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PUBLISHER: Neil Tapinos neil.tapinos@expressmedia.co.za
Hillcrest Fever According to the editorial policy of the Hillcrest Fever, readers are invited to comment about the newspaper’s contents, and significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible. Please send information about correc tion of mistakes in the newspaper to the ombudsman of Media24’s Community Press, George Claassen, at george.claassen@media24.com or call him at 021 8513232 or 083 543 2471. Readers can also complain about the contents to the South African Press Ombudsman. In that case, please phone 011 788 4829 of 788 4837, send a fax to 011 788 4990 or email to pressombudsman@ombudsman.org.za
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A number of reasons to celebrate MANY people either look forward to the festive pe riod and begin their countdown to Christmas in Oc tober, while others are left running for the hills to avoid the ‘silliness’ that comes with the season. As we get ready to wind down and take a breath er, we decided to reflect on some of the wonderful reasons to celebrate the year that was. Yes, we can talk about some of the lowlights as well (no pun on the word ‘lights’), but that would not be very festive at all. The team at the Fever has had a wonderful year and has shared some truly remarkable memories with you. We’ve had an actionpacked year from meeting wonderful individuals who are slowly changing their communities one step at a time to covering campaigns that shows a proactive community who are willing to fight for their beloved home towns. To those people who are continuously going the
extra mile to serve others, we would like to salute you and thank you for allowing us to share your sto ries. This year South Africans voted hoping for the best – many are now glued to the parliament ses sion coverage because you never know what to ex pect. In 2015 we will be joining the queues for the byelections and once again, hoping for positive change. We know we live in a beautiful city and another reason to be a proud Durbanite is Durban has been voted an official new Seven Wonder City of the world. The picturesque beaches, rolling hills and breathtaking skyline together with a host of won derful inhabitants, sets us apart from the rest of South Africa. After 40 years, the Miss World title is held by a South African.
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continues to destroy some of our communities. However, the one thing that continues to stand undefeated is the spirit of the Upper Highway community. Through the difficult times, our readers have once again proven that we are, without a doubt, among the most resilient and strong-willed. We have weathered all the storms that came our way and have demonstrated that we can be a community to be proud of - from our disabled horse rider achieving his goals to a local woman beating breast cancer and becoming an inspiration to others - our community stands together proud! We are confident that 2015 will be better than ever. We, at The Hillcrest Fever, have faced our
10 May 2016
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Dear Readers, TODAY marks the end of another year for the Hillcrest Fever, and as the festivities kick off for this season, let us reflect on moments that touched our lives and the community this past year. 2014 has been marked by persistent challenges in our economy with price inflations (food, electricity, fuel, etc.). We had weather catastrophes and crime
e s ri e h t n o e m ri c r e t in W Hillcrest Fever
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>> As the darker and colder days approach, so do the criminals
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The scene of the shooting of a railway guard at the Old Botha’s Hill Station.
KALISHA NAICKER Kalisha.Naicker@media24.com
O
VER the past few months the highway area has seen more brazen acts committed by criminals and SAPS are working around the clock to stem the tide with some successful arrests.
According to Hillcrest SAPS CPF communications officer Steven King, the Hillcrest CPF have noticed that these criminals have evolved from running away to firing at the security companies with two such incidents happening in a matter of weeks. “From 4 May we have seen an escalation in incidents. In Crestholme a do-
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Have a safe and blessed festive season
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Rolene Strauss was crowned Miss World at the weekend and now features in a long list of remarka ble women who continue to make a difference to the countries they live in and the world. South Africans also took time through out the year to remember Nelson Mandela and do their bit to fulfill his legacy. It’s been a year since his death and many ques tioned the stability and patriotism of South Afri cans. The good news is, it seems as if communities are now more united than ever. Many believe his spirit still lives on calling it a sprinkling of ‘Madiba magic’. Clearly South Africans will continue to make great strides despite the negative news that some times comes to the fore. The Fever would like to wish all our fantastic cli ents and readers a wonderfully happy festive sea son and here’s to welcoming 2015 in style.
mestic worker was assaulted by suspects and when armed response officers arrived, the suspects opened fired on them,” he said. King added that 15 minutes prior to the incident a house was burgled apparently by the same suspects. “On the same afternoon a railway guard was attacked and shot at the Old
own challenges this year, but as we enter 2015 we renew our pledge to you to do our very best to continue to be the most accurate, fair and balanced source of news, opinion, features, sports and entertainment in the Upper Highway Area. We will continue to be open and honest with our readers and we assure you that the new year will be one never to be forgotten. Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones this year and those experiencing difficulties of all types this holiday season. We extend sincere and warm wishes to our Hillcrest Fever family for a safe and peaceful festive season, and a happy and prosperous 2015. Kalisha Naicker Senior Journalist Hillcrest Fever
Botha’s Hill Station . The guard was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Earlier on the same day an elderly woman living in Hillcrest was grabbed by two young men who managed to take a gold bangle from her wrist after threatening to kill her.” King said that on 6 May crime continued with two business break-ins in Hillcrest and one business in Botha’s Hill. “SAPS had success at the Botha’s Hill incident and made an arrest. The same evening we had four burglaries within 30 minutes, three residential burglaries and one business break-in. On Saturday 7 May another break-in occurred in Assagay,” he said. “On Sunday a house in a complex was broken into on Highbury Road, Hillcrest at about 10am and at approximately 12.30 we received a message from a woman who witnessed a hijacking in broad daylight.” King said that according to the witness, she was sitting at a restaurant in Hillcrest and a man was hijacked in the parking lot in the pouring rain. She said that the suspects were armed and pulled him out of his Toyota twin cab bakkie as he got in. The witness said that the area is so busy with people everywhere and despite the pouring rain the incident occurred.
Oxford Village
“Communities will have to become more vigilant and make sure that they are not easy targets. We have seen a spike in house burglaries near the railway lines and reserve s and we suggest that residents beef up their security and look at installing beams to give them that early warning,” said King. “Don't leave tools of opportunity lying outside and make sure all garden implements are locked away. We want to make an urgent appeal to Transnet to please sort out the security along the railway lines as the residents are being robbed and burgled virtually on a daily basis and this has forced the residents living in these areas to draw up a petition to force Transnet into getting their act together.” King said that the residents feel Transnet has an obligation towards them in making sure that their properties don't get used as a springboard for crime as is happening at present - a resident has suffered at least a dozen burglaries and a couple of house robberies over the last year.” However King said that he would like to commend Hillcrest SAPS acting station commander colonel Anton Myburgh and his team as well as warrant offiicer Buckthorpe and Shongweni K9 unit for their dedication and hard work in getting the suspects behind bars. He also commended the neighbourhood watches for their dedication and support they are providing to the local police. Transet was not able to comment at the time of going to press.