ORTamboDistrictfights stocktheftandGBV
ZOLILE MENZELWA
ALTHOUGH strides have been made in combating crime, stock theft remains a major concern for stakeholders in the OR Tambo District Municipality, with alarming trends of gender-based violence (GBV) in the eastern part of the district.
These sentiments were shared during a stakeholder engagement session hosted by Community Safety MEC, Xolile Nqatha, in Mthatha on July 25.
The session was in response to a petition handed over to Nqatha during a march on September 9, 2024, where concerns about extortion, stock theft, and taxi violence were some of the emerging crimes highlighted in the district.
ANC Regional Secretary in OR Tambo, Vinny Tsita, one of the march organisers, said the march included civil society, the business fraternity, and political parties
“Following the march, the police have been responding to crime aggressively, and there have been rare cases of extortion. We did not trust the police initially, but we see they have turned the corner. Medical specialists were leaving, accommodation owners and filling stations had closed down, but those services have now been restored."
Tsita noted a recent decline in taxi violence cases
“There needs to be greater focus on stock theft. The thieves now forcefully take livestock with firearms from rightful owners.
GBV remains a challenge, particularly in the eastern part of the region – the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality area Additionally, measures need to tackle cash-in-transit heists. Crime knows no boundaries, and we must unite as a community to fight it,” Tsita added
Another stakeholder, Xolile Macanda, rep-
resenting the community of Ngqeleni, said livestock was being taken at gunpoint. He explained that young men from the Ngqeleni community were being recruited to steal cattle.
“We caught a young man who said he gets paid R1,000 per cow. He also revealed that he works for a businessman who owns a butchery.
“We are losing our livelihoods, and our health is deteriorating due to this scourge of livestock theft,” he said.
Despite the risks, Macanda mentioned that his community had established a night patrol organisation to curb the thefts and called for harsher sentences for those convicted of livestock theft.
Nqatha stated that with community support, criminal syndicates threatening communities could be defeated. He expressed gratitude to all who participated in the march and noted improved conditions in the aftermath
“We approached the National Government to deploy additional resources in Mthatha and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. We also dispatched the National Intervention Unit (NIU) to combat extortion and gang activities. The multidisciplinary team has made progress in tackling crime, particularly against extortionists in Mthatha,” he said.
The police have continued proactive operations, and both communities and businesses are encouraged to collaborate with law enforcement to combat crime in the OR Tambo District.
“Crime demands a collective response Once again, I commend the actions taken last year to march against crime. We urge everyone to set aside political affiliations and religious beliefs to unite in this fight. Crime is a societal issue requiring collective action,” Nqatha concluded.
ADMbolstersdisasterresponse throughkeyworkshop
ZOLILE MENZELWA
AMATHOLE District Municipality
(ADM) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) reaffirmed their commitment to building institutional capacity, community resilience, and a culture of proactive governance during a two-day workshop
The workshop, held at the Calgary Conference Centre on July 23 and 24, aimed to enhance local government’s ability to address increasing climate and disaster risks It focused on improving knowledge of climate risks, the disaster management framework, and the strategic role of municipalities in safeguarding communities
Setting the tone, Director for Community Services, Nokuthula Zondani, applauded Salga for spearheading the initiative and reminded participants that disaster management is a shared responsibility
“Disaster is everybody’s business, and ADM has become prone to disasters We are here to sharpen our knowledge so we know how to mitigate and deal with disasters,” she said Workshop facilitator, Sibusisiwe Goba-Sigawuke, unpacked critical topics, including disaster risk, climate change, early warning systems and the principle of "building back better "
She emphasised the importance of the disaster risk management cycle, which includes mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery
“Prevention and preparedness should be prioritised over reaction It is important to meet basic human needs such as shelter, food, water, hygiene, psychological support and family reunification during disasters
“Key short-term recovery efforts in-
clude debris clearance, infrastructure repairs, temporary housing, healthcare, education and economic relief ” She also highlighted the necessity of integrating climate risk assessments into Integrated Development Plans and updating municipal response plans every five years
