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IOL News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Celebration in Durban: Coedmore Bridge reopens after devastating floods
DA councillor Andre Beetge proudly points to the newly reopened Coedmore Bridge in Yellowwood Park, Durban. The bridge was washed away during the April 2022 floods. Image: Supplied In a moment of triumph for the residents of Yellowwood Park and surrounding areas in Durban, the Coedmore Bridge has officially reopened to motorists more than three years after its devastating destruction during the catastrophic floods of 2022. The completion of this essential infrastructure project, confirmed by DA councillor Andre Beetge, marks a significant step towards restoring connectivity and normalcy for the local community. Beetge, a member of the eThekwini executive committee, was present on Friday to witness the first cars cross the newly constructed bridge, which boasts a price tag of R47 million. 'According to our knowledge, the R47 million bridge is complete and ready for use although clean-up and tidying operations will continue,' he revealed in an interview on Saturday. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The first person to cross the bridge from the Sarnia Road side was DA candidate Norman Gilbert, he said. Beetge recounted the significant disruption and disorder caused by the destruction of the bridge. Coedmore Bridge in Yellowwood Park in Durban was washed away during the April 2022 floods. Image: File picture This bridge was vital as it offered direct routes between Yellowwood Park and Sarnia Road in Seaview, as well as access to Edwin Swales, he said. 'In the absence of the passageway, residents were forced to use Kenyon Howden Road into South Coast Road or other longer and more congested routes. It also detracted from easy access to retail nodes in Montclair and Queensburgh with added travelling time,' said Beetge. Pictures showing what Coedmore Bridge in Yellowwood Pak, Durban looked like before and after the April 2022 floods. Image: File picture Motorists enthusiastically honked their horns as they drove across the newly upgraded bridge, which now features two lanes and pedestrian walkways, a scene captured in a video posted on Beetge's Facebook page. 'Jubilation is an understatement. We have not seen so much joy since the ban of the mask post Covid as people hooted and waved... Joy beamed from their faces and one resident in particular crossed the bridge no less than three times just to make sure he wasn't living in a dream,' he stated. Beetge himself said he is 'absolutely elated' over the completion of this project as it was met with one challenge after another. He noted that geo-technical challenges resulted in unanticipated blasting as well as more flooding, as well as the original contractor incurring financial constraints. 'This caused completion to be delayed from December 2024 to the first car passing on 1 August, after a session in the contract was negotiated,' he said. Former eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda conducted an oversight visit to assess the progress of the reconstruction of Coedmore Bridge in Yellowwood Park, Durban. A sum of R48 million was allocated to the project. Councillor Andre Beetge says the total cost upon completion is R47 million. Image: Supplied Beetge stated that the delays unfortunately led to the councillor becoming a scapegoat, facing victimisation from frustrated residents. 'In the end, it was really worth the wait as the new bridge is a modern double carriageway that should serve the residents for a long time to come,' he said. Last year, eThekwini's former mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, visited the site and announced that the new state-of-the-art 90m-long bridge was being built using cutting-edge integral bridge technology, which is expected to lower maintenance expenses. He said the project also included the construction of a 150m road leading to the bridge, implementation of traffic-calming measures, and installation of improved surface drainage systems.
