Vuyokazi Gana is accused of luring young girls from Mthatha, promising them a better future and job opportunities in East London.
In a written affidavit, Gana indicated that she intends to plead not guilty to the charges against her.
She also informed the court that her chronic medical conditions which include depression, diabetes and hypertension would worsen if she were to be kept behind bars.
The state is opposing bail due to the seriousness of the charges against her.
Controversy over the chatbot Grok escalated rapidly through the early weeks of 2026. The cause was revelations about its alleged ability to generate sexualised images…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/canadian-passport-in-front-of-a-self-service-airport-check-in-kiosk.png?id=60335938&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C57%2C0%2C57"/><br/><br/><p>Planning a summer or fall trip abroad? A little-known <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/canadian-passport" target="_blank">Canadian passport rule</a> could affect your <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-airport-low-cost-airline-french-bee" target="_blank">travel plans</a>. </p><p>If you're heading to the beach or exploring a new city this summer or fall, make sure to check your Canadian passport expiry date — a lesser-known travel rule could prevent you from flying if you don't renew it in time.</p><p><strong></strong><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/passport-canada" target="_self">Passport Canada</a> is advising Canadian travellers to renew their passports at least six months before the expiry date. For example, if your passport expires in December 2025, you should ideally begin the passport renewal process as early as July 2025. While that might seem like a long lead time, there's a practical reason behind the recommendation.</p><blockquote class="rm-embed twitter-tweet" data-partner="rebelmouse" data-twitter-tweet-id="1899902026261131537">
<div style="margin:1em 0"></div> — (@) <a href="https://twitter.com/PassportCan/status/1899902026261131537"></a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p>Many countries around the world — including popular vacation spots like Thailand, Turkey, China, the Dominican Republic, and Singapore — enforce what’s known as the "six-month rule." This means your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date to enter the country. </p><p>If it’s not, you could be denied entry at the border or even stopped from boarding your flight. </p><p>More than 70 countries follow this rule, which is designed to protect travellers in case of emergencies, delays, or unexpected changes in return plans.</p><p>So, what does that mean for Canadian travellers? If you're planning to leave the country in the coming months, it's best to check your passport's expiry date now. If your destination follows the six-month rule and your passport doesn't meet the requirement, you'll need to renew it before your departure.</p><p>If your trip is still a few weeks or months away, you can <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-passport-free-renewal">apply to renew by mail or in person</a> at a Service Canada Centre. However, keep in mind that processing times can vary depending on demand, especially during peak travel seasons.</p><h3>Important update: Possible delays at Canada Post</h3><p>There may be disruptions to mail services due to a potential labour dispute at Canada Post. If you plan to apply by mail, the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/renew-adult-passport.html" target="_blank">government now recommends</a> using an alternative courier service or applying in person at a Service Canada Centre or passport office.</p><p>In anticipation of the disruption, passports will be delivered through another courier, but some delays may still occur — so plan accordingly.<span></span></p><p>For anyone travelling within the next two weeks, it's best to go directly to a passport office that offers urgent or express services. You'll need proof of travel, and additional fees may apply, but it's the fastest way to ensure you receive your passport on time. Full details are available on the <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/renew-adult-passport.html">Government of Canada website</a>.</p><h2>You could get a refund if it takes too long</h2><p>Here’s a bit of good news: if your complete passport application takes more than 30 business days to process, you’ll now receive a full refund on your fees. </p><p>This <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/canada-passport-free-renewal" target="_self">change was announced on March 7</a> by Minister of Citizens' Services Terry Beech as part of the federal government's first-ever State of Service Report, which aims to streamline services following the passport backlog crisis of 2022.</p><p><br/></p><p>A quick passport check now can help you avoid stressful delays later. Whether you're heading off to relax on the beach or explore a new city, make sure your passport is ready to go well ahead of your departure.</p><p><br/></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/large-rounded-pothole-on-laurier-street-in-montreal-canada.jpg?id=60249292&width=1200&height=400&coordinates=0%2C112%2C0%2C112"/><br/><br/><p>We all love to hate <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-street-closures-summer-2025" target="_blank">Montreal roads</a>. Between the potholes, patch jobs, and surprise sinkholes, driving around the city can feel like a video game set on hard mode.</p><p>And while Montreal somehow (somehow) didn't place in <a href="https://www.caaquebec.com/fr/les-pires-routes" target="_blank">CAA-Québec's 2025 list of the worst roads in the entire province</a>, the organization did release a regional ranking, and it's not exactly flattering.</p><p>From April 2 to 27, 2025, drivers were invited to vote for the worst sections of road in Quebec on <a href="https://piresroutes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">piresroutes.com</a> . A total of 3,027 votes were counted. Based on thousands of public votes submitted earlier this spring, the five Montreal streets named in the city's 2025 regional "worst roads" ranking are:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>rue Notre-Dame Est</strong></li> <li> <strong>boulevard de l’Acadie</strong></li> <li> <strong>chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse</strong></li> <li> <strong>boulevard Saint-Laurent</strong></li> <li> <strong>avenue Christophe-Colomb</strong></li> </ul> <p>Notre-Dame Est, a frequent flyer on past editions of the list, continues to draw criticism for its rough condition — especially in the east end near the port. Côte-de-Liesse and l’Acadie are also regular targets of frustration due to uneven pavement, lane marking issues, and frequent construction.</p><p>Wondering why Quebec roads feel especially brutal? CAA-Québec consulted infrastructure experts to help explain it. Alan Carter, a professor at ÉTS, says it's all about weather and wear: "A combination of heavy traffic and climate. In reality, cars have minimal impact on road surface degradation... freeze-thaw cycles cause degradation."</p><p>Guy Doré, a civil engineering professor at Université Laval, adds that "local roads are more affected by the effects of climate, particularly freezing and thawing... Soil is also an important factor. Some, more sensitive to frost and water, will cause more damage."</p><p>As for the provincial list of the worst roads in Quebec for 2025, Gatineau dominated, taking four of the top ten spots.</p> <h3>Quebec's Top 10 Worst Roads of 2025:</h3> <ul> <li> <strong>chemin de la Savane</strong> – Gatineau</li> <li> <strong>rue Bégin</strong> – Gatineau</li> <li> <strong>rue Saint-Louis</strong> – Gatineau</li> <li> <strong>rue de Saint-Jean</strong> – Lévis</li> <li> <strong>avenue Saint-Charles</strong> – Vaudreuil-Dorion</li> <li> <strong>rue Sainte-Catherine</strong> – Longueuil</li> <li> <strong>chemin Pink</strong> – Gatineau</li> <li> <strong>chemin Craig</strong> – Saint-Ferdinand</li> <li> <strong>rue King Ouest</strong> – Sherbrooke</li> <li> <strong>chemin de Saint-Jean</strong> – La Prairie</li> </ul> <p>You can view the full results (or nominate your own street from hell) at <a href="https://www.caaquebec.com/fr/les-pires-routes" target="_blank">CAA-Québec's website</a>.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p>
<p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>
