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Errie verower drie eerste plekke tydens SA’s 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 8 June 2021 “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op jou, Frané. Jou deursettingsvermoë en vasberadenheid is vir menige Erries ‘n voorbeeld om daagliks na te streef.” Frané Swart, Graad 11-leerder van Hoërskool Ermelo, het tydens die Suid-Afrikaanse Paralimpiese Spele uitstekend presteer. Dié geleentheid sou in 2020 plaasgevind het, maar weens die COVID-pandemie is dit uitgestel tot April 2021 in Port Elizabeth. Sy neem aan drie items deel: verspring, 100m en 200m. Frané stap weg met eerste plekke in al drie items. “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op jou, Frané. Jou deursettingsvermoë en vasberadenheid is vir menige Erries ‘n voorbeeld om daagliks na te streef.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Hoërskool Ermelo belê in leierskap by leerders 1/5 Share SH HATTINGH 6 April 2021 Met die nodige leiding, word die leerders blootgestel aan leierskap en die vermoë wat nodig is om ‘n voorbeeld te wees wat ander met vrymoedigheid kan volg. "Baie geluk aan elke leerder wat verkies is tot die Verteenwoordigende Raad van Leerlinge vir 2021." Hoërskool Ermelo pride ourselves in the development of leaders from a young age, therefore these chosen Representative Council of Learners have responsibilities as leaders of their classes. Met die nodige leiding, word die leerders blootgestel aan leierskap en die vermoë wat nodig is om ‘n voorbeeld te wees wat ander met vrymoedigheid kan volg. Die verkose leerders is: Graad 8A: Selma-Louise Janse van Rensburg en Wian Pretorius, Graad 8B: Elizma Swart en Kryn Romijn, Graad 8C: Wianke Cloete en Ulrich Badenhorst, Grade 8D: Sanele Mathebula and Buhle Lukhele, Grade 8E: Sbonga Madela and Siyabonga Makhanya, Grade 8F: Ziyanda Vilane and Nkosinathi Mathunjwa. Graad 9A: Hayley van der Walt en Carel Jacobsz, Graad 9B: Marice de Jager en Tredoux Ferreira, Graad 9C: Mia Davel en Tyrone Berning, Grade 9D: Sihle Mashinini and Siba Lamola, Grade 9E: Anathi Sanyo and Mpilwenle Mngonyama, Grade 9F: Reitsile Sebogodi and Lebohang Nkosi. Graad 10A: Ancois van der Berg en Altus Boshoff, Graad 10B: Nathalie Nel en Kyle Steynberg, Graad 10C: Nicole Meyer en Liam Wilkinson, Grade 10D: Andraya Macheyo and Sphe Mkhatswa, Grade 10E: Yoleka Manasoe and Thobani Zwane, Grade 10F: Bathabile Nkosi and Tabiso Mafokwane. Graad 11A: Zané de Wit en Lood Geldenhuys, Graad 11B: Caylin Loock en Riku van der Bank, Graad 11C: Ilandri Nel en Tiaan Grobler, Grade 11D: Snovuyo Ndinisa, Grade 11E: Nokwanda Nxumalo, Grade 11F: Sphesihle Msiza and Karabo Malatji. Graad 12A: Renita Moolman, Graad 12B: Helani Kruger, Graad 12C: Tumi Chwane, Grade 12D: Wandi Mndebele, Grade 12E: Siphesihle Mtsweni, Grade 12F: Khanyisile Nkosi. “May the year with all the challenges lead to personal growth and progress in leadership.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Heavy sentences handed down Heavy sentences handed down 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 9 November 2021 Various perpetrators were sentenced for different offences in the Regional Court in Ermelo during the month of October 2021. Various perpetrators were sentenced for different offences in the Regional Court in Ermelo during the month of October 2021. - Samuel Ndosi Manana (33) was sentenced to life imprisonment on a charge of rape. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and to work with children. The sentence follows an incident on 15 March 2020, during which Manana raped a 15-year-old girl. - Sboniso Agreement Dludlu (26) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for theft. On 27 October 2020, he was caught in De Bruin Street, De Bruin Park, with copper cable in his possession. The copper cable was used to supply electricity to parts of Ermelo. - Mphakamiseni Mkhwanazi (66) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for murder. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. On the evening of 5 December 2020, he stabbed Zephania Khumalo (41) during an argument about money. Khumalo succumbed to his wounds on scene. - Joshua Shongwe (34) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for rape in 2020. The complainant, a 25-year-old woman, woke up during the night on 22 October 2020, realizing that a male was raping her. Shongwe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. - Andile Mfanafuthi Ndwandwe (27) was charged for public violence, using a motor vehicle without consent of the owner, and robbery. It was stated that on 22 August 2020, he unlawfully intended to disturb public peace, invaded the rights of other persons and prevented motor vehicles from passing, burning tyres, blocking the road and stealing coal in the vicinity of Breyten. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment for public violence and robbery, and 30 days for using a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. The sentence of 30 days imprisonment will run concurrent with the five year’s imprisonment. - A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to five years imprisonment for murder. The five years was wholly suspended for five years, on condition that he does not commit murder or assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm during the time of suspension. The sentence emanated from an incident on the 2 June 2020 during which the 17-year-old stabbed another 17-year-old during an altercation. - A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to four years imprisonment for the rape of a 9-year-old boy. The sentence was wholly suspended for five years, on condition that the he does not commit rape or sexual assault during the period of suspension. - Two men, aged 27 and 31 years, were arrested during seperate incidents on 4 November for being in possession of drugs. They were both arrested in Extension 4, Wesselton. - Two businesses were robbed the past weekend. On 3 November, at 19:00, three males entered a general dealer in New Ermelo. They held the owner at gunpoint, robbed him of cash and stock to the value of R6 500, and fled the scene. - On 4 November, at 20:00, four suspects entered a shop in Extention 5, Wesselton. One of the suspects pointed a firearm at the shop owner. They robbed him of cell phones, cash, airtime and cigarettes to the value of R19 000. - On 7 November 2021, Ermelo SAPS was informed of a murder in Extention 6, Wesselton. On the scene, they found a 31-year-old man lying in the street. He was stabbed several times in the chest, and was declared dead by EMS on the scene. - Ermelo SAPS has opened an inquest to investigate the circumstances, which lead to the death of two boys. It is alleged that the 26-year-old mother of three boys, aged 5 and 3-years old, and 8 months-old baby left her boys sleeping at home to buy airtime at a nearby shop. On her way home, a neighbour was shouting that her house was burning. When she arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames. The 3-year-old boy was outside crying. Upon questioning, he said that the 5-year-old was playing with matches next to the bed. The 5-year-old boy and the baby died in the fire. The 3-year-old was taken to hospital for medical treatment. The incident happened Saturday morning at 09:00 at New Ermelo informal settlement. - House robbery: On Saturday evening, at 19:00, the complainant and his wife was at home at Extension 2 informal settlement. The door was not locked. An unknown male entered the house, and threatened them with a knife. He robbed them of cell phones and a speaker, and fled the scene. - Rape: On Saturday, 6 November, a 29-year-old mother from Dunusa location left her 9-year-old daughter in the care of her neighbour's brother to go to town. Later the day she noticed that her daughter was acting strange. She also discovered that the girl's underwear was wet and dirty. Her daughter then explained that she was raped by the neighbour's brother. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo landfill scores dismal compliance rating 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 14 September 2021 Msukaligwa Local Municipality does hold a license, but does not adhere to compliance in the slightest. Municipal deterioration is rampant and it is noticeable that especially smaller municipalities are subject to large-scale mismanagement. AfriForum has audited 153 landfill sites across South Africa this year as part of the organisation’s national project to measure the quality of landfill sites in South Africa. No nobody’s surprise, only one out of 21 landfill sites that were audited in Mpumalanga complied with national standards. In terms of applicable legislation and regulations, including the National Environmental Management: Waste Act 59 of 2008, all landfill sites must comply with specific requirements, which are not met by municipalities in Mpumalanga. The Ermelo landfill has been a subject of controversy for years, with millions of Rands wasted on contractors and needless rehabilitations of the site, just for it to fall from grace mere months following rehabilitation. In 2015, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) scored an impressive 85% compliance rating. Alas, it has all gone to the dogs from there. According to the audit, in 2016, scored 52%, and scored 42% in 2017. 2018 and 2020 saw the municipality being rated 18% each year. However, in 2019, MLM essentially failed their compliance completely, with a rating of 2%. In this year’s audit, the municipality scored a compliance rating o a mere 10%, which is well below even the lowest of acceptable standards. According to Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Lowveld, most of the landfill sites in Mpumalanga are in a poor state. “This can be attributed mainly to the lack of oversight functions by the state to hold municipal officials responsible for the decay of these landfill sites. The most common problems that AfriForum identified during the audit included the absence of landfill site licences, and complete mismanagement of sites. There is also no maintenance plan for machinery and employees that were contacted attested that certain machines stood for months without being repaired. In some cases there was no efficient security to secure the landfill site thus making it easy for informal reclaimers to access the site.” Msukaligwa Local Municipality does hold a license, but does not adhere to compliance in the slightest. Municipal deterioration is rampant and it is noticeable that especially smaller municipalities are subject to large-scale mismanagement. AfriForum met with Barbara Creecy, Minister of Environmental Affairs, and her team on various occasions. AfriForum will also focus on solving problems at certain landfill sites in the province in cooperation with the relevant municipality. The organization will apply pressure to get these sites up to standard. AfriForum will monitor the situation closely to ensure that these sites’ standards improve sufficiently. < Previous Article Next Article >

Besigheids eienaars sit met hand in die hare 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 15 November 2022 "Die sluwe karakters wat hier rond sluip, skrik baie potensiële klante af." Te midde van die diensleweringskwessies wat Ermelo ervaar, loop Cassim Park se inwoners goed deur. Wat eens die trots en vreugde van inwoners in hierdie area was, het Cassim Park sedertdien teruggeval tot 'n hol skaduwee van sy eertydse glorie. Strate is deurtrek met slaggate, werksterreine word onvolledig gelaat, verskeie straatligte is óf beskadig en leun gevaarlik na die pad, óf heeltemal buite werking, en vullis bemors die sypaadjies. Gras op munisipale terreinne is onversorg, en raadsgeboue, elektriese kiosks, mure en meer is bedek met graffiti en onwelvoeglike gespuitverfde beelde. Ten spyte van talle klagtes vanaf inwoners wat gerig word aan Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit, is daar steeds geen verligting vir besighede in Cassim Park van die onwettige storting van vullis in Tauruslaan nie. Verskeie klagtes wat deur besigheids eienaars aan Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit gerig is oor die toestand van hierdie gebied, val doodluiters op dowe ore. Tuinvullis, stukke glas van vermorselde televisiestelle, drankbottels, menslike ontlasting en allerlei ander vullis versuur die parkeerarea, met haweloses wat die omhulsels van kabels in die verlate gebou af smelt. “Ons sukkel om in hierdie area besigheid te doen. Die sluwe karakters wat hier rond sluip, skrik baie potensiële klante af. Die glas- en metaalskerwe is 'n resep vir pap bande, en die konstante rook van die brandende vullis, gepaard met die reuk van menslike urine en ontlasting, is genoeg om selfs die mees lojale kliënte af te skrik. Ons is aan die einde van verstand hier,” het 'n ontstelde sake-eienaar aan die Tribune gesê. Klagtes van boosdoeners en bendelede wat die lewe vir inwoners nag maak is ook aan die Tribune genoem. Dié kriminele kan snags ongesiens rondsluip, sedert ‘n minimale hoeveelheid straatligte in werkende toestand is. Al is Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit bewus van hierdie kwessies, verval Cassim Park ongelukkig saam met die res van Ermelo en die omliggende areas. Sien meer foto's op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

GMM residents in for a tough time Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 November 2020 Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. The embattled Govan Mbeki Municipality(GMM) have had their water pressure reduced by another by 20% due to the poor servicing of their account to Rand Water. The utility’s Justice Mohale said they were in talks with the municipality, with little success. GMM is one of 3 municipalities who have had their pressure reduced in an effort from the utility to recover millions owed. Residents in the GMM service area are already experiencing near constant water issues, which will be further aggravated by the pressure cut. “Rand Water has reached out to these municipalities on many occasions and entered into repayment agreements with them, but they have failed to honour these agreements.” Emfuleni municipality is in arrears of nearly R100 million, Victor Khanye stands at R185 million, while GMM takes the cake, owing Rand Water a boggling R314 million. According to Mohale, should Rand Water reach out to the municipalities again, and if they fail to adhere to the agreements amde, they would again reduce water pressure by another 20%. All residents within GMM’s service area will e adversely affected by this reduction in pressure. This comes as another blow to the failed municipality, which has also been placed under administration due to rampant fraud, corruption and financial mismanagement within the entity. Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality shortly before the municipality was placed under administration < Previous Article Next Article >

Party time is over at the Pet Dam The state of the Pet Dam site, where residents party their lives away, paying no heed to COVID-19 regulations. The state of the Pet Dam site, where residents party their lives away, paying no heed to COVID-19 regulations. The state of the Pet Dam site, where residents party their lives away, paying no heed to COVID-19 regulations. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 10 October 2020 In light of the blatant disregard from residents who use the dam as a party site, and who pay no heed to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a closure of the Pet Dam, with immediate effect. MLM has stated that an increase in COVID-19 cases is the reason for the closure. The Local Command Council (LCC) has made the decision. After numerous complaints falling on deaf ears regarding the Pet Dam and residents who swarm to the site daily in order to get the party started, it has come to pass that drastic measures have been forcibly implemented. In light of the blatant disregard from residents who use the dam as a party site, and who pay no heed to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a closure of the Pet Dam, with immediate effect. MLM has stated that an increase in COVID-19 cases is the reason for the closure. The Local Command Council (LCC) has made the decision. Speaking to Mr. Zwane, MLM spokesman, he stated that the Pet Dam’s gates will be locked to prevent access, and that security detail will patrol the area of the Pet Dam to ensure compliance from defiant residents. This is a developing story, and we are awaiting further information from MLM. Read the full article in the next publication of the Tribune Newspaper. < Previous Article Next Article >

