(VIDEO) Emergency Repairs on KZN’s N2 Umbogintwini River Bridge

Bongani
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(VIDEO) Emergency Repairs on KZN’s N2 Umbogintwini River Bridge

Construction teams have begun urgent repair work on the Umbogintwini River bridge along the N2 highway in KwaZulu-Natal following a partial collapse earlier this month.

The incident led to a significant disruption in traffic as a section of the busy highway was closed for safety.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) reported that specialist engineers immediately visited the site to assess the damage and determine the necessary remedial actions.

To mitigate the immediate impact, hydraulic jacks will be used to lift the bridge deck back to level with the other decks.

This temporary solution will allow the road to be reopened to traffic once completed.

Sanral stated that emergency repairs are already underway, with expectations to complete the temporary fix by early December 2024.

Following this, the repair work will progress in phases, with the second phase set to begin early next year.

This phase will focus on installing more permanent structures, while the third phase, scheduled for the second quarter of 2025, will tie into broader upgrade projects for the N2.

In addition to the bridge repairs, Sanral confirmed that the N2 between Moss Kolnik Drive and Isipingo will undergo an estimated R5 billion upgrade, which includes the modernization of the bridge structure.

This major upgrade, set to be awarded in the first quarter of 2025, will see the stretch of road expanded to a four- or five-lane carriageway, improving traffic flow and safety for years to come.

Construction Begins on KZN’s Largest Student Housing Project Near UKZN

Ben Johnson
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Construction Begins on KZN’s Largest Student Housing Project Near UKZN

Construction has begun on KwaZulu-Natal’s largest student accommodation development, located near the main gate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Howard College campus in Durban’s Berea.

Led by Growthpoint Properties under its Thrive Student Living brand, the R800 million project will deliver 2,400 student beds, addressing a severe shortage of quality student housing in the province.

Research identifies KwaZulu-Natal as the province with the highest demand for student beds in South Africa, with many students currently living in conditions unsuitable for academic success.

The new facility is expected to welcome its first residents by January 2027.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony on Monday, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and the City’s CFO Sandile Mnguni joined Growthpoint representatives in emphasizing the project’s transformative potential.

“Proprietary research revealed that KZN remains undersupplied with student beds.

Most students live in environments that hinder their academic outcomes,” said Kobus Blom, Growthpoint’s regional development manager.

The 12-storey development will feature student-focused amenities, including study areas, gyms, games rooms, IT facilities, and backup power and water systems.

A ground-floor retail section will offer convenient services for students and the surrounding community.

Designed with Berea’s iconic red face-brick aesthetic, the project blends modern functionality with the area’s traditional architecture.

Amogelang Mocumi, fund manager for Growthpoint Student Accommodation Holdings, highlighted the larger implications of such investments.

“By prioritizing student accommodation that supports better education outcomes, we are enriching lives, creating jobs, and driving economic growth.

This project demonstrates the power of partnerships and collaboration,” Mocumi said.

The development marks a significant step forward in addressing student housing challenges and boosting economic growth through targeted investments.

Foodborne Illness Outbreak Sparks Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Traders

Hayley Jacobs
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Foodborne Illness Outbreak Sparks Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Traders

The South African government has acknowledged the efforts by various stakeholders to address the outbreak of foodborne illnesses and illicit trade.

Which have tragically claimed lives and led to hospitalizations, particularly in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and the Free State.

In a press release, the government expressed concern over disruptions in areas like Soweto, where incidents of public interference in the registration process of businesses have occurred.

Law enforcement agencies have since intervened to restore order.

The government has urged the public not to disrupt registration processes by blocking shop owners or conducting unauthorized inspections.

Joint lawful inspections led by multidisciplinary teams, including officials and law enforcement, are ongoing nationwide to ensure compliance with legal and health standards.

“All legitimate traders who meet the legal requirements to own a business in South Africa will be allowed to register and trade,” the government stated, emphasizing its commitment to fair and lawful enforcement of regulations.

With the 21-day registration deadline approaching, the government has been inundated with inquiries from business owners seeking extensions.

Authorities are urging businesses to complete their registrations promptly, ensuring compliance with South African laws.

The government reiterated that only businesses meeting legal requirements will be permitted to operate, emphasizing that the crackdown aims to protect public health and uphold regulations.

Mount View Residents Suffer Without Water for Days

Bongani
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Mount View Residents Suffer Without Water for Days

Residents of Mount View in Northdale, Pietermaritzburg, have been without water since last Thursday, leaving households, schools, and businesses in disarray.

The sudden water outage occurred without any explanation or notification from the Msunduzi Municipality.

Frustrated residents are demanding answers, as the lack of water disrupts essential activities like cooking, cleaning, and sanitation.

“We’re struggling to cope. No water means no cooking, no cleaning, and no sanitation. It’s unbearable,” said Rish Singh, a local pensioner.

While some residents can afford to buy water, others, particularly pensioners, rely on rainwater for basic needs

Local schools, including Ridgeview Primary School and Merryland Pre-school, have had to suspend operations until water is restored.

A resident expressed outrage, saying, “My children are writing exams. Last week, we had to wake up at 5 a.m. and drive to a relative’s house just so my child could shower and get to school.”

The municipality has not provided a clear explanation for the outage, leaving residents speculating about burst pipes, maintenance, or technical issues.

Conflicting reports from officials and ward councillors have added to the frustration.

Water outages are not new to Msunduzi Municipality, with residents previously warned of impending restrictions due to uMngeni-uThukela Water reducing supply volumes.

Msunduzi’s strategy to reduce water pressure in some areas has also raised concerns.

The Witness reached out to Msunduzi Municipality for comment, but no response was received by the time of publication.

Residents are calling for urgent action to resolve the crisis, as daily life becomes increasingly difficult in the affected area.

Four Arrested for Robbery Spree in Empangeni and Surrounding Areas

Bongani
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Four Arrested for Robbery Spree in Empangeni and Surrounding Areas

Four suspects, linked to a series of house robberies across northern KwaZulu-Natal, were arrested by police in Empangeni.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda stated that the suspects, aged between 30 and 39, were apprehended following a robbery in the Mazimazana area on Saturday.

Durban Sun cop

During the robbery, the suspects allegedly forced victims into a house and at gunpoint, compelled one victim to transfer an undisclosed sum of money from her business account.

During their arrest, police recovered three unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

The suspects are connected to multiple house robberies in KwaMsane, Hlabisa, Mtubatuba, Richards Bay, and Esikhaleni.

They will appear in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to face charges of house robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.

Two Suspects Killed in Empangeni Shootout with Police

Bongani
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Two Suspects Killed in Empangeni Shootout with Police

Two suspects were fatally shot in a shootout with police in Empangeni on Monday after being found in possession of a stolen bakkie.

KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said officers on routine patrols spotted the vehicle parked in a sugarcane field along Old Mtubatuba Road.

As police approached, the suspects opened fire, prompting a shootout.

Durban Sun cops ty sshii

Both suspects sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

“Two firearms and several rounds of ammunition were found in their possession,” Netshiunda confirmed.

Preliminary investigations revealed the bakkie had been stolen during a house robbery in KwaMsane on Friday.

The two suspects were also found to have active warrants for murder. No police officers were injured during the incident.

KZN Budgets Under Pressure as Services Face Major Cuts

Devi Subremoney
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KZN Budgets Under Pressure as Services Face Major Cuts

KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial departments are grappling with severe financial strain as national austerity measures take effect, sparking fears of a collapse in essential services, particularly healthcare.

Key departments such as Health, Education, and Social Development face critical cash flow challenges, unable to pay creditors on time due to diminishing revenue streams.

Cost-cutting measures have frozen hiring, delayed procurement of goods and services, and restricted travel to save resources.

The Department of Health, projected to overspend its budget by R4.7 billion, is finalizing its austerity plans.

However, concerns are mounting that further cuts could endanger lives.

The department’s inability to hire new medical staff has exacerbated surgical and clinical backlogs, reduced ambulance availability, and prolonged patient waiting times.

Dr. Imran Keeka, DA provincial spokesperson on health, criticized the national government for abandoning the province to handle the crisis independently, describing the situation as “unfair.”

He stressed the urgency of scrutinizing the Health Department’s cost-cutting proposals, emphasizing that further service curtailments could have devastating effects.

Adding to the financial strain is the 7.8% salary hike for civil servants, implemented without additional funding from National Treasury.

This decision has forced provincial departments to absorb the increase, intensifying budgetary pressures.

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has engaged President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet to seek intervention after the province’s budget allocation was reduced by R5.7 billion.

Despite these efforts, the outlook remains bleak.

The crisis is not limited to healthcare. Social development and education, which play vital roles in supporting vulnerable communities, are also at risk.

As austerity measures deepen, concerns are growing that the poorest citizens will suffer disproportionately, with essential services stretched to breaking point.

(VIDEO) Ngizwe Mchunu Criticizes MK Party’s Leadership Practices

Bongani
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(VIDEO) Ngizwe Mchunu Criticizes MK Party’s Leadership Practices

Former Ukhozi FM presenter and cultural advocate Ngizwe Mchunu has voiced his concerns over the MK Party’s practice of appointing new members to senior leadership positions.

Speaking during a public address, Mchunu highlighted what he described as a lack of respect for seasoned members who have long been part of the party’s structures.

He argued that the practice of “parachuting” newcomers into influential roles undermines the party’s values and causes discontent among dedicated members.

“This approach breeds division and demoralizes those who have been loyal to the movement,” Mchunu said.

The outspoken cultural activist emphasized the need for merit-based leadership appointments that reflect the party’s principles of dedication and seniority.

He also called on the MK Party to prioritize unity and fairness to avoid alienating its core membership base.

The MK Party has yet to respond to Mchunu’s remarks. However, the issue of leadership appointments has been a recurring topic of debate within the organization, raising questions about how it navigates internal governance and succession planning.

Chaos on Durban Roads: Multiple Vehicle Crashes Leave Several Injured

Bongani
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Chaos on Durban Roads: Multiple Vehicle Crashes Leave Several Injured

Emergency services are attending to two major multi-vehicle crashes in Durban this morning, causing significant disruptions and multiple injuries.

The first incident occurred on the M1 Higginson Highway over the N2 Bridge, involving a truck, two cars, and a fully-laden taxi.

One person remains trapped in the wreckage as the eThekwini Fire Department works to extricate the individual, while ALS Paramedics provide stabilizing care on-site.

The second crash took place on Old Dutch Road before Warwick Avenue in Durban CBD, where a bus, a truck, three taxis, and two cars collided.

The accident has left numerous people injured, prompting a large-scale emergency response.

The offramp to the Market area has been closed to traffic as rescue operations continue.

Motorists are urged to avoid these areas and seek alternative routes.

Authorities are investigating the causes of the accidents.

KZN Education Department Urges Learners to Avoid Risky ‘Pens Down’ Parties

Sirisha Pillay
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KZN Education Department Urges Learners to Avoid Risky ‘Pens Down’ Parties

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has issued a stern warning to learners about hosting or attending year-end “pens down” parties, which often follow the conclusion of Grade 12 examinations.

In a statement, the department highlighted the concerning activities associated with these events, including public drinking, vandalism, and inappropriate behavior such as defacing school uniforms.

These actions, it said, undermine the values of respect and responsibility that schools aim to instill in learners.

“While the end of exams marks a significant milestone, learners must celebrate responsibly in a manner that reflects dignity and respect for themselves, their peers, and the community,” said the department.

KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety and the well-being of communities during this time.

“We commend learners for completing this crucial chapter of their academic journey, but we cannot condone activities that place them and others at risk,” he said.

Hlomuka called on parents, guardians, and communities to collaborate with schools to prevent risky celebrations.

“Learners should remember that their actions not only affect them but also reflect on their schools and families,” he added.

The department’s caution comes in the wake of the tragic 2022 “pens down” party at Enyobeni Tavern in the Eastern Cape, where 21 young people lost their lives.

The tavern owners, Siyakhangela and Vuyokazi Ndevu, were later convicted for selling alcohol to minors.

The department urged learners to choose celebrations that are safe and reflective of the pride and achievements of completing their academic year, while respecting the values and efforts of their schools and families.

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