Hiert! 'n Vrot kol in Camden Laan 1/7 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2022 Klagtes gerig aan Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit val doodluiters op dowe ore. Verskeie klagtes vanaf inwoners in Camden Laan is opgemerk, rakende die haglike toestand van die pad waar rou riool al vir etlike maande opdam. Volgens nabye inwoners, het konstruksievoertuie na bewering die rioolstelsel to erg beskadig dat die kant van die pad inmekaar gesak het, en die middel gedeelte totaal en al vertap is. Volgens bewering is die asbespyp in die area totaal en al verbrokkel, en sodoende borrel rou riool al vir maande vanuit die oppervlak van die verbruiselde pad, sowel as die omliggende sypaadjies. Klagtes gerig aan Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit val doodluiters op dowe ore. Die gesondheidsgevaar wat hierdie dam rou riool inhou is geen grap nie, en motoriste moet daagliks die walglike modderspul aandurf om by hul huise te kom. Voetgangers se enigste keuse is om deur die elle lange gras van die nabye veldjie te loop, of om ‘n ander roete te vind. < Previous Article Next Article >

CCBSA expands on returnable PET bottles The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 The returnable bottles are made of PET plastic and feature a paper label with ‘RETURNABLE’ appearing on a green or yellow strip on the front of the bottle. The recommended retail price for the 2L Coca-Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar beverage is R15, which excludes a R9 deposit. Other brands, like Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite and Fanta, are also be available in the new 2L returnable PET plastic bottle at a recommended retail price of R12 excluding the R9 deposit. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) continues the roll-out of its 2L returnable Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle into more regions across South Africa. Returnable PET is part of The Coca-Cola Company’s World Without Waste vision, which focuses on the entire packaging value chain from how bottles and cans are designed and made to how they’re collected, recycled and reused later. CCBSA is offering more consumers across South Africa value-for-money, while playing its part in protecting the environment. During September, which is the National Clean-up and Recycle Month in South Africa, CCBSA will roll-out numerous community clean-ups and litter collection campaigns around the country to raise awareness and reduce plastic pollution. “As a user of packaging we have a responsibility to not only recycle packaging through our various initiatives, but also to continue to invest in infrastructure that can help us develop innovative packaging to achieve our World Without Waste ambitions,” says CCBSA Managing Director, Velaphi Ratshefola. “By offering a returnable PET bottle, we are creating greater value for money, as well as an incentive for consumers to collect packaging, rather than disposing of it into the environment.” The returnable bottles are made of PET plastic and feature a paper label with ‘RETURNABLE’ appearing on a green or yellow strip on the front of the bottle. The recommended retail price for the 2L Coca-Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar beverage is R15, which excludes a R9 deposit. Other brands, like Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite and Fanta, are also be available in the new 2L returnable PET plastic bottle at a recommended retail price of R12 excluding the R9 deposit. Once a bottle is returned to CCBSA, it will go on a looped journey to be cleaned to Coca-Cola’s stringent measures and requirements, then refilled and distributed back to retail outlets. When the bottle reaches the end of its life cycles, after being returned to CCBSA, it will be recycled and turned into another PET plastic bottle. “This initiative strengthens our PET collection efforts through our various partnerships such as our membership in the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) and several buy-back centres we have established in communities around the country,” adds Ratshefola. “Last year, 62% of PET bottles were collected for recycling. Through this new returnable PET packaging and other innovations, we are set to continue improving our collection and recycling rates, until we reach our ambitious targets.” During 2019, more than 92 000 tonnes of post-consumer PET bottles were collected through the PET Recycling Company (PETCO). These bottles were diverted from landfills in South Africa, saving 612,000m² of landfill space. < Previous Article Next Article >

