Do not set fire to dry leaves and fields Do not set fire to dry leaves and fields 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2021 The case had been reported to the SACCW, who in turn dispatched the required services. Arson is the act whereby a person sets the fire, or intends to start a fire, knowing that the fire will destroy something. Though the act typically involves buildings, the term arson can also refer to the intentional burning of fields, dry grass and leaves. The imprisonment term for a convicted crime relating to arson could be set up to seven years or more, and a fine of up to R250 000, and four years of probation. If you see a suspected arsonist in your ward or area, please contact ACSU on 017 811 1274, the SAPS on 10111, or your neighborhood watch, such as SACCW’s Theo Craven on 081 733 0032, immediately. Where possible, obtain photographs or video footage of the suspect in the act, as this will make identification and possible conviction or fining of the felon easier. The pictured fires were reported in Oosthuise Street, where the alleged arsonist has been identified. The case had been reported to the SACCW, who in turn dispatched the required services. < Previous Article Next Article >

Contractor leaves heaps of rubble behind after reconstruction 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 30 March 2022 The contractor, employed by the municipality to rehabilitate the road surface, has since failed to rehabilitate the site in question, and has left a large amount of building waste in its wake. In September 2021, motorists and businesses let out a sigh of relief regarding the rehabilitated Wessel Road. This road was previously a complete nightmare for consumers, but after an elongated court battle between Burlec Electrical and Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), a court order forced the municipality to repair the route as well as to carry the legal costs incurred by Burlec Electrical. Although most are quite satisfied and grateful that the surface of the roadway is now smooth pothole-free, there is concern from the public and businesses in the area. Although most of the finishing touches to the project were completed, the municipal contractor dumped the rubble of the rebuilt surface in the nearby field, coupled with several other rubble items and building materials used by the contractors. When the project was apparently completed, the Tribune ePaper sent an enquiry regarding the issues to MLM, to clarify who would take responsibility to clear the rubble. To date, however, MLM has failed to provide feedback, and has simply turned a deaf ear. The debris left by the contractor also attracted the attention of residents of surrounding informal settlements, seizing the opportunity with both hands to dump a wide selection of household refuse, molten cables, garden waste and more into this area as well. According to the latest available by-laws, the term building waste refers to all waste produced during the construction, alteration, repair or demolition of any structure, and includes building rubble, earth, vegetation and rock displaced during such construction, alteration, repair or demolition. The contractor, employed by the municipality to rehabilitate the road surface, has since failed to rehabilitate the site in question, and has left a large amount of building waste in its wake. The main objects of the applicable by-laws are to ensure that waste is avoided, or where it cannot altogether be avoided, minimized, re-used, recycled, recovered and disposed of in an environmentally sound manner, to promote sustainable development and environmental justice through fair and reasonable measures for the management of waste within the Council's jurisdiction, and ensuring sound waste management practices within residential and industrial environments. The generator of waste, in this instance, the contractor, is compelled by the building waste by-law to ensure that no additions or alteration of any structure should be done without making provision for waste that will be generated from the site. The by-law also stipulates that the premises on which the building waste is generated, do not become unsightly and no nuisance is caused by accumulated building waste, and that any instruction from the Council regarding the management and storage of building waste, including any structures to be constructed is adhered to. Furthermore, the by-law states that for building waste that is generated, or the developer must ensure that the waste is collected and transported by an accredited service provider. At this time, all of the above point have been ignored and contravened. The Tribune ePaper directed an enquiry to Msukaligwa Local Municipality on 24 March 2022. At the time of publication, no feedback had been received. < Previous Article Next Article >

