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WONDERFUL MORE ON PAGE 16 WAYDE ash buys cars Contact Ash 083 786 3377 • Tel: 033 342 4717 / 033 345 1971 Email: [email protected] •www.ashcarsales.co.za I BUY cars and BakkIes old or new Phone ajaY 082 966 2384 The Witness TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2016 R6,50 (incl vat) Hustlers hit hospitals Burqaclad con artists steal from patients Patients warn of hospital prowlers KAILENE PILLAY TWO women, dubbed the “Hospital Hustlers” have allegedly been stealing from vulnerable and ill patients at hospitals in Pietermaritzburg and Howick. The women, dressed in “Muslim attire” from head to toe, have allegedly befriended groggy patients or pretended to be relatives before stealing their personal belongings. St Anne’s Hospital, Midlands Medical Centre and MediClinic Hospital declined to comment on the alleged incidents. One woman, who had been admitted to St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg two weeks ago, said her cellphone went missing after a woman dressed in a “Muslim garb” visited her, pretending to know her. “I had just returned to my ward after my CAT scan and was really groggy and tired. I was sit ting on my bed eating my supper when a lady dressed in an allblack garb visited me,” said the patient, who asked not to be named. The patient said she could only see the woman’s eyes and fingers and although she did not know who she was, she spoke to the woman. She said the woman asked how she was feel ing and told her that “Mummy will come visit soon”. “She kept talking about her mother. I asked how she knew I was in hospital and she said ‘Mummy told me’. I was confused but thought maybe, with my medication, I was slow in recog nising who this was,” she said. The patient said the woman began brushing her hair and even opened her bedside drawers. She said the nurses were nowhere to be seen. “I thought I was with someone I knew.” “She saw my nightgown in my cupboard and asked me why I had brought the red one when she had bought me a new blue gown,” the pa tient said. She said although she was confused she did not ring the bell to alert the nurse. “It must have been the medication I was on but I complied with whatever she said. She even asked me to walk with her to the car because she had toiletries for me and I just followed blindly,” the woman said. She said the woman, “with thin and dark fin gers”, never mentioned a name but continued with her to the reception area. Patient 1 Patient returned from her CAT scan and sat on her bed when she was approached by a woman dressed in full “Muslim attire”. Once the woman had left, patient noticed her cellphone was missing. Patient was lying on her bed using her oxygen mask when she was approached by a woman dressed in full “Muslim attire”. Once the woman had left, patient noticed her iPad was missing. 16816 9 771023 525009 Bolt keen to race SA’s golden man RIO DE JANEIRO — Usain Bolt, fresh from winning an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic 100 m gold, said he was open to racing newlyappointed world 400 m record holder Wayde van Niekerk over 300 m. In a thrilling night of action at Rio’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday, Van Niekerk crushed Mich ael Johnson’s 17yearold world record when he timed 43,03 seconds to win gold in the onelap race. Bolt (29) is world record holder in the 100 m and 200 m and said he would fancy his chances against the 24yearold South African, but over 300 m, not 400 m. “That would be a good race!” Bolt said of the potential staging of the rarelyrun 300 m. “This year I was hoping that I was in good shape when my coach told me that they were going to put on a 300 m. I wasn’t in the best of shape. Hopefully next season, if he’s in good shape, we might get a chance to run.” Bolt said he was confident Van Niekerk, who has a best of 9,98 sec in the 100 m and 19,94sec in the 200 m, would not beat him over the latter distance. “… but I am really proud of him because when he came to Jamaica I said to him, ‘Listen, you are the only person that I think can break this 400 m world record’,” Bolt said. Bolt couldn’t resist one tiny dig, however, saying he would be world 400 m record holder