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Breyten water woes at an end... In 2024 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 23 March 2021 Many fuming residents in Breyten sit without potable water for the 10th consecutive week. There has been no tangible action forthcoming from authorities. Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister, David Mahlobo, has performed a sod-turning to mark the beginning of work on the Greater Breyten Water Supply Scheme project in Warburton, Mpumalanga. he Greater Breyten Water Supply Scheme project is part of the Msukaligwa Regional Bulk Supply Scheme, which aims to ensure that all water infrastructure has sufficient capacity to cater for the future water demands over a 30-year design horizon. The estimated cost of the project is reported to be approximately R330 million. he project, which is planned for 36 months and anticipated to be completed by 13 May 2024, will cover four magisterial areas in Msukaligwa Local Municipality, including Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Lothair and Warburton. At the sod-turning ceremony, Mahlobo acknowledged that the community is not well served, especially when it comes to water provision. “Today marks a major milestone towards achieving the infrastructure goals, as articulated in our Water Master and National Development Plan of Infrastructure Development and Provision of Access to Water for our people. We are very confident that after the completion of these water projects, our people will have access to water and decent sanitation, which will restore dignity to our people.” Mahlobo said. This statement is hollow and frail, as many fuming residents in Breyten sit without potable water for the 10th consecutive week. There has been no tangible action forthcoming from authorities. Work is underway to draw water from Torbanite Dam and bring it to Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Warburton and Lothair. “Today, together with the District Mayor and the Local Mayor, we are handing over to the contractor to start working under the implementing agent, which is the Gert Sibande District.” the Deputy Minister said. He condemned the vandalism and theft of water infrastructure, as this leaves people without water, and called on the community to work with the government to prevent theft and vandalism of water infrastructure. The project scope includes the refurbishment of the Torbanite Dam pump station, installation of new raw water rising main from Torbanite Dam to Breyten Water Treatment Works (WTW), refurbishment of the Breyten WTW, installation of a new rising main from Breyten WTW to Breyten WTW reservoirs, replacement of secondary bulk mains supplying Breyten town, and installation of a new rising main from Breyten WTW to Chrissiesmeer bulk reservoirs. It also includes the construction of a new pump station at Chrissiesmeer reservoir site to provide bulk water supply to Warburton, installation of a new secondary bulk main from new Warburton reservoir to Warburton reticulation, installation of new gravity main from Chrissiemeer bulk reservoirs to Lothair reservoirs, installation of reservoirs in Lothair, as well as the installation of new rising main from the inline booster pump station to the elevated tanks in Lothair. < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS-Tennis skop af met vriendskaplike wedstryde 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 30 March 2021 Die Erries was uiters opgewonde, aangesien dit die eerste wedstryde was sedert die inperking in 2020. Die Eerste dogter span, asook die Eerste- en tweede seun span het op Vrydag, 19 Maart, oefen-tenniswedstryde teen Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg gespeel. Die Erries was uiters opgewonde, aangesien dit die eerste wedstryde was sedert die inperking in 2020. Die volgende leerders het hul enkel wedstryde gewen: Bongmusa Vilakazi (eerste seun span) wen met 7/6, Inge Greyling (eerste dogter span) wen met 8/5, Elizma Swart (eerste dogter span) met 7/6, Pieter Leibbrandt (tweede seun span) wen met 8/5 en Christiaan Wege (tweede seun span) wen met 10/3. Op die foto staan (v.l.n.r), Danel Olivier, Elilzma Swart, Inge Greyling, mnr Hennie Dippenaar, Wianke Cloete, Chrizanne Joubert, Mariska van Biljon en me Annemie Martins. < Previous Article Next Article >

