High profile suspects in court for corruption High profile suspects in court for corruption 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 It is alleged that the trio colluded to bribe a prosecutor to withdraw charges that Masenga is facing in contravention of the Immigration Act and fraud, NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement. The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) acting head in Mpumalanga, Matric Luphondo, and a Hawks lieutenant-colonel were among the trio who appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges. The bail application for the Mpumalanga head of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga, Kebone Masenga, the Hawks Unit Commander of Serious Corruption Investigation, Lieutenant-Colonel Ayanda Plaatje, and Luphondo is set to continue after the court refused the State’s application for a seven-day postponement. It is alleged that the trio colluded to bribe a prosecutor to withdraw charges that Masenga is facing in contravention of the Immigration Act and fraud, NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement. “The prosecutor reported the matter to his seniors as well as the police. Subsequently to further investigations, the three were arrested. The NPA has initiated the relevant labour processes against Luphondo. While the NPA is disappointed that any of its officials is entangled in such allegations, in conflict with our new values which are anchored on high ethical conduct, integrity and credibility, we take pride in the men and women who are resolute in defending our new vision. It is encouraging that there were prosecutors and investigators who acted swiftly and with honesty and strong moral principles in defence of our values and the law.’’ Ngwema said. < Previous Article Next Article >

Expect long queues at the licensing office 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 “Digitalization of the system will produce better, efficient and quicker results and lessen the time spent by individuals at these centers. That will also ease our headaches, that there won’t be any contamination of COVID-19 at all our premises. Fortunately, licensing departments, including examiner now fall directly under my department. We will fix all the underlying problems.” Municipalities that still utilize old model machinery are urged to convert to digital equipment in order to handle the massive turnout if applications in Alert Level 3. Applicants will be granted a 90-day period to renew their licenses, provided it expired during Alert Level 4 or 5. “Digitalization of the system will produce better, efficient and quicker results and lessen the time spent by individuals at these centers. That will also ease our headaches, that there won’t be any contamination of COVID-19 at all our premises. Fortunately, licensing departments, including examiner now fall directly under my department. We will fix all the underlying problems.” This was announced by the MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Gabisile Shabalala, during routine inspections. Shabalala’s inspections will entail ensuring that traffic departments comply with COVID-19 regulations, ensuring that their premises are fumigated, sanitized and comply to the highest hygienic standards, including demarcation for social distancing during the long queues. < Previous Article Next Article >

