Delving into the past
This week we went back to December 5, 2003, to find the stories making headlines.
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This week we went back to December 5, 2003, to find the stories making headlines.
• Boy battered for stealing apricots from tree
Seven-year-old Michael McCabe and his friend were allegedly assaulted by former Springs traffic cop David Nyumbu in Geduld when they climbed into his yard to pick fruit from his tree.
The child alleged Nyumbu had assaulted him and his friend with his black belt.
The pair eventually managed to escape when McCabe’s mother heard his scream and rushed into the yard and grabbed her child.
The former officer was arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Also read: Delving into the past
• Water goes full stream ahead
The Erwat Welgedacht Wastewater Care Works was officially opened by Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Ronnie Kasrils.
The event was attended by various heads of government and guests were entertained by comedian Kid Sithole and singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
The facility cost Erwat R12-million to build and came about as the result of the rapidly expanding population of this part of Ekurhuleni, and would serve parts of Springs, Daveyton, Etwatwa and Boksburg.
• Electricity increase
Ratepayers were not pleased with the increased cost of electricity announced by Eskom.
Consumers would be expected to pay 3.5 per cent more for electricity, which was less than the 5.5 per cent increase projected by the metro.
The slightly lower increase meant the municipality could expect to make R56-m less profit from the sale of electricity.
The increase would come into effect in January of the following year.
Also read: Delving into the past
• Bomb scare at First National Bank
Employees and customers of the First National Bank on Third Street received quite a scare when a woman called in about a bomb in the building.
In response to the call, the building was evacuated and it was searched.
Police found no signs of a bomb and just before they declared the building safe, they received another call, forcing them to shut down the bank for the day.
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