Fire hydrant still a missing link The worksite, left as is after the hydrant was removed. The worksite, left as is after the hydrant was removed. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 11 August 2020 The relevant department has, however, failed to replace or reinstall the hydrant in its place of origin, instead opting to leave the worksite as it, not even returning the paving stones to its place. Ironically, the now defunct hydrant is but a few hundred meters away from the fire brigade’s building. More than 6 months ago, Msukaligwa Local Municipality teams removed a fire hydrant from its placement to repair a reported leak from this area. The relevant department has, however, failed to replace or reinstall the hydrant in its place of origin, instead opting to leave the worksite as it, not even returning the paving stones to its place. Ironically, the now defunct hydrant is but a few hundred meters away from the fire brigade’s building. Hopefully, one of the many surrounding buildings won’t be subject to a fire, and leave officials red-faced and struggling. < Previous Article Next Article >

Nuus uit die SAPD se kantoor Nuus uit die SAPD se kantoor 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 1 June 2021 'n Onbekende man het hul gekonfronteer en met 'n wapen gedreig. Hy het kontant geeïs, en die klaagster se handsak gegryp. - Twee mans, onderskeidelik 26 en 45 jaar oud, is op Woensdag, 26 Mei op die hoek van Oosthuise- en Robertson Straat gearresteer op klagte van handel in dwelms. Die SAPD het op inligting gereageer. Die verdagtes is in besit gevind van heroiene en kokaiene, met 'n beraamde waarde van R9 000. - TWK voorval: Die 51-jarige klaagster het saam met 2 ander vrouens van hul geparkeerde voertuig in die parkering na TWK geloop. 'n Onbekende man het hul gekonfronteer en met 'n wapen gedreig. Hy het kontant geeïs, en die klaagster se handsak gegryp. Hy het ook 'n skootrekenaar en selfone van die ander dames gegryp en gevlug. - On Monday, 24 May 2021, Zakhele Mbuyane (44) appeared before the Carolina Magistrate Court on a charge of rape. According to the information recieved on Saturday, 22 May 2021, at about 20:45, the victin, Lungile Mashinini (21) was driving with the accused, who is her ex boyfriend, to Carolina CBD. The accused stopped the vehicle next to Mzamo Section, where he had sex with her without her consent. The victim then opened a case of rape at Carolina police station. On Sunday, 23 May 2021, the accused handed himself to the Carolina SAPS, where he was charged for rape. He appeared before the Carolina Magistrate Court on the 24 May 2021, where he was granted R1 000 bail, he will reappear at the same court on the 24 June 2021. - The SAPS in Carolina is investigating a case of murder of a 28-year-old Sizile Lesson Sibande. On Sunday, 23 May 202,1 the SAPSin Carolina were called to the scene of a shooting incident. Upon arrival, officers were informed that the victim was taken to Carolina Hospital, and thereafter learned the victim was pronounced dead on arrival. They were shown the body of the deceased, who had two gun wounds, one on the head and one in the chest. It is alleged that the deceased was shot during an altercation which took place at a local pub. The SAPS requests those with information on the case to contact the investigation officer, Sergeant Sipho Mlangeni, on 017 843 2108. < Previous Article Next Article >

