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Shock as pedestrian leaps into oncoming traffic Shock as pedestrian leaps into oncoming traffic 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 June 2021 According to bystanders, the deceased has been know to repeatedly ignore oncoming traffic, and has had several narrow brushes with motorists who were caught off guard by his strange behavior. On Thursday, 3 June, at approximately 18:30, a pedestrian has lost his life after allegedly jumping in front of oncoming traffic on the Amersfoort road, opposite Winkelhaak. Emergency services rushed to the scene, and the pedestrian was pronounced DOA. According to bystanders, the deceased has been know to repeatedly ignore oncoming traffic, and has had several narrow brushes with motorists who were caught off guard by his strange behavior. An SAPS investigation is underway. Motorists are urged to be vigilant when driving at night, and to try and anticipate any obstacles that may present itself. Traffic flow was disrupted for an extended period of time as the scene was assessed and investigated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Botsing knip voertuig se lewensduur kort Botsing knip voertuig se lewensduur kort 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 18 May 2021 Tydens die botsing was geen ernstige beserings aangemeld nie, en IGAGU se medici het reggestaan om behandeling toe te pas. 'n Agterklap-botsing tussen ‘n Volkswagen en Nissan bakkie het bestuurders met hul hande in die hare gehad op Donderdag aand, 13 Mei 2021. Na aanleiding van ooggetuies, het die bestuurder van die Nissan deurgeloop nadat die bestuurder van die Volkswagen die lengte onderskat het tussen die twee voertuie. Die Volkswagen het met redelike spoen teen die linker-agterkant van die Nissan bakkie gebots terwyl dié gewag het om te draai, en is hewig beskadig. Tydens die botsing was geen ernstige beserings aangemeld nie, en IGAGU se medici het reggestaan om behandeling toe te pas. Van Wettens Insleepdiens was, soos altyd, spoedig op die toneel om hulp te verleen. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM keeps mum on plan to improve service delivery 1/42 Share GK CRONJE 22 June 2021 Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. Amidst all-time high dissatisfaction from residents, and a new low in service delivery, the IDP budget has been announced by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), and has been slated as a multi-year budget. The MLM executive mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, delivered the budget announcement, and subsequently outlined the state of the municipality. He admitted that the municipality is currently in a mixed state, and that several backlogs have been ameliorated due to the purchase of new equipment. According to the budget speech, MLM’s success will rely on it ability to adhere to the national and provincial planning frameworks. This framework includes, amongst others, that the municipality should ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with the community. Most notably, the framework stipulates that the municipality should deliver basic services, which includes basic electricity, basic water, sanitation, waste removal and more. The framework also explicitly states that the municipality should ensure that services such as grass cutting, patching of potholes, working traffic lights and street lights and consistent refuse removal are implemented. It further states that focus must be placed on the operations and maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure continuity of service provision. In total, the IDP lists 243 separate community issues and needs across all wards within its governance. Unfortunately, the majority of the listed issues have been longstanding for several years, with MLM failing to address the issues. Notably, the majority of complaints are of a service delivery nature, which includes the ghastly state of all roads, traffic lights and street lights that are in non-working condition, water provision, electrical infrastructure and provision complaints, refuse removal and general neatness of the wards and CBD. The rampant and unchecked drug use in Ermelo and informal townships have also been noted in several complaints. Ironically, no mention of the infamous 88kV substation can be found in the IDP. Electrical issues are simply referred to as “electrical infrastructure” issues. Other issues include the lack of healthcare and clinics, the lack of maintenance of council sportsgrounds, the lack of dumping sites and the issue of illegal dumping, illegal electricity connections and ageing infrastructure. A major point of concern is the Thusong Service Centre in Lothair, which, according to available information, started construction circa 2013/2014, but remains incomplete. According to the IDP, the main issues of focus from MLM should be housing, road upgrades, storm water drainage upgrades, access to sanitation, electricity supply, provision of water, waste management and public lighting. However, the prioritizes pie chart in the IDP makes no sense, as electricity shows a 12% priority scale, public lighting and waste management both at 9%, with roads and stormwater drains taking up 20%, and housing taking 21%. Sanitation takes up a mere 13%. In light of the current electricity situation that the community finds itself in, 12% priority is a slap in the face of residents. By-Laws: According to MLM, the by-laws are not enforced due to “high costs associated” with the enforcement. According to MLM, nuisance, traffic, street trading and electricity by-laws will be enforced with the assistance of the SAPS and NPA. If these by-laws will be enforced, remains a topic of conversation. No mention of stray cattle and stray animal by-laws is made, except in the issues raised by the community. A direct enquiry to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, dated 2 June 2021, yielded no response regarding the plan to step up the enforcement of all by-laws. Water Quality & Sanitation: MLM has stated that it has appointed a technician to control the quality of the water supply, and claims to work towards SANS 241 compliance. MLM claims that the Blue Drop status was at 18.1% in 2014, but makes no further mention as to the current quality of the water supply. Water maintenance budget for 2021/2022 from municipal coffers stand at R3 933 000, with a total of R17 298 735 being allocated from municipal infrastructure grants (MIG). The MIG is a conditional grant from the national government, with the aim of improving service delivery. MLM claims that an actual amount of R12 000 000 is needed for operations and maintenance of water supply. The backlog is 4.97%. Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) has assisted in initiating the upgrade of the bulk water supply pipeline and infrastructure for Ermelo, Wesselton, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Nganga and Warburton at a cost of R264 594 000. Free basic water to indigent households enjoys a staggering R6 835 987. Strangely, the budget for indigent water supply exceeds the water maintenance budget. Sanitation budget stands at a mere R897 000, with R9 187 380 from MIG and a blistering R50 000 000 from water services infrastructure grant (WSIG) funds. The green drop status of MLM is stated as a shockingly poor 98.5% in 2014. Again, no recent Green Drop status is mentioned. A equitable finance share from national government assists in the mammoth R14 922 000 bill racked up by supplying free basic wastewater management to indigent households. No mention of the dilapidated sewerage network is noted. Enquiries lodged, explicitly naming Cassim Park, President Fouché Avenue, Autumn Ridge, Wesselton, Sun City and surrounding areas as areas of focus where the sewerage infrastructure is virtually collapsed, saw no joy. The municipal spokesman simply ignored the enquires. Electricity supply: Amidst the electrical infrastructure of Ermelo teetering on the brink of collapse, with rolling blackouts and load reduction on a daily basis, MLM has allocated a measly R3 000 000 for maintenance of electricity in 2021/2022. R10 000 000 has been allocated from the integrated national electrification programme (INEP) grant, for bulk electricity infrastructure and the electrification of households. MLM stated that it needs to apply for bulk capacity upgrade of the notified maximum demand (NMD) from Eskom. Mandla Zwane has stated that there has been no reduction in the NMD from Eskom. However, residents aren’t biting this carrot, with the load reduction and power outages from MLM that have dramatically increased withing a very short space of time. The municipality claims that ageing infrastructure and insufficient cable sizes are to blame for the electrical outages. These need to be replaced. With the paying residents getting the short end of the stick, indigent support sees a budget allocation of R11 136 000, where MLM supplies free basic electricity of 50kWh to more than 11 500 registrants. A direct enquiry to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, dated 2 June 2021, explicitly enquired as to how MLM plans to resolve the issues faced by the inadequate supply from the 88kV line, as claimed by the municipality. Additional enquiries regarding the budget for the upgrade of the substation, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the line were also lodged. To date, the enquiries yielded no response. It is clear from the allocated funds above did not make provision for neither upgrade nor maintenance of the 88kV substation. No provision has been made for the upkeep and servicing of the electrical infrastructure. Enquiries lodged on numerous occasions regarding the damages suffered by residents due to neglect of the infrastructure and erratic electricity supply, and how they can claim reparations from the municipality, has simply been ignored by the spokesman. MLM also failed to elaborate on how they plan to engage with illegal connections, and the fact that entire towns, such as Breyten and Chrissiesmeer, have, for all intents and purposes, a zero percent payment rate from residents. According to the latest know figures, MLM has an arrangement of R180 634 883 with Eskom, with R35 000 000 already paid, and R145 634 883 being outstanding. It is unclear how these figures were calculated, or if these amounts are the interest or the capital amount owed. According to the last known report, MLM owed Eskom R172 million in August 2020. According to the MLM spokesman, the municipality is on schedule with the arrangement between MLM and Eskom. Roads and infrastructure - Of the total length of 446km of roads within the municipality’s jurisdiction, a mere 234km is either paved or tarred. A total of 212km of roadway lies in the backlog, or are farm and backroads. According to MLM, there is no funds in the municipal coffer for new roads. A measly amount of R2 579 800 has been allocated for infrastructure and maintenance. An additional allocation of R23 969 985 has been funded by the MIG for upgrading existing roads. According to MLM, a total of R86 500 000 is required annually to maintain road infrastructure within the municipal jurisdiction. Therefore, MLM essentially states that there are no funds in the municipal coffer to maintain the roads and infrastructure. Enquiries explicitly outlining the dilemma faced of the collapsing roads in Ermelo, and the virtually non-existent roads in Wesselton, Sun City and other areas have been ignored by MLM. Enquiries regarding the plan of action to rehabilitate and maintain the roadways in high traffic areas, most notably school routes, roadways surround new developments and housing complexes in Camden Avenue and Wes Street and, as well as high density routes in the CBD, have also been ignored. Stormwater management - Puzzlingly, the funds allocated for the maintenance and management of the stormwater infrastructure falls under the measly amount allocated to roads and infrastructure. According to MLM, Human Resources shortages remain a challenge, as no personnel are available due to financial constraints. Refuse removal - MLM will fork out R9 233 000 for free basic refuse removal for indigent registrants. Ultimately, it would be logical to view the budget and financial state of Msukaligwa Local Municipality as likely to collapse, as the municipality is, for all practical, technically bankrupt. Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. < Previous Article Next Article >

Blind eye turned to public drug use Blind eye turned to public drug use 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 "We can not infringe on other people’s rights. When the SAPS searches these individuals, they do not carry a large number of drugs, and most of the times we only find them with empty papers." Over the past few months, the issue of drug use and trafficking in Ermelo and surroundings has become more prominent, with various individuals shamelessly partaking in public displays of defiance in this regard. Most notable is the building at 31 Oosthuise Street, which has now turned into the place to be if you’re looking for a fix. Drug users and addicts openly inject themselves, and each other intravenously, many individuals can be seen snorting their lives away while slouching against the walls, and the pavement is bustling with shady drug deals and trafficking, in broad daylight. Drug addled users can be seen lounging against the walls or aimlessly staggering around the sidewalk and across the street, much to the frustration of oncoming traffic. Residents in this area have complained to authorities on many occasions, to no avail. Businesses in this area also complained that they have notified the SAPS of the illegal activity at this site, but to date, no palpable action has been taken. “I drive past this sight for sore eyes every morning, and my children are with me in the vehicle. I have to subject them to these issues, and it is completely uncalled for. How can they just be left to peddle and use drugs in public, without any repercussion,” an irate resident told the Tribune ePaper. Upon enquiry with the SAPS Ermelo, Const. Msizane replied as follows: “ The SAPS has attempted to remove these individuals, but the issue is that the municipality must issue us with the by-laws and the way to deal with this matter. We can not infringe on other people’s rights. When the SAPS searches these individuals, they do not carry a large number of drugs, and most of the times we only find them with empty papers. The SAPS can not make an arrest without any evidence, and even if we arrest them for being intoxicated, we do not have drug test kits on hand to provide as evidence to the court. These individuals have been given the option of rehabilitation in Delmas, but refused.” The Tribune ePaper referred this nonsensical response regarding the by-laws to Msukaligwa Local Municipality. As would be expected, Mr. Zwane, spokesman for the municipality, stated that the arrest of these individuals carry no connection with the by-laws of the municipality, and that the enforcement of the law remains the duty of the SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kindling for zealous arsonists 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 15 March 2022 One would assume that the stream of vacancies advertised by MLM for horticulturists, groundskeepers and other positions relating to parks and grounds maintenance, Ermelo would be a beacon of neatness. This is, however, not the case. The neglected state of Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s council grounds have long been a topic of discussion, with residents learning to deal with the repercussions as best they can. A prime example is the sordid state of the open fields and crossings within the municipal jurisdiction. With the dry season approaching, it is but a matter of time before the annual cases of