Educators arrested for alleged corporal punishment Educators arrested for alleged corporal punishment 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 Masizakhe Secondary School students protested against corporal punishment recently, in light of numerous learners that have allegedly received corporal punishment. It is alleged that the students were reprimanded for refusing to attend extra classes spanning over the course of weekends. The educators have been charged with misconduct, and will have to explain their actions before a departmental disciplinary hearing. The Mpumalanga Department of Education has placed the principal and educator of Masizakhe Secondary School in Breyten on precautionary suspension, following allegations that they administered corporal punishment to learners. They are amongst the three who were arrested after the allegations were brought to the attention of the SAPS, and subsequently the department. The third educator is appointed by the School Governing Body (SGB), as such the department will convene a meeting with the to advise them about the course of action to be undertaken. Masizakhe Secondary School students protested against corporal punishment recently, in light of numerous learners that have allegedly received corporal punishment. It is alleged that the students were reprimanded for refusing to attend extra classes spanning over the course of weekends. The educators have been charged with misconduct, and will have to explain their actions before a departmental disciplinary hearing. They have also been placed under arrest on charges of assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm, and have appeared before the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court. The department continues to render counseling to the affected learners. < Previous Article Next Article >

MEC Mashilo cuts underperforming contractors 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 18 August 2022 MEC Mashilo lamented the poor performance as a continuous threat to budget cuts. Poor performing contractors doing business with the Department of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga came under severe hammering at a meeting by MEC Speedy Mashilo. He called an urgent meeting this week following the Department’s first quarter review session. Mashilo reminded contractors that their performance reflects on quality and efficacy of Department's service delivery. Accompanied by senior management, MEC Mashilo wanted to understand and make sense of their challenges owing to their apparent poor performance. The meeting also sought to craft solutions and necessary interventions to improving performance. Speaking at the session, MEC Mashilo lamented the poor performance as a continuous threat to budget cuts. “Your performance is below par, thus we must take action in order to get everyone up to speed. Your failure is our failure and it bears National Treasury ramifications of budget reduction, thus cannot be tolerated”, lamented Mashilo. He added that terminations and scope work reduction are not his obsessions. However, if needs be the Department will be forced to exercise its rights under the contracts. In airing their challenges, some contractors cited lack of services such as water from their sites, and thus increasing building costs. The issue of the subsidy quantum was also mentioned as a contributing factor owing to inflation and rising costs of building materials However, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi recently announced increased quantum of various programmes, including houses that now costs R139 000, to cater for this challenge. The delay in payments was also reflected as another huge impediment, and could be attributed to incorrectly completed invoices. As such, contractors were advised to exercise due diligence when completing and submitting their invoices. Notwithstanding these issues, MEC Mashilo urged them to be mindful of the Department's targets, and set their delivery within that period. In no uncertain terms, he stressed the need to adhere to contractual agreement. “We need to deliver on time, the people have been patient enough with us. This poor performance is hitting hard and adversely on the poor beneficiaries of our service. Thus, we need to be more sensitive to their plight as we go on with our work”, urged Mashilo. Taking cognisance of issues raised, MEC Mashilo called on officials to also assist contractors, and not appear as setting them up for failure in their delivery. It was further stressed that contractors ought to strengthen their social facilitation and stakeholder management functions to avoid any form of project disruptions. A clear undertaking was made that all outstanding invoices should be paid by Friday, 19 August 2022. Contractors that have failed to demonstrate capacity and sound schedule for completion of projects, will receive letters of reduction of scope. < Previous Article Next Article >