HMV torched and looted HMV torched and looted 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 11 May 2021 The SAPS has confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property has been lodged, but no arrests have been made as of yet. On Wednesday evening, emergency services rushed to a scene where a heavy vehicle traveling down Chris de Villiers Street, was set alight, allegedly after being thrown with a petrol bomb. Reports of residents, who were allegedly protesting in Extension 33, looting the contents of the HMV were also noted. SAPS and other services were quick on scene in an attempt to maintain order, but the damage had already been done. Firefighters battled tooth and nail to douse the smoldering wreckage of the HMV, while residents in the adjacent field cajoled and taunted their efforts. At the time of publication, no injuries have been reported. The SAPS has confirmed that a case of malicious damage to property has been lodged, but no arrests have been made as of yet. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM announces R3.5 million service delivery drive 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 20 September 2022 Some residents claimed that blatant grandstanding by municipal officials impacted the protocol and quality control that should be followed. The Jetpatcher team was spotted in Horster Road, Netherland Park, last week, providing some much needed TLC to the dilapidated roadway. This roadway, which had been slated for overhaul in February 2022, fell victim to political infighting at the municipality, and the planned project was put on ice. A section of the roadway has now been patched, although more serious intervention is needed to alleviate the shoddy road conditions in Netherland Park. The Jetpatching initiative takes place periodically as the district vehicle and materials become available, and is a joint venture between Msukaligwa Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality and other roleplayers. On videos and photos shared by the municipality, the executive mayor, Cllr MP Nkosi, as well as Gert Sibande Distrit Municipality (GSDM) executive mayor, Cllr MW Mngomezulu, also attended the announcement of the so-called “integrated service delivery programme”. Heide Avenue was also targeted by the Jetpatcher team. According to the municipality, the district will assist with a road resealing initiative to the value of R3.5 million. According to the municipality, the programme will include, amongst others, patching of potholes, cleaning and removing of illegal dumping, disconnecting and removal of illegal electricity cables, unblocking of sewerage main holes, the repair of water pipe leaks and public lighting, such as streetlights and high masts. “Is not that we are concentrating in town only, we are going to rehabilitate Msheveni- and Mthambama Streets in Wesselton in this financial year,” Cllr Nkosi stated. The reaction from the community has been a mixed bag, with some members of the community lauding the attempts by the municipality, while others questioned the workmanship of the projects, claiming that blatant grandstanding by municipal officials impacted the protocol and quality control that should be followed. Other concerns were also raised that the infrastructure failure such as roadways are not addressed at root level, and is instead just patched to feign effective service delivery and provide short term solutions. At this stage, the timeframe of the project is unknown, and the areas that will receive attention is yet to announced. See more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Manhunt for escaped duo launched by SAPS Manhunt for escaped duo launched by SAPS 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 January 2021 An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. A vigorous manhunt has been launched by police in Mpumalanga following an incident where two dangerous suspects escaped from lawful custody earlier today, Tuesday 26 January 2021. The suspects are 24-year-old Sabelo Nkosi, and Njabulo Nsibande aged 27. The duo are said to have escaped at Gert Sibande District near Ermelo Correctional Centre. They were being transported from Breyten Magistrate's Court to the Correctional facility. Nkosi and Nsibande were initially arrested after they reportedly committed various offences in December 2016. These offences include murder, attempted murder, two counts of rape as well as two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and were both on trial for the said charges. The escapees appeared before the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Breyten on Monday, 25 January 2021. Police urge members of the public including families of the suspects, to assist with information that may lead to their re-arrest. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Mmabatho Mafate on 072 610 5768 from Ermelo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MY SAPS APP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous. An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. < Previous Article Next Article >

Planned interruption postponed 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 8 October 2021 The rescheduled dates will be conveyed to the public in advance as to ensure that residents that are affected have time to implement precautionary measures for activities taking place on the dates to be announced. Yesterday, 7 October, Msukaligwa Local Municipality ruffled more than a few feathers with the announcement of a four-day electrical outage, during which time maintenance of the 11/88KV substation in Ermelo, Extension 18. The public notice has been rescinded. Speaking to the municipal spokesman, Mandla Zwane, he confirmed that the notice has been rescinded, and that the scheduled maintenance will no longer be taking place on the dates stated. The spokesman has, however, confirmed that the maintenance has not been canceled, but will be rescheduled to a different datestamp. The spokesman has also confirmed that the outage will indeed be for four days due to the extensive nature of the maintenance. All avenues will be explored in an attempt to shorten the length of the outage. The withdrawal of the notice is due to the contracted company that will be responsible for the maintenance erring in the estimation of the time that the maintenance will take to complete. The municipality has stated that it would convey the adjusted dates to the public as soon as it is confirmed. The municipality would also like to take the opportunity to apologize for any inconvenience caused, and stated that it is aware of the impact that the outage will have on the community, including students who write exams and attend classes via online platforms. The rescheduled dates will be conveyed to the public in advance as to ensure that residents that are affected have time to implement precautionary measures for activities taking place on the dates to be announced. < Previous Article Next Article >

