Latest news with #Naicker
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Public Safety impounds trucks parked illegally in Vryheid CBD
Trucks parking overnight in Kerk Street have been a major source of frustration for local residents. Public Safety officers, along with local police, launched a week-long operation aimed at addressing this issue. The crackdown was led by Acting Superintendent Ms TP Msimango and Mr K Naicker. A total of 31 trucks were impounded and later released during the operation, which Naicker described as 'long overdue'. He said the aim was to remove and impound vehicles, and prosecute drivers who were not following town regulations. According to Naicker, the operation was prompted by ongoing complaints from the public. 'The community has been complaining for a while now. This was about responding to those concerns and enforcing the law,' he said. There is currently no formal truck stop in town, which has exacerbated the problem. Naicker confirmed that steps are being taken to get an official truck impound approved, along with a system of fines and tariffs. 'We're checking for both driver and vehicle fitness, and we're making sure trucks follow the signage in town,' he explained. Heavy vehicles over five or 10 tons are not allowed in residential areas or the CBD unless they have a valid delivery note. To catch offenders, a team is on patrol between midnight and 02:00 daily. Still, many truck drivers have found ways to avoid enforcement by warning one another once the patrols end. 'They're strategic,' said Naicker. 'They communicate and know when the checks stop.' The impounded trucks were taken to regular vehicle pounds – facilities not ideal for heavy-duty vehicles – and the drivers were charged according to the National Road Traffic Act. The drivers were also informed about the correct routes they need to take and told they are not allowed to sleep in town. 'Truckers can't sleep in the CBD or residential areas,' Naicker said. 'They're allowed to stop at Engen Junction. It was supposed to serve as a truck stop, but there's also municipal land that could be developed into a proper facility.' He said the operation was a success and confirmed that further steps are being taken to create long-term solutions. For now, Public Safety plans to continue regular enforcement while working with other departments to address the root of the problem. ALSO READ: Zero tolerance as roadblock launched at Lakeside Crossing The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Grieving family's agony deepens as hospital orders body returned mid funeral
Poonsamy "Dino" Naicker Image: Supplied A CHATSWORTH family was dealt a double blow this week when they had to not only deal with the death of a loved one, but was ordered to return the body while the funeral was underway. Poonsamy (Dino) Naicker, 53, died at St Augustine's Hospital in Durban on Monday and his funeral service was held on Wednesday at the Woodhurst Mulitcultural Hall in Chatsworth. His family, while in the midst of paying their final respects, were requested to send his body back to the hospital for a post-mortem to be undertaken. Naicker's brother, Gringo said they were astounded by the request. He said the family were called to the hospital on Monday and were told that his brother needed to be on a ventilator. "Not long after arriving at the hospital my brother was pronounced dead. We were informed he had passed away of natural causes. While the funeral was taking place we received a call from the hospital," said Naicker. He said the request to return the body for a post-mortem after the funeral arrangements were made and in progress caused the family additional distress, trauma, and emotional pain. "A day before the funeral, a nursing sister informed us that two doctors had signed off on the cause of death as natural, but a third doctor contested it, claiming it was unnatural. I asked what we needed to do and was told we need to ask the doctor why he believed it was unnatural. "On the day of the funeral after we performed the Hindu rituals at home, we proceeded to the hall. During the proceedings the same ward sister called to say they cannot issue the death certificate due to discrepancies in the cause of death and that the body must be sent back," he said. Naicker said he and other family members went to the hospital with the body and waited outside the mortuary. "We expected the hospital management to meet with us, but no one came. Despite the family's attempts to speak with the hospital manager, he did not communicate with the family. We also went to the doctor who claimed it was unnatural, but he only upset us. "The autopsy was finally done yesterday and the body was released to the family for cremation," he said. Naicker said his brother had been in hospital for about seven weeks. "Initially he had a wound on his foot which was operated on. He had thereafter been under wound care. He returned to work but took ill again and was admitted to hospital. It was suspected that he had sepsis. While in hospital an artery in his eye burst and he lost sight in his one eye. "He was not happy in hospital, but we wanted him healthy and well before he came home. We were told last week that he needed to have an endoscopy and CT scan before being discharged. But he developed a hospital infection and was moved to the intensive care unit," said Naicker. He said the infection got worse and his brother needed assisted oxygen. "We didn't expect this to happen. When he passed away and we were told it was natural causes, I was grieving but understood. But to go through this ordeal has been traumatising for everyone," he said. Naicker said their 80-year-old mother, and his brother's wife and two children were devastated. "The hospital's actions may have constituted misconduct and a breach of hospital protocols, specifically regarding the release of the body without proper procedures, namely the initial release to the funeral home without indicating a need for a postmortem. "The family was not adequately informed or consulted about the need for a postmortem before releasing the body. The unexpected request to return the body has been devastating. "The hospital's handling of the situation has left the family feeling disrespected. We expect a full Investigation into the circumstances that led to the request for a postmortem after funeral arrangements had been finalised. My brother had such a terrible time in hospital and now he can't even go out in dignity. He was an awesome person and he didn't deserve this," said Naicker.
