Concernsmountoverpotholes onkeyroutestoKariega
SHANTI JAFTA
THE deteriorating condition of several major roads leading into Kariega has come under renewed scrutiny after thematterwas raised during arecent Nelson Mandela Bay council meeting by Councillor Roelf Basson Motoriststravellingonthe M19 between Swartkops andKariega, theOld CapeRoad betweenRocklands and Kariega, andthe R334 linkingMotherwell and Kariega have reported severe pothole damage,with some drivers suffering punctures and vehicle damage. Concerns have also beenraised over non-functionalstreetlights along these routes, which residents say makeitdifficult to identify hazards at night and increase the riskofaccidents
Following Basson’s intervention and growingpublicfrustration, questions havebeen submittedtothe municipality regarding road maintenance, repair plans and responsibility forthe affectedroads
KariegaresidentLilitha Mali, who shared herexperienceafter standingonthe side of theroadwaiting for atow truck, said, “Seeingother motoristswho had experienced the same issue provided some reassurance that we were not alone. When our tyres burst, another vehicle was already stranded afterhitting the same pothole.However, they hadonly one damagedtyre andwere able to leaveshortly afterwards, whereas we had three.
“As we waited for assistance,several vehicles stopped to ask whether we neededhelp, andsomeindividuals even got outoftheir cars.While their concern may have been genuine, being strandedona dark roadside meantwehad no way of knowing their intentions.Thisuncertainty heightened our fear and anxiety. As women waiting for a tow truck, we felt particularly vulnerable and exposed.”
is dangerous and unacceptable. “The large potholesnot only cause significant damage to vehicles butalso place motorists in potentially unsafe situations. Being forced to remain on the side of apoorly lit road for an extendedperiodcreates serious safety concernsand exposes road users to risks that could have been avoided throughproper road maintenance.”
Another Kariegaresident, Aphiwe Zinto, saidthathelost two tyres to the same pothole at around 23:00 on Fridaynight. “What made thesituationeven worse wasthe complete lack ofstreetlights on that road. While dealingwiththe damage, we also hadto worry aboutoncoming cars not seeing the pothole or even seeing us standing there, which could easily have caused an even biggertragedy.”
Zintoadded that “as taxpayers, we deserve betterthanthis level of negligence. Roads and adequate infrastructure are notluxuries; they areessential for public safety. Sadly,asaresidentofNelson Mandela Bay, Icannot even sayI am surprised anymore. The deterioration and lack of accountability have become fartoo common, and ordinary residents are the ones paying the price.”
Questions were sent to the NelsonMandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) regarding the potholes in the aforementioned areas. The municipalityconfirmed that these roads fall withinthe jurisdiction of the Eastern Cape Department of Transport (ECDOT)
According to ECDOT spokesperson Unathi Binqose,the Department is awareofthe deteriorationofanumber of roadsacrossthe province, including routes serving Kariega and surrounding areas.
“It is important to note that much of the recent damage has been exacerbated by the severe rainfall and flooding experienced acrosslarge parts of the provinceover the tf eeks. In the immediate aftermath
Crimestatsreveal alarmingmurderlevels
NELSON Mandela Bay remains one of the country's worstviolent crimehotspots, with severallocal police stationsranking among the highest formurder in thelatest SAPS crimestatistics.
KwaZakhele recorded 59 murders—the highestofany policestation nationally while New Brighton, Walmer, KwaNobuhle and Mthatha also featured among the top 20.
The figures come as the Eastern Cape continues to record the highest murder and rape rates in South Africa, despite anational declineinviolent crime.
Acting Minister of Police, FirozCachalia, and senior SAPS leadership released the fourth-quarter crime statistics forthe 2025/26 financial yearinPretoria on Friday, 22 May.
According to the national breakdown,the Eastern Caperecorded 949 murders, down from1,020 in the same period in 2025.
However, it stillhad the highest murder ratio in the countryat14.3 per 100,000 people, as well as the highest rape ratio at 22.5 per 100,000 people
Theprovince also recorded1,853 sexual offences,524 attempted murders, 6,026 assaults with intent to cause grievousbodily harm, and 4,046 common assaults
Speaking during the briefing, Cachalia said many murders were linkedtoarguments,retaliation, vigilantism,gang violence and alcohol abuse.
Nationally, SAPS recorded 5,181 murders, a9.5% decrease year-on-year, althoughofficials warned that violent crime levels re-
main "unacceptably high".