Liggie-slimkoppe beïndruk 1/5 Share SM HATTINGH 24 August 2021 Die Top 10 akademiese presteerders in elke graad is aangewys na die afgelope Junie-eksamens. Dit verg baie insette en ekstra ure voor die lessenaar om hierdie prestasie te behaal. Die Top 10 akademiese presteerders in elke graad is aangewys na die afgelope Junie-eksamens. Dit verg baie insette en ekstra ure voor die lessenaar om hierdie prestasie te behaal. We are very proud to present the Top 10 academic achievers in each grade and would like to express our congratulations to each Liggie for their hard work and dedication. The Top 10 learners for Grade 12 are Nadine Brelage - 94.71%, Busisiwe Vemba, Hubert Terblanche, Prajna Bhika, Jenna Scott, Gerhard Botma, Marzé Wentzel, Kgomotso Maroga, Retha le Roux and Amandla Cele. Graad 11 Top 10 leerders is Danika Drotsky - 94.57%, Ané Roets, Danielle Venter, Almaas Saley, Huzefa Patel, Atiyyah Jassat, Lóhan Coetzee, Imaan Tayob, Adri van der Merwe, Prince Adebayo and Siphelele Msibi share number 10. Top 10 learners in Grade 10 are Fatimah Mogalia - 91.14%, Praise Ngubeni, Asiphesona Soyeye, Muriel Mugweni, Janneke de Villiers, Shawn Kobe, Zeara Maseko, Amirah Jassat, Natalie Kobe waar Jana du Plessis en Douglas Reyneke ‘n plek deel in die Top 10. Graad 9 Top 10 is Elandri Kleynhans - 96.00%, Ameen Tikly, Simoné Cloete, Amelia Brummer, Aqeelah Sarang, Jasmyn Archer, Shazia Vally, Brenda Kirsten, Anele Manana en Lungile Mthethwa. The Grade 8 Top 10 learners are Atharv Agre - 93.11%, Zahraa Tayob, Nicole Brelage, Ilne Grobler, Nabihah Jassat, Rumaanah Del Cueto Martinez, Zahra Del Cueto Martinez, Akua Mprah, Malebo Marutla and Lethabo Motlhabi. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tread carefully during heavy rainfall 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 February 2021 Emergency Services have urged residents and motorists to be cautious when flooding occurs, and rather to be safe than sorry. The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Mpumalanga says persistent heavy rain has left a trail of death and destruction in the province. The rainfall has damaged infrastructure, roads and at least 100 housing structures in various parts of Mpumalanga. At least eight people were killed in a heavy storm which moved through the province on Saturday. The department’s spokesperson, George Mthethwa, stated that the SAPS is still searching for five people who are presumed to have drowned. He said there is a search operation led by the police to recover those who have drowned and are still unaccounted for, including a 13-year-old boy who was riding a horse when he drowned in a river. “We have eight certified fatalities which occurred as a result of drowning in our rivers. We must say some have been horrendous. For example, in one incident, we had a mother who was trying to cross a local river while carrying a baby on her back. Unfortunately, she could not survive. We still have five missing persons, those who have drowned in the local rivers.” he stated. Other areas, including Mbombela, Bushbuckridge, and Nkomazi were severely affected. Two weeks ago Mpumalanga authorities reported that a five-year-old boy died after he was swept by floods, while in KwaZulu-Natal, a 14-year-old also died after drowning during heavy rainfall. The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow moderate level two warning as more persistent rainfall is expected to hit. Emergency Services have urged residents and motorists to be cautious when flooding occurs, and rather to be safe than sorry. Drive safely and responsibly, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and make sure you don’t drive on flooded roads. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tribune Newspaper migrates to digital publication 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 February 2021 The Tribune ePaper will impress its footprint in the form of weekly e-mail updates of the top stories to subscribed readers and businesses. After careful deliberation and extensive consultation with clients and stakeholders, we are proud to announce the migration of our publication to fully digital format. Thus, this publication will be the final printed version of the newspaper, which will then be fully integrated in digital format as from 2 March 2021. In an constantly evolving landscape of information and technology, the Tribune ePaper will impress its footprint in the form of weekly e-mail updates of the top stories to subscribed readers and businesses, which will redirect then to a fully interactive web page. From there, the entire publication will be easily readable and accessible, free of subscription charges, on both mobile and desktop solutions. When visiting the interactive site, readers, clients and advertisers will be able to easily enquire and respond to advertisements in our e-publication, by simply clicking on the relevant advertisement of interest. Once clicked, an auto-completed e-mail will open in your preferred e-mail client, from where you can fill in your enquiry and send it to the advertiser in question, with minimal hassle. From there, the recipient of the e-mail will be able to easily and readily reply to the client’s enquiry, be it pricing enquiries, or simply needing more information regarding products and services. Interested advertisers may also book one of four spaces that are available on the weekly e-mail, which will reach more than 5 000 individuals at startup, with the subscriber base expanding as contact addresses are submitted. If you would like to receive your weekly Tribune ePaper, simply send a blank e-mail to tribuneinteractive@highveldtribune.com . You will then be added to the database to receive your weekly E-Paper. You may also send a WhatsApp, simply containing your e-mail address, to either 071 885 2505 or 082 542 9592, to have your address added to the mailing list. We heartily thank all our readers and advertisers for their support, and we look forward to continuing our journey together in the digital realm. Should you have any enquiries regarding advertising space, do not hesitate to contact Lynette Hattingh on 082 542 9592, send an e-mail to lynette@highveldtribune.com , or contact Sue-Marie Hattingh on 082 734 0867. If you would like to report a news event or place a municipal service delivery complaint, you may send a WhatsApp to Garth Cronje on 071 885 2505, or send an e-mail to editor@highveldtribune.com . < Previous Article Next Article >

