SABC News Eastern Cape

19/05/2024

SEVEN PEOPLE KILLED IN WILLOWVALE MASS MURDER

Seven people, including a child were shot dead at Willowvale in the Eastern Cape today. Police received information during the early hours of Sunday morning, of multiple shootings in the Nxanxashe location.
Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu says six occupants including the child were shot and killed in one car, while the seventh victim was found about a kilometre away in another vehicle. Naidu says police also found an abandoned vehicle with blood stains not far from the scene. She added that the deceased were between the ages of 8 and 45 ...

"The motive is under investigation and there are no arrests as yet. Names of the deceased are being verified and will be released once their next of kin has been informed. The Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit will be investigating the murder. Lt Gen Mene is urging anyone with information related to these murders to come forward and assist in the investigation. She also added that the team of experienced detectives will be working tirelessly to uncover the truth behind these senseless killings"

23/03/2024

BOK RWC TROPHY TOUR UNDERWAY IN GQEBERHA

The Springboks have kicked off their Webb Ellis trophy tour in Zwide, Gqeberha. With most of the players not joining the tour due to club commitments, ho**er Deon Fourie and centre Jessie Kriel are representing the team on the tour.

📸: Zolani Moya

22/02/2024

[WATCH] Follow live proceedings of today's Eastern Cape State of the Province Address to be delivered by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane on the links below:

💻 https://youtube.com/live/lf7TugDimoE?feature=share
📻 trufm & UMhlobo Wenene FM 88 - 106
⌚ 11:00

For more news, visit sabcnews.com and on all Social Media platforms.

23/12/2023

ZAHARA FUNERAL SERVICE IS UNDERWAY

The funeral service of the award-winning singer-songwriter Bulelwa "Zahara" Mkutukana is under way at the East London ICC. Earlier, her body was at her Phumlani township where close friends and relatives held a prayer service.
Zahara passed away in a Johannesburg hospital earlier this month, aged 36.

27/10/2023

BCM SHUTS DOWN NON-COMPLIANT SPAZA SHOPS

Authorities in the Buffalo City Metro Municipality have shut down several spaza shops owned by foreign nationals, for non-compliance. Some of the shop owners were arrested for failing to produce legal documents to be in the country. Authorities also seized expired food and counterfeit goods.

Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya says the operation is aimed at ensuring compliance with Municipal bylaws.

"In some shops the owners are sleeping inside the shops, the type of food that is being sold is a serious concern for us food expired not in good conditions, we picking up on these and we acting on them we closing some of these shops and we arresting some of the owners we trying to ensure that in BCM we have law and order and we have community confidence when it comes to managing these spaces."

✍🏽️: Lubabalo Dada

📸: Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality

26/10/2023

MYSTERIOUS DISEASE KILLS EC CATTLE

The farming community in Highbury Extension near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape is concerned about the outbreak of an unknown cow disease. Since the beginning of October, the farmers have lost 15 cows. The disease causes cows to show symptoms like their heads against objects, dehydration, shaking before eventually collapsing. What is of major worry to the farmers is that some people are eating the meat, once the cows die.

Small-scale farmer, Mzwanele Dunywa says if you put these cows in the kraal, they just went crazy, pushing the kraal wall.

"If they see a fence, they just demolish the fence but they are not violent. You can see that this disease is mentally associated. We are very worried about this and we need help from the people specialising in animal health."

Meanwhile, the provincial Department of Agriculture has deployed a team of veterinarians to conduct more investigations in the area. General Manager for the Department's Veterinary services, Dr Cebisa Mnqetha, says more tests will be conducted on the animals.

""Preliminary discussions with the few livestock-owners that have spoken to us indicates that it must be tick-born diseases as the symptoms that they have indicated to us tend to lead towards that. At this point in time, we do not have a confirmed diagnosis and tomorrow we are certain that our team will go to the field and come back with confirmed diagnosis."

Story by Nkululeko Nyembezi

10/10/2023

CONFUSION OVER NMB MAYORAL POSITION

The mayoral position in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is currently unclear. This after City Manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, declared vacancies in council to the IEC for the positions of Mayor Gary van Niekerk of the National Alliance and his party member, Stag Mitchell.

Nqwazi, who is facing possible suspension during a council meeting scheduled for Thursday, declared the vacancies after the High Court in Gqeberha ruled in favour of the National Alliance's deputy president, Bevan Brown, to have the two councillors face a disciplinary hearing.

Van Kiekerk and Mitchell filed urgent court papers to halt their appearance before a disciplinary committee for allegedly bringing the party into disrepute. They were subsequently expelled in absentia. Brown claims that the duo is no longer National Alliance councillors.

