Talk 10 December 2020

6 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 10 December 2020 TALK OF THE TOW N
EDITORIAL
OPINION
Panga
attacks still
u n re s o l v e d
Aprevious topic in this column was
pondering how the police formulate
charges after a crime has been
committed.
This becomes pertinent again in the case
of the second panga attack at Cob Hole on
the Kowie River, in which a suspect is now
known to police, if not yet identified by the
victim.
Readers may remember the injuries
suffered by Andre Adriaan and his three
friends, who were attacked while they were
fishing and robbed by several men wielding
knopkieries and pangas at Cob Hole on
September 19.
The incident occurred just 10 days after
the first attack there, with the robbers using
the same means of wounding and
overpowering their victims. It was likely the
very same group of robbers.
But in the second incident, the robbers
had not counted on one of their victims
being armed. While he was being hacked at
with a panga, Andre Adriaan managed to
draw his firearm and fired four shots at his
attackers. He believed he hit at least one of
them. Another of the fishermen was hit so
hard with a knopkierie that they broke his
forearm.
Showing how brazen they were, the
robbers returned as the fishermen were
attempting to leave, grabbing what they
could take. Adriaan fired three more shots,
but as he only had eight shots he kept one
in case the robbers blocked their way when
they left.
He said the attackers had slashed one of
the tyres on his car, but he drove on it flat
and went straight to the hospital as he was
bleeding badly.
Later, TotT heard that an ambulance was
seen at Cob Hole that same day, and that it
was possibly sent to pick up one of the
attackers who had been shot.
However, police said no arrests had
been made. They opened a case of
aggravated robbery.
It was mystifying therefore, to find out
only two weeks ago that police had indeed
been called out to a report of an attack at
Cob Hole and a man with bullet wounds
had been taken to hospital.
As is standard procedure for gunshot
victims, police opened a case of attempted
m u r d e r.
Adriaan delayed opening his own case,
but by that time police would have been
able to establish a link between the attack
he described and the gunshot victim.
TotT had to ask these questions of police
– they did not inform us voluntarily.
There is still no arrest, but Adriaan’s
friends still have to make statements too.
Meanwhile the other attackers are still
walking free out there.
Jon Houzet
❝
It was mystifying therefore,
to find out only two weeks
ago that police had indeed
been called out to a report of
an attack at Cob Hole and a
man with bullet wounds had
been taken to hospital.
LOOKING AFTER THE RIVER: Volunteers on the river cruise barges Integrity and CunnyKlaNie carrying out a Kowie River clean-up last Thursday
afternoon, focusing on a section of the river just past the last houses at Centenary Park. They filled a dozen bags with flotsam and jetsam on the
river banks, as well as hauling out a Pick n Pay shopping trolley which was just visible above the surface. Integrity and CunnyKlaNie plan further
clean-ups towards Black Rock Picture: JON HOUZET
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New filling
station uplifts
our town
A big thank you to CM Heunis Contractors for the
magnificent job they have done in record time, to
turn the old Buddy Burger and the filling station into
something that can make all who live in our Port
Alfred truly proud.
To all the businesses that will operate from this
new centre, we wish you well.
Well done!
PROUD RESIDENT
Let’s stop being
overly sensitive
Listening to a Zondo Commission broadcast,
references like “grow up” and “ch e e ky ”, attributed
to Pravin Gordhan, are construed as racism. How
ridiculous.
Anybody who acts in a stupid way, immaterial of
race, is often referred to as a monkey – this merely
being an expression to describe an act of stupidity.
It can also be used as a term of affection – my
g ra n d d a u g h t e r ’s nickname is Monkey.
In the English language I stay clear of the
following words: blackmail, blackhead, blacken,
blacklist, black sheep, due to a possible negative
connotation that could be construed as racism.
Should the English language be rewritten to suit
a few narrow minded individuals?
Blonde jokes are taboo, as this refers to hair,
similar to the Clicks incident.
Then we have freedom of association, arising in
the Brackenfell incident. I only associate with
people of integrity, with a high moral standard.
Does this make me an …ist of some sort?
Let’s stop being oversensitive, ridiculous in the
extreme, but be proud of who we are rather than
looking for a whip to beat ourselves, reflecting a
poor self-image.
