Latest news with #AyandaNdamane
IOL News
4 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
KZN foot-and-mouth disease outbreak persists while progress made in Eastern Cape, Limpopo
While foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are under control in other provinces, KwaZulu-Natal remains a critical concern. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers While foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks are under control in some South African provinces, in KwaZulu-Natal signs of active virus circulation persist. This is according to the national Department of Agriculture. 'The designated management area (DMA) in KwaZulu-Natal remains in place,' said Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, referring to the designated area still under restrictions. The department said to manage the outbreak more effectively, an abattoir in the Vryheid area is being designated to slaughter animals from restricted premises, and a system has been implemented to assess biosecurity levels on individual farms. 'The intention is to align the control measures with the biosecurity risks,' said Steenhuisen. The department said the biosecurity, traceability and record keeping of animals bought and sold at auctions and similar industries were raised as a specific concern and this will be addressed by the department in a directive due to be published. The department also announced that an order has been placed for much-needed vaccines to the value of R72 million. Meanwhile the department is preparing to lift movement restrictions in the Eastern Cape, where the Kouga and Kou-Kamma municipalities have been under a DMA since July 2024. A total of 144,424 vaccinations were administered, and with the last cases reported in September 2024, surveillance has confirmed the disease is no longer present. 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 Similarly, Limpopo's DMA, in place since September 2022, will also be lifted after two rounds of vaccination in the Vhembe Municipality. 'Two rounds of vaccination saw 23,024 vaccinations administered on cattle at 34 dip tanks, proving highly effective,' Steenhuisen said. In Mpumalanga, a single outbreak in Gert Sibande Municipality in April 2025 was traced to an auction in KZN. Surveillance of surrounding farms has not identified any further spread. A second round of testing is under way. New cases, however, have emerged in Gauteng. 'A feedlot and adjacent farm were found positive in the West Rand Municipality,' said Steenhuisen. In the East Rand, FMD was confirmed in communal cattle, and investigations are ongoing. China has since suspended imports of South African beef due to the outbreaks, although wool exports remain unaffected. 'Biosecurity is everybody's responsibility,' Steenhuisen cautioned, urging farmers to isolate newly bought animals for 28 days and report any suspicious symptoms to local State Veterinarians. THE MERCURY
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Khayelitsha woman shares her traumatic 12-hour experience of rape as court delays bail decision
Ongeziwe Poni said she was held captive for 12 hours and raped by her kidnapper. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media A young woman has shared the chilling details of how she was kidnapped and repeatedly raped over 12 hours after meeting a man while walking home late one night. Ongeziwe Poni, 20, said the terrifying ordeal began on the evening of March 30 at around 9pm, when she encountered the accused, Siyabonga Zono, near her home in Khayelitsha. 'He first told me to look at him. When I refused, he showed me a knife – then I looked at him,' she recounted. Zono allegedly searched her and demanded her cellphone. After she told him she didn't have it, he forced her to walk with him. Poni said they ended up at an informal settlement where he pushed her into an outdoor toilet. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Siyabonga Zono was arrested for rape and kidnapping. He appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Media 'He told me to take my clothes off and then he raped me multiple times. He threatened to kill me if I made any noise and showed me several knives,' she said. Afterwards, he told her to get dressed. Poni said she left her underwear and jersey behind in the toilet, hoping they would serve as evidence. The horror continued as Zono took her to a nearby field, close to a train line. 'He laid down a jacket and told me to lie on it. He covered my face with the beanie I was wearing and raped me again – this time without a condom.' The accused then took her to a friend's shack, but when he couldn't get in, they went to another shack where he allegedly kept her overnight. 'He continued to rape me throughout the night. In between, he would smoke a pill mixed with a cigarette. I tried to fight him off, but I was scared he would overpower me,' Poni said. Just before 9am, Zono reportedly told her he would get a taxi for her. As they walked, he kept directing her toward nearby bushes. 'I got scared because I thought he was going to kill me and dump my body in the dunes. I was saved when I saw my aunt and told her what had happened. But by that time, he had already run away. 'My brother was able to identify him, and that is how we knew where to find him.' Zono was arrested on April 14 after community members captured him. He has since applied for bail. The court was due to deliver a judgment on his bail application on Wednesday, but the matter was postponed when the investigating officer failed to attend court and was unable to confirm several key details.
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
LOOK: Seal Ya Later, Cape Town! Southern elephant seal safely back at sea after Gordon's Bay 'stroll'
The Southern elephant seal that caused a bit of fun drama in Gordon's Bay this week. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Media A Southern elephant seal's unexpected journey through the streets of Gordon's Bay ended with a successful rescue operation. The seal's short visit caused quite the rukus on the streets of Cape Town with locals rushing to get a view of the giant animal. Emergency Rescue Operations The Cape of Good Hope SPCA confirmed that a coordinated rescue effort was launched immediately after the seal was spotted near Sir Lowry's Pass Road around 6am. A team of wildlife and emergency services worked together to ensure the safe return of the seal to its ocean home. Local Reaction Residents were astonished as they witnessed the large seal moving clumsily along the roads, even pausing at one point to rest on a parked vehicle. Many locals captured videos and photographs of the comical scene unfolding in their neighbourhood. Coordinated Efforts By 8am, the SPCA had secured the area with assistance from various organisations, including the City of Cape Town's Marine Unit, SANParks, Two Oceans Aquarium, Shark Spotters, Traffic Services, SAPS, and Gordon's Bay Security and Medical Services. This collaboration highlighted the community's dedication to animal welfare. Successful Relocation Thanks to the strategic planning and teamwork involved, the elephant seal was successfully sedated and transported back to its natural habitat. SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham expressed gratitude for the community's concern for the seal's welfare, stating, "Animal rescue truly takes a village."