Badplaas SAPS robbed at gunpoint Badplaas SAPS robbed at gunpoint An example of an R5 rifle, which the group made off with. Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU spoksesperson. An example of an R5 rifle, which the group made off with. 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 The suspects fled the scene, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.” Amidst contradicting reports stating that two pistols and an undisclosed amount of cash was also nabbed. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has come forward, blaming the incident on understaffing and a lack of leadership. Mpumalanga SAPS is searching for a group of armed men who made away an undisclosed number of firearms from the Badplaas police station. According to information received, the men stormed the station, allegedly overpowered the officers and made off with the firearms. SAPS Brig. Leonard Hlathi stated that no arrests have yet been made: “A number of armed men entered the CAC in Badplaas police station and threatened the members on duty with their firearms. They managed to disarm to of the members of their service pistols, and forced them to open the safe in the community service centre, where they took one R5 rifle. The suspects fled the scene, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.” Amidst contradicting reports stating that two pistols and an undisclosed amount of cash was also nabbed. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has come forward, blaming the incident on understaffing and a lack of leadership. “There has not been much progress in ensuring that we deal with the uneven allocation of resources within police stations, and in ensuring that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is restructured to ensure that we get more manpower on the ground where crime is actually happening.” Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU spoksesperson, stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kiara wys hoe ‘n ruiter moet presteer 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 Tydens ‘n onlangse byeenkoms het Kiara eerste plek verower in Half Section Sword, tweede plek in Seksie Sword, tweede plek in Indian File Sword, tweede plek in Indian File Lance en derde plek in Single Lance. Morgenzon Landbou Akademie gloei met trots met Kiara Mostert se puik prestasies. Kiara is ‘n ruiter vir Klub Waterberg, wat in Limpopo geleë is. Tydens ‘n onlangse byeenkoms het Kiara eerste plek verower in Half Section Sword, tweede plek in Seksie Sword, tweede plek in Indian File Sword, tweede plek in Indian File Lance en derde plek in Single Lance. < Previous Article Next Article >

Errie kunsleerder tweede in MPU 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 17 November 2020 Hoërskool Ermelo se Graad 12-kunsleerders het uitstekend presteer tydens die kuns kompetisie wat jaarliks deur die Departement van Onderwys aangebied word. Hoërskool Ermelo se Graad 12-kunsleerders het uitstekend presteer tydens die kuns kompetisie wat jaarliks deur die Departement van Onderwys aangebied word. Uit die 137 inskrywings, het sewe Erries presteer met uitslae bo 80%. Miceala Erasmus behaal 87%, en verwerf tweede plek in Mpumalanga. Hierdie is ‘n besonderse prestasie, en getuig van harde werk en ‘n pragtige kunstalent. “Baie geluk, Miceala. Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op jou!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Kommer oor gerehabiliteerde Wessel Weg 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 28 September 2021 Met die reënseisoen wat sterk oppad is, is die kanse dat die oppervlak van die roete dit gaan maak tot volgende jaar hierdie tyd redelik skraal. Motoriste en besighede het ‘n sug van verligting laat val rakende die onlangs gerehabiliteerde Wessel Weg, want die pad was voorheen 'n volslae nagmerrie vir verbruikers. Na ‘n uitermatige lang gespoeg en spartel tussen Burlec Electrical en Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM), het ‘n hofbevel die munisipaliteit egter forseer om die roete te herstel, asook om die onkostes te dra wat aangegaan was deur Burlec Electrical. Alhoewel meeste heel tevrede en dankbaar is dat die oppervlak van die roete nou glad en nuut is, is daar egter bekommernis vanaf die publiek en besighede in die area. Die afrondingswerk van die roete laat veel te wense oor, en laat rooi ligte flits oor die duursaamheid van die oppervlak. Die stormafvoer geute is geensins geïnstalleer nie, en die kante van die roete is ‘n ramp wat wag om af te speel. Met nadere ondersoek kan daar opgemerk word dat die dikte van die teer op die oppervlak oneweredig is, en op sekere areas ‘n skamele 1cm dik is. Met die reënseisoen wat sterk oppad is, is die kanse dat die oppervlak van die roete dit gaan maak tot volgende jaar hierdie tyd redelik skraal. Verdere kwessies wat geopper word is die afrondings van die roete wat na die ingange van besighede lei. Die rand van die roete, waar die randstene en afvoer geute veronderstel is om te wees, ins slegs ‘n onbegaanbare sloot, soveel so dat afleweringsvoertuie aan die oorkant van die pad moet parkeer om voorraad af te laai. Motoriste en kliënte wat kleiner voertuie besit se kanse is min om deur die sloot te kom tot by die parkeer areas. Verder is daar ook kommer uitgespreek oor die opruiming van die area. Die puin van die herboude rybaan is doodluiters in die nabye veld gestort, gepaard met verskeie ander rommel items en boumateriaal wat gebruik was deur die kontrakteurs. Die Tribune ePaper het navraag rakende die kwessies gerig aan die verteenwoordiger van MLM, Mandla Zwane. Teen perstyd het Zwane egter versuim om terugvoer te verskaf. < Previous Article Next Article >