Cassim Park residents have had it in chunks 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 20 July 2021 "Why do we even bother paying these people, if they don’t deliver the promised services. They never have enough money, and they always want more. The community only receives false promises from the municipal managers and staff. " The Tribune ePaper has received a barrage of complaints from residents of Cassim Park, who are, according to complaints, getting the short end of the stick. An alarming amount of unfinished worksites, dubious connections and crumbling infrastructure are but a few of the complaints. Another major complaint from a resident was that of the streetlights that are out of order, and have been for the longest time. Additionally, the road conditions in Cassim Park leaves much to be desired, with focus shifting to Littledale Street and Nelspan Road. The condition of these roads, and the roadway in general in Cassim Park is horrendous, with a mixture of rubble, chipped bricks, stone and other materials that have been used as makeshift patches in an attempt to make the roads traversable. Unwary motorists could easily suffer great damage to their vehicle if not alert. The majority of streetlights are either damaged and leaning dangerously towards the roadway, or completely out of order. This, in turn, contributes to a high crime rate and opportune conditions for criminals to lurk and sneak in the yards of residences. A large number of residents in Cassim Park have already suffered damages as criminals pounce, with any items of value not bolted down or locked up, being nabbed from yards. Uncollected refuse litter the sidewalks, grass on municipal grounds are long and unkempt, and council buildings, covered in graffiti and obscene spray painted images, rot away in glorious non-maintenance. Residents are also irked by the fact that they face electricity issues on a daily basis, often being left for hours without electricity, with a very slow response rate from municipal departments. According to complaints, the electricity are often not restored in a timely manner after the load reduction had been implemented by Msukaligwa Local Municipality. “We pay our bills and pay our taxes, but this municipality never fixes the issues we have in the area, or Ermelo as a whole. The street lights have been off for years, and all we get are weak excuses of the trees being a problem. Most of the lamps don’t even have bulbs in them. The roads are falling apart, water leaks are all over the place, and then every other week there is a stream of sewage running down the streets. Why do we even bother paying these people, if they don’t deliver the promised services. They never have enough money, and they always want more. The community only receives false promises from the municipal managers and staff. The upkeep is so neglected that even the tennis court is no more, and the sportsground is falling apart. All this is due to poor management. Enough is enough,” stated one angry resident. < Previous Article Next Article >

Fed up residents demand change Sun City residents during their peacful demonstration of dissatisfaction. Sun City residents during their peacful demonstration of dissatisfaction. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 Complaints included the crime rate in Sun City, as well as alleged service delivery issues. Irate residents from Sun City Extension 33 displayed their dismay at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court yesterday, citing that they’re awaiting documents from the court. Complaints included the crime rate in Sun City, as well as alleged service delivery issues. Although the protestors were determined ti be noticed, the demonstration was peaceful and organized. < Previous Article Next Article >

Fury as cats are wounded by pellet gun Fury as cats are wounded by pellet gun 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 24 August 2022 Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. A resident in Grobler Street has stated with concern that they have noticed that a young male in the area has been targeting and wounding animals with a pellet gun, most notably her cats. It is troubling to note the extent of the injuries inflicted by the shooter. The pellet inflicted two wounds, one behind the animal’s ear, and another laceration above the left eye. While a pellet gun is considered as a non-lethal weapon, an adequately placed pellet is enough to wound, maim and even fatally harm an animal, especially smaller animals such as cats and smaller dogs. Another complaint has also been noted that a resident’s ginger cat had been seriously wounded by a pellet gun. Suffering lacerations and punctures to the chest, the cat has now been missing for two days. Both cats have been spayed, and pose no threat or nuisance. It is also alleged that a shooter in the same area have opened fire on passing pedestrians. It is unclear if the incident relates to the same individual shooting the animals. There have, however, been a slwe of complaints of animals being injured in this manner in this general area. A pellet gun has a caliber smaller than 5.66mm, as to which it falls under the South African airgun laws. While it is not a requirement to possess a firearm licence for a person to own a pellet gun, a pellet gun is regarded as a firearm in terms of the definition section of the Firearms Act. Any person who uses a pellet gun to commit a crime may be charged for possession of a firearm replica to induce fear. It is also an offence to discharge a pellet gun in a residential area, since it jeopardizes the safety of an innocent person. Animals that are targeted fall under the same. In terms of Section 2(1) (s) of the Animal Protection Act of 1962, any person who kills an animal in contravention of a prohibition in terms of a notice published in the Gazette is guilty of an offence, and liable to a R4 000 fine or imprisonment of up to one 2 years. The wilful injury or maiming on any animal also falls under this category. It is an offence to cause injury to any person, animal, or cause damage to property of any person by negligently using a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun (pellet gun). It is also an offence to fire an airgun (pellet gun) in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety or property of any person, or with reckless disregard for the safety or property of any person. AWS spokesperson, Allan Perrins, says that most cases involving pellet guns involve cats. Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. Injuries inflicted to animals could result in loss of sight or limbs, permanent disfiguration or disability, and even death. Pellets lodged in animals could potentially become infected, and lead to the animal’s death. If you notice someone discharging a pellet gun in a residential ward, please report the guilty party immediately to the neighborhood watch, CPF, SACCW or SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Be wary of White Pages contractual traps Be wary of White Pages contractual traps 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 2 March 2021 You are unwittingly duped into signing a twelve month contract to the value of R10 740.00. Desperate times call for desperate measures, as more and more business opt to move their operations online. A large part of a successful business online, is the feedback received from clients who search for your services. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) statistics play a large part in how easily your business can be found on Google, and various paid services can help increase your visibility rating. However, a company called White Pages, claim to provide interested parties with free SEO listings on Google. While this might seem like a perfect investment for your company, it is in actuality, a shameless moneymaking racket. When you are cold-mailed by White Pages representatives, or happen to stumble across their “free” service, take a look at the fine print on the documentation sent to you. While it may seem at a glance that this is a service rendered by Telkom, listing your contact details in a directory similar to the Yellow Pages, White Pages holds no affiliation to Telkom whatsoever. While a large, eye-catching sentence draws your attention, claiming to be a “free service”, the fine print is the flopped pudding. The fine print, which is almost always ignored, or simply glanced over when filling in a submission form, states that White Pages Directory Pty Ltd is an independent online advertising company, who is not affiliated to Telkom or Trudon. Furthermore, you are unwittingly duped into signing a twelve month contract to the value of R10 740.00. To make matters even worse, this contract will renew annually unless cancelled in writing, and White Pages Directory Pty Ltd needs to send confirmation acknowledging the request to cancel the service. Advertising is to be carried out for the above mentioned company as per the details above. It should also be noted that this contract is subjected to cancellation within five days of signing. Delayed payments will incur penalty fees after 30 days, and will be handed over for collection including costs on an attorney and client scale. Unsuspecting clients are also duped into signing a contract which binds them to 50% of the total amount being payable upon cancellation. Ironically, the “debt collection” e-mails often come from a Gmail account, which brings into question the validity of the White Pages, as well as the dubious means in which they trap unsuspecting individuals. There have been numerous complaints laid against the White Pages at the ombudsman, as well as the South African credit bureau. Complaints have also been lodged against the White Pages regarding harassment from their “debt collection department”, and affiliated legal threats. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM clarifies mining complaints 1/2 Share CONTENT SUPPLIED 15 September 2020 "Msukaligwa Local Municipality is currently engaged in the processes of establishing the Local Economic Development Forum. The community and all interested groups are called upon to participate in thus process in order to formalize our economic efforts in a streamlined manner. " Media Statement - The office of the Executive Mayor is inundated with complaints of individuals who falsely use the name of the municipality and/or the Executive Mayor to solicit work at mines or other companies. The responsibility of the municipality is to, inter alia, encourage cordial interaction between employers and job-seekers and other interest groups, within the relevant legislation and policies. The office of the Executive Mayor hereby categorically states that no one was ever mandated to speak on behalf of the municipality outside the Council structures. Msukaligwa Local Municipality is currently engaged in the processes of establishing the Local Economic Development Forum. The community and all interested groups are called upon to participate in thus process in order to formalize our economic efforts in a streamlined manner. Once established, the LED Forum will be the appropriate platform to discuss economic development issues that are mutually beneficial to all. < Previous Article Next Article >