COLDSTREAM:
Residentsdemandanswersoverprolongedpoweroutage
RAZAAN PLAATJIES
RESIDENTS of Die Rye Street, located in Coldstream near Tsitsikamma, have voiced growing frustrationand concern over aprolonged electricity outage that has left the communitywithoutpower since severe storms damagedthe electrical infrastructure in May.
Resident Sharonick Wogane said that electricalpolesand powerlines were damaged when trees fell onto theinfrastructure during the storm
She said that weeks later,affected households werestill waitingfor electricity to be restored,with no clear indication of when repairs would be completed.
Wogane furthersaid thatthe community hadrepeatedlybeen given assurances from the Kou-Kamma Municipality that power would be restored, only for those commitmentsnot to materialise “Residents havebeen leftwithoutelectricity for an extended period, with little communication and no clear indication of when the situationwillbe resolved,” saidWogane.
She alleged that on 21 May,former Kou-Kamma Municipality Mayor, Sam Vuso, visited the area andreportedly
assuredresidents that repairs would be completed within three to five days.
However, Wogane said this promise was not fulfilled.
She saidthat further frustration followedwhen an unsigned notice, which circulated on 5June, indicated that work would commence on 9June.
Woganesaidthat they waited in good faith, but when the date arrived, adifferent explanation was provided, and no firm commitment was made regarding the restoration of electricity.
Resident Andrew Pedro also raised concernsabout what he described as alack of meaningful engagement from authorities.
“No public meeting has been held, no official communication has been directed to affected households, and no clear recoveryplan has been presented,”said Pedro.
He further said that communication from themunicipality had largely taken place through the Coldstreamstakeholders’ committee via acommunity WhatsAppgroup rather thandirectly withaffectedhouseholds.
Pedroalleged that when concerns were raised,some committee membersresponded in arude, dismissive or arro-
gant manner, contributingtotensions within the community
He said that the prolonged outage had also had asignificant impact on daily life, particularly forsenior residents and those dependent on chronic medication that requires refrigerationorregular access to communication and healthcare services.
Wogane said that families had struggled to preserve food,chargedevices, maintain security and carry out normal daily activities.
She said residents felt abandoned and unheard.
“We are not asking for special treatment; we are simply asking for honest communication, accountability, and the restoration of abasicservice that is essential to our health, safety, and well-being,”saidWogane.
She said thatthe ongoingsituation affected rights protected by the Constitution, including the rights to human dignity, healthcare servicesand fairadministrative action.
Wogane also pointed to local government obligations to provide services sustainably and encouragecommunity participation.
She further said that residents had
Humansdorp gang members sentenced to life
AMAJOR breakthroughinthe fight against gang-relatedcrime in Humansdorp was achieved on 10 June when three members of the AndyBoys Gang were convicted andsentencedinthe New Law Courts in Gqeberha for themurder of a Pakistani shop owner, MamunHosain, during arobbery in Loerie nearly two years ago.
According to police spokesperson, Captain Marius McCarthy, the accused, KirstenJohannes, Justin Johannes and Daviton Brown, were found guilty onmultiple serious charges following athorough investigation led by Detective Warrant OfficerXolani Peta of the Anti-Gang Unit. He said that the convictions stemmed from an incident that took place on 22 October 2024 in Loerie, where the foreign shop ownerwas shot several times inside
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his shop.
McCarthy said thatone of thesuspects grabbed the till before they fledthe scene in awhite VW Polo.
He saidthat thevehiclewas later found later thatsame day in Humansdorp by private security, who alerted the police to its whereabouts.
“Police managed to arrestthe driver of thewhite VW Polo, while thethree others escaped arrest. Areplicafirearm and itemsstolen from theshop were found in the driver’s possessionand confiscated,” said McCarthy. He said that on 26 October 2024,the driver of theVWPolomade his first appearanceatthe Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court and laterbecame aSection 204 state witness.
McCarthy said that followinga metic-
helping redirect quality food to communities where it is needed most. Hunger Month serves as aplatformtoraiseawareness, inspireaction and encourage broader participation from customers, suppliers and partners.
This year’s success was driven by an extraordinarycollective effort. Customers donated more than four million meals through Food Lover's Market, FreshStop, VetsMart, Food Lover's Eatery and Market Liquors stores, while suppliers, landlords and businesspartners contributed thebalance.
SaysAndrew Millson, Group Executive: People and SustainabilityatFood Lover's Market.
“This campaign has always been about the power of collective action. It is proof that when people cometogether around ashared purpose, even the smallestcontribution can create meaningful change.”
Andy Du Plessis, Managing Director of FoodForward SA, thanked Food Lover'sMarket, its suppliers, customers and colleagues for their contribution, noting that the funds raised will enable FoodForwardSAtoexpand its supportto rural communities,malnourished children and its national network of beneficiary organisations across SouthAfrica
shown patience throughout the ordeal but werebecoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress.
“The people of DieRye Street have waited patiently for weeks. Ourpatience is running out, but our determination to have our voices heardremains strong,” said Wogane.
Technical Director,Mziwamadoda Qalaba, said that the Kou-Kamma Municipality wishes to informthe Coldstream community that acontractor has been appointed to commence bush clearing, tree felling and electrical restoration operations in the affected area.
He said that the purpose of thisworkis to create safe accessfor technical teams to repairthe damage to electricity lines and infrastructure caused by recent adverse weather conditions
“The clearingprocess is acritical first steptowards restoringelectricity supply to affected communities.Once accesshas been secured, the electrical contractor will commence the repairs,” said Qalaba. He further said that the contractor would be working everyday to restore power in the area.
“The municipality sincerely thanks the DieRye community for their patience and understanding,”saidQalaba.
ulous investigation,the three suspects whohad evaded arrestwere apprehended in Humansdorp andmade theirfirst appearance before theHumansdorp Magistrate’s Court.
He said that for thepurpose of trial, thecasewas latertransferred to the New Law CourtsinGqeberha, where the accused were convictedand sentenced on 10 June.
NPA regional spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said that evidence presented before the courtrevealed that another Pakistani national hadallegedly hired the trio to kill Hosain
“On theday of theincident, the accused travelledtogether to the victim’s shop and parked outside the premises,” said Tyali.
He further said thatJustin Johannes handed afirearm to Kirsten Johannes and Daviton Brown with instructions to shoot thevictim.
Tyali said that Senior State Advocate BenedictWilson prosecuted the matter on behalfofthe State “Duringsentencing proceedings, he argued for an effective sentence that reflected theseriousness of the offences and servedthe interests of society. The investigatingofficer also testified in aggravation of sentence in support of the
HUMANSDORP:
State’ssubmissions,”said Tyali He said that the court sentenced all three accused to life imprisonment for murder, 15 years’ imprisonment each for the unlawful possession of afirearm, and five years’ imprisonment each for the unlawful possession of ammunition. In addition, Tyali said that Brown was sentenced to afurther 15 years’ imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
He said that the court further declared all three accused unfit to possess firearms in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000. Advocate Samkelo Mtwana, the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the Eastern Cape, welcomed the sentences and commended the investigating team for theirdedication and commitment throughout the investigation.
“I must commend Warrant Officer Sokanyile, Warrant Officer Peta and the other police officers who formed part of the investigation. Their hard workand dedication cannot go unnoticed. They wereinvolved in thismatter from beginning to end.
“When we worktogether as ateam, we can bring criminals to book and make our communities safer places to live without fear,” said Mtwana.
Three arrested in crackdown
THREE suspects were arrested and drugs with acombined estimated street value of R30,000 wereconfiscated fromKwaNomzamo during search warrant operations in Humansdorp on 13 June, forming part of aweek-long crackdown by SarahBaartman Districtpolice that resultedinthe arrest of 227 suspects across104 operations between 8and 14 June.
According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, the227 suspects were arrested for various crimes, including murder, immigrationoffences, anddrug dealing.
He said that crimeintelligence-led operations involving theSarah Baartman District Intervention Team and the South African National Defence Force ledtothe arrest of 26 suspects. McCarthysaidthatthree of these
individualswere takenintocustody during theexecution of search warrants in Humansdorp on 13 June.
“Drugs confiscated and removed from thestreetsofKwaNomzamo in Humansdorp includemandrax,tik, cocaine, and dagga, witha combined estimated street valueofapproximately R30,000,” said McCarthy.
He said that successfully executed tracing operations resultedinthe arrest of 148 suspects for various crimes.
“Tactically focused combat operations secured afurther 53 arrests. Fines totalling R27,000 wereissued during compliance inspections conducted across thedistrict,” said McCarthy.
He said that thesuspectsare due to appear before various magistrates’ courtssoon.
gs sup port withinher workforce.
“We are still responsible for our employees, and we have not been abletotake care of them the way we want to, which has been very difficult. However, they have all been very understanding of the situation,and we are thankful for that,” said De Koning
In an effort to generate income, the farm has reopened its onsite restaurant,Spekboomlapa, which had originally opened 16 years ago before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
De Koning said that the restaurant is now being used to support
recoveryefforts and employee costs.
She further said thatfor now, the restaurant is open to the public only on Sundays, while hosting functions on Saturdays and during the week.
“We had to quickly come up
with aplan to generate an income, and fortunately have the restaurantonour farm, which had not been in use for thepast fewyears. We were able to get everythinginorder quickly and get it up andrunning again,” said De Koning.
SANParks busbringsparkclosertocommunities
THE Garden RouteNational Park has strengthenedits efforts to make protectedareas more accessible to nearby communities with the acquisition of anew 40-seater bus.
According to SANParks spokesperson JP Louw,the initiative forms partofSANParks’ commitment to ensuring that national parksare accessible to all South Africans, particularly communities livingadjacent to protectedareas.