Couple murdered after quarrel about Jesus Couple murdered after quarrel about Jesus The Beukes couple, allegedly murdered after a quarrel about Jesus. Double murder accused, Francois Pretorius. The Beukes couple, allegedly murdered after a quarrel about Jesus. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 According to W/O Veldman, he could could see where the deceased were seated in the kitchen. SAPS investigators found blood on the porch, where samples were collected. The SAPS also recovered the clothes that Pretorius used to clean up the kitchen, which he burned afterwards, along with part of a flashlight. Francois Pretorius, a jeweller in Bethal who faces double murder charges of Dr. Hannes and Ms Ibel Beukes, appeared in the Bethal Magistrate’s Court last week. Pretorius is accused of murdering the couple on 18 March 2020, and was arrested on 26 March after an extensive manhunt. W/O Veldman testified that the crime took place in the kitchen of the house, and the scene was clearly cleane dup in attempt to conceal the act. According to W/O Veldman, he could could see where the deceased were seated in the kitchen. SAPS investigators found blood on the porch, where samples were collected. The SAPS also recovered the clothes that Pretorius used to clean up the kitchen, which he burned afterwards, along with part of a flashlight. According to W/O Veldman, Pretorius left a letter to his wife where he admitted to have killed the couple by hitting them with a durable, metal flashlight. “It was definitely not a once-off shot, they were hit severely with the flashlight,” the W/O said. After the fact, Pretorius phoned his wife and told her the kitchen was dirty and asked her why there was nothing with which to clean the kitchen. His wife brought cleaning agents to the jewellery store. Pretorius asked his wife and children to help him clean the kitchen until 23:30. According to W/O Veldman, Pretorius owes a combined amount of R148 000 in arrear rental fees and electricity charges at both his house and store. In the letter to his wife, Pretorius apologized, and stated that he took all the money and gold from the shop before he left. There was no indication that he was planning to return. It has been stated that the deceased couple had business to cinduct with Pretorius. “Mr Pretorius and the Beukes couple had a quarrel about Jesus, and he lost his temper and killed them,” W/O Veldman stated. Pretorius has been slated as a flight risk, and according to information at hand, remains in custody. < Previous Article Next Article >

Pretorius remains behind bars Pretorius remains behind bars The Beukes couple, found dead in the trunk of their vehicle. Double murder accused, Francois Pretorius. The Beukes couple, found dead in the trunk of their vehicle. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 16 June 2020 Pretorius is accused of murdering the Beukes couple on 18 March 2020, and leaving their bodies in the trunk of a vehicle near Bethal Dam. Bethal jeweller, Francois Pretorius, who faces charges of the double murder of Dr Hannes and Ms Ibel Beukes, appeared before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court for formal bail application. Pretorius is accused of murdering the Beukes couple on 18 March 2020, and leaving their bodies in the trunk of a vehicle near Bethal Dam. He fled the scene, but was arrested on a farm outside Belfast. Pretorius was denied bail, and will appear in court Thursday, 2 July. He remains in custody, and has been since his arrest. < Previous Article Next Article >

Voertuig land op dak tydens botsing Voertuig land op dak tydens botsing 1/6 Share SM HATTINGH 13 July 2021 Die bestuurder het erge kop, asook been beserings opgedoen tydens die botsing. Al die nood personeel was spoedig op die toneel, en het flinke werk gemaak van die opruiming. Op Maandag, 12 Julie, ongeveer 10:00, het‘n botsing op die hoek van Kerk- en Oosthuise Strate plaasgevind. Die bestuurder van die voertuig het beheer verloor as gevolg van ‘n hoë spoed wat gery is. Die voertuig het tot stilstand gekom by die Ford handelaar, waar die motor binne in die tuin op geëindig het tussen al die beton balle, en tot op sy dak geland het. Die bestuurder van die voertuig is dadelik deur ER24 behandel en hospitaal toe geneem is vir mediese behandeling. Sy het erge kop, asook been beserings opgedoen tydens die botsing. Al die nood personeel was spoedig op die toneel, en het flinke werk gemaak van die opruiming. < Previous Article Next Article >

Pensionarisse gelaat aan hul eie genade 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 24 November 2020 Die plafonne van die huise loop deur, en begin al inmekaar val te danke aan die vog. Ten spyte van verskeie klagtes aan MLM, word ‘n dowe oor gedraai, en inwoners word gelaat met hul hande in hul hare. Die Tribune het na die onlangse reënval verskeie klagtes ontvang vanaf inwoners van die munisipale behuisingskema in Jan van Riebeeck Straat, ten opsigte van Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) wat geen ag toon aan klagtes nie. Klagtes sluit in watertoevoer probleme, aanhoudende rioolverstoppings, en die groot doring in die vlees van inwoners, daklekke. Verskeie inwoners van die behuisingskema, wat nie meer jong bokkies is nie, moet skarrel tydens reënbuie om emmers, bakkies en handdoeke neer te sit terwyl die water in hul huise in stroom. Die plafonne van die huise loop deur, en begin al inmekaar val te danke aan die vog. Ten spyte van verskeie klagtes aan MLM, word ‘n dowe oor gedraai, en inwoners word gelaat met hul hande in hul hare. Ten tye van pers was daar geen terugvoer vanaf MLM rakende die kwessie nie, en inwoners word gelaat om te worstel met die aanhoudende probleme. < Previous Article Next Article >

