Latest news with #R15
The Citizen
a day ago
- General
- The Citizen
Centurion dog shelter faces dire food shortage
A dog rescue shelter in Centurion is grappling with a severe food shortage for its 60 dogs and dozens of other animals it helps care for. Pretoria Dog Rescue CEO Celia van Zyl said the non-profit organisation has only a few bags of food left, which is not enough to keep the animals properly fed in the coming days. She explained that the shelter relies entirely on public support, and the recent drop in donations has left them in a desperate situation. 'We are totally dependent on food donations,' said Van Zyl. 'Normally, we receive enough food throughout the month to build up a bit of a reserve, but over the past few weeks, donations have dropped drastically.' Van Zyl revealed that the shelter needs around 40kg of food a day for its mostly medium to large dogs, and also regularly uses canned food. In addition to the animals housed at the shelter, Pretoria Dog Rescue provides food for pets belonging to 11 families unable to afford pet food. 'These families have homes for their animals, but without the shelter's help, they would not be able to keep them,' she said. The organisation also supports several feral cat colonies, totalling about 70 cats. Van Zyl said the shortage has placed immense pressure on the shelter's daily operations. 'There is absolutely no way our dogs can go without food, not even for a day. If we run out completely, we will cook what we can and have available.' She expressed her concern that the shelter is very close to this point and may soon have to start begging for donations. While some people donate food regularly, Van Zyl explained that most of their support usually comes in throughout the month in smaller amounts, allowing them to accumulate supplies. 'We currently have a few food collection bins in place at some shops, and we sometimes receive food from stores,' said Van Zyl. She added that schools and community organisations also donate food and blankets, often delivering them as part of volunteering initiatives or team-building visits. However, Van Zyl noted that in recent times, it seems as if more people are struggling financially and cannot afford to buy an extra bag of food. 'It's understandable, and we are very grateful for any help we receive,' she said. She also stressed the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to pet food donations. 'Unfortunately, many people try to buy as much food as they can for the amount they can afford, which often means lower-quality food. 'We would really appreciate it if people would rather buy one bag of good food than two bags of something that is not nutritious.' As a pro-life shelter, Van Zyl stated that their dogs are treated with love and attention every day. This latest crisis comes after a major setback in October last year, when the shelter was targeted by thieves who broke into their wooden storage room and stole about R15 000 worth of dog food. At the time, the theft left the shelter reeling, but Van Zyl remembers the community's response with deep gratitude. 'We had an absolutely overwhelming reaction,' she said. 'Two dog food manufacturers donated 600kg each, and the support from the public was truly heartwarming. We ended up recovering far more than we had lost in just a few days.' Despite the many challenges, Van Zyl remains determined to ensure that no animal in their care ever goes hungry. 'There are dire effects of starvation and malnutrition for the animals, so we will never allow our dogs to go without food,' she said. Anyone who would like to help is encouraged to contact the shelter on WhatsApp at 083 767 6345, 082 569 2663 or 082 789 9195. The shelter is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, but it is best to contact them before visiting. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gauteng High Court's mediation directive faces legal action from accident victim
A car accident victim is challenging a directive by the Gauteng high court which makes mediation mandatory before civil trials are heard. She demands her day in court and says she cannot afford mediation. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers WHILE the Constitutional Court has declined leave to a law firm to directly approach the apex court in an urgent bid to overturn a directive introducing mandatory mediation in the Gauteng Division of the High Court, a vehicle accident victim who is also objecting to the directives will take her plight to court. The Durban-based woman, who is left a paraplegic following the accident, will turn to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria later in June to ultimately have the directives issued by the head of the court overturned. She said her accident occurred six years ago and she eventually obtained a court date issued in 2023 for her hearing. Her matter is scheduled to be heard in August this year, but her case is now first subject to arbitration in terms of the directive. This follows a directive issued by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo earlier this year that the Johannesburg and Pretoria high courts no longer allocate trial dates for civil cases (cases where evidence is being led, such as damages claims). Litigants, who in these cases want a judge to determine their issues, must first prove that they have tried to resolve their issues via mediation. A trial date will be allocated only if mediation does not resolve the issues, and they can prove via a certificate that they did try it. The Office of the Chief Justice earlier explained that there are no alternatives as the Gauteng Divisions simply cannot cope with the heavy workload. Judge Mlambo also commented in his directive that the bulk of these cases are, in any event, settled on the day of the trial. Thus, the mediation route is the practical solution so that judges can be freed to adjudicate over other matters. The woman will meanwhile bring her application in two parts - the first is that she and others may retain the court dates they have secured before the new directive came into force in April. The second part in which she is contesting the legality of the directive, will be heard at a later stage. The accident victim in this new legal challenge explained that it is expected of her (and others) to first pay the mediation fees before a mediator can adjudicate her case. She explained that before the accident she was a hairdresser. As she is now wheelchair-bound, her only income is a social grant. She is also HIV-positive and struggles with health issues. She said in an affidavit that this application is to ensure that she has her day in court. The applicant stated that the directive differentiates between plaintiff litigants and the RAF regarding the amount payable for mediation and when it's payable. The RAF, she claims, is only liable for R15,000 per mediation, which only becomes payable 30 days after the receipt of the mediation report. A plaintiff, on the other hand, must pay the balance of the mediation fee upfront. 'If a plaintiff litigant does not pay, no mediation can be conducted and no trial date can be obtained,' she stated. According to the plaintiff, she cannot pay for mediation and this will result in her being denied justice. She also questioned the constitutional validity of the directive. Gert Nel Inc Attorneys, through its director Gert Nel, in his now failed bid to the ConCourt, questioned whether this move for mandatory mediation is constitutionally sound. In an affidavit accompanying his urgent application, Nel said there are constitutional limits on judicial power.