if his coach Glen Mills have had his way. “If it was up to him I’d be running 400 m right now, but I’ve bobbed and weaved.” — AFP. Graphics24 The woman said she was told to take off her earrings as her visitor had bought her new ear rings. “Thank God I didn’t take off my earrings and the moment she left for her car to fetch some thing I returned to my ward and found that my Samsung phone was missing,” the patient said. Another patient admitted at the MediClinic Hospital in Howick had her iPad stolen after a woman dressed in similar Muslim attire visit ed her on Sunday. The Witness contacted the woman last week ‘THESE ARE CRIMINALS, NOT MUSLIMS’ LOCAL Muslim community leader and academic, Mohamed Saeed, said he had heard about the incidents taking place at the local hospitals. Saeed described the Burqa (Muslim garment) as a “re ligious obligation” one chooses. “In that way we expect those who wear the Burqa to behave in a religious manner and not commit crimes. To hear about this is truly disrespectful and unacceptable,” Saeed said. He said if the criminals were wearing Mus lim attire to commit crimes “then they are causing harm to the Muslim religion and por traying the Burqa in a negative image”. He urged the culprits to immediately stop using the Burqa for such deeds and called on all the victims to report their cases to the po lice. Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa crosses the finish line of the men’s 400 m final far ahead of Kirani James of Grenada and LaShawn Merritt of the United States at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games yesterday. PHOTO: RICHARD HEATHCOTE/GETTY IMAGES Patient 2 UKZN lecturer Dr Lubna Nadvi said this was a rather unfortunate case where criminals are using religious outer garb for their criminal activity. Nadvi said that although the criminals were using Mus lim attire, it was really about criminals trying to get eas ier access to their victims and not about the clothing they wore. She said people should also refrain from as suming that these criminals were Muslim. and she referred us to a friend as she was about to enter the hospital’s operating theatre. The friend, who asked not to be named, said her 73yearold friend was alone in her ward when a woman came just before the 3 pm visit ing hours on Sunday. “She was alone and laying on her bed because she depends on her oxygen tank. A lady came in and pulled her buzzer away from her,” she said. According to the friend, the woman in Mus lim garb said she was in the wrong ward and left. “It was only a little later when she was looking for her iPad did she realise it was missing. That lady was the only lady that came into her room and she realised it must have been her who stole it,” she said. Police spokesperson Sergeant Mthokozisi Ngobese said the police were aware of the inci dents and urged patients and the community to be on high alert. “People must not allow these women to take advantage of them,” Ngobese said. CALLING ALL KZN FANS TO PUT YOUR WRITING SKILLS TO THE TEST THE closing date for entries to The Witness True Stories of KZN is at 3 pm on August 24, leaving fewer than eight days to send us your story that proves KwaZuluNatal is unique, more special and infinitely more interesting than the rest of South Africa Now in its 18th year, the competition has four categories: Open — with a prize of R12 000 for stories of 1 500 words or fewer, and Snapshot, Schools and Opinion, which have a prize of R4 000 each and are for stories that are under 800 words. The winners will be announced in November. All stories must be true and have a strong link to KwaZuluNatal. RULES • State clearly which category you are entering. • Stories may be submitted via email or post. Send your entries to: The Witness True Stories of KwaZuluNatal Competition, P.O. Box 362, Pietermaritzburg, 3200, or email [email protected] quoting “True Story competition” in the subject line. • Do not enclose visuals. • Please include your contact details in any email attachment; not just in the message field. • Be sure of your entry before you send it — “improved” versions won’t be accepted. • Editing is at the discretion of The Witness. • Manuscripts will not be returned. • The competition