Botsings teister motoriste Botsings teister motoriste 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 18 Augustus 2020 Nooddienste was druk besig met verskeie tonele, met skare wat hul vergaap aan die botings. Die afgelope naweek was ‘n besige naweek vir die nooddienste, met verskeie botsings wat plaasgevind het. Al die nodige dienste was blitsvinnig op die tonele, en die owerhede vra alle motoriste of veilig te bestuur ten alle tye. < Previous Article Next Article >

Fed up residents demand change Sun City residents during their peacful demonstration of dissatisfaction. Sun City residents during their peacful demonstration of dissatisfaction. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 Complaints included the crime rate in Sun City, as well as alleged service delivery issues. Irate residents from Sun City Extension 33 displayed their dismay at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court yesterday, citing that they’re awaiting documents from the court. Complaints included the crime rate in Sun City, as well as alleged service delivery issues. Although the protestors were determined ti be noticed, the demonstration was peaceful and organized. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM announces yet another set of MMCs 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 14 June 2022 The mayoral committee is the executive wing of the institution, chaired by the executive mayor. On Tuesday, 7 June 2022, a special council meeting convened, where the newly elected executive mayor announced the new members of the mayoral committee (MMC). The mayoral committee is the executive wing of the institution, chaired by the executive mayor. TC Motha has been announced as technical services department MMC. Motha is responsible for oversight over four sections, namely electric service, mechanical workshop, project management unit, roads management, and water and sanitation services. BG Motha has been announced as planning and economic development MMC, and is also councillor for Ward 8. Motha is responsible for oversight over four sections, namely local economic development, land use management and spatial development, human settlement and property management. MMC EC Msezane is responsible for finance department. This department is comprised of six sections, namely budget management, supply chain management, expenditure management, assets management, credit control and cash management and revenue management. SE Ngovene has been announced as MMC for community and social services department, and is a councillor for Ward 10. The community and social services department is comprised of seven sections namely, disaster and security services, fire and rescue service, licensing and regulatory services, traffic and law enforcement services, library and information services, cemetery, parks, sports and recreation services, solid waste management and environmental services. TJ Madlala has been announced as MMC for the corporate services department, and is a councillor for Ward 3. The corporate services department is comprised of six sections, namely legal services, council secretariat and records management, human resources, information communication technologies, facilities and auxiliary services, office of the executive mayor and office of the speaker. < Previous Article Next Article >

Three lives lost in grim collision Three lives lost in grim collision 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 10 August 2021 One of the two lifeless occupants of the NP200 had to be freed from the wreckage with the jaws of life. One occupant of the Toyota Hilux perished during the collision. Three people have lost their lives in a collision on the N17 crossing traffic light, adjacent to Cassim Park, on Saturday night. Two more have been hospitalized. Emergency services rushed to the scene, which was cordoned off while pathology services investigated. The collision between the Toyota Hilux and Nissan NP200 shocked motorists, and a crowd quickly gathered to see what happened. An eye witness told the Tribune ePaper that one of the vehicles disregarded the traffic light, and the collision occurred at high speed. One of the two lifeless occupants of the NP200 had to be freed from the wreckage with the jaws of life. One occupant of the Toyota Hilux perished during the collision. Forensic services combed the scene, while Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Services, towing services, provincial ambulance services and ER24 arrived in swift succession. Spartan Training, the traffic department and the SAPS worked in tandem to regulate the scene and the flow of traffic. Fire Chief, Mr. Jaco Johnstone, swiftly sorted out the scene with sturdy authority and leadership. < Previous Article Next Article >