Daily Maverick
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Understanding shingles: Risks, vaccination gaps, and the quest for better health solutions
The only shingles vaccine on the market in South Africa was discontinued in 2024. A newer and better vaccine is being used in some other countries, but has not yet been registered in South Africa, though it can be obtained by those with money who are willing to jump through some hoops. Shingles is a common and painful condition that mostly affects the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. It generally appears with a telltale red rash and cluster of red blisters on one side of the body, often in a band-like pattern. 'Shingles is pretty awful to get – it's extremely painful, and some people can get strokes, vision loss, deafness and other horrible manifestations as complications,' said infectious disease specialist, Professor Jeremy Nel. 'Shingles really is something to avoid, if at all possible.' One way to prevent the viral infection is to get vaccinated. But while two vaccines against shingles have been developed and broadly used in the developed world, neither is available in South Africa. Two vaccines Zostavax, from the pharmaceutical company MSD, was the first vaccine introduced to prevent shingles. It was approved for use in the US in 2006 and in South Africa in 2011. It is 51% effective against shingles in adults over 60. A more effective vaccine, Shingrix, which is more than 90% effective in preventing shingles, was introduced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in the US in 2016. It is not yet authorised for use in South Africa, but GSK has submitted paperwork for approval with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra), said company spokesperson Kamil Saytkulov. The superior protection offered by Shingrix compared with Zostavax quickly made it the dominant shingles vaccine on the market. As a result, MSD discontinued the production and marketing of Zostavax. MSD spokesperson Cheryl Reddy said Zostavax was discontinued globally in March 2024. Before then, the vaccine was sold in South Africa's private healthcare system for about R2,300, but it was never widely available in government clinics or hospitals. No registered and available vaccine Since Zostavax has been discontinued and Shingrix remains unregistered, the only way to access a vaccine against shingles in South Africa is by going through the onerous process of applying to Sahpra for a Section 21 authorisation – a legal mechanism that allows the importation of unregistered medicines when there is an unmet medical need. 'Access will only be available to those who are able to get Section 21 approval' and 'this is a costly and time-consuming process, requiring motivation by a doctor,' said Dr Leon Geffen, director of the Samson Institute for Ageing Research. The cost of the two-dose Shingrix vaccine imported through Section 21 authorisations is currently about R15,600, said Dr Albie de Frey, CEO of the Travel Doctor Corporate. People who seek Section 21 authorisation typically have to pay for this out of their own pockets. 'Shingrix is not covered [by Discovery Health] as it is unregistered in South Africa and is therefore considered to be a General Scheme Exclusion,' Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, chief clinical officer at Discovery Health, told Spotlight. The Department of Health did not respond to queries about whether Section 21 processes are being pursued for priority patients in the public sector or whether there has been any engagement with GSK on the price of this product. People who receive organ transplants, for example, should be prioritised to receive the shingles vaccine since the medications they are given to suppress their immune system puts them at high risk of developing shingles. Why is the price of Shingrix so high? Unlike South Africa, where companies must sell pharmaceutical products at a single, transparent price in the private sector, the US has no such requirement. Even so, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pays $250 (R4,600) for the two-dose Shingrix vaccine through CDC contracts. This is less than a third of the charge when Shingrix is imported to South Africa. Equity Pharmaceuticals, based in Centurion, Gauteng, is importing GSK's Shingrix for patients who receive Section 21 authorisations to use the unregistered vaccine. It is unclear what price Equity Pharmaceuticals is paying GSK for Shingrix to be imported under Section 21 approvals, or what its mark-up on the medicine is. Asked about the price of Shingrix in South Africa, Saytkulov told Spotlight: 'Equity Pharmaceuticals is not affiliated with GSK, nor is it a business partner or agent of GSK. Therefore we cannot provide any comments with regards to pricing of a non-licensed product, which has been authorised for importation through Section 21.' Equity Pharmaceuticals also said it was difficult to comment on the price. 