Keep safe during municipal load shedding 1/0 Share GK CRONJE 11 August 2020 The increased occurrence of load shedding means also that there are more alarm activation signals received by armed response companies than usual. If the alarm is triggered because of a power surge, or because of load shedding, please contact your security company as soon as possible to cancel any false alarms. This helps ensure that armed response officers are allocated to legitimate emergencies. In light of the municipal load shedding, which has been ongoing since May 2020, residents have reported a spike in cases of burglaries, poisoning of animals and suspicious individuals skulking around under the shroud of darkness. With Msukaligwa Local Municipality dragging their feet and offering no reprieve or plan of action, the rotational load shedding can be expected to continue for the foreseeable future. This means that home owners, as well as business owners, need to make sure their alarm and security systems are tested regularly and in a working condition. These tests need to focus in particular on the battery backup systems, to ensure that it will still offer monitoring and protection when the power goes out. Many people are under the incorrect assumption that their alarm system is deactivated when the power supply is interrupted. However, if you have a stable and correctly programmed system, coupled with a battery that is in a good condition, it will continue to protect the premises during a power outage, regardless if the outage is because of load shedding or any other technical problem. The increased occurrence of load shedding means also that there are more alarm activations signals received by armed response companies than usual. If the alarm is triggered because of a power surge, or because of load shedding, please contact your security company as soon as possible to cancel any false alarms. This helps ensure that armed response officers are allocated to legitimate emergencies. This helps to free up call centre staff members to concentrate on legitimate incidents that they need to respond to. The only time any alarm system might not function correctly, is if there is a technical issue or the battery power is low. Most modern alarm systems have a back-up battery pack that activates automatically when there is a power failure. It is recommended to consider an additional battery backup pack, as load shedding puts additional strain on the battery. There are a number of practical steps that can be taken to ensure security is not compromised during any power cuts, which includes always remaining vigilant, and reporting suspicious activity in your ward to the SAPS or security agency, and ensuring that all automated gates and doors are secured. With the added inconvenience of the lights going out at night due to power cuts, candles and touch-lights are handy alternatives. Test the battery backup system, and consider an additional battery pack for standby. Tests of alarm systems should ideally be conducted every six months. Power cuts can impact on fire systems and fire control systems, so these also need to be checked regularly. The best approach is to test your alarm system, for both your home and your business, and to make any fixes that are required as soon as you can. < Previous Article Next Article >

Uncertainly looms as Motshekga consistently fumbles 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 The unions said this is a time to show solidarity with the plight of other provinces, and sympathy with the plight of thousands of teachers and children across the country. The unions have called on Motshekga to meet teacher unions and governing body associations on 11 June for "genuine assessment and engagement" about the readiness of the system. “If we follow the protocols and maintain all precautions, we will effectively minimize the risk posed by the coronavirus.” There are the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has urged schools to not reopen until all the necessary precautions are in place. This comes after the return to school for Grades 7 and 12 has been delayed by another week. President Ramaphosa has assured parents that government and all stakeholders are doing all they can to ensure their children’s safety. Teacher unions have called on schools not to reopen amid the chaos caused by government's last-minute 7 day postponement. “We have heard them, we welcome their contributions and are taking steps to address their concerns as well as proposals.” the President stated. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga was expected to address the nation on Sunday evening, and has been heavily criticized for her apparent inability to maintain a sense of order in her department, and with the confusing myriad of conflicting statements made. The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) was concerned that, in some provinces, personal protective equipment (PPE) for pupils had not been received and some schools had not been made ready for their return. Despite Motshekga claiming otherwise, school governing bodies and unions believe it is not in the best interest of children and teachers to return to school while there is uncertainty about health and safety. “The response never came through until the statement which was released after two cancellations of the media briefing, and despite an undertaking in the meeting by the minister on behalf of the CEM. The teacher unions were vindicated by the independent monitoring consortium led by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) that the system wasn't ready for the reopening of the schools for learners in Grade 7 and 12 on 1 June 2020. The minister asked for time