Fingo Village, Makhanda, rapist Loyiso Coko has had his conviction for the 2018 rape of a 21-year-old woman confirmed by the Supreme Court of Appeal, which found that consensual foreplay did not imply the woman consented to sexual penetration. The SCA found that judge Nyameko Gqamana and acting judge Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, sitting in the Makhanda high court, committed an error in law when they overturned Coko’s conviction by the town’s regional court.
The National Arts Festival (NAF) has set the scene for its 50th anniversary as one of reflection and invigoration, paying homage to historic artists while opening new doors for aspiring creatives. For 49 years, the 10-day arts extravaganza has kept Makhanda’s heart beating through June’s icy winters.
The tiny polyphagous shot hole borer beetle poses a massive climate threat to SA if not controlled, and could kill up to 65 million trees in the cities’ urban forests, writes Claire Keeton
Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert have their comedy style waxed, whipping through characters at lightning speed, and audiences have no idea who the pair will rock up as next. The married couple will return to the Guild Theatre stage with their latest skit musical, Mr & Mrs Normal, directed and choreographed by Daisy Spencer, at the end of April.
Twenty-five people were killed and many others injured inroad accidents in the EasternCape over the Easter weekend. Dozens of people were arrested in Buffalo City Metro and King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality for offences ranging from drunk driving and obstruction, to driving an unlicensed motor vehicle, jumping a red traffic light, overloading and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
The Eastern Cape government has announced that more than R2bn has been earmarked to turn 11 strategic gravel routes into tar roads. Finance MEC Mlungisi Mvoko told the Bhisho Legislature on Tuesday that R512.9m had been added to the provincial roads maintenance grant, increasing it from R1.5bn to R2.
Water and sanitation minister Senzo Mchunu has given Nelson Mandela Bay a cautious vote of approval for not dropping the ball since the end of the eight-year regional drought in September.
Weekend Post became a stage for the arts over the years, showcasing home-grown talent, international actors and singing sensations, renowned theatre performances and behind-the-scenes drama.
Ayanda Kota, who founded the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) in 2009, has died of cancer. He was born in Grahamstown in 1976, now Makhanda, and died here. It was in Makhanda and Cape Town that he dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of poor people. He went to Nombulelo Secondary School in Makhanda’s Joza location.