Councillors were urged to ensure that disaster management centres function effectively, are staffed with qualified personnel, and have sufficient budgets to swiftly execute emergency measures recommended by the municipal disaster head
ADM’s Head of Disaster Management Centre, Thembinkosi Nxawe, outlined action steps, including:
• Strengthening Local Disaster Management Advisory Forums;
• Developing Level 1 Disaster Management Plans;
• Ensuring compliance with the New Urban Agenda; Registration with the Disaster Management Institute of South Africa; and
• Appointing local disaster officers in every municipality
Delivering the closing remarks, ADM Councillor Nceba Ndikinda commended the workshop’s impact: “This timely training has significantly improved our understanding of the potential disasters in our areas Going forward, no local municipality under ADM should be without a responsive disaster plan ” Ndikinda stressed that as disasters increase in frequency and intensity, local government remains the first line of defence
“Workshops like these ensure that this line of defence is informed, prepared and responsive,” he concluded
StElizabethHospitalopenslifesavinghaemodialysisunit
PATIENTS suffering from chronic renal failure will now breathe a sigh of relief after the Eastern Cape Department of Health launched a much-needed haemodialysis unit at St Elizabeth Hospital in Lusikisiki on July 24
The launch of the unit was celebrated as a significant milestone in the department’s mission to bring specialised healthcare services closer to rural communities
The department stated that the event symbolised its dedication to transforming access to quality healthcare services, particularly for underserved and historically marginalised communities
Speaking at the launch, MEC Ntandokazi Capa said, "At no other point in time have we ever been as well-placed as we are today to take a decisive step towards the establishment of the renal unit in one of our rural facilities
“It gives me great pleasure to stand before you with joy and excitement about the establishment of this Nephrology
unit at St Elizabeth Hospital, one of our peripheral facilities This alone should serve as a reminder that this government is committed to bringing services to the people, especially the downtrodden "
Capa highlighted that the journey required the collaboration of various stakeholders, including clinicians, management, patients, and the public, to ensure that interventions meet community needs and provide value for money
“This is a costly service requiring advanced technology and specialised skills
However, the lives of our communities come first The unit is staffed with five professional nurses and three nursing assistants who are highly trained and receive mentoring from Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital ”
She also reflected on how, until a few years ago, this kind of service was only available in tertiary hospitals like the Frere in East London or Livingstone in Gqeberha
In some cases, patients had to be transferred to Chief Albert Luthuli Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal
The establishment of the unit, Capa not-
ed, was meticulously planned
“The ultimate goal is to provide people in the chronic dialysis programme with access to this life-saving service almost at their doorstep ”
Recognising the importance of this milestone, she urged hospital staff to commit fully to their work
St Elizabeth Hospital currently operates three haemodialysis machines, with two more procured recently One machine costs approximately R40,000, while patient treatment costs are even higher, with each patient attending three weekly sessions
The unit operates until Saturday each week
The Eastern Cape Health Department spends R120,000 per patient weekly, which includes home-to-hospital transport This equates to an annual cost of R5 7 million per dialysis patient
AmaMpondo King Daluxolo Sigcau praised the launch, applauding it as a testament to the strides made in improving healthcare services
He attributed the achievement to the National Health Insurance (NHI) policy,
Housingprojectrestoresdignitytofamilies
ZOLILE MENZELWA
THE lives of five families in the Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality will be forever changed after the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements handed over new housing units as part of the Nelson Mandela Month commemorations.
This initiative is part of the Chris Hani Destitute 1300 Housing Project, which aims to deliver 350 houses in Dr AB Xuma Municipality.
The project focuses on improving living conditions for the district's most vulnerable residents, including the elderly, disaster-affected households, and those living in
extreme poverty.
Ayanda Meleni, a 43-year-old unemployed father of three girls, and one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude during the handover ceremony at Gxogi Village.
Overjoyed and emotional, he said, “I am extremely happy; words fail me. I feel so happy, and my children are overjoyed that they will now have a proper home they can be proud of. I give my deepest thanks to the entire government. When it rained, we could not sleep and had to use buckets because the house was leaking.”
Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi emphasised that the project reflects the principles of Nelson Mandela by restor-
ing people’s dignity
She reiterated her department’s dedication to improving lives, particularly in rural areas.
“This initiative represents our department’s commitment to upholding the legacy and values of Tata Mandela. We are not merely handing over bricks and mortar; we are also restoring human dignity, one household at a time, particularly for our rural communities. Our mission goes beyond building houses we are fundamentally transforming lives,” Lusithi said.
She added that the handover event marked a significant step in the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements’
Prosecutorincourtforfakingqualifications
IN a decisive breakthrough against qualification fraud in the public sector, the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit of the Hawks, in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), ensured that Luthando Nomandindi (33) appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court last week
He faced charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering on the same day as his arrest He was granted R5,000 bail, and the case was remanded to August 18, 2025, for the disclosure of docket contents
Hawks' spokesperson, Warrant Officer
Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, stated that between January 2010 and December 2016, Nomandindi was enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme at Walter Sisulu University (WSU) but allegedly failed to meet the academic requirements for graduation
“Despite this, in 2020, he allegedly submitted a falsified LLB degree certificate and a bogus Legal Education and Development (LEAD) attendance report as part of his application to the NPA’s Aspirant Prosecutor Programme, which required a legitimate LLB qualification or proof of final year,”
Mhlakuvana explained
In January 2021, Nomandindi was reportedly appointed as an Aspirant Prosecutor and later promoted to Public Prosecutor Mhlakuvana further revealed that Nomandindi applied for promotion to the position of Regional Court Prosecutor using the same fraudulent credentials During the promotion process, the NPA requested him to submit his original academic certificates Instead, Nomandindi resigned, effective March 21, 2025 The institution discovered discrepancies in his qualifications and referred the matter to the Hawks for
with the OR Tambo District as its pilot site
“Today, we witness the practicality of the NHI, which offers improved healthcare services The government is enhancing poor areas like my homeland, Pondoland I take pride in seeing AmaMpondo leading in government and supporting their communities rather than neglecting them ”
Sigcau also commended the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for its healthcare support in the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality
SANDF Brigadier General Mcebisi Mdutywa provided details on Project Owethu, an army health initiative aimed at delivering healthcare services to the people
The project began in the area on July 18, and will run until August 1 Since their arrival, the SANDF has assisted approximately 10,000 patients
Mdutywa underscored the importance of healthcare practitioners being compassionate in their service delivery, noting the project's significant community impact
ongoing efforts to reduce the province’s housing backlog and promote sustainable human settlements
Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Mayor Siyabulela Zangqa echoed these sentiments, stating that the municipality was joining the five families in celebrating.
“This is not just the house of the person it was handed over to, but a family home
The family dignity has now been restored
“They must take care of the homes and not sell them, no matter the circumstances. They should not return to the poor conditions they previously lived in, especially during these times of severe floods,” Zangqa said.
investigation
Investigations confirmed that WSU had never conferred an LLB degree to Nomandindi Additionally, LEAD had not issued him the attendance report due to outstanding fees
“Through misrepresentation, the NPA suffered actual financial prejudice of over R1 1 million from the salaries paid to him during his fraudulent term of employment," Mhlakuvana added
Nomandindi allegedly defrauded the NPA by submitting forged academic qualifications to secure employment
ZOLILE MENZELWA
PulaNalacelebratedforexcellenceinagriculture
BABALWA NDLANYA
A 100% African women-owned and youth-majority-owned agricultural enterprise, Pula Nala Enterprises, was recognised with a prestigious award at the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture (DoA) Women Entrepreneur Awards held in the Alfred Nzo District last week
Initiated in 1999, the awards aim to encourage and increase women's equal participation in agriculture while celebrating their contributions to job creation, economic growth and poverty alleviation In her policy speech earlier this year, the MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, emphasised the department's commitment to supporting women-led enterprises, with mechanisation identified as a key driver of agricultural productivity
