Latest news with #HighwayMail
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Stapleton Road contract terminated over failure to deliver
THE KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, has instructed the head of the department to accelerate the termination of the road construction contract on Stapleton Road due to the contractor's failure to deliver. In a statement responding to the Highway Mail's enquiry that the ongoing delays on the construction project included financial issues, the MEC said the contractor had 'failed to deliver' despite the extensions which had been granted. Duma also said over the past 400 days in office, he had 'unfortunately' received complaints from the public about prolonged construction on the road. The MEC said this termination comes after the construction was inspected, weekly progress meetings were held, and support was given to the contractor. Also read: Ongoing delays on Stapleton Road include financial issues 'The Head of the Department, Siboniso Mbele, has been mandated to accelerate the termination process. The intention and notice to terminate was issued on the 04 July 2025. The contractor was given 14 days to substantially increase progress, failing which the termination process would begin. Sadly, there has been no improvement; hence, we are proceeding with termination. The department is currently re-measuring incomplete works and will start drafting a tender document for appointing a new contractor to complete the project,' said Duma. The MEC said the contractor is expected to continue working until the termination process is finalised and is expected to ensure that the road is safe before moving off site. 'As an elected public representative, I must be accountable to the people of this province and take the people of the province into confidence in some of the challenges the department faces. A lot of blame, at times rightly so, has been placed at the feet of the department as the custodian of public transportation. However, the reality is that we have contractors who are failing to honor their contracts. It is for these reasons we are acting firmly as the department. 'Critically, we wish to announce that as of today onwards, we will be implementing punitive measures to ensure that we recover monies from those contractors who have abandoned road construction projects and those who will fail to complete projects on time. This is a demonstration of our firm commitment to ensure that taxpayers' money is not misused,' said Duma. The road – P577-02 which runs along the M5 between Cowie's Hill and New Germany, linking the M13 to the M19 – was handed over to the contractor on June 9, 2023. About R87.8m was set aside for the rehabilitation of the road where construction began on August 2, 2023, with the initial completion date set for May 24, 2024. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – the Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
THIS week we look at a bird that is often heard but not easily seen, the Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird. Description The Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird has a typical Barbet shape (it is related to the Barbets) with a very powerful looking black bill and a short stumpy tail. They are relatively small compared to other Barbets with a typical length of 12cm and a weight of 15g. As the name suggests its lower under feathers are a golden yellow, but it is the head and wings that are very striking. The head is dark black spreading down to the back and upper feathers. There are two very distinguishing white stripes which start from the eye area and spread to the back of the neck. The flight feathers are black with yellow outer edges adding to the striking appearance of this bird. Also read: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – the Spectacled Weaver Distribution In South Africa the Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird is restricted to a very narrow strip along the KZN coast through to the Mozambique border. The Highway area is its western limit. Habitat This is a forest species and will only be spotted in the upper parts of evergreen forest canopies. Because of its small size it is difficult to spot but its call is very unique and repetitive. Feeding The Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird is omnivorous, feeding mainly on fruits, but will opportunistically hawk insects in flight. Breeding This species is monogamous and pairs for life. The nest is built in a cavity in a branch of a tree, often excavated by both adults. Two to five eggs are laid which take about 12 days to hatch. The nest area is defended very aggressively by the male. Predators and threats This species is listed as 'least concern' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature but it is vulnerable to habitat loss when forests are cleared for development or agriculture. Local information This is quite a special bird to find because it is not very common, and it is difficult to spot – you do need patience! Best areas are our evergreen scarp and riverine forests. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
VIDEO: R42m revamp of Kings Park pool to be completed by July 2026
