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The Citizen
4 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Take note of the Comrades 2025 road closures
Take note of the Comrades 2025 road closures THE prestigious and gruelling Comarades Marathon this Sunday, June 8 is a down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. The 98th ultimate human race will result in several road closures from Cato Ridge to the Durban CBD. The race is expected to draw tens of thousands of runners, spectators, and visitors to the city. Also read: Upper Highway resident to complete her 23rd Comrades To assist the public plan their route on time, the eThekwini Municipality has advised of road closures on the day. The City said road closures along the Comrades Marathon route will be in effect for the whole day. The public is urged to note the following road closures on Sunday: – Cato Ridge Town Area – Eddie Hagan Road (Cato Ridge) – Thousand Hills Drive (Halfway) – Alverstone Road – Kassier Road – Inanda Road – Winston Park – Everton Road – M13 West Bound – Kloof Old Main Road – Bottom of Fields Hill – St Johns Avenue – Otto Volek Road – Josiah Gumede Road – King Cetshwayo Highway – 45th Cutting – Sherwood on ramp – N3 East Bound – N3 (David Webster Street and Bram Fischer Road) – Corner of Samora Machel Street and Masabalala Yengwa Avenue (City Bound) – Sandile Thusi Road (North Bound and South Bound lanes). The City advised that the closure of Masabalala Yengwa Avenue south and north from Isaiah Ntshangase Road to Sandile Thusi Road will be effective from Thursday, June 5 until Tuesday, June 10 to allow for the setup and break down of structures. The municipality also requests residents to support the marathon by keeping their surroundings clean, cheering for runners, and showing the warmth and hospitality Durban is known for. 'The Cleansing and Solid Waste unit will be cleaning the eThekwini boundary from Cato Ridge to the Moses Mabhida Stadium People's Park ensuring that all waste is collected, and the route remains litter-free after the race. 'Waste receptacles will be strategically placed along the route to encourage responsible disposal from the spectators.' 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Retiring cop plans to take a Shotleft
CAPTIVATED by the authority wielded by police officers and eventually enlisting, a retiring SAPS member who has served the public for just over 40 years to ensure they are safe and secure, said now it is time to rest and to take a Shotleft around the country. A decorated officer with numerous awards from different police stations he has worked in, Pinetown SAPS Detective Warrant Officer Asogan 'Ravi' Pillay said a childhood encounter with police officers inspired him to commit to the pursuit of being 'like them' and this triggered a colourful crime fighting career with varied experiences, memorable moments – some emotionally taxing – and coming face to face with life threatening confrontations. Despite the dire state of affairs he said prevails in society, such as the proliferation of firearms, brutal killings, a lack of respect for the law and loopholes in the criminal justice system which at times benefit accused persons, Pillay is of the view that 'cops work hard to investigate criminal conduct which endangers South Africans and to bring perpetrators to justice'. The conviction of an accused was a source of fulfilment for Pillay, who cited a 25-year sentence for suspects he and a colleague, Venter Mhlongo, secured some years ago. Following a car chase in Pinetown they retrieved two firearms from the suspects and through investigations learnt that they had been involved in a cash-in-transit heist. Other unforgettable moments for Pillay, some not so glorious, include a gruesome train accident in Thornwood which claimed over 80 lives; a fraud case he investigated which culminated in a 10-year sentence; and more recently, the 2022 April floods, which he said took an emotional toll on him. Also read: WATCH: Heartwarming tribute for Pinetown SAPS station commander 'Forty-six people passed away, eight had gone missing,' said Pillay as he recalled the tragic floods. He continued, 'It was a mission; it was hectic. The families were calling and it was emotional.' He said the uncertainty of when one might draw their last breath, considering the increased risk of being in the line of fire while on duty, was stabilised by colleagues and his wife whom he said 'played a big role'. 'They had my back and I had their backs,' said Pillay, explaining that the invaluable SAPS training proved vital during crucial moments. The work, he said, at times involved long hours of tracing and pursuing suspects, but it all had an impact. Pillay thanked the SAPS for putting food on his table, a roof over his head and for providing education for him and his family. 'So now it is time to close the doors and put the lights off,' saluted Pillay, whose last day on duty will be at the end of May. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Upper Highway resident to complete her 23rd Comrades