Geslagsmisdade bekommer VF Plus Geslagsmisdade bekommer VF Plus 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 Tans is daar 2 797 agterstallige geweldsmisdaad-verwante dossiere in die provinsie, waarvan slegs 46 tot 'n mate ondersoek is. Geen inhegtenisnemings is in verband met die dossiere gemaak nie. Geslagsgeweld en vrouemoord wat vyf keer hoër as die wêreldwye gemiddeld is, is 'n ernstige en wydverspreide probleem in Mpumalanga en het 'n buitensporige traumatiese invloed op vroue en kinders in dié provinsie. Dit getuig van 'n kultuur van geweld en verkragting. Altesame 6.8% van alle vroue in Mpumalanga sê hulle is in hul leeftyd verkrag. Die VF Plus in Mpumalanga is van mening dat die syfers moontlik hoër kan wees omdat slagoffers van geweld dit nie geredelik aanmeld nie aangesien vonnisse onvoldoende is en howe vir seksuele oortredings slagoffers nie genoegsaam beskerm nie. Dié verkragtingskultuur word sodoende genormaliseer en plaas die blaam op vroue en kinders om hulself te beskerm, in stede daarvan om die oortreders vas te vat. Dit raak sodoende sistemies en diep verskans in instellings, kulture en word bykans as tradisie vir sommige beskou. Dit is een van die grootste skending van menseregte wat verreikende maatskaplike en ontwikkelingsgevolge het vir die slagoffers, hul families, gemeenskappe en die groter samelewing. Die polisie moet toesien dat daar voldoende verkragting-toetsstelle by polisiekantore in Mpumalanga is en dat polisielede opgelei moet word oor hoe om slagoffers met die nodige empatie by te staan. Dit sal die opeenhoping van agterstallige gevalle verhinder. Tans is daar 2 797 agterstallige geweldsmisdaad-verwante dossiere in die provinsie, waarvan slegs 46 tot 'n mate ondersoek is. Geen inhegtenisnemings is in verband met die dossiere gemaak nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mkhondo mayor blows nearly R1 million on unauthorized outing 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 12 July 2022 "The state of Mkhondo continues to deteriorate as lack of accountability and poor governance continues to haunt this municipality,” the DA stated. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed their distress regarding the businesses and residents of Mkhondo Local Municipality, who face a bleak future as they experience up to 10 hours a day without electricity because of load shedding and load reduction. The DA has stated that the situation is so dire that it threatens their existence. While this scenario plagues business owners and residents, the mayor allegedly spent almost R1 million of taxpayers' money in Durban on an unauthorized “meeting”. The DA has noted that they find it strange that the meeting coincidentally took place on the same weekend as the Durban July. Despite the increasing population in Mkhondo Local Municipality over the past couple of years, and many requests to Eskom to increase their Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) of electricity to 40MVA, Eskom has refused. The municipality is being restricted to using only 18MVA due to their R341 million debt. The last payment made to Eskom was in April 2022, and they paid only R500 000. “Then you have a mayor and councillors who decided to go to Durban for an unauthorized meeting, that caused taxpayers and council almost R1 million. The state of Mkhondo continues to deteriorate as lack of accountability and poor governance continues to haunt this municipality,” the DA stated. The DA also noted that other than Mkhondo, residents in Govan Mbeki and Msukaligwa Local Municipalities are also experiencing daily load reduction because of their Eskom debt. “This is concerning because it will lead to job losses as businesses will eventually be forced to close doors. With the loss of 51 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2022, Mpumalanga cannot afford to lose more jobs as businesses and local economies are crippled by an inadequate electricity supply. We must create a conducive environment and that can only be attained by keeping the lights on. As these municipalities had their requests to increase their Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) rejected due to outstanding debts, the DA calls on COGTA MEC, Mandla Ndlovu, to engage with Eskom to suspend rotational load reduction in municipalities that exceed their NMD in the midst of load shedding,” the DA concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >