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Ending loadshedding among key priorities, says Ramaphosa

By Musa Mnyandu

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has placed among its apex

priorities for this year, a set of measures to reduce and ultimately end rolling blackouts. As power utility battles to keep the lights on, the country is currently experiencing loadshedding at various stages, depending on the availability of generation capacity, Delivering the ANC's January 8 Statement at Mangaung at the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the party's National Executive Committee (NEC), acting in line with the directives and resolutions of the recently concluded 55th national conference had identified six key priorities for the year ahead, among which is the plan to tackle the country's crippling power cuts.

Ramaphosa conceded that energy insecurity remained one of the major impediments to the country's economic recovery, in addition to disrupting the lives and livelihoods of all South Africans.

Ramaphosa said the ruling party was calling in Eskom and government to immediately focus on restoring additional generation units to operation as quickly as possible. Undertaking critical maintenance and ensuring that power stations were staffed with skilled an experienced personnel were also top of the agenda, the ANC President pointed out.

“The Eskom board needs to recruit world class professionals to fill vacancies in executive management. To further reduce stress on the national grid, government and Eskom must enforce demand management measures to reduce electricity consumption and ensure available energy is directed to areas and sectors of priority, including support for health and educational institutions and municipal infrastructure.

“Government should secure additional power in the short term by leveraging surplus capacity from existing generators and procuring additional power on an emergency basis,” Ramaphosa said.

The ruling party has also vowed to lead the campaign against illegal electricity connections. Ramaphosa said the ANC was also calling on all South Africans to adopt energy saving measures in order to alleviate the stress on the national grid.

“We will continue implementing the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 which includes the procurement of over 18 000 megawatts of new generation capacity. This includes ensuring investment resources mobilised through the Just Energy Transition Investment Pan are used to speedily upgrade Eskom's transition network to facilitate entry of new generation capacity,” Ramaphosa indicated.

Job creation

The ruling party will also be zeroing in on the untapped potential for inclusive growth and employment creation in the SMME sector, cooperatives and informal businesses. The ruling party, states President Ramaphosa, is calling on government to remove regulatory constraints on SMMEs and to support micro enterprises and

Continued on Page 2

PRIORITY: ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is seen flanked by the ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe

Ramp magician presents spectacular fashion show

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As published on Tuesday, 10 January 2023

Dangerous suspects arrested in Newark

By Xpress Reporter

Two of the province's most wanted suspects were arrested on Tuesday this week, in a high risk operation that involved aerial support.

According to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), the arrest was made in Newark, near Mandeni. RUSA says the SAPS Durban K9 Unit requested aerial support from the company, prior to embarking on the operation. The suspects were wanted for up to six cases of murder. They are also being investigated in connection with several other murder cases.

With the RUSA helicopter providing aerial support detectives from Newark

SAPS, Umhlali SAPS and Durban K9 Unit mobilised and approached the target location, in a rural part of Newark.

“The RUSA Helicopter lifted off with the Investigating Officer and flew low level over the Tugela River as Officers from various units converged on Bulwer Farm. The helicopter then climbed to 300 feet and hovered over the suspects' home. Officers breached the property and took down the occupant. The Investigating Officer seated in the helicopter positively identified the man as the wanted murderer,” stated RUSA.

A RUSA in the aircraft

noticed a white VW Polo concealed behind a house between the Tugela River and a green belt. The vehicle was positively identified as being sought, and the information was relayed to the ground crew.

“The house was surrounded and the second suspect was found concealing himself inside the dwelling. The Investigating Officer once again identified the second occupant as a sought after suspect wanted for murders. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident,” RUSA said.

Both suspects are expected to appear in court soon.

Bogus “ATM guard” nabbed in KwaDukuza

Drug dealer arrested at taxi rank

An intelligence driven operation led to the arrest of a suspect who was charged for dealing in narcotics, recently. The operation was put in place after information had been received about a man who was allegedly dealing in drugs at the Maphumulo taxi rank, in the KwaDukuza CBD.

The operation involved members of Ilembe Crime Intelligence, Umhlali K9 Unit and the SAPS KwaDukuza Sector, led by Captain Perumal.

