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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 >

Drivers allegedly stash liquor in field following collision Drivers allegedly stash liquor in field following collision 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 4 May 2021 It has been alleged by onlookers that the occupants of the vehicles were intoxicated at the time of the incident, and that they hurriedly attempted to stash their liquor in a nearby field. A puzzling collision occurred in Church Street on Friday, 30 April, involving two Toyota vehicles. Rainy weather, coupled with the busy traffic of the payday weekend saw the two vehicles involved in a tailgate collision, which left bystanders dumbfounded as to how it happened. One of the vehicles ended up facing oncoming traffic, whilst the other came to a halt on the opposite sidewalk, obliterating a streetlight in the process. Luckily, no serious injuries were sustained by either party. It has been alleged by onlookers that the occupants of the vehicles were intoxicated at the time of the incident, and that they hurriedly attempted to stash their liquor in a nearby field. The SAPS, however, provided no confirmation of this at the time of publication. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Bongo set to face the music in November Bongo set to face the music in November 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2022 To date, Bongo has maintained his innocence, and claims that he is the target of a personal vendetta. The court case against Bongani Bongo and his 11 co-accused, Robert Barwise, 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, Sibongile Mercy Mdaka and Sandile Nkosi, who all briefly appeared in the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court in April 2022, is set to proceed with pre-trial proceedings as from 8 November 2022. Bongo and his co-accused are expected to submit a plea explanation. The companies Little River Trading 156 (Pty) Ltd, Broad Market Trading 204 (Pty) Ltd, Bongiveli CC, and Pfuka Afrika CC have also implicated and charged in the R74 million fraud case. The State will then proceed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused are guilty on 69 counts which, amongst others, include corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). During the trial, amongst others will be an investigation where Bongiveli CC is alleged to have entered into the sale and purchase agreement with Fremax Farms, for a portion of Rietspruit Farm in Ermelo, for an amount of R10.5-million. The crux is that Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s valuation of the portion of the Rietspruit farm was said to be a mere R1.6 million. Another The other charge relates to the R37 million sale and purchase of a farm in Naauwpoort, eMalahleni by the Department of Human Settlements (DOHS). The legal owner of the farm received a mere R15 million from the sale. The irregularity took place while Bongo was the head of legal services for the Mpumalanga DOHS, working in tandem with Singwane to allegedly swindle the state. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Mpumalanga Regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, stated that Bongo and his co-accused conspired to defraud the Department Of Human Settlements (DOHS). “In March 2022, the Department of Human Settlements paid over R52 million to Singwane. Subsequently, the law firm furnished Fremax with a guarantee of R15.6-million. The property was then transferred to Bongiveli from Msukaligwa Local Municipality, and the company became the owner of the farm. The farm was then sold back to DOHS for R32 million, and fell out of Spatial Development Plan for the municipality. It was therefore no longer categorized for human settlement,” Nyuswa said. At that time, Bongo was Head of the Legal Section of the DOHS, and part of the Committee appointed to negotiate the purchase of the farms. To date, Bongo has maintained his innocence, and claims that he is the target of a personal vendetta. < Previous Article Next Article >

Veediefstal boewe loop op dun ys Veediefstal boewe loop op dun ys 1/3 Share SM HATTINGH 16 August 2022 Die waarde van die vee wat terug gevind is, is ongeveer R280 000. Op Maandag, 8 Augustus 2022, was agt koeie en vier kalfies op ‘n plaas gevind, ongeveer 12km buite die dorp, op die Amsterdam pad. Die vee is gevind deur ACSU, boere van die omgewing en die plaaslike veediefstal eenheid. Daar is twee mans op die plaas gevind, en is in hegtenis geneem, maar later weer vrygelaat omdat hul nie met die diefstal verbind kon word nie. Tydens die herwinning van die vee, het die twee mans gesê dat die plaas aan Alton Mphethe behoort, en dat hy op Maandag in die hospitaal was. Dié is nie die eerste keer wat daar gesteelde vee op Mphethe se plaas teruggevind is nie. Kaptein Carla Prinsloo, woordvoerder vir die Ermelo-polisie, sê dat Ermelo Veediefstaleenheid, ACSU en die boere gemeenskap ‘n operasie geloods het, “Buyisinkomo” en “Gcinimvelo”, waar daar later die middag die gesteelde vee gevind was. Volgens die boere gebruik veediewe strykysters om die beeste te brandmerk. In hierdie geval is daar drie kruise bo-oor die eienaar van die vee se brandmerk, waar die merke in die vee se ore ook uitgesny is. Die waarde van die vee wat terug gevind is, is ongeveer R280 000. Die eienaar van die beeste wat anononiem wil bly, wil net graag sy dank aan ACSU, Kolonel Zulu van die veediefstaleenheid, en al die boere bedank vir die soektog na sy vee. < Previous Article Next Article >