He said that the bus would serve communities within a50-kilometre radius of the park’s three sections: Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma. Louw said thatbyproviding reliable transport, the initiative seeks to remove one of the key barriers that often limitcommunity participation in park-based activities and programmes
“The vehicle will supporta range of initiatives, including environmental education programmes,conservation awarenesscampaigns, outreach activities and broader community engagement interventions,” said Louw
“Itwill alsocreate meaningful opportunities for residents to experience and connect with the natural and cultural heritage of the Garden Route National Park.”
Louw said that this investment reflects SANParks’commitment toinclusion, accessibility and socio-economic transformation.
“By strengthening links between communities and protected areas, the park aims to foster environmental stewardship, shared ownership and adeeper appreciation of South Africa’s natural heritage,”said Louw.
ep ga pr ction by December,whichistypically theirbusiest season.
“Itwill take monthsbeforewe can use these fields again. It first needstodry outproperly, andthen thesandand irrigation channelswill need to be repaired beforewecan plant,” said De Koning
HankeyUCCwelcomesnewminister
RAZAAN PLAATJIES
THE Hankey United Congregational Church (UCC) has welcomed its new permanent fulltime minister,Reverend Rochan Chetty,in what church leaders have described as ahistoricmomentfor thecongregationand the broaderGamtoosValley community.
Church members gathered at Loerie-Afdraai to receive Chetty, who was accompanied by her mother, brother and extended family
The congregation then travelled into Hankey in aconvoy escorted by trafficservices, driving through the town's streets andsounding their hornstoannouncethe arrival of their new minister Church secretary, Pieter Dolph,said thecongregation received Chetty with gratitude and excitement
“Ingreat gratitudeand excitement, theHankeyUCC welcomed their new Ministerhalfwayatthe Loerie-Afdraai. Thecongregation cheered, rejoicedand openly expressedtheir gratitudethatGod grantedthem the opportunity to call apermanent, full-time minister and leader,” said Dolph.
He said that the appointment marks thereturn of afemale minister to the congregation for the first time in 55 years
Dolph said that Chetty is the first female successor to thelate Reverend Margaret Consta-
ble,who served Hankey UCC from1968 to 1981, ministering to communities stretching from Loerie to Cambria in the Gamtoos Valley.
Following Constable’s tenure, Reverend Alwyn Goosenserved the church from1983 until 1987.
He was succeeded by Reverend Hendrick Pillay,who ministered in the Gamtoos Valley from December 1991 until his retirement in July 2016 after 25 years of service.
Dolph said that since Pillay’s retirement, the congregation has relied on consultants provided by the AlgoaRegion.
He said thatthe church was also served for two years by Reverend Jac-Allyn Smith througha placement by the AlgoaRegionbefore he was called to Springdale UCC in Gqeberha.
According to Dolph, the congregationbegan praying and fasting in 2023 because of the need for afull-time minister.
“The callingprocess was initiated, handled andapproved by the AlgoaAdministrative and Regional Council in February 2026, andReverend Chetty accepted the call,”saidDolph He described the appointment as asignificant moment in the church’shistory.
“HankeyUCC is richinhistory and very blessedthat55years later, the church is entrusted with afemale minister again.Our prayers havebeen answered, and we look forward to the journey with Reverend Chetty
to serve the congregation across the Gamtoos Valley,”saidDolph.
He also noted the similarities between Chetty’sarrivaland the ministry of Constable, who served during the 1971 flood.
“This is indeed arepeat of history, given that the late Reverend Constable also experienced and survived the flood of 1971duringher time in the same congregation. Thus, Reverend Chetty comes under the same circumstances, which is asure signthat the congregation asked,led by the Holy Spirit, and God answered by sending Reverend Chetty to be our earthly shepherd,”said Dolph
Speaking about accepting thecall, Chetty said she felt both honoured and humbled.
“When Iaccepted the call to the Hankey Congregational Church, Ifelt deeply honoured and humbled by the opportunity to serve. At the same time, Iexperienced asenseofresponsibility, knowing thatGod was entrusting me with an important ministry. While there was some uncertainty about challenges ahead, Ialsofelt peace and excitement, believingthat God was leading me and that He would provide the strength and wisdom needed for the journey,” said Chetty.
Reflecting on the church’s history, Chetty said her focus would be on building on the work of those who came beforeher
“My visionisnot simply to take over the reins, but to build on the strong foundation
that has been laidbythose who served before me, like the late Reverend Margaret Constable and many others,”said Chetty.
As she begins her ministryinHankey and the wider Gamtoos Valley, she saidshe hopes to see the congregation continue growing in faith while serving the needs of the community.
“I would like to see the church family rooted in God’s Wordwhile responding to the needs of our community today. My prayer is that we continue to grow spiritually, strengthen our fellowshipand become aplace where all people of all agesfeel welcome, valued and encouraged in their faith,” said Chetty.
“I also hope to foster greater involvement in ministry,nurture futureleadersand expandoutreach so that thelove of Christ is experienced both within our congregation and throughout the wider community. As we honourour past, IbelieveGod is calling us to embrace thefuture with faith,unityand renewed commitment to Hismission.”
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ReverendRochan Chetty. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Reverends and officers of the AlgoaRegion council.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