The operation led to the discovery of 150 heroin capsules, and the suspect was detained at KwaDukuza police station.

By Xpress Reporter

A man posing as an “ATM guard” was arrested after being found in possession of an unregistered firearm. The arrest was made on the 29th of December 2022, after reaction officers from Fidelity ADT Security responded to a report about a suspicious vehicle in the KwaDukuza CBD.

Reaction officers were dispatched to the scene to

follow up on the report about a GP registered Polo vehicle with no front plates which was parked on Blaine Street, in KwaDukuza.

Upon arrival, the reaction officer questioned the men, who claimed to be ATM guards. A registration check was conducted and it came back negative, however the reaction officer was not convinced and proceeded to alert KwaDukuza SAPS after confirming that one of the

men, who was sitting outside the vehicle, was in possession of a firearm.

When police arrive don the scene, the man sitting outside the vehicle was placed under arrest after officers discovered that the information on his firearm did not correspond with the information on the firearm licence card.

The man was detained at KwaDukuza police station for further investigation.

moment where

doubt you can fly, you cease for ever being able to do it. Peter Pan J.M. Barrie

Sunny Partly Cloudy Sunny Sunny Sunny

SPECTACULAR: KwaDukuza's very own “ramp magician” Ismail Gori, put on a spectacular fashion show at Durban Summer Souk, held at the Durban Exhibition Centre on the 31st of December 2022. Pictured are some of the stunning ladies who participated, with “ramp magician” Ismail Gori.

A man was arrested for dealing in drugs at the Maphumulo taxi rank

Maphumulo Mayor spreads some cheers

Release of Matric results on track

The Department of Basic Education says it is on track to release the Matric 2022 results on 20 January 2023. The Class of 2022 sat for their final school examinations from October 31 to December 7 last year.

The Department explained this week that results for the Matric Class of 2022 are

currently being processed.

“When the results are released, we urge [learners] to collect their results at the centre where [they] sat for the 2022 National Senior Certificate examinations,” the Department said.

For learners who will return to school this year, the academic year will kick off

on Wednesday (today) for learners attending school in Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the North West.

In the coastal cluster Eastern Cape, KwaZuluNatal, Northern Cape and Western Cape learners will have their first day of school on 18 January.

Leisurely swim ends in tragedy

By Xpress Reporter

Numerous incidents of drowning and near drowning were reported on the North Coast during the Festive Season.

A 9-year-old boy from Ndwedwe lost his life on Wednesday last week after going for a leisurely swim in a nearby river. IPSS Medical

Rescue stated that, while swimming, the boy disappeared under water, causing an alarm to be raised.

Emergency services were called to the scene and a search was initiated. However, the boy could not be located, until the search was called off around 01:00am the following day.

In the early morning the

search was resumed by SAPS Search and Rescue, SAPS Umhlali K9 Unit and IPSS Medical Rescue's Search and Rescue Unit, and the body of the boy was found soon after.

The body was handed over to Ndwedwe SAPS for processing and further investigation.

CHEERS: On Christmas Day Maphumulo Mayor Cllr Siboniso Nyathikazi, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Sinenhlanhla Chili, visited UMphumulo and Ntunjambili hospitals to welcome the babies born on Christmas Day. Pictured (left) is Deputy Mayor Chili and Mayor Nyathikazi congratulating one of the new mothers.

A nine-year-old boy died after drowning in a river, in Ndwedwe

How to prepare for new school year

Brain still on holidaymode? We get it. Making the switch back to work-mode can be hard. Luckily, there are ways to make the process easier. Get prepared the right way by using these simple steps as a guideline.

• Prepare Mentally

• Organise Your Supplies

• Get Into a Routine

Prepare Mentally

Starting a new school year can be stressful. This is why it's important to make sure that you prepare yourself mentally. With the right frame of mind, you can handle any issues that may come up.

• Review What you Learnt the Year Before

You don't have to spend hours going through your work. Just read through your notes to refresh your memory. You can also make a list of what you have learnt.

• Find out What you Will be Studying

If you can, get a list of the topics you will be covering for the year. This will give you an idea on what to expect and help you plan ahead.

