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  • Toil and trouble for motorists in Camden Avenue | tribune-newspaper

    Toil and trouble for motorists in Camden Avenue 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 17 August 2021 The drivers of these heavy vehicles are supposedly liable to a fine of R1500, and traffic officials do an excellent job at clamping down on a large number of heavy vehicles in the CBD. Alas, the lament of the residential wards seem to be the least of MLM’s worries. “What are they even doing in the residential area? I mean, there are traffic officers who live near here, who drive past these trucks every day. Nothing is being done. The municipality ignores our pleas, and the traffic department couldn’t be bothered.” These are the words of a frustrated resident in De Bruin Park, where several self-titled businessmen park their heavy vehicles at night, lining the streets and obstructing the traffic flow. During the early morning rush hour traffic, these lumbering vehicles have been reported driving carelessly, ignoring stop siggns and traffic lights, making u-turns in front of oncoming traffic, and being a general nuisance to the residents in the area. “I can’t see if there are oncoming traffic when I exit my yard, because my view is blocked by a heavy vehicle which is parked on the sidewalk. It’s very dangerous, and nothing is being done about it.” Camden Avenue is known for its motorists who travel at unacceptably high speed, and often disregard the rules of the road. These dangerous drivers, coupled with the heavy vehicles that have no business being in a residential area, is a recipe for disaster. Despite the issue being raised with Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) on several occasions, the issue persists, and has, in fact, worsened. Heavy vehicles, which transport coal, large loads and often livestock, can be spotted in Camden Avenue on a daily basis. These heavy vehicles have on several occasions been deemed as a danger to road users and pedestrians, especially college students and children whose parents reside in the Autumn Ridge security village. Heavy vehicle drivers have, on numerous occasions, been spotted double parking on the sidewalks to offload passengers, damaging curbs and street signs by misjudging turns, driving at excessively high or low speeds, in both cases frustrating motorists to a large extent. This issue is, however, not confined to De Bruin Park, as there are several wards in Ermelo East where heavy vehicles are parked in the road at night, and often detach their trailers, leaving it on the roadside as an accident waiting to happen. The drivers of these heavy vehicles are supposedly liable to a fine of R1500, and traffic officials do an excellent job at clamping down on a large number of heavy vehicles in the CBD. Alas, the lament of the residential wards seem to be the least of MLM’s worries. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • Vuurwapen amnestie word verleng | tribune-newspaper

    Vuurwapen amnestie word verleng 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 4 Augustus 2020 Die polisie het gesê geen vrywaring word toegestaan vir vuurwapens wat gebruik word om enige misdaad te pleeg nie, en alle vuurwapens wat ingehandig is, sal ballisties getoets word om te verseker dat dit nie gebruik is in die pleging van misdade voordat dit vir vernietiging oorweeg kan word nie. Onwettige vuurwapeneienaars kry 'n tweede kans met die nuwe vuurwapenperiode wat sal duur tot 31 Januarie 2021. Die vorige amnestietydperk was vanaf Desember verlede jaar tot Mei vanjaar, maar is deur die COVID-19 pandemie in die wiele gery. Die SAPS glo dat daar baie meer vuurwapens daarbuite is wat nog oorgegee moet word, en het die beperkings op Vlak 4 en 5 van grendeltyd verhinder dat mense hul onwettige, ongewenste en ongelisensieerde vuurwapens en ammunisie inslaan. Dit het die minister van SAPS, generaal Bheki Cele, genoop om die parlement te nader om 'n nuwe aansoek van 'n amnestietydperk van ses maande goed te keur. Die goedkeuring van die nuwe aansoek is sedertdien op 31 Julie vanjaar in die Staatskoerant gepubliseer, waardeur alle mense met onwettige of ongewenste vuurwapens sowel as ammunisie dit by hul naaste polisiekantoor kan inhandig. Die polisie het mense aangespoor om hierdie periode te benut om hul vuurwapens en ammunisie in te dien vir vernietiging, of hernuwing van 'n bevoegdheidsertifikaat en 'n geldige lisensie. Die jongste statistieke oor nasionale misdaad toon weereens dat vuurwapens die voorkeurwapen in die pleging van die meeste geweldsmisdaad was. Die vermindering van die sirkulasie van vuurwapens kan die plaag van geweldsmisdade heelwat verminder, en die amnestie van die vuurwapens beoog om 'n verminderde aantal vuurwapens wat onwettig besit in die land in omloop te sien. Dit bied dus vuurwapeneienaars die geleentheid om onwettige en ongewenste vuurwapens in te dien, wat sal lei tot die voorkoming van misdaad en die bevordering van veiligheid om te verseker dat mense wat in Suid-Afrika woon, veilig is en voel. Die polisie het gesê geen vrywaring word toegestaan vir vuurwapens wat gebruik word om enige misdaad te pleeg nie, en alle vuurwapens wat ingehandig is, sal ballisties getoets word om te verseker dat dit nie gebruik is in die pleging van misdade voordat dit vir vernietiging oorweeg kan word nie. Vir navrae oor vuurwapenamnestie, kontak 012 353 6111, of stuur 'n e-pos na cfrenquiry@saps.gov.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

