Looking back on South Coast history, 1991 to 2000: March 19 to 25
Happy stories were few and far between this week.
There was a breakthrough in a murder case.
March 19
1993
“Two youths, both aged 19, were arrested on Tuesday this week in connection with the grisly murder of artist, Titta Fasciotti, whose body was found in the boot of his burned-out car in a canefield near Port Edward three weeks ago.”
And news of an armed robbery. “For more than three hours a local farmer and his wife were held at gunpoint while an armed gang ransacked their home.”
More violence… “Fifteen killed in renewed violence in Mehlomnyama.”
And still more… “Less than a week after a woman was raped and her husband brutally attacked on their Paddock farm, two more women were attacked in the area. However, a man was arrested shortly afterwards and appeared in court this week.”
Sometimes a crime was prevented. “A would-be rapist was shot and killed by a guard who came to a woman’s aid on a farm near Hibberdene last Sunday.”
1999
“Police have not ruled out revenge as a possible motive for the double shooting in Harding last week.”
More crime… “After being forced at gunpoint to open a safe, a man was shot last Friday afternoon. Although bleeding badly, he managed to walk to a neighbouring business to get help.”
And… “The woman who dropped her newborn baby down a pit toilet was arrested by police on Tuesday last week.”
Umzumbe residents were furious when a sand dune was dug up by a brick-making company and it was promised that the long wait for houses at Merlewood would soon be over.
But there was a party atmosphere on Human Rights’ Day. “Thousands of ANC supports welcomed Winnie Madikizela-Mandela to the Tholimfundo Sportsfield and at Shobashobane.”
March 20
1992
“The overwhelming countrywide 68,7 percent ‘yes’ majority in Tuesday’s referendum and 85 percent majority in the Durban polling region, which included the South Coast, has been greeted with elation in this area.”
“All our former Model B and status quo schools: Suid-Natal Primary and High, Port Edward, Margate and Port Shepstone Junior and Senior Primary and Port Shepstone High Schools will revert to State subsidised Model C schools on Wednesday, April 1.”
And it was reported that the new Marburg sports complex was nearing completion and the volleyball courts had already been opened to the public.
1998
“Between 58 and 62 percent of all blood taken for testing at Port Shepstone Hospital is HIV positive.”
March 21
1997
There was some good news. “A Port Shepstone eyesore, the old railways transport yard, is to be transformed into a Victorian-styled shopping complex.”
But… “Eight awaiting trial prisoners have escaped from the Port Shepstone police holding cells after overpowering a policeman.”
March 22
1991
“The Port Shepstone and Alfred County Railway recently celebrated a milestone in its three years of operation with the arrival of its 1 000th freight train from Harding. And on Friday it set a 610mm gauge South African and world mountainous railway record when, using three locomotives, a PS and ACR train hauled 37 wagons with a gross load of 850 tons (120 tons more than the existing SA record) from Harding to Port Shepstone.”
March 22
1996
“A pedestrian-friendly mall with trees, shrubs, benches and tables is to be created in William O’Connor Drive between Marine Drive and Panorama Parade in Margate.”
“Two men, accused of involvement in the 1993 massacre near Murchison in which 10 people died, appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court last Friday.”
And… “A 75-year-old man was arrested last Thursday in connection with the 1994 Mvutshini massacre in which five people were killed and two others wounded.”
And ongoing taxi violence in the Izingolweni area claimed two more lives when a drive and passenger were shot and killed.
March 24
1995
“Lower South Coast residents will be able to see the Royal Yacht Britannia passing on Friday.
“Police are looking for a 47-year-old man following the rape of a seven-year-old girl in Port Shepstone last Sunday.”
“Seventeen people were injured, several seriously, when a minibus taxi collided with a car at the notorious Hibberdene crossroads last Thursday.”
March 25
1994
Seven hundred lifesavers descended on Margate.