LILY WHITE
Em e rge n cy N u m b e rs
TideGuide courtesy of the South African Navy
Da t e High Lo w Da t e High Lo w
Port Alfred hospital........... (046) 604-4000
Police station..................... (046) 604-2001/2
N ov 10 1239 ---- 0612 1907
14 1547 03 31 093 9 220 8 Multi-Security ................... (046) 624-2508
11 1335 0106 0716 2000
15 1627 0413 1021 2247
Chubb Security ................. (046) 624-4810
12 1423 0200 0808 2045
16 1706 0453 1101 2325 Sky Alarms ........................ (046) 624-2806
13 1506 0247 0855 2127
17 1744 0533 1141 ---- NSRI ................................... 082 - 990 - 5971
Wild Coast highlights
S A’s beauty at its best
South Africa is widely
considered to be among the
most beautiful countries on
our planet.
Ranging from Cape Town,
the Mother City of unrivalled
vistas and marvels of nature,
to the winelands, arid Karoo,
Bushveld and subtropical belt
of KwaZulu-Natal,
connoisseurs of natural
beauty are richly blessed.
The West Coast,
expansive plains of the Free
State and striking mountain
ranges that reflect
monumental natural forces,
enrich the variety of the
spectacular offerings.
Game parks and
conservation areas of
impressive quality strongly
enhance the attractions, and
our coastline adds incredible
beauty and a staggering
range of awesome beach
options.
But those who have
experienced the Transkei
Wild Coast are invariably
spellbound by the captivating
wonders of this Eden beyond
compare.
The impressive and
historically significant Kei
River is the gateway to a
stretch of coastline that
mesmerises and exhilarates,
from the Kei Mouth pontoon
crossing to Trennerys and
Seagulls, Coffee Bay to Port St
Johns, and Mdumbi to Port
Edward. The rivers, valleys
and settlements carve
indelible memories in the
minds of those privileged to
experience the magnificent
bounty of this largely
THINK
ABOUT IT
Roy Hewett
unspoiled and untamed gem
of nature.
Just as tastes for curry
differ according to
preferences, so do
perceptions of the standout
attractions of the Wild Coast.
Most would agree, however,
that Nqabara, Bulungula,
Mpame, Mdumbi and Coffee
Bay number among the most
impressive. Port St Johns
ranks in that category too.
Local inhabitants are
generally friendly and
welcoming, and interaction
with them is uplifting and
m e m o ra b l e .
The simple lifestyle is
refreshing and a vivid
reminder of times gone by.
With some exceptions,
access is made challenging
by road surfaces not for the
faint-hearted, nor travellers
lacking in patience or
resolve. In some ways, this
could be a reason that the
pristine beauty and allure of
the region have largely
avoided the detrimental
effects of development and
ecologically threatening
exploitation.
Roaming pigs, sheep,
goats and cattle are the norm,
with donkeys, dogs and
poultry in abundance too.
The rural and basic nature of
activities provides a
refreshing escape from the
rigours and frenetic pace of
city life... only a shallow soul
would not be invigorated by
and benefit from “batteries
r e ch a r g e d ” through time
spent in this Eden.
A myriad rivers, rolling
hills with sublime views,
expansive beaches of
incredible beauty and few
people are the “s t o ck - i n -
t ra d e ”. Fishing, canoeing,
hiking, snorkelling and
surfing find a home nothing
short of idyllic. The terrain
provides awe-inspiring
challenges to mountain
bikers and off-road adventure
bikers. Whale and dolphinviewing
is a great attraction
too.
Accommodation options
range from camping to
cottage rental, and
b a ck p a ck e r s ’ establishments
to hotels ... all sharing a rural
atmosphere that enchants.
Crashing waves, epic
sunrises and sunsets, and
breathtaking vistas augment
unforgettable experiences of
a unique region of our
country ... and the world.
The Wild Coast restores
and nourishes the soul.
Electricity .......................... (046) 624-1111 (a / h )
Gardmed ............................ 0 8 2 -759 - 2 13 4
EMS (Emergency
Medical Services) ........... 10 17 7
Holistic EMS ...................... 063-460-0042
Fire Department................ (046) 624-1111