Rietspruit Farm finally allocated for housing The residents who invaded the farm in 2018, amidst corruption allegations within the DOHS. Rietspruit Farm was also the star of a dodgy deal saga, that involved the DOHS state security minister, one Bongani Bongo. Cllr. Mkhaliphi during the sod-turning ceremony. The residents who invaded the farm in 2018, amidst corruption allegations within the DOHS. 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 Rietspruit Farm was also the star of a dodgy deal saga, that involved the DOHS state security minister, one Bongani Bongo. At the time, Bongo was the head of legal at Mpumalanga DOHS, where Rietspruit Farm was purchased by the department for a whopping R36 million. It came to light that the farm was actually valued at a mere R12 million. In a surprising turn of events, Rietspruit Farm near Ermelo (also known as Extension 44), has been allocated by the Department of Human Settlements (DOHS) to house nearly 5 000 housing units. This flagship project was recently officiated by Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s executive mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, during a sod-turning ceremony. Gert Sibande District Municipality GSDM) regional planning unveiled that a reported 5 760 stands will be made available, with an estimated 4 000 mixed housing opportunities. Plans for more than 600 rental units were also mentioned. The project will be constructed on portion 6 of the site. Residential, retail and parks were touted as the main attraction, and water, sewage and roads infrastructure will be made available by DOHS. According to available information, DOHS purchased the land, and it was handed to MLM for the purpose of this development. DOHS will also appoint town planners to spearhead the development. This development did not come to pass without its fair share of woes and unrest from the community, who invaded the land in 2018. Thousands of residents flocked to the site to mark and measure out their stands, as word was passed around that development was planned at the site. Rietspruit Farm was also the star of a dodgy deal saga, that involved the DOHS state security minister, one Bongani Bongo. At the time, Bongo was the head of legal at Mpumalanga DOHS, where Rietspruit Farm was purchased by the department for a whopping R36 million. It came to light that the farm was actually valued at a mere R12 million, and the Hawks pounced with an extensive investigation. Bongo was later axed due to several reasons, which included failure to deliver on RDP housing and allegations of politicking. He has, however, been reintegrated into parliament, where he now faces charges of corruption and bribery involving Eskom and state capture. The Rietspruit Farm allocation has been a sleeper since 2011, and is seemingly finally been brought to potential by the DOHS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Gehoorsaam die verkeersreëls Gehoorsaam die verkeersreëls 1/4 Share SH HATTINGH 12 January 2021 Wanneer jy ‘n probleem ondervind met jou voertuig, moet nie in die middel van die pad tot stilstand kom nie, probeer om van die pad te gaan. Indien jy nie kan nie, sit jou voertuig se gevaar waarskuwingsligte aan, en sit jou rooi driehoek uit. Die afgelope week was daar verskeie ongelukke op verskillende paaie. Die meeste van die ongelukke word veroorsaak deur padverbruikers wat nie die verkeersreëls gehoorsaam nie. Wanneer jy ‘n probleem ondervind met jou voertuig, moet nie in die middel van die pad tot stilstand kom nie, probeer om van die pad te gaan. Indien jy nie kan nie, sit jou voertuig se gevaar waarskuwingsligte aan, en sit jou rooi driehoek uit. Jou rigting aanwysers is daar om ander padverbruikers te wys dat jy wel links of regs gaan draai, so gebruik dit. Die eerste ongeluk het op Donderdag, 7 Januarie gebeur op die Hendrina pad. Die Kia het uit geswaai vir ‘n motor wat stil gestaan het in die middel van die pad, en het tot stilstand teen ‘n boom gekom. Die voertuig het aan die brand geslaan. Die bestuurder is na die hospitaal geneem vir mediese behandeling. Op Sondag, 10 Januarie, was daar ‘n grusame ongeluk op die Piet Retief pad tussen ‘n motor en ‘n vragmotor. Tydens die botsing is drie passasiers wat in die motor was oorlede, terwyl die bestuurder en nog ‘n passasier ernstige beserings opgedoen het, en is na ‘n hospitaal in Piet Retief geneem vir mediese behandeling. Die bestuurder van die vragmotor het ligte beserings opgedoen. Wees versigtig wanneer jy die openbare paaie gebruik, en gehoorsaam die verkeersreëls. < Previous Article Next Article >