Staat lewer vals getuienis, Dirkiesdorp boere uit op borg Staat lewer vals getuienis, Dirkiesdorp boere uit op borg 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 4 May 2021 Die videos bewys dat die staat nie slegs oor enkele aspekte gelieg het nie, maar dat hulle oor alles gelieg het. Hulle het nie net feite uit hulle duim gesuig nie, maar ‘n omvattende vals narratief geskep. Die vier boere en plaasvoorman van Dirkiesdorp, Daniel Cornelis Malan (38), Cornelius Lourens Greyling (25), Othard Johann Klingenberg (53), Ignatius Michael Steynberg (31) en Zenzele Yende (48) wat op 9 April 2021 gearresteer is op aanklagtes van moord, poging tot moord, ontvoering en regsverydeling, het onlangs weer hul verskyning in die hof gemaak. Die boere het reeds op 12 April hul eerste verskyning in die hof gemaak, waarna die saak ‘n paar keer uitgestel vir verdere ondersoeke, waar die boere ook borgtog geweier is. Op Maandag, 26 April, was daar ‘n video gewys, waar die boere se regspan aangevoer het dat die Staat se getuies lieg, en dat borg daarom geregverdig is. Nadat die videos gekyk is, het die staat nogsteeds die troefkaart gebruik om te sê dat daar aan die video materiaal gepeuter is, maar soos ons weet, video materiaal kan nie lieg nie. Nadat die video materiaal gekyk is, het A.O Nhlapo wel in die hof gesê dat sy getuies wel gelieg het in hulle verklarings oor wat op 9 April op plaas Pampoenkraal gebeur het. Die video wys die boere se weergawe wat op die plaas gebeur het: Die boere en hul plaaswerkers het kalm en rustig voorgekom, en het nie wapens of koeëlvaste baadjies gedra nie. Adjudant Offisier Nhlapo het dit erken. Die boere het niemand aangerand nie, waar A.O Nhlapo dit ook erken het. Zenzele Coka, wat vir Potgieter gewerk het, het saam met Greyling asook ander plaaswerkers opgedaag by die toneel. Hy was nie deel van die betogers nie. Die videos wys dat Amos Coka in ‘n klein wit motor opgedaag het, gevolg deur ‘n bakkie met drie insittendes. Zenzele het toe na die hek van die plaas gehardloop, en ‘n lang struweling het gevolg tussen Zenzele en sy broer, Amos. Zenzele het later daarin geslaag om sy broer Amos van die plaas af te verwilder. Die Staat gaan steeds aan dat die boere vir beide Zenzele en Amos met voorbedagte rade vermoor het. Nou, die groot vraag wat op almal se lippe lê, hoekom sou die boere vir Zenzele wou skiet, as Zenzele aan hulle kant was, en vir een van die boere gewerk het? Die video wys ook hoe vier “werksoekers” met stokke by Pampoenkraal opgedaag het om bestaande werkers te intimideer. Die video wys voorts dat minstens agt bestaande werkers wat in die stoor besig was om te werk, dan hul goed bymekaar maak en weg van die stoor af beweeg. Die video wys hoe Steynberg die plaas verlaat om te gaan kyk wat se meganiese toerusting gebreek het nadat sy werkers hom gebel het en gevra het vir hulp. Hy het eers weer later saam met die SAPS opdaag by die toneel. Die voorval waar Zenzele geskiet is, was ongelukkig nie op die video vasgelê nie. Klingenberg se weergawe is egter dat hy Amos Coka geskiet het uit selfverdediging, nadat Amos wild begin geskiet het, en in die proses sy eie broer, Zenzele, geskiet het. Drie Dirkiesdorp boere, Werner Potgieter, Danie Malan en Hansie Moolman, was uiters geweldadig deur die sogenoemde werksoekers aangerand. Hansie Moolman het skedelbreuk opgedoen, maar die SAPD het op 9 April ‘n eensydige ondersoek op die toneel gedoen. Die boere en die “werksoekers” het in twee groepe weerskante van die grondpad gestaan, en die SAPS het die boere gearresteer soos die “werksoekers” hulle name uitgeroep het. Ondersoek beampte, Adjudant Offisier Nhlapo, het reeds in die borgaansoek erken dat hy slegs die weergawe van die “werksoekers” bekom het. Geen “werksoekers” was gearresteer nie en hulle stokke wat hulle by hulle gehad het was ook nie geneem tydens die arrestasies nie, ten spyte van die feit dat twee boere gehospitaliseer was weens hulle beserings, en Danie Malan se oogbank in die tronkselle deur ‘n private dokter toegewerk was. Die videos bewys dat die staat nie slegs oor enkele aspekte gelieg het nie, maar dat hulle oor alles gelieg het. Hulle het nie net feite uit hulle duim gesuig nie, maar ‘n omvattende vals narratief geskep. Borg is uiteindelik toegestaan op Vrydag, 30 April, waar die vier boere en die plaasvoorman, elk R 10 000 moes opdok. Die saak is uitgestel na Woensdag, 30 Junie 2021, vir verdere ondersoek. Op die foto verskyn die vier boere en plaasvoorman. Op die tweede verskyn Robert Molokoane, wat aanvoer dat daar met die video gepeuter is. < Previous Article Next Article >