to consult her colleagues, and committed to respond on 31 May, which she did not honour. This is a betrayal of trust, and does not bode well for the credibility of the education system. We want to put on record that the date of 8 June was never mentioned in the meeting, because the focus was readying the system and ensuring that all the provinces comply with the 12 non-negotiables,” unions NAPTOSA, PEU, NATU, SADTU and the SAOU collectively stated. The unions alleges that the Department of Basic Education is "obsessed with dates and ignoring the evidence of provincial readiness. The lack of appreciation for evidence can only be characterized as irresponsible and negligent,” they echoed. The unions said this is a time to show solidarity with the plight of other provinces, and sympathy with the plight of thousands of teachers and children across the country. The unions have called on Motshekga to meet teacher unions and governing body associations on 11 June for "genuine assessment and engagement" about the readiness of the system. The proposed date for re-opening is now 8 June 2020, but is subject to change at any time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kendall power plant up to be scrapped 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 June 2020 Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has already instructed Eskom to stop operations at least at one of two Kendal power station units found to be posing serious health risks to the surrounding communities. Kendal, built in 1982 is not on the list as Eskom began shutting down some of its old power stations in 2019. It shut three units at the Hendrina power. Grootvlei was scheduled to close this year, and Komati by 2021. Environmental activists are mounting on pressure for a complete shutdown of the 4116MW Kendal power plant, located 40km west of eMalahleni, on the grounds its toxic emissions were killing people. However, there are fears that a shutdown of Kendal power station in Mpumalanga would paralyze several small businesses and destroy livelihoods in the coal mining towns. “Poisonous coal power plants must be shut down sooner rather than later, in a fair process that fully involves all coal workers and communities, and urgently replaced with cleaner, cheaper renewable power,” said Timothy Lloyd, attorney at the Centre for Environmental Rights. Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has already instructed Eskom to stop operations at least at one of two Kendal power station units found to be posing serious health risks to the surrounding communities. Kendal, built in 1982 is not on the list as Eskom began shutting down some of its old power stations in 2019. It shut three units at the Hendrina power. Grootvlei was scheduled to close this year, and Komati by 2021. Arnot will be decommissioned by 2029. Concerned coal transporting businesses believe the move to decommission stations will put them out of business and leave coal mining towns with no economy. In a notice served on Eskom, Creecy said the power utility must stop operations at either unit one or unit five at Kendal within 30 days. Eskom submitted the units had been repaired, and their present problems were the result of poor coal quality, and due to poor quality of work on site. According to Eskom, it was crucial for the units to remain active for the utility to meet the country’s electricity demands and avoid or limit load shedding. However, Creecy found there was no merit in Eskom’s position, and that Eskom “misrepresented the facts” about the level of emissions from the units. “As an example, they claim that Unit 5 averaged less than 600mg/nM3 in February 2019. But according to the monthly Emissions Report for February 2019, the monthly average is estimated at 1227mg/nM3. It follows that the figure of 600mg/nM3 emanates from the fact that Eskom decided to add days in which the unit was switched off in determining the monthly average. Eskom is well aware that this is an unacceptable practice,” Creecy stated. The decision to force stoppage of one unit took into consideration the need to avoid load shedding, Creecy said. “In essence, the operation of units 1 and 5 should not be ceased simultaneously. In my view, this will allow (Eskom) an opportunity to carry out the required maintenance and remedial work on one unit at a time in order to bring the units in compliance with the requirements of the Atmospheric Emission Licence. I am mindful of the fact that the failure to take action to bring the power station back into compliance, among others, will continue to present serious environmental impacts and health threats to the affected communities,” she concluded. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha stated that the station has been operating above the emission limits since the strike action late in 2018 left infrastructure vandalised and damaged. “During the strike the interior of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) was vandalised and the functioning of the dust-handling plant compromised. To repair it, the ESPs of several generation units require long outages and the repairs on generation units can only be executed one after the other,” he said. Environmental NGO’s gave Creecy what they termed evidence that emissions from Kendal were responsible for as many as 274 deaths between November 2018 and October 2019. < Previous Article Next Article >