Continuous illegal dumping creates eyesore 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 The warning from MLM has been laughed off, and the refuse dumping has increased exponentially. In a sad state of affairs, it is also clear that rehabilitation or removal of the current, or previous refuse and rubble has been implemented. It has come to the attention of the Tribune that the Chris de Villiers Street roadside, as well as the adjacent fields on both sides, are strewn with literal mounds of refuse, discarded building materials and a considerable amount of fast food containers, indicating that surrounding residents and contractors conduct regular illegal dumping activities in this area. The issue has been reported to the call centre on numerous occasions, with no response from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). Upon enquiry in 2019, MLM issued the following response: “Illegal dumping in Msukaligwa is the problem, where community members deliberately degrade our environment through illegal dumping activities, especially rubble or building and demolition waste. Instead of using the landfill sites, community members opt for our public open spaces. To remedy the problem, the community awareness program is being rolled out to all community members. The law enforcement team from Gert Sibande is in partnership with Msukaligwa Local Municipality to deal with law breakers.” Alas, as we near the end of 2020, little effort has been put in to deal with residents and construction companies who illegally dump refuse and building material in Chris de Villiers Street. The warning from MLM has been laughed off, and the refuse dumping has increased exponentially. In a sad state of affairs, it is also clear that rehabilitation or removal of the current, or previous refuse and rubble has been implemented. Illegal dumping of refuse and other materials is a growing issue within Ermelo, as well as the surrounding areas, with residents paying no heed to the municipal by-laws, which remain unenforced. < Previous Article Next Article >

Joey, oud-leerder van MLA, beste leerling vir fotografie 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 8 June 2021 Haar vakke was ook Profesionele fotografie, grafiese ontwerp, intrepreneurs, besigheidspraktyk en digitale media. “Ons by Morgenzon Landbou Akademie is ongelooflik trots op Joey van Aswegen, wat by die Landties gematrikuleer het. Sy is as die beste leerling vir 2021 aangewys vir fotografie by Potchefstroof Akademie. Sy het studioligte as prys gewen, en is besig om haar eie studio op die plaas in te rig. Joey is nou amptelik ‘n gekwalifiseerde fotograaf. Haar vakke was ook Profesionele fotografie, grafiese ontwerp, intrepreneurs, besigheidspraktyk en digitale media.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Eskom discourages building near power lines 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 Eskom staff needs to remove or replace pieces of equipment when they maintain these lines, and these pieces of equipment, which are often heavy, could fall on the dwellings or people below the line. Eskom uses various types of heavy machinery to maintain its power lines, which require enough space to access the structure. Eskom has noted in a statement that it has seen an escalation in homes being built within power line servitudes, without Eskom approval. This is not only against Eskom regulations, but also poses a number of safety risks. Eskom appeals to the public to refrain from this illegal activity. The ground below and adjacent to a power line is called a servitude, and belongs to the relevant landowner in that area. However, Eskom has sole rights to this portion of land as they have to perform periodic maintenance or repairs. “The perception that power lines are harmless due to their size and overhead distance could not be more wrong. In order to ensure the safety of communities, residents are not allowed to live within power line servitudes, because it is almost impossible to ensure their safety,” says Miranda Moahlodi, Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety at Eskom. Electricity transmitted or distributed on power lines can be up to 765 000 volts. A fault anywhere on the power line may cause very high current to flow down to the ground. If somebody is close to the line, fault current can flow through the person and instantly kill. Also, a conductor may break due to strong winds or bad weather, and land on a shack, house or a person, which could kill or seriously hurt the inhabitants. There have been incidents where residents have been injured due to metal objects that have come into contact with live electricity. Metal is a conductor of electricity, and there is a possibility of an arc to a shack built within a power line servitude. If lightning hits the line, as it does in many cases due to the height of a line, a flash of electricity may occur to the homes in the servitude. “If Chiefs or traditional authorities want to give pieces of land to their people and these stands are in an Eskom servitude, they must speak to the local Eskom office. The traditional leaders and Eskom can then together make sure that all the people get pieces of land away from the power lines, ensuring their safety,” continues Moahlodi. At the same time, developers should make sure that the required clearance is maintained when access roads are built crossing servitudes. Beyond the direct safety issues this can cause, building close to power lines makes it difficult for Eskom to conduct infrastructure inspections, which can affect the supply of power in an area and hinder the early detection of issues that could cause major damage. In many cases, Eskom staff needs to remove or replace pieces of equipment when they maintain these lines, and these pieces of equipment, which are often heavy, could fall on the dwellings or people below the line. Eskom uses various types of heavy machinery to maintain its power lines, which require enough space to access the structure. Eskom also often uses helicopters to perform live line maintenance, and as such it becomes risky to the people living under the lines. “We hope that the public will heed this call and assist us by only building in designated areas that have been approved by the local municipality and government. We will continue to educate communities about electricity safety, ensuring that we all use electricity safely and responsibly, remains one of our central goals.” Moahlodi concludes. < Previous Article Next Article >