The Bed Shop Ermelo aan die brand 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 16 June 2020 Die nodige personeel was spoedig op die toneel, en het daarin geslaag om die brand blitsvinnig te stuit voor die res van die winkel ook kon vlam vat. Op Woensdag, 10 Junie, het The Bed Shop in Joubert Straat aan die brand geslaan. Die vuur het ontstaan in die stoorkamer, maar die oorasaak van die brand is steeds onbekend. Die nodige personeel was spoedig op die toneel, en het daarin geslaag om die brand blitsvinnig te stuit voor die res van die winkel ook kon vlam vat. < Previous Article Next Article >

Big trouble in Littledale Street 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 The condition of this road is horrendous, with a mixture of rubble, chipped bricks, stone and what seems like sewage makes for a mixture of concern. Unwary motorists could easily cause great damage to their vehicle if not alert. Residents and motorists are Cassim Park are getting the short end of the stick, with an alarming amount of unfinished worksites, dubious connections and crumbling infrastructure. Additionally, the road conditions in this area leaves much to be desired, with focus shifting to Littledale Street. The condition of this road is horrendous, with a mixture of rubble, chipped bricks, stone and what seems like sewage makes for a mixture of concern. Unwary motorists could easily cause great damage to their vehicle if not alert. Even though Msukaligwa Local Municipality is aware of these issues, the road surface continues to regress, along with the rest of Cassim Park, which was once a jewel of Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

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 >

Poo troubles in Pet Street 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 21 September 2021 Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Complaints from businesses and residents in Pet Street led to the discovery of a massive sewage overflow, with raw sewage encompassing an area of several hundred meters. Apart from the health risks associated with the overflow, where pedestrians and nearby residents have to traverse, the sewage also flows into a stream flowing towards Klein Drinkwater stream, ultimately ending up polluting the Vaal Dam. Residences on the opposite side of the read also has their fair share of sewage overflow, as the main lines were seemingly blocked. Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Speaking to Mandla Zwane, spokesman for Msukaligwa Local Municipality, he has confirmed that the relevant teams have responded to the issue. “According to the sewer section, two of the three main holes were cleaned and unblocked last week. Today (Monday, 20 September 2021) they are cleaning the last one. The municipality appeals to the public to report any sewer spillage to the municipal contact centre for speedy responses. Our sincere apology to the affected community,” he stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS bedank Smet Jet 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 February 2021 Die Erries is reg vir die jaar en met samewerking soos dié vanaf die gemeenskap, kan Hoërskool Ermelo baie groot hoogtes bereik. Hoërskool Ermelo se dank gaan uit aan Smet Jet wat EHS se geboue – koshuise ingesluit, gesaniteer het en so bygedra het tot die voorbereiding vir 2021 se skooljaar. Die Erries is reg vir die jaar en met samewerking soos dié vanaf die gemeenskap, kan Hoërskool Ermelo baie groot hoogtes bereik. < Previous Article Next Article >