Meanwhile, Van Niekerk maintains that he's still a member of the National Alliance.

"I'm still the president of the National Alliance and im still very much the executive Mayor of the Nelson Mandela municipality. The shenanigans of the City Manager are detrimental to the City, but unfortunately this is how the City Manager has operated ever since I have been in council. This is not the first time she has done this, and we know how that ended. The City Manager is obviously doing what she can to ensure that she doesn't face disciplinary action."

✍🏽️: Lerato Fekisi

10/10/2023

EC TARGETS 80% MATRIC PASS RATE FOR 2023

The Eastern Cape Education Department has set an ambitious target of an eighty percent pass rate for the 2023 Matric class. The province says it's ready for the National Senior Certificate exams, scheduled to start later this month.

The Department's Acting Head, Dr. Soyisile Nuku, says they've focused their efforts on improving underperforming schools....

"We have done a program called LACE Learner Attainment Improvement Strategy it's a massive program in the Department it's meant to assist learners both in the underperforming schools and performing schools the programme is very intensive. We are conducting morning classes with the teachers morning classes just last week we had a robust spring program."

✍🏽️: Abongile Jantjies

25/09/2023

EXTENSIVE RAIN DAMAGE IN NMB

SABC crew in flood-affected informal settlement, Kuyga in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

Thus far, 112 people have been evacuated and moved to a nearby community hall. A joint operation centre has been established to aid the affected.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is urging the public to be vigilant as more rainfall is expected later. To report flooding incidents, call: 041 501 7990.

📸: Kim Daniels

23/09/2023

ANC BUILDING CATCHES FIRE

The building that houses the ANC's National and Provincial Constituency offices in Port St John’s, Eastern Cape, caught fire and burned yesterday.

The building also accommodates several clothing shops. Port St John’s Local Municipality Mayor, Nomvuzo Mlombil-Cingo, confirmed the incident.

She said the cause of the fire was not yet known, but fire experts from the OR Tambo District Municipality were expected to assess and determine the possible cause.

20/09/2023

FOCUS: FOOD SECURITY

Starvation remains a major challenge in South Africa.
Statistics SA revealed that in 2021, about 2.1 million South African households reported that they experienced hunger.Some of the affected residents are in rural communities.

SABC Reporter Nkululeko Nyembezi and Video Journalist Lwandile Mbulali visited the area of Port St. John's, where they looked at how starvation affects two families at Chwebeni village.

Starvation remains a major challenge in South Africa. Stats SA revealed that in 2021, about 2.1 million South African households reported that they experienc...

11/09/2023

ANOTHER CASH HEIST REPORTED

The HAWKS in the Eastern Cape have confirmed that there has been a cash in transit robbery on the N6 Road near Kei Road outside Stutterheim. Details around the incident are still sketchy at the moment. This is a developing story...

19/07/2023

CONCERN OVER UNDERAGE DRINKING IN MTHATHA SCHOOLS

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board has expressed concern about high levels of underage drinking in Mthatha. As part of their awareness campaign to curb this problem, the board alongside religious groupings visited three schools: Nozuko Senior Secondary School, Zimele Senior Secondary School, and Zingisa Comprehensive High School.

It is alleged that learners engage in heavy drinking at local shopping malls. The so-called pens down parties" are also becoming more prevalent.

Eastern Cape Liquor Board spokesperson Mgwebi Msiya says they've received reports about learners from Mthatha high schools that will converge at a place called Plaza after school and consume alcohol.

"So we are here to raise awareness to say to learners they must refrain from consuming alcohol, they must focus on their books. We are working with deferent stakeholders including the religious fraternity that is accompanying us in this campaign."

✍🏾: Lwandile Mbulali
📸: KatarzynaBialasiewicz

18/07/2023

TWO INJURED DURING N2 CASH-IN-TRANSIT ROBBERY

Two security officers were injured on Tuesday evening following a cash-in-transit robbery on the N2 between East London and Qonce in the Eastern Cape. The injured were rushed to hospital. The road was cordoned off and temporarily closed to traffic.

Police spokesperson, Majola Nkohli, says explosives were allegedly used during the incident. Nkohli says the robbers escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

"At this stage the circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown. The Hawks will take over the investigation”

✍🏽️: Olwethu Matsipane
🎥: Eastern Cape Department of Transport

12/07/2023

SIX KILLED IN ANOTHER NMB MASS SHOOTING

Six people have been shot dead in a mass shooting in Mdledle Street in KwaNobuhle on Tuesday night.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says it is alleged that three unknown gunmen entered the premises of a house and started shooting at people who were inside and nearby. Four were left injured. This is the third mass shooting in Nelson Mandela Bay this year. Two incidents where eight people died and another four died, happened at KwaZakhele in Gqeberha earlier this year.

The Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nomthetheleli Mene has instructed detectives from the Organised Crime Investigation Unit to hunt down the perpetrators responsible for the Kariega incident.

Naidu says the motive for the massacre is unknown at this stage and further called on the community to assist the police in tracing the killers.

✍🏾: Olwethu Matsipane

11/07/2023

EX-WIFE OF MURDERED GQEBERHA DOCTOR DENIED BAIL

The New Brighton Magistrate's Court has rejected the bail application of Nothukela Ethel Noqekwa, the former wife of the late Gqeberha Doctor, Bantu Noqekwa. Noqekwa and her co-accused are facing charges for conspiracy to commit murder and the murder. Dr. Noqekwa was shot dead in his surgery in May this year.

In her supporting affidavit, Ms. Noqekwa told the court that she has no family or interest to leave the boundaries of the country. She is a Director in her company, with a turnover of 40-thousand rand per month. She also told that the court that's she's a primary caregiver of her three children and has no criminal record.

The state however successfully opposed her application - saying it would not be in the interest of justice to grant her bail. It state says there's likelihood she might influence and intimidate witnesses and evade her trial.

✍🏾: Mcebisi Ngqina

10/07/2023

📸: Timothy Whitaker, Hogsback

09/07/2023

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING HIS GRANDPARENTS

Eastern Cape police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Cata Village in Keiskammahoek, in connection with the murder of his grandparents. The 70 and 83 year old's bodies were found hacked with an axe, on the upper body. Police spokesperson Brigadier Thembinkosi Kinana says the incident happened last night.

"they arrived at the scene the police were shown two deceased bodies aged between 70 and 83 lying on the floor with wounds on the upper bodies. We have registered two murder cases and the motive for the incident is under investigation the suspect is expected to appear in Keiskamahoek on Monday"

✍🏾: Lubabalo Dada

05/07/2023

GQEBERHA HOSTS HOUSING INDABA

The Eastern Cape Human Settlements Department in partnership with Nelson Mandela University, is hosting a three-day housing indaba in Gqeberha.
The purpose of the event is to explore strategies for accelerating service delivery and enhancing sustainable human settlements.

The discussions will cover various topics, including the implementation of the National Housing Programme, challenges and opportunities specific to the province, policy advancements, financing, and institutional arrangements.

✍🏽️ & 📸: Nandipha Plaatjie

03/07/2023

15 PEOPLE KILLED IN EC CRASH

Fifteen people died in an accident involving a minibus taxi and a truck on the N9 outside Middelburg in the Eastern Cape, late last night. According to provincial transport spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, the driver of a heavy-duty truck hit a stray animal, causing him to lose control of the vehicle. In his attempts to regain control, its trailer gave in and fell over. The trailer hit the fully loaded taxi that was driving in the opposite direction. Binqose says all occupants of the taxi were killed. They include 9 females and 4 males as well as two children aged two years and two months.

The deceased were travelling back to Cape Town after returning from a funeral service in Tsolo.

Binqose says the process of identifying the bodies of the deceased is set to take place in the afternoon. The bodies have been moved to a government mortuary in Komani for the convenience of the relatives who will be arriving from various towns in the former Transkei region to identify their loved ones.

📸: Eastern Cape Department of Transport

13/06/2023

DAMAGING WINDS EXPECTED IN PARTS OF EASTERN CAPE

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level One weather warning for different regions in the Eastern Cape. Strong winds that could cause damage to property, roads, communication, and power lines are expected in the province.

This is because of a series of cold fronts that will bring strong westerly winds, with gusts of up to 90km in some areas.

The regions affected include Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi district, Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, and Nelson Mandela Bay metro. Residents are advised to be cautious and avoid starting outdoor fires.

The windy weather is expected to arrive in the Eastern Cape province on Wednesday.

08/06/2023

SCHOOL TEACHERS COLLAPSE AFTER REPORTING GHOST SIGHTINGS

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has deployed a range of services including social workers, psychologists, church ministries and traditional healers to Sithanda Sinako Primary School in Komga. This follows reports of three educators collapsing at the school, after claiming to have seen ghosts.

Several learners at the school had previously displayed unusual behavior and also collapsed, prompting them to be taken to local healthcare centers.

