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2 NEWS News in brief Attempted murder Last Thursday, a man witnessed an assault outside the Rat & Parrot pub on New Street. Yet when he attempted to help the victim, he was also attacked. The complainant says he was walking out of the pub when he saw a male assaulting a homeless person. While assisting the victim, the suspect turned to him and stabbed him. He was stabbed in the left side of his chest and was taken to Greenacres Hospital in Elizabeth. Police spokesperson, Ndishavhelafhi Mamuthubi says no arrests have been made in connection with the case. – MARIA SIBIYA Stabbed by ex-boyfreind A 20-year-old woman says she was on her way to Zolani on Sunday when she met her ex-boyfreind on the way. She says he demanded to speak to her but she refused. The suspect then grabbed her and forced her to walk with him. She says she then picked up a stone and threw it at him. While they were both fighting the suspect stabbed the woman behind the ear with a knife. No arrests have been made. – MS Did Sadtu join the strike The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has denied that schooling was disrupted during the strike. According to rumours Sadtu was joining the national municipal workers strike. Sadtu chairperson, Xolile Yili said that the union only met to elect new leaders. Teachers say the only thing that might have caused the misunderstanding was that some classes were cancelled as a number of teachers were attending the meeting. – ZIMKHITHA MBUNGE Correction In an article covering the sentencing of the paedophile, Herbert Doyle, we incorrectly reported the name of the magistrate. His correct name and title is Senior Regional Court Magistrate, Maziwonke Dunywa. We also incorrectly reported that the defence attorney had “openly disagreed with the magistrate”. He was in fact summarising his argument in regards to the appeal. EMERGENCY NUMBERS Ambulance:............................ 10177 Aids Helpline:............ 0800 012322 AA Rescue: ................ 0800 111997 Medical Rescue: ........ 0800 033007 Grahamstown Child and Family Welfare: .. 046 636 1355 Electricity: ................ 046 603 6036 a/h 046 603 6000 Eskom:...................... 086 014 0014 Fire Brigade: ............ 046 622 4444 Police: ...................... 046 603 9152 Hi-Tec........................ 046 636 1660 Raphael Centre: ........ 046 622 8831 SPCA: ........................ 046 622 3233 Traffic Services: ......... 046 603 6067 Water: ........................ 046 603 6136 Hospice: .................... 046 622 9661 Settlers Hospital: ...... 046 622 2215 Day Hospital: ............. 046 622 3033 Fort England Hospital: 046 622 7003 Legal Aid Board: ....... 046 622 9350 Locksmith: ................ 082 556 9975 or 046 622 4592 UNHEALTHY... The medical waste discovered on Constitution Street near Settler’s Hospital consisted mainly of used drips. It was left in a garden-refuse-only dumpster. Photo: Guy Martin Cloudy with 30% showers. Wind strong south westerly. Temperature: Min 6 ◦ C, Max 13 ◦ C Tides: Low tide: 7.14am and 7.30pm High tide: 12.25am and 1.32pm Partly cloudy. Wind light north westerly. Temperature: Min 6 ◦ C, Max 17 ◦ C Tides: Low tide: 8.03am and 8.13pm High tide: 1.35am and 2.17pm ZIKHONA MASALA Partly cloudy. Wind light north westerly. Temperature: Min 7°C, Max 20°C Tides: Low tide: 8.38am and 8.47pm High tide: 2:20am and 2.50pm More bags of medical waste were found at a garden refuse dumpsite on the Monday morning of 27 July. The medical waste was discovered by Ayanda Ranuga, a gardener who was offloading refuse at the dump on Constitution Street. Six bags of used medical drip needles, bags and tubes were lying open on the ground next to the refuse container. The medical waste was found despite a clearly marked sign stating that only garden refuse may be dumped at the site. “There are often informal collectors who seek for reyclable goods and this could be a danger to them,” said Ranuga. It is not known where the medi- Sunny. Wind moderate north westerly. Temperature: Min 10°C, Max 21 ◦ C Tides: Low tide: 9.07am and 9.17pm High tide: 2.55am and 3:19pm Source: www.weathersa.co.za and www.satides.co.za Grocott’s Mail Friday, 31 July 2009 Who’s cleaning up their act KWANELE BUTANA AND MATEDI MOTHIBE The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) is calling for its members to stop buying from a local supermarket following allegations that the store’s management hired people to clean the streets. Since Monday, the irate municipal workers have been upturning rubbish bins and tearing open uncollected bags of rubbish and strewing its contents all over town. Wandisile Bikitsha, local Samwu chairperson told the striking workers yesterday to stop buying from Pick n Pay and accused the store’s management of taking the workers’ problems into their own hands. “We have been told the managers at Pick n Pay hired casuals to clean the streets,” he said. However, Pick n Pay manager Jon Campbell, denied that the store hired anyone to clean up. “We [the management] did it ourselves and some members of our staff joined in, we did not hire anybody,” he said. Campbell emphasised that his store was not involved in the strike in any way and that the store’s managers merely responded to a call from other businesses to help with the cleaning. He added that the managers