COGTA to be asked to intervene as MLM’s financial crisis deepens 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 27 July 2021 According to the AG, MLM incurred a staggering loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. A local municipality is charged with providing basic services, including temporary services, to all residents, formal and informal. “A municipality which is in financial distress can never be in a position to deliver services to its residents. A letter will be written to the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Busisiwe Shiba, asking her to intervene and help these municipalities fix their dismal financial status so that they can be in a better state to provide proper services to residents.” Trudie Grovè-Morgan, MPL Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on COGTA expressed concern over the lack of service delivery from several Mpumalanga municipalities, with Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) and eMalahleni being in the spotlight. The 2019/2020 Auditor-General’s (AG) report of both municipalities of eMalahleni and Msukaligwa showed that they are facing deepening financial crises. This, in turn, makes it difficult for them to provide services to residents. “Since 2016, the DA has been requesting that they are placed under administration, to no avail. The Eskom debt in eMalahleni increased from R1 billion at the end of December 2016, to being the R5 billion it is today. This exponential increase can never be justified as deserving residents are robbed of basic services by interest which is generated on this overdue account,” Grovè-Morgan said. Closer to home, residents under the wing of MLM are also feeling the brunt, with service delivery being an extremely sore point, in Ermelo, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Wesselton, and Sun City. The financial issues faced by MLM has also not improved since the previous AG’s report. The report stated that several Mpumalanga municipalities showed blatant disregard of compliance with key legislation, with no consequences from government. MLM, along with six other local municipalities were identified by the AG as in crisis. The AG further expressed concern that despite highlighting areas of concern and recommending action to remedy the situation on the two reports prior to the 2019/2020 report, municipalities did not investigate any unauthorized, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Therefore, the trend of wasteful expenditure while residents suffer still continue. According to the AG, MLM incurred a staggering loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. A local municipality is charged with providing basic services, including temporary services, to all residents, formal and informal. However, there have been several reports and complaints from residents that fall under MLM, living in informal settlements, who, amongst other things, have to dig their own pit toilets or use the veld. The provision of basic electrical and sewerage infrastructure is also being neglected , or simply not provided. Refuse is not removed, and the dubious quality of the water supply is a major cause for concern. A myriad of raw sewage overflows in a multitude of areas further aggravate the situation. All of these factors endangers residents’ health, particularly during a pandemic. Residents and businesses in Ermelo and the surrounding areas buckle under the strain of daily electrical outages, where many areas are left without electricity for days on end. Damage to electronics and household appliances is a burden weighing heavily on residents withing MLM’s governance, with the municipality simply washing their hands of it. Furthermore, the political and administrative leadership in Mpumalanga local government is criticized for not demonstrating decisiveness in dealing with the deteriorating internal control environment, allowing unethical behavior, misconduct and a culture of no consequences in the process. The AG has noted concern that these circumstances may facilitate theft and fraud, while a number of financially distressed municipalities in the province can’t be resuscitated, even with assistance from the provincial task teams dispatched to implement financial recovery plans. The audit outcomes indicate that internal controls do not work effectively. According to the AG’s reports, employee cost across the municipalities averaged up to 45% of the total municipal budget. This, in turn, cuts into funds allocated for service delivery, hence the spectacular failure of service delivery from many municipalities, including Msukaligwa Local Municipality. It was also noted that the majority of the local municipalities, including Msukaligwa Local Municipality, failed to spend conditional grants for infrastructure development and maintenance from the national government. “The DA thus calls on the Mpumalanga provincial government to intervene and assist municipalities such as eMalahleni and Msukaligwa Local Municipality, as they are financially distressed, and not in a position to deliver the intended services to residents.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Rondloper beeste steek inwoners dwars in die krop 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2022 Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Die kwessie van verdwaalde en rondloper vee in Ermelo woongebiede, omliggende areas en die buitewyke is al jare ‘n doring in die vlees van motoriste, sonder enige optrede van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) en die relevante departemente. In hierdie geval word verordeninge heeltemal geïgnoreer, en die wette word nie deur die owerhede afgedwing nie, wat 'n bose kringloop van frustrasie, saakbeskadiging en gevaar vir motoriste veroorsaak. Verskeie inwoners het gerapporteer dat hul honde onbeheerbaar opgewerk word deur die rondloper vee wat ronddwaal in die woongebied, veral in die De Bruin Park omgewing. Klagtes vanaf inwoners beweer dat dié rondlopers so gewoond geraak het aan verkeer en gevloek van frustreerde motoriste en inwoners, dan die diere hul geensins steur aan die kwaad wat hul stook nie. Verskeie motoriste het nouliks vermy om met hierdie diere te bots, wat ‘n veer voel vir aankomende verkeer. Hierdie kwessie is egter nie net tot diewoongebiede beperk nie, aangesien inwoners verskeie klagtes ingedien het oor beeste wat in die begraafplase wei, en kosbare herinneringe vertrap, blomme opvreet en vase beskadig, en ander gedenkwaardighede verniel. Alhoewel dit 'n dringende kwessie in Ermelo is, wag almal in spanning dat MLM -amptenare nog beslissend optree. Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Verskeie navrae was al aan MLM gerig. Dié het egter die navrae doodluiters ignoreer, en het tot hede geen terugvoer gegee nie. < Previous Article Next Article >