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Elephant seal's surprising stroll through Gordon's Bay ends with safe return to the sea
An elephant seal was spotted wandering the streets of Gordon's Bay, near Cape Town yesterday. An hours-long rescue operation was undertaken to safely relocate him. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers In a bizarre and unexpected sighting, a large Southern elephant seal was spotted wandering through the streets of Gordon's Bay in the Western Cape yesterday morning, nearly a kilometre from the shoreline. The marine mammal was safely returned to the sea by the afternoon. Stunned residents first noticed the massive elephant seal around 6am and began filming the unusual encounter. Videos and photos online showed the visibly fatigued seal moving slowly along tarred roads, even propping its upper body on a parked vehicle before continuing to move forward. By 8am, officials from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA had arrived at Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where the animal had settled in a residential area. Efforts were immediately launched to ensure the seal's safety and eventual relocation. 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 successful rescue operation resulted in the elephant sea returning to the sea later in the day. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham said inspectors had devised a safe, low-stress plan to return the elephant seal, which it noted was a sub-adult male, to its natural habitat. 'This is a rather unexpected visitor,' Abraham said. One resident, who asked not to be named, said the seal likely made its way inland during the early hours. 'The seal had been busy since early morning. He was around the beach area and then moved closer inland. We often see seals here, but not like this, it's not an everyday occurrence. This was unusual. The seal was huge!' she said. 'There were a lot of Gordon's Bay residents at the scene because it was something phenomenal, especially at that time of the morning.' Despite the growing crowd of onlookers, the animal appeared unbothered, calmly navigating the streets as residents looked on in amazement. According to an update on the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Facebook page yesterday afternoon, the elephant seal was safely returned to the sea. In their post the SPCA said the operation was a "hours-long rescue involving multiple agencies, a concerned community and a very big seal". This isn't the first time a seal has ventured into Cape Town's suburbs. In December 2022, a female seal was seen crossing the busy Jakes Gerwel Drive near Vangate Mall in Athlone. That animal was later safely returned to its marine environment by Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. | Additional Reporting Mercury Reporter THE MERCURY
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Archbishop Makgoba condemns Israel's conditions for aid to Gaza
Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers Israel's conditions for allowing life-giving aid to Gaza suggest 'a willingness to use starvation as a tool of ethnic cleansing', which would amount to a war crime, says Archbishop Thabo Makgoba. In a statement, Makgoba said the depths of the cruelty which the current Israeli administration is prepared to inflict on innocent civilians in Gaza is making it ever more difficult to find words to condemn it. 'Its refusal to allow life-giving supplies under conditions acceptable to experts in providing humanitarian aid suggests a willingness to use starvation as a tool of ethnic cleansing. This would amount to a war crime, and adds weight to the South African government's genocide case against the State of Israel at The Hague.' The archbishop said 'diplomacy seems to be reeling with ineffectiveness while Israel threatens to wipe out a whole nation.' He appealed for international pressure on Israel, adding: 'We pray especially that the United States will choose the right side of history, and bring a halt to Israel's aggression, which has now taken on levels which are vastly disproportionate to Hamas's heinous attack of October 2023.' Last week, the World Health Organisation warned that the health system was at breaking point as hostilities further intensified in Gaza. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Israel's intensified military operations continue to threaten an already weakened health system, amidst worsening mass population displacement and acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, fuel and shelter,' the WHO said. Four major hospitals in Gaza - Kamal Adwan Hospital, Indonesia Hospital, Hamad Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, and European Gaza Hospital - have had to suspend medical services due to their proximity to hostilities or evacuation zones, and attacks. WHO has recorded 28 attacks on health care in Gaza during this period and 697 attacks since October 2023. 'Only 19 of Gaza Strip's 36 hospitals remain operational, including one hospital providing basic care for the remaining patients still inside the hospital, and are struggling under severe supply shortages, lack of health workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties, all while staff work in impossible conditions. Of the 19 hospitals, 12 provide a variety of health services, while the rest are only able to provide basic emergency care. At least 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed.' The increased hostilities and new evacuation orders issued across northern and southern Gaza last week threaten to push even more health facilities out of service, WHO said. 'Currently, across the Gaza Strip, only 2000 hospital beds remain available, for a population of over 2 million people, grossly insufficient to meet the current needs. Of these, at least 40 beds are at risk of being lost as they are in hospitals within newly declared evacuation zones, while an additional 850 could be lost if conditions deteriorate at facilities near these zones.'