• Set Specific Goals

Want to get good grades? Set goals and develop a study routine with time dedicated to each of your subjects.

Organise Your Supplies

With the proper school supplies, you will be able to get your school work done easily. You should also have a system to make sure all your things are organised. This will avoid wasting time looking for stuff.

• Buy the Stationery you Need

Your school will usually provide a list of materials that you will need for the term or year. Take advantage of back-to-school specials that most stores offer before school starts.

• Pack Your School Bag

Once you have all your materials, you need to pack your bag. Do this well in advance in case there is something you missed.

• Check Your Packing Space

Most students need to carry many books and stationery with them every day. Make sure your bag has enough

space for everything. You might even need an extra bag.

Get Into a Routine

It might not be the easiest thing to do, but getting back into a normal routine will lessen your stress. This doesn't mean that you have to rush into it. Take your time and set a pace that suits you best.

• Start a Sleep Schedule

The sooner you get your sleep schedule on track, the better. Start with going to bed a little earlier the week before school starts.

No new restrictions amid discovery of Omicron sub-variant

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says for now, government will not impose any internal restrictions as a result of the emergence of a newly found sub-variant of the Covid-19 virus.

The first instance of the XBB.1.5 sub-variant was detected in South Africa in December and reported earlier this month.

variant.

“We believe that the fact that the dominant variant of concern in China and in the world remains the Omicron and that the immunity of South Africans from vaccination and natural immunity is still very strong, puts us in a better position and in less risk.

•

Time Your Morning Preparations

Morning routines are often rushed through to get to school on time. Figure out how long you take to get ready so you know how early you need to get up.

• Schedule Your Appointments

The beginning of a new school year is usually the busiest time. Before it starts, make a plan to schedule things, such as a new haircut or doctor's appointment.

Source: Skills Academy

Phaahla explained that XBB.1.5 is a sub-variant of the globally dominant Omicron variant which presents less severe illness.

“We have consulted our Ministerial Advisory Committees and also the World Health Organisation … and in both cases the advice that we have received is that there is no need to impose any travel restrictions on any country, including the People's Republic of China and that we also do not need to reimpose any restrictions internally in our country.

“The XBB.1.5 has been detected more in the [United States of America] where its prevalence is rated at about 6.8% of the circulating subvariants. While the various sub-variants have shown different levels of transmissibility, there has thus been no marked change in severity of illness,” he said.

The Minister added that vaccinations have put South Africa in a strong position to fight COVID-19 infections and reported no major effects on the healthcare system since the detection of the

“[That] is why we have not seen up to this stage any major changes in our epidemiology in terms of the rates of infections, also in terms of admissions to hospitals and even the rate of fatalities from the COVID19 pandemic,” he said.

The Minister said although no major restrictions will be imposed, the Health Ministry will be taking precautionary measures including:

• Encouraging increased testing on people who experience the known COVID-19 symptoms

• Encouraging those experiencing symptoms to go to health facilities

• Advising healthcare practitioners to order antigen or PCR tests to be done on symptomatic persons

• Every positive COVID19 test to be sent to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for genomic sequencing

• Increasing surveillance and waste water testing by the NICD, including that of aircrafts coming from countries with a high COVID-19 burden

• Reinvigorating the national COVID-19

vaccination campaign

The measures were presented to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and have been approved.

Phaahla emphasised that getting the jab remains the best way to build up immunity against COVID19.

“Our vaccination ministerial advisory committee will soon make adjustments to qualification for booster [vaccination] per age and also the timelines between the boosters. The remake is looking at including in the boosters not only the people over 50 but also all adults over 18 years of age,” he said.

“Vaccination remains the bedrock to protect against any variant or sub-variant of COVID-19 and not travel restrictions or any new restrictions at this stage,” he said.

Search underway for drowned boy

Kidnapping victims safely returned

A Kranskop shop owner, his son and two employees were safely returned after a kidnapping ordeal that occurred on Thursday last week. The four victims were taken along with a white Toyota Hilux bakkie.

