Community alerts security company about suspicious activity that led to arrest

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On Wednesday morning, the community of Morningside saw some suspicious behavior and took the measure of alerting the local security company.

The Marshall Security Emergence Dispatch center received reports from the WhatsApp Crime Alert group of a suspect walking on Percy Osborn Road carrying a flat-screen TV box. The message was received around 08:30.

Upon receiving the crime alert message, an armed response team was dispatched to investigate. The suspect was spotted at the corner of Percy Osborn and Smiso Nkwanyana road, where the officers detained the suspect for questioning.

They asked him to open the box, they found the TV still inside. After a few questions, the suspect was not able to provide a reasonable explanation as to where and how he got the flat-screen TV and was immediately apprehended.

The Durban Central SAPS were contacted and arrived on the scene a short while later. They transported the suspect together with the TV to Durban Central SAPS where he was to be charged with being in possession of suspected stolen items.

Well done to the vigilant member of the public who reported the suspicious behavior.

Dj Kotini suffers a stroke

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Durban Sun DJ Kotini

Another KZN star suffered a stroke but is recovering well. DJ Kotini whose real name is Siyabonga Zikode gets hospitalized after suffering a stroke.

The artist is the third KZN artist announced to have been hit by a stroke; the first was Mampintsha who didn’t survive after suffering a second stroke while in the hospital.

The second artist was Lvovo who suffered a minor stroke a day before Mampintsha died.

The DJ is also receiving treatment after being hit by a stroke.

Artist Thokozani Zulu known as Tzozo confirmed Kotini’s health status to the media while mourning Mandla’s passing.

“It’s our very own DJ Kotini. We are happy that he is out of the hospital, he was in Joburg. He came back to KZN yesterday, he’s still sick but he’s fine. And L’vovo I want to tell South Africa that L’vovo is fine, he is in the hospital, doctors are looking after him, he is gonna be fine,” he said.

Everyone is invited to Mampitsha memorial service

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Losing a loved one is always the hardest thing to ever go through. The Maphumulo family said that losing Mampitsha is the most painful thing that has ever happened to them.

“He was loved by his family and the nation,” said family spokesperson Zanele Maphumulo during a joint family briefing between the Simelane and Maphumulo families on Monday.

Mandla “Mapintsha” Maphumulo passed away on Christmas eve at the age of 40, this happened just days after his record label announced that he had suffered a stroke.

The Simelane and Maphumulo family briefed the media on his untimely passing and addressed multiple issues, including the comments regarding the star and his wife, Bongekile “Babes Wodumo” Simelane.

Family spokesperson Zanele Maphumulo said: “With regards to Babes, as I have said before when you lose your loved one, it is not easy. For the past two days, she was not okay but we are a family that believes in God, we pray for everything, and the prayers of both families, the Simelane’s and the Maphumulo’s have helped and sustained her.”

“They were very close, they were friends and they were lovers, it was husband and wife. Their son Sponge is also well. We are all supporting each other.”

Although details of the funeral have not yet been finalized which is set to take place on Friday, the family also shared information about the memorial service which they said will take place on Thursday in Durban Central. The details about the funeral will be shared in due course.

“The funeral will be on Friday, we are still sourcing the venue with the help of the government, which has come on board to assist us as we all know that this was an icon in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.”

“We are planning to have the memorial service on Thursday at the ECC church, Pastor Vusi Dube’s church, and will be starting at 11 am. Everyone is welcome to come to that memorial service – the public is also welcome because we are celebrating the life of Mampintsha.”

Zanele Maphumulo also denied claims that they heard of Mampintsha’s passing from secondary sources.

“We won’t be entertaining things which are spoken without evidence. Both families, the Maphumulos and Simelanes, were with Mampintsha when he passed away. We didn’t hear it from anyone, we were there,“ said Maphumulo.

The families also took the opportunity to express their disappointment at how people on social media were behaving and the things that they were saying.

“Social media is social media and anyone is allowed to say whatever and we cannot stop anyone, but we are a family of integrity and we don’t entertain anything.”

“People are saying so many things, but as a family, we know the real Mampintsha and we as a family know who the real Babes is, so we take what we know. So whatever is out there in the media, we are not interested in.

“But we do ask that South Africans respect that family which is mourning at this time,” said Maphumulo.

 

L’vovo suffers a minor stroke during a performance

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Another Durban star suffered a stroke. L`vovo was in the middle of a show when he suffered a “minor stroke” in Ndwendwe, KwaZulu-Natal on 23 December.

Durban Sun 94f3caec8f0f480a
L’vovo has been hospitalised. Image: @lvovosa Source: Instagram

His record label has assured the fans that in spite of him being in a hospital, he is responding very well to medication. They said so in an official statement following the event.