  • High water table proves problematic for MLM

    High water table proves problematic for MLM 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 18 October 2022 Thulatsepo General Trading was appointed as contractor for the project, with a completion date of 30 June 2023. Residents in De Bruin Park have been left baffled, after contractors excavated an extended portion of the main sewerage line between Camden Avenue and Roberts Street, at the Pet Dam. Residents were told by the said contractor that they were appointed to upgrade the sewerage line to alleviate spillage issues. However, they have done more harm than good. In President Fouché Avenue, near the Roberts Street intersection, raw sewage has been flowing for months into the field. The trenches dug by the alleged contractor merely exacerbated the issue, with several more spillage points being noted following excavation. In Mauritz Read Street, towards Camden Avenue, trenches had been excavated months ago, and stood as a white elephant since. Building materials, including concrete and PVC sewerage infrastructure pipes have been put on display in the field, along with heaps of sand and gravel. Residents have now alerted the Tribune to the fact that the trenches dug in this area are being filled up. The main concern here being that there has seemingly been absolutely no work done on the sewerage network. The trenches are filled with raw sewage, and are now simply filled with soil. Storm drains have been trampled and destroyed by heavy machinery, and are left as is. In one of the trenches, a storm drainage pipe can be noted, which is also damaged. To the point of where the trenches are filled, no sign of upgraded or replaced pipes can be noted. In an official response, Msukaligwa Local Municipality stated that BTMN Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd were appointed to undertake the feasibility study and detailed designs for the Upgrading of Ermelo Extension 32, 33 & 34 outfall sewer pipeline. Thulatsepo General Trading was appointed as contractor for the project, with a completion date of 30 June 2023. “The excavated sewer line trench was barricaded by the contractor, pending the engineer’s instruction of working along the areas with excessive water table. The engineer’s representative has reported that the contractor has started with backfilling the trench, in order to re-excavate and follow the engineer’s site instruction,” the statement from the municipality reads. “It is untrue that the contractor has left the site and trenched unattended. The contractor has been procuring materials required for working under high water-table areas like this one. Materials such as crusher run stones, geofabric biddim blanket and perforated subsoil drain pipes are required in order to follow the engineer’s instruction.” However, several residents have brought the train of thought by MLM and appointed contractors in question. “Surely, they should have taken the constant sewage the flows into the field, which is actually wetland, into account. It is only logical that the water table would be high, but it surely isn’t water,” one resident stated. “So, in reality, the entire exercise of months of digging, damaging infrastructure, pipes and stormdrains, have all been for nought? The trenches have been left for months to fill with raw sewage, only to be closed again because of shoddy planning... That is beyond a joke,” another told the Tribune. Concern has been raised as the summer rain season approaches, and the trenches and surrounding work area left with heaps of loose soil, which will prove problematic, seen as this specific area floods annually, due to the non-existent stormwater drainage infrastructure. Residents in this area should be prepared for more trenching in the near future, as the engineer’s orders are implemented. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • GSDM hosts cleanup in Carolina