Alleged cable thief sustains severe flash injuries Alleged cable thief sustains severe flash injuries One of the victims, who sustained serious flash injuries. (Photo supplied) One of the quartet hospitalized after the incident. (Photo supplied) The substation that fell prey to cable theft. (Photo supplied) One of the victims, who sustained serious flash injuries. (Photo supplied) 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 According to the statement, MLM had also replaced an approximate 10 kiosks that burnt since January 2019. Some of the kiosks and mini substations doors were / are removed/ stolen by the community members. MLM also stated that it has lost R4 million from November 2018 to October 2019, due to cable theft. According to the municipality, the expenditures derails the maintenance process, hence the shoddy state of the substations and kiosks within its area of governance. Four men, of which one sustained severe electrical burns, have been admitted to Ermelo Provincial Hospital over the weekend for treatment. According to the information at hand, the men attempted to loot an exposed substation in Chris de Villiers Street. The substation in question has been a topic of debate, as it is one of the myriad of substations that are without covers or lids, with the exposed electrical circuitry begging to be tampered with, or stolen. The injured suspect sustained extensive electrical burns on his arms, torso and lower areas, aggravated by his clothing set alight by the electrical flash. According to information at hand at time of publication, the man survived the sustained injuries. The issue of substations being subjected to lack of maintenance by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) for extended periods of time is long standing, and is yet to be fully addressed by MLM. This particular substation has been targeted by thieves on various occasions, with businesses in the surrounding area suffering the damages caused by outages. With the exposed substations ripe for the picking, ponderous cable thieves have ample time to prepare, and strike during the rolling municipal load shedding, which takes place according to a published schedule. This makes life easier for prowling criminal elements, looking for an easy score. MLM is plagued by continuous cable theft in its various wards, with cables being spliced under a shroud of darkness due to non-working street lights, and even in the light of day, should criminals be brazen enough. Events such as this cause extended outages in wards, with residents suffering the aftermath of criminality. Cable theft is also a major expenditure within MLM’s budget, with residents often sitting in the dark for hours as technical teams scramble to acquire the necessary material for cable repairs. In previous statements, MLM has confirmed that several dockets pertaining to cable theft are active at the SAPS, but investigations are time consuming, and does little to buffer the crippling expenditure suffered by the municipality. The National Energy Regulator of South Africa NERSA requires mini-substations to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. This is not the case in Ermelo. NERSA mandates that, upon request, records must be provided of all emergency maintenance, regular maintenance and preventative maintenance that have been performed. Formal inspections of the network must also be presented upon request, although drive-through inspections may be accepted. In October 2019, MLM responded to the enquiries regarding the dilapidated substations, and stated that MLM has an approximate 880 kiosks and mini-substations. According to MLM, at the time of response, MLM had repaired 153 kiosks and mini substations over the course of 12 months, at an approximate cost of R500 000.00. According to the statement, MLM had also replaced an approximate 10 kiosks that burnt since January 2019. Some of the kiosks and mini substations doors were / are removed/ stolen by the community members. MLM also stated that it has lost R4 million from November 2018 to October 2019, due to cable theft. According to the municipality, the expenditures derails the maintenance process, hence the shoddy state of the substations and kiosks within its area of governance. Since the last response in October 2019, MLM has kept mum as to the daily degradation and lack of maintenance of substations and kiosks, despite enquiries on several occasions. MLM issued a statement, which read as follows: “The municipality, through the electrical section, received an information from the police that three men were electrocuted near Chris De Villiers Street, and they