SAPS seizes R500 000 worth of contraband during bust 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 27 July 2021 Upon investigation, them, more than 580 Heroin sachets were discovered. Police further found an undisclosed amount of cash. The three suspects, Nigerian nationals aged between 28 and 38, were immediately arrested and charged accordingly. An Intelligence Driven Operation has led to police in Mpumalanga arresting five suspects in two separate incidents, at Ermelo and Lydenburg respectively. During these operations, which were conducted on Wednesday, 21 July 2021 and Friday, 23 July 2021, police confiscated drugs to a combined estimated value of approximately R500 000. According to reports, in the first incident; members received information about suspicious illegal drug activities carried out at a certain house in Ermelo. It was further alleged that the suspects trafficked the drugs using a silver Volkswagen Polo Vivo. Members from Ermelo K9 Unit, together with their counterparts from Standerton K9 Unit, then coordinated their resources to act collectively and operationalised the information gathered. On Friday, 23 July 2021, they followed the leads and spotted the identified house, which matched the description as given. Upon their arrival at the residence, the police formations found three people busy packaging something suspicious inside the house. Upon investigation, them, more than 580 Heroin sachets were discovered. Police further found an undisclosed amount of cash, which suggests that the suspects were involved in drug dealing. The three suspects, Nigerian nationals aged between 28 and 38, were immediately arrested and charged accordingly. The trio, of which one is female, appeared before the Ermelo Magistrate's Court on Monday, 26 July 2021. Meanwhile, members from the Lydenburg K9 Unit also conducted an Intelligence Driven Operation, where they intercepted suspects who were in a planned mission to traffic bags of dagga using a Ford Ranger bakkie. This operation was carried out on Wednesday, 21 July 2021, at which police noticed and swooped down upon the mentioned bakkie which had two occupants. The astute members ordered the driver of the vehicle to halt the bakkie. This was followed by a thorough search, where nine bags with dagga were found, culminating in the driver and his crew swiftly being arrested. They both appeared before the Mashishing Magistrate Court on Thursday, 22 July 2021 where they were remanded in custody. Pat Mngomezulu (36), and Michael Molala (33), are expected at the same court next week Thursday, 29 July 2021. The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has appreciated the efforts by members for their resilience in ridding the communities of drugs. “It is high time we claim back the streets from the hands of drug dealers and criminal elements. The call made by our good citizens to decisively deal with drugs in the community has been heard. We are acting with speed to close all the nets for trading in illegal drugs within the society. The public should continue to entrust us with valuable information as they can witness the positive results thereof,” said General Manamela. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM VOIP call centre up and running 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 17 November 2020 MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. Media Statement - MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. MLM is now using a toll free number to make it easier for the customers to reach the municipality, which is 0800 0149 03. The municipality has installed a contact centre solution system, which includes, among others, the soft phones (it enables voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone calls from computer devices, work in conjunction with headset. It records the interaction between agents and callers. The system has statistics wall board, which track important information, such as how long it takes agent to answer, how many calls they’ve taken, how many they’ve missed, average call time and who answers the most calls. The contact centre has a multichannel communication (USSD, e-mail, WhatsApp). The USSD works on all phones, across all cellular networks, and no internet connection or data needed. The USSD code is *134*3043#. The USSD will commenced on or before Monday, 23 November 2020. The SMS function will assist the municipality to send SMS’s out to residents or clients, informing them about planned maintenance or outages. The e-mail address is contactcentre@msukaligwa.gov.za , you may send a WhatsApp message, voice note or video to 079 503 6729. The role of the community members and customer are to report and log in interruptions, to provide clear and concise information about the interruption area, and to make a follow-up using the reference number. The role of the contact centre agent entails answering the calls, logging of queries on the system, giving reference numbers and information to customers, and to dispatch queries out to technicians. The role of the technician is to attend to the query, report back to the contact centre agent on the progress, or lack thereof. The municipality is currently training the agents on new system. < Previous Article Next Article >