is not open to salaried employees of The Witness. SUNRISE: 6.27 am | SUNSET: 5.32 pm | HIGH TIDE: 2.51 pm | LOW TIDE: 8.38 am MOON What’s the weather like? Area Today Tomorrow Newcastle 7 | 19 8 | 24 Early fog. Chance of showers and thundershowers. Ulundi 12 | 23 13 | 24 Early fog, then partly cloudy. Chance of showers. Ladysmith 9 | 18 7 | 24 Early fog. Chance of showers and thundershowers. Richards Bay 15 | 22 15 | 24 Partly cloudy. Chance of showers later. Mooi River 4 | 20 7 | 22 Early fog. Chance of showers and thundershowers. Pietermaritzburg 10 | 21 11 | 26 Partly cloudy. Chance of showers later. Durban 12 | 22 15 | 25 Partly cloudy. Chance of showers later. Underberg 2 | 18 KZN WEATHER HOTLINE: 083 123 0500 SA WEATHER SERVICE (DURBAN OFFICE): 032 436 3820 6 | 23 Early fog. Chance of showers and thundershowers. Kokstad 3 | 17 4 | 23 Early fog. Chance of showers and thundershowers. Margate 12 | 20 15 | 22 Partly cloudy. Chance of showers later. FIRST QUARTER: September 9 FULL MOON: August 18 LAST QUARTER: August 25 NEW MOON: September 1 IN AN EMERGENCY Fire Brigade: 0800 033 911 Flying Squad: 10111 Crime Stop: 08600 10111 Traffic Mpimpa Hotline: 086 221 1011 Aids Hotline: tollfree 0800 012 322 Gift of the Givers Careline: 0800 786 786 Alcoholics Anon: 086 143 5722 AlAnon and Alateen: 083 415 1717 Famsa PMB: 033 342 4945 Famsa DBN: 031 202 8987 Lifeline and rape crisis (24hrs) PMB: 033 394 4444 Lifeline and rape crisis (24hrs) DBN: AMBULANCE DAM LEVELS 10111 10177 031 312 2323 Childline: 0800 055 555 Gay & Lesbian Helpline: 086 033 3331 Gamblers Anon PMB: 033 387 5462 Gamblers Anon DBN: 031 463 1616 Forest Fires PMB: 0861 KZNFPA Safe City report crime via SMS PMB: 083 767 7233 911 Control Centre, PMB: 033 391 1911 SPCA PMB: 033 386 9267 SPCA DBN: 031 579 6500 Albert Falls Dam 26,95% Inanda Dam 66,07% Mearns Dam 47,38% Midmar Dam 45,72% Spring Grove 56,3% Hazelmere Dam 53,79% NSRI: 031 361 8567 MSUNDUZI MUNICIPALITY Call Centre: 0800 001 868 Water: 033 392 2128 Electricity: 033 392 5098/ 5096/5029 Afterhours number: 033 392 5098 Traffic lights: 033 392 2205 Roads damage: 033 392 2047, 033 392 2059 EMERGENCY CHEMISTS Information supplied by Umgeni Water. ‘The Witness’ IN YOUR POCKET News, sport, photo galleries, videos and more. Scottsville: 033 386 1029 Central: 033 342 1200/ 033 346 0550 Northdale: 033 387 1681 www.witness.co.za R2 million breathing space Decision time for coalitions Nonreturning councillors get three months’ pensionable salary to look for new jobs PHILDA ESSOP SABELO NSELE AFTER over a week of sensitive talks between opposition parties, tomor row will be make or break day for coa litions in three large metros and more than 20 smaller municipalities. The DA and the EFF meet today, after which the DA will also meet with the UDM, Cope, the ACDP, the FF Plus and other parties. Coalition governments must be formed in 27 municipalities across South Africa where no single party managed to garner an absolute ma jority in the municipal elections. The ANC has also negotiated with opposition parties in an attempt to form coalition governments. All the “king maker” parties have already met with the DA and the ANC behind closed doors to list their demands. The African Independent Con gress (AIC) said it has already agreed in principle to enter into a coalition agreement with the ANC in Ekurhu leni and Johannesburg. Meanwhile, the DA said a “tenta tive agreement” has been reached with the EFF on possible coopera tion. If this DAEFF agreement be comes official, it is possible that the three large metros — Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) — that used to be governed by the ANC, could be joint ly government by the DA, EFF and smaller parties. James Selfe, chair of the DA’s feder al council, said yesterday the DA will meet “within 24 hours” with the EFF on their requests. Selfe is certain coa lition agreements will be reached in the next two days, in good time for Saturday’s deadline. He said negotiations become diffi cult when the time runs out with is sues unaddressed and people make decisions in a hurry, but he was sure the parties had enough time. “At this stage I am certain that everything will be in place within the next 48 hours,” Selfe said. The parties aim to hold their first local council meetings on Thursday or Friday. The top leaders of the EFF met yes terday in Johannesburg to decide their approach to the coalitions, but last night did not react to media que ries except to say a media conference is being planned for tomorrow. The UDM said all negotiations will take place today, while the ACDP and Cope and FF Plus are still meeting several parties today. GOLDEN handshakes for Msunduzi councillors who have not cracked the nod to be included in the new council will cost taxpayers close to R2 million. The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has confirmed it has budgeted R309 million as a onceoff gratuity pay ment to nonreturning councillors. The payment is based on a calculation of three months of the last salary they earned. In Msunduzi, 22 of the 37 ward coun cillors who had served in the previous term will not see another five years in office. While a handful of them have re signed, most of them are heading to the political wilderness after they failed to secure their futures during the parties’ nomination process. The ANC accounts for most changes as it is bringing about 17 new faces to the council while the DA has about six new people for the council chambers. On August 29, 2011, the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Officebearers recommended that qualifying nonreturning council lors who had served a full term of office and did not return, should be paid a SABELO NSELE LECTURES were suspended at the Uni versity of KwaZuluNatal’s Pietermaritz burg campus amid student unrest yes terday. The shutdown comes against the backdrop of a tightening of security at the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand amid fears of another wave of “Fees Must Fall” protests. The situation remains tense at terti ary institutions after Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande postponed the eagerly awaited an nouncement on the 2017 tertiary fee in crement on Friday at the eleventh hour. The increment was expected to be a six percent capping of fee increases across all tertiary institutions. When the announcement was postponed, student bodies started mobilising support. The UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus strike started on Thursday night. By Sunday night students had gath ered again and had started protesting. While the students were complaining mostly about the students’ funding scheme, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, an SRC member told The Witness the funding scheme would not be an issue if tertiary education were free. The student leader, who asked not to be named as he fears victimisation, said they were opposed to any fee increments because the fight for free education con tinues. Carrying sticks and stones, students had started gathering at the campus in the early hours and before the lectures could commence, they had run riot al ready. Students who arrived for early lec tures, seemingly unaware of the protest action, were seen being sent away while police and security personnel kept a watch at the institution. GU I D E Advertise in the Home Supplement and receive a FREE LISTING in this directory. Tel: PMB 033 355 1248. (NB: The Home Guide will be published daily if space permits) Floor Sanding A.G. Hall 033 342 3284 Flooring/Carpeting Daniels Flooring 033 397 0671 Landscaping Gordon Stuart 033 394 3218 Furniture Power Furniture 033 345 7830 Garage Door Services Garage Door Supplies 033 394 5585 Gas Appliances and Installation A.A. Gas 033 330 2717 Paints Natal Associated Agencies 033 394 1233 Vingold Group of Companies 082 326 8992 Pest Eradication Inspect-A-Pest 033 345 5156, 084 507 1999 Pool Pumps/Filters McBean’s 033 342 1541 Plumbing Supplies On Tap 033 394 0870 Security Doors Trellidor 033 345 4214 Xpanda 033 394 5585 Windows and Doors Window and Door Specialist 033 394 6541 Plant Hire Scotty’s 033 386 1614 031 700 8000 ment said. In 2011, more than 4 000 individual applications were submitted and screened. A total of R139,3 million was paid to former councillors who served from 2006 to 2011. “The payment of this gratuity was done in an open and a transparent man ner, hence this process received no audit queries.” • [email protected] City Hall abuzz over who’s who KAILENE PILLAY Members of the police keep a watch for any protests under the clock tower of the Old Main Building at UKZN yesterday. PHOTO: IAN CARBUTT The university’s spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said the academic programme would resume tomorrow. “The campus was not fully accessible to university staff and students and classes were disrupted. The university regrets the inconvenience caused and apologises to all students and parents whose commitments have been inter rupted by the unfortunate events. “The University Council has not de liberated on issues relating to fee incre RETRENCHMENT CONCERNS home Installion Products Maverick Trading 039 976 0065 breathing space to solicit other remu nerative employment …” the department said in a statement. The amounts to be paid will only be finalised once municipal councils have been constituted; Msunduzi council is expected to be constituted this week. “Regardless of the number of council lors not returning to office, the depart ment will have to stay within the budget ed amount of R309 million,” the depart Lectures at UKZN’s PMB campus suspended over fears of protests The Witness Aircon Duzi Airconditioning 033 386 6394 Awnings Weather Wise 033 345 4214 Blinds Best Blinds 033 342 1085 Venetian Blind Centre 033 394 1941 Board, Timber, Hardware, Cutting and Edging, DIY, Building WoodWorx 033 394 1094 Curtains Kirsch Curtains 033 342 1268 onceoff gratuity equal to three months’ pensionable salary. Cogta said most councillors do not have other formal employment. Consequently, some councillors were unable to service their debts, meet basic financial living requirements, or pay school fees for their children. Some lose their property after leaving office. “This is to allow such councillors • Optional - Two-year/unlimited km warranty • Terms and conditions apply. E & OE • 7-day exchange plan • Mileage certified Polo Vivo 2013 Polo Vivo 1.4 2014 Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Trendline 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 2015 Polo Vivo GP 1.4 Trendline 2016 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Maxx 2016 Polo Vivo GP 1.6 Comfortline Polo 2015 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline 2015 Polo GP 1.4 TDI Trendline 2016 Polo 1.0 TSI BlueMotion 2016 Polo GP 1.2 TSI Comfortline Golf 2009 Golf 6 GTI 2.0 TSI 2013 Golf 7 1.4 TSi Comfortline 2014 Golf 7 GTI TSI DSG Jetta 2012 Jetta 1.2 TSI Trendline Amarok 2013 Amarok Double Cab TDI Highline Auto 2013 Amarok Double Cab Highline 132kW 2013 Amarok Double Cab 4Motion 132kW Auto Other VW 2015 T6 Kombi 75kW 2016 Passat TSI Comfortline DSG 2016 Take up! Other 2008 Corsa Utility 1.4 2010 Hyundai i20 1.4 2012 Isuzu KB300 D-Teq Double Cab 2013 Chev Captiva 2.2 AWD Auto 2015 Ford Ranger Single Cab 2.2D XL • 80-point mechanical check • Ownership guaranteed • Full service history COLOUR MILEAGE PRICE Silver Silver Beige White White White 82 000 km 26 000 km 17 500 km 15 600 km 2 000 km 5 000 km R113 900 R119 900 R147 900 R147 900 R189 900 R173 900 Blue Black Red Silver 33 000 km 12 000 km 5 000 km 5 000 km R205 900 R189 900 R219 900 R219 900 White White Red 92 000 km R189 900 113 000 km R198 900 85 500 km R317 900 White 127 500 km R159 900 White White White 106 000 km R325 000 76 000 km R299 900 133 000 km R299 900 Silver Grey Red White White Blue White White 8 500 km 8 000 km 5 000 km R405 000 R349 900 R134 900 72 000 km R69 900 121 000 km R89 900 99 000 km R239 000 56 000 km R249 900 11 000 km R224 900 Mastercars warranty not included in advertised price. Barons Pietermaritzburg Tel: 033 845 3100 After hours: Laurie 082 783 8040 • Rajen 072 228 9834 • Sanjay 083 639 0989 • Barry 072 235 4244 • Phumlani 073 744 8350 JOHANNESBURG — Universities have raised concern over possible retrenchments should there be no fee increase for 2017, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said yesterday. Nzimande said yesterday that the ministry’s conundrum was that it had to take into account “the feeling of stu dents, but at the same time, we must also look at the viability of our institutions”. He said he was concerned that universities would start retrenching or close down certain programmes. — News24. Make-up & Beauty Store v Make-Up service for all occasions v Workshops v Airbrush v Nails v Brows v Facials v Waxing 49 Peter Kerchoff St 033 342 1020 ments as it awaits a directive from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). DHET on the other hand constituted a multistakeholder fo rum to discuss the issue. No decision on fee increments has been made. “We urge all students to adhere to the university rules, regulations and applica ble protocols in dealing with grievances, complaints and matters of concern. Stu dents who engage in illegal activities or act outside of the set processes and pro cedures for raising grievances will not be tolerated,” he said. Pietermaritzburg police spokesper son Sergeant Mthokozisi Ngobese said no arrests had been made and police would continue to monitor the protest. CLEAN AUDIT FOR KZN TREASURY KWAZULUNATAL’S provincial Treasury department has received its seventh clean audit report from the auditorgen eral. MEC for Finance Belinda Scott said the clean bill of health for the 2015/16 financial year was made possible by strong and efficient leadership within the department, good decisionmaking and good adherence to governance principles. — Business Editor. CORRECTION IN the graphic representation of Msun duzi Municipality’s new council published on Friday, August 12, the councillor named for Ward 34 was incorrect. The ANC councillor in Ward 34, East wood, is Michael “Mike” Amod. The Witness apologises for the error. POLITICAL pundits are tightlipped on who the contenders for top posi tions in the Msunduzi Municipality are following the recent local govern ment elections. Top positions for the ANCled municipality such as deputy mayor, council speaker and chief whip are still to be assigned. ANC provincial secretary Mzi Zu ma said he could not comment on the rumours, however, the provincial executive committee was due to meet last night. “They will meet and decisions will be taken there,” he said. However, rumours buzzing in the City Hall corridors suggest the only change from the previous council in those positions is that of speaker. It is believed Babu Baijoo will not re turn to his seat as speaker and chair person for the full council sitting. Rumour has it that Ward 1 council lor Jabulisile Ngubo will replace Bai joo in the council, but the deputy mayor and chief whip position will still be held by their former incum bents. According to a wellplaced source in the Msunduzi Municipality, ANC stalwart Truman Magubane will re main as chief whip and Thobani Zu ma will remain as deputy mayor. However, rumours surfaced this week that the ANC National Execu tive Committee requested that all former placements remain in their positions, including that Baijoo re main speaker. Sources refused to allow The Wit ness to reveal their names in the newspaper, saying they have only heard the rumours and that the posi tions are yet to be finalised. “It seems, from information we have been receiving, that only the speaker’s position is hanging in the balance,” one of the sources said. The date for the inauguration of the new councillors has also not yet been finalised. Msunduzi spokesperson Nqobile Madonda said the date was initially set for this Friday, but has not been confirmed. The provincial MEC for Cooper ative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nomusa DubeNcube an nounced that municipalities will start reconstituting all newly elected municipal councils from tomorrow. The process will involve all coun cillors taking the oath of office and the election of office bearers and rep resentatives assigned to district mu nicipalities. She said first sittings of the new councils should be convened be tween August 17 and 24. “We ask all designated councillors to go into these sittings knowing that they are now servants of the people regardless of which political party’s ticket they were elected on. As we go into these meetings, we appeal for re spect and political maturity, we must not waste time on unnecessary pow er games and political theatre. We all have a common purpose — to get municipalities delivering services to communities,” said DubeNcube. • [email protected]