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The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Police probe Ballito robbery after man held at gunpoint
A Ballito homeowner was held at gunpoint during an early morning home invasion yesterday in what authorities describe as a brazen robbery on Minerva Road South. The North Coast Courier reports that, according to Umhlali SAPS, three unidentified men, one reportedly armed with a pistol, entered the property at around 03:00. The robbers allegedly gained access through a sliding door that had been left open, surprising the homeowner who was working on his computer in the lounge at the time. The armed thief reportedly pointed the firearm at the homeowner and forced him to lie on the floor while the other two thieves ransacked the home. Numerous high-value items were allegedly stolen. In a possible lead for investigators, a power bank believed to belong to one of the robbers was left behind at the scene. The item has been retained by police for fingerprint analysis. No injuries or property damage were reported and no shots were fired. Emergency services and police responded promptly. This incident follows a similar non-violent break-in on Marion Road North on Saturday, between 20:00 and 21:00. In that case, a thief entered through a side sliding door while the homeowners were on the patio, stealing a wallet and a laptop without being noticed. CCTV footage from the Marion Road incident revealed a robber wearing Adidas shoes similar to those seen in previous cases. However, police noted a different modus operandi in the two incidents. Ballito Neighbourhood Watch chairperson Morné Steffens confirmed a recent rise in burglaries and attempted break-ins in the area. 'We are very fortunate here with crime usually at a minimum. It's been blissfully quiet, until now,' said Steffens. He urged residents to remain vigilant, secure all entry points and report suspicious activity immediately. Anyone with information is asked to contact Umhlali SAPS or the Ballito Neighbourhood Watch at 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
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN woman's polyandrous wedding challenges SA marriage laws
The symbolic wedding of a married woman to a second husband in Ballito, KZN, has reignited debate over gender equality, cultural norms and legal inconsistencies in South Africa's marriage laws. North Coast Courier reports that Jo-Leen Geldenhuys (34) – known as the 'Pink Pitbull' in boxing circles – married her boxing coach, Santini Lee (38), in a traditional, though not legally binding, ceremony at Salmon Bay on April 26. She remains legally married to her husband of 12 years, Jack Geldenhuys (37), with who she has four children. Polyandry – where a woman has multiple husbands – is not recognised under South African law, while polygamy for men is permitted under customary law. 'Afrikaans culture holds strong religious and patriarchal traditions, which can be isolating when advocating for progressive ideas,' says Geldenhuys. Originally from the North West, Geldenhuys moved to La Mercy last October. Her lifestyle has drawn online criticism, but she says prejudice comes from across cultural lines, not just her community. 'Polyandry is more than a legal issue – it's cultural and societal,' she says. 'I've received messages from other couples who are afraid to speak out. That's why I will continue to advocate for recognition of polyandrous relationships.' She draws inspiration from the LGBTQ+ community and says her story promotes broader dialogue around personal freedom and the influence of religion in law-making. South Africa's Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds such as marital status (Section 9.3, Bill of Rights). Geldenhuys believes this clause should support the legalisation of polyandry. Polyandry is not uncommon around the world, but is rarely accepted. It is legal in Nigeria and Kenya. In India and Tibet, fraternal polyandry – where a woman marries two brothers – is allowed. A 2021 green paper by the Department of Home Affairs proposed the legal recognition of polyandry in South Africa, sparking fierce national debate, with many conservative voices labelling it 'unAfrican'. One prominent critic of the proposal was reality TV star Musa Mseleku, who has four wives. The main concerns raised by Mseleku involved the potential impact on family structure and the legal complexities of determining paternity. 'I don't have the resources to take this to court,' Geldenhuys says. 'But by sharing my story, I hope to inspire change.' 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
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
#Opinion: Residents share their experience of the record-breaking mayoral imbizo
Residents from KwaDukuza's wards 6, 22 and 30 shared their thoughts on the 2025 Mayoral Imbizo which was hosted at Umhlali Prep last Thursday. Mveli Sibandze: This meeting made it abundantly clear to all that the mayor couldn't be less bothered with our stretch of the municipality despite it being the biggest contributor to KDM's revenue and second, that there actually is no plan to resolve the infrastructure issues, chief among them, the power issues. A massive insult to each resident of the three wards. Thomas Nicolson: I was disappointed that there was zero under 30, a handful under 40 and the rest senior citizens. Real estate agents should have been out in force. Handful showed up. Biggest disappointment was not only mayor absence, but also the municipal manager. Must be a bad bug going around in the chambers for all to be sick at the same time. Unfortunately, they would have been laughing at our outrage as soon as they walked out the meeting. Sharon Irene Preen Paterson: Ran in the opposite direction with his tail between his legs. I was so proud of being part of the community who came out in full force. When the going gets tough the tough get going. I don't think we should rest. We are the main financial contributors. I think we made our mark. Let them laugh at us if they wish. Remember, he who laughs laughs last. Stephne Ashworth: Interesting that the mayor attended the Council meeting that morning. I don't think he had the acumen to handle the questions. Jabulo has the gift of the gab. Orchestrated in my opinion. The mayor was not sick in my opinion. Jackie Futter: Their departmental reviews were as clear as mud. No accountability and no mayor. Disrespectful to say the least. Kathryn Costello: The mood, when it was announced that the mayor would not be attending, was furious. How dare he not turn up? How dare he pretend to be sick? How dare he insult all of us, who pay his salary, how dare he disrespect us? The North Coast Courier, do us all a favour, and give a proper report of what went down. All the questions, and all the pathetic answers and excuses for the KDM municipality's incompetence, inefficiency and waste of money – don't sugar coat it, in the favour of a discourteous bunch of people. I will give the poor deputy mayor his due though – he kept his cool, and remained steadfast in all his answers, even though he must be deeply embarrassed to be working for such an incompetent leader. Let's hope he has the backbone to expose his incompetent office. The question of the R173 000.00 security bill paid to a Durban company, (why not a local company?) – Ali Ngidi has now illustrated why he needs that sort of security. What a disappointment he must be to the people who voted for him. Keith Goor: I noticed the absence of the younger generation, very disappointing. The absence of the mayor and municipal manager is a real slap in the face. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