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kabelo
Pullings shared the journey of Pula Nala, which was established in 2020, following family discussions about creating employment
"We started with over 50 hectares of land, but now we have cultivated 250 hectares Over that period, we have employed more than 500 people When I started this journey, I thought it would be easy I believed that with the financial muscle I had, and a bit of hard work, things would just work out, but they did not However, it is incredibly rewarding to create jobs and see our company grow My company is contributing positively to the national agenda of creating jobs," she said Pula Nala primarily cultivates soya beans and maize, which are sold to export markets
Pullings explained their sales model: "Traders come to our village and take our produce to the harbour They export our
uct quality and raising pigs for the white meat market Their dynamic approach demonstrates their comprehensive involvement in agricultural value chains
"It is always affirming to be acknowledged for the work we do to drive positive change in society While we do not work for recognition, being recognised motivates and inspires us to do more I am relatively new to agriculture; in 2023, we were awarded a scholarship through the Soil Sista Programme at GIBS (University of Pretoria Business School), sponsored by Corteva Agriscience That programme, specifically for women agri-preneurs, significantly shaped our growth," Pullings shared
In the same year, Pula Nala was incubated by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to pilot South Africa's Hemp and Cannabis Master Plan
"We worked hard to meet compliance requirements, submit necessary documentation, and present our business professionally For many farmers, the administrative and financial burdens are significant barriers However, participating in such opportunities creates valuable networks and fosters inspiration that often outweighs the challenges," Pullings said She stressed the importance of advocating for rural women and youth in agriculture
"These women and youth farm with passion and purpose, often with minimal support or recognition We aim to amplify their voices and advocate for inclusive and tailored support systems that meet rural entrepreneurs where they are "
maize and soya beans We also sell to the local market, but those sales are not as significant " Beyond crop cultivation, Pula Nala is involved in diversified agriculture They
grow spinach and lettuce, rear broiler chicks, and manage 300-layer hens, whose eggs are sold to major retailers They are also exploring indigenous chicken crossbreeding to enhance prod-
Other notable winners at the event included Nolandu Mbinda Milling, which won Best Agro-Processor, and Ndikhoyo Trading, awarded as the Best Smallholder Producer
TO give recognition to businesses with an excellent track record of providing good service, Mthatha Express is running a competition where readers can win their share of R10 000 in cash
The winning businesses will receive bragging rights, having been chosen by their customers as the Best Biz
All readers have to do to stand a chance of winning weekly cash prizes of R500 each is fill in a survey (which should not take longer than five minutes) where they nominate the business of their choice in various categories
In addition to the weekly prizes for those who nominate businesses, there
Some of the female farmers won in the Women Entrepreneur Awards that were hosted by the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture in Alfred Nzo District Municipality PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Stadiumgearsupforpre-seasonkickoff
HOSEYA JUBASE
MTHATHA Stadium will host the inaugural pre-season tournament this coming Saturday, featuring four top teams – two from the National First Division (NFD) and two from the ABC Motsepe League
The tournament, organised by Highbury FC and Wanda Mcoyile Mto, brings together formidable football talent The NFD teams include Milford FC from Durban and Highbury FC from Gqeberha
Although Highbury FC and Milford FC hail from outside Mthatha, their squads boast sig-
nificant representation of players from Mthatha and its surrounding areas The opening match will see the Bizana giants, Sinenkani FC, face off against Highbury FC
The second fixture promises to be equally thrilling, as Mcoyile FC, comprised of top players from the ABC Motsepe League, takes on Durban’s Milford FC The organisers highlighted that the tournament aims to showcase local talent to prominent teams
"We have immense talent in the Eastern Cape, and through initiatives like this, we hope to see more young players from the region feature in the NFD or PSL in the coming years," said one of the organisers, Wanda
Mcoyile Mto
