Latest news with #KingSabataDalindyebo
News24
a day ago
- News24
Walter Sisulu University employee shot dead at campus gate
A staff member of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) was shot dead on the Mthatha campus on Thursday evening. Eastern Cape police said the employee was discovered inside a stationary vehicle, near the Nkululekweni entrance gate adjacent to the N2 highway, just before 18:00. 'Preliminary forensic analysis confirms the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds while seated in the driver's [seat]. The motive remains unknown,' said Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana. 'The identity of the deceased will be formally released once next-of-kin notification is complete, as per SAPS (South African Police Service) protocol. Forensic experts and detectives are actively processing the secured crime scene.' Mthatha residents were on Thursday participating in a day of mourning at the nearby King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College, following devastating floods last week that left at least 92 dead and over 4 000 households destroyed. READ | Walter Sisulu University student remembered as caring and protective at memorial service Acting provincial police commissioner Major General Thandiswa Kupiso said they had mobilised maximum resources to pursue all leads in the staff member's murder. 'Public speculation must be avoided to preserve the integrity of the investigation,' said Kupiso. This is the second reported shooting at the campus in recent months. On 15 April, WSU Bachelor of Education student Sisonke Mbolekwa was shot dead, allegedly by the university's residence manager, Manelisi Mampane. Mampane, who was arrested on charges including murder and attempted murder, is currently out on R10 000 bail.
News24
a day ago
- General
- News24
Pupils vow academic excellence to honour schoolmates who died in Eastern Cape floods
Thirteen schoolchildren were swept away in Eastern Cape floods last week, with only three surviving the ordeal. Eight bodies were recovered while two are still missing. On Thursday, Jumba Senior Secondary School pupils pledged to excel academically in tribute to their lost classmates. Grief-stricken pupils of a Mthatha high school in the Eastern Cape have vowed to honour their dead classmates through academic excellence. Ten pupils from Jumba Senior Secondary School died after their scholar transport was swept away when it tried to cross a flooded bridge last Tuesday. Three were rescued. The floods claimed at least 92 lives. On Thursday, the Eastern Cape government held a day of mourning for those who died in the devastating floods. Hundreds of mourners packed the King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College's hall for the sombre event. Speaking on behalf of the pupils, Ibenaye Mxoxozi said the past week had been difficult for them. 'We are heartbroken. The moment we get to school, we cry. It is difficult to cope with the loss of 10 pupils. They were classmates who had a bright future ahead of them. The only way to honour them is to excel academically,' a heartbroken Mxoxozi added. 'They went to school while it was raining. They did not stay at home due to bad weather, and for that, they will always be our heroes.' The ordeal was so traumatic for the three pupils who escaped the raging water that none attended the service. The Grade 11 pupils said they were comforted by the fact their pain was shared by many. 'Each of them brought light and joy to the school. We called them best friends. Their absence leaves a hole in our hearts. Even during this sorrow, we find strength in knowing that their short lives were full of meaning and purpose,' said Mxoxozi. Thobile Bhazana, the uncle of Grade 9 pupil Asithandile Nyameni, 15, said his niece's body was recovered on Saturday, four days after the incident. 'We are happy we were able to recover the body. The whole incident, traumatic as it is, brings us closure.' Bhazana added Asithandile dreamed of becoming a doctor. 'At home, we told her it was raining, but she said that she wanted to go to school because they were writing exams. She really loved her school and would joke that when she was a qualified doctor, she would bring an injection home to cure whoever was sick.' Anita Bali, who spoke on behalf of Bambanani Senior Primary, which lost eight pupils, said they were still traumatised. Two pupils are still missing. 'It's a tragedy that has shocked us. We are not coping at all, but we trust in the Lord that one day we will overcome our grief,' said Bali. Silindokuhle Qetsele, 23, from Slovo Park, added she lost four family members - her brother, sister-in-law, and their two children aged eight and 12. Qetsele said 12-year-old Amila Qetsele told her she wanted to be independent and have a family when she grew up. 'I don't know how long it will take to heal. I have been crying daily ever since the incident. It is difficult even to sleep at night,' she added. OR Tambo District Municipality Deputy Mayor Thandekile Sabisa said: 'It's the first time we are experiencing a tragedy of this nature. 'We stand here not just to grieve but to unite in deep sympathy with the victims. When one household mourns, we must all reach out in empathy.' Sabisa added.
News24
13-06-2025
- Climate
- News24
49 die in Mthatha deluge as authorities mull court action over flood-line homes
At least 49 people are confirmed dead amid fears the number could rise in Mthatha, the Eastern Cape. Residents were warned as far back as 2013 to vacate homes built on a dangerous flood line. Floods damaged 20 healthcare facilities and 58 schools across the Eastern Cape this week. Authorities in Mthatha say they will approach the courts if Decoligny village residents once again refuse to move their homes away from a flood line where a pile of dead bodies was discovered after devastating floods. Residents in Mthatha village, the epicentre of the deadly Eastern Cape deluge, were warned to move away from the flood line as early as 2013. On Wednesday evening, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said at least 49 people died in the deluge that engulfed several villages in Mthatha on Tuesday morning. It is feared the number might rise as many residents remain unaccounted for. Two helicopters from the provincial health department and police continued their search for missing people on Wednesday afternoon. King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality Mayor Nyaniso Nelani said numerous campaigns have been held to encourage people to remove their housing structures from the village's river banks. READ | KZN disaster management teams have their hands full as snow, wind, rain grip province 'We will speak with the residents again, and if we are not getting along, we will have to do something as the government. This is a lesson for all. 'We ran several campaigns warning residents to move away from the river. Yes, I know it's private land, but we are responsible for saving people's lives. We are thinking now of approaching the courts for a court order to enforce removals from the flood line,' Nelani added. Resident Mzimkhulu Nondela said residents were warned and told to move their homes away from the river. 'There were floods in 2013, and there was a warning for residents with houses near the river to remove their structures. That did not happen. In 2019, there were also floods; again, people were warned, but that was not heeded,' added Nondela. Resident Nomathemba Sigonyela said they knew the area was flood-prone and posed a danger to housing structures near the river. Sigonyela added Our area is closer to Mthatha for work purposes. We built the houses in that area because we are unable to afford rent in town. Yes, we were warned, but we have nowhere to go. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams said he was concerned about the disregard for municipal warnings 'because once you do that, you run the risk of constructing residential properties in areas that are not suitable'. 'We understand the desperation of community members who want to construct their houses. In my view, that desperation is a rush to the bottom. If the magnitude of the water, as it has been witnessed, was as tall as the houses, it means everyone who is part of the flood line must be removed, of course through consultations,' added Williams. Graphic: Mihle Mdash/News24 Mabuyane, too, emphasised the importance of residents moving away from the flood line. The premier said a disaster declaration would be made in due course. About 20 healthcare facilities and 58 schools were damaged by the floods. 'We are a disaster-prone province. We must get additional resources. A significant part of our population is around the Mthatha area, so it is important that we get more resources for disaster management,' added Mabuyane.
