Latest news with #SimonHowell
IOL News
05-08-2025
- IOL News
Alleged extortion kingpin killed in Eastern Cape police shootout
An alleged extortion kingpin was killed in a shootout with police in the Eastern Cape, following a series of threats against local teachers. Image: File THE suspected extortion kingpin killed during a recent shoot out with the police had apparently demanded to be paid R1000 'protection fee' by each teacher of an Eastern Cape school. Eastern Cape police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana said an investigation was launched following extortion allegations against teachers from a local school in Ngqeleni. A threatening letter was reportedly sent to the school where gang members demanded R1 000 in protection fees from each teacher, with warning of repercussions if payments were not made. 'An investigation was launched following a demand of protection fee from teachers in one of Ngqeleni high schools by self-proclaimed extortion gang member/s. The case is investigated by the Eastern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Unit. A 30-year-old male suspect was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire with police in the Canzibe Administrative Area, Ngqeleni.' She said officers attached to Tactical Response Team (TRT) were acting on intelligence regarding a suspect linked to a local extortion ring, and came under fire when they attempted to stop a vehicle driven by the suspect. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'The suspect stopped the vehicle and opened fire on the police officers. Police returned fire in self-defence, fatally wounding the suspect. A 9mm pistol and ammunition were recovered at the scene. The deceased suspect was accompanied by a male passenger at the time of the incident. The passenger has been taken in for questioning.' No police officers were injured during the incident. 'All necessary role players attended the scene. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will investigate the shooting as per standard protocol.' Criminologist Dr Simon Howell said the most effective strategy to tackle issues like extortion involves a multi-nodal, multi-departmental approach that includes cooperation across different law enforcement bodies and government departments. Success depends on simultaneous engagement at multiple levels. 'It may have an impact but considering the extent and complexity of organised criminal networks especially those involved in extortion, I don't think that one individual would have that significant of an impact. 'We need to understand extortion is embedded in the daily governance and operation of the South African bureaucracy so it's very difficult (to tackle). Removing an individual is not necessarily going to do anything except create a leadership vacuum and perhaps some infighting,' said Howell. Cape Times
Scottish Sun
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Huge change to Royal Mail post deliveries baffles millions of Brits – did YOU spot it?
Outraged Brits are calling on the King to intervene ROYAL SWITCH Huge change to Royal Mail post deliveries baffles millions of Brits – did YOU spot it? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ROYAL Mail customers are outraged at a massive break from tradition, with some calling on the King to intervene. 4 The historic royal red is one of the most "famous brands in the world" Credit: Getty 4 Customers have claimed the new white look looks "cheap", and maybe it is Credit: Royal Mail After 125 years of vans delivering the mail in its historic red, the postal service has sneakily been using white vans since late last year. Royal Mail admitted that it had bought 800 white vans before Christmas, but said that red remains the colour of 40,000 of its vehicles. A Royal Mail spokesperson claimed the change was temporary and that the vans would gradually be repainted- but some customers are unconvinced. Simon Howell, 63, 'stopped in his tracks' when his local postman dropped off his mail using a white van last Wednesday in Porlock, Somerset. He told the Telegraph how he stopped and questioned his postman: 'I said, 'My goodness me, what are you in?' Read more MILEY THIGHRUS Miley Cyrus stuns in knee boots after news her dad is dating an A-list star 'And he said, 'What do you think?'" Howell told the postman he was 'not very impressed', adding that 'the new white van look' is 'not very distinguished." The postman completely agreed, telling Howell that 'frankly, I'm not very happy either.' Howell thought that the new colour was chosen because 'they are always the cheapest option', but thought that the king's insignia on the side didn't "look very good." He added: 'My view is Charles, our dear King, needs to do something about it." Royal Mail issues major delivery delay warning for 14 areas in widespread chaos – is your postcode affected? Social media users flocked to agree that the vans looked 'cheap and nasty' Perhaps that is because they are cheaper. One postman reported that his office already had three new white delivery vans, and that they would eventually become 'standard nationwide.' He wrote: 'They're cheaper, easier to sell on, and easier to brand when the inevitable happens.' Another pointed out that engraving a small logo is much cheaper than 'large custom wraps.' One jokester begged: 'Won't someone think of Postman Pat?' But another pointed out that whilst 'iconic' Pat was a 'terrible postie' every episode he lost some 'important mail.' Some argued that due to the massive increase in pressure on the post service during Christmas, it often commandeered a temporary extra fleet of vans. But they are still being spotted months later. Historian, Dr Francis Young, has also spotted white Royal Mail vans doing the rounds in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire. He thought it odd that they had bothered to paint the King's crest, 'while not making sure that the van is the right colour,' arguing any other colour than the signature red was 'bizarre.' He added: 'The vans look like Royal Mail vans that someone just forgot to paint.' Young pointed out that the iconic royal red is one of the most recognised brands in the world, and is a symbol of British livery. Theme parks in China and Italy have even got British themes, recreating the famous red postboxes, telephone boxes and busses. A Royal Mail spokesman said: 'Our red vans are iconic and a key part of our brand. Nearly all of our 40,000 delivery vehicles are red, and that is not changing. 'Before the busy Christmas period, several vans, which were white, became available to purchase. These were additions, not replacements, and make up just over two per cent of our existing fleet. 'We have started to repaint them red.' 4 Red or white? The jury is out at this Royal Mail depot Credit: supplied
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Huge change to Royal Mail post deliveries baffles millions of Brits – did YOU spot it?