A multi-disciplinary operation consisting of Magma Security, PMB Hostage Negotiators, PMB DPCI, Durban DPCI, Greytown SAPS, Kranskop SAPS and Tracker Connect was soon activated.

After intense negotiations the four victims were released in the early hours of Friday morning, much to the relief of their families.

The investigation into the kidnapping incident is underway.

Help find natural parents

Maphumulo DSD is seeking to find the father of Ndlovu Nonjabulo Kwanele (DOB 2008/01/15). The biological mother of the child, Ndlovu Thobile, is deceased. The child has been found to be in urgent need of care and protection. Anyone with information no the whereabouts of the father is urged to contact social worker Miss N Madiba on (032) 4812093/2027.

Search was continuing on Tuesday for a 10-year-old

By Xpress Reporter

Search

were still busy at the time of going to press yesterday (Tuesday) searching for a 10year-old boy who reportedly drowned at Tugela River

boy who went missing while swimming at Tugela River

near Mandeni, on Monday.

IPSS Medical Rescue has reported that the boy disappeared in the water while swimming.

“Units responded to the scene, but due to the level of

the river, were unable to enter due to safety concerns. The banks and weir were checked, but unfortunately there was no signs of the young boy,” stated IPSS Medical Rescue.

National Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla

and rescue teams

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Multiple injured in Tinley Manor crash

By Xpress Reporter

Multiple patients were rushed to hospital after a motor vehicle overturned on the N2 near Tinley Manor, on the 2nd of January 2023. IPSS Medical Rescue reported that approximately

ten people sustained varying injuries, and had to be treated on the scene before being transported to a suitable medical facility for further care.

The cause of the accident remains the subject of a police investigation.

Water tankers for Shembe pilgrimage

By Xpress Reporter

The annual pilgrimage by members of the Nazareth Baptist Church (Shembe Church) up the Nhlangakazi Mountain in Ndwedwe, received a huge boost this year, after three municipalities offered t provide basic services.

Ilembe District Mayor Thobani Shandu, Ndwedwe Mayor Samuel Mfeka and the then Acting Ethekwini Executive Mayor Nkosenhle Madlala, made a joint announcement recently about the services the three municipalities had decided to provide.

At the beginning of January every year, thousands of members of the Shembe Church make a trek up the holy mountain of Nhlangakazi, in memory of the founder of the Church, Prophet Isaiah Shembe, who made the first pilgrimage in 1916, after heeding a call from God.

Mayor Shandu said the District Municipality was this year making available for the pilgrimage Jojo tanks, water tankers and standpipes. Temporary sanitation facilities are also being provided. Disaster response arrangements have also been put in place.

Ndwedwe Municipality and Ethekwini Metro were also providing essential services.

Meanwhile, the announcement by then three municipalities has ruffled some feathers, with many people questioning the logic of providing services for the annual pilgrimage, while the municipalities concerned were struggling to with basic service delivery to their respective communities.

SERVICES: Pictured (l TO r) are Ilembe District Mayor Thobani Shandu, Ethekwini MAYCO member Cllr Nkosenhle Madlala and Ndwedwe Mayor Samuel Mfeka

By Xpress Reporter

The rainy weather patterns that have been experienced in parts of KwaZulu-Natal of late, including the North Coast, have continued to cause major carnage on the roads.

In one of the most gruesome

accidents to be reported on the North Coast, two people died after their vehicle burst into flames on the N2 near Zinkwazi, on Friday last week.

IPSS Medical Rescue reported that two vehicles were involved in a collision, resulting in one of the vehicles

bursting into flames. Both the driver and the passenger were killed on impact. The driver of the other vehicle was entrapped in the vehicle, and had to be extricated by the KDM Fire Department using the Jaws of Life.

The injured patients were

treated on the scene before being transported to a suitable nearby medical facility for further care.

The cause of the accident is being investigated by relevant authorities.

Alvin Moonsamy, a local sports star

KwaDukuza/Stanger is renowned to produce sporting stars over the years and one such star is Alvin Moonsamy Moodley who has made his name from a young age. Besides his prowess on the sports field, Alvin is recognised for his dedication, commitment and contribution to sports, not only in KwaDukuza but throughout.

