*PARENTS in Amanzimtoti and Kingsburgh have reacted with horror to the news that a local swimming instructor resident in Warner Beach, 23-year-old Owes Pienaar was sentenced to four years in jail for indecent assault on a four-year-old child.
Not only was he sentenced for this particular crime, but he admitted five previous convictions for indecent assaults on children.
*ANGLERS are reminded the shad season is now closed. Closing date was 1 September and this remains in force until 30 November.
It is at this time of the year that the fish breed, and no shad whatsoever may be taken. Parks Board officials will clamp down on offenders.
*WORK is to start on the new development of Pipeline Beach at Amanzimtoti within 10 days. This will be the beginning of the development of a whole new beach facility for which funds have been allocated by the province. The amount has been increased from the approved R1,19-million to R1.51-million.
This was confirmed by Peter Miller, MEC for Local Government, who announced the expenditure programme for the provisions of additional and improved facilities at the beaches.
*KINGSBURGH residents are concerned about health risks emanating from the now stagnant Umzimbazi River lagoon.
The Umzimbazi River, better known as the Karridene, runs into a lagoon near the sea. In the past when the water became stagnant and posed a threat to health due to breeding mosquitoes and a bad smell, the Kingsburgh Municipality would move in with payloaders and breach the lagoon wall, allowing the river to flow into the sea.
The same measures would apply when flooding occurred, such as during the recent Natal floods.
*A SCHOOL girl was knocked off her scooter and injured in a hit and run accident on the Pietermaritzburg road last Saturday. Cheryl Lingenfelder (18) was turning into Tecoma Place when she was overtaken by a truck which knocked her into the road, drove over her bike and continued along the R78 to Maritzburg. A motorist witnessed the accident gave chase and managed to stop the truck near the Uitspan Caravan Park.
