Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000, January 15 to 21
There wasn't much to laugh about in a week of crime, violence, floods and falling sugar prices.
But peace talks seemed to be going well.
January 15
1993
“Talks between tribal authorities and leaders on both sides of the political spectrum had resulted in peace becoming a reality in strife-torn townships around Port Shepstone, a Goldstone Commission sub-committee heard on Monday this week.”
But… “A 70-year-old woman was killed at a Marina Beach farm stall when armed robbers shot her in the stomach with a 9mm pistol last Friday afternoon.”
January 16
1998
SAPS were in the forefront of the news. “Police have smashed a notorious gang of con artists known as the Blue Nines operating in Southern KwaZulu-Natal.”
But… “An inquiry is to be held to examine the Port Shepstone police’s reaction to information received about the Christmas Day massacre at Shobashobane two years ago.”
And… “The Child Protection Unit is investigating a case of rape, involving a 16-year-old girl, at the Port Shepstone beachfront in the early hours of New Year’s Day.”
January 17
1997
“Between 40 and 50 taxis blocked the main road at Izingolweni for more than two hours on Wednesday, causing traffic to be backed up for more than four kilometres.”
“Although police statistics show a decrease in murders committed in Hibiscus Coast and Country between January and November 1996, compared with the same period in 1995, rape figures have increased by a staggering 91 percent.”
January 18
1991
Farmers were not happy. “Agriculture in Southern Natal was facing the bleakest year for over a decade, with the falling international sugar price, a smaller sugarcane crop than in recent years, rising interest rates and input costs, little or no rain during this growing season and domestic sugar prices to farmers, which were falling far behind the consumer price index.”
Izotsha Primary made history when it was the first white school on the Lower South Coast to open its doors to children of other race groups. “As a Model C school, they are now semi-private and only partially government-sponsored.”
- Crayfish. Pic: Pixabay
“The Natal Parks Board is concerned at the number of people, especially on the Lower South Coast, who stop and buy crayfish from roadside vendors. The NPB warns that not only is there a danger of buying contaminated crayfish but it is also against the law.”
January 19
1996
Someone wanted to hide the truth. “Threats have been made on the lives of the members of the special team set up to investigate the attacks at Shobashobane, Nsimbini and Mvutshini.”
January 20
1995
“A group of concerned parents is planning to open a community-owned, English medium private school in Oslo Beach at the beginning of 1996.”
A spate of power cuts in Port Shepstone made business owners furious. The Port Shepstone Town Council acknowledged that there were problems with electricity reticulation in the town and said it was “taking action to rectify these problems.”
January 21
1994
- Reverend Danny Chetty received the Martin Luther King award. The prize is presented annually to men and women who have distinguished themselves in the demonstration of Dr King’s ideals of non-violent action in the cause of peace, justice and reconciliation.
Meanwhile… “Education in the Murchison/Bhobhoyi are has been brought to a standstill by ongoing violence which has now spilled over into the schools.”
2000
“One hundred and sixty-eight kilograms of dagga, with a street value of approximately R100 000, was recovered during a roadblock held by the Harding SAPS recently.”
The weather caused chaos. “Two people lost their lives, roads were washed away and houses had to be evacuated during heavy rains last weekend.
And… “Five accidents were attended to within the space of an hour during the heavy downpour last Sunday.”
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