Chaos in Havenga Road as trailer snaps 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 1 November 2022 The entire community is getting the short end of the stick. On Friday morning, 28 October 2022, a heavy vehicle suffered a serious breakdown down due to the shoddy conditions of Havenga Road. The enormous potholes on this road caused a section of the vehicle’s trailer to snap clean off, as the trailers weren’t designed to withstand the strain of bending in the opposite direction while traversing these massive potholes. The roadway was in utter chaos for an extended period of time as services rendered assistance, while one lane was completely obstructed. Road users suffer damage to their vehicles on a daily basis, not to mention the negative impact the road conditions has on surrounding businesses. As the rain season kicks off, the outlook is bleak for motorists musing this road on a daily basis, as the roadway erodes at an alarming rate. At the start of 2022, SG Coal Breyten, PC’s Sand, MAN Truck and Bus and Van Wettens Towing had enough of the shoddy roadway, and repaired the road surface to make it easier for road users to traverse. MAN Truck and Bus supplied food and cold drinks to the teams on site, and Van Wettens towing services supplied the diesel. However, the lack of maintenance from Msukaligwa Local Municipality has made the initiative all for nought, as road users are now back to square one. The lack of service delivery from the municipality has many motorists hot under the collar. “The municipality has become so lax and complacent, used to the private sector doing their work for them. It is unacceptable that they are not held accountable for incidents like this. Everyone just goes with the flow, and nobody takes a stand against the municipality” one passing road user lamented. Frustrated motorists are now calling for Msukaligwa Local Municipality to finally take full accountability for their dismal neglect of Havenga Road, which is the only route available for heavy vehicles. “When will we say that enough is enough? The municipal officials parade on social media with their supposed service delivery projects, but we don't see any service delivery or change. I have to drive this road every day to work, and the damage I have suffered to my vehicle and tyres is immeasurable. I hope that the municipal council gets slapped with a lawsuit. Maybe then we will finally see some change," a frustrated driver on scene told the Tribune. While fuming residents are still waiting with bated breath for the apparent “road reconstruction” promised by Msukaligwa Local Municipality more than two years ago, damage is suffered by all on a daily basis. The entire community is getting the short end of the stick, including businesses in this area, with no reprieve from the municipality. View more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Local radiology service launched 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 13 October 2020 The partnership is aimed at providing Radiology Services to two Tertiary hospitals (Rob Ferreira Hospital and Witbank Hospital) and two Regional hospitals (Ermelo Hospital and Themba Hospital) in the province. In 2018, the Mpumalanga Department of Health and WITS Faculty of Health Sciences signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to a progressive partnership for improved health services. One of the clinical priorities within this MOU is the provision of Radiology Services in Mpumalanga. In addition, this partnership seeks to support health systems development, the recruitment and development of health professionals, capacity building programmes, creating opportunities for the sharing of resources, promoting innovation, excellence and exchange of knowledge in health service delivery and creating the opportunity to develop multi-disciplinary Clinical Centres of Excellence. The Mpumalanga Department of Health, through this partnership with WITS, has embarked on a partnership aimed at providing Radiology Services to two Tertiary hospitals (Rob Ferreira Hospital and Witbank Hospital) and two Regional hospitals (Ermelo Hospital and Themba Hospital) in the province. The announcement was graced with the presence of theExecutive Mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, various