Latest news with #Bethelsdorp
The Herald
2 days ago
- The Herald
Cemeteries becoming no-go zones for Nelson Mandela Bay mourners
Two friends from Missionvale, Calvin Raymond and Berto Jantjies, were digging a grave for Jantjies 's grandmother at the Bethelsdorp cemetery. They shared disturbing stories about things they had witnessed or heard. 'As of 2024 and early this year, there were many families who found their loved ones ' graves opened, with the bodies lying on the ground and caskets stolen. 'What grieving families do now after a funeral is have some relatives stand guard overnight to safeguard the casket. 'Some have resorted to buying cheaper coffins in hopes of preventing the theft.' Raymond said they did not feel safe as they worked because they knew people who had been robbed at gunpoint there. When ward 15 councillor Mpumelelo Majola visited his parents ' graves in the Zwide cemetery last weekend, he discovered the tombstone kerbs missing on both graves. 'This was the case at other graves nearby, with some missing the actual headstones,' Majola said. 'I went there to clean my mom and dad ' s graves, as is the norm in the family, when I made the heartbreaking discovery. 'I was too scared to check further down because there was a suspicious bakkie with some guys who were just sitting in the vehicle. 'Security is a serious issue in our cemeteries and the municipality needs to do something about it urgently before more families are affected.' Resident Lindiwe Mesani, who had visited a loved one in Papenkuil cemetery, was visibly shaken when approached by reporters from The Herald. She quickly rushed to her car and rolled down the window just enough to hear what was being said. Asked about her reaction, Mesani said the cemetery had many dodgy characters. 'I had to ask someone to accompany me because I was not going to risk my safety and come here alone,' she said. 'There are strange characters. 'There is no security guard, so if something happened to me no-one would know. 'I usually visit with my whole family as a safety measure, but most couldn ' t make it, so I asked a friend, but we are both scared.' In May, criminals removed t ombstones and dug up graves in their relentless pursuit of street lighting cables to pawn for just a few quick rand at the Papenkuil cemetery. Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said graveyards were municipal property and safeguarding them was their responsibility. "The police, however, can confirm that graveyards are included in the patrol routes of station crime prevention vehicles daily. "When mass funerals are conducted, police also intensify their visibility around these sites." Public health political head Thsonono Buyeye could not be reached for comment. Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya did not respond. The Herald
The Herald
17-07-2025
- The Herald
Police step up search for missing Nelson Mandela Bay boy
The search continues for an 11-year-old Nelson Mandela Bay child, who went missing almost three weeks ago. Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit sought the community's assistance in tracing the boy, who left home on Saturday, June 28, and has not been seen since. Janse van Rensburg said Jaquin Assam, of Bethelsdorp, had asked his guardian if he could go to Central to visit his mother. When the guardian refused, he left the house later that day, telling the woman that he was going to play with friends. However, he never returned home. 'Efforts made to locate him were in vain,' Janse van Rensburg said. The police appealed to anyone who could assist in locating Jaquin to urgently contact Warrant Officer Simphiwe Siyolo on 079-896-7335 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. The Herald
The Herald
16-07-2025
- The Herald
Body of 12-year-old girl found in Bethelsdorp
Police are calling on the community to assist with information after the gruesome discovery of a 12-year-old girl's body in Extension 31 in Bethelsdorp on Wednesday. Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said according to preliminary reports, police responded to a complaint at a bushy area in Foxglove Street at about 12.45pm. On arrival, they found the body of a 12-year-old girl with visible injuries and a case of murder had since been opened. 'At this stage the cause of death is unknown and will be determined during the postmortem. 'No further information is available. 'SAPS Bethelsdorp opened a case of murder and the investigation is ongoing,' Van Rensburg said. She said the name of the girl would be released after she has been formally identified. Police have urged anyone with information to contact detective Warrant Officer Allison Adams on 082-464-0208 or Crime Stop on 0860010111 or their nearest police station. All information will remain confidential, and callers may remain anonymous. The Herald
The Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Ward 34 winner must hit ground running, fix street lights — voters
Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay's Ward 34 want the new councillor elected after a crucial by-election on Wednesday to ensure broken street lights are repaired to stop rampant criminality. They were voicing their concerns at two of the four voting stations in the battleground northern areas ward as they waited to cast their ballots during special voting. The PA and the DA are seen as the front-runners in what is expected to be a hotly contested by-election described as a litmus test in the metro ahead of the 2026 local government polls. On Tuesday, Bethelsdorp, where the DA and PA established their operational centres, was abuzz with activity. Vehicles were covered in party stickers. Others blared loud music from speakers, creating a lively atmosphere. Outside the voting stations, parties such as the National Alliance, ANC and EFF set up gazebos, adding to the vibrant scene. Despite fielding a candidate to contest the ward, the PAC was absent. The ward became vacant after the death of DA councillor Johnny Arends in a car accident on the R75 in April. Arcadia resident Eric Gallant said he wanted the elected candidate to tackle some of the urgent service delivery issues in the area. 'The street lights that are not working deem our community unsafe. 'Now that it's winter, it gets dark earlier than usual, and it becomes unsafe to walk the streets,' Gallant said. 'Our other major issue is the overflowing sewerage drains, leading to our pothole-ridden streets being flooded by smelly water. 'All these issues were long reported, but nothing was done. 'I would send a message to the councillor, and he would read messages and not respond, so I hope the new person will be more in touch with the residents.' West End resident Jennifer Jacobs said street lights and poor road infrastructure were a big problem. 'The roads in Arcadia are in a bad state. 'Our other issue is darkness. There are street lights that have not been working for years. 'This makes our community a dangerous place. Previously, I could walk from my house to the nearby service station to buy electricity in the late afternoon, but I cannot now because it's unsafe. 'You can't see who's coming in front of you unless there's a car approaching.' DA provincial leader Andrew Whitfield said the party had run the best campaign to ensure it retained the ward. 'We've learnt a lot over a series of by-elections around the country, and we've put all that knowledge into practice. 'We're hoping for a win, and we're confident that we've done everything possible to achieve that result. 'We will do everything we can to defend Johnny Arends' legacy, and that starts with winning this ward.' Whitfield dismissed claims by political commentators predicting a PA victory in the ward, saying such analyses were often inaccurate. In the 2021 local government elections, the DA won the ward with 63.14% of the votes, followed by the National Alliance (17.12%) and PA (2.78%). The Herald
News24
25-06-2025
- News24
Kidnapped Gqeberha woman dropped off by abductors, reunited with family
A 65-year-old Gqeberha woman, who was kidnapped on Saturday, has been reunited with her family. Lindsay Knowlden's family on Wednesday morning confirmed that she had been returned home. Family spokesperson John Best said that Knowlden had been dropped off on a street in Bethelsdorp at around midnight. 'She just called out for help, and a family took her in,' he said. Best said the family had contacted Knowlden's husband and the police, and she had been reunited with her family shortly after. Knowlden and her husband were apparently accosted outside the Nelson Mandela Bay Fresh Produce Market in Markman, north of the CBD, early on Saturday morning. News24 previously reported that Knowlden and her husband were accosted by armed men in the underground parking lot after arriving for work. He was assaulted with a firearm and suffered a laceration to his eye, while she was bundled into a silver Polo and then driven away. Knowlden's husband is an agent at the market, and she worked for him. Best confirmed that a ransom had been demanded, but declined to comment further as the case is still under investigation by the Hawks. He added that Knowlden had said that five men had abducted her, but that her family had not pushed her for more information at this stage. He said that Knowlden's doctor had examined her and given her a clean bill of health. Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, was unable to confirm any information around Knowlden's rescue at the time of publication. His response will be added once received.
