Gutsy burglars leaves ominous message Gutsy burglars leaves ominous message 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 March 2021 With a flair for the dramatic, one of the perpetrators left an ominous, although poorly spelt message scribbled on the rear window one of the vehicles. The owners of Glasfit Ermelo arrived at their premises with a shock, as reports of a brazen burglary stunned the community. In a seemingly well-planned operation, perpetrators gained access to the building through one of the side windows, which is concealed from the outside view. SAPS was on scene, and took statements and inventory of stolen items. With a flair for the dramatic, one of the perpetrators left an ominous, although poorly spelt message scribbled on the rear window one of the vehicles, stating “next time I took my dream car”. At the time of publication, no additional information had been supplied by the SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

SAPS Ermelo apprehends Sun City shooters SAPS Ermelo apprehends Sun City shooters 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 March 2021 The three suspects stormed a shebeen in Sun City, before firing randomly at patrons. The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Ermelo has been lauded for managing to arrest three suspects for the killing of two men at a local tavern, just days after they allegedly committed the crime. “The management of police in Mpumalanga has applauded SAPS members in Ermelo for their tenacity in arresting three men, aged between 24 and 29, on allegations of murder as well as attempted murder. These suspects are allegedly involved in a shooting incident where two men were murdered whilst four others sustained serious injuries. A probe into the incident was immediately sanctioned, as a result, the three were arrested yesterday, Friday, 19 March 2021. During the arrest, police recovered two firearms and ammunition, an act which culminated into additional charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Police will also widen the scope of their probe with a view to establish if the firearms were not illegally used elsewhere” the SAPS in Mpumalanga said in a statement. The three suspects stormed a shebeen in Sun City, before firing randomly at patrons. According to SAPS, six men were shot. While four of them sustained injuries, the other two men were announced dead on scene. The suspects face murder and attempted murder charges and are due to appear before the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 23 March 2021. < Previous Article Next Article >

EFF pickets at Clicks Ermelo EFF pickets at Clicks Ermelo Picketing EFF members at Clicks Ermelo. Picketing EFF members at Clicks Ermelo. Picketing EFF members at Clicks Ermelo. Picketing EFF members at Clicks Ermelo. 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 The Clicks group has issued an unreserved apology for the advertisement, has taken full accountability and apologized unreservedly for the advertisement published on its website and has taken immediate action to address all concerns. However, the EFF is having none of it. “The only way to make capitalists apologize and feel genuine remorse is for them to lose money. #ClicksMustFall,” the party stated. A ragtag band of local EFF red berets have gathered at Clicks Ermelo on Monday morning, after a call from Julius Malema to shut down the outlets following an alleged racist advertisement on its website. The picketers claimed that they would return with 4 500 protestors soon, to close down Clicks Ermelo. According to Malema, the alleged racist campaign referred to black women's natural hair as "damaged, dry and frizzy" while depicting a white woman's hair as normal. “We are going to the ground, we are going to close all the stores. That is a directive of the EFF. We are going to close the doors of Clicks, that's what's going to happen when we arrive. There's no Clicks store that's going to trade, it's guaranteed.” These were the words from the EFF's Marshall Dlamini. Clicks Group CEO, Vikesh Ramsunder, said that while it could not bow to threats from the EFF, it would not hesitate to close stores if the situation became violent. Ramsunder said that they would keep their customers and staff safe. “If there's picketing or unrest around our stores, we will close our doors. It's very important that our employees are protected. We certainly cannot bow to threats and violence. It's not acceptable in any democracy.” he stated. The Clicks group has issued an unreserved apology for the advertisement, has taken full accountability and apologized unreservedly for the advertisement published on its website and has taken immediate action to address all concerns. However, the EFF is having none of it. “The only way to make capitalists apologize and feel genuine remorse is for them to lose money. #ClicksMustFall,” the party stated. Residents are advised to exercise caution during the week when visiting the Clicks Ermelo branch. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Mamma, jy los ‘n groot leemte” 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 29 June 2021 Graag wil ons dankie sê vir Dr. van der Poel, Dr. Olivier, Life Care Response en Avbob vir hul hulp en bystand. Anna-Marie du Plessis, (63) gebore op 14 Mei 1958, is Donderdag, 24 Junie 2021, skielik oorlede as gevolg van komplikasies met COVID-19. Anna-Marie het saam met haar man, Sakkie du Plessis, na Ermelo verhuis in 1987, waar sy werksaam was by Louis Botha Makelaars. Daarna het sy begin as administrasie klerk by Gert Sibande Kollege, en was tot 2017 daar werksaam. Sy het ‘n baie groot vriende kring gehad in Ermelo, wat mekaar altyd bygestaan het deur dik en dun. Haar gesin gee graag die volgende hulde blyk: “Liewe Mamma, daar is nie woorde om ‘n ma te beskryf soos jy. Mamma was altyd daar vir ons deur dik en dun. Mamma het ons bygestaan, en was altyd bereid om te help. Mamma het altyd oorvloei met liefde. Rus nou sag by Jesus se voete, mamma. Gee vir Pa en sus ‘n drukkie van ons af. Ons sê nie totsiens nie, maar tot ons mekaar weer sien. Lief vir Mamma.” Graag wil ons dankie sê vir Dr. van der Poel, Dr. Olivier, Life Care Response en Avbob vir hul hulp en bystand. Anna-Marie word oorleef deur haar twee seuns, Frikkie en Hendrik, skoondogter, Corné, kleindogter Zanlie, en haar skoonseun Corrie, en kleinseun Corrie Jnr. < Previous Article Next Article >

