Latest news with #SouthCoastSun
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
August Sassa grant payment dates announced
SOUTH Africans relying on social grants will receive their payments from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) in the first week of August. Also read: Sassa to introduce compulsory biometric enrolment for clients not using SA IDs These dates apply to all categories, including the war veterans grant, care dependency grant, foster child grant, child support grant, child support top-up, and grant-in-aid. Dates: Older persons' grant – August 5 Disability grant – August 6 Child support and all other grants – August 7 Grant amounts for August: • Older persons (60-74 years) and disability – R2 315 • Older persons (75+ years) – R2 335 • War veterans – R2 315 • Care dependency – R2 315 • Foster care – R1 250 • Child support – R560 • Social relief of distress – R370. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Pipe repair at Lewis Drive underway
A BURST on a 360mm trunk water main pipe along Lewis Drive in Amanzimtoti has left large parts of the area without water, with repair efforts still underway this afternoon (July 21). Also read: Check water outage times in Amanzimtoti and surrounds According to Ward 97 councillor André Beetge, the outlets from the Lewis Drive reservoir had to be closed on Sunday to allow for the replacement of the damaged section. 'Unfortunately, draining the system took longer than anticipated. Crews have now exposed most of the damaged pipe, but due to its location on a T-piece, they've had to continue excavation by hand,' said Beetge. A replacement pipe has been sourced, and repair teams remain on-site. Beetge said they have requested municipal management to prioritise the repairs, as the outage affects a wide area, with added pressure from the scheduled night-time water shutdown and the reopening of schools on Monday. 'We understand the frustration from the community and are pushing to get the supply restored as quickly as possible,' he said. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Foetus discovery draws rehab centre into spotlight again
IN A shocking turn of events, police have launched an inquest after a foetus and CCTV equipment were allegedly discarded in a roadside drain by a senior official at the Tetelestai Recovery Centre (TRC) on July 10. Also read: Luke Edwards' murder accused get bail Private investigator Brad Nathanson said a passing motorist, familiar with the official, witnessed him allegedly dumping items into a drain less than 10km from the centre. After the official drove away, the motorist investigated, recording a video on his cellphone before retrieving surveillance cameras, cables, and a blue plastic bag containing a foetus. Police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed the grim finding and said an inquest docket has been opened. 'On arrival at the scene, police found the lifeless body of a newborn baby. Investigations are underway to locate the parents, and no arrests have been made,' said Netshiunda. TRC's owner Donovan de Klerk referred all questions to his lawyer, Wesley Rogers, who denied his involvement. 'My client is not linked to this in any way whatsoever. We have confirmed that the foetus issue is an inquest docket and De Klerk is not a suspect. Reports otherwise are false and defamatory,' said Rogers. The centre is also under scrutiny following the April death of patient Luke Edwards, whose body was discovered on the grounds of a nearby old-age home. Four fellow patients were arrested earlier this month and released on bail pending further investigation. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Prospecton infrastructure upgraded for resilience
THREE years on from the devastating April 2022 floods, eThekwini Municipality has transformed the crisis into an opportunity, launching a city-wide reconstruction programme with a focus on Prospecton Road, the Umlazi canal network, and the vital M4 transport route. Also read: Floods hit Prospecton industries hard These vital routes, severely battered during the floods, are now at the heart of an ambitious 'build back better' strategy to create infrastructure capable of withstanding the realities of climate change. Speaking on the progress, Vincent Ngubane, Director of the Disaster Management Directorate, highlighted the shift from emergency recovery to proactive resilience-building. 'Our mission goes beyond emergency response. It's about building a city that is prepared, protected, and proactive. Prospecton Road and the Umlazi Canal are no longer just being restored, they are being transformed into resilient defences protecting our communities and industries,' said Ngubane. He added that Prospecton Road and Umlazi Canal, once overwhelmed, are now being fortified to protect homes, industries, and livelihoods. The M4 highway, a crucial link between Durban and the southern basin, which experienced landslides and washaways, is now being rebuilt to withstand extreme weather events. The newly designed sections feature reinforced embankments, upgraded stormwater drainage, and flood mitigation barriers. Also read: City officials survey storm damage in Umgababa Chief civil engineer in Roads Provision, Linga Govender, emphasised the municipality's adoption of advanced engineering techniques. 'These are not simple repairs. Prospection Road and the M4 are being rebuilt with future disasters in mind. The Umlazi Canal is being widened and reinforced to prevent the kind of catastrophic overflows we witnessed before,' said Govender. The municipality has also placed community involvement at the centre of its recovery strategy, rolling out public education campaigns on disaster preparedness and integrating local knowledge into infrastructure planning. As part of its holistic disaster risk reduction approach, eThekwini is combining infrastructure upgrades with early warning systems, climate-smart urban planning, and community training programmes. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and take part in community preparedness initiatives as eThekwini accelerates its journey towards becoming a climate-resilient metro. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Citizen
Heavy rain warning issued for the coast
THE South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for disruptive rain affecting large parts of KZN, including the coastal areas of eThekwini Municipality, on July 19. Also read: Weather predicting system piloted in Isipingo and Umgababa According to SAWS, isolated showers and rain are forecast across the province, with heavier and more scattered downpours expected along the south coast and southern areas of KZN. Rainfall of between 30 to 50mm is predicted along the south coast, which may lead to localised flooding due to sustained rainfall in these areas. Possible impacts: • Localised flooding in vulnerable formal and informal settlements, especially in low-lying areas and around bridges. • Dangerous driving conditions on dirt roads, with increased risks of minor accidents caused by slippery surfaces and reduced visibility. • Damage to mud-built houses and other structures prone to water damage. Motorists and residents are advised to exercise caution, avoid crossing flooded roads, and ensure that drainage around homes is cleared. Disaster management teams have been alerted and are on standby to respond to any emergencies. The warning is valid from 00:00 until 17:59 on July 19. For updates and safety tips, visit or follow the South African Weather Service on Facebook. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