An avid fisherman, Alvin Moonsamy's main competitive sporting codes are soccer and volleyball. He was born in 1974, May 2 and attended Harry Bodasingh Primary School and Stanger Manor Secondary where his talents were recognised and developed.

In football he occupies the centre forward position whilst being a powerful outside hitter in volleyball. His favourite soccer team is Liverpool with star forward Mo Salah being his favourite player.

Alvin started his football career playing for the juvenile squad of Arcadia FC before joining Swans and Gueldies junior and later plied his trade

for Gueldies seniors. He went on to play super league footfall for Rocky Park, Darnall and Railways (Tongaat). He also played in the corporate league for LCM, Stanger Super Market and Waratahs (Shakaskraal).

Moonsamy's greatest achievements include treble trophies with Gueldies, Railways and Waratahs. The feather in the cap for Moonsamy was when he played for Pietermaritzburg Sporting that represented South Africa in the Asian Masters tournament held in Malaysia where he scored against India in a losing game.

He is currently playing for Railways FC in the over 35 Futsal League and Tongaat Stars in the over 40 outdoor league. His latest major tournament victory was with Gueldies in the Lower Tugela reunion tournament played in Rocky Park.

Alvin Moonsamy also received honours in volleyball where he played for New Edition, Teachers Style, Morningside, Sunbrook,

Darnall and Gueldies. He is currently plying his trade for Heights VC. He also represents Stanger Masters who compete in the KwaZulu Natal Masters league and was recently named

attacker and most valuable player in the tournament played in Stanger.

Alvin's sporting versatility showed when he represented Dawnheights Cricket Club.

FLAMES: Two people were killed after their burst into flames, following a collision on the N2 near Zinkwazi

Local star, Alvin Moonsamy Moodley

Brazilians bade a final farewell last week to football giant Pele that started last Monday with a 24-hour public wake at the stadium of his long-time team, Santos.

The oceanside home of the team nicknamed "Peixe" - "fish" in Portuguese, had a huge influx of fans looking to honour the "King" of football, who died aged 82 after a long battle with cancer.

The coffin bearing the remains of the only player to have won three World Cups was displayed in the centre of the field. Known as Vila Belmiro after the neighbourhood where it is located, the black-and-white stadium has a capacity of 16,000 people. In the stands, three giant flags could be seen, one with an image of Pele displaying the famous number 10 on his jersey. Another bore the message "Long live the king"; the third said simply, "Pele 82 years."

After that, a procession was held through the streets of Santos, a port city about 75 kilometres (47 miles) from the state capital Sao Paulo. The

parade passed the house of Pele's mother, 100-year-old Celeste Arantes, who is unaware that her world-famous son has died.

"She doesn't know," Pele's sister Maria Lucia do Nascimento said. "She is not conscious."

The procession ended at a cemetery in Santos, where Pele was interred in a special mausoleum.

Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, Pele is widely considered to have been the best player yet of the beautiful game. His death sparked a global outpouring of tributes, with his native Brazil holding three days of national mourning. He scored 1,283 goals in a career of 21 years, most of them played at Santos.

Wreaths of flowers left by his fans brought a splash of colour to Vila Belmiro, which houses a bust and a statue of the football great.

Pele had been hospitalized at the Albert Einstein Hospital for a month until his death on December 29. "We were with him" on December 21, his sister

recounted. "It was very quiet, we talked a little, but I already sensed that he was feeling it, he already knew he was leaving."

Born on October 23, 1940, Pele grew up selling peanuts on the street to help his impoverished family. He got his famous nickname after mispronouncing Bile, the name of a goalkeeper at Vasco de Sao Lourenco, where his footballer father once played. Pele exploded onto the scene at age 15, when he started playing professionally with Santos.

At just 17, he helped Brazil to its first World Cup championship, in 1958. That was followed by World Cup titles in 1962 and 1970. The latter marked the pinnacle of his career, as he starred on what many consider the greatest team of all time.

Pele had been in increasingly fragile health in recent years. He remained active on social media, cheering on Brazil during the World Cup in Qatar and consoling the pre-tournament favourites when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals just three weeks before his death.

STANGER