2017 recap – the stories that shook Krugersdorp [Part 1- January to June]
It has been a year of natural disasters and inhumane acts; a year of civil war and terror. Here’s some of the biggest and most terrible local stories of the year.
Krugersdorp saw some of the most terrifying acts humans and nature can perform in 2017 – from a tornado, to a string of farm murders and abandoned babies. Before we recap the year’s worst stories, the News would like to point out that we will post a good news article as well, so keep an eye on our webpage for more information.
Photo: Bianca Pindral
January: Eight people died and another eight were critically injured in a collision between a taxi and a truck on the R24 (Luipaard Street) next to the premises of the Krugersdorp Correctional Services at about 3pm on Friday, 20 January. The deceased suffered fatal injuries varying from crushed skulls, mutilation and fractures. After about two hours of scene assessment, police, search and rescue personnel and emergency service personnel helped remove the bodies of the deceased from the taxi and loaded them into various Pathology Services vehicles.
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/316971/graphic-pics-culpable-homicide-case-opened-after-horrific-crash/
George Weber shows a photo of himself with the rugby legend.
Photo: Bianca Pindral
February: The former rugby legend, Joost van der Westhuizen, died after suffering from Motor Neuron Disease for several years. George Weber, a resident of Krugersdorp remembers running onto the field with the Springbok Rugby team many moons ago and was captured in a picture with the legend by chance.
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/318906/toevallig-saam-met-joost-op-die-veld-afgeneem/
Photo: Screenshot of a video by News24.
March: Footage emerged of a man and a woman arguing in front of minors in a Spur restaurant, and both becoming somewhat violent. It was alleged that they were the parents of children who had been fighting in the play area and got into an argument because the man wanted the woman to talk to her son about it. However, the reaction and decision of Spur Steak Ranches to ban only the man from its restaurants sparked widespread anger as it was seen as a racist move. Since the incident, Spur has lost millions due to boycotts across the country.
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/322233/watchbreaking-news-cctv-footage-of-spur-incident-emerge/
April: Krugersdorp was shaken by an earthquake. Some felt heavy furniture moving, others saw plaster fall from walls and incurred slight damage to their homes. The quake registered a magnitude of 2,8 on the Richter scale. A second tremor, an aftershock, also hit Krugersdorp, but no major damage was reported.
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/323039/krugersdorpers-wake-up-to-earth-shaking-event/
May: A new-born baby girl was discovered in a toilet in Key West shopping centre. It’s believed her mother gave birth to her at about 11 am on 5 May, made a bed out of toilet paper in the toilet bowl, placed the baby inside and closed the lid. After the baby was discovered authorities were notified and the woman was arrested. Since the abandonment, many locals have donated clothes and other necessities to the baby and she is healthy.
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/325305/breaking-news-newborn-baby-found-in-key-west-bathrooms/
Photo: Bianca Pindral
June: A woman died in a car crash on Robert Broom Drive and 22-year-old Kyla Cristie Parker was there when she drew her last breath. “I held her hand and watched her die,” said Parker. “I couldn’t do anything. I just sat there and held her hand. We couldn’t unlock her phone to get an emergency contact. She couldn’t speak. So we called an ambulance and just sat there and waited.”
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/327456/i-held-her-hand-and-watched-her-die/
Photo: Screenshot of submitted video
Dishonourable mention: Also in June, a man strangled his dog to death with a piece of wire after it attacked one of his children, and tore the child’s calf muscle to shreds. Video footage shows a man holding the wire tight around the dog’s neck and him resting his head upon the dog’s body. The boy needed reconstructive surgery on his leg, but is healing well.
Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/329552/watch-graphic-owner-strangles-dog-to-death/
Part 2, covering July to November, will follow soon.
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