Travel in style at new Carolina Taxi Rank 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 4 May 2021 Users of the facility were urged to properly handle this taxi rank, and guard it against vandalism. After the plight of taxi users in the area, construction has officially been completed, and the handover of the newly developed taxi rank in Carolina, coupled with a taxi office facility, took place on Saturday, 1 May 2021. The event was hosted in commemoration of Workers’ Day, and served as a word of thanks to all workers. Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr DP Nkosi, the Speaker of Council, Cllr MW Mngomezulu, the Municipal Manager Mr MS Dlamini, the Director of Community Safety Services, Mr. W Shabangu, executives of Taxi Associations and SANTACO were in attendance at the event, cutting the ribbon to officially open the establishment. Users of the facility were urged to properly handle this taxi rank, and guard it against vandalism. < Previous Article Next Article >

Errie-atlete gekies vir Mpumalanga span 1/5 Share SH HATTINGH 30 March 2021 Vyf van die Erries is gekies om die Mpumalanga-atletiek span te verteenwoordig by die Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskap. Op Saterdag, 27 Maart, het van Hoërskool Ermelo se atlete deelgeneem aan die Mpumalanga-atletiek kampioenskap by die Secunda Atletiek stadion. Vyf van die Erries is gekies om die Mpumalanga-atletiek span te verteenwoordig by die Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskap, wat plaasvind vanaf 7 tot 10 April in die Paarl. Die volgende EHS-atlete is vir die Mpumalanga span gekies: Mia Davel (o/16) behaal twee eerste plekke in onderskeidelik hoogspring, met ‘n hoogte van 1,63 meter, asook in die 300m-hekkies, met ‘n tyd van 47,17 sekondes. Mikaela Hand (o/16) behaal tweede plek in skyfwerp, met ‘n afstand van 30,89 meter, en sesde plek in gewigstoot, met ‘n afstand van 10,59 meter. Carla Ferreira (o/18) verower tweede plek in spiesgooi, met ‘n afstand van 39,92 meter. Tyrone Berning (o/16) spog met drie uitstekende eerste plekke. In hoogspring, spring hy 1,92 meter, hy voltooi die 300m-hekkies in 39,02 sekondes, en die 400m in 50,90 sekondes. Ruan du Toit (o/18) behaal tweede plek in die 400m, met ‘n tyd van 48,93 sekondes. Alhoewel die volgende atlete nie gekies is vir die Mpumalnga span nie, presteer hulle nie te min ook uitstekend: Chester Mphahlele (o/17) behaal agtste plek in die 3000m, en BongmusaVilakazi behaal ook agtste plek in die 1500m. Deidre van der Meyden (o/17) behaal tweede en vierde plek in onderskeidelik die 100m en die 200m, Johnke Prinsloo (o/17) behaal tweede plek in die 400m, Mia Steenkamp behaal sewende plek in die 400m-hekkies, Zané du Plessis (o/17) behaal derde plek in hoogspring, asook vierde plek in die 400m-hekkies, en Chantelle Swart (o/19) behaal tweede plek in die 800m. “Baie geluk aan elke Errie wat deelgeneem het, asook dié wat gekies is vir die Mpumalanga span. Die EHS is met reg trots op elkeen se uitsonderlike prestasie.” < 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 >

