Author: Toto Tsarneba

By TOTO TSARNEBA About 30 furious protestors gathered in front of the Grahamstown Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 26 April, to demand justice for the murder of a woman found dead in eNkanini on April 14 and the survivor of a brutal attack in Riebeek East on April 15. The application by the murder suspect for a state-sponsored lawyer was unsuccessful as he is permanently employed by the Department of Public Works and is covered by Legal Wise. The case was postponed to 3 May to allow the suspect to find a lawyer. The rape suspect was held in custody with…

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By TOTO TSARNEBA A group of protestors blocked the entrance to the Joza Police Station in Extension 6 on April 12 and April 19 over their frustration with reporting crimes – especially gender-based violence (GBV). The protesters claimed that when Zekhaya Doto, 24, went to the station on 29 March to report a rape she alleged took place the day before, she was victimised and “chased away” by her alleged rapist and SAPS members. Doto alleged in social media posts that her two-year-old child had also been raped. Doto was then told to go home to wait for a detective.…

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By SIVE FAITH GINYA Joza-born author Dr Siphiwo Mahala returned home to launch his book on the iconic Drum-era writer and journalist Can Themba at Amazwi on Tuesday, 12 April. Mahala told Grocott’s that he has always made it a point to launch and perform his work in his hometown because “this is where it began”. Mahala said his own life had come “full circle” with Can Themba: The Making and Breaking of the Intellectual Tsotsi. “I am retracing my footsteps as much as I am retracing Can Themba’s footsteps because he also studied here. There is an intersection.” Mahala…

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