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Inxuba Yethemba Municipality’s late-night unlawful budget meeting

Statement by Cllr Bettie Lawens – DA Inxuba Yethemba Mayoral Candidate: The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Provincial Government to intervene after the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality adopted an unlawful and unfunded budget for the 2026/27 financial year. The municipality has approved spending that it cannot afford, placing service delivery and the municipality’s financial …

Statement by Cllr Bettie Lawens – DA Inxuba Yethemba Mayoral Candidate:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the Provincial Government to intervene after the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality adopted an unlawful and unfunded budget for the 2026/27 financial year.

The municipality has approved spending that it cannot afford, placing service delivery and the municipality’s financial sustainability at risk. This is in direct contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

The MFMA is clear that a municipal budget must be funded from realistically anticipated revenue, cash-backed reserves, and lawful borrowing for capital projects.

A budget based on unrealistic assumptions, overestimated revenue, or inadequate cash backing does not comply with the law and places the municipality, its residents, and its creditors at risk.

At Tuesday’s Council meeting, the majority of councillors rejected the unfunded budget. Council then resolved to convene a special council meeting on 9 July.

However, later that same night, while most councillors were asleep, the Speaker was summoned by nine ANC councillors to convene a special Council meeting at 22:00. During this late-night meeting, the unfunded budget was unlawfully approved.

The rules of order of Council are very clear that a notice should be sent at least seven days before any ordinary meeting of Council and at least 48 hours before any special council meeting. These rules were clearly simply ignored.

The DA has written to the Speaker, informing her that the late-night special council meeting was unlawful. We have also written to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Zolile Willams, and Provincial Treasury to report the unlawful adoption of the unfunded budget through procedurally flawed processes.

The Inxuba Yethemba Municipality is a repeat offender, with its 2025/26 annual budget currently subject to ongoing court proceedings. The Speaker of Council is reportedly already in contempt of court for failing to bring the matter back before Council as directed.

The DA has, on numerous occasions, written to the Speaker and raised the issue in Council meetings regarding the court order that instructed the Speaker to convene a special Council meeting within 30 days. However, the ANC-led municipality has failed to comply with the court order, which has effectively been ignored.

The DA believes that the residents of Inxuba Yethemba Municipality deserve an honest, disciplined and responsible government that will get Inxuba Yethemba working.

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Stock Theft Continues to Plague Eastern Cape Farmers

Statement by Heinrich Müller MPL – Shadow MEC for Agriculture: The recent arrest of two suspects in connection with the theft of 21 sheep and two goats near Qumbu is a welcome breakthrough, but it also highlights an important lesson in the fight against stock theft. The animals were successfully returned to their owner because …

Statement by Heinrich Müller MPL – Shadow MEC for Agriculture:

The recent arrest of two suspects in connection with the theft of 21 sheep and two goats near Qumbu is a welcome breakthrough, but it also highlights an important lesson in the fight against stock theft. The animals were successfully returned to their owner because they had been branded, allowing police to identify them quickly.

The DA commends the South African Police Service (SAPS) members involved in this successful operation. Every recovered animal represents a livelihood protected and a family spared further hardship.

Yet this success cannot distract from the scale of the crisis. Nationally, more than 43,000 livestock animals were reported stolen during the first three months of 2026, while the Eastern Cape remains one of the country’s hardest-hit provinces, with ten police stations ranking among South Africa’s top thirty for stock theft.

For commercial, emerging and subsistence farmers alike, stock theft destroys income, threatens food security, undermines confidence in rural communities and places additional pressure on an agricultural sector that is already battling rising input costs.

This case demonstrates that livestock branding is one of the simplest and most effective tools available to assist investigations and recover stolen animals. More farmers must be supported to brand their livestock correctly, while law enforcement must continue strengthening specialised stock theft investigations and intelligence-driven operations.

I will write to Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe requesting the urgent rollout of a provincial livestock identification and branding support programme, coupled with a formal partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the SAPS, organised agriculture and emerging farmer organisations to expand branding, farmer awareness, and coordinated stock theft prevention across the Eastern Cape.