    GSDM hosts cleanup in Carolina 1/7 Share GK CRONJE 19 July 2022 This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day was held under the theme: “Do what you can with what you have and where you are”. The bustling Kerk and Voortrekker Streets in Carolina were given a much-needed facelift during a clean-up campaign led by the Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) Executive Mayor, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu, joined by the MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental affairs Ms. Busisiwe Shiba and Executive Mayor of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality Cllr Dan Nkosi and local mining houses as part of the Nelson Mandela International Day celebrations on Monday, 18 July 2022. Heaps of litter was removed from the sidewalks and by-ways with shoppers and motorists urged to take good care of their immediate environment. Soon after the clean-up campaign, Cllr Walter Mngomezulu and delegation took time to spend time with senior citizens from surrounding farms at the Carolina Town Hall where the life and times of the late former statesman were celebrated. The senior citizens were showered with presents, which included blankets and food parcels as well as gardening tools and manure for them to start communal fruit and vegetable gardens. This year’s Nelson Mandela International Day was held under the theme: “Do what you can with what you have and where you are”. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • Ermelo Community Police Forum new committee | tribune-newspaper

    Ermelo Community Police Forum new committee 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 22 February 2022 On Saturday, 19 February 2022, the community of Ermelo were invited to attend the Community Police Forum (CPF) meeting. On Saturday, 19 February 2022, the community of Ermelo were invited to attend the Community Police Forum (CPF) meeting. During the meeting, community members were able to talk about their concerns inside Ermelo, as well as the rural areas. The biggest concern from all the people of the community were the crime that takes place during the day, as well as at night, and all the people that walk so freely in town and injecting each other with the same needles, coupled with all the drug use. During the meeting there was an election for a new committee that wil assist the community and SAPS for the next 5 years. The Chairperson is Raphael Mthetwa, Deputy Chairperson is Jaco Kirk, Secretary is Sweetness Thela, Deputy Secretary is Sesi Msibi, Treasurer is Jenny Venter, P.R.O is Rulph Basson, Co-ordinator is Sue-Marie Hattingh. The following are the three additional members - Dumisani Mkhabela, Priscilla Nkosi and Themba Vilakazi. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • All MPU libraries now back in business | tribune-newspaper

    All MPU libraries now back in business 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 The Mpumalanga Department of Sports, Arts and Culture spokesperson, Sibongile Nkosi, announced that all 116 public libraries in Mpumalanga have resumed operations. Category A libraries may admit a maximum of 50 users at a given time, with category B admitting 30 users, and category C allowing 10 users at a time. The Mpumalanga Department of Sports, Arts and Culture spokesperson, Sibongile Nkosi, announced that all 116 public libraries in Mpumalanga have resumed operations. This comes as a boon for library users who rely on the institutions to source information for school and studies. “The minister of sports, arts and culture has granted Mpumalanga permission to reopen all its libraries. The reopening was done with strict adherence to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Protective counter screens have been installed at reception desks to protect both librarians and users against the spread of COVID-19. Drop boxes are available at entrances where returned books can be dropped off, disinfected and quarantined for 72 hours to kill the virus before they are returned to their shelves. The department put together a reopening plan that has been followed to a tee to ensure that there are no flare-ups of the virus.” Nkosi stated. Category A libraries may admit a maximum of 50 users at a given time, with category B admitting 30 users, and category C allowing 10 users at a time. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • GSDM's water tankers do little to appease disgruntled communities

