Back to work...

It’s business as usual for man and beast on the Route, and this picture taken by Gigi Lewis in Knysna shows that there are many ways and means of getting the job done!

IN THIS EDITION:

Seasonal post-mortem – News & Views page

Adieu to much-loved locals – People & Places page

Readers have their say – News & Views and Letters pages

Spotlight on police conduct

A Plettenberg Bay reader sent this account of her daughter’s experience - which was forwarded to the SAPS for a response - to CXPRESS on January 19

LAST night when my daughter finished work at 10pm, she gave a lift to two colleagues who live in KwaNokuthula.

When she drove back onto the N2, a man stepped out onto the road and flashed a light into her eyes. She had to stop her vehicle in the middle of the road as she was unable to see.  She thought that there was possibly an accident.

She pulled off the road and apolice officer came to her window. She said:“There is no need to shine the light into my eyes as I could not see.” She asked him what the problem was. He wanted to know what she was doing in that area at that time of night, so she told him.

He instructed her to step out of the vehicle, and that it was a routine check. She was frightened and didnot want to. He told her to calm down, that it was routine and that she was to step out of the vehicle.

He was then joined by three other officers, one of them with a large gun which he pointed at her. She was again ask...

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NewsBriefs

Knysna police sergeant arrested for rape

LAST Wednesday, the Southern Cape Police media centre reported that a 35-year-old police sergeant was arrested on a charge of rape by the George Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences unit the previous afternoon (January 17).

The arrest followed an incident at the suspect’s house earlier that day, at around 14:30, when an 18-year-old victim – who was staying with her boyfriend at the suspect’s house – was woken up by somebody touching her inappropriately. “When she switched on the light, she saw that it was the suspect,” states the report.

The suspect, who is based at Knysna Police station, appeared in the town’s Magistrate’s court later that day and was granted bail of R500. The case was postponed to March 5, while the matter is also being investigated departmentally by the SAPS.


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Disappointing December, but road fatality stats are improving

WESTERN Cape minister of Transport & Public Works,Robin Carlisle, recently released road fatality stats for the past festive season.

“From 1 December 2010 until 8 January 2011, a total of 185 people died on Western Cape roads. In contrast, from 1 December 2011 to 8 January 2012 the number, obtained from provincial forensic pathology, stands at 163,” said Carlisle.

“These figures represent a total drop of 12% on the previous festive season’s figures. In December there was a 7% decrease, while up until midnight on Sunday the 8th, we had achieved a 31% drop for January.

“Accolades for this must go to our devoted law enforcement officers and the increasing number of motorists that are taking the moral decision to drive safely.
“Although a more comprehensive analysis of the statistics is needed, the fact that there has been a significant increase in especially domestic visitors to Cape Town and the Southern Ca...

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