acted out of concern for the community regarding the health hazards posed by rotting rubbish lying around everywhere. Bikitsha has accused local members of Independent Municipal Allied Trade Union (Imatu) who work for Makana Municipality of “just sitting in their offices” while Samwu workers go on strike. This was made even more obvious when Imatu’s provincial leadership marched alongside the workers at the march in Port Elizabeth on Monday. He assured the workers that contrary to rumours that Imatu is likely to accept the offer tabled by the South African Local Government Association (Salga), Samwu is insisting on a 15% increase in salaries across the board. “We want to make sure that Imatu doesn’t survive in Makana Municipality,” he added. According to Lindelwa Faltein, Makana Samwu secretary, Salga had upped their offer to 13%, with 11.5% effected immediately (which means the minimum wage would be R3 850 per month) and the other 1.5% next January – which would up the minimum wage to R4 000 per month. “We want the whole 13% to come into effect immediately,” she said. For the major part of the week scores of chanting Samwu members gathered and danced in front of municipal departments where some of their colleagues were still at work. Faltein explained to Grocott’s Mail that the union temporarily removed some of their members from their duties so that only “skeletal staff” was left to run the municipality’s essential services. She argued that this was in line with the minimum service agreement the union signed with the municipality which provides for the union to leave the municipality with 50% of the staff complement to run its essential services such as water STRIKING... Local South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) leader Luvuyo Sizani (in a suit) leads a protest behind the Makana City Hall as part of the national Samwu strike. Photo: Steven Lang and primary health clinics. Curtis Sahd, a Computer Science masters student at Rhodes University, said: “It sends shivers down my spine if the action were to be prolonged, let the workers be given what they deserve as long as it is not ridiculous and let there be no further delay.” A Hillsview resident, Luthando Heshu says “As long as there is no disruptions to electricity or water supply, I will sympathise with the worker’s strike for better salaries, but not their disruptive actions.” Faltein added that the union was satisfied that the implementation of the job evaluation system known as wage curves was no longer part of the negotiations. This follows after the workers demanded that the matter be handled separately from the ongoing negotiations. Imatu representative Phillip Gordons refused to comment but promised to get back to Grocott’s Mail after consulting with the union’s regional spokesperson. While police spokesperson Milanda Coetzer conceded that the strike has been characterised by “excessive littering” of the streets, she said the local police have contained the situation so well that no serious crimes such as damage to property have taken place. “The SAPS has focused on containing this situation and focused policing on serious crimes for example damage to property,” she explained. “We remain committed to ensure the safety and security of all citizens of Grahamstown.” More medical waste found at dumpster cal waste comes as there are many medical institutions in Grahamstown which it may be traced back to. Ranuga said, “I might know very little about medicine but I do know that this could be dangerous.” The drips are smelly, they should have been disposed of properly.” A resident (who wishes to remain anonymous) expressed his concern, “It is sad to see the state that Grahamstown has turned into, very few people care about the environment we live in.” Earlier this month medical waste was found near a dump in Extension 6 in Grahamstown East. The used medical equipment included drips, syringes and respiratory equipment. No charges have been made and it is still not known where the medical waste came from. The assistant director of Primary Health Care, Lungiswa Somyalo said, “The improper disposal of medical waste is not taken lightly because it is an important function in medical institutions. The Department of Health has gone to lengths to make sure that legal precautions of the disposal of medical waste is properly followed.” This raises a major concern for the effectiveness of enviromental awareness in the community. Local GP, Dr Rudi Marx says, “Dumping of medical waste is absolutely illegal, there is a special medical waste sharp system that all medical waste should be disposed in as well as companies that deal strictly with medical waste.” Visit www.grocotts.co.za