NDZ publishes salary figures for officials 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 June 2022 The remuneration scale is dependant on the population size, and the income generated by the municipality. Recently, Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) published the tiered remuneration scale of government officials, including municipal officials. The gazette states the six levels, including the upper limit, which means a specified maximum amount of costs which may be claimed. The gazette specifies the total remuneration package as the annual total cost to a municipality, including a basic salary component, a motor vehicle allowance, housing allowance, the municipal contribution to a pension, provident or retirement annuity fund, and municipal contribution to a medical aid scheme. The remuneration scale is dependant on the population size, and the income generated by the municipality. As point of reference, the highest scoring municipality will have to cough up a shocking R1 446 388 per annum for the mayor, which translates to just over R120 500 per month. The point score for Msukaligwa Local Municipality is currently at level 4, meaning that the executive mayor receives R920 656 per annum, or R76 746 per month. The speaker receives R736 530 per annum, or R61 377 per month, and the whip receives R690 808 per annum, or R57 567.00 per month, according to the gazette. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM presents new budget figures - Outlook is bleak 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 1 June 2021 Breyten, Sheepmoor, Lothair, Davel and Chrissiesmeer all showed a payment rate of 1%, which translates to virtual non-payment from these residents. On Friday, 28 May 2021, the executive mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, presented the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) budget. While presenting the draft of the multi-year budget for 2021/2024. The budget layout was met with resistance from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), as well as the Democratic Alliance (DA), who did not accept the budget. The African National Congress (ANC) deemed the budget to be acceptable, and the draft was approved. Concerns raised by the opposing parties included the issue of service delivery and the lack thereof, the Eskom bill, the issues faced on a daily basis with provision of electricity, the lack of maintenance of roads and infrastructure, and a myriad of other issues. According to the presentation, the lack of payment from residents negatively impact the service delivery efficiency from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). MLM stated that a loss of 40% in electricity distribution is lost due to illegal connections, and 42% loss of water is due to the aged infrastructure and unmetered stands. MLM also stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on all operations across the board. It was also noted that bulk purchases for water and electricity, contracted services and salary cost, plus payment of creditors exceed the cash income that is not fully collected, and higher than the collection rate of 66 %. Interest for non-payment of creditors due to poor cash flow also has a great impact on the budget. According to the budget layout, bulk electricity and water cost is 35 % of the total operating expenditure budget, salaries takes 26 % of the total operating expenditure, but at a cost of 33% of the current cash flow, and between Eskom, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and salaries, the cash budget is 99% of the available funds. According to a new valuation roll to be implemented from 1 July 2021, and property market values that could increase between 20-50%, the council will implement a 4% tariff increase, and that all properties of which is not indigent registered owners will now pay full property rates. All electricity services will be increased by 16%. Property rates increase will be 4%, on top of