'The price of a Section 21 product depends on a number of fair considerations, including the forex rate, the quantity, transportation requirements, and the country of importation. Once the price and lead time are defined for an order, the information is shared with the healthcare provider to discuss with their patient and the medical aid,' the company's spokesperson, Carel Bouwer, said. Nematswerani pointed out that 'Section 21 pricing is not regulated' and that the price can change due to many factors including supplier costs, product availability and inflation. What causes shingles? Shingles is caused by the same highly infectious virus that causes chickenpox. Most people are infected with the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) during childhood. Chickenpox occurs when a person is first infected by VZV. When a person recovers from chickenpox, the VZV virus remains dormant in their body but can reactivate later in life as the immune system weakens. This secondary infection that occurs, typically in old age when the dormant virus reactivates, is called shingles. People who were naturally infected with chickenpox, as well as those vaccinated against chickenpox with a vaccine containing a weakened form of the VZV virus, can get shingles later in life. But, people who were vaccinated against chickenpox have a significantly lower risk of developing shingles later in life compared with those who naturally contracted chickenpox, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The chickenpox vaccine is available in South Africa's private sector but is not provided in the public sector as part of the government's expanded programme on immunisation. Chickenpox is usually mild in most children, but those with weakened immune systems at risk of severe or complicated chickenpox should be vaccinated against it, said Professor James Nuttall, a paediatric infectious diseases sub-specialist at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital and the University of Cape Town. Who should be vaccinated against shingles? South Africa does not have guidelines for who should receive the shingles vaccine and when. The US CDC recommends that all adults older than 50 receive the two-dose Shingrix vaccine. It also recommends that people whose immune systems can't defend their body as effectively as they should, like those living with HIV, should get the vaccine starting from age 19. While Shingrix works better than Zostavax at preventing shingles, it has other advantages that make it a safer and better option for people with weak immune systems. The Zostavax vaccine contains a weakened live form of the VZV virus and thus poses a risk of complications in people with severely weakened immune systems. 'In the profoundly immunosuppressed, the immune system might not control the replication of this weakened virus,' explained Nel. The Shingrix vaccine does not contain any live virus and therefore does not present this risk. In March 2025, the WHO recommended that countries where shingles is an important public health problem consider the two-dose shingles vaccine for older adults and people with chronic conditions. '[T]he vaccine is highly effective and licensed for adults aged 50 and older, even if they've had shingles before,' according to the WHO. It advised countries to weigh up how much the vaccine costs with the benefits before deciding to use it. The cost of not vaccinating against shingles The cost of not vaccinating against shingles is high for people who develop the condition, as well as the health system. '[T]he risk of getting shingles in your lifetime is about 20 to 30%… by the age of 80 years, the prevalence is almost 50%,' said Geffen. 'Shingles is often a painful, debilitating condition, with significant morbidity. It can result in chronic debilitating pain which affects sleep, mood and overall function,' he added. Beyond preventing shingles and its complications, new evidence suggests that getting the vaccine may also reduce the risk of developing dementia and heart disease. In April, a large Welsh study published in Nature reported that people who received the Zostavax vaccine against shingles were 20% less likely to develop dementia seven years after receiving it compared with those who were not vaccinated. In May, a South Korean study published in the European Heart Journal reported that people vaccinated against shingles had a 23% lower risk of cardiovascular events, such as stroke or heart disease, for up to eight years after vaccination. DM
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Maverick
Single mom and Cape Town activist Yumna Alexander gives adults a second chance through night schools
'People are really serious about changing their lives and the lives of their children. It all starts with you, and it is so beautiful to watch people because nobody is going to do it for them but themselves,' says single mom and community activist Yumna Alexander, who runs 10 Hopeful Leaders Night Schools in Cape Town, helping school dropouts get their matric. Having dropped out of school herself, Yumna Alexander understands first-hand the challenges faced by those who leave school early. She left school after falling pregnant and struggled for years to find stable employment. With limited qualifications, she took retail and call centre jobs to support her child. Determined to change her path, she decided in her mid-20s to return to school and pursue her matric, holding on to her long-standing dream of becoming a teacher. After completing her matric, she began volunteering at the age of 32 at a leadership college in Manenberg. Without internet access at home, she used the Manenberg library as her study space. While there, she began helping others with basic computer use, but soon realised there were deeper issues. 'I realised through the training that in every five people, only one person had matric. They used to tell me that they want to complete school, but do not know how to. I approached ward councillors to help open a programme, but I was told I would never succeed,' said Alexander. That discouragement didn't stop her. Today, she runs 10 night schools across coloured communities in Cape Town, including Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Delft, Bishop Lavis, Hanover Park, Lavender Hill, Bonteheuwel, Elsies River and Ravensmead. More than 600 learners are currently enrolled, and Alexander has employed more than 20 teachers, many of whom earned their matric through her programme. Learners pay R15 a class and a once-off registration fee of R50. Every cent earned goes directly back into the programme – paying staff and covering the cost of essentials such as copy paper and ink. 