Driver’s license renewals extended to 2022 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 Mbalula said that a total of 1.2 million expired licences still had to be renewed. The blame has been put on corrupt officials and faulty equipment for the backlog. All learner’s licences, driving licence cards, temporary driving licences and professional driving permits that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 are deemed to be valid, and their validity periods are extended for a further grace period ending on 31 March 2022. Transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, has announced the extension in the Government Gazette. “To give motorists a fair opportunity to renew their licences, while we are rolling out a number of measures to improve efficiencies and resolve challenges, we have decided to extend further the grace period for the renewal of licences,” Mbalula stated. Due to the impact of the pandemic, road users have struggled with renewal appointments for their licence cards at license offices, which has led to a massive backlog of more than 50 000 applications. Mbalula said that a total of 1.2 million expired licences still had to be renewed. The blame has been put on corrupt officials and faulty equipment for the backlog. Mbabula’s announcement comes after calls from civil action organization, OUTA, to extend the grace period after it received complaints from many frustrated motorists about the booking process. OUTA welcomed the extension, but asked why the government had left the issue and until the last minute. In turn, the Democratic Alliance has made many proposals to fix the process, including scrapping the online booking system and allowing motorists to do walk-in renewals. < Previous Article Next Article >

GMM municipal manager’s appointment snuffed out Mr. Mndebele, appointed in 2018, was suspended with immediate effect during a virtual council meeting. The GMM executive mayor, Ms Ngxonono. Mr. Mndebele, appointed in 2018, was suspended with immediate effect during a virtual council meeting. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 After the failed submission, Mr. Mndebele, appointed in 2018, was suspended with immediate effect during a virtual council meeting. He was suspended with full salary. The director for community service, Ms. Tshabalala, has been pointed as acting municipal manager. The embattled Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) has once again stepped on toes, and now has even more fires to put out. The municipality has been bent to breaking point due to maladaministration, claims of cadre employment, financial mismanagement and gross negligence of service delivery, coupled with a staggeringly high amount of Eskom debt and failure to honor repayment agreements with electrical giant. This has led to a drastic reduction of the NMD to the municipality, with residents and business suffering the consequences with extended rational load shedding from the municipality. GMM has now missed the deadline for the submission of the Annual Financial Statements (AFS) to the National Treasury and Auditor General. This after it was granted extension to get its affairs in order. The GMM executive mayor, Ms Ngxonono, had called on the municipal manager at the time, Mr. Mndebele, to intensify service delivery in the area, and has called on the MM and his administration to ensure that the issue of the AFS is sorted out. The Democratic Alliance has expressed its disappointment that Ms. Ngxonono could not give a date when the municipality will finally submit the outstanding 2018/19 AFS to the National Treasury and the Auditor General. After the failed submission, Mr. Mndebele, appointed in 2018, was suspended with immediate effect during a virtual council meeting. He was suspended with full salary. The director for community service, Ms. Tshabalala, has been pointed as acting municipal manager. However, the woes experienced by the failing municipality is far from over, as more institution and residents are rising up and taking a stand against the daily deterioration of service delivery, especially in Bethal and eMbalenhle. Constant power cuts and waste collection are at the heart of the qualms, and numerous new organizations have started mobilizing against the municipality. Calls for the municipality to be placed under administration have been voiced, coupled with several pending court cases. The GMM Joint Civil Movement is one of the institutions ate the forefront of the rise, claiming that constitutional rights are being viciously attacked by the ineptitude of GMM. < Previous Article Next Article >