Protecting our livestock means protecting rural jobs, food security and the future of agriculture in the Eastern Cape.

The DA will continue to press for decisive action to protect farmers. The people of this province deserve leadership that prioritises safety, opportunity, and dignity for all.

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Eastern Cape police detain undocumented foreign nationals – EWN

… Cradock. Those arrested are mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with …

… Cradock. Those arrested are mainly from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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FHR calls for cooperation by all in TRC Case Inquiry after Zuma-Mbeki recusal bid dismissal

Lukhanyo Calata, son of one of the Cradock Four activists killed by the apartheid government's agents in 1985, Fort Calata. He believes that the … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this …

Lukhanyo Calata, son of one of the Cradock Four activists killed by the apartheid government's agents in 1985, Fort Calata. He believes that the …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Defence department ordered to hand over documents relating to Cradock Four case

Judge Thami Beshe recently granted an order sought by the families of the murdered Cradock Four activists. The families had lodged a contempt of court … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in …

Judge Thami Beshe recently granted an order sought by the families of the murdered Cradock Four activists. The families had lodged a contempt of court …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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MyPR Expands Regional Reach for Tourism Promoters with Exclusive Gqeberha Showcase on MyGQ.co.za

GQEBERHA, Eastern Cape – MyPR, a leading South African press release distribution platform, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with MyGQ.co.za, a dedicated digital hub for the city of Gqeberha. Effective immediately, tourism-focused press releases submitted to MyPR can now be automatically showcased in a specialized Tourism Hub on MyGQ.co.za. Travel Category: This new …

GQEBERHA, Eastern Cape – MyPR, a leading South African press release distribution platform, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with MyGQ.co.za, a dedicated digital hub for the city of Gqeberha. Effective immediately, tourism-focused press releases submitted to MyPR can now be automatically showcased in a specialized Tourism Hub on MyGQ.co.za.

Travel Category:

This new integration provides an invaluable and targeted visibility boost for the Eastern Cape’s vibrant tourism sector. To access this feature, tourism promoters, DMOs, accommodation providers, tour operators, and related businesses simply need to submit their releases through MyPR and select the “TRAVEL” category.

When the Travel category is selected, the release is queued for showcase on the MyGQ.co.za Tourism Hub. The showcase will display a designated snippet of the release to capture interest, while crucially preserving all active hyperlinks that lead directly back to the full press release hosted on MyPR. This ensures maximum traffic and SEO benefit for the originator.

“Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape have an incredible story to tell, and this partnership with MyGQ.co.za is a significant step forward in helping local tourism businesses tell it,” said Alan Straton at MyPR. “By simplifying the process to just ‘Submit and Select,’ we are providing a friction-free amplification channel that gets high-quality, relevant tourism news in front of a dedicated regional and national audience.”

This Gqeberha showcase on MyGQ.co.za is a premium addition to MyPR’s existing robust distribution network. All releases, regardless of category, will continue to be published on the primary MyPR platform and MyZA, as part of the Free Plan. Submissions under the Paid Plan retain their established access to a diverse array of various city-focused publications.

The partnership reinforces MyPR’s commitment to providing targeted, localized visibility solutions alongside broad national reach, empowering South African businesses of all sizes to control their narrative and connect with their audience.

About MyPR:

MyPR is a comprehensive press release distribution service in South Africa, offering a straightforward platform for businesses and PR professionals to publish and amplify their news across the digital landscape.

About MyGQ.co.za:

MyGQ.co.za is a focused digital publication and community resource serving the vibrant city of Gqeberha, covering news, lifestyle, and tourism.

