Mthatha Express North - E-Edition - 22 January 2026 by Novus Media

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MECinspectsrural MECinspe schoolinfrastructure

EasternCape Agriculture MEC NoncebaKontsiwe visited Ngozi Senior Primary School in Ntabankulutoinspect a12-room administration block constructionproject thatbegan in October 2025.The visit, part of the Provincial 2026 Back-to-SchoolProgramme,was accompaniedbyAlfred NzoDistrictMunicipality Executive MayorCouncillorNomasomiMshuqwana. Theproject hascreatedover 21 local jobs and aims to improveadministrative capacity.Kontsiwepraised theadministration block as amilestone towardimproving rural education dignity. Thefacilityisexpected to be completedbyJuly2026, with various departmental commitments madetoaddress identifiedissues. Read the full storyonpage4 PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Familydemandsanswersaftersondiesinpolicecustody

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE Zindlu family from the Upper Qweqwe locality in Mthatha is seeking answers from the Central Police Station regarding what happenedto their son, Kuhle Ndinani Zindlu (19), whose body was found at theforensic mortuary in December last year.

His father,Zamikhaya Zindlu (54), said Kuhle left home on November 22, 2025, to visit family membersin the same locality.

“He did not come back, not even the following day. We then started

askinghis friends, butnoone knew where he was.OnDecember 1, 2025, wewent to theCentral PoliceStation to report him as amissing person.

Thatiswhere weencountered problems, because no onewas willingto help us,” claimed Zindlu.

“They told us there wasnoway to open amissingperson’s case because there were no forms to do that. After some time,we were told that one of thepolice officers hadgone to print them.

“However, aperson whoarrived after us to open asimilar case was assisted. Whenwequestioned this,

we weretold that our cases were different,” saidZindlu

AccordingtoZindlu,after waiting foralong time, the police officers they spoke to asked to see his photo, which they showed them. They then toldthem to go and look for himat the forensicmortuary.

He added that they were later informedthat police had found Kuhle on the N2 road in Qweqwe, allegedly drunk.

An ambulance was calledtoassist him, butofficials reportedly saidhe was not sick. According to Zindlu, police then took himtothe Central

Police Station, but the family was never informed how he ended up at the forensic mortuary.

“We found his body at the forensic mortuary with bruises on his ribs. He was not stabbed or hit by acar, and this has left us with many questions. We want to know what happened to our son, why he was taken from our area,and if therewas aproblem, why the police did not come to the community instead of taking him to the forensic mortuary and recording himasanunknown person.” Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, con-

firmed that the incident occurred on November 23, 2025, at about 09:45.

“An investigation was conducted, and the docket was later transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further handling,” said Mawisa. IPID spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, confirmed that copies of the docket were only handed over to IPID on January 14, 2026.

“The original docket is stillwith the SAPS. IPID will study the docket to determine whether the matter falls within itsmandate,”said Shuping.

MECinspectsrural schoolinfrastructure

BABALWA NDLANYA

AS part of the Provincial 2026 Back-to-School Programme, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture, NoncebaKontsiwe, conducted an official oversight walkabout at Ngozi Senior Primary School in Ntabankulu last week.

She was accompanied by theExecutive Mayor of Alfred Nzo District Municipality (ANDM), Councillor Nomasomi Mshuqwana, as well as leadership from the Ntabankulu Local Municipality.

According to ANDM spokesperson Luncedo Walaza, the project, which broke ground in October2025, involves the construction of a12-room administration block. The facility is intended to strengthen the school’sadministrative capacity and create aconducive working environment for educators and management.

Walaza said the project created more than 21 direct employment opportunities for local labourers and also enabled onsite skills transfer for community members.

“The site inspection followed an intensive engagement session between provincial leadership and school stakeholders. These consultations ensure that theinfrastructure rollout meets the specific needs of the school community whilst fostering asense of local ownership.

Kontsiwe emphasised that the timely delivery of educational infrastructure is central to the provincial government’sstrategy to improve learner outcomes and restore dignity in rural schools,” said Walaza. Kontsiwe explained that it is government practice for various departments to visit schools at the start of the academic year to assess readiness and identify challenges.

“At thisprimary school,we

observed that most of the infrastructure is stilltemporary. However, the construction of an administration block is amajor milestone. The school principal presented areport outlining the challenges they face, including learners who do not have birth certificates.”

She added that the Department of Social Development, together with the SouthAfrican Social SecurityAgency (SASSA), is working to assist affected learners and ensure follow-ups are conducted to resolve the issue. Kontsiwe noted that the presence of the area’s traditional leader would further support effortstoensure that children receive the necessary assistance.

