Sharp rise in gate motor theft Sharp rise in gate motor theft 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 24 November 2020 If you notice any suspicious behavior in your ward, or have information on individuals who are involved in gate motor theft, please contact the SAPS on 017 819 7803, or ACSU on 017 811 1274. With the festive season approaching, criminals are capitalizing on the more relaxed demeanor of residents, and may cause thousands of Rands of damage to your property. A thriving black market encourages enterprising criminals to partake in an ongoing gate motor theft issue, and Ermelo has seen its fair share of theft. Recently, gate motor theft has been an ongoing problem in various areas of Ermelo, with criminals striking mainly between 01:00 and 04:00. A seasoned criminal can steal a gate motor without a safety bracket within 25 seconds. It is important for residents to keep records of the serial number, which makes it easier for the SAPS to track down the owner of a stolen gate motor, should it be recovered. Stolen or damaged gate motor theft also has other implications, leaving residents vulnerable, having to get out of their vehicles to open the gates, or leave their homes at night to inspect disturbances. Stolen gate motors are either stripped down and its various components, such as copper innards, batteries and gearboxes sold individually, or they are sold as complete units to unsuspecting homeowners. There is also a worrying trend of suspects deactivating the gate motor, and accessing the property while on a manual override. Residents are urged to ensure that the gate motor is secured in a steel casing or bracket, which is to remain locked at all times. Suspects often just place their hands through the gate if your gate motor is unsecured and installed right next to a palisade-type gate. They are then able to switch the gate to manual, and access your property. Use a good quality lock to secure the motor’s theft-resistant cage, preferably opt for an insurance-rated padlock. Installing adequate anti-lift brackets, and welding a piece of flat bar onto the gate rack to prevent thieves from bending the rack upwards will also hinder the theft of your gate motor. If you notice any suspicious behavior in your ward, or have information on individuals who are involved in gate motor theft, please contact the SAPS on 017 819 7803, or ACSU on 017 811 1274. < Previous Article Next Article >

Lawless taxi driver causes death of infant Lawless taxi driver causes death of infant 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 April 2021 During the course of last week, Ermelo also saw its fair share of reckless driving and violence from taxi drivers towards individuals transporting passengers with private vehicles. According to the SAPS, taxi driver Sibonise Patrick Mathebula (31), allegedly ignored a stop sign in Amersfoort while chasing after a white Toyota Avanza, which was traveling from Ermelo on Tuesday, 15 April 2021. Mathebula collided with two pedestrians, a 20-year-old male and a 23-year-old female. They were accompanied by a five-month-old baby, who died on scene. The injured were transported to hospital for treatment. Mathebula was arrested and appeared before the Amersfoort magistrate’s court on Wednesday. He was charged with culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving, and was remanded in custody. He appeared before the court for formal bail application on Monday, 19 April 2021. According to the SAPS, the mother of the infant sustained several injuries and is still in hospital, while the second victim was discharged from hospital the next day. During the course of last week, Ermelo also saw its fair share of reckless driving and violence from taxi drivers towards individuals transporting passengers with private vehicles. < Previous Article Next Article >