Residents take the law into their own hands Residents take the law into their own hands 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 2 February 2022 The group eventually saw reason and returned the documentation to the drivers, highly disgruntled. On Monday, 31 January 2022, a group of individuals loitered in Havenga Road, obstructing the roadway and demanding to see licenses and identity documents from passing heavy vehicle drivers. In what can only be described as an act of lawlessness, these individuals, who are but mere ordinary residents, confiscated the documentation and licenses of foreign heavy vehicle drivers, which are all registered and in possession of work permits in South Africa. These self-appointed lawmen then proceeded to remain in possession of the documentation, and prevented the drivers from continuing on their route. In some instances, they also took the vehicle keys from the drivers under threat of violence. The drivers were also intimidated by the group, and told that they should return to their country of origin. The SAPS officers on scene attempted to talk sense into the individuals running amok, explaining that it is against the law to act in this way, and that taking the keys from a driver without consent is tantamount to hijacking. The group in question expressed their dismay with the fact that foreign drivers are employed by local companies, instead of using residents of the area. Spartan Team kept a watchful eye on the group from across the road, ensuring that no property is damaged. ACSU was also on scene. The group eventually saw reason and returned the documentation to the drivers, highly disgruntled. No serious incidents were reported during this time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Bekende plaaslike besigheid beroof Bekende plaaslike besigheid beroof 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 10 August 2022 Die verdagtes het gevlug met ‘n onbekende bedrag kontant vanuit die kasregisters. Op Donderdag, 4 Augustus, ongeveer 17:15, het vier gewapende mans by ‘n besigheid ingestap. Hulle het rond gekyk in die winkel, vuurwapens uitgepluk, en het ‘n man (73) en sy vrou aangerand in die winkel. Die verdagtes het die slagoffers beveel om plat te lê op die vloer. Die man en die verdagtes het in ‘n struweling betrokke geraak, waarby die man kop beserings, asook beserings aan beide sy arms opgedoen het. Die man is Ermelo Medi-Clinic toe geneem vir mediese behandeling, waarby hy op Vrydag, 5 Augustus, na Medi-Clinic Trichardt geneem is vir verdere mediese behandeling. Tydens ‘n telefoon onderhoud met die eienaar van die winkel, het hy sy pa op Sondag, 7 Augsutus besoek, waarby hy gesê het dat sy pa vandag operasies sal ondergaan. Die verdagtes het gevlug met ‘n onbekende bedrag kontant vanuit die kasregisters. < Previous Article Next Article >

Total of 271 zama zama males arrested in Ermelo Total of 271 zama zama males arrested in Ermelo 1/5 Share SM HATTINGH 18 October 2022 To date, the Tribune has received no further communication from any of the recipients, the department’s Queen Tsebetsebe, nor from the office of the Director General’s Nonhlanhla Ndebele. The DMRE’s Solomon Phetla acknowledged the enquiry, but to date, failed to reply. A total of 271 males were arrested during an operation focusing on illegal mining in Ermelo on Thursday, 13 October 2022. The illegal mine is located approximately 10KM out of Ermelo on the N11, and the operation was led by the SAPS Gert Sibande District Office. They were assisted by members from the SAPS National Intervention Unit, SAPS Ermelo, Ermelo K9, the SAPS Air Wing, Department of Home Affairs, Kunene Security, Spartan Training, AfriForum Buurtwag and 303 Security. Amongst the suspects arrested were 30 Zimbabwian citizens, 92 citizens from Mozambique and 11 from Swaziland. 138 are South African citizens. Investigation revealed that the citizens from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland did not have proper documentation to be in the country, and the are all facing charges of being in South Africa illegally. The SAPS confiscated one front-end loader, three trucks and six bakkies loaded with coal, wheelbarrows, pick axes and forks, all of which had been used in the illegal mining of coal. During the arrest, SAPS Air Wing got their eyes on another mine, where they dispatched SAPS members. Upon arrival at the scene, there were an estimated 50 miners, as well as women selling food and colddrinks from a makeshift stall. All of these miners were also arrested. At this location, there is a mine shaft’s opening is at the end of a 150 meter decline. On Friday, 14 October 2022, outside the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court, family members and working colleagues gathered outside the court waiting for the court case. SAPS visibility was high, and the area cordoned off by SAPS vehciles. At a later stage, the protestors were in front of the SAPS station, were they demanded that the arrested suspects be released to go back to work. Rubber bullets and tear gas was later used to disperse the rowdy crowd, and restore order. The suspects made their appearance before court on Monday, 17 October 2022, were they remained in custody. The suspects that appeared before the court on Monday, are facing all the following charge: the Accused, being an illegal foreigner, is guilty of the offence of contravention of section 49(1)(a), read with sections 9(1) and 9(3)(b) of the immigration Act, Act 13 of 2022 as amended by Act 13 of 2011. The Accused did wrongfully enter the Republic in contravention of the Immigration Act, 2022, by entering the Republic at a place other than a port or entry, or entering the Republic whilst he/she was not in possession of a valid passport or in that the accused, being a foreigner who is not the holder of a permanent residence