Despite thesechallenges, she said learners continue to benefit from the school nutrition programme.

“We are confident that these challenges will be resolved soon. Regarding water shortages, we noted that thereisa nearby water pipe used by construction workers, which presents apossible solution. The learners at thisschool are still very young and do not yet face many of the challenges experienced at higher levels.”

She confirmed that the administration block is expected to be completed by Julythis year.

The principal of Ngozi Primary School,Nonkululeko Sodidi, described the visit as successful, saying several commitments weremade by the departments.

“Our main challenges are the lack of water,anadministrative clerk and aGrade Rteacher. We only have four teachers, which forces us to combine classes. Each teacher handles two classes. Ialso serve as the principal, administrative clerk and aGrade 6and 7teacher at the same time. Promises were made to address all the issues we raised,”said Sodidi.

Suspectshotdead afterattackingpolice

POLICE spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, confirmed that amale suspect (33) was fatally shot by police in self-defence in Mbutho locality as police attended to acaseofabduction recently.

He said that Tsolo police had receivedacomplaint of abduction where awoman (24) from Libode alleged that shewas lured by the suspect into alove affairthrough social mediaand they both met in Mthatha on January15, 2026, and proceeded to Tsolo in ataxi

“On theirway to Mbutho locality on foot, the suspect threatened the victimwith aknife and raped her in an open field. Thesuspect repeatedly raped her on arrival at Mbutho locality, where he was staying beforeshe reported the matter by telephone to her relative, and the police were informed.

“On police arrival, he charged at thepolice with aknife, and was shot and succumbed to the gunshot wound whilstwaiting foranambulance to arrive. Preliminary investigation revealed that three women aged between 25 and 29 yearswerereported as

missingatTsolo Police Station from December 24, 2025, until January15, 2026, all of whom were found dead in open fields,” said Matyolo.

He added that police areestablishing the link between their deaths and the suspect, as it emerged that, according to the suspect’smobile phone records, he had contactedthe three deceased victims beforetheir deaths

Matyolo confirmed that an inquestdocket has been opened with charges ranging from rape, abduction, and resistingarrest, to attacking police, whilstfurther investigation has been handed over to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

“ORTambo DistrictCommissioner,Major General Norman Modishana, warned everyone to be extracareful when dealing with social mediaaspeople are often scammed and fall victim to these scams,and urged the investigating teams to identify any direct linkages between the deceased female victims and the suspect, for all affected families to have closure.”

Premierhailsmatricresultsasproofofcourageindifficultyear

THE Premier of the Eastern Cape, OscarMabuyane, together with the MEC for the Department of Education, Fundile Gade, honoured outstanding matriculants at the 2025 NationalSenior Certificate Examinations Resultsceremony.

The event was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London lastweek Mabuyane said these achievements represent astrong performance in ayear marked by naturaldisasters andsocialchallenges.

“Aswecelebrate the 2025 results, let us remember thoseweunfortunatelylostwho were part of this journey. In addition to thenames mentioned by the MEC for the Department of Education, Fundile Gade, Iwouldliketoadd Onelitha Skweyiya from Pakamani Senior Secondary School who underwent the traditional initiation process in Decemberbut unfortunately drowned whilst swimming in ariver.

“What saddens me most is that he wasa brilliantlearnerand obtained six Level 6s and one Level7inthe results we arereleasingtoday. Indeed,our society will be poorer without them andmay theirsouls rest in peaceand risein glory,”saidMabuyane.

He added that this ceremony wasnot only about academicresults, but it is also about celebrating their individual and collective lifelong journey to build resilienceand character, discipline, endurance and hope. Mabuyane said they salute theirtop achievers.

“Yoursuccess is not accidental, it is the product of sacrifice, consistency and determination. You are living proof that excellence can and does emergefromevery corner of our province. You are not only achievers; you aretrailblazers; you are ambassadorsofpossibility for thousandsof learnerswho see themselves in you. I hope you havetaken note of the words of wisdomshared by Khanya Maqolwana. She is one of many learners who were topachieversthat weare supporting as government to achieve their dreams. The other learner that should serve as an inspirationtoyou is Caroline Boshoff, alearner with special needs.”

According to Mabuyane, the top 30 achievers in thecohortthey are celebrating todaywillbe funded by the provincial government until they complete their studies.

He saidthat on behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government he can confirm that the

Eastern Cape has achieved an overall pass rate of 84.17% in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.