IOL News
25-07-2025
- IOL News
Four men shot dead in KwaZakhele, Eastern Cape
Four men were tragically shot and killed while sitting in a silver Toyota Corolla Image: File Four men were tragically shot and killed while sitting in a silver Toyota Corolla on Thursday evening along Thanduxolo Mbete Street in the Qaqawuli area of KwaZakhele. Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson, Captain Andre Beetge, said officers at New Brighton were alerted to a shooting incident. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of the four victims inside the vehicle. The identities of the victims and the suspects remain unknown, and the motive for the murders is under investigation. "A murder case, encompassing four counts, has been opened by SAPS New Brighton. The Eastern Cape provincial serious violent crime investigation (SVCI) unit has taken over the investigation," said Beetge. "Police are appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone with information that could aid the investigation is urged to contact SVCI detective Lieutenant Colonel Sithole at 082 457 2812 or the Crime Stop line at 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs are welcome." Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading On Thursday, IOL reported that the long-awaited trial of six men accused of one of the most brutal mass killings in recent South African history is finally set to begin on Monday. The trial will take place at the Lusikisiki Magistrate's Court under a special sitting of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court. This follows the horrific events of 28 September 2024, when 18 people were gunned down at two neighbouring homesteads in Ngobozana Village, near the rural town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed this week that eight weeks have been set aside for the trial, which is expected to run until 19 September 2025. NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said all six accused will face multiple serious charges. The accused — Mzukisi Ndamase, Siphosoxolo Myekethe, Aphiwe 'AP' Ndende, Bonga Hintsa, Mawethu Nomdlembu, and Songezo Vuma — are facing 18 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition. 'These six individuals have all since abandoned their bail applications and will remain in custody throughout the trial,' said Tyali. IOL News
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Concerns arise as eThekwini Municipality seeks R1. 5 billion loan
The eThekwini Municipality intends to borrow R1.5 billion to fund capital expenditure for the 2024/2025 financial year. Image: Independent Newspapers The eThekwini Municipality intends to borrow R1.5 billion to fund capital expenditure for the 2024/2025 financial year. The municipality presented a progress report on borrowings for capital projects approval of loan agreements at an Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Friday. It stated that in accordance with the Finance Management Act, it had made public the information statement and invited, received, and considered the written comments/representation from the National Treasury. The municipality said that in response to concerns raised, it was noted that soliciting comments from the National Treasury was based on the Municipal Budget approved 2024/2025 financial year. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The municipal management also acknowledged that the city was commended by the National Treasury for its cash covering ratio. The municipality intends to take R500 million loan from the First National Bank over 10 years at an indicative fixed interest rate of 10.040%. Also, it intends to take a R1 billion loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa over 10 years at an indicative fixed rate of 11.110%. If the loans are approved on Monday at the council meeting, City Manager Musa Mbhele will have to sign off on the loan agreements. The municipality stated that during the process of the loan agreement negotiations, the fixed margin remained unchanged. The final interest rate will be confirmed before the loan is drawn out. Councillor Andre Beetge, DA Exco member, was concerned that the municipality would be taking another loan, with the city having R9.9 billion loan payments outstanding. Sandile Mnguni, eThekwini Municipality's Chief Financial Officer, confirmed that the city is planning to borrow R2 billion in the next financial year; in addition, R1.5 billion the following year, and then another R1.5 billion in the next financial year. "The R1.5 billion that we already approved is for the current financial year. I must indicate that the current outstanding long-term liabilities as indicated have not taken into account the repayment of capital that we undertake every six months," Mnguni said. In the eThekwini Finance Committee meeting, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), ActionSA, Minority Front (MF), the Peoples Freedom Party (PFP), and Democratic Alliance abstained from voting. Only the ANC supported the report by majority vote. Rose Cortes, deputy chairperson of the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM), said the borrowing pattern is reckless and speaks to the concerns raised by ratepayers that the municipality is not concerned with reducing spending.
The South African
22-04-2025
- The South African
White VW Jettas linked to two fatal pedestrian crashes in Despatch
The community of Despatch in Nelson Mandela Bay are left in shock after two pedestrians were killed in separate road accidents in Khayamnandi in the Eastern Cape. Both accidents, involving white VW Jettas, occurred on consecutive Saturdays, just two weeks apart. The first accident took place on Saturday, 5 April 2025, where a two-year-old boy was struck by a white VW Jetta while playing on Albert Letuli Street in Kayamnandi. According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, the incident occurred around 17:00. The child's parents transported him to the hospital using private transport, but he was declared dead upon arrival. Beetge said to The South African that a culpable homicide case was opened and is being investigated by SAPS Despatch. Exactly 14 days later, on Saturday, 19 April, around the same time, a 62-year-old woman was killed on Old Uitenhage Road while crossing towards Kayamnandi. The vehicle, also described as a white VW Jetta, fled the scene without stopping. According to police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, the woman died on the scene before emergency services could arrive. Both incidents occurred in the Despatch area, but on different roads. While the cases are not currently linked, police have noted the similarities in timing, location and vehicle description. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
