Latest news with #Despatch
The Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
EP Pairs finals provide thrills in Somerset East
The bronze medals in the women's competition were shared between Belinda Weddell and June Scheepers from Jeffreys Bay Bowling Club, and Jill van Rensburg and Jessica Carter, representing Westview Bowling Club. On the men's side, spectators were treated to a nail-biting finish. After a tightly contested match, the final went into a dramatic sudden-death extra end, where Wihan Visser and Wouter Minnie of Despatch Bowling Club narrowly edged out Kevin Oates and Travis Paulson from Westview to clinch the title. This marks the second consecutive year that Wouter Minnie has lifted the trophy, though with a different partner this time. The teams of Lourens van der Walt and John Hayes from Middelburg Bowling Club, and TJ McLean and Stephen Pittaway representing Albany Bowling Club, won bronze medals. The weekend's finals highlighted not only high-level skill but also the growing depth of talent in Eastern Province bowls. — EP Bowls The Herald
The Herald
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Good Samaritans come to the rescue after fire destroys family home
While on her way to bury her 43-year-old daughter, Nomalungelo Sithole, 74, received news which brought some relief amid her grief — her fire-damaged home in Joe Slovo, near Despatch, will be rebuilt. Sithole's daughter died after a long illness worsened by exposure to the cold in the single room the family has been living in since a fire destroyed their house almost two years ago. She was buried on June 13. The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) in Nelson Mandela Bay has stepped in to rebuild her home. Sithole said her daughter had hidden her illness from the family. However, during the Easter weekend she had become bedridden. 'I do not have enough or the right words to say thank you to Nafcoc. 'My family helped me to bury her. 'My daughter had a creche, she helped with soccer, traditional dancing and the choir in the community,' Sithole said. With five people sharing the only remaining room, the house was in no condition to be lived in and posed a serious safety hazard. The fire occurred on September 21 2023. Sithole said this was the second fire which had started in an unexplained manner. 'My home burned down about two years ago. 'We do not know how the fire started.' Seeing smoke, she made her way towards the house, to find it was was on fire. 'When I arrived, I did not have the strength to watch. I blacked out. I collapsed only to be woken up later. 'Though everything was burned, the one miracle is that my room did not burn. 'That is the room we lived in for two years. My clothes were not burned, nor was the ceiling. 'I was sick first due to the cold, I had to stop going to church, my back was affected and my feet were always cold. 'I had given up hope that the government would help me. Nafcoc Nelson Mandela Bay region deputy chair Sithembele Vatala, acting general secretary Mlungisi John and executive member Mzukisi Tyuwa said one of their members had agreed to rebuild the house. 'The condition Sithole lives under is painful. Even her daughter died due to the cold after suffering from pneumonia,' Vatala said. 'That home is not ideal for anyone to live in. 'BLB JV Group on Cape Road agreed to build the house from scratch, and we are happy that granny said she will never forget what we have done for her.' The Herald
The Herald
10-06-2025
- The Herald
Mystery surrounds drowning tragedy
News Unidentified hero saves two children but another boy, 5, dies in Khayamnandi chaos Premium By Faith Mtwana - 10 June 2025 Amid the chaos and fear of a drowning incident, two Despatch families never got the chance to thank the man who risked his own life to save their children. Sadly, as the dramatic events unfolded at the weekend, the ultimate tragedy struck for another family, which is mourning the loss of a five-year-old boy...
The Herald
08-06-2025
- The Herald
Child, 5, drowns in Despatch dam
A tragic incident unfolded in Despatch on Saturday afternoon when a five-year-old boy drowned while swimming with his two friends in a dam in the Khayamnandi area. The incident happened at about 3pm. According to eyewitnesses, an unknown man rushed to the scene and managed to save two of the children. However, he was unable to find the third boy under the water. The boy's body was later found floating in the water. Residents attempted to do CPR, but despite their efforts the child was declared dead at the scene. The boy's aunt, Ahlumile Appolis, said the boys regularly swam in the dam. Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the incident was under investigation. The Herald
The Herald
03-06-2025
- General
- The Herald
Hijacking of meat delivery truck ends with arrested suspects facing the heat
A group of thieves planning to profit from hijacking a meat delivery truck got cooked after a joint operation by SAPS units led to their arrest and the recovery of meat valued at almost R20,000. Police spokesperson Capt Andre Beetge said the truck was hijacked by five armed suspects on Friday at about 4.15pm along the R75 near Bayland, while en route to Despatch. 'The suspects forced the driver and two assistants into their vehicle and later abandoned them in Kwazakhele.' Beetge said by 5.20pm, SAPS K9 unit members located the hijacked truck abandoned and empty in Milner Avenue, Sydenham. In a co-ordinated operation involving the SAPS K9 unit, stock theft unit, provincial serious violent crime investigation unit, and crime intelligence, the subsequent investigations led to the arrests. 'On [Friday], premises in Hart Road, Sidwell, were searched, resulting in the discovery of two front quarters of stolen meat [estimated value R9,000]. 'A 30-year-old man was arrested for possession of stolen property. 'Five additional undocumented men [aged 25 to 37] were arrested at the scene and detained at SAPS Algoa Park.' The next morning, at about 8am, a tavern in Jijana Street, Wells Estate, was also searched. 'Two additional front quarters of meat [valued at R9,000] were recovered and confiscated, though no arrests were made. 'On Monday, at 3.30pm, SAPS K9 members confiscated a Nissan eight-tonne cooling truck and arrested a 25-year-old man at premises in Military Road, Central. 'The truck is linked to the hijacking and was allegedly used to transport stolen meat. This suspect faces charges under the original hijacking case.' He said the investigation was ongoing. The Herald