MMC’s and councillors, the Head of the Department of Health, Dr S. Mohangi, Prof. Daynia Ballot from WITS University (representing the Dean: Prof. Martin Veller), Prof. Simon Nemutandani, Chairperson of the Premier’s Advisory Committee, Prof. Wezile Chitha, Assistant Dean at WITS University, the WITS University Team, Gert Sibande District Management, Departmental senior managers and staff, CEO and hospital staff, stakeholders and organized labor unions, amongst others. The launch of this radiology services project marks another milestone in this partnership, along with the oncology services at Rob Ferreira Hospital. The main objective of this radiology initiative is to provide a 24-hour radiology service to the four hospitals, in line with the regional hospital services package, and tertiary hospital services package. To replace the historical arrangement of sending patient records for reporting by radiologists outside the hospitals, we have introduced internal capacity for radiological reporting within the four hospitals. The four hospitals are linked, and can access reports remotely. Working together in partnership with WITS University, the department will drive the change that people need in terms of specialized service through continual learning, creative thinking and a collective desire to positively impact the lives of every person accessing public health facilities. The specialized services in Mpumalanga will minimize the province’s dependency on Gauteng province, as this further retards the province’s ability to carry its mandate to provide comprehensive services to the people of Mpumalanga. The initiative will also reduce referrals to Steve Biko Hospital, and will offer relief to very sick patients who have to travel extensively to access specialized services. The department stated that solutions they are planning, working on and implementing, are those that must address health in its totality. In accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO), the definition states that “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well- being, and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo Primary hosts prestige athletics 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 3 March 2022 The atletes enjoyed the day and received very good results. Wednesday, 23 February was a big but very succesfull event for Ermelo Primary School, where they hosted their athletics at Ligbron Academy for Technology. The athletes competed against Laerskool Ermelo, Laerskool H.M Swart, Laerskool Jeugkrag, Laerskool Kallie de Haas, Laerskool Marietjie van Niekerk and Standerton Primary School. The atletes enjoyed the day and received very good results. EPS would like to thank each and every school as well as all the supporters that came to support the athletes. Ulilitha Dladla from Ermelo Primary received the award for best sprint girl, as well as Victrix Ludorum girls. Abelwe Nqotheni was awarded for best sprint boy results, and Victrix Ludorum boys. Appearing on the photos are Ulilitha Dladla and Abelwe Nqotheni, with Marinus Snyman, sales director of PanSolutions. < Previous Article Next Article >

Throw-and-roll raises eyebrows 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 15 June 2021 Loose gravel lining the roadside is a clear indication that the fillings were improperly compacted, and have degraded to a alarming degree, despite being filled less than a month ago. With a big hoopla Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) announced on their Facebook page that teams will be repairing roadways, and proudly posted the surfaces repaired. While all is good and well, and the municipality used the proper material for patching, improper practices are the downfall of the work done. Residents have lodged several complaints with the Tribune ePaper regarding the methods used by MLM, and have collectively categorized the repairs as a waste of product and resources. Upon investigation of the wards in question, the cause of the complaint is clear. While the correct product had been used by the teams, the drop and go method used in some of the patchwork, where a mixture is simply poured into potholes and left to dry, proved to be ineffective and many of the potholes that were repaired, are once again a gaping danger to motorists. In other instances, the throw-and-roll method was partially implemented, but can also be deemed a waste