Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 3 November 2020 A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. It was noticed in Friday that individuals helped themselves at a fire hydrant in Church Street, and several large containers were repeatedly filled with water from the hydrant. The culprit had a makeshift tool handy to open the fire hydrant. According to the available by-laws, it is illegal to use a fire hydrant to obtain water for purposes other than fire fighting, unless authorised by the water authority or person to whom the hydrant belongs. A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. The community is urged to refrain from tampering with fire hydrants, as those in question often waste precious water, and also repeatedly leave fire hydrants partially open, aggravating the wasteful behavior. < Previous Article Next Article >

Service delivery failure steals renaming spotlight 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 February 2021 MLM announced the submitted proposals, but was met with a scourge of dismay and irritation from the majority of residents. The embattled Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) recently requested proposals for name changes to several council owned buildings, which includes the Ella de Bruin Halls, Ermelo Civic Centre, Sports Inn, Cassim Park Library and various other buildings in Breyten and Davel. MLM announced the submitted proposals, but was met with a scourge of dismay and irritation from the majority of residents. Dissatisfaction has been displayed regarding the service delivery within Msukaligwa, questioning the logic behind the renaming of these buildings. While some names make sense, one resident jokingly commented, asking is Andrew Mlangeni even knew about Ermelo. This light-hearted banter is overshadowed by negative feedback, with complaints including non-working street lights, which have been left for years on end, the dismal state of the roads in Ermelo, Wesselton, Sun City and Breyten. However, the star of the show is the infamous 88kVA line, which, according to MLM, is at the root of the daily electrical issues in De Bruin Park, Nederland Park, Cassim Park, John Vorster Park and parts of the business district. Conflicting reports from MLM regarding this cable has seen the light, with one department claiming that the cable isn’t under pressure, whilst other departments claim that the cable and substation are being overloaded, thus causing the rolling blackouts and electrical failures. The Tribune has sent an enquiry to MLM regarding these issues. At the time press, MLM ignored the lodged enquiry. < 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 >

No clarity on rotational load shedding 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 1 September 2020 “The municipality expects that before residents go to work, they switch off unused appliances. Why should they switch on appliances like geysers, televisions, etc. when they are not at home?” MLM stated. Since March 2020, residents of Ermelo and surroundings have had to bite the bullet with daily rotational load shedding implemented by Msukaligwa Local Municipality. The load shedding occurs mainly during peak times, much to the frustration of residents who arrive home, to find that there is no electricity supply. Mundane chores such as cooking, bathing and laundry have become a struggle, and many students who make use of online education portals are left with no means to progress. The supply is more often than not interrupted for extended periods, with Mlm blaming the infamous 88kVA line for the majority of supply woes. Other reasons are alleged illegal connections, cable theft and a myriad of other, more feeble excuses. The Tribune directed an several enquiries at MLM regarding the ongoing municipal load shedding. In light of submissions by various political parties regarding the poor performance of municipalities in Mpumalanga, especially regarding the servicing of the Eskom accounts, it was enquired if the Eskom account is actually serviced per agreement, and if any arrears in payment are present. The outstanding amount owed my MLM is high, but relatively low in comparison with other municipalities in the province. The Tribune also enquired if, and how the amount owed to Eskom has impacted the notified maximum demand (NMD). The NMD is the contracted notified maximum demand, expressed in kVA, and the NMD should, and can not be exceeded unless agreed to by Eskom. An excess network access charge will be levied for exceeding the NMD. MLM has previously stated that the infrastructure is allegedly overloaded during times of municipal load shedding, and that the demand indeed exceeds the supply. The NMD comes into play noticeably of late, seen as Ermelo has been experiencing a disproportionate amount of electrical issues compared to previous years. Upon enquiry, MLM responded as follows: “The current account with Eskom is up to date. MLM is required to adhere to the agreed NMD and should not exceed it unless Eskom has agreed to the exceedance in writing and in advance. An exceedance of the NMD is a breach of Eskom’s electricity supply agreement and/or connection and use of system agreement. Eskom request the municipality to remain within the contractual NMD. If the municipality fails to heed the request above, remedies may be implemented by Eskom to correct such breach, including the right to limit the capacity. The municipality, in order to comply with the request, implemented load reduction in order to be within the NMD. Renegotiation with Eskom are ongoing in order to come up with mutual beneficial agreement of the NMD. Before an upgrade is implemented, Eskom conducts a feasibility study, among others, to check whether the capacity of the Eskom network is adequate to make supply available at a higher level on a continuous basis, etc.” MLM wholly ignored the enquiries as to when the load reduction will end, and what actionable plan MLM is employing to service the community. Residents and businesses in Ermelo are slowly but surely getting fed up with MLM’s tomfoolery and silence on the matter, as there are no honest, direct and palpable feedback from municipal authorities. If enquiries are responded to, elaborate statements which employ evasion tactics are submitted, often leaving more questions than answers. A Facebook group, which contains a substantial following of disgruntled residents, is evidence of the dismay regarding MLM’s ineptitude. Talks of a march against the municipality has surfaced, and another group of dismayed residents and businesses are considering legal action against MLM, much like the steps taken against Lekwa Local Municipality (LMM). LMM residents will feel some relief, as the high court has recently placed an interdict against the municipality, preventing them from implementing rotational load shedding permitted on a limitation linked to the shockingly reduced NMD. AfriForum has also locked horns with Eskom and LMM, as the extended periods of rotational load shedding, caused by the municipality, is considered and stated as unconstitutional. If MLM doesn’t shape up, the same fate awaits them, as many residents and businesses are negatively impacted by the rotational load shedding. The majority of residents and businesses in Ermelo are up to date with their utility bills. MLM has, themselves, stated that Ermelo has the highest utility payment rate from residents, with Chrissiesmeer and Breyten having amongst the poorest paying residents, with a shockingly high non-payment rate. Damage to appliances and equipment is also a cause of great concern, with MLM failing to elaborate on who will be held liable for damages caused by the fluctuation of electricity supply from the municipality. They have, however, added to their weekly load shedding schedule the wording “please switch off appliances to avoid damage from surges”. This statement is of nonsensical value, as many residents are at work during the constant fluctuations, and more often than not at home during these times. “The municipality expects that before residents go to work, they switch off unused appliances. Why should they switch on appliances like geysers, televisions, etc. when they are not at home?” MLM stated. Ultimately, MLM cannot expect to place the onus of damage to appliances on the residents, when the fluctuation of the feed is, to be frank, the doing of the municipality. At this time, residents and businesses can do little but to grin and bear the outages, which were stated as “temporary” when implemented by MLM seven months ago, along with the damages it brings. < Previous Article Next Article >

Smugglers appear before court Smugglers appear before court 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 March 2021 They found eight compressed rolls of dagga, weighing 105KG, with an estimated street value of R15750.00 hidden at the back of the vehicle. Two accused drug peddlers, Sabelo Makamu (40) and Tebatso Mokgabudi (30) appeared before the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 11 March 2021, for dealing with dagga. On 10 March 2021, the SAPS was busy with their operational duties, when they saw a suspicious bakkie parking on the side of the road. They approached the vehicle, where they found two suspects. The SAPS requested to search the vehicle, and upon investigation, they found eight compressed rolls of dagga, weighing 105KG, with an estimated street value of R15750.00 hidden at the back of the vehicle. The case was remanded to 18 March 2021 for legal representation, and both the accused remain in custody. < Previous Article Next Article >

Illegal refuse dumping remains an issue 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 22 February 2022 The warning from MLM had been laughed off, and the refuse dumping has, in fact, increased exponentially. Despite attempts by the business chamber to curb the illegal dumping of refuse in wards, the Chris de Villiers Street roadside, as well as the adjacent fields on both sides, are still strewn with literal mounds of refuse, discarded building materials and a considerable amount of fast food containers. Dubious behavior from the surrounding residents and contractors sees them conducting regular illegal dumping activities in this area, which has been an issue since 2014. The issue has been reported to the call centre on numerous occasions, with no response from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). “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,” MLM stated in 2019. At that time, the municipality also announced that they would be working in tandem with Gert Sibande District Municipality, and intensify efforts in issuing fines and apprehending offenders. Fast forward to 2022, and nothing has come from the pipe dream. Seemingly little to no effort had been put in to deal with residents and construction companies who illegally dump refuse and building material in this known problem area. The warning from MLM had been laughed off, and the refuse dumping has, in fact, increased exponentially. The 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, unfortunately, remain unenforced. < Previous Article Next Article >

ACSU seizes R218 000 worth of liquor ACSU seizes R218 000 worth of liquor 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 28 January 2021 ACSU reaction members discovered nine cases of 750ml Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, as well as five cases of 750ml Hennessy. An ACSU reaction vehicle patrolling Havenga Road noticed a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle sped away, and upon investigation, reaction members discovered nine cases of 750ml Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, as well as five cases of 750ml Hennessy. The approximate value of the liquor is estimated at R218 000. The seized goods was handed over to the SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kraanwater laat veel te wense 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 March 2021 As u probleme ondervind met die kwaliteit van u water, kan u ‘n foto via WhatsApp stuur, met u area of adres, na 071 885 2505. Inwoners van De Bruin Park het die Tribune ePaper genader rakende die toestand van die water in die area. Alhoewel die meerderheid van Ermelo daagliks sukkel met vuil water wat uit hul krane stroom, het inwoners in dié area dit veral rof. “Hoe moet mens lewe met sulke vuil water? Ons kan nie wasgoed was nie, want die vuil water vlek al ons ligte klere. As mens skottelgoed was, is dit meer sand en grond as wat dit water is. Dit is onaanvaarbaar. Hoe kan hulle sê dat die water kwansuis skoon genoeg is om te drink, as mens nie eers kan wasgoed was met die water nie. Dit is verskriklik.” Hierdie is die woorde van ‘n ontstelde inwoner in Camden Laan, waar daar daagliks gesukkel word met waterdruk, en die toestand van die watertoevoer. Alhoewel Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) ‘n verklaring uitgereik het wat inwoners in kennis gestel het dat hulle aan die toevoer werk, is hierdie probleem nie al van gister af ‘n doring in die vlees van inwoners nie. As u probleme ondervind met die kwaliteit van u water, kan u ‘n foto via WhatsApp stuur, met u area of adres, na 071 885 2505. < Previous Article Next Article >

Reprieve from sewage stench is in sight MLM in progress of replacing sewerage pipelines. The devestating effect of the 4-year long sewage overflow. The devestating effect of the 4-year long sewage overflow. MLM in progress of replacing sewerage pipelines. 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 11 August 2020 The MLM communication department simply stated that “the installation of new sewer pipeline near Global Filling Station is progressing very well”. After years of sewage spillage, and a barrage of endless complaints, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has taken it upon themselves to unblock and repair the disheveled sewerage network opposite Oosthuizen Street. In this week’s update on the progress of the project, the MLM communication department simply stated that “the installation of new sewer pipeline near Global Filling Station is progressing very well”. < Previous Article Next Article >

ACSU reageer blitsvinnig ACSU reageer blitsvinnig 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 Junie 2020 ACSU se reaksie lede het blitsvinnig by die toneel opgedaag. Die eienaar van die besigheid wat geleë is in die industriële area het kontant, asook hout goedere vervoer in ‘n wit Nissan bakkie. Die eienaar was gestop langs die pad by die treinspoor in die industriële area, waar daar vier mans, waarvan een gewapen was, beveel het dat hy uit die voertuig moet klim. ACSU, die woord wat op almal se lippe hang. ACSU beheerkamer is op Maandag, 1 Junie, ongeveer 09:47 geskakel om te vra vir hulp van ‘n kliënt wat geroof is. ACSU se reaksie lede het blitsvinnig by die toneel opgedaag. Die eienaar van die besigheid wat geleë is in die industriële area het kontant, asook hout goedere vervoer in ‘n wit Nissan bakkie. Die eienaar was gestop langs die pad by die treinspoor in die industriële area, waar daar vier mans, waarvan een gewapen was, beveel het dat hy uit die voertuig moet klim. Die vier mans het binne in die bakkie gespring gevlug met die vrag, sowel as ‘n groot bedrag kontant. Niemand is beseer tydens die voorval nie, en geen verdagtes was teen tye van pers vasgtrek nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Choking on the smell of faeces 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 Several complaints have been lodged regarding the call centre at MLM, with operators allegedly claiming that the system is offline, and they are unable to provide complainants with reference numbers to their complaints. Residents in De Bruin Park is once again getting the short en of the stick, as sewerage lines are blocked and overflowing, with no reprieve from Msukaligwa Local Municipality. Residents in Generaal Botha Road have are left with their hands in their hair, and their yards drenched in sewage as blocked lines makes life miserable for everyone in the area. In some cases, sewage has been constantly overflowing for more than a week, and complaints from residents to MLM fall on deaf ears. Speaking to the Tribune ePaper, a resident in Camden Avenue, living near the marshlands next to Nomndeni, also complained about the constant smell of sewage in the field, as well as the field between President Fouché Avenue and Tom Muller Street. “It is a nightmare living like this on a daily basis. You can literally hear the sewage bubbling the field, and the smell is always here, not matter which direction the wind blows in. It is especially bad at night and in the early morning, I don’t know why. I am out of options, the call centre always says they will send someone, but the problem is just always there, it is never solved.” he stated. Residents in President Fouché Avenue also suffers in the stench of sewage overflows, with pooling sewage baking in the sun on a daily basis. Despite the wholly unhygienic situation that residents are put in during a pandemic, the health risks associated with breathing in the overpowering particle-filled stench is a major cause for concern. Some residents in President Fouché Avenue have to drive through pools of raw sewage on a daily basis, and the overflow is further exacerbated by the fact that an education facility is in close proximity to the pools of raw sewage. Several complaints have been lodged regarding the call centre at MLM, with operators allegedly claiming that the system is offline, and they are unable to provide complainants with reference numbers to their complaints. In light of this, operators request residents to make a return call to find out if the issue has been tended to. This is not the first time that residents have complained about the call centre operators, and the feeble excuses that are provided to frustrated residents. Unsurprisingly, and mostly expected by residents, MLM failed to reply to enquiries submitted by the Tribune ePaper. < Previous Article Next Article >