VIDEO: R42m revamp of Kings Park pool to be completed by July 2026 THE R42m upgrade underway at Kings Park Swimming Pool is set to be completed by the end of July 2026. That's the word from acting head of the Parks, Leisure and Cemeteries Unit Dr Zakhi Mkhize who led journalists on a walkabout through the municipal pool on Friday morning. The municipal-run pool was closed in November 2024 after strong winds damaged the roof. Earlier this year the City said repairs to the pool would be completed by the end of April but that deadline has since been moved to 2026. 'Key improvements include the installation of 1500 LUX lighting, glass window replacements, non-slip coatings for stairs and paving, upgrades to walkway structures and handrails, a complete overhaul of two canteen areas, plastering and painting, new signage, a scoreboard, and diving boards,' the City said in a statement in April this year. The pool is the only swimming facility in SA with a World Aquatics accreditation and is recognised by the International Olympic Committee for hosting international water sports competitions. The swimming complex also features both indoor and outdoor facilities. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
#BestofDurban2025: Caxton Durban announces the crème de la crème of Durban
THE votes are in, the winners are out, and yoh, the results speak volumes! The Best of Durban Readers' Choice Awards 2025 once again showed off the vibe, variety, and sheer local brilliance that make eThekwini shine. After months of piping-hot competition and voting that came in faster than a bunny chow at lunch, over 358 000 votes were dished out across nine sizzling categories. Durbanites pulled in strong, helping crown 224 top-tier businesses and service providers as the crème de la crème of the 031. From cafés that know your order before you say 'Usual, please', to mechanics who don't take you for a ride, doctors with bedside brilliance, and teachers raising the bar, Durban, you've got taste. Also read: Announcing KZN's best coffee spots Food & Drink came in flaming hot with 66 777 votes, no surprise there, followed by Professional Services, Medical, Education, and Shopping. Altogether, a whopping 5087 nominees made the cut across more than 224 sub-categories. Clearly, Durbanites know how to back their favourites. But this campaign wasn't just about likes and logos, it was about heart. With over 21 000 reader competition entries, it's clear locals care about uplifting the legends who keep our city ticking. These are the real MVPs — the hairstylist who's never had a bad hair day, the teacher always chalking up wins, or the cashier who greets you like family. Every winner and finalist is a standing ovation for hard work, heart, and hustle. The full results are live across our Caxton Durban titles; Northglen News, Berea Mail, Highway Mail, Queensburgh News — and all over our socials. So big up to everyone who voted, supported, or made the list. Durban's got talent, heart and hustle. We can't wait to see these champs shine even brighter next year. From all at Caxton Local Media Durban we say, thank you, dankie, ngiyabonga. To view the winners click here. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- The Citizen
‘Detective' cons Pinetown pensioners out of R500K in elaborate bank card scam
An elderly couple from Pinetown, KZN, is left shattered after losing R500 000 to a woman posing as a police detective in an elaborate scam. Donald Bristol (87) told the Highway Mail he received a call from a woman introducing herself as Detective Mudalay from the SAPS. She claimed his bank cards had been cloned and needed to visit him personally. 'I notified security at my residential complex to allow her access. She arrived at my flat, presented herself professionally and explained the alleged card cloning issue in detail,' said Bristol. The woman told him the case was being handled in co-ordination with the Pinetown SAPS and requested his bank debit and cheque cards, including Pins, as well as his cellphone, saying it was needed for the investigation. 'I complied with her request but never gave her my Pin. I have never used any form of online banking before,' he said. Over the following days, the scammer contacted Bristol on his wife's phone, instructing him not to speak to anyone as it could compromise the investigation. On May 9, she asked him to meet her at a bank in Josiah Gumede Road to receive new bank cards and collect his cellphone. When the couple arrived, the woman called again, insisting they meet her outside but was nowhere to be found. Inside the bank, staff checked Bristol's account and discovered he had been defrauded, with multiple unauthorised transactions at grocery shops, liquor outlets and designer clothing stores. When the couple reported the scam at Pinetown SAPS, they provided CCTV footage of the impersonator entering their residential complex. More than two months later, they say they have received no assistance. 'We do not know how this woman got my contact details and address. We do not even have family in the country; my family is overseas,' said Bristol. Pinetown SAPS communications officer Jennifer Naidu confirmed a fraud case is under investigation. 'The investigating officer has obtained video footage and met the complainant to gather further information. Police are following leads,' said Naidu. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
