News from 25 years ago in the SUN

Demonstrators block the N2

The people of Umgababa have demanded inclusion in the Durban Metropolitan area and the resignation of the hierarchy of the Umkomaas police station.
The demands are listed in a memorandum addressed to the Department of Local Government and Housing and give a deadline of noon on Friday, 5 May, for a response. “Failing which more drastic action will be taken.” Traffic backed up for 20km on the N2 when hundreds took to the road last Thursday, Freedom Day. Traffic was diverted through Umgababa and the old Illovo Sugar Mill. However, demonstrators soon realised this and blocked those roads too. The demonstration lasted for one and a half hours.

Prisoner escapes

Umkomaas police are looking for an escaped prisoner arrested in connection with possession of unlicensed firearms.
Jabulani Nkomo, 25, complained of stomach pains while in the cells. When the ambulance arrived to take the prisoner to hospital, the officers opened the cell door. The prisoner pushed past the guards and escaped. Nkomo has a five centimetre scar on the left side of his forehead. He also has dagger shaped tattoos on his left forearm and triangle shaped tattoos on his left hand and right upper arm.

Cellphone cops get their guys

Quick action by a flat resident in Lagoon Road, Doonside, led to the arrest of three spare-wheel thieves last week.
A resident of Belfry Towers contacted W/O Erasmus by cellular phone at his home and reported she had spotted three suspicious-looking men loitering outside the flats. W/O Erasmus arrived at the scene, still in phone contact with the resident and arrested the men as they left the scene.

Family attacked at temple

Police in Isipingo are investigating three charges of assault and one of robbery after a man and his family were allegedly attacked in a temple recently. Prem Ramautar and his brother Mansingh, of Phoenix, have laid the complaint. The family went into the main shrine where they were approached by a temple official. They were told they were in the wrong queue. They apologised, but were apparently ordered by the official to leave. The brothers, directors of a company on the North Coast, threatened to approach the media with the story, when they claim, the official became abusive. The official then allegedly hit Mansingh in the chest. Six more officials joined in the scuffle.
“My 16 year-old son was with us, as well as my daughter-in-law who had a baby in her arms,” said Prem.
“We were unarmed and our lives were in danger,” he addded. Mansingh was allegedly hit with a metal pipe and was taken to hospital where he received stitches.