NASASA warns against illegal pyramid or Ponzi schemes 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 March 2021 There are roughly 810 000 active stokvel groups, consisting of over 11 million South Africans, collecting an estimated R50 billion annually. According to the National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NASASA), there are roughly 810 000 active stokvel groups, consisting of over 11 million South Africans, collecting an estimated R50 billion annually. Nearly 40% of South Africa’s adult population are members of a stokvel. Recently there has been an increase in illegal pyramid schemes or Ponzi schemes, which continue to pop up around South Africa. These schemes defraud many unsuspecting South Africans of their hard-earned money, with the promise of fast financial returns every year. It is critical that South Africans are able to tell the difference between a stokvel and an illegal pyramid and/or Ponzi scheme. A stokvel is defined as a savings or investment society in which a group of people agree to save money together for a defined purpose, by way of contributing a fixed amount of money over a specific period of time. Originally stokvels were known as “stock fairs” dating back to the 19th century by English settlers in the Eastern cape as a rotating cattle auction. This was an in person gathering, and attendance was key for participation. The foundation of such a culture was trust. This financial vehicle has since evolved into a unique financial system created within communities by members and for members, built on need, trust and a common goal for financial liberation. The stokvel market has grown remarkably and, over time, the types of stokvels have increased significantly from rotational, grocery, investment, burial right down to social stokvels. Stokvels have become a key financial vehicle that many people rely on, amassing revenue in the billions. The increasing numbers, financial potential and popularity of stokvels has resulted in scammers trying to swindle stokvel groups out of their hard-earned savings and investments by posing as a lucrative investment scheme or some other form of financial breakthrough opportunity. Scammers often pose as legitimate stokvels, investment schemes or property stokvels but in reality, are nothing more than get rich quick schemes in the form of a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. “At NASASA, we want to educate on, protect and preserve this financial system which is a legitimate means for many to achieve financial stability and wellbeing,” says Miziyonke Mtshali, Chief Executive Officer at NASASA. It is important to NASASA to ensure that members of stokvels are protected from scammers, this can only be done through education and awareness, by ensuring that members are always able to distinguish between a legitimate stokvel and an illegal Ponzi or pyramid scheme. The most known and popular mechanisms which scammers use are pyramid schemes and Ponzi schemes. Being able to identify these scams is key to safeguarding yourself from them. A pyramid scheme requires its members to recruit other people as members and the few top-level members recruit newer members, who pay upfront costs, to those who enrolled them. In fact, money simply exchanges hands with no real economic activity or products attached and is just a smoke screen to hide the pyramid scheme. Significant returns are derived from the recruitment of people, with the majority of financial return being made by the top tier people through administration fees charged to new recruits. With a Ponzi scheme, members are promised huge returns within a short period of time and are based on fraudulent investment management services, which are disguised as legitimate business investments. Members contribute money to the “portfolio manager” who promises them a high return. When those members want their money back, they are paid out with the incoming funds contributed by participants who join at a later stage. By merely transferring funds from one client to another, there is no real investment product at all. In terms of a legitimate and sustainable savings vehicle, a stokvel works because many people find it easier to save when they do it in a group. A stokvel member knows where his/her money is kept and when and how much will be paid out. Furthermore, most stokvel members know each other and have a genuine and enduring relationship, based on trust. Anyone who has any queries, or wants to know more, please email info@mswsa.co.za . For more information about stokvels, go to www.nasasa.co.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