Images:

Select the TRAVEL Category on MyPR to be Showcased on the MyGQ Tourismn Hub. Photo: MyPR/Gemini

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on MyPR Expands Regional Reach for Tourism Promoters with Exclusive Gqeberha Showcase on MyGQ.co.za here:
X: https://twitter.com/MyPE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratonElectrical/

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

First Published here: MyPR.co.za

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Judge orders Department of Defence to explain ongoing 'secrecy' of Cradock Four documentation

The Cradock Four were anti-apartheid activists Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, Sparrow Mkonto and Matthew Goniwe. The graves of Matthew Goniwe, Fort … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area …

The Cradock Four were anti-apartheid activists Fort Calata, Sicelo Mhlauli, Sparrow Mkonto and Matthew Goniwe. The graves of Matthew Goniwe, Fort …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Judge order release of SADF's Cradock Four files – FHR – Politicsweb

Judge Beshe finds that security classification of Cradock Four documents is unlawful and orders their disclosure. Statement by the Foundation for … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area …

Judge Beshe finds that security classification of Cradock Four documents is unlawful and orders their disclosure. Statement by the Foundation for …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Victory for families of Cradock Four as court orders release of apartheid-era documents

The families of the Cradock Four believe their major legal victory in the Eastern Cape High Court will allow them to hold to account those who … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled …

The families of the Cradock Four believe their major legal victory in the Eastern Cape High Court will allow them to hold to account those who …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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SELLO HATANG | When justice waits too long: lessons from the families of the Cradock Four

More than 40 years later, the families of the Cradock Four continue to seek what every family deserves: truth, accountability and closure, … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful …

More than 40 years later, the families of the Cradock Four continue to seek what every family deserves: truth, accountability and closure, …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Public Notice: Upgrade and Rehabilitation of Cradock Street – George Municipality

… Cradock Street. June 2, 2026. PUBLIC NOTICE: UPGRADE OF SEWER NETWORK -(FIGLAND STREET BORCHERDS: INSTALLATION OF NEW SEWERLINE). June 1, 2026. More … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly …

… Cradock Street. June 2, 2026. PUBLIC NOTICE: UPGRADE OF SEWER NETWORK -(FIGLAND STREET BORCHERDS: INSTALLATION OF NEW SEWERLINE). June 1, 2026. More …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
Category: Tag: ,

Cradock Four: Order of Contempt of Court against Thobekile Gamede – FHR | Politicsweb

Family members issued application after Acting Secretary of Defence failed to comply with court order to disclose key documents. First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its …

Family members issued application after Acting Secretary of Defence failed to comply with court order to disclose key documents.

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Govt refuses to declassify apartheid docs for Cradock 4 probe, claiming SA security risks

The families of the Cradock Four have now gone to court to have the acting Secretary of Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede, held in contempt of court. First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled …

The families of the Cradock Four have now gone to court to have the acting Secretary of Defence, Dr Thobekile Gamede, held in contempt of court.

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Cradock Hospital decay exposes EC Health infrastructure failure

Statement by Jane Cowley MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Health: Recent photographs of broken windows, boarded doors, and makeshift repairs at Cradock Hospital have exposed the ongoing infrastructure decay in Eastern Cape public hospitals. Patients should not be expected to recover in facilities where basic maintenance has been allowed to collapse. Broken windows, unsafe …

Statement by Jane Cowley MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Health:

Recent photographs of broken windows, boarded doors, and makeshift repairs at Cradock Hospital have exposed the ongoing infrastructure decay in Eastern Cape public hospitals.

Patients should not be expected to recover in facilities where basic maintenance has been allowed to collapse. Broken windows, unsafe entrances, damaged buildings, and poorly maintained wards compromise patient dignity, undermine staff morale, and place further strain on an already overburdened health system.

The Democratic Alliance has submitted parliamentary questions to the Eastern Cape MEC for Health, Ntandokazi Capa, to establish how much funding has been allocated under the Infrastructure Programme for urgent repairs at Cradock Hospital, and what timeframes have been set for the completion of these repairs.

Cradock Hospital is one example of a much wider failure. Across the province, public hospitals continue to suffer from collapsing infrastructure and failing basic services.

The Infrastructure Programme within the Eastern Cape Department of Health has repeatedly failed to deliver the maintenance, planning, procurement discipline, and consequence management required to keep health facilities safe and functional.

Despite this, the Infrastructure Programme received a substantial budget increase in the current financial year, while critical frontline programmes such as District Health Services and Hospital Services faced budget cuts.

This raises serious questions about the Department’s priorities. Funding cannot continue to be channelled into a programme that fails to maintain hospitals, while services directly linked to patient care are placed under further pressure.