Grocott’s Mail Friday, 31 July 2009 NEWS 3 Some mess up, others clean up ASANDA NAKETI are lots of visitors coming here “There and they should get the right impression of the town,” said a business owner in High Street. The streets of Grahamstown erupted into chaos yesterday when striking municipal workers left a trail of rubbish in their wake. But late afternoon two groups got together to clean up. The first group, made up of people from three local businesses, started at lunch time and hired casual workers to clean up High Street. The second group, both residents and businesspeople, started volunteering at 4pm in the afternoon. A business owner in High Street who was part of the clean up said, “I will be sharing costs to pay the casual workers with the other businesses who are part of this clean up.” When asked why he decided to join in the clean-up, he said, “The garbage is obstructing the flow of traffic and the opening of the bags created a huge stench of rotten garbage making it a health hazard.” One of the businesses brought its own employees to help with the clean up. The group of volunteers assembled at Drostdy Arch in Somerset Street and started cleaning High Street all the ”Livestock – buying/selling way up to the Cathedral. The confrontations.” One of the organiser Contact said, us “We for are the not best volunteers price! said, “The town is against the strike, we are just not a dustbin, we are working taking Wool pride in our city.” He Livestock here set an example.” also warned his team to realise Mohair that municipal workers Property town as well “We lead as and individuals others follow” Businesses in Grahams- may approach them. “Do not joined in and used their vehicles 2326 to transport 046 636 the rubbish 2669 get DAVID into confrontational FORD 082 situ-65ations, GARY if WILLOWS someone confronts 082 497 to 8234 the municipal or 046 684 dump 1487 site. you back off. The organiser said, “We are OPTION Hopefully 1 they - R163.95 won't get (incl planning vat) & to less go 15% to the suburbs physical discount but if they do, take as well as bags of garbage are your stuff and call it a day. No piling up there.” ”Livestock – buying/selling Contact us for the best price! DAVID FORD GARY WILLOWS on 082 655 2326 on 082 497 8234 or 046 636 2669 or 046 684 1487 OPTION 2 - R122.95 (incl vat) & less 15% discount EAST CAPE POOLS For everything your pool needs. Businesses complain about municipal strike THANDEKA MAPI HARD AT WORK... Pick n Pay partner Jon Campbell was one of many businessmen who took part in clean up operation on Wednesday afternoon. Photo: Stephen Penney Report back for the week… House Break-ins: 1 Business Break-ins: 2 Trespassing: 1 Disturbances: 1 Vehicle break-ins: 1 Arrests: 3 Crime Tip Be vigilant at all times! ”Livestock buying/selling Construction, Fibre-glassing of old, new & damaged swimming pools. Pool maintenance. Pre-moulded fibre-glass pools. All materials are SABS approved. Emile Fox 073 321 9944 DUE to the nationwide municipal strike a precedent has been set by irate workers strewing refuse around in the streets. On Wednesday, the major roads in Grahamstown were covered in litter. Jeanette Toni, the manager at Kentucky Fried Chicken on Bathurst Street says that business has been severely affected by this health hazard. “Things are not looking good outside our establishment, last night customers had to park in front of Frontier Country Hotel and others left, because there was garbage right in front of the establishment and that affects the business.” Businesses such as Fruit and Veg City and Gino's restaurant have employed private companies to come and clean up. However, they agree that throwing rubbish around on the streets undermines the rights of the public. “We support the workers' strike, but the way they express themselves undermines the support of the public, it is unacceptable,” said Clint Young the manager at Fruit and Veg City. Alan Page, a manager at Spur steak ranch in High Street agrees with Young and said they have been disposing of their rubbish themselves, but “empting bins on the streets is not good for the town”. Bathurst, High Street and Beaufort Street were hit the hardest with traffic to and fro on the N2 in Beaufort Street being hampered. Pepper Grove Mall on the other hand had not been affected at that stage. However, an angry group of strikers headed for the Pepper Grove Mall yesterday morning, where they are reported to have trashed the parking WHAT A MESS... An example of the debris left behind for Grahamstown residents to deal with as the municipal workers strike for better wages. Photo: Melissa Dobson area. This apparently drew an angry response from customers. A Pick n Pay employee agrees that “this gives a bad Hoërskool PJ Olivier REÜNIE-NAWEEK PROGRAM VRYDAG: 12:45 - STIGTERSDAG-VIERINGE 19:00 - INFORMELE KUIERAAND SATERDAG: 8H30: SPORTDAG VS WESBANK 18H30: DANS - NEELS HEUNISSAAL Navrae Pointy by 082 924 4797 impression” for visitors and residents alike. DENTIST “We lead and others follow Dr Acacia von Mayer BSc (Hons) BDS MSc (WITS) OPTION 3 - R204.95 (incl vat) & less 15% discount 14A Milner Street (Entrance in Grocott Street) Grahamstown We are a family dental practice,welcoming children and anxious patients. Our fees are set at medical aid rates. Call us for an appointment on: 046 622 3871 CONNOCKS BUTCHERY TRI NATIONS RUGBY SPECIALS T.Bones 4 FOR R50.00 Club Steaks 4 FOR R40.00 Beef Sosaties R5.00 each Lean Burger Patties 5 FOR R10.00 Kudu Biltong (sliced or whole) @ R99.00/kg Kudu Dry Sausage @ R89.00/kg Springbuck Sausage @ R29.95/kg Beef Shortrib/Brisket/Chuck @ R29.95/kg Beef Mince @ R29.95/kg Original Pork Sausage @ R26.95/kg Pork Bulk Packs @ R29.95/kg IKHONA Inkomo Prepacks: Ulusu (BUY 2 GET ONE FREE) Isibindi + Uthumbu + Inqatha + IziPhunga Yegusha Prepacks: Isibindi + Inqatha Iziphunga Ulusu + Uthumbu Intloko + Amanqina Friday 31st July and Saturday 1st August 2009 While Stocks Last CASH PURCHASES ONLY Tel:046 622 4412
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