The murder of a young, popular businessman and top farmer in Mthatha more than a week ago has sent shock waves not only through his village of birth but the entire business and farming community in the OR Tambo district.
Efforts by the Eastern Cape department of transport to rope in more airlines to service the revamped Mthatha Airport are gathering pace after it was announced this week that CemAir had shown interest in servicing the route between Mthatha and Johannesburg. At present only SA Airlink operates from the airport, with flights between Mthatha and Johannesburg.
Three King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipal traffic officers appeared in a Mthatha court after they were arrested for allegedly faking their matric qualifications.
King Sabata Dalindyebo municipal bosses and organised business have expressed concern at the escalating crime in Mthatha. This follows the fatal shooting recently of at least five people in two separate attacks by gunmen. The latest incident, which has rocked Mthatha citizens, took place on Sunday when three taxi operators, Jongikhaya Mapeyi and Luyolo Mvamve, both from Corhana, and Mziwakhe Mbuti Makhabane of Ntilini in Sibangweni, were shot and killed.
Despite having failed to make a return to council after the November 1 local government elections, a number of former King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) multiparty councillors were showered with early Christmas gifts when they were erroneously paid their November and December salaries. An apparent glitch in the municipality’s payroll system saw more than 50 councillors, receiving their full December pay on December 15, even though they were no longer meant to be on the system.