The Department of Health must focus its resources and leadership on its core mandate of providing adequate, accessible, and effective health services. Where infrastructure functions are failing within the Department, the MEC must account for why these functions remain there rather than being placed where they can be properly managed and monitored.

Patients in the Eastern Cape deserve hospitals that support their recovery. They deserve wards with proper windows, bathrooms with working toilets, lifts that function, and buildings that are safe for patients, staff, and visitors.

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Nxuba Community Marches Against Insurance Policy Killings – Komani News

Marchers proceeded to the local police station in Cradock, where discussions were held around community safety, cooperation with law enforcement, and … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area …

Marchers proceeded to the local police station in Cradock, where discussions were held around community safety, cooperation with law enforcement, and …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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TRC prosecutions began under his leadership, former NPA head Shaun Abrahams tells …

Accusations. Abrahams denied involvement in the “disappearance” of the Cradock Four docket concerning security police involvement in the kidnapping … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its …

Accusations. Abrahams denied involvement in the “disappearance” of the Cradock Four docket concerning security police involvement in the kidnapping …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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Hoërskool Middelburg Faces Closure

Statement by Horatio Hendricks MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Education: The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned that another Eastern Cape school is facing closure due to the provincial Department of Education’s failure to meet its obligations. Hoërskool Middelburg has issued an urgent notice informing parents that the school will close from Monday, 18 …

Statement by Horatio Hendricks MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Education:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned that another Eastern Cape school is facing closure due to the provincial Department of Education’s failure to meet its obligations.

Hoërskool Middelburg has issued an urgent notice informing parents that the school will close from Monday, 18 May 2026, until further notice. According to the notice, the school has paid more than R700 000 in salaries since 2025 because the Department failed to appoint and pay educators as required. The School governing Body (SGB) states that it can no longer bear this burden without compromising the school’s operational integrity.

The DA does not support the unlawful closure of schools. Learners must never be used as bargaining chips in disputes between SGBs and the Department.

This position is consistent with the Department’s response to the recent closure of Humansdorp High School, in which the Department condemned the unlawful closure, reopened the school, and said it had moved to revoke the SGB’s powers. The Department stated that the closure violated the BELA Act, the South African Schools Act, and the Constitution.

The looming closure of Hoërskool Middelburg must therefore be treated with urgency. The Department cannot allow another school to reach the point where an SGB believes closure is its only option. The correct response is not only to address the legality of a closure after the fact, but also to intervene before learners are affected.

At the same time, the Department cannot create the conditions for these closures and then place the full burden of the crisis on school governing bodies. If schools are being forced to use limited funds to pay salaries that should be funded by the Department, this points to a serious failure in planning, budgeting, post provisioning, or payment administration.

I will write to the Chairperson of the Education Portfolio Committee to request that the Head of Department, Sharon Maasdorp, be summoned to account for the Department’s handling of school closures linked to non-payment, educator vacancies, and SGB-funded posts. The Committee must receive a full report on all schools where SGBs have had to pay for posts that should be funded by the Department, the amounts involved, and the steps being taken to prevent further closures.

I will also submit parliamentary questions to determine why the Department has allegedly failed to meet these obligations, the total amount outstanding to Hoërskool Middelburg and other affected schools, when these payments are expected to be processed, and what steps are being taken to prevent SGBs from carrying salary costs that should be borne by the Department.

The Eastern Cape’s education system cannot rely on SGBs to absorb costs that arise from departmental failures. When schools are forced to use limited funds to pay salaries, the consequences are ultimately borne by learners, parents, teachers, and school communities.

The HOD must act before Monday’s closure takes effect. The priority must be to keep learners in class, resolve outstanding obligations, and ensure that no other school is placed in the same position.