permit, did enter the Republic while his/her passport was valid for less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended stay, and that he/she was not issued with a valid temporary residence permit; and or in that the entry into the Republic by the said accused was not recorded by an immigration officer, and or remain in the Republic without being iin possession of any form or document allowing him/her to remain in the Republic. The remaining suspects made their appearance in court on 18 October, and again on 21 October, respectively. In a previous article in Tribune of 9 August 2022, Bidvest Protea Coin lodged several complaints to Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) regarding all these illegal mining in and around Ermelo. The Tribune has also directed an enquiry to the DMRE regarding the activity at these mines, and have received acknowledgment of receipt from two of the seven recipients. To date, the Tribune has received no further communication from any of the recipients, the department’s Queen Tsebetsebe, nor from the office of the Director General’s Nonhlanhla Ndebele. The DMRE’s Solomon Phetla acknowledged the enquiry, but to date, failed to reply. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Real estate fraudster sought Real estate fraudster sought 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 April 2021 She defrauded the buyers by not transferring the properties to their names and had to pay for home loans of the properties they never acquired. Annica Van Staden (46) is sought by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Mpumalanga for alleged fraud. It is alleged that between October 2014 and July 2015, the suspect had a registered business called Housing First Property in Mpumalanga. Her modus operandi was to sell Reconstruction and Development Programme( RDP) houses, repossessed houses as well as private property in the vicinity of Middelburg, Witbank, Secunda and Kriel. It was established that the houses she sold were not for sale. It is further alleged that the buyer had to pay the deposit on a house or the selling price into her business, Housing First Property trust account. She defrauded the buyers by not transferring the properties to their names and had to pay for home loans of the properties they never acquired. Van Staden allegedly transferred money to other agents she employed, although none of them including herself were registered with the Estate Agency Affairs Board. Cases of fraud were registered in Middelburg, the suspect is no longer residing in Middelburg and her whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hawks' investigating team, Lieutenant Colonel Hanlie Coetser, on 082 303 9881, Constable Masangane on 068 466 9873, or Sergeant Mosete on 072 329 9315. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo embroiled in water woes 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 10 May 2022 Yet, after the repairs are apparently completed, residents are still left high and dry. While hundreds of residents sit with dry taps, complaints fall on deaf ears at Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). The majority of Ermelo East has been without water for more than two weeks. Cassim Park residents have been sitting with dry taps for more than a week, with no reprieve from the municipality. A multitude of residents in Wesselton, Everest and Thusiville experiences a daily struggle with water. The issue is further aggravated by the fact that the dilapidated water pipes, of which some are over twenty years old, are bursting one after the other due to the fluctuating temperatures. Over the weekend, a fire hydrant near Cassim Park Hall was allegedly damaged by a municipal water tanker, and subsequently gushed a stream of potable water for approximately three hours, with no response from municipal departments. While this was ongoing, the enraged residents of Cassim Park, who were already without water, were in for a surprise, and were left with hands in hair. At the time of publication, sections of Cassim Park were still without water. According to MLM, the differences in diameters of the old and new pipes are also an issue for the municipal teams, where jerry-rigging has to be implemented to patch the crumbling water network. Now, even worse, the abysmal response time from the municipality leaves even more residents with dry taps. Complaints from the community include the fact that there is absolutely no feedback from the municipality. When feedback is eventually received, the municipality beats around the bush with implausible explanations. Yet, after the repairs are apparently completed, residents are still left high and dry. Residents have had it in chunks with poor excuses from the municipality, which range from inoperable generators at the pump station, to Eskom load shedding, and at one time, a resident was told that the municipal load reduction has an effect on the pumping capacity of the reservoirs. The Democratic Alliance has went as far as to label the water outage in Msukaligwa as a gross violation of human rights, which isn’t far from the truth. Many questions have also been raised by the community, with some members claiming that the municipality is allegedly rationing the water supply in an attempt to save on their Rand Water debt. This stems from the fact that the water supply is adequate at late hours of the evening and early morning hours in some areas, but the supply dwindles as soon as day breaks. Despite meeting upon meeting between the business chamber and the municipality, all the talk shows no fruition. An enquiry has been sent to Msukaligwa Local Municipality, and feedback will be published in due course. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Corrupt traffic officer caught red-handed Corrupt traffic officer caught red-handed 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 9 March 2021 Hleza was arrested whilst allegedly attempting to bribe an undercover Hawks agent. Mfanafuthi Gift Hleza (32), a senior traffic officer from Msukalikwa Local Municipality, was arrested on charges of alleged corruption during a multi-disciplinary intelligence driven operation. The operation was undertaken by members of the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team in Mpumalanga, together with members of Road Traffic Management Cooperation (RTMC) Head Office on Wednesday, 3 March 2021. The arrest followed after several complaints were received about the law enforcement officers who were allegedly soliciting bribes from the public who commit traffic violations. The operation was conducted on 22 February 2021, where the said officer allegedly demanded bribery from the officials (undercover agent) . Further investigation also established that members of the public who committed serious traffic violations were not prosecuted, but gratifications were allegedly paid to corrupt officials. The suspect appeared before the Ermelo Magistrate Court on the same day and he was released on R1500 bail. The case has been postponed to 26 March 2021 for further investigation. < Previous Article Next Article >

Twee verdagtes vasgetrek deur gemeenskapslede Twee verdagtes vasgetrek deur gemeenskapslede Die verdagtes wat vasgetrek is deur die gemeenskap. Die verdagtes wat vasgetrek is deur die gemeenskap. Die verdagtes wat vasgetrek is deur die gemeenskap. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 22 September 2020 Die karwagte het saam met die twee mans gewerk om die verdagtes vas te trek. Die twee verdagtes is dadelik na die SAPD geneem, waar daar op die stelesel gesien is dat daar by beide die verdagtes twee ander hangende sake is. Op Dinsdag, 15 September, was twee verdagtes opgemerk wat besig is om motors se alarms te keer dat dit aktiveer, bekend as “remote jamming”. Die twee verdagtes is gekonfronteer deur twee mans, waarna die verdagtes te voet gevlug het uit ‘n winkelsentrum in Kerk Straat. Hulle is egter vasgetrek naby ‘n restaurant in Kerk Straat. Die karwagte het saam met die twee mans gewerk om die verdagtes vas te trek. Die twee verdagtes is dadelik na die SAPD geneem, waar daar op die stelesel gesien is dat daar by beide die verdagtes twee ander hangende sake is. Die twee gemeenskapslede, wat anoniem wil bly, wil graag die karwagte, asook die plaaslike SAPD bedank vir hulle flinke werk. < Previous Article Next Article >

Outrage as MLM sets to rename council buildings 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 17 November 2020 Fruitless expenditures such as renaming of council buildings should be the very last thing on the list of fiscal worries at MLM. Ermelo as a whole united in an angry front against the recent stint pulled by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), as the municipality set forth a call for proposed name changes for council owned buildings. MLM, which is under severe financial strain due to being grossly indebted with nearly all service providers, rustled a whole cage of feathers with this proposal. As all wards, settlements and towns withing the MLM governance area suffer on a daily basis with electrical interruptions due to the NMD implemented due to the mountain of debt owed to Eskom, this is viewed as the peak of wasteful expenditure. Roads are riddled with potholes and sinkholes, with MLM claiming financial constraints as the reason for the deterioration. Substations and junction boxes are left to rot without maintenance, no doors, many of them have high voltage cables that are jerry-rigged in the most unsafe of fashion. Water supply is erratic at best, with many households left days on end with extremely low water pressure, dirty water supply, or no water supply at all. The majority of Ermelo is shrouded in darkness as streetlights are left in a dilapidated and non-functional state, with no action from MLM. Once again financial constraints are cited as the culprit. Refuse removal is another cause of concern, with residents resorting to illegal dumping as the refuse collection schedule is often disregarded. The municipal billing system is a shambles, with residents and businesses receiving unfathomably skyhigh accounts for water and electricity, as MLM employees use estimates as a yard stick for usage, which is not only illegal, but highly unethical. Businesses are threatened with a cut-off of services should they fail to pay the excessively high bills that MLM thumbsucks without any readings, and many businesses and residents have water meters that are buried beneath shrubbery and grass, proving theat MLM does indeed not take readings on a regular basis as is expected of them. Pre-paid customers are also getting the short end of the stick, as the lack of processing of accounts on part of MLM results in penalties incurred due to “arrears”, which are actually not in arrears. As a result, the amount of prepaid units received by paying customers are greatly reduced, as purchase slips cite all manner of excuses as to penalize residents without any rhyme or reason. In light of the above, fruitless expenditures such as renaming of council buildings should be the very last thing on the list of fiscal worries at MLM, who should rather focus the little available finances they have on basic service delivery, which is clearly lacking at this point. At the time of publication, MLM failed to respond to enquiries regarding this matter. < Previous Article Next Article >