Newsbreak

by Newsbreak Producer, Taresh Harreeparshad - KZN Emergency Medical Services remain on standby at Wentworth, south of Durban- after a massive explosion at Engen Oil Refinery injured seven people this morning. Workers have been evacuated after sustaining minor injuries. At this stage no casualties have been reported. EMS spokesperson Rob McKenzie explains that the blaze has been contained...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The abuse of female teachers in the education system was highlighted by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education - Doctor Reginah Mhaule - following her address at a "Teacher Appreciation and 1860 Commemorative Event" held at the Beacon Ridge Primary School in Chatsworth, south of Durban, yesterday. She says systems such as promotions makes female teachers vulnera...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - A popular local tea manufacturer has partnered with the non-profit organisation - People Opposing Women Abuse or POWA to lobby President Cyril Ramaphosa to enact legislation that will confront Gender-Based Violence and the scourge of femicide. Brand ambassador, Tracy Going, a former tv and radio news anchor and a victim of GBV herself, says the hard-hi...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Financial dependency on a man forces many women in South Africa to stay in abusive relationships. These are the sentiments of former policewoman and director of Sinika Uthando - Jeniffer Chetty. The non-profit organisation, based at Chatsworth, south of Durban, focuses on uplifting victims of Gender-Based Violence. As the country observes the "16 Days of Acti...

Government has declared the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape a Coronavirus hotspot. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement last night after a special sitting of Cabinet and the National Coronavirus Command Council. The president also extended the national State of Disaster to the 15th of January. Our Political Correspondent Ntebo Mokobo reports...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - A virtual celebration in honour of Durban activist Satish Dhupelia aims at continuing his legacy - by using technology to bring people together. These are the sentiments of his sister, Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie, ahead of a live virtual ceremony in his memory this Saturday. Amongst other titles, Satish was a member of the Sydenham/Sherwood Community Police Forum,...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - In a bid to create more dialogue, critical thinking and advance the education system in the country, a private university has created a state-of-the-art programme, integrating science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Using the world-renowned "STEAM" teaching approach, the facility will roll out robotics and coding, giving educators an advantage...

Young South Africans need to be loved and protected becasue they are the future. #DontHurtTheFuture

by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - The motion of no confidence in President Cyril Ramaphosa - which was meant to be held in Parliament today - has been postponed to February next year. The motion was filed by the African Transformation Movement leader Vuyolwethu Zungula in February, before the COVID-19 lockdown began. It's now been set back pending the outcome of the ATM's review application, se...

by Newsbreak Producer, Hoosen Ebrahim - The medical fraternity of Lenasia is mourning the loss of Dr Rashid Salojee - affectionately known as "Ram". He sadly passed away yesterday. He held many titles in his career - including President of the Federation of Residents Association, Vice-President of the Transvaal Indian Congress and was also actively involved in politics and the fight for freedom in...

by Newsbreak Producer, Rachel Vadi - The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, spent time earlier this morning in Chatsworth, south of Durban, celebrating the legacy of teachers in South Africa. The Deputy Minister was speaking at Beacon Ridge Primary School in Montford. She says the contribution of the 1860 forefathers over the years is invaluable and has helped ensure education...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Eight suspects - including a notorious alleged drug-dealer from Chatsworth, south of Durban - will today apply for bail, relating to an illegal R1.6 million drug manufacturing bust earlier this year. Collin Naidoo, his sons, Sumeshan and Rubashan, along with their co-accused will appear before the Durban Magistrates Court on drug-related charges. They were ar...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Private hospitals around Durban have reported a spike in the usage of their ICU facilities, to treat COVID-19 patients. Confirmed reports from five health care facilities around the the CBD show that the Intensive Care Units housing Coronavirus patients are now over capacity. Durban-based doctor and activist Faizel Sooliman attributes this to the complacency...

By Newsbreak Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - There is no scientific evidence to suggest that restaurants are contributing to the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. That's according to Restaurants Association of South Africa or RASA chairperson Wendy Alberts. This follows widespread speculation that nationwide restrictions are likely to be imposed by Government to deal with the second wave of COVI...

By Newsbreak Producer The University of KwaZulu-Natal's Pollution Research Group (PRG) has been formalized as a research centre - now known as the "Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Research & Development Centre (WASH R&D Centre). Emerging in the 1970s, the centre is housed at UKZN's Chemical Engineering building on the Howard College campus. It was established to bring attention to the critical import...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - In our 16 Days Focus, a court interdict may be the answer to prevent further violence or abuse - as it stops a person from harming the victim. But, how effective is this legal document? Human Rights Attorney Saber Ahmed Jazbhay says the interdict and its purpose must be explained to the victim and the alleged abuser, otherwise it will be rendered usele...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Looming retrenchments, difficult colleagues and work overload - these are just some of the stresses at play in working environments - which often lead to employees experiencing mental health issues. According to Psychiatrist and former Eastern Cape Chair of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, Professor Christoffel Grobler, although at times work is go...

By Newsbreak South Asian Correspondent Rana Senn - India's capital sealed its borders today as a farmers' protest gathered pace, amid a deadlock in talks over three new laws they say favour rich corporations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out with assurances even as he accused political rivals of spreading lies to put the nation's agriculture sector on the boil. Rana Senn has the detail...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and your PowerBall is 10! Surprisingly these are the winning numbers in numerical order which turned 20 people into PowerBall multi-millionares last night in the National Lottery. Although quite unexpected, National Lottery has identified that many people opt to play these numbers with one winner playing them for the past six years - and finally...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo and Taresh Harreeparshad - In response to the growing number of COVID19 cases in the Western Cape, the local government will no longer allow public events in some regions around the province, including the Garden route. The province currently has a total of 132- thousand 865 cases and 4671 deaths. Provincial Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, says pro...

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Race organisers are taking their events online to minimize crowds that could exacerbate the spread of the coronavirus. These online races also allow for international participation - thereby increasing the digital diaspora. The inaugural virtual #MrPriceFoundationChallenge on 5 & 6 December incorporates both a Run and a Ride, in a bid to raise awarenes...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - With the national state of disaster coming to an end on the 15th of December, speculation is rife that restrictions on the sale of alcohol may be re-introduced, while evening curfews could be amended. Government have from the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown warned against complacency when it comes to social distancing, wearing masks and sanitising. The Health...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Now, a follow-up to a story we brought you earlier this week.... A Durban man who allegedly killed his 27-year-old wife has appeared in the Durban Magistrates' Court, after being charged for her murder. The horrific incident came to light this past weekend when the victim was found bound and dead in her flat in Gladys Mazibuko Road, formerly Marriott Road. Sh...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The man allegedly responsible for leaking the matric 2020 mathematics exam paper 2 has received bail of R1,000 at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court. The accused - named Themba Daniel Shikwambana, works for a Johannesburg-based company contracted by the education department to print matric exam papers. Spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Inve...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Emeritus Professor from the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Sciences at UKZN - POOBHALAN Pillay has authored an e-book designed to help pupils from grade 7 to 12 improve their mathematics skills. Titled "Mathematics Olympiad Problems", the book has been in the works for close to six years. Professor Pillay explains how the virtual nbook will he...