were already in Ermelo Provincial Hospital. It alleged that the five men were attempting to steal cables in the area, where two of them escaped unharmed. Cable theft and illegal connections costs the municipality (rate payers) millions of Rands, and may also lead to death to those who steal or connect illegal. Innocent or unsuspecting people may be in danger of the unprotected electrical wires. Cable theft is one of the causes of delay in restoring power after power outages. The municipality appeals to the community to immediately report any suspicious persons next to electricity apparatus to the municipality or police.” Information obtained from the SAPS Communication Department regarding the incident stated that MLM did not open a case against the alleged cable thieves. Residents are urged to report suspicious activity at substations and kiosks to the SAPS on 017 819 7803, to ACSU on 017 811 1274, or inform the neighborhood watch in their sector or ward < Previous Article Next Article >

Money roll scam resurfaces Money roll scam resurfaces 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 The roll of money is actually rolled up paper, with a fake note rolled around paper to make it seem like a large amount of cash. The SAPS and SACCW have issued warnings to shoppers of the infamous money roll scam. The scam, which has seen a downward spiral in popular use, has seen a resurgence as Christmas approaches, taking advantage of vulnerable victims. The modus operandi used in this scam is that the scammers throw a fake wad of cash on the floor, where an unsuspecting shopper will pick it up. The roll of money is actually rolled up paper, with a fake note rolled around paper to make it seem like a large amount of cash. The scammer will then accost the shopper by telling them that they also want a share of the money. The scammer will then persuade the victim to accompany them to a private location to share the money, whereafter they will rob the victim, often at knife- or gunpoint. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hawks take down group of drug dealers Hawks take down group of drug dealers 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 3 August 2021 The nine foreign nationals and one local were arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team Mpumalanga, assisted by Forensic Science Laboratory, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, Public Order Policing and SAPS Bethal. “Don” Chibuzo Chicozie Ogbunkwu (35) , Okereke Valentine Okwudiri (35), Kadima Remy (29), Male Mkolo (33), Mukembani Justin Kasindo (34), RudeA ngeKishuke (24), Bongiwe Manengela (41), Enewere David (34), Mwambaza Hamisa (31) and David Chicoloko (26) were remanded in custody by the Bethal Magistrate Court on Friday, 30 July 2021. The nine foreign nationals and one local were arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team Mpumalanga, assisted by Forensic Science Laboratory, Crime Intelligence, Tactical Response Team, Public Order Policing and SAPS Bethal during a crackdown emanated from a major investigation by the Hawks and Crime Intelligence since June 2020 addressing drug challenges in Bethal. It is alleged that in June 2020, information was received by the team about the criminal group dealing in drugs around Secunda and Bethal. Intelligence driven information gathering was conducted and presented before the court, resulting in the arrest of the suspects . During the arrest, cash and drugs were confiscated for further investigation. One of the accused David Chicoloko (26), who was not part of the said investigation, (ADHOC), was arrested for illegal immigration. He was found guilty and sentenced to a R1500 fine or three months imprisonment, and was further ordered to be deported to his country of origin on 9 July 2021. The case has been postponed to 6 August 2021 due to unavailability of the interpreter and legal aid. All the accused remain in custody. < Previous Article Next Article >

Claimed community clinic construction site now a dumpsite 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 June 2020 . According to MLM, the construction of top structures of the above projects were underway at the time of enquiry, which was June 2019. Alas, the fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. Enquiries to the DPWRT have yielded no results, and the status of the project is unknown at this time. In mid-2019, residents were delighted to learn of a community clinic that was to be erected by the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT). At the time, the Tribune enquired as to the reasoning of community centre being constructed, whilst the surrounding residents still are without permanent housing, and the majority of residents in