“Whilst this reflects aslight decline from the 84.98% achieved in 2024, it remains astrong performance in ayear that tested theireducation system severely.These results are not asetback; they demonstrate resilience.

“Our target was 87%; we didnot reach it.However,let no one undermine the efforts that have been made to achieve these results.Wemight be ranked 9th in relationtoother provinces, but we areoccupying 9th position with the pride of maintaining our passrate of 84% from 2024. All our districts haveachieved an 80% pass rate. That is to me progress that must be celebrated. Let us hold ourheadshigh and tryagain to reach 87% in 2026.”

He added that they accept theseoutcomes with humility.They neither celebrate blindly nor despairunnecessarily.Instead, they reflect soberly,identify gaps and recommit themselves to improvement.

Mabuyane said they must be truthful with the people of the Eastern Cape and that 2025 was an exceptionally difficult year for education. Their

provincial education system was tested by:

• The destruction of school infrastructure due to natural disasters,leavingmanylearnerswithoutstablelearning environments;

• Ongoingscholartransportchallenges,affectingpunctuality,attendanceandsafety;

• Deep social challenges:disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by some educators,which betrayed the trustoftheir childrenandcommunities.

“The fact that our learners still achieved an 84.17% pass rateunder thesecircumstances speaksnot of failure but of courage. To those who did not pass, thosewho did not achieve the results they hoped for, and yes, including thosewho feel they have let theirfamilies down: You are not afailure. Your result does not define your worth; your future is not over. Life does not reward thosewho never fall. It rewards thosewho rise again after falling. There is no shame in facing setbacks. There is honour in confronting difficulty with courage. Champions are not made in moments of comfort; they are built over time through persistence, resilience and the refusal to give up. We must also speak openly about mental health. It matters, your life matters, and your well-being matters.”

Three topachievers leadNyangaSenior Secondary’s success

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE principalofNyanga Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo, Tembisa Gwantshu, has thanked teachers from the school forexcelling in the2025matricresults

Nyanga hadthree learners who were amongst thoseawarded at the Provincial Matric Achievers Awards Ceremony by the Premierofthe Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, and theMEC forthe Department of Education, Fundile Gade, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London last week

Xabiso Mthangayi obtained Level 7inall hissubjects.InisiXhosa Home Language, he achieved 86.7%, English First Additional Language 83.3%, Life Sciences 95.7%, Geography 93.7%, Mathematics 90.0%, PhysicalSciences 87.7% and Life Orientation96.3%.

Ahluma Gwaza obtained 91.3% in isiXhosa Home Language, 91.3% in English FirstAdditional Language, 93.7% in PhysicalSciences, 93.0% in LifeSciences, 89.7% in Mathematics, 89.0% in Geography and 98.0% in LifeOrientation.

The third learner, Hlangabezo Xhanti, also obtained Level 7inisiXhosa Home Language.

Xhanti

Gwantshu confirmed that although the school did not reach its target of 100%, it managed to achieve an 89.9% passrate.

“What Iamproud of is thateventhough we achieved 89.9%, we obtained 71.1% bachelor passes. Atotal of 287 learners wrote the exams,

and 206 obtained bachelor passes. We always instil discipline in our learners, and aculture of learning is our priority.Fortunately, we also have ahostel which makes things easier.” She added that although the school has intervention programmes throughJENNTraining &Con-

sultancy, learners also workextremely hard, to the extent that during holidays they do not go home. Evening classes are also conducted.

“I thank my teachersfor theirdedication. They spend alot of time teaching our learners and sometimes go home as late as 23:00. Itruly appreciate what they are doing because without theirdedication, we would not have achieved such results.” Gwantshu added that Grade 12 learners of 2026 must understand that discipline is key to achieving success.

One of the top achievers, Xabiso (17),said he will be going to the University of Cape Townto study Mechatronics Engineering.

“I believe that after four years, Iwillobtain my honours degree, which will open more opportunities for me. What Ican say to other learners is that they must ask for help when they are struggling. They must put aside anything that distracts them and focus on theirstudies. They must also set clear goals for what they want to achieve,” he said.

Another learner, Ahluma Gwaza (18),said he also plans to study Medicine. “What Ican say to Grade 12 learners is that they must assist each other, as thishelps alot. It is important to know what you want,”said Gwaza.

SAFAKSDsetforhotly contestedelection

HOSEYAJUBASE

SAFA KSD Local Association is preparing to go to thepolls thiscoming weekend

Thiselectoral conference is expectedtobe one of the most hotly contestedelections, as many big guns in the KSD football fraternity are eyeing the chairperson position

Among those vying for the chairperson posi-

tion is former referee and Mthatha Citizen FC chairman,Jongabantu Ngcuthushe.

Ngcuthushesaidheisready to lead the local association and take it to the next level.

Ngcuthushe said his priority will be focused on football development and securing sponsorships forthe region

Currently, the association is led by Mandisi Magwentshu, who has done excellent work during his tenure with KSD

Coachinglicencesnow mandatoryforNozuluCup

ANELE RAZIYA

THE annual Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup U/17 is expected to return once again thisyear in Mnquma, but teams must expect some changes, particularly regarding coaching staff requirements.

In arecent interview withthe founder of Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, Luxolo Matikinca, who is currently working as general manager at DStv Premiership sideSekhukhuneUnited, saidthat in their fourth edition ofthe tournament, they will allow only coaches who obtain aDcoachinglicenceto sit on the bench.

In previous editions,coacheswho had no coaching qualifications were allowed to lead theirteams during this annual event.

Butafter the Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, workingtogetherwith Mnquma Local Football Association (Mnquma LFA), theyhad managedtoorganisedifferent coaching courses repeatedly -startingfrom CAF Dlicence to CAF Clicence at Butterworthtown in the previous three years -theyfeltitwas timetoadd new regulationstothe tournament

By introducingthe new regulation that only qualified coaches can sit on thebench starting in the fourth edition of the Nozulu YouthLegacy Cup, which is scheduled to be playedinMarch this year, they wantedto encourage coaches to attend coachingcourses. In all previous coaching coursesthat were

hostedinButterworth, local coaches from Mnquma alwaysattended in good numbers to showthat they were ready forthis new regulation.

“As NozuluYouth Legacy Cup, we have already indicated to our partners, Mnquma LFA, that coaches who will sit on the bench are those who have aDlicence,”said Matikinca.

He said bytaking thisdecision, they wanted to keep improving the standard of the event and also encouragecoaches to get qualifications. He further said thatduring coaching courses, coaches learn different things, including child welfare, so they need those kinds of coaches to share their knowledgewithupcoming young players.

Matikinca said one of the thingsthey always motivate young players about is that they must gotoschool so that they canbe able to read their own contractsinfuture.

Inconclusion, he said modern football needs qualified coaches who can assist and motivate young players to put school first and footballsecond.

The NozuluYouth Legacy Cup is expected to be hosted in March this year, andthe dateisyet to be confirmed. Thetournament is playedbyteamsthat feature in Mnquma LFAand afew invited teams fromdifferent regions within the province.

The aim of the event is to contribute to the development of football, particularly in Mnquma, and keep youth away fromwrongdoings

ABCMotsepeLeague:Eaglesand Bucksplayoutgoallessderby

HOSEYAJUBASE

THE Mthatha derby between Bush Bucks FC and Mighty Eagles finished goallessthis past Saturday, with both sides desperatefor maximumpoints in their respective campaigns.

Following Saturday’s stalemate, Mighty Eagles remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just four points fromninematches in theECABC MotsepeLeague.

Thiscoming Saturday presents another stern test for the Eagles, who welcome Matta Millan FC to their home ground in what has become amust-win fixture in theirbattleagainst the drop

The goalless draw marked adebut to remember fornew coach, Phikolomzi Rhee Noqazo, who tookchargeofhis first match since his appointment last month.

This Saturday’s ﬁxtures:

• Bizana Pondo City vs Fast Eleven FC

• FC Ravens vs BushBucksFC

• MightyEaglesvsMatta Millan FC AmaxesibeFCvsFCBattalion

• SA Spearofthe Nation vs SinenkaniFC

The Eagles face acrucialperiodaheadas they look to climb away from the relegation zone and give theirnew manager his first victoryinthe dugout.

PHOTO: HOSEYAJUBASE

Mthatha Express North - E-Edition - 22 January 2026

MECinspectsrural MECinspe schoolinfrastructure

Familydemandsanswersaftersondiesinpolicecustody

BABALWA NDLANYA

MECinspectsrural schoolinfrastructure

Suspectshotdead afterattackingpolice

Premierhailsmatricresultsasproofofcourageindifficultyear

Three topachievers leadNyangaSenior Secondary’s success

SPONSORED: StMartin’sPrivateSchooljoinseliteclubwith100%passrate

SAFAKSDsetforhotly contestedelection

HOSEYAJUBASE

Coachinglicencesnow mandatoryforNozuluCup

ABCMotsepeLeague:Eaglesand Bucksplayoutgoallessderby

HOSEYAJUBASE