arson rears its fiery head. Despite several enquiries directed to MLM as to why the grounds are left to their own devices, no answer has been provided. One would assume that the stream of vacancies advertised by MLM for horticulturists, groundskeepers and other positions relating to parks and grounds maintenance, Ermelo would be a beacon of neatness. This is, however, not the case. Motorists and pedestrians have to crane their necks at intersections within the wards to see past the grass taller than a vehicle’s roof, stray cattle leap from the shrubbery into oncoming traffic, and opportunistic criminals have convenient camouflage from the eyes of law enforcement and neighborhood watch. Once these fields are set alight, the thick bellows of smoke is a whole other kettle of fish, with road users and pedestrians being in equal danger due to the poor visibility that comes with the smoldering grass. Moreover, embers being carried during these field fires pose a danger to residences within the wards, which could easily catch fire during dry season. While MLM departments simply mow the field corners of selected intersections to make it easier to sport oncoming traffic, this is but wool over the eyes of ongoing service delivery failure issues. Unfortunately for wards already facing electrical infrastructure collapse, a large amount of electrical kiosks are shrouded in the tall grass. When this kindling lures a arsonists with an itchy finger, scores of residents are left in the dark as the kiosks are damaged beyond repair. In turn, this causes extensive expenditures on MLM’s books... And so the cycle of financial infeasibility continues. < Previous Article Next Article >

Murder on the streets of Ermelo Murder on the streets of Ermelo 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 20 October 2020 The body of Muzi Eric Ntchangase (51) was discovered in Alwyn van Zijl Street in Ermelo. He was stabbed once in the chest. Murder On Friday, 16 October, at 21:20, the body of Muzi Eric Ntchangase (51) was discovered in Alwyn van Zijl Street in Ermelo. He was stabbed once in the chest. Any person who has information which might assist Ermelo SAPS with the investigation, is requested to contact Constable ML Mkwanazi at 017-819 2321 or 082 373 8389. In the second case, a man (25) was stabbed outside a Tavern in Babanani Villige (Skaaprus) on Sunday, 18 October in the early hours of the morning. He was taken to hospital, but succumbed his injuries. Rape: On Saturday, 16 October, a 16-year-old girl and two siblings were on their way to a shop in Wesselton. They were confronted by three men who demanded money. The victim gave them money. The suspects forced the victim to the Ermelo sewerage facility, where she was raped and left to fend for herself. < Previous Article Next Article >

Grusame ongeluk eis vier lewens Grusame ongeluk eis vier lewens 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 30 March 2021 Een van die insittendes, wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is later oorlede in die hospitaal as gevolg van ‘n breinbesering. Op Sondag, 28 Maart, ongeveer 02:30, het daar ‘n grusame botsing tussen ‘n Volkswagen Polo en ‘n Volkswagen Amarok plaasgevind. Die Polo het in Voortrekker Straat af gery, en die Amarok van De Emigratie Weg, waar die bestuurder van die werk afgekom het en oppad huis toe was. Die bestuurder van die Polo die rooi verkeerslig verontagsaam, en dit het daartoe gelei dat die bestuurder van die Amarok, vir wie die verkeerslig groen was, met hul gebots het. Die Polo het gerol met die impak van die botsing, en het op sy dak tot stilstand gekom by die verkeerslig voor McDonald’s. Van die ses insittendes in die Polo, waarvan drie op die toneel oorlede is, het twee het ernstige beserings opgedoen, en een ligte besering. Die twee wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is deur die Ermelo Provinsiale Ambulansdiens behandel, en die ligte besering pasiënt is deur ER24 na Ermelo Provinsiale Hospitaal geneem vir mediese behandeling. Die bestuurder van die Amarok het geen beserings opgedoen nie. ER24, EMS, Ermelo SAPS, Msukwaliga Fire and Rescue, ETS Insleepdienste, Ermelo Forensies en die verkeer offisiere was op die toneel. Een van die insittendes, wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is later ook oorlede in die hospitaal as gevolg van ‘n breinbesering. Daar word ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap gedoen om die verkeersreëls te gehoorsaam, asook om die COVID-19 regulasies en aandklok reëls na te kom. < Previous Article Next Article >

Carolina suspects handed hefty sentences Carolina suspects handed hefty sentences 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 17 November 2020 None of the accused showed remorse for their actions, and prison is the only place where they can be rehabilitated, the Magistrate said. On 6 November 2020, the Carolina Regional Court handed down sentencing to Njabulo Elson Mnisi (28), July John Nyawu (26), Lucas Vusi Hlatshwayo (24) and Muzi Emmanuel Mlotshwa (26). It is alleged that on 1 June 2014, Dlamini Phillimon Okthy (36) was assaulted, stabbed with a knife and robbed of R570 and banking cards by the suspects. On the same night, the suspects met with Nomsa Elizabeth Dlamini (30) and her friend, whereafter they assaulted the women. Dlamini's friend managed to escape, and the suspects threatened the victim with an axe, dragged her to an open field next to Enkanini Section Silobela, and gang raped her for nearly 2 hours. The suspects were arrested after cases of rape, kidnapping and robbery were opened. Mnisi and Nyawo, both received life imprisonment, with an added twelve years each. All sentences are to be served concurrently. Hlatshwayo and Mlotshwa were both sentenced to twelve years imprisonment. When handing down judgment, Magistrate Combrink said it is the duty of the court to protect the society, and that can only be done by imposing a prescribed sentence. The faced offenses of a serious nature, and they traumatized their victims. On the charge of rape, the fact that one of the accused had a condom in his possession shows that their actions were planned. None of the accused showed remorse for their actions, and prison is the only place where they can be rehabilitated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Court halts delay tactics by muti murderer Court halts delay tactics by muti murderer 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 23 March 2021 Msibi mixed brake fluid with beer and forced Gabisile to drink it. She was also forced to smoke dagga with Mkhize. Vosman kidnapping and murder suspects Thulani Thobela (26), Donie Cavin Boshielo (22) and Mthobisi Brilliant Mkhize (26) had their bail application denied by the Witbank Magistrate’s Court. The fourth suspect, Thokozani Msibi (32), a Swazi sangoma, was also denied bail. The trio broke into a house on 2018 January 2018, and gained entry into the dinning/living room. They proceeded to kidnap two children, Gabisile Shabane (13) and 15-month-old cousin, Nkosikhona Ngwenya. Gabisile had been living with albinism. The children were residing with their 50-year-old grandmother. After the kidnaping, a nationwide manhunt ensued, and Msibi was the first one to be arrested. The SAPS discovered the remains of the two children at Cullinan, and along the N4 Highway respectively. Gabisile’s mutilated body was found buried in a shallow grave, and Nkosikhona was found floating in a stream. According to statements, Msibi mixed brake fluid with beer and forced Gabisile to drink it. She was also forced to smoke dagga with Mkhize. After killing her, they severed her arms, and removed her heart, lungs, vagina, uterus, ovaries, all the abdominal organs and the bladder. The head, one arm and a part of the vagina were later found at the home of Msibi. Nkosikhona, who was thought to have been abducted by mistake, was found drowned in a river. Msibi planned use her body parts to create muti for Thubane and Mhlanga to make their business, a private college, thrive. Mkhize wanted Msibi to make him rich through the same muti. On 3 March, Msibi’s new legal representative, Musa Mavasa of Legal Aid, told the court about disagreements during consultation with Msibi in preparation for trial. A week ago, Msibi fired his lawyer, Verner Smit, citing disagreements. Smit was the second lawyer to be fired by Msibi. The Middelburg High Court threatened to continue the trial of Msibi, without legal representation, if he fails to retain his new, and third, lawyer. This follows what the court said was a third delay tactic employed by Msibi in an attempt to evade being prosecuted. “This court has wasted enough time. I cannot allow you to keep changing lawyers more than you have done. This was the last time. You must remember that justice delayed is justice denied,” the judge said. The trial is set to begin from 4 October to 12 November 2021. “If this date comes, and you still have not decided who should represent you, the court will proceed with the trial,” said Brauckmann. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would also not allow further delays. “As the NPA, we view this as delaying tactics. We will not allow further delays, because we want to bring this matter into finality,” said NPA spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa. < Previous Article Next Article >

FF Plus clamps down on sewage pollution The sewage pollution in Standerton. Bethal has seen its fair share of sewage pollution. The highly polluted Blesbokspruit. The sewage pollution in Standerton. 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 26 October 2020 In Bethal, three of its sewage pump stations have not been functioning for an extended period of time. One pump was removed in December 2019, supposedly for repairs, but to this day it has not yet been replaced. And ever since, sewage has been flowing freely into the Blesbokspruit. The pollution is so serious that toilet paper and grey water are visible from a bridge, 12km outside of town, that runs across the tributary. The FF Plus has lodged a complaint with the acting chief director of Environmental Affairs, Land and the Green Scorpions in Mpumalanga, Ms Pamela Ntuli, about the constant and serious sewage dumping in the province. There are quite a number of areas in the province that raise serious concerns about the failure of municipal infrastructure. The municipalities' ineptness has resulted in natural resources being flooded with untreated human waste, which will have a long-term negative impact on the environment as well as the people living there. In Bethal, three of its sewage pump stations have not been functioning for an extended period of time. One pump was removed in December 2019, supposedly for repairs, but to this day it has not yet been replaced. And ever since, sewage has been flowing freely into the Blesbokspruit. The pollution is so serious that toilet paper and grey water are visible from a bridge, 12km outside of town, that runs across the tributary. At Mbombela Local Municipality, Hazyview, slime dams were built, but it does not prevent large amounts of waste from ending up in the world-renowned Sabie River. At Lekwa Local Municipality, Standerton, not even an interdict obtained from the High Court in 2018 against the Lekwa Municipality could put an end to the pollution seeing as the infrastructure is not being properly maintained and repaired. Large volumes of sewage water end up in the Vaal River due to the laxity of these municipal officials. At Emalahleni Local Municipality, Witbank, reports indicate that very few of the sewage plants in Witbank and Kriel are still functional, and that the sewage that ends up in the Olifants River will in the long run have a destructive effect on the environment. It is estimated that at only one of the non-functional sewage plants, at least 26 million litres of sewage water end up in the Olifants River every month and as a result, the Witbank Dam, Loskop Dam as well as other dams in the catchment area are polluted. “This problem must be addressed at once. The FF Plus is of the opinion that that the Green Scorpions must implement the necessary intervention strategies to combat the pollution and must also determine how much damage has already been done to the natural resources. The FF Plus will put pressure on the provincial ANC government to immediately take action against the individuals who are failing to do their duty to maintain infrastructure and whose responsibility it is to ensure that sewage water is treated and does not pollute natural resources.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Alleged killer referred for psych evaluation Alleged killer referred for psych evaluation Double murder accused, Franscois Pretorius. Double murder accused, Franscois Pretorius. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 The court heard that he had a family history of Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy, with Sub-cortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). This disease is an inherited disease of the blood vessels that occurs when the thickening of blood vessel walls blocks the flow of blood to the brain. Francois Pretorius, a jeweller in Bethal whofaces charges for the double murder of Dr. Hannes and Ms Ibel Beukes, will appear in court again on 15 July 2020. The case was postponed after Pretorius appointed a new advocate, was referred for psychiatric evaluation. The court heard that he had a family history of Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy, with Sub-cortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). This disease is an inherited disease of the blood vessels that occurs when the thickening of blood vessel walls blocks the flow of blood to the brain. The disease primarily affects the small blood vessels in the white matter of the brain, and is characterized by migraines and multiple strokes which can progress to dementia. The disease can also cause severe depression and changes in behavior and personality. Pretorius will be evaluated by three different medical professionals to determine the validity of the claims. As Pretorius has been classified as a flight risk, he has been, and will remain in custody. < Previous Article Next Article >

Camden saboteur in cuffs after confession Camden saboteur in cuffs after confession 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 17 November 2022 Camden supplies 1 561MW of electricity, equivalent to 3.4% of the national grid. A contractor that had been employed at Camden power plant, Ermelo, was arrested for sabotage of generating Unit 4 at the plant. Investigation conducted by Eskom teams discovered that the perpetrator, employed by a maintenance contractor at the plant, intentionally removed the bearing oil drain plug from the bearing, causing the oil burners to trip repeatedly. In addition, this act of sabotage damaged the bearing, which prevented the mills from operating at nominal capacity. Unit 4 was subsequently out of commission after all mills tripped. Eskom stated that the incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, 10 November 2022. After being questioned by Eskom, the perpetrator confessed that the act of sabotage was willful, thus ensuring that his employer would be awarded additional maintenance and repair work from the power plant. A case had been opened with the SAPS, and according to information received, has subsequently been handed over to the Hawks for investigation. The suspect is expected to appear before the Ermelo Magistrates Court today, 17 November 2022. Camden power plant was also in the news last month, after the entire plant was forced to shut down after a senior technician "opened the wrong valve", contaminating the plant’s demineralised water supply. Eksom also launched a investigation into suspected sabotage. Camden supplies 1 561MW of electricity, equivalent to 3.4% of the national grid. < Previous Article Next Article >