Latest news with #Pietermaritzburg
The Herald
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald
Zuma and Thales continue on their losing streak
French company Thales and co-accused, former president Jacob Zuma, have lost their bid to have the arms-deal related corruption trial against them stopped. However, followers of this long saga should not hold their breath. Both indicated on Tuesday they would consider appealing the ruling made by Pietermaritzburg high court judge Nkosinathi Chili, and new trial dates, possibly only in the second half of 2026, will be determined in December this year when the parties appear in court again. Earlier this year Chili heard an application by Thales that it would not get a fair trial because key witnesses, including former company executives Pierre Moynot and Alain Thetard, had died. It was submitted that because of this Thales would not be able to adduce and challenge evidence. Zuma piggybacked on the application, saying if the prosecution was halted against Thales then he should also be acquitted for similar reasons. However, on Tuesday Chili dismissed the applications. In essence, he said if there was any trial prejudice, that should be dealt with and assessed by the trial court. He said the court could 'only shut the door' on the prosecution's legal right to prosecute if an accused could show exceptional circumstances and the court was satisfied the accused would suffer irreparable and insurmountable trial prejudice. Thales had failed to do so and had, instead, relied on 'hypothetical prejudice'. He also noted Thales had changed tack, in particular to the issue of Thetard. In its (failed) 2018 application for a permanent stay, it had said Thetard was not prepared to assist in the matter in any forum in any way. Now it claimed it was prejudiced because he had died. 'It would have been expected Thales would have put up evidence to indicate at a certain point of time he (Thetard) had changed his mind (about giving evidence). Without such evidence, one is inclined to conclude it conveniently moved the goalposts to bolster its case,' Chili said.
The Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Luthuli 'assault' eyewitness to take witness stand on Monday
The reopened inquest into the death of ANC president-general Chief Albert Luthuli heard evidence his family was forced to flee their house in 1970 due to constant harassment by the special branch. His daughter Dr Albertina Luthuli, 93, told the Pietermaritzburg high court on Wednesday the family went into hiding from 1970 and returned home in 1991. She said the abuse by the special branch continued even after her father died in 1967. 'Members of the special branch continued to harass us even though our father had died which forced the family to go into hiding,' she said. Albertina, who was on the witness stand for three days, finished her evidence on Wednesday. She said the family had believed her father was killed by someone on a train.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Pietermaritzburg's housing boom
Pietermaritzburg's rapid growth is fuelling demand for quality housing, and the Hesketh Development is meeting it with Cooper — the latest phase of Hesketh Estate. Launching 16 August 2025, Cooper offers secure, modern estate living from R1.125m, appealing to families, professionals, and investors seeking value in one of KwaZulu-Natal's fastest-growing urban centres. Hesketh Estate has already made its mark in the local property market. Earlier phases such as Alfa sold out rapidly and continue to show solid value growth. Now, Cooper builds on that success, offering thoughtfully designed homes, strong investment potential, and the opportunity to live within a secure estate at an attractive price point. Since its launch in November 2020, Hesketh Estate has demonstrated exceptional market performance and strong investor confidence. The development recorded an impressive 80 sales in its launch month alone, followed by consistent momentum with 142 sales achieved within the first 12 months — averaging approximately 10 sales per month through to October 2021. Growing market confidence According to the Hesketh Development team, the launch of Cooper responds directly to the growing demand in Pietermaritzburg's residential market. Since 2011, the city's adult population has grown by 36%, with Hayfields matching this trend. According to Lightstone data, this translates to approximately 10 new adults and seven families moving into the suburb each month. The area's population growth is matched by its financial strength. Hayfields has emerged as one of Pietermaritzburg's most economically stable and desirable suburbs. Recent data has also revealed that average household incomes range between R77,500 and R91,500 per month – signalling an emerging affluent market that prioritises secure, high-quality living. In addition, from 2021 to 2024, the estate has seen sales price escalations ranging between 10% and 12% for two-bedroom units, reflecting solid capital growth and sustained demand. On the rental front, occupancy stood at a remarkable 97% as of December 2024, with rental escalations of up to 10% across all unit types between 2022 and 2025, making this development an increasingly attractive prospect for long-term investors. Community. Convenience. Calm. But numbers only tell part of the story. Hayfields is celebrated for its strong community spirit, family-friendly environment, and well-rounded lifestyle offering. According to Leon van Rooyen, development manager at Hesketh Development, Cooper builds on these strengths, offering residents a secure estate lifestyle in a suburb that blends everyday convenience with a sense of calm. 'We've created a community-focused environment where residents can enjoy the best of what Hayfields has to offer, and we're excited to be expanding on that,' says van Rooyen. 'Cooper residents benefit from a prime location, being close to respected schools, excellent medical facilities, and popular retail centres, making everyday convenience part of the lifestyle.' Each home is thoughtfully designed with modern living in mind, featuring open-plan layouts, private balconies or gardens, and sustainable elements like gas geysers. 'The apartments are also pet-friendly, fibre-ready, and energy-efficient - an ideal place to call home for those seeking low-maintenance, lock-up-and-go living,' van Rooyen adds. 'Residents will also enjoy shared access to landscaped green spaces, a clubhouse, swimming pool, and 24/7 security. These amenities have largely contributed to the success of Hesketh Estate's earlier phases, and we anticipate a similar outcome in the near future.' Cooper presents a compelling opportunity to enter a secure, high-demand market in one of Pietermaritzburg's most established and rewarding suburbs. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Government regarded Chief Luthuli as a terrorist, says Albertina Luthuli
The reopened inquest into the death of ANC president-general Chief Albert Luthuli heard evidence that the apartheid government regarded Luthuli as a terrorist. This evidence came from his daughter Dr Albertina Nomathuli Luthuli, 93, when testifying in the Pietermaritzburg high court on Monday. Albertina, a medical doctor, said there were many geopolitical events before her father died in 1967. There was condemnation from the apartheid regime in 1960 when her father received the Nobel peace prize. 'The apartheid regime was not happy that my father was given a Nobel peace prize, they even condemned the Nobel peace prize committee saying it has lost its credibility by awarding a prestigious prize to a terrorist,' she said. State prosecutor adv Annah Chuene asked Albertina why her father was regarded as a terrorist. She said many banning orders were meted out against him but he was 'able to evade them'. Albertina also told the court that the apartheid regime was against the move by former US president John F Kennedy while still a senator to visit her father in Groutville in 1961. 'Kennedy visited the apartheid government in Pretoria and he also wanted to visit my father but the government of the day denied [his request]. Kennedy forced his visit to my father which angered the apartheid regime,' she said. Albertina said all these developments made her father enemy number one of the state. 'So the apartheid regime had no choice but to remove my father,' she said. She also disputed evidence presented in the initial inquest in 1967, that Luthuli was partially deaf and blind. Though her father once had an operation in one of his eyes, his vision was clear, she said, adding that he could also hear properly. She said her family strongly believe he was murdered as opposed to having been struck by a train. She added the family hopes the reopened inquest will bring closure on the matter. The inquest continues. TimesLIVE
The Herald
24-05-2025
- The Herald
Five years in jail for man who created pornographic images of president and former police minister
The Pietermaritzburg regional court has sentenced Scebi Nene, 36, to five years in jail for creating pornographic images of high-profile people including President Cyril Ramaphosa and former police minister Bheki Cele. Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, said Nene pleaded guilty to a number of cyber crimes committed between September 2022 and May 2023. Nene downloaded images of certain individuals, including former police commissioner Khehla Sithole and superimposed images of a sexual nature onto them. 'This created a false impression the images were the authentic images of the complainants. Nene then disseminated these manipulated images.' In his plea Nene said he was employed by Coca-Cola between 2018 and 2019 and during this time he felt people were following him. He reported this to police who told him to observe if it happened again and return to them. Nene said he continued being followed and reported this at two other police stations, but claimed his claims were dismissed. He then approached the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), but nobody took him seriously. Ramkisson-Kara said he contacted Cele's office but still received no assistance. 'That was when he downloaded the images of the complainants and the images of a sexual nature and superimposed the two, making it seem that it was the complainants in those graphic images. He also admitted to distributing the images. Nene mentioned that he is remorseful and has undertaken not to commit a similar offence again in the future,' she said. In the matter prosecuted by Adv Shika Siverpersad, Nene was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for cyber forgery. The cyber uttering and disclosing of the intimate images was taken as one for sentencing and he was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Both sentences will run concurrently. 'The NPA views offences of this nature in a serious light. We advise members of the public to use technology with caution and due regard for the consequences,' said Ramkisson-Kara. TimesLIVE