    GSDM's water tankers do little to appease disgruntled communities Delegates during the handover of the water tankers. Delegates during the handover of the water tankers. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 25 August 2020 GSDM touted that the tankers handed over culminated in an amount of R10.3 million, which equates to approximately R1.4 million per tanker. This has already raised eyebrows, and stirred up a hornet’s nest, as similar tankers can be procured for as little as R450 000 each, if working on a tight budget. Residents bemoaned this fact, and claims that the prices of these tankers have been grossly overinflated. Delivering on their promise to assist municipalities to deliver basic services, Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) handed over seven 10 000 liter water tankers to seven municipalities, in a bid to improve service delivery to rural areas. “Gert Sibande District Municipality remains focused on its mandate which is to support local municipalities to provide excellent services and development. During the State of the District Address (SODA) for 2020, District Executive Mayor, Cllr. Muzi Chirwa, made a commitment that GSDM would continue to support local municipalities with service delivery fleet which is needed by the municipalities in the provision of basic services, especially in rural areas. On 12 August 2020, GSDM lived up to its promises. Seven 10 000 liter water tankers, amounting to R10.3 million, were handed over to the local municipalities to help improve the provision of water to communities without access to running portable water particularly amid the corona virus outbreak,” the statement from GSDM read. While this act, in itself, is a boon for residents who struggle with potable water, the reception of the announcement of these tankers were less than positive. What is supposed to be a positive act, has turned to fury from residents questioning the logic, as well as the math, behind these water tankers. Residents lamented the fact that money is being wasted on fruitless expenditures, instead of implementing lasting solutions to issues faced. Community members questioned why boreholes weren’t considered, and why groundwork for running water weren’t laid with these funds. Another lamented the fact that townships are riddled with overflowing sewerage pipes and manholes, and that water tankers do nothing to assist the struggling communities. Many residents outright stated that they do not trust the municipalities to use the tankers to its full potential, stating that they’ve never received potable water on the municipality’s own accord, even though they were so promised. Others were infuriated by the fact that a skyhigh Eskom bill, and the dismal electrical infrastructure could have been serviced with the cost of the tankers. GSDM touted that the tankers handed over culminated in an amount of R10.3 million, which equates to approximately R1.4 million per tanker. This has already raised eyebrows, and stirred up a hornet’s nest, as similar tankers can be procured for as little as R450 000 each, if working on a tight budget. Residents bemoaned this fact, and claims that the prices of these tankers have been grossly overinflated. Rubbing salt in the already smarting wounds of local municipalities that are teetering dangerously close to the brink of bankruptcy, GSDM has placed the onus of maintenance and upkeep of these tankers on the respective municipalities. The majority of these local municipalities can barely keep the ship afloat as is, without the need of additional financial strain. Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (GMM) is facing massive backlash from residents for their gross lack of service delivery and shocking mismanagement of their payment agreement with Eskom, which has resulted in municipal load shedding of up to 14 hours per day, coupled with incalculable water supply issues due to owing the Rand Water Board in excess of R245 million. Lekwa Local Municipality is knee-deep in lawsuits, as basic service delivery is virtually non-existent, and the ongoing pollution of the Vaal river being a major issue which the municipality has turned a blind eye to. Closer to home, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) owes Eskom a whopping R170 million, with a monthly repayment of nearly R10 million. In a trajectory that is distressingly similar to that of GMM, the supply of electricity to residents have been rationed considerably, with outages of up to 48 hours in some area due to alleged cable faults and transformer overloads. Coupled with load shedding, which wreaks havoc on the ill-maintained electrical infrastructure of MLM, residents sit in the dark for hours on end, while MLM technicians desperately scramble to patch up the mess caused by the gross lack of maintenance. It’s six months later, and MLM still plods along with the rotational load shedding, and is yet to announce a recovery plan for the situation, if one exists at all. Unfortunately, this isn’t an issue that will resolve itself with dreams and good wishes, and MLM isn’t forthcoming with information. This does not bode well for MLM, nor the frustrated, angry and desperate residents under it’s governance. In 2018, Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane announced that MLM, amongst others, were announced as “being placed under financial rescue to address issues of financial mismanagement.” Alas, this initiative has failed, as the state, and mountains of debt of all mentioned municipalities, including MLM, have worsened. Frankly, Mpumalanga municipalities are in a deep financial crisis, and are on the brink of total collapse, and no amount of honey around the mouths of residents is able to hide this fact. Funds and assistance received from district, provincial and government levels are poured into an endless black hole of cadre employment, exorbitant salaries, luxury vehicles and a myriad of other fruitless expenditures. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • SASSA launches online application portal | tribune-newspaper