Bongo brothers out on bail Bongo brothers out on bail Bongani Bongo, one of the Bongo brothers, amongst 11 arrested for fraud. Rietspruit Farm, just outside Ermelo. Bongani Bongo, one of the Bongo brothers, amongst 11 arrested for fraud. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 October 2020 Rietspruit Farm was sold back to DOHS for R32 million. The farms fell out of the Spatial Development Plan for the municipality, and therefore not categorized for human settlement. To date it has not been proclaimed as township. Former Minister of State Security, Bongani Thomas Bongo, and ten others appeared briefly in the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court on charges of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. Robert Burwise, Patrick Donald Chirwa, Harrington Sizwakhendaba Dhlamini, Blessing Mduduzi Singwane, David Boy Dube, Sipho Joel Bongo, Vusi Willem Magagula, Bongani Louis Henry Sibiya, Elmon Lawrence Mdaka, and Sibongile Mercy Mdaka were reported to the DPCI investigating team and were charged earlier this morning together with four companies and face 69 counts. The companies implicated are The Little River Trading 156 (Pty) Ltd, Broad Market Trading 204 (Pty) Ltd, Bongiveli CC, and Pfuka Afrika CC. The allegations are in connection with the R37.5 million sale and purchase of a farm Naauwpoort at Emalahleni by the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlement (DoHS) ostensibly on behalf of eMalahleni Municipality. Some of the accused, acting in common concert and with common purpose, exploited the normal phenomenon of purchase of land by government by misrepresenting facts to the DOHS regarding ownership and true sale price of the farm Naauwpoort. The real owner of the farm, Petrus Johannes Van Tonder, was paid only R15 million for the farm from the R37.5 million. The money was paid into the trust account of Singwane Attorneys, in their capacity as conveyancer appointed by the department. Van Tonder paid R1.5 million commission to Pam Golding as estate agents for the transaction. Singwane, not instructed by the department, paid R22.5 million to Little River Trading, which enabled the accused to successfully steal the money. In another transaction, Bongiveli entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Fremax Farms for a portion of Rietspruit Farm for an amount of R10.5 million. However, Msukaligwa Local Municipality's valuation of the portion of the Rietspruit farm was valued at R1.6 million. Little River paid R1.5 million as deposit for the farm, and Bongiveli had to deliver a guarantee issued by a bank or financial institution for payment of the balance of the purchase price on or before 31 May 2011. In turn, some of the accused, as members of Pfuka Afrika CC, received commission of R4.5 million. In March 2011 the DOHS, Msukaligwa Local Municipality and Bongiveli entered into a sale and purchase agreement for Rietspruit Farm. When the said sale and purchase agreement was signed, Bongiveli was not the owner of the farm, and there was no approval of the departmental to purchase the farm. Msukaligwa Local Municipality's valuation of the portion of the Rietspruit Farm was valued at R1.6 million. In March 2011, the DOHS paid an R52 884 384.00 to Singwane. Subsequently, the law firm furnished Freemax with a guarantee of R15 661 018.59. The property was then transferred to Bongiveli from Msugalikwa Local Municipality, and the company became the owner of the farm. The farm was sold back to DOHS for R32 million. The farms fell out of the Spatial Development Plan for the municipality, and therefore not categorized for human settlement. To date it has not been proclaimed as township. It is alleged that some of the accused received kickbacks of cash and cars, among others, from some of the entities involved in the transactions. The two Bongo brothers were released on R10 000 bail and they were warned to appear 4 March 2021. The court will resume shortly to hear the bail applications of the rest of the accused < Previous Article Next Article >