of product and resources. The mixture used was clearly inadequate, and the potholes were not cleared of debris and soil before pouring of the mixture. Loose gravel lining the roadside is a clear indication that the fillings were improperly compacted, and have degraded to a alarming degree, despite being filled less than a month ago. To save resources, manpower and funds, the correct procedure should be implemented, but is not. While institutions and private companies in Ermelo have used the correct method, by cutting out a section of roadway around the pothole, filling and compacting the patch with the correct ration and product, the same cannot be said with MLM’s methods. A semi-permanent procedure for repairing potholes is often considered the best procedure besides full-depth replacement of the affected area. When done according to acceptable standards, the pothole is first cleared of water and debris and the sides of the pothole are squared to a depth where the roadway is sound. The material is placed in the patch area and compacted with equipment smaller than the patch area, is very tightly compacted and provides exceptional longevity. Alas, the majority of the potholes that were repaired by MLM teams are once again eroded to a large degree. According to reports, a joint venture launched by concerned citizens in an attempt to repair roadways to an acceptable level has also fallen through due to disagreements between MLM and the involved parties. Product wastage by municipal teams was cited as one of the main causes of the venture being snuffed. < Previous Article Next Article >

MM lays down her reigns 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 February 2021 Her formidable stature within the ranks placed her as a beacon of excellence within the municipality, often lauded for her no-nonsense approach to issues faced. The community as a whole, as well as the staff and management of Msukaligwa Municipality was left flabbergasted following the sudden passing of the municipal manager, Ms Gladness Majola. Ms Majola’s untimely demise was announced on Saturday, 6 February 2021. Ms Majola, born on 13 September 1970, was appointed as municipal manager of Msukaligwa Municipality in November 2018, serving a four year contract. She took over from acting municipal manager, Mr S.R. Magudulela, and caught the community and her employees by surprise with her vast work experience in senior positions, and her determination to find solutions to issues as speedily and efficiently as possible. Her formidable stature within the ranks placed her as a beacon of excellence within the municipality, often lauded for her no-nonsense approach to issues faced. With a Bachelor of Law degree, Advanced Certificate, Certificate in Executive Municipal Management and Leadership, Project Management, Municipal Service Partnership, Supply Chain Management for Municipal Senior Managers, 16 years experience in senior management and seven years as Deputy Director-General Corporate Services in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, she has been a stalwart of service delivery during her term as municipal manager. Condolences continues to flood in from community members, friends and family, who are all left reeling in the wake of these tragic events. Ms Majola will be fondly remembered for her service, and her unrelenting fighting spirit in untangling the myriad of issues within Msukaligwa Municipality during her term. < Previous Article Next Article >

Cecilia kort hulp met veloorplantings 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 10 November 2020 Cecilia sterk baie goed by haar suster aan, maar moet nou veloorplantings ondergaan, wat ‘n groot bedrag gaan beloop. Die gesin beskik nie oor ‘n mediese fonds om te help met al die mediese onkostes nie. Cecilia Earle, ‘n jarelange inwoner van Ermelo, was op Donderdag, 8 Oktober 2020 betrokke in ‘n tref en trap ongeluk met ‘n swaar motorvoertuig. Cecilia sterk baie goed by haar suster aan, maar moet nou veloorplantings ondergaan, wat ‘n groot bedrag gaan beloop. Die gesin beskik nie oor ‘n mediese fonds om te help met al die mediese onkostes nie. Enige persoon wat meer inligting wil hê is welkom om Sue-Marie by 082 734 0867 te skakel. Die trust fonds is as volg: PWG Prokureurs, Eerste Nasionale Bank, Ermelo, Takkode: 270344. Die tjek-rekeningnommer is 52180048278. Barmhartige samiritane moet asseblief E745/Earle gebruik as verwysing. < Previous Article Next Article >