Mcoyile noted that similar efforts have previously resulted in three young players from the Eastern Cape signing with top NFD teams, with some progressing to the PSL "Everything we are doing is about giving back to the community and advancing football professionalism in the rural Eastern Cape We are helping these boys realise their dream of playing for top South African teams," he added
FixturesforSaturday:
• Sinenkani FC vs Highbury FC – Time: 09:00 Mcoyile FC vs Milford FC – Time: 10:50
ExecutiveLadiesstrengthensquadwithKhumalosigning
ANELE RAZIYA
EXECUTIVE Ladies FC, based in Ntabankulu in the Alfred Nzo District, are bolstering their squad as it sets its sights on competing for the Eastern Cape Sasol League title this year
The Sasol League Inland Stream defending champions have secured the signature of experienced left winger, Kholeka Khumalo, who played for Hollywoodbets Super League side Royal AM last season
Last week, Executive Ladies’ FC chairman, Mawethu Nama, confirmed the signing, expressing optimism about Khumalo's impact on the team's performance
"We are delighted to welcome Kholeka Khumalo to the team Given her wealth of experience in the Hollywoodbets Super League, we are confident she will add immense value to our squad," said Nama
Following the departure of four players who moved to KwaZulu-Natal in pursuit of better op-
portunities, Executive Ladies’ FC were forced to strengthen their team They held player trials in early January to recruit new talent and have now added Khumalo as the latest addition, preparing them to challenge for the Eastern Cape Sasol League title
Currently, the team boasts a squad of 26 players, and Nama believes this group has what it takes to deliver exceptional results throughout the season He emphasised the team's ambition to participate in the Provincial Sasol League decider match this season The winner of this highly anticipated match will claim the title of Eastern Cape Sasol League champions and secure an opportunity to compete in the national promotion playoffs
Nama concluded with praise for Khumalo, noting that the team welcomed her warmly and trusts her ability to make a significant impact "Kholeka is a talented left winger who excels in dribbling, passing, and scoring We have full confidence in her capabilities "
Ruralwomen’sfootballgetsaboost
HOSEYA JUBASE
4800 Ladies’ FC head coach, Mkhuseli Nteyi, has confirmed to Mthatha Express that the team has partnered with Sinenkani FC, a renowned football club based in Bizana Coach Nteyi explained that the purpose of the partnership with this "established football institution" is to elevate and professionalise women's football in rural areas He noted that many teams are struggling to maintain their status due to financial difficulties
opening league match This coming Saturday, they face newly promoted Sapphire Ladies’ FC at Mafumbatha Stadium
Coach Nteyi expressed excitement about the start of the new season, following a prolonged wait
"We are determined to reach the provincial decider match this year Our squad is strong, and our focus is on securing maximum points in each game The positive start, with three points against WSU, has set the tone Moving
HollywoodbetsSuper Leagueresumesafter Banyana’striumph
THE Hollywoodbets Super League returns in full swing this weekend after a brief pause, following Banyana Banyana's participation in the Women’s African Cup of Nations held in Morocco
Several league fixtures were postponed as players from Hollywoodbets Super League teams were called up to join the national squad for the continental tournament With the event now concluded and Banyana Banyana back in the country, the league resumes action, and Eastern Cape-based teams City Lads FC and University of Fort Hare FC are eager to bag maximum points to improve their standings on the log
Both Eastern Cape teams had slow starts to their league campaigns, with inconsistent performances in their opening fixtures However, leading up to the African Cup of Nations, University of Fort Hare FC and City Lads FC began to build momentum, steadily collecting crucial points – both in draws and wins
forward, we are aiming for consistent results to propel us to the next level," he noted optimistically
ThisSaturday'sfixtures:
Ayakha Stars Ladies’FC vs Executive Ladies’FC – Venue: Rotary Stadium
• 4800 Ladies’ FC (now Sinenkani FC) vs Sapphire Ladies FC – Venue: Mafumbatha Stadium
• Coastal Ladies’FC vs Eastern Rangers FC – Venue: Rotary Stadium
This resurgence has seen the University of Fort Hare FC climb to sixth position on the log with 24 points after 15 matches Meanwhile, their Gqeberha neighbours, City Lads FC, currently sit in 12th place with 16 points from 14 games
As the Hollywoodbets Super League resumes, both teams are intent on securing more points to stay well clear of the relegation zone However, the upcoming fixtures will be challenging for all teams in the league With some clubs vying for the league title and others striving to
Sasol League Inland Stream side Executive Ladies FC signed Kholeka Khumalo last week.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
ANELE RAZIYA