Inwoners stik aan stank van ontlasting 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 6 July 2022 Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Te midde van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) wat nuwe konstruksieprojekte, bouplanne en koshuisuitbreidings links en regs goedkeur, trek die omgewing, fauna en flora, asook inwoners letterlik vir jare lank al aan die kortste punt. Die onvoldoende rioolnetwerk, wat vanaf Camdenlaan, via President Fouchélaan tot en met Robbertsstraat strek, is al vir meer as 10 jaar ‘n doring in die vlees van menigte inwoners. Munisipale bestuurders van vier verkiesings terug se beloftes bly steeds onvervuld, met die probleem wat daagliks vererger. Die impak op die natuurlewe en vleilanddiere, veral opmerklik die reiers wat Ermelo bekoor, is 'n rede tot groot kommer, aangesien die rioolstorting direk in die Pet Dam vloei, wat 'n spoor van besoedeling en wildsterftes in sy nasleep laat. Vanaf die Pet Dam, wat alreeds buitensporig besoedel is, sluit die oorloop aan by die Klein Drinkwaterstroom, wat uiteindelik in die Vaalrivier beland. In 'n omgewingstudie wat vrygestel is, word MLM, onder drie ander Mpumalanga-munisipaliteite, uitdruklik as 'n hoofskuldige in die jare lange besoedeling van die Vaalrivier uitgewys. Tot op hede is geen opgraderings, of aksie geneem nie, met die situasie wat onverklaarbaar erger is as voorheen. Daar is wel bewerings van ‘n kontrakteur wat besig is met rioolstelsel opgraderings in dié area. Helaas, inwoners weeklaag die feit dat die kontrakteur, volgens klagtes ontvang vanaf inwoners, die probleem egter vererger het. “Die manne dolwe die hele area om, en gaan kwansuis nuwe pype installeer. Dit lyk vir my meer of hulle aanjaag, want die riool is nou tien keer erger as wat dit was. As ek by my voordeur uit kyk, sien ek net plasse rou riool waar die kontrakteur werk gedoen het. Is dit nou die tipe werkmanskap wat ons tevrede mee moet wees. My hele huis riuk na ontlasting, en dit vererger soggens en saans. Ons gaan slaap met die reuk, en word wakker met die reuk. Ons kan nie eers meer buite braai nie, want die walglike reuk maak mens letterlik naar,” het ‘n woedende inwoner aan die Tribune gesê. Die gereelde verstoppings en oorloop van die rioollyn in President Fouchélaan dui duidelik op 'n groter probleemfaktor met die netwerkarea, aangesien inwoners naby die President Fouchélaan en Robertsstraat-kruising in 'n konstante walm van ontlasting woon. Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Die velde in hierdie area is voortdurend deurdrenk met riool, en hou ook ernstige gesondheidsimplikasies in vir inwoners en leerders van die nabygeleë skole. Terwyl MLM se gesagsfigure, sowel as verskeie wyksraadslede deeglik bewus is van die probleme waarmee inwoners te kampe het, wil dit voorkom asof min gedoen word om 'n permanente en lewensvatbare oplossing te bied. Gert Sibande-distriksmunisipaliteit is ook by verskeie geleenthede oor die kwessie ingelig, maar beweer dat hulle geen jurisdiksie in die saak het nie. Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) het opgemerk dat die party 'n brief aan die premier van Mpumalanga gestuur het. Ongelukkig is dit bykans ‘n jaar later, met geen terugvoer of aksie rakende die probleem nie. Lesers kan meer foto's en video's op ons Facebook-blad, Tribune Ermelo, sien. < Previous Article Next Article >