WHEN Jen Rigby first watched the Comrades Marathon race on TV, she said, 'These people must be completely nuts.' Little did she know that she will try it and completely fall in love with the ultimate human race. This year, she will be running her 23rd Comrades. Speaking to the Highway Mail, Rigby said she first heard about the Comrades when she was staying in England. 'I grew up in North Rhodesia and Zimbabwe and travelled back and forth to the UK. I ran my first race in 1997 when we moved to South Africa.' Growing up, Rigby participated in athletics, track and field athletics. 'I was introduced to running by my au pair from Norway.' Moving to South Africa, she first joined the Savages Club. Also read: Comrades runner's pink hair attracts fans 'I met people there who became my running friends. From the Savages Club, I registered with the Kingfisher Canoe Club. I joined the club as they did running and paddling. I enjoy paddling.' She is currently with the Kearsney Striders Club where she has been a member for the past two decades. The Assagay resident said the race would not be what it is if it was not for the camaraderie and the people on the sides of the roads. 'Preparing for the Comrades is hard work, and to run the race one has to be mentally prepared. For me, the crowds make the race, the cheer and the support is amazing. 'It is a life-changing moment, it humbles you and on the day everyone is the same.' She said her highlight over the years was running both the up run and the down run in the same time of nine hours and 30 minutes. Having the double green number, Rigby said she enjoys running and wishes to continue participating in the race. 'I am looking forward to being part of the race in 2027 as it will be a milestone, celebrating a 100 years.' To prepare for the race, the Upper Highway runner trains during the week and twice on weekends. Rigby is a fitness fanatic as besides running, she enjoys cycling and mountain biking with her husband. Also read: Local nutritionist shares race-ready diet tips ahead of Comrades Marathon 'I also do spinning and weights at the gym.' She also enjoys swimming in the sea. 'I used to do triathlon, I have also taken part in a few Ironman Triathlons.' An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organised by the World Triathlon Corporation. It consists of a 3.9km swim, a 180.2km bicycle ride and a 42.2km marathon run. It is widely considered one of the most difficult one-day sporting events in the world. Rigby encouraged children to get involved in sport. 'It is a wonderful way of life and to keep out of trouble. Running is a way of destressing and it clears one's mind – people should try it.' 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- The Citizen
2 in custody, 1 in hospital under police guard after Pinetown shoot-out
2 in custody, 1 in hospital under police guard after Pinetown shoot-out Cases of attempted murder, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, and possession of suspected stolen cellphones have been opened against three suspects who were involved in a shoot-out with police in Pinetown, KZN, last night. Highway Mail reports that Pinetown police were patrolling the area when they were flagged down by a resident along Sander Road, who showed them the vehicle that had just been used to rob a person at gunpoint. Pinetown SAPS communications officer Jennifer Naidu says police tried to stop the suspected vehicle, and instead of stopping, the suspects opened fire on the police vehicle. 'The chase then ensued and the police returned fire to the suspect's vehicle. The chase continued from New Germany area to the CBD, Nazareth until Winston Churchill Drive in Pinetown. 'The driver of the suspect vehicle lost control at the curve in Winston Churchill Drive and the suspect's vehicle came to a standstill on the side of the road under the tree.' According to Naidu, the driver managed to get out of the vehicle and fled the scene. The police spokesperson reports that one of the suspects was shot on the left backside and was taken by ambulance to hospital under police guard. 'Two other suspects were arrested. In total three suspects were arrested as one managed to flee. Two firearms were found inside the vehicle, one had a serial number whereas the other one is a blank gun.' Furthermore, Naidu says nine cellphones were recovered inside the suspects' vehicle. 'A number of spent cartridges were found on scene.' 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!
The Citizen
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Fabulous reads: Chris Carter returns with brilliant dark novel
Genesis, Chris Carter, Jonathan Ball Publishers, ISBN: 9781471197581 Genesis has been, by far, one of the darkest crime thrillers I have read. It's gruesome, graphic and unsettling. A close second, for me, would be Ragdoll by Daniel Cole. It is definitely not a read for the faint of heart. In saying so, Genesis is nothing short of brilliant. While Chris Carter weaved the most unimaginable, abhorrent and brutal crimes, he also surprisingly managed to show the humanity of the killer, whose murders had people questioning if it was the work of the devil himself. Also read: Fabulous reads: Secrets and suspense collide in compelling page-turner The book had me guessing the 'who' and the 'why' until the very end. And the truth was devastating – sparked by a tragedy that you wouldn't think could happen to anyone these days. And while the investigators, Robert Hunter and his partner, Carlos Garcia, are not my absolute favourite duo, their characters are relatable, compassionate and determined yet flawed. They had an easy, believable and endearing bond. This is everything you would expect from a 12th book in a series. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for the other editions in this series. – Mariclair Smit 5/5 stars 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