Education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima says the department has decided to temporarily suspend schooling at the school.

"There is a planned prayer session for the school, so that we can try and ensure that we chase away this as the society, not only as the department. But also, jointly with the ministries that are operational in the area, such as churches and traditional people."

✍🏾: Anda Nqonji

04/06/2023

HORROR R61 CRASH CLAIMS 11 LIVES

11 people have been killed and scores injured in a head-on collision between a taxi and a long distance bus. The crash occurred on the R61 between Flagstaff and Lusikisiki.

The Provincial Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, says emergency personnel were on the scene.

"We are advising those travelling between Lusikisiki and Flagstaff to rather use alternative routes. Family members of the deceased are being informed. We are calling on people who have information on family members to reach the nearest police station."

26/05/2023

BREAKING NEWS: NMB ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE MAYOR

The Northern Alliance’s Gary Van Niekerk has been elected as the new Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Van Niekerk secured 64 votes. The election took place through a secret ballot, with ousted mayor - Retief Odendaal - from the DA, receiving 55 votes.

Van Niekerk is the third Mayor since the last local government elections in 2021. The vote of no confidence in Odendaal was brought by the EFF and the ANC.

No spoiled votes were recorded.

✍🏾: Kim Daniels & Olwethu Matsipane

26/05/2023

JUST IN: EUGENE JOHNSON ELECTED NEW NMB SPEAKER

Former Mayor and ANC councillor, Eugene Johnson, has been elected the new Nelson Mandela Bay Metro council speaker after securing 62 votes. She beat the DA's Rayno Kayser, who received 51 votes.

Six ballots were deemed spoilt during the voting process. The council will proceed to vote for the mayoral position, with ousted mayor, Retief Odendaal from the DA, nominated alongside former speaker and Northern Alliance member, Gary Van Niekerk.

✍🏾: Kim Daniels & Olwethu Matsipane
🎥: Kim Daniels

26/05/2023

NMB MAYOR, DEPUTY FACING REMOVAL

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro special council meeting is scheduled to sit Today, after the deputy mayor, Khusta Jack's failed attempt to halt it. The meeting was called to remove the current Mayor Retief Odendaal his deputy Jack from their positions, as well as the Chief Whip, Bill Harrington.

The EFF and ANC intend to nominate the current speaker, Gary Van Niekerk of the Northen Alliance, for the mayoral position.

Van Niekerk believes this new coalition will solve the metro's challenges.

✍🏾: Kim Daniels

23/05/2023

ENYOBENI TARVEN TRIAL RESUMES

The State in the Enyoben tavern tragedy case has requested the removal of the accused, media, and public from the courtroom due to an upcoming testimony from a minor. The minor was present at the tavern when 21 underage patrons died last year.

Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu are facing charges of selling alcohol to minors and allowing them into their establishment. The trial began last month, with Mncedisi Kwinana, a neighbor to Enyobeni, being the first witness.

Later today, two witnesses from the Eastern Cape liquor board will testify.

✍🏾: Lubabalo Dada
📸: Mfeku

21/05/2023

LIBODE WOMAN WHO LOST SIGHT SEEKS HELP

A 20-year-old single mother from Ntlaza in Libode in the Eastern Cape, is seeking assistance to regain her sight, after losing it due to illness last year. Inga Hlangani spent two months in the hospital and has been facing difficulties in her day-to-day life since then.

Inga explains that she experienced a severe headache and visited a clinic, but as she was leaving and approaching the gate, her vision partially disappeared.

"I started having a very painful headache, I went to daily clinic and they gave me medication. When I was at the gate of the clinic, I started partially losing my sight but I managed to get home. After a week I completely lost my sight. I really want to get help and regain my sight."

✍🏾️: Nomzwanele Mngoma
🎥: Natasha Magquntulu

19/05/2023

DO-OR-DIE FOR THE CHILLI BOYS

Chippa United faces a crucial match against Lamontville Golden Arrows in the last Dstv Premiership game of the season on Saturday. If they lose to 'Abafana Bes'thende, they will be automatically relegated from the PSL.

With their Premiership status at risk, Chippa United faces a tough challenge. Their recent 4-0 defeat to TS Galaxy adds to the pressure. Head coach Lehlohonolo Seema remains hopeful for a playoffs spot.

"After our loss against TS Gaxaly, we were sure of what is expected of us. We were sure that at that moment, we are at the play-offs spot and I told the players the sooner we accept our situation the better. Nothing has changed, we need to win our last game at home so we can go to playoffs - because I don't want to even say we are safe."

✍🏾/🎥: Lwando Nomoyi