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Former Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya denies interference in Truth and Reconciliation cases

… Cradock in 1984 and to Port Elizabeth. "I became one of the members who were taken for deployment at Cradock in July 1985, to guard houses of … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers …

… Cradock in 1984 and to Port Elizabeth. "I became one of the members who were taken for deployment at Cradock in July 1985, to guard houses of …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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JA Calata fire exposes deeper collapse in Eastern Cape school infrastructure

Statement by Horatio Hendricks MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Education: The fire damage at JA Calata Senior Secondary School in Nxuba has exposed the devastating consequences of abandoned and underfunded school infrastructure projects in the Eastern Cape. According to reports brought to the attention of DA councillors today, the school was ravaged by fire …

Statement by Horatio Hendricks MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Education:

The fire damage at JA Calata Senior Secondary School in Nxuba has exposed the devastating consequences of abandoned and underfunded school infrastructure projects in the Eastern Cape.

According to reports brought to the attention of DA councillors today, the school was ravaged by fire following alleged arson attacks after contractors reportedly abandoned the site due to non-payment by the Eastern Cape Department of Education.

Once work stopped and the site was left unsecured, the unfinished infrastructure became vulnerable to vandalism, theft, and ultimately destruction, while learners were displaced and additional pressure was placed on neighbouring schools forced to absorb the overflow.

The Democratic Alliance will write to the Chairperson of the Provincial Education Portfolio Committee requesting a full report on the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the JA Calata project, the alleged non-payment of contractors, security failures at the site, and the growing number of stalled infrastructure projects across the province.

The destruction at JA Calata cannot be dismissed as an isolated incident. It reflects a broader infrastructure crisis within the Department of Education.

In response to parliamentary questions from the DA, the Department confirmed that 138 infrastructure projects identified for the 2025/26 financial year were reduced to just 86 projects due to budget constraints, while 52 projects were deferred to future years.

The Department further confirmed that only six projects have been completed during the current financial year, while 35 remain under construction and 22 projects have been suspended or terminated.

Even more alarming is the Department’s admission that R154 million has already been spent on terminated projects across the province.

Parliamentary replies also revealed that not a single new brick-and-mortar school has been constructed in the Eastern Cape over the past five years.

These failures have real consequences for learners. Schools remain overcrowded, projects stand abandoned for years, communities are left with incomplete infrastructure, and public assets become vulnerable to vandalism and destruction.

The Department must account for how many other school projects are currently exposed to similar risks, what security measures are in place at abandoned construction sites, and how many learners continue to be affected by stalled infrastructure delivery.

Learners in the Eastern Cape deserve safe schools, functional classrooms, and a government capable of completing infrastructure projects instead of leaving them to collapse into ruin.

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WATCH | Eastern Cape in grip of severe winter weather as snow falls and floodwaters rise

The provincial transport department said it was closely monitoring several snow-prone routes, including in the Middelburg and Nxuba (formerly Cradock) … First Published here: Google News Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with …

The provincial transport department said it was closely monitoring several snow-prone routes, including in the Middelburg and Nxuba (formerly Cradock) …

First Published here: Google News

Did You Know?

  • Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.
  • Cradock was officially renamed Nxuba on 26 August 2022. This change was officially gazetted by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, and it was part of a broader effort to rename towns with colonial or apartheid legacies in the Eastern Cape.
  • Home to an actual Harry Potter’s grave: A British soldier with the name Harry Potter, who died during the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), is buried in the Cradock cemetery. His grave was discovered in 2002, long before the fictional character became a global phenomenon.
  • Location of the last surrender of arms in the South African War: Cradock was the final place in South Africa where arms were officially laid down at the end of the South African War, with the event occurring four days after the Peace of Vereeniging was signed in 1902.
  • Birthplace of Afrikaans publication: The first-ever article published in the Afrikaans language appeared in the local newspaper, the Cradock News, on December 4, 1868. This was a report on the separation of the Eastern Cape from the Western Cape, and the paper achieved the largest circulation in the country at the time.
  • Second oldest cricket ground and library in South Africa: Cradock’s cricket ground and library are both the second oldest in the entire country, a testament to the town’s early establishment and development of civic amenities.
  • Host to a total solar eclipse viewing by a Prime Minister: In 1942, the South African statesman and Prime Minister Jan Smuts came specifically to Cradock to witness a total eclipse of the sun, as the town was the best location for viewing the celestial event.
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