Chanté palm 9de jaarlikse titel in 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 Chanté is onoorwonne vanaf 2013, en maak elke jaar die gemeenskap uiters trots met haar puik spel. Chanté Boonstra, kranige gholfspeler van Ermelo, het die naweek weereens die titel ingepalm van Ermelo Dames Kampioen. Chanté, wat al van die ouderdom van 13 jaar die titels inryg, het vir die negende jaar weg gestap as kampioen. Chanté is onoorwonne vanaf 2013, en maak elke jaar die gemeenskap uiters trots met haar puik spel. Die gemeenskap, sowel as Chanté se familie, staan breëbors agter haar, en kan met trots sê dat sy nommer een is. < Previous Article Next Article >

“You can’t donate blood if not vaccinated” 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 5 October 2021 That is a lie... Nothing more than a social media tall tale and a clickbait hoax. That is a lie... Nothing more than a social media tall tale and a clickbait hoax. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is calling on all blood donors, particularly group AB donors, to visit their nearest blood bank or mobile clinic. The SANBS would like to assure all potential donors that all COVID-19 regulations are enforced at every donation site. The safety of the donors and staff is paramount to the SANBS. Another myth that is circulating on social media involves the tall tale that you cannot donate blood if you have not been vaccinated. This is categorically incorrect, and untrue. The SANBS confirmed that it does not defer vaccinated people from donating, nor does it record whether a donor has been vaccinated or not. “We urge all healthy donors to come forward and continue to donate much needed, life-saving blood. We follow international blood collection best practice, and act quickly if there is any concern regarding blood product safety or possible harm to our patients.” Regular donors may even receive a gift as a thank you from the SANBS, as well as a complimentary juice or coffee, accompanied by delicious biscuits. < Previous Article Next Article >

COGTA to be asked to intervene as MLM’s financial crisis deepens 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 27 July 2021 According to the AG, MLM incurred a staggering loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. A local municipality is charged with providing basic services, including temporary services, to all residents, formal and informal. “A municipality which is in financial distress can never be in a position to deliver services to its residents. A letter will be written to the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Busisiwe Shiba, asking her to intervene and help these municipalities fix their dismal financial status so that they can be in a better state to provide proper services to residents.” Trudie Grovè-Morgan, MPL Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on COGTA expressed concern over the lack of service delivery from several Mpumalanga municipalities, with Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) and eMalahleni being in the spotlight. The 2019/2020 Auditor-General’s (AG) report of both municipalities of eMalahleni and Msukaligwa showed that they are facing deepening financial crises. This, in turn, makes it difficult for them to provide services to residents. “Since 2016, the DA has been requesting that they are placed under administration, to no avail. The Eskom debt in eMalahleni increased from R1 billion at the end of December 2016, to being the R5 billion it is today. This exponential increase can never be justified as deserving residents are robbed of basic services by interest which is generated on this overdue account,” Grovè-Morgan said. Closer to home, residents under the wing of MLM are also feeling the brunt, with service delivery being an extremely sore point, in Ermelo, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Wesselton, and Sun City. The financial issues faced by MLM has also not improved since the previous AG’s report. The report stated that several Mpumalanga municipalities showed blatant disregard of compliance with key legislation, with no consequences from government. MLM, along with six other local municipalities were identified by the AG as in crisis. The AG further expressed concern that despite highlighting areas of concern and recommending action to remedy the situation on the two reports prior to the 2019/2020 report, municipalities did not investigate any unauthorized, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Therefore, the trend of wasteful expenditure while residents suffer still continue. According to the AG, MLM incurred a staggering loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. A local municipality is charged with providing basic services, including temporary services, to all residents, formal and informal. However, there have been several reports and complaints from residents that fall under MLM, living in informal settlements, who, amongst other things, have to dig their own pit toilets or use the veld. The provision of basic electrical and sewerage infrastructure is also being neglected , or simply not provided. Refuse is not removed, and the dubious quality of the water supply is a major cause for concern. A myriad of raw sewage overflows in a multitude of areas further aggravate the situation. All of these factors endangers residents’ health, particularly during a pandemic. Residents and businesses in Ermelo and the surrounding areas buckle under the strain of daily electrical outages, where many areas are left without electricity for days on end. Damage to electronics and household appliances is a burden weighing heavily on residents withing MLM’s governance, with the municipality simply washing their hands of it. Furthermore, the political and administrative leadership in Mpumalanga local government is criticized for not demonstrating decisiveness in dealing with the deteriorating internal control environment, allowing unethical behavior, misconduct and a culture of no consequences in the process. The AG has noted concern that these circumstances may facilitate theft and fraud, while a number of financially distressed municipalities in the province can’t be resuscitated, even with assistance from the provincial task teams dispatched to implement financial recovery plans. The audit outcomes indicate that internal controls do not work effectively. According to the AG’s reports, employee cost across the municipalities averaged up to 45% of the total municipal budget. This, in turn, cuts into funds allocated for service delivery, hence the spectacular failure of service delivery from many municipalities, including Msukaligwa Local Municipality. It was also noted that the majority of the local municipalities, including Msukaligwa Local Municipality, failed to spend conditional grants for infrastructure development and maintenance from the national government. “The DA thus calls on the Mpumalanga provincial government to intervene and assist municipalities such as eMalahleni and Msukaligwa Local Municipality, as they are financially distressed, and not in a position to deliver the intended services to residents.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Helpmekaar Liefdadigheidswinkel maak ‘n verskil 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 12 January 2021 U kan ook gerus ‘n WhatsApp stuur aan Maryna indien u meer inligting verlang. Om ‘n liggingpen te ontvang van die winkel se adres, stuur slegs u naam via WhatsApp. In die onsekere tye van COVID-19, staan Maryna Reyneke en haar liefdadigheidswinkel sterk, en maak elke dag ‘n verskil in talle se lewens. Maryna woon al11 jaar in Ermelo, en is ‘n bekende gesig in die gemeenskap. Helpmekaar Liefdadigheidswinkel ondersteun tans minderbevoorregte inwoners in Ermelo, asook gekeurde skoliere. Maryna en haar sagte hart wend haar besigheid se hulpbronne aan om sukkelende gesinne en inwoners van Ermelo te ondersteun, en alle donasies word terug geploeg in die gemeenskap in. Helpmekaar Liefdadigheidswinkel het al menigte lewens verbeter deur skenkings van klere, kospakkies en toebehore, en Maryna gaan uit haar pad uit om haar hulp te verleen aan alle behoeftiges. Helpmekaar Liefdadigheidswinkel bestaan al bykans 2 jaar in Ermelo, en doen hul bes om alle behoeftiges te assisteer. “Ek help waar ek kan, en met die hulp van die gemeenskap kan ek selfs nog meer hulp verleen aan behoeftiges. Ek vra nederig vir donasies vanaf inwoners. Ek aanvaar alle huishoudelike items, boeke, kledingstukke, gordyne en alle ander items wat inwoners nie meer gebruik nie, en ek kan julle verseker dit word gewend aan ‘n goeie doel. Ek wil graag almal bedank wat al donasies gebring het na Helpmekaar toe, ek waardeer dit opreg.” het Maryna aan die Tribune gesê. Indien u belang stel om meer te weet van Helpmekaar Liefdadigheidswinkel, kan u Maryna kontak by 060 646 8389. U kan ook gerus ‘n WhatsApp stuur aan Maryna indien u meer inligting verlang. Om ‘n liggingpen te ontvang van die winkel se adres, stuur slegs u naam via WhatsApp. < Previous Article Next Article >