UFS warns against WhatsApp voicenote 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 “The voice clip is premature and was shared with a small group, from where it went viral." The University of the Free State (UFS) has stated that it is in the process of preparing a clinical trial protocol to determine the efficacy of Ivermectin in the fight against COVID-19. This is being handled by FARMOVS, a wholly-owned clinical research company of the university, together with several medical and scientific experts at the university. The clinical trial protocol will be for a randomised, controlled study according to the requirements of the legal professions, to submit it for approval to the relevant national regulatory authority. UFS management distanced the institution from a viral WhatsApp voice clip that is being circulated, in which reference is made to a particular meeting, and mention is made of the role the institution is playing in establishing the efficacy of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. “The voice clip is premature and was shared with a small group, from where it went viral. The voice clip is also not factual, specifically regarding the university and its alleged opinion pertaining to the usage and need for scientific investigation into the matter. The UFS is committed to rigorous science and evidence-based research, and both FARMOVS and the university fully support the published opinions and guidelines of SAHPRA and the scientific advisory boards established by the scientific community, as well as the stance of the SA government on Ivermectin for COVID-19.” The university statement comes as AfriForum said it had brought an urgent court application against the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and Dr Zweli Mkhize, minister of health, to ensure that Ivermectin developed for human consumption is available to doctors who want to prescribe it to treat COVID-19. SAHPRA has until now failed to approve applications by doctors, which were brought in terms of section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, to have Ivermectin approved for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. < Previous Article Next Article >

SAICE Nasionale Brugboukompetisie 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 31 August 2021 “Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” Ligbron se Graad 10 span, Beverly Kirsten, Luhlelo Motha en Thando Motsoane, het deurgedring na dié kompetisie nadat hulle die Hoëveld kompetisie loshande gewen het. Beverly Kirsten het die 155 gram bruggie ontwerp, wat ‘n ongelooflike vrag van 133.6 kg kon dra voordat dit meegegee het. With this achievement they qualified for the national bridge building competition held at the St George Hotel in Doornkloof. Unfortunately their bridge gave way with the scale on 68.9kg, and the finished 6th in this national competition. “Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS bied prag Graad 12-Lourierfunksie aan Zara Büchling tydens die Graad 12-Lourierfunksie. Zara Büchling tydens die Graad 12-Lourierfunksie. 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 27 October 2020 Die Top Tien vir 2020 se Graad 12-groep is vanaf nommer een tot nommer tien, Vosjan Grey, Zara Büchling, Simoné Beyer, Alana Leibbrandt, Dané du Toit, Jana Nel, Anja Wege, Elizia van Heerden, André Strauss en Kerry-Ann Botha. Op Maandag, 19 Oktober 2020, was hierdie jaar se Graad 12’s beloon vir hul harde werk tydens ‘n spog-prysuitdeling. Die Top Tien vir 2020 se Graad 12-groep is vanaf nommer een tot nommer tien, Vosjan Grey, Zara Büchling, Simoné Beyer, Alana Leibbrandt, Dané du Toit, Jana Nel, Anja Wege, Elizia van Heerden, André Strauss en Kerry-Ann Botha. Zara Büchling ontvang die Hoëveld Tribune Wisseltrofee vir die beste kreatiewe skrywer in Afrikaans Huistaal. She also receives the Highveld Tribune Floating Trophy for the best creative writer in English First Additional Language. Van die spesiale pryse wat toegeken is, is die ware heer en ware dame wat onderskeidelik aan Chad Coetzee en Ania Snyman toegeken is. Vosjan Grey en Yané Broekman ontvang die prys vir Kameradie en Luyanda Mabuza en Mandisa Dube vir Companionship. Die volgende Graad 12-leerders ontvang “Onthou-medaljes” wat deur TWK geborg is: Yané Broekman, Zara Büchling, Vosjan Grey, Amy Greyling, Alana Leibbrandt, Precious Matshaya, Jana Nel, Bonke Sambo en GJ Swart. Die boek pryse vir beste tweetaligheid is toegeken aan Zara Büchling (Afrikaans Huistaal en Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal) en Ania Snyman (English Home Language en Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal). Vosjan Grey word aangewys as die Dux-leerder vir 2020. Hy ontvang drie toekennings wat ook deur TWK geborg is: ‘n kontant bedrag, silwer skinkbord en die Fairbairn-medalje. EHS bedank die hoofborg, TWK, asook elke ander borg wat bygedra het om 2020 se prysuitdeling ‘n sukses te maak. “Baie geluk aan elke leerder wat ‘n toekenning ontvang het, en dankie aan elke Graad 12 leerder wat, ten spyte van ‘n moeilike jaar, die ekstra myl gestap het om hul laaste jaar as Erries goed af te sluit. Hoërskool Ermelo is trots op elkeen wat op verskeie gebiede die EHS se naam steeds hoog hou.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ingoma temporarily suspended by MEC 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 July 2021 “This suspension is in accordance with the Disaster Management regulations outlined by the national Department of Cooperative Governance as one of the preventative measures against the spread of the virus." COGTA minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, designated under section 3 and 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), has gazetted a notice which moved the country to adjusted level 4 as announced by the president. In a statement, the minister said the third wave and the Delta variant have led to a massive surge in new infections which necessitated that they must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons, gatherings, curfews and non pharmaceutical interventions. Therefore, under alert Level 4, initiation (ingoma) practices and post-initiation celebrations are prohibited. MEC Busi Shiba has officially suspended all initiation schools in Mpumalanga. Traditional leaders are urged to follow the rules, and to adhere to these extraordinary steps to reduce the infection rate. The suspension of the practice will be until further notice. “This suspension