increased market value. Water services will see an increase of 6%, as will sewerage services, refuse services and all sundry tariffs. According to the budget layout, a mere 34% payment rate is noted in Ermelo. Wesselton has a measly 8% payment rate. Shockingly, Breyten, Sheepmoor, Lothair, Davel and Chrissiesmeer all showed a payment rate of 1%, which translates to virtual non-payment from these residents. Warburton has a 7% payment rate, with Departmental payment rates sitting at a poor 6%. In total, a payment rate of 64% is noted within MLM’s governance. The Tribune ePaper will communicate with Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesperson, to nail down finer details of the budget, which will be published in next week’s ePaper. Issues raised will include the infamous 88kVA issue, the collapsing sewerage network, the shoddy state of the roads and more. < Previous Article Next Article >

Errie tref kolskoot in boogskiet 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 6 April 2021 “Baie geluk met jou uitslae, Yozani. EHS is besonder trots op jou.” Op Saterdag, 27 Maart, het Yozani Postma, ‘n Graad 8-leerder van Hoërskool Ermelo, deegeneem aan die Inter-provinsiale kompetisie van NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program). Sy skiet ‘n uitstekende telling van 232 uit 300. Die kompetisies wat voorlê vir 2021,gaan virtuele kompetisies wees. “Baie geluk met jou uitslae, Yozani. EHS is besonder trots op jou.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ligbron pointed as best school in circuit 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 24 February 2022 25 educators received certificates for best educator in subject: 100% pass rate. Ligbron het tydens die Msukaligwa 1 Prysuitdeling op 14 Februarie die volgende toekennings verwerf: Best school in Circuit and Best school in Mathematics and Science. 25 educators received certificates for best educator in subject: 100% pass rate, Jan Bosman (Mechanical Technology), Andrew Els (Civil Technology), Jacques Snyman (Electrical Technology), Christiaan van Greunen (Electronics), Gerhard Ebersohn (Motor), Rosaan Kapp (Maths Lit), Lenerie Cilliers (Life Sciences), Erika Brand (Geography), Frankie Nell (Technical Maths), Marelize Delport & Lizmari van Eeden (Technical Science), Pierre van Wyngaard (CAT), Gerhard Prinsloo (IT), Leon de Jager (LO), Magdeli Bosman (Science), Rousille Coetzee, Elsa van Zyl & Lenie van Zyl (Mathematics), Elmarie Grobler (Afrikaans FAL), Andrea jv Rensburg (Afrikaans HL), Mari Bosman (English FAL), Magda Smit & Caroline de Wet (English HL), Elsa van der Schyff (Accounting) and Carinche Pretorius (Tourism). Baie geluk aan elke onderwyser met hul puik uitslae. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle. - Soos ontvang vanaf skool < Previous Article Next Article >

Sign the service delivery petition 1/13 Share GK CRONJE 20 September 2022 The link to the petition can be obtained on by contacting the MBCF. On 10 August 2022, the Msukaligwa Business & Community Forum (MBCF), spearheaded by the chairperson, Janice Conradie, hosted a meeting with the residents and businesses of Ermelo. The aim of the meeting was to discuss and plan a way forward amidst the lack of service delivery provided by Msukaligwa Local Municipality. One of the larger issues that the community and business sector faces is the non-functional billing system of the municipality. This, coupled with the wholly illegal practice of the municipality’s departments billing consumers according to shockingly inaccurate estimations, have put more and more pressure on the community to finally take a stand against Msukaligwa Local Municipality. Despite the MBCF’s roundabout of meetings with various roleplayers and government officials, including Gert Sibande District Municipality, no amicable solution could be found. Conradie has now launched a petition in order to exert pressure on the municipality to provide services to the community. The petition will then be used by the Democratic Alliance Shadow Minister for Small Business Development, Henro Kruger, in his presentation before parliament. The petition closes 24 October 2022, and all community members are urged to sign the petition. The link to the petition can be obtained by clicking here - https://forms.gle/dFn7vSStBTb6K33i8, or by contacting the MBCF on the number below. A public meeting at the Ermelo Inn will be held on 26 September 2022 at 18:00, where additional information will be provided. The MBCF urges all interested parties, irrespective of individual or business, to join the MBCF. This will strengthen the hand in dealing with these service delivery issues, and various other issues. For more information, or for the petition link, contact Janice Conradie on 072 401 1449. < Previous Article Next Article >