The noose tightens for Bongo and friends The noose tightens for Bongo and friends 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 The case will see 12 people charged, collectively with 69 counts of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in a charge sheet running to more than 70 pages. Former state security minister, Bongani Bongo, who, along with several co-accused, have been embroiled in a land fraud saga, where millions of Rands were siphoned through front accounts after making various dodgy land deals, including the infamous Rietspruit Farm near Ermelo. Bongo’s corruption case was postponed to January 2022. Bongo’s ex-wife, Sandile Nkosi, is accused of having received R1 million as part of the attempt to recommend the law firm, Singwane & Partners, as dodgy service providers to the department for the sales of the farms in question. Amidst the slew of charges against him, Bongo, who has since been chairperson of the Department of Home Affairs, has shown defiance in the face of the charges, stating that he has no intention of stepping down because he is confident that the Mpumalanga courts will acquit him. His demeanor has now led to his fall, as Bongo has been axed as head of the committee after the ANC caucus made changes in Parliament. ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said the changes were necessitated by the Cabinet reshuffle after some of the committee chairpersons were appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as ministers and deputy ministers. Bongo has been replaced by fellow ANC MP Mosa Chabane. In his upcoming court case, Bongo is accused, amongst others, of having been “gifted” a BMW X5 in order to exert pressure on department officials to effect payments to Singwane & Partners. The case will see 12 people charged, collectively with 69 counts of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in a charge sheet running to more than 70 pages. Additionally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it would appeal the decision to acquit Bongo on charges of attempting to bribe a former parliamentary official, Ntuthuzelo Vanara. Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe, granted Bongo his section 174 application and found him not guilty on a charge of corruption on the basis of insufficient evidence. At the time, Vanara was evidence leader in the parliamentary investigation into the capture of SOEs, now known as the Zondo commission. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hoërskool Ermelo belê in leierskap by leerders 1/5 Share SH HATTINGH 6 April 2021 Met die nodige leiding, word die leerders blootgestel aan leierskap en die vermoë wat nodig is om ‘n voorbeeld te wees wat ander met vrymoedigheid kan volg. "Baie geluk aan elke leerder wat verkies is tot die Verteenwoordigende Raad van Leerlinge vir 2021." Hoërskool Ermelo pride ourselves in the development of leaders from a young age, therefore these chosen Representative Council of Learners have responsibilities as leaders of their classes. Met die nodige leiding, word die leerders blootgestel aan leierskap en die vermoë wat nodig is om ‘n voorbeeld te wees wat ander met vrymoedigheid kan volg. Die verkose leerders is: Graad 8A: Selma-Louise Janse van Rensburg en Wian Pretorius, Graad 8B: Elizma Swart en Kryn Romijn, Graad 8C: Wianke Cloete en Ulrich Badenhorst, Grade 8D: Sanele Mathebula and Buhle Lukhele, Grade 8E: Sbonga Madela and Siyabonga Makhanya, Grade 8F: Ziyanda Vilane and Nkosinathi Mathunjwa. Graad 9A: Hayley van der Walt en Carel Jacobsz, Graad 9B: Marice de Jager en Tredoux Ferreira, Graad 9C: Mia Davel en Tyrone Berning, Grade 9D: Sihle Mashinini and Siba Lamola, Grade 9E: Anathi Sanyo and Mpilwenle Mngonyama, Grade 9F: Reitsile Sebogodi and Lebohang Nkosi. Graad 10A: Ancois van der Berg en Altus Boshoff, Graad 10B: Nathalie Nel en Kyle Steynberg, Graad 10C: Nicole Meyer en Liam Wilkinson, Grade 10D: Andraya Macheyo and Sphe Mkhatswa, Grade 10E: Yoleka Manasoe and Thobani Zwane, Grade 10F: Bathabile Nkosi and Tabiso Mafokwane. Graad 11A: Zané de Wit en Lood Geldenhuys, Graad 11B: Caylin Loock en Riku van der Bank, Graad 11C: Ilandri Nel en Tiaan Grobler, Grade 11D: Snovuyo Ndinisa, Grade 11E: Nokwanda Nxumalo, Grade 11F: Sphesihle Msiza and Karabo Malatji. Graad 12A: Renita Moolman, Graad 12B: Helani Kruger, Graad 12C: Tumi Chwane, Grade 12D: Wandi Mndebele, Grade 12E: Siphesihle Mtsweni, Grade 12F: Khanyisile Nkosi. “May the year with all the challenges lead to personal growth and progress in leadership.” < Previous Article Next Article >

'n Dekade van stank vir dank 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 12 October 2021 Gesagsfigure van MLM laat veel te wense in terme van dienslewering, sowel as verskeie wyksraadslede wat deeglik bewus is van die probleme waarmee inwoners te kampe het. Met die munisipale verkiesing wat op 1 November 2021 plaasvind, staan munisipaliteite en politiese partye regoor die land paraat met goue beloftes en groot sprake van opgeknapte dienslewering en verandering in die land se chaotiese toestand. In Ermelo is dit egter ‘n heel ander storie. Terwyl die land se munisipaliteite benoude spronge gee, en soveel oënskynlike dienslewering as moontlik probeer lewer voor die verkiesing, gee Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) nie ‘n dooie duit om nie. Inwoners van President Fouché Straat is warm onder die kraag nadat verkiesingsplakkate opgerig was in die area, terwyl die mense wild en wakker uitswaai vir slaggate, en rou riool die velde vol vloei. “Dit is skandelik, hulle het geen skaamte, en geen trots nie;” het ‘n hoogs ontstoke inwoner aan die Tribune ePaper gesê. “Die manne wat die plakkate kom opsit het hier naby my huis, sal mos nou met hulle bakkie deur die riool ry, agter op die bakkie staan en die plakkate teen die boom vas sit, en dan nog lag oor hoe die rou riool spat terwyl hul deur dit ry. In wat se wêreld is dit ‘n grap? Hoe laag moet jy daal om te lag oor dienslewering wat gefaal word deur die bank, terwyl jy jouself weer in ‘n leierskap posisie probeer inwurm? Ek weet nie waar gaan ons dorp, en ons land opeindig nie. Skandelik, dit is al woord wat ek aan kan dink.” Ten spyte van die rioolprobleem wat al vir meer as ‘n dekade inwoners dwars in die krop steek, keur MLM steeds nuwe bouprojekte, bouplanne en uitbreidings links en regs goed, terwyl die omgewing, die fauna en flora, sowel as die inwoners aan die kortste end trek. Die vervalle rioolstelsel in President Fouchélaan en die omliggende wyke draai afwaarts op ‘n daaglikse basis, met munisipale bestuurders uit drie, en binnekort die vierde verkiesing, se beloftes wat steeds nie nagekom word nie. Die impak op die natuurlewe en vleilanddiere, veral die reiers wat Ermelo altyd verfraai het, is kommerwekkend. Die konstante riool besoedeling in hierdie area het die Pet Dam, wat altyd die tuiste van hierdie voêls was, so erg besoedel dat nie boom wat hulle nes gemaak het in, gevrek en verdor het. Die reiers het met die verdorring ook hulself skaars gemaak, en talle van die voêls is dood aangetref. Die impak van die besoedeling is ook bewys deur honderde visse in die Pet Dam wat gevrek het in 2016. Dié besoedeling, direk veroorsaak deur rou riool vanaf President Fouchélaan en die area tot bo Camdenlaan, is doodluiters onder die mat ingevee. Die kwansuise water toetse wat gedoen sou word deur die munisipalitiet en die Gert Sibande Distrik, se resultaat het nooit die lig van dag gesien nie. Alhoewel die Tribune ePaper telkens navrae gerig het aan MLM rakende die besoedeling en die water toetse, het die munisipale woordvoerder en relevante departemente absoluut geen reaksie, en geen terugvoer verskaf nie. Navrae word bloot geignoreer deur die munisipaliteit. Afgesien van die rioolstorting wat na die Pet Dam vloei en 'n spoor van besoedeling en dood in die natuur agterlaat, sluit die oorloop van dié dam aan by die Klein Drinkwater stroom, wat uiteindelik in die reeds hoogs besoedelde Vaalrivier beland. In 'n omgewingsstudie wat gepubliseer is, word MLM, sowel as drie ander Mpumalanga-munisipaliteite, uitdruklik as die grootste skuldige partye in die jare lange besoedeling van die Vaalrivier beskou. Helaas, tot op hede is geen opgraderings of aksie deur MLM onderneem nie. Die situasie het inteendeel vererger, met die gereelde verstoppings en oorloop van die rioollyn in President Fouchélaan wat duidelik die groter probleemfaktor met die rioolnetwerk in die kalklig stel. Ontevrede inwoners in die area, wat met die konstante reuk van rou riool moet opsnork, terwyl menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome, lappe en toiletpapier in die somer son lê en bak, se pleidooi val op dowe ore. Die velde in hierdie gebied word voortdurend deurdrenk en is ‘n moeras van rioolwater en vullis, en hou ernstige gesondheidsimplikasies in vir inwoners, asook die leerders van die nabygeleë skole. Gesagsfigure van MLM laat veel te wense in terme van dienslewering, sowel as verskeie wyksraadslede wat deeglik bewus is van die probleme waarmee inwoners te kampe het. Die Gert Sibande -distriksmunisipaliteit is ook by verskeie geleenthede oor die kwessie ingelig, maar beweer dat hul geen jurisdiksie in die aangeleentheid het nie, en dat die onus ten volle op MLM lê. Teen perstyd wag die Tribune ePaper steeds vir terugvoer rakende dié kwessie, wat al op 8 April 2021 aan Mandla Zwane, munisipale woordvoerder, gerig was. Hierdie navraag, sowel elke navraag vroeër, was bloot geignoreer. Meer foto's en video's kan op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo, gesien word. < Previous Article Next Article >