Argument lei na moord Argument lei na moord 1/3 Share SM HATTINGH 1 June 2021 Na wat aangemeld is as poging tot moord, het egter in ‘n moordsaak ontaard nadat die man aan sy beserings beswyk het. Op Donderdag, 27 Mei, het ‘n man en vrou ‘n groot argument gehad op die hoek van McDonald en De Jager Straat, wat so erg was dat die argument gelei het na moord. Die man en vrou het baie sterk chemikalieë in die hande gekry, en die chemikalieë bo-op mekaar uitgegooi. Die man en vrou is beide na die Ermelo Provinsiale Hospitaal toe geneem vir mediese behandeling. Na wat aangemeld is as poging tot moord, het egter in ‘n moordsaak ontaard nadat die man aan sy beserings beswyk het. Die chemikalieë was so sterk dat dit die sitplekke van die voertuig ook gebrand het. < Previous Article Next Article >

Wiskunde en Wetenskap vang gees 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 9 March 2021 In the Science department, 28 of the 68 learners scored above 70% which include 9 A's. Die Wiskunde en Wetenskap departemente spog met nuwe hempies en uitstaande uitslae in die Gr 12 2020 eksamen. Wiskunde vier die 17de jaar van 100% slaagsyfer met 21 onderskeidings en 20 B-simbole. Die Top 5 leerders spog boonop almal met n gemiddeld bo 90%. Die Wetenskap uitslae staan ook nie terug nie en 28 van die 68 leerders slaag met n persentasie bo 70% waarvan 9 onderskeidings is. Die top 5 leerders in die vak het ook almal bo 90%! Math and Science - hard work with a smile! The Math and Science departments proudly display their new shirts as well as their excellent results during the 2020 exam. The Math department completed the 17th year with a 100% pass rate, 21 A's and 20 B's in the bag. The top 5 learners in the subject all scored above 90%. In the Science department, 28 of the 68 learners scored above 70% which include 9 A's! The top 5 learners in the subject all scored above 90%! < Previous Article Next Article >

R50 miljoen onwettige alkohol bedryf ontbloot R50 miljoen onwettige alkohol bedryf ontbloot 1/7 Share SM HATTINGH 7 September 2021 Gao besit verskeie besighede is die dorp, waar sy plaaslike drankwinkels ook deursoek is. Van die aanklagtes teen Gao is dat hy onder andere doelbewus en onregmatig wanvoorgestel het aan SARS, Doeane- en handelsmerkbeskermers, opsetlik en onregmatig onwettige goedere in sy beheer gehad het, en dat hy valse verklarings afgelê het ten opsigte van die invoere van al die alkohol. Die afgelope twee weke was nie ‘n maklike tyd vir SAPD lede van Amersfoort en Ermelo, asook ander lede met hoë rangposte soos SARS, asook personeel van Misdaad en Intellegensie wat informasie ontvang het van twee verskillende onwettige alkohol pakhuise in Ermelo en Amersfoort nie. Die eerste pakhuis wat in Amersfoort geleë is, is op Donderdag, 26 Augustus vasgetrap, waar daar onwettige alkohol bedryf plaasgevind het. Informasie is gelui vanuit Volksrust dat daar ‘n groot pakhuis in Amersfoort verlate staan. Die leidrade en alle informasie is gelui, en die verlate pakhuis is gevind. Tydens die ondersoek by die pakhuis is daar verskeie handelsmerke en tipes drank gevind, ter waarde van ongeveer R40 miljoen. Die drank is ondersoek, waar daar ook gesien is dat van die etikette op die verskeie alkohol bottels vervang is, en dat dit nie die oorspronklike etikette is nie. Die etikette word self gedruk, waar die oorspronklike etikette verwyder word met spesiale toerusting, en dan weer op die bottels geplak word. Die bokse waarin die drank verpak is, is gemerk “Export” waarby dit verander word na “Import”. Die grootste handelsmerk wat gevind is by die pakhuis, is “Original Best Classic Whiskey”, wat 664 kaste was. Ander handelsmerke is ook gevind, onder andere Bells Whiskey (389 kaste), Smirnoff 1818 Vodka (452 kaste) en Johnny Walker Red Label (156 kaste) met 11 los bottels. Tydens die ondersoek is daar niemand gearresteer nie, want volgens inligting wat ontvang is, woon die eienaar van die pakhuis in China. Die ondersoek duur steeds voort, al die alkohol wat gevind is in die pakhuis is verwyder na die staats pakhuis in Johannesburg. Op Woensdag, 1 September, het die ondersoek verder gegaan, waar daar ‘n pakhuis in Ermelo in Sluiter Straat gevind is. Navorsing is gedoen, en die eienaar van die pakhuis is gevind en dadelik gearresteer. Mingmin Gao (31) het op Vrydag, 3 September, sy eerste verskyning in die Ermelo Hof gemaak, waar hy borgtog geweier is en 4 aanklagtes in die oë staar. Sy saak is uitgestel tot 10 September 2021. Gao het op 1 September ‘n SAPD lid probeer omkoop met ‘n bedrag van R 6800.00, sodat die SAPD hom nie moet