Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538377
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 AUGUST 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt A new four-storey old people's home is being proposed on 4,364 sq.m of agricultural land along Triq Wied il-Għajn, which connects Żabbar to the Żonqor and Blajjiet area of Marsaskala. The development is being pro- posed by Clinton Spiteri just out- side the development zone in Żabbar, on fallow land along Triq is-Sajjied. Spiteri has declared that he owns the entire site where the develop- ment is proposed. The proposal includes three base- ment levels providing 153 car park spaces and 92 rooms, built over a ground floor and three overlying floors, one of which is recessed. The rooftop will include a garden as well as an area dedicated to ser- vices. The development proposed by Clinton Spiteri is set to include a dementia day centre, a pharmacy, and 92 rooms for residents. The application foresees the dem- olition of existing rubble walls and a farm building. The application is still being vet- ted by the Planning Authority and will be issued for public consulta- tion on 27 August. This is the second application for an ODZ old people's home in the past month. Another is being pro- posed behind a petrol station along Triq Sant' Antnin, the other road linking Żabbar and Marsaskala. The Strategic Plan for the Envi- ronment and Development (SPED) allows old people's homes in ODZ areas. However, applicants are ex- pected to follow a 'sequential ap- proach', using ODZ land only as a last resort after exploring existing built-up areas, brownfield sites, and vacant land within the devel- opment zone. But in a recent case related to an old people's home development in Naxxar, the PA accepted that the developer could dismiss alterna- tive sites in the development zone deemed to be financially unfeasible. ODZ elderly home proposed in Zabbar Old people's homes are allowed in the ODZ, but only if developers adhere to a sequential approach, first considering sites within already built-up areas in the development zone The 4,364 sq.m of agricultural land along Triq Wied il-Għajn earmarked for development A 41-year-old woman who lives in Valletta was hos- pitalised after she was injured in a traffic accident on Tuesday morning. A police spokesperson said that the accident oc- curred at around 7:00am in front of St Luke's Hospital. Preliminary investigations suggest that a 62-year- old man driving a Volkswagen Caddy crashed into a Mercedes-Benz that was parked on the side of the road. The Mercedes then moved and injured the woman, who was taken to hospital along with the 62-year-old. The pair suffered grievous injuries. Police investigations are still ongoing. Two hospitalised after car crashes into parked vehicle, striking pedestrian MOHAMMED Traofe, a Congolese national was on Tuesday charged with causing grievous injuries to an- other man in a garden in Marsa. The 25-year-old was also accused of breaching public order and for being illegally in possession of a weapon. Inspector Elisia Scicluna explained that on 11 August at around 3am, a man appeared at the Marsa police station, bleeding heavily from his left hand and arm. After being questioned, he stated that a person had attacked him with a large knife while in a gar- den. Police arrived at the place of the al- leged assault, as indicated by the vic- tim. The alleged aggressor was iden- tified as Traofe. He was arrested and informed of his legal rights. Later, the victim was cer- tified to be suffering from grievous in- juries. He is currently also awaiting an appointment at the Surgical Unit due to having deep cuts in his fingers. During the ongoing proceedings, Traofe kept interrupting and disrupt- ing the sitting. The magistrate repeat- edly warned him that he was going to be thrown out of the courtroom and the accused was ordered to sit down. He pleaded not guilty. When questioned about the wherea- bouts of his residence, he replied that he lives in Paola but could not provide the address. He also stated that he has been in the country for 10 years. Attorney General lawyer Clive Aqui- lina snapped: "He was sleeping outside, so I am sure there is no address". A protection order was also issued in favour of the victim, Ibrahim Moham- med Jama. Bail was not requested at this stage and he was remanded in custody. Somalian 23-year-old Ibrahim Mo- hammed Jama entered the courtroom in a cast, with his arm visibly injured. He was also charged with causing grievous injuries to Traofe and breach- ing public order. During the altercation, Jama had al- legedly thrown a large stone at Traofe, as explained by Inspector Scicluna. They were both treated at Mater Dei for their injuries. Jama resides at the Ħal Far Centre and is unemployed. He also pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him and a bail re- quest was made. The prosecution ob- jected due to his limited ties to Malta, no fixed address and no current em- ployment. Reference was also made to the fact that Jama was casually throw- ing stones at another individual in a public garden. Lawyer Clive Aquilina emphasised the risk of danger citizens would be in if the man were to be re- leased. Bail was denied and Jama was sent to the Corradino Correctional Facility. The court also ordered that the men are assigned to different divisions of the prison. Attorney General lawyer Clive Aqui- lina and Inspector Elisia Scicluna pros- ecuted. Legal aid lawyer Ingrid Zammit Young appeared for Traofe. Legal aid lawyer Sarah Ciliberti ap- peared for Jama. The case appeared before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech. MAYA GALEA mgalea@mediatoday.com.mt Two charged after altercation leads to stabbing