Gehalte diens by SAVF Huis Ermelo 1/1 Share Content Supplied 25 May 2022 Die opregte dank van SAVF CEO, Adriaan Raubenheimer, word oorgedra aan die lojale ondersteuners. Persverklaring - SAVF Huis Ermelo se 2022 Munisipale Inspeksie verslag weerspieël die hoogstaande kwaliteit van die fasiliteit. Die verslag reflekteer die voortdurende fokus op gehalte diens deur die bestuurspan met fokus op kwaliteit onderhouding van hul fasiliteite in 14 Fourie Straat in Ermelo. Dit was veral die aanmerking van die inspekteur - “Tannie Ragie is terug”- wat SAVF Mpumalanga se Provinsiale Leier, Mnr Marinus van Dijk en SAVF Huis Ermelo Voorsitter Me. Judy Gray met trots gevul het. Tannie Ragie was wel bekend in die gemeenskap, en die wete dat die fasiliteit steeds volgens haar streng standaarde bestuur en onderhou word, is vir SAVF een van die grootste komplimente. SAVF verskaf geintegreerde en bekostigbare diens aan kwesbare bejaarde persone in SAVF tehuise. Ons sorg vir jou wanneer jy nie vir jouself kan sorg nie, met die verskaffing van 24-uur versorging aan brose bejaardes. Die versorging sluit in: akkomodasie, alle maaltye, verplegingdienste, wasgoed dienste en ander verwante dienste wat tot die voordeel van inwoners bydra. SAVF Huis Ermelo is sedert 2021 onder ‘n nuwe bestuurs fokus, die impak van die samewerking tussen die nuwe bestuurder, Me. Waldi Sieberhagen, en die gevestigde bestuurspan in Ermelo dra by daartoe dat SAVF Huis Ermelo uitstaan as fasiliteit van keuse vir bejaarde sorg in Ermelo. Beplanning is reeds op dreef met die “Active Aging Programme” wat geimplementeer gaan word, en die “Eden Programme” vir die Altzheimers-afdeling wat weer nuwe fokus op die inwoners se aktiewe deelname gaan plaas. SAVF Streeks bestuurderes, Me Mari Louw, praat met lof oor die opknappings werk aan die fasiliteit, en die positiewe impak van Me. Waldi Sieberhagen se aanslag op die dag-tot-dag aktiwiteite in SAVF Huis Ermelo. Hoogtepunte wat uitgelig kan word sluit in: nuwe verswakte sorggedeelte vir nuwe opnames, opskerp van verplegingsmetodes in verswakte sorgafdeling met deurlopende opleiding en evaluasies van verpleeg personeel, opgradering van inwoners se kamers, opgradering van infeksiebeheer in die verswakte sorgafdeling, 4 x 10 000L watertanks herstel, uitstekende plaagbeheer en bo verwagte personeel prestasies. Personeel en vrywilligers het hande geneem om te verseker dat elke inwoner die kwaliteit diens ontvang waarop hul geregtig is. SAVF Ermelo is verantwoordelik vir die self-verkryging van fondse om voortgesette kwaliteit dienste te kan lewer. In hierdie proses word SAVF Huis Ermelo versterk deur verskeie organisasies en individue in die gemeenskap, wat al vir jare ondersteuning bied deur middel van donasies, skenkings en betrokkenheid as vrywilligers. Die opregte dank van SAVF CEO, Adriaan Raubenheimer, word oorgedra aan die lojale ondersteuners. SAVF Huis Ermelo se volgende opedag vind plaas op Saterdag, 4 Junie 2022. Tydens die opedag word alle belangstellendes genooi om die bestuurspan, personeel en vrywilligers persoonlik te ontmoet, saam deur die fasiliteite beweeg en die dienste wat gelewer word aan die inwoners eerste hand te ervaar. Opedae vind plaas om die wonderlike impak van die gemeenskap se ondersteuning, donasies en borgskappe te vertoon en die areas aan te spreek waar SAVF as ‘n nie-winsgewende organisasie die gemeenskap se ondersteuning benodig om die fasiliteit te onderhou. Vir enige navrae kan SAVF Huis Ermelo gekontak word op 017 819 3614 of ‘n e-pos kan gestuur word na ermelo.manager@savf.co.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

Cassim Park getting the short end of the stick 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 2 March 2021 Residents also allege that they face constant electricity issues on a daily basis, often being left for hours without electricity, with a very slow response rate from municipal departments. Amidst the service delivery issues experienced by Ermelo and its surroundings, Cassim Park is getting the short end of the stick regarding maintenance from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). What was once the pride and joy of residents in this area, Cassim Park has since regressed to a hollow shadow of its former glory. Streets are riddled with potholes, a myriad of worksites are left incomplete, several streetlights are either damaged and leaning dangerously towards the roadway, or completely out of order, and uncollected refuse litter the sidewalks. Grass on municipal grounds are long and unkempt, and council buildings, covered in graffiti and obscene spray painted images, rot away in glorious non-maintenance. Residents also allege that they face constant electricity issues on a daily basis, often being left for hours without electricity, with a very slow response rate from municipal departments. Speaking to residents in the area, they claim to have reported these issues they face on a daily basis to MLM on several occasions, with no joy. < Previous Article Next Article >

