermont Township Plagued by Crime and Violence
KwaZulu-Natal, Durban: Clermont Township, once a middle income township and thriving community, has descended into chaos as crime and violence grip its streets. On 25 January last year, three people were shot dead on Zazi Road, near Pinetown. The victims, two men who sold cow heads for a living, were killed at their roadside stalls, …
The Lost Potential of Township Youth: Why Township Youth Are Abandoning Their Education
KwaZulu-Natal, Durban: In the heart of Clermont Township, a concerning trend is unfolding. Youth fresh out of high school, are disengaging from education, abandoning their dreams, and succumbing to a life of stagnation. This phenomenon is not only alarming but also threatens the future growth and development of our township. The statistics are staggering. Every …
KZN twin sisters gearing up to fly SA flag high in Sweden
KZN twin sisters gearing up to fly SA flag high in Sweden
Fifteen-year-old twins from KwaDabeka, outside Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal, are gearing up to fly the South African flag high in the upcoming Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition, set to take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday.
The sisters, Sandisiwe and Sanelisiwe Nhlozi, won the South African Youth Water Prize (SAYWP) competition in June this year.
The competition is spearheaded by the Department of Water and Sanitation and challenges secondary and high school learners to identity a water problem in their community and come up with innovative and technology-based solutions to address the challenge.
The duo, who are currently in Grade 10 at Buhlebemfundo Secondary School, will present their aptly named “Drop-Drop” water education and awareness app that is aimed at enhancing education around the importance of prudent water use in communities.
The enthusiastic twin sisters have not only set their eyes on winning during the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition, but plan to further refine their project and see it through its implementation in South Africa.
“Of course, we want to win, but if it happens that we do not win, we hope to see “Drop-Drop” being developed further and implemented in communities where it is needed the most,” the pair said.
The Nhlozi sisters have high hopes for their lives and expressed that through the comprehensive bursaries awarded by the Department of Water and Sanitation after winning the SAYWP competition.
The learners plan to pursue their studies in Civil Engineering after completing their matric, with the hope of working in the water sector and contributing solutions to address water challenges in the country.
“When we won the SAYWP competition, we were so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. Although we did not think that we would win, because of the tough competition with our counterparts from other provinces, it was through teamwork and dedication that we were crowned winners,” Sandisiwe said.
The twin sisters and best friends expressed their excitement about travelling together for the first time outside of the country for the opportunity to represent South Africa on a global stage.
“Being provided with this opportunity to represent South Africa is an incredible honour and privilege. We feel proud, excited, and nervous, but we find comfort in each other and in knowing that learners at our school and even those we competed with are supporting us,” Sanelisiwe said.
The department has wished the duo well and said it is committed to working together with the Department of Basic Education to help raise awareness about water education, and to attract and get young minds to develop an interest in the sector.
Stockholm Junior Water Prize is a competition for learners aged between 15 to 20 years who have developed research projects that can help solve major water challenges.
The competition attracts tens of thousands of entries from approximately 35 countries. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 08/21/2024 - 14:12
235 views
KZN Premier receives provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices
KZN Premier receives provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Ncube-Dube has described the allocation of new Home Affairs mobile trucks as a game-changer in the provision of government services.
Dube-Ncube made the remarks when she received the provincial allocation of Home Affairs mobile offices that were unveiled by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Mokopane, Limpopo, this week.
READ | Mobile Home Affairs offices to bring convenience for Mokopane residents
The unveiling of 100 new mobile offices on Tuesday is part of the Home Affairs Hybrid Access Model, which expands services to areas, where the department footprints is limited.
On Friday, Nomusa-Dube received 16 of the 100 mobile offices allocated to KwaZulu-Natal.
Speaking at the event held at Hoy Park Stadium in Durban, Dube-Ncube said the day marks yet another milestone in the quest to bring dignity to the people of the province.
“What we are seeing here today is just another milestone for us [and] our people in the townships and far-flung areas who have not been able to reach Home Affairs. Today, they will be able to reach Home Affairs.
“This is a game-changer in the provision of Home Affairs services. We are here to wage a war against the inaccessibility and unavailability of government services for our people,” Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube said with the allocation of the new fleet, people can now walk to a Home Affairs office and apply for identity documents and passports.
The Premier said many people have been complaining about long queues at Home Affairs offices, especially in Umngeni, Durban central and Pinetown.
“With these mobile offices, our people... [can] wait for the trucks to come near their areas where they will be able to do their ID and passport applications or birth certificate registrations. Each truck is fully equipped and caters for people with disabilities and the elderly,” Dube-Ncube said.