the area lacking electrical, water and sewage infrastructure. While the mentioned enquiries were sidestepped, the sudden preparations were touted to be a 24-Hour Community Health Centre, to be constructed by the DPWRT on behalf of Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health. It is a government policy to employ and procure building materials local. It was also stated that Sustainable Integrated Human Settlements Projects within the municipal area were employed, and that significant work had been done by the Department of Human Settlements towards full implementation of an integrated human settlement project in Ermelo Extension 44 and KwaZanele Extension 6. These two extensions were, at the time, stated as identified to be part of the UISP Programme (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme) which is currently underway. According to MLM, the construction of top structures of the above projects were underway at the time of enquiry, which was June 2019. Alas, the fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. Enquiries to the DPWRT have yielded no results, and the status of the project is unknown at this time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Nuus uit die SAPD se kantore Nuus uit die SAPD se kantore 1/5 Share SH HATTINGH 2 February 2021 Hul het aanvanklik gedink die persoon het beheer oor die bakkie verloor, maar die persoon het omgedraai en weer op hul afgejaag. • Lede van Ermelo SAPD het op Vrydag, 29 Januarie, ongeveer 20:00 reageer op klagtes van persone wie onwettig drank verkoop vanaf 'n privaat woning in De Bruin Straat. Onderweg na die adres het hul 'n man teegekom wat drank gekoop het. Die SAPD is daarna na die betrokke adres, waarna een Chinese burger gearresteer is in gevolge die 'Disaster Management Act'. Die drank, wat twee polisie bakkies vol gemaak het, met die waarde van ongeveer R700 000, is na die SAPD se kantore geneem. • Ermelo SAPD ondersoek 'n klag van poging tot moord na aanleiding van 'n insident wat op Woensdag, 27 Januarie, ongeveer 16:30 in 'n oop veld in Camden Laan plaasgevind het. 'n 20-Jarige man beweer dat hy en vriende sokker in die veld gespeel het, toe 'n manspersoon in 'n bakkie op hul afgejaag en hul amper raak gery het. Hul het aanvanklik gedink die persoon het beheer oor die bakkie verloor, maar die persoon het omgedraai en weer op hul afgejaag. Hul het daarin geslaag om weg te hardloop. 'n Verdagte man is op 29 Januarie in verband met die voorval gearresteer. < Previous Article Next Article >

Dr. Bhoola se vermeende moordenaars vasgetrek Dr. Bhoola se vermeende moordenaars vasgetrek Lethukuthula Makepeace Davide Shakwane. Senzo Thamsanqa Dube. 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 20 April 2021 Die verdagtes het Dr. Bhoola se hande en voete vasgebind, en ‘n verband gebruik om hom te verwurg. Wyle Dr. Yasvantray Bhoola (75), wat op 10 Maart 2019 wreed vermoor in sy huis in Cassim Park, se twee vermeende moordenaars is gearresteer. Senzo Thamsanqa Dube (34) is op 9 April 2021 vasgetrek, en Lethukuthula Makepeace Davide Shakwane (39) is op 10 April 2021 gearresteer in Nelspruit. Die twee verdagtes het reeds op Maandag, 12 April 2021, in die hof verskyn, waar die saak uitgestel is na 16 April toe vir verdere ondersoek. Die verdagtes het toegang deur die motorhuis verkry, waar hulle voorgegee het dat hulle mediese behandeling nodig het. Toe die verdagtes ingelaat was, het hulle Dr. Bhoola na die hoof slaapkamer gedwing, waar daar ‘n kluis was met kontant was. Die verdagtes kon egter nie daarin slaag om die kluis oop te kry nie. Die verdagtes het toe Dr. Bhoola se hande en voete vasgebind, en ‘n verband gebruik om hom te verwurg. Sy lewelose liggaam is later gevind in dieselfde kamer. Tydens die aanval was daar ‘n iPhone 7 en iPhone 8, ‘n skootrekenaar, CCTV kameras met die CCTV rugsteun hardeskyf, asook ‘n BMW 7Series voertuig gesteel. Die voertuig is later die aand terug gevind in Suluma Straat, langs Lindiwe Skool in Wesselton, waar die voertuig se sleutel nog binne-in die voertuig was. DNA toetse wat gedoen was in die BMW om die verdagtes te help vastrek. Dube is deur ‘n speurder gekontak om DNA toetse te laat doen, en die DNA toetse wat in die voertuig gedoen was, het ooreengestem met Dube se DNA. Die DNA monsters was verkry deur sweet wat op die rathefboom, asook die deur se handvatsel om die voertuig te open, gevind was. Die speurder het tydens die hofsaak op Vrydag gesê dat daar wel vingerafdrukke geneem was op die aand, in beide die voertuig en in die huis, maar dat daar geen vingerafdrukke gekry was nie. Hul is van mening dat die verdagtes handskoene gedra het tydens die moord. Tydens ‘n ondervraging Shakwane, het hy aan die SAPD gesê dat hy die toneel sal gaan uitwys en kan bevestig waar die insident plaasgevind het. Die twee verdagtes bly in aanhouding, en die saak is uitgestel tot 26 April vir verdere ondersoek. < Previous Article Next Article >

