NGN’s top 10 stories of 2015

WE here, at Northglen News, write and publish hundreds of stories every year, both for the paper and our website. As we near the end of the year, we decided to do make a list of the top 12 stories of the year. Some of these stories shocked us, moved us and made us smile. Here are the stories that defined our year.

1. Avoca Hills pup rescue operation

We begin our countdown in January this year when two puppies that were stuck underground in a drainpipe for more than 12 hours were rescued. Rescue workers had to dig a two metre (6 foot) hole in the ground to free the three-week-old puppies that had been stuck in the pipe at a home in Avoca Hills.

2. Family’s emotional appeal for help moves local community

This story of the daily struggle of the Nkwanyana family really resonated with our readers. For the last few years, Teddy Nkwanyana (72), has had to use a worn out, brown, shaggy mat to transport his immobile sister, Winnie (72) around the house and into the car. If he has to get her to the toilet, he has to drag the carpet up a staircase and then carry her, almost like a baby, and place her on the loo. Getting her to bed and to the clinic also prove quite challenging. What was more pleasing for Northglen News was the community’s overwhelming response to their pleas for help.

3. Durban North resident drugged and raped  

The rape of a Durban North resident, Hayley Rautenbach, left thousands of our readers outraged. Her drink had been spiked at a Durban North bar with the date rape drug, Rohypnol. She was then taken to an uMhlanga flat by an unknown man where she was raped. She awoke the next morning, naked and covered in bruises, with no memory of the events leading up to where she was. The brutal assault led to rape survivor, Jes Foord, saying the society always blamed the rape victim. A month later Northglen News caught up with Rautenbach who said she’d found renewed hope from the support of those around her. The 43-year-old said she has found hope and encouragement and was heartened by other women who contacted her after her terrifying ordeal who have been through similar experiences.

4. Four pupils killed in horror accident

In June news filtered through of a collision on the R102 involving a school taxi and a truck. Four Victory Christian Academy pupils, Tamia Mooroogasen, 13, Saisha Shampersad, 14, Andrea Thaver, 17, and Caitlyn Oliver, 14, were killed in the accident while teacher, Kris Ackerman, and student, Muhle Qwabe, were seriously injured. They were travelling in a mini-bus with about 12 people on their way back from an adventure camp when tragedy struck. The school paid an emotional tribute to their ‘brightest stars’.

5. Gateway escalator accident

The story of six-year-old UK resident Euan Hird’s foot being trapped in an escalator at Gateway shopping centre also got our readers talking. At the time doctors feared he would lose his baby toe because of the crushing injury but thanks to the surgeons at Umhlanga Hospital, Euan was well on the way to recovery before returning to the UK.

6. Three suspects shot dead in Glen Anil

This story earned praise for a brave resident on Welwitschia Avenue when he shot dead three armed men who were trying to rob a house next door. The suspects were armed with handguns and had opened fire on him but the neighbour, an ex-police officer, managed to shoot two suspects dead on scene and fatally wound a third suspect, who died on his way to hospital. Their car, which was stolen, was found with a blue light, house-breaking implements such as crowbars and bolt cutters.

7. Massive python found at uMhlanga construction site

The rescue of a massive python by local snake man, Jason Arnold, had many of our readers in shock and awe. The 3.8-metre-long reptile, estimated to be heavier than 30kg, was discovered by workers at the Izinga Park housing estate (near the end of Herrwood Drive) , which is currently under development. The female snake was later tagged and relocated to a nature reserve in Richards Bay.

8. What the law says about being pulled over

Allegations of harassment and bribery had been labelled against the Greenwood Park SAPS station. Most recently, a local resident, Teevashnee Munsamy, said she was allegedly harassed by two officers from the station while she was taking her sick mother home. This led to us doing an article on what the law says about being pulled over. What had become evident in recent times and with reports of corrupt cops and criminals posing as cops to commit crimes, was that residents distrust and fear the very people that are put in place to serve and protect.

9. Somerset Park dancer brings traffic to a standstill
Every week, residents and motorists driving down Umhlanga Rocks Drive had seen Phumelela Mathenjwa. To keep fit, the 26-year-old paces the length and breadth of the busy road – not walking, not driving, not running, but dancing. He sometimes brings traffic to standstill as we found out on when he showed us that he most certainly has the ‘moves like Jagger’!

10. Naming and shaming-why it is dangerous?

The last of our top 10 stories of the year involved a topic often mentioned by our readers, that of naming and shaming criminals, residents and other people accused of crimes. What’s more the concept of ‘naming and shaming’ has become a popular tool on social media to expose the ‘nefarious actions’ of others. We have all seen the photos or videos of bad drivers and people parking in disabled bays. However there are laws that govern this type of whistle blowing, we did an article showing how this type of behaviour could land you in hot water.