A few days ago, another Durban artist, Mampintsha, also suffered a stroke after a performance. He died a few days later.

Mzansi wishes L’vovo a speedy recovery Peeps took to Twitter to wish the musician a speedy recovery after news of his hospitalisation broke on social media.

@BoichokoDichaba said: “Is it a coincidence what’s happening in the music industry? Does this not warrant a thorough investigation? We can have 2 of our artists suffering from the same disease and then we act like it’s an isolated incident.”

@ntwanano wrote: “Can we check our blood pressures and all those other vitals often as black people? BP is a silent killer. Don’t know if it’s the cause here and other recent cases but it is the biggest cause of strokes.”

Makhadzi detained in Botswana

Makhadzi has been detained over her failure to pay back promoters after having missed a gig in Botswana.

According to attorney Ms Mbewe N, the High Court of Botswana ordered the arrest of Makhadzi, real name Ndivhudzannyi Decorate Ralivhona once she steps foot in that country.

Justice Dr Zein Kebonang ordered the arrest of Makhadzi to allow for the applicants, Nandi Flame Ventures and Unami Thato Moseki to pursue action against her.

makhadzi detained
makhadzi detained

Social media reports say that the South African musician is currently detained by court Sheriffs in Moshupa.

Mbewe Legal Practice and Hirshfield won’t let her leave Botswana until she pays the promoter for a show she missed.

makhadzi detained

The High-court of Botswana has instructed that she pays P700 000 or be sent straight to prison.

This is a developing story.

makhadzi detained
The attorneys behind Makhadzi’s arrest

Facebook user correctly predicted Mampintsha’s death back in October

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A Facebook post by one Innocent Lindoholic Rsa has left tongues wagging after it correctly predicted Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo would die on the 24th.

The post which was made on October 2, 2022 reads, “U Mampitsha uzosishiya ngomhla ka 24 angazi why but yeah” which Facebook automatically translates to “Mampitsha will leave us on the 24th I don’t know why but yeah.”

Mampintsha death prediction

 

The popular musician and businessman died on 24 December 2022 at the age of 40.

This follows reports earlier this week that the Big Nus singer and songwriter suffered a stroke.

Afrotainment released a statement on Thursday evening confirming Mampintsha had suffered a stroke after rumors about his health.

“This is a public notification by Afrotainment, a record label based in Durban, KZN, South Africa. This statement serves as a notification to the Public, Media, Promoters and Big Nuz fans about businessman and artist, Mandla Maphumulo,” read the release, which was posted on the Afrotainment Instagram page.

It further said the musician had suffered a minor stroke a week ago upon his return from a performance with Big Nuz and was currently in hospital and under doctors observation.

“The family has asked that the public and media respect their privacy during this time. The statement also added: “We ask that you keep him in your prayers. Afrotainment wishes him a speedy recovery, and we cannot wait for him to rock our stages again.”

Mampintsha died at 40 after suffering a stroke

Fans and celebrities took to social media wishing him a speedy recovery.

But, on Saturday, Mampintsha’s former manager, Dogg Durban confirmed the musicians passing to Durban Sun.

Tributes have been pouring in on social media after news of Mampintsha’s passing spread.

Efforts to get comment from the Facebook user were fruitless however the prediction has sparked debate on how it became possible that it turns out to be true.

“Strange times we live today, how can one tell when someone will die just like that,” wrote i Twitter user.

Mampintsha dies at 40 after suffering a stroke

Popular musician and businessman Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo has died at age 40.

This follows reports earlier this week that the singer and songwriter who is a member of the award-winning group Big Nuz suffered a stroke.

Afrotainment released a statement on Thursday evening confirming Mampintsha had suffered a stroke after rumors about his health.

“This is a public notification by Afrotainment, a record label based in Durban, KZN, South Africa. This statement serves as a notification to the Public, Media, Promoters and Big Nuz fans about businessman and artist, Mandla Maphumulo,” read the release, which was posted on the Afrotainment Instagram page.

It further said the musician had suffered a minor stroke a week ago upon his return from a performance with Big Nuz and was currently in hospital and under doctors observation.

“The family has asked that the public and media respect their privacy during this time. The statement also added: “We ask that you keep him in your prayers. Afrotainment wishes him a speedy recovery, and we cannot wait for him to rock our stages again.”

Fans and celebrities took to social media wishing him a speedy recovery.

But, on Saturday, Mampintsha’s former manager, Dogg Durban confirmed the musicians passing to Daily Sun.

Tributes have been pouring in on social media after news of Mampintsha’s passing spread.