Vyf voertuie in botsing as gevolg van digte rook Vyf voertuie in botsing as gevolg van digte rook 1/16 Share SM HATTINGH 15 June 2021 Die oorsaak van die botsing was digte rook van ‘n nabye veldbrand, wat die sig baie vermoeilik het vir motoriste. Wat ‘n gewone Vrydag sou wees, met die naweek wat voor die deur lê, het geëindig in ‘n botsing tussen vyf voertuie. Ongeveer 13:20 het daar ‘n skokkende botsing op die Breyten pad plaasgevind, waar daar vyf voertuie betrokke was. Een van die betrokke voertuie was ‘n ambulans wat ‘n pasiënt vervoer het. Die oorsaak van die botsing was digte rook van ‘n nabye veldbrand, wat die sig baie vermoeilik het vir motoriste. Die bestuurder van die Life Care ambulans het spoed verminder soos wat hy die rook gesien het, en nie voor hom kon sien nie. ‘n Toyota Quantum het agter in die ambulans vasgery. Agter die Quantum was ‘n Volkswagen Caddy, wat toe ook binne in die Quantum vasgery het en dadelik aan die brand geslaan het. Agter die Caddy was ‘n Nissan NP200 en agter dié ‘n Volkswagen Golf 1. Die pad was vir ‘n geruime tyd gesluit, waar die brandweer blitsvinnig op die toneel was om die brandende voertuig te kom blus. Die bestuurder van die Life Care ambulans het dadelik hulp ontbied, en het begin om die mense wat in die ander voertuie mediese behandeling te gee. Al die mediese personeel en nooddienste was spoedig op die toneel. Vier persone is hospitaal toe geneem vir mediese behandeling, asook die pasient wat reeds in die ambulans was. < Previous Article Next Article >

Public drug use without repercussion Public drug use without repercussion 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 27 April 2021 The SAPS claims that it would be a “infringement of rights” to take action against perpetrators. The Tribune ePaper has received several complaints of the course of the last two months regarding drug users in De Jager- and Oosthuisen Streets, who engage in public use and dealing of various substances and drugs. The Tribune ePaper has also received complaints from residents regarding sharing of needles and intravenous drugs in De Jager Street, with little to no action taken by authorities. Seemingly, nobody wants to take a handle on the situation, as the SAPS claims that it would be a “infringement of rights” to take action against perpetrators. “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.” read the response from Const. Msizane of the Ermelo SAPS. Mr. Zwane, Msukaligwa Local Municipality spokesman, has however refuted the statement, and told the Tribune ePaper that the municipal by-laws have no bearing on the duties of the SAPS in this regards. < Previous Article Next Article >

Man aangekeer vir verkragting en aanranding Man aangekeer vir verkragting en aanranding 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 17 August 2021 Die klaer was buite by die wasgoed draad, waar sy weer dieselfde verdagte gewaar het en hom gesê het om van haar erf af te gaan. Later die middag het die klaer gaan hout haal buite, waar die verdagte haar aangerand en verkrag het. Sikhumbuzo Majana Shongwe (44) is op Donderdag, 12 Augustus, gearresteer vir verkragting te Breyten. Die verdagte het op dié dag by die klaer (47) in Breyten aangeklop, waar hy by haar wou hoenders koop. Die klaer het egter vir hom gesê dat sy nie hoenders verkoop nie. Die klaer was buite by die wasgoed draad, waar sy weer dieselfde verdagte gewaar het en hom gesê het om van haar erf af te gaan. Later die middag het die klaer gaan hout haal buite, waar die verdagte haar aangerand en verkrag het. Dieselfde dag, ongeveer 16:00, was die verdagte gearresteer. Shongwe se saak is uitgestel na 20 Augustus, waar hy voor Breyten se hof sal verskyn. Hy bly steeds in aanhouding. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo SAPS needs your assistance Ermelo SAPS needs your assistance 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 27 April 2021 The stabbing followed a fight with another male suspect over a girlfriend. SAPS Ermelo requests the assistance of the community with regards to murder investigations currently ongoing. In the first investigation, Linda Nkosi (30) was stabbed ten times at the Sasol Garage on Saturday, 24 April 2021, at 01:30. The stabbing followed a fight with another male suspect over a girlfriend. In the second investigation, Bheki Mabuza was found with three stab wounds on the shoulder, and passed away at Ermelo provincial hospital. Anyone with information regarding these events can contact D/Cst Mkwanazi on 017 819 2321/082 373 8389. < Previous Article Next Article >