Transformator gestroop tydens slinkse diefstal 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 5 July 2022 Daar word verneem dat die verdagtes beskik oor basiese elektriese kennis, en dat hul genoegsame tyd gehad het om die misdaad te pleeg, en ongedeerd te onstnap. Met ‘n skok het gemeenskapslede by die Ermelo vliegveld verneem van etlike duisende Rande se skade wat berokken is as gevolg van infrastruktuur diefstal. Slinkse kriminele het op Donderdag, 30 Junie 2022, ‘n transformator gestroop, en het hul ook uit die voete gemaak met ‘n onbekende lengte medim spanning kabel. ‘n Metaal skeepshouer se inhoud is ook geplunder, maar op dié stadium is die items wat gebuit was onbekend. Diewe het toegang verkry tot die skeepshouer nadat hul deur die kettingskakels gesaag het. Die metaal ClearVu omheining is ook netjies en stelselmatig geknip en opgebuig, en boewe het sodoende toegang tot die vliegveld verkry. Die transformator en alle bybehore was behoorlik gestroop, en alle koper en metaal van waarde is weggedra. Op die toneel was verskeie items gevind wat deur die diewe gebruik was, insluitend ‘n kort panga, metaal handsaag en moersleutel. Die nabye elektriese skakelbord is ook geplunder, en verskeie drade geknip. Daar word verneem dat die verdagtes beskik oor basiese elektriese kennis, en dat hul genoegsame tyd gehad het om die misdaad te pleeg, en ongedeerd te onstnap. Verskeie hawelose individue wat in die omliggende area was, beweer dat hul geen kennis dra van die diefstal wat plaasgevind het nie, en dat hul geen verdagte aktiwiteit opgemerk het nie. Die Tribune het navraag gerig aan MLM om te bevestig of ‘n SAPD saak geopen is rakende die insident. Volgens MLM val die Ermelo vliegveld onder die jurisdiksie van Gert Sibande-distriksmunisipaliteit. Teen tye van pers was dit onbekend of die distrik ‘n saak by die SAPD geopen het. < Previous Article Next Article >

Thea-Rita spreek dank uit teenoor die gemeenskap 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 19 October 2021 Die kopers van die bok, het weer die bok terug oorhandig aan die Tribune ePaper, waar dit goed gedink is om die bok aan die CMR Lighthouse te skenk. Op Saterdag, 16 Oktober, was daar ‘n fondsinsameling aangebied by Hein se Plaas, ten bate van Thea-Rita Botha (21), wat binnekort ‘n nieroorplanting moet ondergaan. Die gemeenskap was vermaak deur die bekende Pieter Naudé, asook Ermelo se eie bekende sangeres, Yolandie Terblanche. Daar was gesellig gekuier, en gedans dat die stof staan. Heerlike slaaie was voorgesit, asook twee verskillende soorte potjie kos. Tydens die funksie was ‘n blesbok opgeveil, waarna die bok weer terug gegee, is en weer opgeveil is. Daar was ook heerlike wyn wat opgeveil is. Met die veiling is daar ‘n enorme bedrag ingesamel. Die kopers van die bok, het weer die bok terug oorhandig aan die Tribune ePaper, waar dit goed gedink is om die bok aan die CMR Lighthouse te skenk. Elmarie Nel, Thea-Rita se ma wil graag van die geleentheid gebruik maak om die volgende mense te bedank vir hul enorme bydrae: “Hein se Plaas, Midtest, Tribune ePaper, PanSolutions, Pick n Pay, Midway 2, SPAR Orient Apteek, die skenker van die blesbok wat graag anoniem wil bly, die Hoëvelder, AJO2 Water, Marinus Snyman, wat die afslaeër was, en dan vir Yolandie Terblanche, asook Pieter Naudé, vir die vermaak. Laastens, maar nie die minste nie, al die lede van die gemeenskap wat die aand bygewoon het, en aan elke donateur wat ‘n bydrae gelewer het, ons as gesin waardeer dit opreg.” Daar is tans steeds ‘n trust rekening by Pas Prokureurs. Persone wat ‘n bydrae wil maak, is welkom om die fondse in die trust rekening in te betaal. Pieter Stofberg Ingelyf Trust, Trustrekening FNB, Tak kode: 270 344, Rekening nommer: 620 921 503 26, Verwysing: BOT235/1. < Previous Article Next Article >