IMAGES | Mobile offices handed over in KZN
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She said with services being brought closer to where people reside, this will curb the unauthorised practice of people paying for spots in queues outside the offices.
The additional trucks will bring the total number of mobile trucks in the province to 30. Members of community safety will accompany the trucks, to ensure their protection from the criminals, while bringing services in various areas.
The Premier expressed her appreciation to the President and Motsoaledi for allocating mobile offices to the province.
She said the relevant provincial MEC will collect and dispatch the mobile offices to the districts.
Provincial Manager for Home Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, Cyril Mncwabe, said the trucks will be distributed to Home Affairs offices located in five district municipalities. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Fri, 05/10/2024 - 14:29
220 views
Pavilion Home Affairs office hailed as a game-changer
Pavilion Home Affairs office hailed as a game-changer
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube says the opening of a Home Affairs office at the Pavilion Shopping Centre in Westville, Durban, is a game-changer in how government provides services to the citizens.
Dube-Ncube joined Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to officially open the new Home Affairs office at the Pavilion Shopping Centre as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to make services easily accessible to the public.
The new office will offer application and collections services for IDs and passports. Clients will have the convenience of applying for these services as they do their shopping at the centre.
Dube-Ncube said the initiative aims to revolutionise citizen services, emphasising convenience, dignity, and efficiency.
“The office will bring services closer to where our people shop, bank, eat, stay, play and work. For us, first and foremost, this office will bring dignity to our people,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier said the strategic location of the office at the shopping centre is expected to alleviate the burden of long queues experienced at other Home Affairs offices in uMngeni, Pinetown and the Durban city centre.
“By integrating government services into everyday spaces that people already frequent, the initiative aims to streamline processes and enhance the overall experience for citizens. Moreover, the presence of a government office within a bustling shopping centre is poised to redefine the public's perception of and interaction with government services.
“To have a government office in a shopping centre will change how people perceive and interact with government and it will bring efficiency and agility. By embracing innovation and adapting to contemporary needs, the initiative seeks to foster a culture of responsiveness and accessibility within the public sector,” Dube-Ncube said.
WATCH | Opening of the Pavilion Shopping Centre Home Affairs office
Motsoaledi reiterated that the department wants to ensure that it brings services to the people where they are.
“We promised Parliament that we are going to expand the platforms where South Africans receive Home Affairs services. One of those platforms is to expand to malls,” Motsoaledi said.
The opening of Home Affairs office follows the launch of offices at Menlyn Shopping Centre at Pretoria East in March 2023, and Cresta in April 2024.
READ | Home Affairs opens three offices this Saturday
In his 2023 Budget Vote Speech, Motsoaledi announced that his department wants to create multiple platforms to assist people with applications for their IDs, passports, and other essential documents. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:03
530 views
Chikunga leads festive season road safety awareness campaign on N3
Chikunga leads festive season road safety awareness campaign on N3
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga will lead the festive season road safety awareness campaign at the Sanral Mariannhill Toll Plaza on the N3 in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
“The festive season road safety awareness campaign is a government programme that aims to prioritise and promote safer road usage during the high peak season on South African roads,” the department said in a statement.
The objective of the campaign is not only to ensure smooth flows of traffic but also to prevent negligent and reckless driving that results in road crashes, injuries and fatalities.
The road safety campaign was launched in the last week of November and is a collaboration between different levels of government, transport entities led by CEOs, private sector organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and key stakeholders and role players.
“Festive season activities in South Africa are associated with year-end celebrations, economic industry slowdowns and year-end closures, increased traffic volumes and increased road crash incidents,” the statement read.
The department said a large proportion of road crash victims are pedestrians and passengers as a result of lack or even non-use of safety belts and jaywalking. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 12/14/2023 - 09:21
470 views
Uniting for a Sustainable Automotive Industry
High Gear, a significant initiative from the International Youth Foundation (IYF), has been instrumental in advancing the TVET system with modernised automotive engineering curricula, bridging the educational gap with the evolving demands of industry. This initiative, supported by the British High Commission – Pretoria (BHC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the …
Bigger and Better
The Pinetown branch of First Cut, a leading South African provider of cutting, welding and grinding consumables and equipment, has seen substantial benefits from its move into new premises. These include increased sales, significantly improved space, and other attendant benefits. So says First Cut’s Sales Director Stuart Beck. He clarifies: “The move late in 2021 …