Nelson Mandela Bay's high murder figures have renewed concernabout policingcapacity in the metro, particularly in areas repeatedly flagged as violent crime hotspots
Responding to the statistics, DA Shadow MECfor Community Safety, YusufCassim, said the Eastern Cape urgently needsstronger coordinated intervention, includinga permanent 24-hour JointOperations Centre in Nelson Mandela Bay.
"A total of 949 murderswererecorded in the province over just three months. While this is down from 1,020 during thesame periodlastyear,itstill meansthatmore than ten people were murdered every dayinthe Eastern Cape," Cassim said,citing SAPS figures
He addedthatEastern Cape residentsremain"morelikely to be murdered or raped than anywhereelseinSouth Africa."
Cassim said he would write to theEastern Cape Provincial Commissioner,Lieutenant GeneralVuyisileNcata, and Community Safety MECXolile Nqatha, requesting adetailed intervention plan forhigh-crime stations, includingKwaZakhele, New Brighton,Walmer, KwaNobuhle andMthatha.
"Eastern Cape residents need police stations thatcan respondwhen they call, investigate casesproperly and prevent violent criminals from returning to thesame communities againand again,"Cassim said He added that SAPS muststrengthen operational capacity in the province's worst-affected areas in ordertoreduce violent crimeand restore publicsafety.
CommunityChestlaunchesWinterWoollyDrivewithKelstonMotorGroup
THE Community Chest of the Eastern Cape is proud to officially launch the 2026 Winter Woolly Drive and is excitedtoannounce Kelston MotorGroup as the headline sponsor for this year'scampaign.
The WinterWoollyDrive remains one of the Community Chest's longest-standing andmost impactful community upliftment initiatives. For nearly30years, the campaign has focusedoncollecting and distributing warm clothing, blankets, and essential winter items to underprivileged individuals and familiesthroughout the metro.
The Community Chest extends its sincere gratitudetothe many corporates, togetherwith Kelston Motor Group, that have already come on board to support this year's campaign. Their generosity and commitment will play a critical role in helping provide warmth, nourishment and dignity to vulnerable communities across
the Eastern Cape.
Supporting corporates include Absolute Projects, APL Cartons, BaywestMall, Boardwalk Mall, Cadar Printers,Café Capellini, Dave's World Design&Advertising,DGCapital, EngenAerofill, Jack sBagels, King Fisher, Northfield Engineering,PEExpress, Pick nPay, S4,SJM, SunBoardwalk,The Bridge Shopping Mall, Tucker-Davis Insurance Brokers, UD Express, andWalmerPark Shopping Centre.
Thanusha Pillay, Group Marketing ManageratKelstonMotor Group, says the Winter Woolly Drive comes at atime when many families across the regions they serve are facing particularly harsh winter conditions.
"Asheadline sponsor, Kelston Motor Group is proud to partner withthe CommunityChest of the Eastern Cape to support communities in need. Beyond essential donations,this initiative is about ensuring people feel seen, supported, and cared for when it matters
most,"she said.
Colette Theron, Marketing ManagerofCommunity Chest, said, "The Community Chest invites businesses, schools, organisations, andmembers of the public to join hands in making ameaningful differencethis winter.
"Donations of blankets, warm clothing,non-perishable food items andfinancial contributions are allwelcome andwill directly benefit those mostinneed. Together, we can ensure thatnoone in ourcommunity faces winter alone."
Nicolette Thomas, Publisher: EP Media,added, "PEExpress and UD Express arethrilled to be part of the 2026 Winter Woolly Drive! Initiatives like these remind us of the power of community coming together for ashared purpose. It is always apleasure working alongside the Community Chest of the Eastern Cape —anorganisation that continues to makea real and lasting difference in the lives of so many."
Marketing Manager: Kelston MotorGroup).
BusinessSupportCentrecelebrates15yearsofimpactingentrepreneurs
WITH the vision of shaping acentre of excellence for Eastern Cape entrepreneurs, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) and Raizcorp joinedhands in April 2011toestablish theVolkswagen Business Support Centrein Kariega.
In the 15 years since, the centre has incubated 178entrepreneurs in their business journeys, contributingtoR733 million turnover generatedwithin Eastern Cape. The companiesbenefiting fromthe centre’s programme employ almost 2000 people, and havecreated 680 new jobs since beginning theirparticipation. Of thesebusinesses, 30 havebeen onboarded as suppliers to Volkswagen Group Africa. To date, VWGA has procuredservices and products worth R93.9 million from these 30 entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the centre has provided business advice to over 5000 walk-in visitors in its 15-yearhistory.
“To VolkswagenGroupAfrica, thank you for believinginsmall businesses like mine,” said Nishan Moosa, owner of Adams and Co Refined Homes. During her participation in the centre’s programme, Nishan’s business sawa124% increase in turnover.
“Yoursupport has given me the toolstoprofessionalise, theconfi-
dence togrowand the opportunity to buildsomething lastingfor my family and community. Youhaven’t just helped me grow abusiness; you have helped me build alegacy.”
“Over the years, Ihave had the privilege of seeing many business partnerships take shape, butfew have demonstrated the same levelof longevity and consistency as theone
between Raizcorp and Volkswagen Group Africa,” reflected Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp.
“The Volkswagen Business Support Centre in Kariega represents far more than an incubator; it stands as atestament to long-term commitmenttoentrepreneurship and meaningful impact. Together, we have made atangibledifference,
supporting over 178 businesses and creating over 600 new jobs.”
The R95-millioninvestment from VWGA in theBusiness Support Centre is part of awider enterprise and supplier development strategy, whichsimultaneously prioritises economic empowerment and transformation in theautomotivesector.
In addition, VWGA is afounding
member of theAutomotiveIndustry Transformation Fund, which is aimed at financing black-owned companies in this industry, resulting in over R1.7 billion of market access opportunities to these businesses.
Meanwhile, theVolkswagen B-BBEEInitiatives Trust, which wasestablished in 2016, has also offered financial support to seven black-owned businesses in theautomotivespace, including ablack female-owned vehicledealership, GardenRouteMAN Auto, and MCR Plastics, owned by aformer VWGA employee.
“For us, corporatesocial investment is exactly that:aninvestment of time, expertise and resources,” said NonkqubelaMaliza, Director of Corporateand Government Affairs.
“We want to empower our communities to build betterfutures, and we rely on strategic partnershipssuch as this one to makesure we have that impact
“WhileIamproud of therolewe haveplayedinsupporting local entrepreneurs over thepast 15 years, I encourage thelarger business communitytosupport our beneficiaries and other entrepreneurs, so we can alltakethis further and bring more positivechange in theeconomy of theEastern Cape.”
Picturedfrom left are Colette Theron (MarketingManager: Community ChestEasternCape),Selwyn Willis (CEO:Community ChestEasternCape),NicoletteThomas (Publisher: EP Media), andThanusha Pillay(Group
PHOTO: SHANTI JAFTA
Picturedare, fromthe left, Faizal Sallie(Powerphase Engineering), MartinaBiene (VWGA Chairperson andManaging Director), Pumza Gwabeni(Nhaka The LegacyGroup), and AllonRaiz (CEOofRaizcorp)
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Despatchso Despatchs virnuwenet virnuwene
HANNES SCHOEMAN
GROOT opgewondenheid heers by die Despatch-netbalklubomdat sy bane uiteindelik opgegradeer gaan word.
“Ons bane is regtig nie meer speelbaar nie en daarom sien ons uit na ’n splinternuwe oppervlak. “Ons gebruik dié bane al sedert 1980, wat betekendis al 46 jaar oud” sê Erica Niemand, sekretaresse by die klub. Groot geld word egterhiervoor
Siyoliseto singforSA inGermany
Urban Academy Private School’s Grade 8learner,Siyolise Ncanywa, has been selected to participate in the Masifunde Youth Choir Tour to Germany.Siyolise will travel from 7to 21 June 2026, joining fellow young singers in representingSouth Africa through musicand cultural exchange. The touroffers auniqueopportunity for talented youth to performinternationally,develop their skills, andexperience different cultures.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
StColmcille netbalspelersskitter
Die netbalspan van St Colmcille SekondêreSkoolvan Nqweba is die enigste span in hul kategorie watdie Sarah Baartman-distrik sal verteenwoordig by die Oos-KaapNetbalkampioenskapin KuGompo City,wat plaasvind van14tot 16 Junie. Die span het die kwalifikasiebehaalonderleidingvan hoofafrigterLoriaanKoert, met Chrystelle Paulsen, Abigail FaasenRomaineMentoor as bestuurslede —dit ten spyte vanuitdagings rondom vervoer en verblyf. KringbestuurderLeon Zealandendie SRCCFoundation worderken vir hul ondersteuningenbydraetydensdie span se wedstryd teen Nico Malan op 30 Mei. Die skool is tans op soek na borge en donateurs wat die span finansieel kan ondersteun met hul komendereisvir die kampioenskap. Belangstellendes kan die skool skakel by 042 230 1682 of 082040 8612 FOTO: VERSKAF