is in accordance with the Disaster Management regulations outlined by the national Department of Cooperative Governance as one of the preventative measures against the spread of the virus, as well as President Ramaphosa’s call to suspend all gatherings during the Level 4 lockdown. Regulations direct the traditional leadership institution to suspend all cultural activities in order to reduce human contact,” the MEC stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ripe for the picking 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 16 June 2020 Like a frog in a pot of slowly heating water, criminal elements coax more and more from MLM with each passing day, and the lack of maintenance to infrastructure makes it a walk in the park. Scenes such as this one in Erica Avenue is commonplace, with more and more substation doors, coverings, wiring and internals making a miraculous disappearance with each passing day. Amidst constant electricity outages and rotational load shedding by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), sub- and mini-substations are systematically stripped away and vandalized. Like a frog in a pot of slowly heating water, criminal elements coax more and more from MLM with each passing day, and the lack of maintenance to infrastructure makes it a walk in the park. Scenes such as this one in Erica Avenue is commonplace, with more and more substation doors, coverings, wiring and internals making a miraculous disappearance with each passing day. This coverless substation begs to be vandalized, and should the surrounding field be set alight, the internals will be melted beyond repair. Alas, this is but one of many substations being left without maintenance, without doors and coverings, to rust away and be systematically stripped, and MLM all the while lamenting and blaming the inadequate electrical infrastructure for outages. As the old saying goes, a bad workman always blames his tools. < Previous Article Next Article >

Golfers brave wishy-washy weather 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 On Saturday, 4 September 2021, the Evangelical Reformed Church will be hosting a fundraising golf day at Ermelo Golf Club, and can already be booked from 07:00. On Saturday, avid golfers of Ermelo braved the muddled weather to fit in a day of excitement and camaraderie. The players made swift work of the holes, and breezed through the game in record time. The newly revamped clubhouse provided a welcome refuge from the elements, as players grabbed something to eat, whilst others quenched their thirst with a well-deserved beverage. The clubhouse is almost unrecognizable, but in a good way, with suave interior decorations and exquisite furniture, benches and tables. The golf day was hosted in aid of the renovations to the bar, porch and lounge area of the club. Noeline Loubser from Ermelo Toyota, ladies members and other helpers have worked hard for the past 2 months, and further plan to undergo a transformation of the said part of the club building. Taking part in the event were 27 four-ballers (108 players) lined up to take part in the “4 Ball American Scramble” competition that was presented to celebrate the commissioning of the new facilities. The results of the day’s competition are as follows: 1 - Colin Odendaal, Christian Odendaal, Frikkie Odendaal and Stefan Pelser with 52 points net, 2 - Herman Swart, Niel Clifford, Fred Els and Bossie Bosman with 53 net counts, 3 - James Nkonde, Patrick Thomo, Charles Magagula and David Mashinini with 53 net counts, 4 - Marelize Potgieter, Annecke Fourie, Janice Swanepoel and Karen Cilliers with 55 points, 5 - Derek Fick, Johan Pie-naar, Phillip Steyn and André Steyn with 55 points , and 6 - Tollie Schoeman, Dirk Koch, Pierre Steyn, and Zach Smit only scored 55 points. On Saturday, 4 September 2021, the Evangelical Reformed Church will be hosting a fundraising golf day at Ermelo Golf Club, and can already be booked from 07:00. < Previous Article Next Article >

Party time is over at the Pet Dam The state of the Pet Dam site, where residents party their lives away, paying no heed to COVID-19 regulations. The state of the Pet Dam site, where residents party their lives away, paying no heed to COVID-19 regulations. The state of the Pet Dam site, where residents party their lives away, paying no heed to COVID-19 regulations. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 10 October 2020 In light of the blatant disregard from residents who use the dam as a party site, and who pay no heed to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a closure of the Pet Dam, with immediate effect. MLM has stated that an increase in COVID-19 cases is the reason for the closure. The Local Command Council (LCC) has made the decision. After numerous complaints falling on deaf ears regarding the Pet Dam and residents who swarm to the site daily in order to get the party started, it has come to pass that drastic measures have been forcibly implemented. In light of the blatant disregard from residents who use the dam as a party site, and who pay no heed to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a closure of the Pet Dam, with immediate effect. MLM has stated that an increase in COVID-19 cases is the reason for the closure. The Local Command Council (LCC) has made the decision. Speaking to Mr. Zwane, MLM spokesman, he stated that the Pet Dam’s gates will be locked to prevent access, and that security detail will patrol the area of the Pet Dam to ensure compliance from defiant residents. This is a developing story, and we are awaiting further information from MLM. Read the full article in the next publication of the Tribune Newspaper. < Previous Article Next Article >