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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
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
Missing Mpumuza woman found murdered Hillcrest Fever
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Man allegedly killed by vigilante mob in Imbali AMIL UMRAW
>> Nokuthula Mpanza was last seen alive on 5 August around 1pm
NOKUTHULA K HANYILE >>nokuthula.khanyile@ media24.com
PHOTO: NOKUTHULA KHANYILE
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Nokuthula Mpanza. her phone was off.” Mpanza owned a crèche in the area, and when she failed to show up for work and was still not answering her phone last Wednesday, her colleague became suspicious and went to check on her at her house. Malinga said her cousin lived alone in a two-room house on the same property as her elder brother. She said upon investigating the colleague found
blood on the walls in Mpanza’s bedroom and raised the alarm. “She alerted the family and we began to look for her with the help of community members and the police. As a family we are shocked, we still had hopes of finding her alive. “Why would anyone do this to a woman in Women’s Month? Nokuthula was harmless and did not deserve to die like this. She
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AN Imbali man was allegedly killed after being assaulted by the com munity in an act of vigilantism the man apparently was accused of stabbing a child earlier that day. According to ER24’s Werner Vermaak, paramedics were called to the Imbali area at about 11.30pm on Saturday to treat a man who was allegedly assaulted by community members. Vermaak said people found near the man were “somewhat hostile” and indicated that the man had allegedly stabbed a young child ear lier that evening. “Paramedics were informed that the child had already been rushed to a nearby hospital prior to their arrival,” Vermaak said. It is believed the paramedics were threatened by the community when they tried to treat the injured man. “It was found he had sustained multiple stab wounds over his body as well as a fractured skull and face. “Paramedics had to place him on life support en route to hospital,” Vermaak said. Pietermaritzburg police spokesperson Sergeant Mthokozisi Ngobese said police got a call from the hospital on Sunday morning saying the man had died. “We were told by the man’s relative that he was assaulted by the community, but we have noth ing tangible as yet. However, investi gations are continuing,” Ngobese said. It is unclear whether the man did stab a child before he was assaulted.
Blood on the wall in Nokuthula Mpanza’s bedroom.
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HE community of Mpumuza is in shock after the body of a 36year-old woman was found buried under rocks beside a riverbank last Thursday. The discovery prompted police to launch a manhunt for the killers, according to the SAPS, of Nokuthula Mpanza, who was last seen alive on 5 August at around 1pm. Mpanza’s body was discovered by members of the Community Crime Prevention Association in the area who went in search for her after the disappearance. The police suspect Mpanza was killed at another location and her body dumped beside the riverbank in the night. Her cousin Nompumelelo Malinga said they filed a missing person’s report at the Plessislaer police station last Wednesday. “The last time anyone spoke to her was on that Friday [5 August] afternoon when she said she was preparing to take part in the Spar Women’s race. Alarms were raised when no one had heard from her two days after the race and
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Plessislaer police spokesperson Captain Musa Ntombela confirmed that a woman’s body had been found. “The body was found facing down, covered by a pile of stones beside a riverbank. The motive for the killing is unknown at this stage, but police are investigating.” The police are working around the clock to catch the perpetrators.
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was a loving person who was liked by everyone. “She worked hard and was successful in everything she did. We are shocked that her life was taken away so tragically,” said Malinga. Maritzburg Echo discovered that after Mpanza’s disappearance an immediate family member was taken in for questioning by the police, but later released.
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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
18 August 2016
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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.
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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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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 AIDS HELPLINE avoid the ‘silliness’ that comes with the season. 0800-012-322 As we get ready to wind down and take a breath er, we decided to reflect on some of the wonderful United we can 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
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