What talent we have!

Tshisa contender ‘Bova’, aka Nthuthuzelo Nqaba, perfectly embodies the abundance of performance art flair in Bitou - read all about this year’s talent search on the Entertainment page...

IN THIS EDITION:

Dumped George baby saved – this page

Readers hop onto the soapbox – Letters page

Val’s precious memories – People & Places page

Knysna Speed Festival updates – Social & Sports pages

Four-month-old infant found in Thembalethu toilet

GEORGE police has opened an attempted murder docket as well as a case of child neglect after a four-month-old baby was found dumped in an outside toilet in Thembalethu near George.
According to captain Malcolm Pojie, SAPS spokesperson at the Provincial Media Centre in George, the tragic find was made by police members on patrol in Asazanie - an informal settlement in Thembalethu Zone 6.
"The officers were stopped by a group of people who gathered at the premises where the boy was found. Bystanders reported that they had been hearing crying sounds earlier during the day, but did not know that it was a child. However, when they went to investigate they found the boy in an outside toilet hole," he said.
The shocked and traumatised baby was transported to George Hospital and, by our going to press, was being treated for dehydration and exhaustion.
"Information reveals that a lady with dreadlocks carried two children past a house near where the boy w...

- Read More

Coke cop collapses in witness stand

KNYSNA policeman W/O Johann Burmeister on Monday suffered a suspected heart attack and collapsed while testifying in the Circuit Court trial of six men accused in South Africa's biggest drug bust.
He was answering questions about an affidavit he made under oath, implicating the six accused in the possession of 1.7-tons of pure cocaine found aboard the Toledo moored outside a Knysna waterfront flat on December 10, 2010.
Judge Nathan Erasmus said it was apparent that the policeman was under considerable pressure in view of his application for indemnity, made in terms of Section 204 of the Criminal Procedures Act, against possible charges of perjury and defeating the ends of justice.
Burmeister earlier applied for indemnity in view of his admission that his affidavit falsely claimed that he had filmed the accused packing the Toledo in preparation for a five-day trip to collect the massive haul of cocaine, but said he did it to protect the identity of the real cameraman...

- Read More

Author: Neil Oelofse

Wheel-stealing, violent crime plague Plett

An unpleasant surprise last week awaited Poortjies resident Gary Marucci of Gary's Motor Spares in Plett, when he woke up to find that his bakkie's tyres had been stolen during the night. However infuriating, he was at least spared the trauma experienced by tenants of a house in Gris Nez Street, Solar Beach, who was held at knife-point during the early morning hours of May 10. Otto Olivier of the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association reports that three suspects attempted to gain access to Whale Rock Resort around 9pm the previous evening by scaling the contractor's gate. 'The security officers chased after them through various streets in that part of town, but they finally managed to escape. At 2:30am they returned to Griz Nez, gaining access to a house by breaking one of the windows. The residents were held at knife-point while the house was robbed and the thieves escaped with many valuables, including a laptop computer and video camera. These criminals are aggressive and re...

- Read More

Knysna man nabbed after decade of suspected sexual abuse

A well-known Knysna businessman, estate agent, and familiar face in yachting circles appeared briefly in the George Magistrate's Court on May 7, charged with a string of alleged sexual offences, including the rape of an eight-year-old girl.
The 59-year-old man was remanded at the George police holding cells until June 29, when the Directorate of Public Prosecutions will indicate if further charges will be added.
He is currently facing four charges of rape and statutory rape, four charges of abduction, and charges of indecent assault, sexual exploitation of a minor, production of child pornography, the use of children to produce child pornography and indecent exposure.
The man was arrested at his luxury home in the Welbedacht area in Knysna on May 5 after an eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped in the bushes near Herold's Bay on April 29 this year.
Southern Cape police spokesman captain Malcolm Pojie said while police were investigating the charge, they traced ...

- Read More

Author: Janine Oelofse