'We are getting no support from the government; we are doing this on our own, and it's okay… We operate from 6pm every Monday to Thursday. We have subjects that include maths literacy, English home language, Afrikaans additional, mathematics, geography, history, life sciences, business studies and religious studies,' said Alexander. Matriculants' testimonies Natalie Muller (36) said she joined the Hanover night school at the age of 34 after failing matric. She says her experience at the school was incredible, and working with Alexander was inspiring. 'I found her [Alexander] on Facebook calling people to come register, and I did. It was easy studying with old people because they were mature and focused. We did a lot of revision and wrote exams. Yumna always told us to study further, and I did, in finance; today, I am helping with finances at the schools. Everyone has a chance in life, and it is never too late,' said Muller. Another matriculant, Waeeda Abrahams, dropped out of high school in Grade 11 and had three children. In 2020, she overheard people speaking about the night school and learnt Alexander's name. 'I heard Yumna was working at the library, and I went to her because I needed to make something of myself. I then attended the night school… I managed to pass with a bachelor's pass. I struggled to get into university, but I got into Two Oceans Graduate Institute [in Cape Town], and I completed two years with the school. I started working at night for Yumna as an administrator. I went to Unisa [through] a bursary,' said Abrahams. She said she is now an administrator at one of the night schools and wants to help others find success. 'She [Alexander] can be very strict, but she will work with you side by side. She also asks us for advice and is not a boss type, just an open person,' said Abrahams. According to previous reporting by Daily Maverick, around 40% of South African learners who begin Grade 1 do not reach matric. This staggering dropout rate is fuelled by a mix of factors such as financial hardship, lack of resources, limited support at home and social pressures such as early pregnancy. Alexander said her dream of becoming a teacher had seen her open doors to employment by helping people who had not matriculated. DM For anyone wanting to assist, these are the details for her Hopeful Leaders Night School. Account Name: Hopeful Leaders Institute Bank Account: Nedbank Account Number: 1266769854 Branch code: 198765 Swift Code: NEDSZAJJ.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Lowveld murder: Accused out on strict bail conditions
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has granted bail to murder-accused Sonell Joubert, overturning the Tonga Magistrate's Court's earlier decision to deny her release. According to Lowvelder, Joubert (43) was granted bail of R15 000 with strict conditions in a judgment delivered today. She must attend all court appearances, report to the Tonga Police Station twice a week, notify authorities of any address changes, remain within the district unless permitted, and avoid contact with state witnesses. Should she fail to comply, a warrant for her arrest will be issued immediately, and her bail money will be forfeited to the state. Bail appeal reveals procedural concerns Joubert had appealed her bail refusal, initially denied on February 24. The appeal hearing, presided over by Justice J Vukeya last Thursday, revealed inconsistencies in documentation, leading the judge to request a supplementary affidavit from Joubert's legal representative, Adv Hennie van Rensburg. Judgment was reserved until today. Throughout the case, Joubert has changed attorneys multiple times, including appointing Johannesburg-based lawyer Marco Lamberti, who later withdrew due to non-payment. Details of fatal stabbing Joubert is accused of fatally stabbing Jurgens Nel at Lowhills Farm in the Nkomazi region in early February. On February 1, she approached the KaMhlushwa police, alleging Nel had violated a protection order she had instituted against him. That night, officers visited the farm but did not directly confront Nel, as Joubert and her life partner Johann Möller claimed he was armed and aggressive. According to Van Rensburg, officers remained at the premises from 22:00 to 02:00, observing Nel moving through the house, switching lights on and off. Two days later, on February 3, a group of eight officers, led by investigating officer Sergeant Bonginkosi Given Nguyuza, returned to Lowhills Farm. After retrieving the keys from Joubert and Möller, they entered the house and discovered Nel's body with six stab wounds to the upper body. When questioned, Joubert told police she had stabbed Nel during a fight, during which she sustained a minor cut below her left eye and another on her finger. She was arrested on February 4 and has been in custody since then. Questions over evidence The court raised concerns over the minor injuries Joubert sustained, as well as the missing murder weapon, casting doubt on her account. Additionally, it was revealed that Lowhills Farm had been sold at auction, leaving Joubert without a fixed residence. Joubert attempted to use her ownership of Tswale, a domesticated elephant valued at over R1m, as collateral in her bail argument. Nguyuza responded that he was unfamiliar with elephant auction prices. With strict bail conditions in place, Joubert will remain under close supervision as her case progresses. She is expected to return to court in June, when further evidence, including the post-mortem report and crime scene photo album, will be presented. 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!