Durban freak wave victim laid to rest at her home village

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A young lady who drowned at Durban North Beach last Saturday during the freak wave was buried in her home village Sankontshe, near Hammarsdale. The burial was conducted on Thursday.

At least three people drowned, 17 were injured and about 100 people received first aid after they were caught in a rip tide at the packed beach.

The community paid its last respect to the late Sbongake Ntsele, 16, saying her death left them with a wound. Pupils from Gabi Gabi High School attended this emotional ceremony as she was a schoolmate.

Speaking on behalf of neighbors and the maidens group Ntsele was part of, Doris Ndlovu said: “I am still in disbelief. When Sbonga’s family told me about this I thought they were telling lies.”

“I cannot imagine the pain they are going through. I am 61 and very fearful about losing any of my children.”

“Sbonga’s mum said her daughter had been swallowed by the ocean, together with other people.”

The teenager played a central role in the maidens group, this was highlighted by Ndlovu during the speech on the ceremony.

During the funeral service, the maidens sang traditional songs.

Ndlovu, who groomed Ntsele, said she had harbored great dreams for her as she was the “epitome of what the life of a young, obedient girl should be”.

Ntsele’s best friend, Akhona Langa, 16, said they had been inseparable.

“Every time I would invite her to sleep over at my house, she would tell me she needed to get permission from her family and her mom. She loved her mom,” said Langa.

The loss of her friend came at the very beginning of the school holidays which made it hard for the teenager`s friend to hold back her tears.

“I was the one who suggested we go to the beach. I am being eaten by guilt. Maybe if I had not asked her mom to go to the beach we would not be here today,” said Langa.

She gave an account of how terrifying the news of her friend`s passing was when it came to her.

“It is going to be difficult going back to school. She was my only friend. I can barely eat”, Akhona Langa, 16.

“I survived but this was not easy. I am torn by this.”

She said her friend planned to follow a career in health sciences.

“Ntsele was a part of the science stream at school and her passing was a big loss to the school,” said the Gabi Gabi High School deputy principal Zilungile Malinga.

“We expected a lot from her because she was studying subjects required by the country. We are here to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences, but we believe what happened is God’s will,” said Malinga.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said Durban Central police are investigating the drownings. 

The tragedy cast a spotlight on the training and accreditation of lifeguards at the Durban beachfront, with ActionSA calling for the closure of beaches. 

2m meter long Black Mamba was hiding on the Christmas tree

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Durban Sun Black mamba

A QUEENSBURGH family got the shock of their lives when a 2m Black Mamba decided to hide amongst the ornaments of their Christmas tree. The incident occurred on Thursday, December 22, just three days before Christmas.

According to local snake rescuer Nick Evans, who captured the snake at the Queensburgh home, the snake was initially outside when it was disturbed by the gardener.

”It then moved away from him out of fear, saw the open door, and ducked inside. From there, it went up the Christmas tree and onto a small shelf above it,” said Evans.

The jarred family then contacted Evans. “While I was on my way, it slithered back down the tree and hid at the bottom, behind a speaker,” said Evans.

Evans then picked it up from where it was hiding with professional snake tongs. “I lifted it over the wires and things that could get knocked over, put it on the lounge floor, and pinned it down.”

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The snake was captured by Nick Evans after finding a hiding spot amongst the ornaments of the family’s Christmas tree. Photo: Nick Evans

The local snake rescuer says that the snake is about 2m long.

Commenting on the unusual situation, Evans said, “The family was rather shocked, as you can imagine. It’s one of the more amusing places I’ve found a mamba.”

47 White-backed vultures poisoned in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

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In a statement given by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and their partner, Wildlife ACT was stated that 47 White-backed vultures and five Tawny Eagles were found dead.

They stated that altogether 47 carcasses were found and 35 of them had their head removed. Five were still alive and were rushed to the rehabilitation facility for further treatment.

They said a criminal case has been instituted with the South African Police Service.

“The swift response by conservation officials, who have been trained to handle such poisoning events, decontaminated the scene to ensure that no further fatalities occurred.”

Brent Coverdale, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife`s Mammal and Bird Scientist, said the demand for vultures in traditional medicine trades is a high factor cause of vulture poisoning in South Africa, and this is highlighted in the draft Management Plan for South African Vultures.

Earlier this month, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment released the Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) for South African Vultures for public comment.

“Wildlife ACT was extremely saddened by the discovery of this recent mass vulture poisoning. Vultures are a vital component of our ecosystem’s functionality, yet we have seen a drastic decline in the local breeding population over the past few years due to poisoning, despite our best efforts.

“We urge the public to engage with the BMP commenting process before the deadline,” said Anel Olivier, Wildlife ACT’s Vulture Conservation Programme Manager.

The draft BMP can be accessed here