arresteer of enige verdere stappe teen hom neem nie. Sersant Nkosi het Gao egter steeds gerresteer, en ‘n saak teen hom geopen vir korrupsie. Dieselfde prosedures is gedoen met die alkohol wat in Amersfoort gevind is, waar daar ook valse etikette gemaak is en op die bottels geplak is. Tydens ondersoek is die alkohol wat in die Ermelo pakhuis gevind is, ongeveer R10 miljoen werd. Die Ermelo pakhuis, en dié van Amersfoort word verbind met mekaar, die ondersoeke duur steeds voort. In die Ermelo pakhuis is daar verskeie tipes alkohol gevind, waar die grootste handelsmerke 150 kaste Belgravia Gin, 65 kaste Wellington Whiskey en nog vele meer is. Gao besit verskeie besighede is die dorp, waar sy plaaslike drankwinkels ook deursoek is. Van die aanklagtes teen Gao is dat hy onder andere doelbewus en onregmatig wanvoorgestel het aan SARS, Doeane- en handelsmerkbeskermers, opsetlik en onregmatig onwettige goedere in sy beheer gehad het, en dat hy valse verklarings afgelê het ten opsigte van die invoere van al die alkohol. Al die alkohol wat by die Ermelo Pakhuis gevind is, is na die plaaslike SAPD geneem, waar dit ook later na die Staatspakhuis in Johannesburg geneem sal word, gepaard met al die vervalste etikette wat self gemaak is en al die toerusting wat gebruik is. < Previous Article Next Article >

Change the policy, not the level, says TLU SA 1/1 Share CONTENT SUPPLIED 6 October 2020 Even though the country moves to level one in terms of COVID-19, the economy, unemployment, and poverty stands at level five and is still growing in the wrong direction. The president’s call on South Africans to work hard to get the economy up and running again is a direct contradiction of the ANC’s economic policy. Media Statement - The movement of South Africa from level two to level one of the lockdown will bring no substantial change to the economy. It is just the government continuing with their political power play, says TLU SA. “The faster government lifts the limitations and South Africans start taking responsibility for their health, the sooner the mechanisms to have the economy function again, will start up again,” says Mr. Henry Geldenhuys, the president of TLU SA. “TLU SA is still very concerned about the ANC holding on to expropriation without compensation and nationalizing the Reserve Bank,” says Mr. Geldenhuys. “Creating trust with investors to build the economy should take centre-stage, but is an impossible feat if the government sustains this policy. The government has the chance to prove that the future of the country’s residents is a priority,” he says. “Look after the safety of all South Africans and do something to get a handle on crime. Let go of the sinking ideologies of socialism and communism, which always lead to poverty and failure. An economic policy based on the principle of private ownership and the free market will have positive economic results. It is now time to change the general policy.” TLU SA supports the Business for Ending campaign through which various well-known economists, companies and organizations demand ending the lockdown, lifting the state of disaster and converting all regulations to voluntary suggestions. Should a second wave of the pandemic and lockdown hit South Africa, the country cannot handle the resulting economic tidal wave and famine, because of the continued lockdown measures. Even though the country moves to level one in terms of COVID-19, the economy, unemployment, and poverty stands at level five and is still growing in the wrong direction. The president’s call on South Africans to work hard to get the economy up and running again is a direct contradiction of the ANC’s economic policy. This policy of confusion and uncertainty drove the country to junk status even before the onset of COVID-19. Economic growth is the result of trust because the correct financial processes are in place. < Previous Article Next Article >

Pollution on the daily irks business owners 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 19 April 2022 "And it’s not just here. Look around Ermelo, there’s refuse lining every street.” Business owners in Ennis Street are having a hard time with pollution of all kinds right on their shopfront’s doorsteps. Near-daily gatherings of individuals in this area cause the roadway, sidewalks and parking areas of surrounding businesses to become the ultimate party site. Large pile of glass bottles have been spotted on the sidewalk, with the refuse bin, ironically, being nearly empty. The roadway, sidewalks and parking area of the surrounding businesses are littered with a myriad of empty liquor bottles, food containers and shards of glass from bottles being shattered in drunken stupor. “It’s really troubling to see that this issue is ongoing, with no reprieve from authorities or law enforcement. My shopfront and parking area is littered daily with bottles, glass shards, other refuse, and even human feaces. I have to clean this area, and I don’t even sell liquor,” an irate business owner told the Tribune. “I’m not the only one. Look at the entire area here. It’s unacceptable. My customers have to drive on eggs when visiting my shop to avoid the shards of glass slicing their tyres. It’s making everything more difficult than it needs to be. And it’s not just here. Look around Ermelo, there’s refuse lining every street.” While on scene, the Tribune noticed two municipal employees gingerly cleaning the shard-strewn road, and picking up a large amount of liquor bottles lining the street and sidewalk. An enquiry will be sent to Msukaligwa Local Municipality, and the response published in the next publication. See more photos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Errie-atlete presteer tydens landloop byeenkoms 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 31 August 2021 “Baie geluk aan bovermelde atlete, en baie sterkte met jul voorbereiding vir toekomstige byeenkomste. Die Erries hou julle flinke tred met groot belangstelling dop!” Op 18 Augustus het die Erries se landloop atlete aan 'n landloop byeenkoms te Hoërskool Hertzog deelgeneem. Daar was slegs een byeenkoms vir 2021, en die Erries het hul uitstekend van hul taak gekwyt. Die volgende atlete verdien besondere vermelding: BongmusaVilakazi eindig eerste (seuns o/16), Chester Mpahlele behaal derde plek (seuns o/16), Nicolas Steyn vierde plek (seuns o/14), Mia Steenkamp eerste plek (dogters o/16) en Zané du Plessis tweede plek in dieselfde ouderdomsgroep. Caylin Loock eindig eerste in die afdeling vir dogters o/17. “Baie geluk aan bovermelde atlete, en baie sterkte met jul voorbereiding vir toekomstige byeenkomste. Die Erries hou julle flinke tred met groot belangstelling dop!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Smugglers appear before court Smugglers appear before court 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 March 2021 They found eight compressed rolls of dagga, weighing 105KG, with an estimated street value of R15750.00 hidden at the back of the vehicle. Two accused drug peddlers, Sabelo Makamu (40) and Tebatso Mokgabudi (30) appeared before the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 11 March 2021, for dealing with dagga. On 10 March 2021, the SAPS was busy with their operational duties, when they saw a suspicious bakkie parking on the side of the road. They approached the vehicle, where they found two suspects. The SAPS requested to search the vehicle, and upon investigation, they found eight compressed rolls of dagga, weighing 105KG, with an estimated street value of R15750.00 hidden at the back of the vehicle. The case was remanded to 18 March 2021 for legal representation, and both the accused remain in custody. < Previous Article Next Article >

Oosthuizen Street nears completion 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 1 September 2020 The work is at 90%, the municipality has upgraded the sewer line in the area by installing two new manhole, three length pipe and team needs to jet spray the line.” MLM stated. The raw sewage overflow in the adjacent field is still present, and will be resolved as work is completed, according to MLM. Work had recently commenced on the sewerage network in Oosthuizen Street, which, according to Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), is the cause of the four year long sewage overflow in an adjacent field. The overflow has negatively impacted businesses in this area, and has caused irreparable damage to the ecosystem and nearby water sources. The work commenced, hindered by soggy soil caused by the ongoing overflow of sewage. “The work is at 90%, the municipality has upgraded the sewer line in the area by installing two new manhole, three length pipe and team needs to jet spray the line.” MLM stated. The raw sewage overflow in the adjacent field is still present, and will be resolved as work is completed, according to MLM. During excavation, the MLM team caused the perimeter wall of a local business to collapse, further hindering progress. MLM stated that the preliminary investigation indicates that the wall was constructed on top of the sewer line, which is illegal or against the municipal by-law. < Previous Article Next Article >

Liggies neem deel by ASA kampioenskappe 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 13 April 2021 Kwanele Nkambule het 5de plek in die 200m vir seuns o/20 behaal, met ‘n tyd van 21.88 sekondes. In die 100m was hy 11de, met 11.00 sekondes. Anele Ngwenya seuns 0/16 spog met 4de plek in die hoogspring, met ‘n hoogte van 1.85m. Twee van die Liggies se atlete het vanaf 7 tot 10 April 2021 in die Paarl aan die Suid Afrikaanse atletiek kampioenskappe deelgeneem. Kwanele Nkambule het 5de plek in die 200m vir seuns o/20 behaal, met ‘n tyd van 21.88 sekondes. In die 100m was hy 11de, met 11.00 sekondes. Anele Ngwenya seuns 0/16 spog met 4de plek in die hoogspring, met ‘n hoogte van 1.85m. “Baie geluk seuns, die Liggies is trots op julle!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo stortingsterrein behaal 'n treurige 8% gradering 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 26 July 2022 In 2022 het die munisipaliteit hulself oortref met ‘n gradering van slegs 8%. AfriForum het vanjaar 162 vullisterreine landwyd geoudit as deel van dié organisasie se nasionale projek om die gehalte van vullisterreine in Suid-Afrika te meet. Nie een van die 22 vullisterreine wat in Mpumalanga geoudit is, het aan nasionale standaarde voldoen nie. Kragtens toepaslike wetgewing en regulasies, waaronder die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur: Vullis 59 van 2008, moet ’n vullisterrein aan bepaalde vereistes voldoen. Volgens Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir die Hoëveld, is die vullisterreine in hierdie provinsie in ’n haglike toestand. “Dit is duidelik dat geen beheer toegepas word by hierdie terreine nie en dat dit net nog ’n voorbeeld is van die totale agteruitgang van munisipale dienste in ons land.” Die Ermelo-stortingsterrein is al jare lank 'n onderwerp van omstredenheid, met miljoene rande wat vermors is op kontrakteurs en onnodige rehabilitasies van die terrein, net sodat dit slegs maande ná rehabilitasie uit die genade val. In 2015 het Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) 'n indrukwekkende 84% voldoeningsgradering behaal. Ongelukkig dit het van daar af na die honde gegaan. Volgens die oudit het dit in 2016 52% behaal, en 42% in 2017. In 2018 en 2020 is die munisipaliteit elke jaar 18% gegradeer. In 2019 het MLM egter in wese hul nakoming heeltemal misluk, met 'n gradering van 2%. In 2021 se oudit het die munisipaliteit 'n voldoeningsgradering van net 10% behaal, wat ver onder selfs die laagste van aanvaarbare standaarde is. Nietemin het die munisipaliteit hulself oortref met ‘n gradering van slegs 8%. Op hierdie trant sal die stortingsterrein geklassifiseer word as te gevaarlik, indien dit minder as 2% behaal. Bekker sê die mees algemene probleme wat AfriForum tydens die oudit opgemerk het, is die afwesigheid van afvalbestuurslisensies en ’n algehele wanbestuur van terreine. “Dit wil voorkom of daar geen doelwit of plan is om op munisipale vlak hierdie dringende probleem op te los nie, en sal ons as AfriForum dus met die relevante owerhede kontak maak om die probleem te probeer oplos, dit is ’n absolute skande om te sien hoe van die terreine lyk en dit is onaanvaarbaar dat daar niks aan die probleem gedoen word nie. Munisipale verval is aan die orde van die dag, en dit is ooglopend dat veral kleiner munisipaliteite onder grootskaalse wanbestuur gebuk gaan,” sê Arlo van Heerden, distrikskoördineerder vir die Laeveld. < Previous Article Next Article >