IOL News
06-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Miway achieves one of the industry-leading overturn ratios of 6%, in latest ombud report
Miway has recorded one of the lowest overturn ratios (also referred to as resolved ratio) across the short-term insurance industry at just 6% – according to the recently released National Financial Ombud Scheme South Africa (NFO) 2024 Annual Report. The overturn ratio reflects the percentage of complaints escalated to the ombud where the insurer's initial decision is deemed to have been incorrect. In other words, a low overturn ratio indicates that the insurer is making sound decisions upfront, a strong indicator of fairness and reliability. Burton Naicker, CEO of Miway, says the result reflects the company's consistent and sound claims approach. 'An overturn ratio of 6% - well below non-life industry overturn ratio of 16.5%, as per the NFO 2024 report - affirms the quality and fairness of our claims decisions, something we pride ourselves on. It also means that our clients are getting the right responses and feedback the first time around, reducing the need for external intervention.' The NFO, a newly unified body that amalgamates the former ombud schemes for short-term insurance, long-term insurance, banking and credit, published its inaugural annual report covering over 20 000 resolved cases across the financial services industry. Of these, more than R328 million was awarded to consumers who had been treated unfairly, with over R94 million linked to the non-life (short-term) division alone. Miway has recorded a consistent decline in the number of complaints referred to the ombud over the past several years. From 2017 to 2024, complaints have dropped by more than 50% - a clear sign that ongoing efforts to improve claims management, internal resolution processes and client communications are yielding results. 'Our focus is on continuously improving the customer experience,' says Naicker. 'Whether it's through refining our claims management process, training our staff more rigorously, or making it easier for customers to engage with us, we're committed to making sure our clients feel heard and respected.' For Miway clients, this is all positive news. A low overturn ratio, declining complaints received, and a proactive approach to customer service all point to a business that is delivering on its promise to protect clients' assets, without the added frustration of administrative run-arounds. 'We know that when people claim, they're often under stress,' notes Naicker. 'It's our duty to make the process as fair and efficient as possible. These results show that we're doing just that, and we will continue to build on this foundation, offering great service and products that meet our clients' needs,' he concludes.
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- The Citizen
Richards Bay fraud accused case remanded
The trial for businesswomen and fraud accused Rhana Naicker and her four co-accused was on Tuesday postponed at the Richards Bay Magistrate's Court. It was set for this week but remanded to October as one of the accused was booked off sick and a new date will be set. Naicker faces charges of fraud relating to mismanagement or embezzlement of funds to the tune of R75 000 from the Richards Bay Diwali Committee NPO. The 59 year old was last year arrested and charged along with four others – Gloria Naidu, DeeAnn Huripursad, Nana Tsati and Bongani Masuku… Read the full story in the ZO Weekender edition, out on the shelves and on the ZO app. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Your shield against the unexpected: why insurance still matters
About 70% of South African motorists are either not insured or underinsured, leaving them financially exposed in the event of an accident, theft, or natural disaster. Affordability is a big hurdle — but just as concerning is how many people still don't realise how important insurance is for staying financially secure when life takes an unexpected turn. Burton Naicker, CEO of Miway Insurance, believes that addressing this protection gap begins with greater awareness. 'South Africans face increasing financial vulnerability, compounded by high unemployment and low insurance penetration. It's up to the industry to shift perceptions and show the real value of insurance in people's everyday lives.' The real protection gap SA's short-term insurance gap refers to the difference between what individuals or businesses could lose during an insurable event, such as a flood, car accident or burglary, and the portion of those losses that are insured. Small businesses and low-income households are especially affected, often operating with minimal to no protection. According to Naicker, the issue is twofold. 'There's one group of people who could technically afford insurance but choose not to, often because they think it costs too much. Then there's a much larger group who simply can't afford full coverage at all. In both cases, there's often little understanding of how customisable insurance can be made affordable. 'People view insurance as a luxury, something that can be cancelled when there is financial pressure. The reality is that most accidents and losses are caused by things out of your control, like someone else's poor driving, infrastructure failures or extreme weather conditions,' he says. 'That's why cover still matters.' Tailored cover is better than none Without a savings buffer, South Africans risk long-term setbacks if their vehicles or homes are damaged or destroyed. For small business owners, it could mean the collapse of a livelihood built over years. The economic knock-on effects are also significant. 'If a small business has no cover and suffers a major loss, it can't serve its customers, pay staff or contribute to the economy. The ripple effect is serious,' says Naicker. 'That's why I believe insurance should be treated as a basic cost of doing business — something that gets built into your pricing from the start.' Miway encourages people to explore flexible insurance options that suit their budget and needs. 'Especially during revolving life changes, we encourage you to keep your assets covered,' says Naicker. 'Your monthly premium can be reduced by increasing your excess or choosing a lower level of cover. It's always better to have some cover than to have nothing at all.' Insurance: smart protection for a changing world The nature of risk is also evolving, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe. The record-breaking April 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal, for example, caused billions in damages. Add to that the ongoing threat of load-shedding, which can lead to power surges damaging appliances and compromised security systems. At a time when every rand counts, Miway's new Micashback is a meaningful reward that puts real cash back in people's pockets '[While cover from the government-owned] South African Special Risks Insurance Association plays a critical role in protecting against damage caused by risks such as civil unrest, looting, and strikes, it is vital for consumers to understand that this cover is only accessible through their existing personal or business insurance policies,' says Naicker. At Miway, adapting to this changing risk landscape means offering insurance that is not only relevant but also rewarding. The company recently launched Micashback — a smart new feature that gives customers 10% of their premiums back after two straight years without a claim. At a time when every rand counts, it's a meaningful reward that puts real cash back in people's pockets. 'Insurance shouldn't feel like a grudge purchase,' Naicker adds. 'It should be a tool for rebuilding and recovery, and where possible, and it should reward positive behaviour as well.' Time to reassess The recent National Insurance Awareness Day (June 28) serves as a reminder for South Africans to take a moment to reflect and review their policies, says Naicker. Whether you've bought a new car, renovated your home or started a side hustle, your policy should keep up with your lifestyle. Rather than cancelling insurance altogether when times are tough, it is best to speak to your insurer about how to make it more affordable Burton Naicker, CEO of Miway Insurance 'People's lives change all the time — you move into new jobs, start side hustles, or take on new financial responsibilities,' he says. 'Your cover should change with you. Rather than cancelling it altogether when times are tough, it is best to speak to your insurer about how to make it more affordable.' He adds that Miway continues to revise and expand its product range to meet different customer needs. 'Our policy structure is designed to offer real flexibility — drop cover, add cover, adjust your excess — all to help customers stay insured through different life stages.'