    SASSA launches online application portal 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 A receipt will be generated when the application is completed. Supporting documents that are attached must be certified by a Commissioner of Oath. The agency is currently reviewing its system, and thereafter the other grants will also be added to the portal. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) launched a pilot programme, entailing a self-service portal that can be used on both computers and mobile devices. According to SASSA, the turnaround time is 10 days, provided the candidate supplies all the stipulated documents linked to the application such as identity documents of applicant and spouse’s as well as banking details, among others. At this time, the project will cover Child Support, Older Persons and Foster Child grants. SASSA stated that this pilot will provide much-needed relief to grant applicants, as it will save them the inconvenience of standing in queues at SASSA offices. According to the agency, the added advantage is that the convenience of online applications eliminates the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus. The agency may require documents supporting a change of circumstances such as payment method, banking details and address. The portal also provides updates on the status of the application. To access this service, applicants need to have an e-mail address to sign up, and to be able to log in for further services. Feedback will be sent via e-mail or through an SMS for those who do not have e-mail addresses. A receipt will be generated when the application is completed. Supporting documents that are attached must be certified by a Commissioner of Oath. The agency is currently reviewing its system, and thereafter the other grants will also be added to the portal. Qualifying applications can be lodged on https://services.sassa.gov.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

  • WOF MPU prepares for Winter Fire Season | tribune-newspaper

    WOF MPU prepares for Winter Fire Season 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 These camps ensure the 24 WOF Mpumalanga teams are mentally and physically fit going into the season. Firefighters are physically and theoretically assessed, and when successful, receive Yellow Cards at the end of the camps. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Working on Fire Programme continues to live by its objective of restoring dignity to the disadvantaged youth in marginalised communities. This was evident when Working on Fire Mpumalanga recently conducted a recruitment drive at various towns across the province, in preparations for the upcoming Winter Fire Season. Selections were conducted under strict COVID-19 protocols and regulations, with hopefuls put through the rigorous WOF fitness test of a 2.4 kilometre run, push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups. A total of 45 new recruits were selected, giving previously unemployed youth entry into the employment sector. The new recruits will undergo specialised veld and forest firefighting training through the Kishugu Training Academy, in Nelspruit. Upon completion, they report back to their respective bases to top up existing teams. This ensures Working on Fire teams are at full strength going into the fire season. The province also took the team drivers and Safety Health and Environment Representatives (SHE Reps) to refresher training workshops at the Kishugu Academy, where they polished up on their theoretical education to ensure best practices at their bases. The Working on Fire Yellow Card Training Assessment Camps is set to take place in April. These camps ensure the 24 WOF Mpumalanga teams are mentally and physically fit going into the season. Firefighters are physically and theoretically assessed, and when successful, receive Yellow Cards at the end of the camps. All these preparations will ensure WOF Mpumalanga is ready and able to assist partners and stakeholders in WOF’s much-sought-after Integrated Fire Management Services, which includes but not limited to, fuel load reduction and fire suppression. < Previous Article Next Article >

  • 'n Dekade van stank vir dank | tribune-newspaper

    '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 >

  • Football explodes on the local scene | tribune-newspaper

    Football explodes on the local scene 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 10 May 2022 The aim is to get sponsors for all sporting codes in Wesselton / Ermelo to keep our young ones encouraged and motivated to do good. The town has now become a great space of football, and the culture seems to be taking the town by storm, That’s a great sight for sponsors, soccer fans and other community stake holders. On 27 April 2022 we saw a great display of football shown by two major radio stations in town, VOCFM 102.9 and Ligwa FM 101.3, jointly with Ermelo Taxi Association and Abagcotshwa United FC (abafundisi), then Ermelo Masters FC and Gunners FC (from Ekasi Social League-Masters), that sealed the deal with a good football to spice up things on the tournament. What a way to celebrate Freedom Day, with a group of positive men, teaming up together to make the day possible and conducive to all. The sport worked as glue that brought everyone together, and people from different spheres came together as one unit. All thanks to Saks Sam and Raff IVundraz for championing the day, big up to Ntokozo Tokyo Siluma for such a great spirit shown in and outside the pitch, we appreciate you gentlemen. Power Hour Motivations Movement really appreciates the day and hoping that more of this kind should be made a norm to our community. Next we will be targeting netball and volleyball. We feel that ladies need to be showcased and be given a fair opportunity as well. The aim is to get sponsors for all sporting codes in Wesselton/Ermelo to keep our young ones encouraged and motivated to do good. Our motto reads ‘Developing a Mentality to see Greatness in the midst of the Worst’. - Sincerely, Bro Ntosh < Previous Article Next Article >

  • Crime wave hits Ermelo as December arrives

    Crime wave hits Ermelo as December arrives Crime wave hits Ermelo as December arrives 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 7 December 2021 Furthermore, double check that your windows are properly latched, and ensure that all small- and side windows are closed and on latch, as larger windows can easily be opened with creative use of metal wire. As December arrives with apathetic festivity, so has a surge in crime. Several reports have been noted of burglaries and attempted burglaries in Ermelo, with the main focus of wily criminals being Ermelo East, Cassim Park and De Bruin Park. Several reports have been lodged regarding a white single cab Toyota Hilux bakkie that trawls the streets of Ermelo East, most notably Cloete and Pet Streets. The passengers of the bakkie, reportedly between two and four at a time, allegedly pose as contractors, and by this means gain unauthorized access to properties, where they help themselves to any items that are not bolted down. It is also alleged that the same group lifts motorized gates from the track, and also herewith gain access to properties without permission. The same bakkie has also been reported to have been spotted in Oosthuise Street, and reports of sightings in De Bruin Park have recently been noted. However, the issue regarding the suspects in the Hilux is finicky at best. According to the SAPS spokesperson, Captain Prinsloo, the act of removing a motorized gate from its track is not viewed as a misdemeanor in the eyes of the court. “In order to successfully arrest and convict any trespassing suspect on your property, the said suspect needs to be caught red-handed, and the fact that the suspect has stolen property needs to be proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. The fact that the bakkie and its passengers are trawling the streets and properties is, in itself, not basis of an arrest by the SAPS, lest an act of crime can be proven.” This is of little comfort to residents who have suffered damages by the hands of the group, and by other criminal elements. Due to the fact of increased criminal activity, the cases reported to the SAPS is handled on basis of severity, and this subsequently impacts the response time by officers on duty. A higher priority crime will enjoy a swifter response time than a menial crime, according to Captain Prinsloo. Another issue that security groups and the SAPS face is that of a female suspect that is notorious for scaling walls and electric fences, gaining access illegally, and making off with all manner of items, most notably hose pipes, garden equipment and meat grills. This suspect is well known, and has been apprehended on numerous occasions with stolen items. Residents in Jorrison Street have also faced a slew of burglaries and attempted burglaries. Over the last week, wily criminals have attempted to gain access to properties in this street, luckily mostly without success. An attempted burglary also left a window to a property smashed. Fortunately, no items of value were able to be pilfered through the window. Residents are urged to ensure that their properties are secure this December. Ensure that all items of value that can easily be carried, concealed or stolen are locked indoors or in your garage. Furthermore, double check that your windows are properly latched, and ensure that all small- and side windows are closed and on latch, as larger windows can easily be opened with creative use of metal wire. The SAPS has provided the contact numbers of the officers in each area affected by the activities of these criminal elements, and the SAPS requests any resident that notices suspicious behavior, to report it to the numbers provided. Ermelo East - W/O Pillay, 082 448 2653. De Bruin Park - Sgt. Ngcobo, 082 304 0138, and in Cassim Park - Sgt Lubambo, 082 419 6371 / 082 591 7353. Should you notice any suspicious regarding the Hilux, you may contact the above numbers corresponding to your area. Residents are urged to be vigilant, and report any suspicious behavior, criminal acts and burglaries to the following numbers for swift response and awareness: ACSU on 017 811 1274, Spartan Team on 081 325 7259, or the SAPS on 017 819 7803 / 017 819 7279 / 017 819 7329. Residents may also report emergencies and incidents of suspicious behavior to the SACCW: Theo Craven, SACCW Gert Sibande District Director, 081 733 0032, Chantal Boonstra, SACCW Gert Sibande District Director of Administration & Social Development, 072 460 1654, or Paul Koen, 078 670 1730. The SACCW members are also available on WhatsApp. The safest approach is to look out for one another as residents of Ermelo. If you are away for the weekend or going on vacation, please ask your neighbor to periodically check on your property and alert authorities of any suspicious activity, Likewise, do the same for your neighbors if they are not present at their residence. < Previous Article Next Article >

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