ROYAL Mail customers are outraged at a massive break from tradition, with some calling on the King to intervene. 4 The historic royal red is one of the most "famous brands in the world" Credit: Getty 4 Customers have claimed the new white look looks "cheap", and maybe it is Credit: Royal Mail After 125 years of vans delivering the mail in its historic red, the postal service has sneakily been using white vans since late last year. Advertisement Royal Mail admitted that it had bought 800 A Royal Mail spokesperson claimed the Simon Howell, 63, 'stopped in his tracks' when his local postman dropped off his mail using a white van last Wednesday in Porlock, He told Advertisement Read more 'And he said, 'What do you think?'" Howell told the postman he was 'not very impressed', adding that 'the new white van look' is 'not very distinguished." The postman completely agreed, telling Howell that 'frankly, I'm not very happy either.' Howell thought that the new colour was chosen because 'they are always the cheapest option', but thought that the king's Advertisement Most read in The Sun He added: 'My view is Royal Mail issues major delivery delay warning for 14 areas in widespread chaos – is your postcode affected? Social media users flocked to agree that the vans looked 'cheap and nasty' Perhaps that is because they are cheaper. One postman reported that his office already had three new white delivery vans, and that they would eventually become 'standard nationwide.' Advertisement He wrote: 'They're cheaper, easier to sell on, and easier to brand when the inevitable happens.' Another pointed out that engraving a small logo is much cheaper than 'large custom wraps.' One jokester begged: 'Won't someone think of But another pointed out that whilst 'iconic' Pat was a 'terrible postie' every episode he lost some 'important mail.' Advertisement Some argued that due to the massive increase in pressure on the post service during Christmas, it often commandeered a temporary extra fleet of vans. But they are still being spotted months later. Historian, Dr Francis Young, has also spotted white Royal Mail vans doing the rounds in Yaxley, He thought it odd that they had bothered to paint the King's crest, 'while not making sure that the van is the right colour,' arguing any other colour than the signature red was 'bizarre.' Advertisement He added: 'The vans look like Royal Mail Young pointed out that the iconic royal red is one of the most recognised brands in the world, and is a symbol of British livery. Theme parks in A Royal Mail spokesman said: 'Our red vans are iconic and a key part of our brand. Nearly all of our 40,000 delivery vehicles are red, and that is not changing. Advertisement 'Before the busy Christmas period, several vans, which were white, became available to purchase. These were additions, not replacements, and make up just over two per cent of our existing fleet. 'We have started to repaint them red.' 4 Red or white? The jury is out at this Royal Mail depot Credit: supplied 4 The red vans have trundled through picturesque British landscapes for over 128 years Credit: Alamy Advertisement
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Huge change to Royal Mail post deliveries baffles millions of Brits – did YOU spot it?
ROYAL Mail customers are outraged at a massive break from tradition, with some calling on the King to intervene. 4 4 After 125 years of vans delivering the mail in its historic red, the postal service has sneakily been using white vans since late last year. Royal Mail admitted that it had bought 800 white vans before Christmas, but said that red remains the colour of 40,000 of its vehicles. A Royal Mail spokesperson claimed the change was temporary and that the vans would gradually be repainted- but some customers are unconvinced. Simon Howell, 63, 'stopped in his tracks' when his local postman dropped off his mail using a white van last Wednesday in Porlock, Somerset. He told the Telegraph how he stopped and questioned his postman: 'I said, 'My goodness me, what are you in?' 'And he said, 'What do you think?'" Howell told the postman he was 'not very impressed', adding that 'the new white van look' is 'not very distinguished." The postman completely agreed, telling Howell that 'frankly, I'm not very happy either.' Howell thought that the new colour was chosen because 'they are always the cheapest option', but thought that the king's insignia on the side didn't "look very good." He added: 'My view is Charles, our dear King, needs to do something about it." Royal Mail issues major delivery delay warning for 14 areas in widespread chaos – is your postcode affected? Social media users flocked to agree that the vans looked 'cheap and nasty' Perhaps that is because they are cheaper. One postman reported that his office already had three new white delivery vans, and that they would eventually become 'standard nationwide.' He wrote: 'They're cheaper, easier to sell on, and easier to brand when the inevitable happens.' Another pointed out that engraving a small logo is much cheaper than 'large custom wraps.' One jokester begged: 'Won't someone think of Postman Pat?' But another pointed out that whilst 'iconic' Pat was a 'terrible postie' every episode he lost some 'important mail.' Some argued that due to the massive increase in pressure on the post service during Christmas, it often commandeered a temporary extra fleet of vans. But they are still being spotted months later. Historian, Dr Francis Young, has also spotted white Royal Mail vans doing the rounds in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire. He thought it odd that they had bothered to paint the King's crest, 'while not making sure that the van is the right colour,' arguing any other colour than the signature red was 'bizarre.' He added: 'The vans look like Royal Mail vans that someone just forgot to paint.' Young pointed out that the iconic royal red is one of the most recognised brands in the world, and is a symbol of British livery. Theme parks in China and Italy have even got British themes, recreating the famous red postboxes, telephone boxes and busses. A Royal Mail spokesman said: 'Our red vans are iconic and a key part of our brand. Nearly all of our 40,000 delivery vehicles are red, and that is not changing. 'Before the busy Christmas period, several vans, which were white, became available to purchase. These were additions, not replacements, and make up just over two per cent of our existing fleet. 'We have started to repaint them red.' 4 4