E.Coli and fecal coliform detected in Pet Dam 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 16 November 2021 While E.Coli presents mild symptoms in most cases, some strains can cause severe symptoms and even life-threatening complications. For over a decade, the Pet Dam has been the topic of discussion amongst residents in light of the constant pollution that the dam suffers. Human excrement and urine from residents who use the Pet Dam area as a makeshift party site, coupled with years of raw sewage flowing into the dam from all directions, is fast leading the Pet Dam’s ecosystem towards catastrophic collapse. The issue of the Pet Dam’s pollution has already taken its toll, with a large-scale fish kill incident that occurred in 2016. Scores of fish inexplicably died and washed ashore, much to the shock of the community. The most common cause of fish kill is reduced oxygen in the water, due to algae bloom and water hyacinths, an invasive plant species, which has long plagued the surface of the dam. Infectious diseases and parasites can also lead to fish kill, and are often the first visible signs of environmental stress. Officials who handled the matter at the time, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) manager, Lindiwe Mthombeni, and Species Protection Unit conservation ranger, Lief Mavimbela, has since been a missing link in the ongoing pollution. The MTPA had stated that the fish kill was the result of a drop in water temperature (flash) due to the weather patterns. This dubious explanation, coupled with the alleged water quality tests done by authorities, which never saw the light of day, had raised more than a few eyebrows in the community. More recently, businesses surrounding the dam had complained of a sickening stench eminating from the dam. The cause of the stench was a massive overflow of raw sewage flowing directly into the dam from manholes near Joubert Street. Msukaligwa Local Municipality has since taken it upon themselves to excavate the area and remove the blockage, which had been attributed to tree roots obstructing the pipeline, coupled with a wide variety of foreign objects in the pipeline, which included blankets and clothing, amongst other materials. However, it’s too little too late for the Pet Dam’s ecosystem and water quality. Water quality tests conducted by Regen Water Laboratory has indicated that the water in the dam is not safe for consumption by any stretch of the imagination. Chlorination of the water samples has been recommended to achieve total disinfection. According to the report from the laboratory, the heterotrophic plate count (1240) and total fecal coliform count (≤10) have been found to be unsuitable for consumption, and thus polluted. Heterotrophs are organisms, including bacteria, yeasts and moulds, that require an external source of organic carbon for growth. The presence of fecal coliform bacteria (or E.Coli) in the water sample, in this case the entirety of the Pet Dam, indicates that the water has been, or is still contaminated with the fecal material of humans or other animals. Fecal coliform bacteria indicates the presence of sewage contamination, and the possible presence of other pathogenic organisms. Pathogenic diseases that coincide with fecal coliform contamination include ear infections, dysentery, typhoid fever, viral and bacterial gastroenteritis, and hepatitis A. While E.Coli presents mild symptoms in most cases, some strains can cause severe symptoms and even life-threatening complications, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure and death. The above bacteria are all disease forming, and results in the water being unsafe for consumption. The troubling water test results further aggravate the fact that MLM, amongst three other Mpumalanga municipalities, had been explicitly fingered as a main culprit in the years-long pollution of the Vaal River. The Gert Sibande District Municipality had also been informed of the issue on several occasions, but claim to have no jurisdiction in the matter. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted that the party had sent a letter to the Premier of Mpumalanga. To date no feedback had been received. The Tribune ePaper requested a statement from MLM regarding the stoppage and the steps that they have taken to resolve the matter. At the time of publication, no reply had been received from the municipality. Videos can be viewed on our Facebook page of MLM teams attending to the blockage at the Pet Dam last week. < Previous Article Next Article >