Once-safe suburban homes are being targeted by organised crime syndicates, with the number of break-ins and home invasions exploding and claims that thieves have infiltrated community WhatsApp crime chats to avoid being apprehended by neighbourhood watch groups and security companies. The recent spike in break-ins has left residents terrified and security companies scrambling to increase their patrol and staff numbers in an effort to fight back.
The rollout of the department of home affairs' new online branch appointment booking system (BABS) has expanded to a number of towns across the province, including East London and Mdantsane. Launched in July, the booking system lets applicants applying for smart ID cards and passports reserve hourly slots through the home affairs website in an effort to fight long queues and corruption.
Legendary American R&B group The Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston will be sidestepping onto an East London stage for the first time at the end of September with their Heart & Soul Experience. The Grammy award-winning artists, who last performed in SA in 2019, will be in Buffalo City for one night only, treating local fans to their smooth and soulful sounds.