Bust open the gates, it’s party time 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 12 October 2021 Parts of the Pet Dam’s fence have also been damaged, and the smaller gates have been removed, rendering the fence moot. Little more than a year ago, numerous complaints regarding the Pet Dam, and residents who swarmed to the site daily in order to get the party started, led to the implementation of drastic measures, which had been forcibly implemented by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). In a show of force to residents who use the dam as a party site, and who pay no heed to social distancing and COVID-19 regulations, MLM had issued a closure notice of the Pet Dam. According to MLM, it stated at the time that an increase in COVID-19 cases was the reason for the closure, and that the Local Command Council (LCC) has made the decision. A lack of law enforcement, and the nonchalant attitude of residents, has led to the inevitable point of lawfulness. Even though the lockdown restrictions have eased to adjusted National Alert Level 1, the law set forth by government is clear in this respect. The regulations, as gazetted, states that all citizens must, when in a public place, wear a face mask. Every person, when attending a gathering, and in order to limit exposure to COVID-19 must wear a face mask, adhere to all health protocols, maintain a distance of least one and a half meters from each other; and adhere to any other health protocols and social distancing measures. An enforcement officer must, where a gathering in contravention of the regulations takes place, order the persons at the gathering to disperse immediately, and if the persons refuse to disperse, take appropriate action, which may, subject to the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977), include the arrest and detention of any person at the gathering. In essence, none of the regulations are followed at the Pet Dam and surrounding areas, including the Sport Inn, where residents opted to occupy since the closure of the Pet Dam. The Sport Inn parking lot is left in shambles, littered with empty liquor bottles and other manner of refuse. Parts of the Pet Dam’s fence have also been damaged, and the smaller gates have been removed, rendering the fence moot. Upon announcement of the closure in 2020, Mandla Zwane, MLM spokesman, stated that the Pet Dam’s gates would be locked to prevent access, and that a security detail would patrol the area of the Pet Dam to ensure compliance from defiant residents. To no surprise, the slated “security detail” is, and had been nowhere to be seen. More recently, residents looking for a good time without consequences decided to break the lock from the gate, and have at it. Since then, the Pet Dam has reverted back to a non-stop party train, with intoxicated driving, screeching tyres, the public discharge of firearms, public urination and defecation and more is now the order of the day. Packed in like sardines in the swimming pool parking lot, the overflow of partygoers move to the Sport Inn parking lot. These inconsiderate and lawless residents leave a trail of refuse, broken bottles, used condoms and smoldering charcoal from grills in their wake, drunkenly swerving home to sleep off the good times. Residents who feel threatened, or are distraught by misbehavior at the Pet Dam and Sport Inn, may contact the SAPS on 017 819 7803, or contact ACSU on 017 811 1274. < Previous Article Next Article >

SC President Ismail Joosub’s message to the youth 1/1 Share Supplied Content 14 June 2022 With Youth Day soon approaching, African Union SC President Ismail Joosub had a message for the youth of Africa. The African Union Student Commission, a subsidiary of the African Union, is an organisation dedicated to the betterment of the African Continent and the aspirations and ambitions of the peoples of Africa. Guided by the visions and ideals of the African Union, the African Union SC is intent on contributing towards the achievement of a United Africa that is peaceful, progressive and productive. The African Union SC was invited, last week, by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation to attend a conference hosted by the former President on the topic of “The 20th Anniversary of the African Union”. There, much discussion was had as to the future of the Continent, with a particular emphasis on the role that the Youth can play in Africa’s Renaissance. With Youth Day soon approaching, African Union SC President Ismail Joosub had a message for the youth of Africa. Joosub says “My friends, we live in turbulent and tempestuous times. While modern technology brings men and nations closer together, with the concerns of one inevitably becoming the concerns of all, there still exists the dark and poisoning superstitions embodied by some that the common humanity of man is limited to the tight circle of those who share the same town, the same views, or the same skin colour. It is our job – the task of the youth in this continent – to tear down those last remnants of that ancient belief from the civilization of man. The African Union SC, indeed, understands that each nation has different challenges and different goals, that are all shaped by the vagaries of histories and happenings. But I should say, as I talk to the young people in Africa, that I am impressed not by the diversity, but by the closeness of their goals, their desires, their concerns and their hopes for the future. While the difficulties of the day reflect the imperfections of human justice, the inadequacy of human compassion, or the defectiveness and inefficiency of productivity, these challenges call upon our common qualities of conscience – and upon our shared determination – to work together towards a future of which we can all be proud. It is these qualities which make of the youth today the only true international community, which give the continent hope, which declare that the youth shall not yield to obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans. It is these qualities which qualifies ‘youth’ not as a time of life, but as a state of mind, a temper of the will, an appetite for imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, that enable the youth to tear down even the mightiest walls that might stand in our way. Soon, on National Youth Day, we celebrate the potential and power of young people to shape the future of our increasingly interconnected world, cognizant of the fact that a more peaceful and prosperous Africa can only be achieved through UNITY. Only by working together, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, as one people can we extinguish the errors of bygone eras and move forward towards a brighter future. It begins with us, the YOUTH, to build on the legacies of our forefathers and usher in a new era of endless possibilities.” - Ismail Joosub, President - African Union Student Commission < Previous Article Next Article >