Beware of SARS phishing scam Beware of SARS phishing scam 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 19 July 2022 SARS has issued a warning to the public to refrain from opening or responding to e-mails from unknown sources, even if they seem threatening. With tax season in full swing, scammers are pulling out all the stops in attempt to swindle victims out of funds, personal information and more. A large number of phishing reports have been brought to the attention of SARS, who has duly responded. Phishing is a scam WhatsApp, SMS or e-mail that attempts to steal your money, or your identity, by getting you to reveal personal information such as credit card numbers, bank information, or passwords. You will often be redirected to websites that pretend to be legitimate. In the case of SARS phishing scams, members of the public are randomly sent an SMS or e-mail with false content, often made to look as if these e-mails were sent from SARS. These are in fact fraudulent e-mails aimed at enticing unsuspecting taxpayers to part with personal information such as bank account details. SARS has issued a warning to the public to refrain from opening or responding to e-mails from unknown sources, even if they seem threatening. Beware of e-mails that ask for personal, tax, banking and eFiling details such as login credentials, passwords, PINs, and credit or debit card information, etc. SARS will never request your banking details in any communication that you receive via post, e-mail or SMS. However, for the purpose of telephonic engagement and authentication purposes, SARS will verify your personal details. Importantly, SARS will not send you any hyperlinks to other websites, even those of banks. In addition, SARS does not send *.htm or *.html attachments. Lastly, SARS will never ask for your credit card details. To report or to get more information on phishing, please send an email to phishing@sars.gov.za or call the Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870. < 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 >

LJV klink die doppies 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 1 December 2020 Die LJV sien uit om alle skuts, beginner of veterane, te sien by die volgende skietdag, wat binnekort aangekondig sal word. Die skuts van die Laeveld Jagters Vereniging (LJV) het hulself gate uit geniet by die onlangse skietdag, waar groot prestasies opgelewer was. Die formaat was 3 Gun, en die ou bulle het gewys dat hulle nog op en top is, met Pieter Ackerman wat met eerste plek wegstap in die veterane afdeling, met Danie Roos in tweede en Costas Klonaris in derde plek. In die senior dames afdeling neem Christelle Aucamp eerste plek in, Letitia van Rooyen tweede en Thelmari Aucamp derde plek in met puik tellings. Die senior mans het nie op hul laat wag nie, met Rudie Snyman in eerste plek, Riaan Neethling en Riaan Stander wat tweede plek deel, en Hardus Aucamp wat derde plek inneem. Rudie Snyman Jnr neem eerste plek in die junior afdeling, met Pieter de Beer Jnr in tweede plek. In die junior junior afdeling het Reynard de Beer behoorlik sy staal gewys. Thelmari Aucamp stap ook weg as die wenner van die gelukkige trekking. Die LJV nooi alle belangstellendes uit om die skietdae saam te kom geniet. Skuts wat belang stel hoef noe noodwendig lede van die LJV te wees nie, en kan met ‘n skamele bedrag van slegs R50 deelneem aan die skietkompetisies. Op die dae word eet- en drinkgoed ook te koop beskikbaar gestel, en alle ouderdomsgroepe word hartlik uitgenooi. As u belangstelling toon om die dae te geniet saam met die LJV, kan u gerus vir Santie Rautenbach, LJV Ermelo sekretaresse, kontak by 071 674 8178. Die LJV sien uit om alle skuts, beginner of veterane, te sien by die volgende skietdag, wat binnekort aangekondig sal word. < Previous Article Next Article >

Sewage spillage wreaks havoc on environment 1/13 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 While Msukaligwa Local Municipality has replaced a section of sewerage line, the damage is already done, and raw sewage continues to pollute the environment and underground water sources. Residents of Extension 7 have to make do with the raw sewage flowing past their dwellings, along with a wide range of garbage, animal carcasses and other debris floating in the sewage. Residents and businesses familiar with the ongoing sewage spillage in the vicinity of Oosthuizen Street is in for a even bigger shock. While Msukaligwa Local Municipality has replaced a section of sewerage line, the damage is already done, and raw sewage continues to pollute the environment and underground water sources. Residents of Extension 7 have to make do with the raw sewage flowing past their dwellings, along with a wide range of garbage, animal carcasses and other debris floating in the sewage. The Tribune has, in light of the unimaginable environmental impact, approached various roleplayers within government, as well as AfriForum, VF Plus and Ermelo Business Association for input and potential solutions. MLM will also be approached for input on the matter. Read the full article in next week’s publication. You may view videos relating to this article on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >