Your newspaper, FREE OF CHARGE Wine ‘gift’ was poison Page 5 SA success for bodybuilders Page 15 3 AUGUST 2018 • Vol. 148 Issue: 030 #TotalShutdown hits home On 1 August, women and non-gender conforming persons across the country took part in the #TotalShutdown. The protest was a march against gender-based violence in South Africa and worldwide. Community members met at Rhodes University and in Fingo Village, marching into town to have their say about the violence they have experienced. Posters reading, ‘My Body, My Say’, and ‘My Body, Not Your Crime Scene’ flooded the crowds dressed in black and red. The protesters joined together in song and discussion as a way to empower and encourage one another to continue the fight against gender-based violence. Photo: Kathryn Cleary PRE-OWNED 2018 Tata Super Ace 1.4 DLS Manual R115 900 We Service and Repair all 2017 Hyundai i10 1.1 Motion Manual R135 000 2017 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium Auto R339 900 makes & models of vehicles 2016 Hyundai Accent Hatch Manual R204 900 2016 Hyundai Accent Sedan 1.6 R199 900 2016 Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium Manual R319 900 RMI Accredited 2016 Hyundai Grand i10 1.25 Fluid Manual R154 900 2015 Hyundai 1.6 Premium Manual R194 900 Bookings Essential 2013 Hyundai ix35 2.0 GL Manual R179 900 GRAHAMSTOWN 046 622 3914 STEVEN 078 113 3497 ANNETTE 082 267 7755 [email protected] TEL: 046 622 2950 WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!! TEL: 046 622 8700 TIM 082 800 9276 KEVIN 082 772 0400 2 NEWS Grocott’s Mail 3 AUGUST 2018 DRIVEN BY PEOPLE Drugs link in crime spike By KATHRYN CLEARY education institution. POWERED BY TECHNOLOGY local couple remains trauma- Hi-Tec and SAPS were at the Sun- Securing tised after a harrowing break- nyside home within 10 minutes, but in at their home in Sunnyside the intruder had already fled the t h e c i t y f o r o v e r Amid-July . This follows a noticeable in- scene. 25 years crease in crime throughout Graham- “For the last couple of weeks since stown (Makhanda) and surrounding the Festival crime has gone up, more SAFETY areas. Police and security officials serious crime, not the petty crime TIPS suspect the increase could be drug we’ve been having,” said Hi-Tec As- related. sistant Manager, Kenny Knoetze. FROM Early morning 19 July, the cou- “It is very serious. We are con- ple awoke to an intruder breaking cerned, but we are working with a ANDRE through their front door. “There was plan.” WILLE someone on the outside of the door, The style of crime in Grahams- breaking through one of the panels,” town (Makhanda) has become more SAFETY AWARENESS IN A they told Grocott’s Mail. violent. As residents improve security The intruder had already broken in their homes and businesses, crimi- VEHICLE through the metal security gate using nals result in using more force and • A gear lock is an affordable an object – such as a crowbar. creativity. and a very effective “It was quite scary, he had a sort of Recently criminals have used roofs mask on. He had painted the top half as an entry point into buildings. anti-theft device. of his face white,” said the husband. “We’ve picked that up in the last cou- • If possible, put up a mirror “When he saw me he started scream- ple of weeks,” said Knoetze. against the front wall ing, ‘Keep away, I’ll kill you!’” Exact reasons for the crime spike The couple pressed the panic but- are unknown, however there is spec- of your garage to see if ton and feared for their lives. The ulation that the recent release of pa- someone is following you alarm did not phase the intruder, rolees is a contributing factor. Gro- into the garage. who proceeded to reach through, un- cott’s Mail is investigating this claim. lock the door and make his way into “Your normal street robberies and • Do not open your garage the home. He demanded cellphones. house break-ins are definitely from doors before your gates are “He was in a crazed and psychotic guys that have just been released,” closed. state,” the husband added. “I’ve nev- said Knoetze. er experienced such intense focus, “We all know them. Not long they’ll RESPONSES IN force and adrenaline.” be back in jail, but then next year we GRAHAMSTOWN The couple suspects the crime was will see them again.” 26/07/2018 – 31/07/2018 a result of drug-use. “The other failure on our side is the Statistics from the police suggest justice system. You arrest the same House Break-in’s - 6 a strong link between drugs and vio- people over and over but the jails are Arrests - 2 lent crime, specifically robbery and so full the guys are coming out every Disturbances - 1 theft. second month.” In a Regional Court case earlier this Though Hi-Tec officials and SAPS year two Grahamstown (Makhanda) continue to work together to combat WE OFFER brothers were accused of selling crime, residents are encouraged to • 24hr Monitoring drugs from their family home. The take extra precautions. • Alarm Installations subsequent effects on the community • Services and repairs to all were shocking, including endanger- •Hi-Tec offers free home security The intruder broke through the security gate and front door before entering the makes of alarm systems ing the lives of minors at a nearby assessments for clients. Sunnyside home. Photo: Supplied • Armed Response • Guards • Access control (gate automation, intercoms and cameras) Makanaʼs Enviro boss responds to flower-selling • Electric Fencing • Cash in Transit By KATHRYN CLEARY do that than stealing’.” sions to the Portfolio Committee in the I don’t need money to go and talk to In light of community uproar over the Nongwe acknowledged the concern past regarding legal and sustainable schools.” Securing Kenton on Sea/ illegal picking and selling of Graham- expressed by the community, and said harvesting of local plants, but nothing “We used to have an eco-schools Bushman's River/Cannon Rocks/ stown (Makhanda) wildflowers, Gro- Makana had referred the issue to the had happened. programme, and that was located in Boknes Areas cott’s Mail spoke to Makana's Environ- Green Scorpions. Last week Grocott’s “I’m working on it,” he said. He my office,” he added. “Those schools For advice or a free quote mental Manager, Ndumiso Nongwe. Mail reported that the Green Scorpi- added that there were no bylaws or were dealing with waste management As unemployment and crime remain a ons had started their investigation. protocols about wildflowers, and this [and] conservation.” However, the contact André Wille priority concern for the municipality, The flower-sellers at that time did not was something that needed to change. programme was no longer active due Tel: 046 636 1667 conservation and environmental edu- have permits, nor knew they were re- “It cannot go on like this.” to financial constraints, he said. cation take a back seat. quired. “I want to look at some ways of fo- “I need resources,” said Nongwe. STOLEN PROPERTY “I understand their economic and cusing on conservation.” “It’s a one-man show. I’m the Environ- We have found the following items: “Since I came here in 2008 it’s A tyre, wheel jack and spanner. If you one of those things I’ve been talking social circumstances,” Nongwe stated. With the issue of finances on the ta- mental Manager, but I’m sitting here have lost these items please come to our about, saying I have not spent a lot of “We need to have a way of dealing ble, Nongwe stated that the majority with my computer and my telephone.” offices to collect. Positive identification time on conservation,” said Nongwe. with them. I need to take it upon my- of funds are directed to waste man- Nongwe encourages community of goods needs to be provided. “What [the flower-sellers are] do- self to find out how we can meet and agement rather than conservation and members and organisations to work ing is illegal,” he said. work this thing out, working towards environmental education. with him on conservation and educa- “But maybe as municipal officials sustainable harvesting.” Nongwe had “Look, some of the issues can be tion efforts. “My office is wide open we have turned a blind eye. To us, not spoken to the sellers, but said he dealt with without money, like envi- for collaboration,” he said. when we are looking at that situation planned to do so. ronmental education and awareness. • NOW READ: ‘CALL TO ACTION’ EMERGENCY we normally say ‘Well, it’s better they He stated that he had made submis- But some of these things need money. ON PAGE 6 NUMBERS • Ambulance 10177 • Aids Helpline 0800 012322 WEATHER AND • AA Rescue 0800 111997 046 603 6300 • Medical Rescue 0800 033007 WEATHER & TIDES • GHT Child Welfare 046 636 1355 • Electricity 046 603 6036 TIDES FRIDAY 3 AUGUST MONDAY THURSDAY A/H 046 603 6000 Partly cloudy. Moderate easterly wind. Sunny. Light NNW wind. Partly cloudy. Light ENE wind. • Eskom 086 014 00014 • Fire Brigade 046 622 4444 Temperature: Min 9°C Max 15°C Temperature: Min 5°C Max 19°C Temperature: Min 0°C Max 13°C • Ght Police Station 046 603 9152 Tides: Low 01:11 13:12 Tides: Low 04:32 17:00 Tides: Low 08:15 20:35 • Hi-Tec 046 636 1660 High 07:13 19:46 High 10:48 23:36 High 01:55 14:29 • Raphael Centre 046 622 8831 • SPCA 046 622 3233 SATURDAY TUESDAY FRIDAY • Traffic Services 046 603 6067 Sunny.