Search this site

With the envisaged call centre, there will be a shift supervisor, and all conversations will be recorded between the caller and the call centre agent. The municipality will be also be able to track dropped and missed call through the new call centre solution systems. We appeal to the community to bear with us while we are attending to the call centre infrastructure, and professionalizing it. Full-fledged VOIP call centre in the pipeline 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 With the envisaged call centre, there will be a shift supervisor, and all conversations will be recorded between the caller and the call centre agent. The municipality will be also be able to track dropped and missed call through the new call centre solution systems. We appeal to the community to bear with us while we are attending to the call centre infrastructure, and professionalizing it. With the strain on Msukaligwa Local Municipality to provide service delivery and feedback to the public amidst financial woes, the Tribune spoke to Mr. Zwane, municipal spokesman, about issues faced by residents when reporting issues to the call centre. Complaints have been continuously flooding in regarding the innate lack of efficiency of the call centre. MLM has, however, previously stated that the call centre is not as it should be, and is rather a makeshift call centre to try and resolve complaints. MLM has, however, been working on implementing a full-fledged VOIP call centre, which will enable efficient logging, tracking and resolution of complaints. According to Mr. Zwane, the aim is to launch the call centre by 31 October 2020, but it should be noted that this a merely a projected date. The most notable complaints regarding the current makeshift call centre, are the lack of reference numbers or job tickets provided to complainants, as well as call centre operators more often than not failing to answer the telephone. “Queries from community members can be logged or reported in a variety of ways, including verbally, in which community members can make a verbal expression after the deficient act or action with respect to the service. Community members can log / report issues by telephone, fax, a letter or e-mail to the call centre, and can also send a WhatsApp voice note, video or picture to municipal call centre numbers. Residents can also fill in complaint, suggestion and compliment form available in all municipal offices. Please note that your address, contact number, details of query and account number (for account and billing queries) must be included with the complaint submitted in the box.” Mr. Zwane said. MLM is also working on an USSD code to submit complaints and queries, and the code will be made public as soon as the testing phase has been completed. “For each query, you MUST get a reference number. You may use the reference number to obtain progress feedback on outstanding queries. The municipal complaints management system will ensure that citizen complaints are resolved within set Service Level Agreement (SLA), and Municipal Service Charter.” Speaking to Mr. Zwane about the call centre operators who fail to answer calls, he stated the following: “Currently, the call centre agents report to the supervisor, who works between 7:30 to 16:15 on weekdays. With the envisaged call centre, there will be a shift supervisor, and all conversations will be recorded between the caller and the call centre agent. The municipality will be also be able to track dropped and missed call through the new call centre solution systems. We appeal to the community to bear with us while we are attending to the call centre infrastructure, and professionalizing it. The municipality is aware of the WhatsApp group and / or Telegram group that created to deal with municipal service delivery related queries.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Dros staff now fully vaccinated 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 19 October 2021 The Dros wishes to thank all of the personnel at the Civic Centre for all of their patience during this day. The management and waitrons, as well as all the kitchen staff received their vaccinations on Thursday, 14 October 2021. The team was very nervous, but the whole procedure had been explained to them, as well as all of their questions has been answered. The Dros wishes to thank all of the personnel at the Civic Centre for all of their patience during this day. Dros would like to invite all of their loyal, as well as new customers, to come and support them, offering great food, bar and televisions for sports. On the photos are all the personnel after they received their vaccine, as well as Elias, the manager, when he received his vaccine. < Previous Article Next Article >

Verskeie leerders van Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie het onlangs aan ‘n kortverhaal kompetisie deelgeneem. Die leerder het dit vreeslik geniet, en het met puik kortverhale na vore gekom. Liggies kán skryf Die wenners (v.l.n.r.): Cecelia Venter, Tamryn Archer, Yvonne Dippenaar (kultuur organiseerder), Sona Soyeye, Kundai Zimunto en Fatimah Mogalia. Die wenners (v.l.n.r.): Cecelia Venter, Tamryn Archer, Yvonne Dippenaar (kultuur organiseerder), Sona Soyeye, Kundai Zimunto en Fatimah Mogalia. 1/1 Share CONTENT SUPPLIED 1 September 2020 Verskeie leerders van Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie het onlangs aan ‘n kortverhaal kompetisie deelgeneem. Die leerder het dit vreeslik geniet, en het met puik kortverhale na vore gekom. Verskeie leerders van Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie het onlangs aan ‘n kortverhaal kompetisie deelgeneem. Die leerder het dit vreeslik geniet, en het met puik kortverhale na vore gekom. Die volgende leerders is as wenners aangewys: in Graad 8, eerste plek is, Fatimah Mogalia met “2030", tweede plek is, Cecilia Venter met “Someone Is Lying Sit” en in derde plek is, Sona Soyeye met “The Truth Behind It”. In Graad 10 is Tamryn Archer met “When Promises Become Lies” aangewys as die wenner. In Graad 11 het Kundai Zimunto met “When Promises Become Lies” eerste plek verower, en Dané le Roux het met “Forever And Infinity” tweede plek verower. Michelle van der Linde, ‘n Graad 12 leerder, stap weg met eerste plek met “Promises Were Meant To Be Broken”. < 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 >

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 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 >

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. 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 >

Strife within the ANC continues 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 1 February 2022 Resignation would force the municipality into by-elections. On Thursday, 27 January, ANC members opposing the alleged corruption, nepotism and fraud within the structures of Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), as well as the regional branch of the ANC Gert Sibande, gathered at the gates of Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM). These steely protestors are standing their ground against the alleged plot by the regional ANC and corrupt entities within the municipality. The group also stands on behalf of the present board of councillors at MLM, who have repeatedly highlighted the corruption that drills to the core of the municipality. The executive mayor, Cllr Mahlalela, have also made her stance against corrupt acitivities within the establishment quite clear, and has subsequently been accused of defying instructions from the ANC regional executive committee (REC). It had been stated in a memorandum that the REC has resolved to have her recalled, along with the chief whip, Cllr Buthelezi, and the speaker, Cllr Mandini, effectively dissolving the Troika, which consists of these members. The sudden recall and infighting within the ANC hierarchy is the result of an explosive list of corrupt activities that has been ongoing for years withing the municipality, laid bare by the current councillors and Troika. The Troika has refused to step down, claiming that they are being bullied into turning a blind eye to corruption. The councillors also claim that the REC has ordered a halt on the investigation lodged against a dodgy tender awarded to 303 Security to the tune of R103 million. According to the councillors, this is just one of many instances of where the chain of supply has been circumvented to benefit a select few individuals. It has been confirmed that the executive mayor has opened criminal cases against the said company, as well as he director of community and social services. The ANC REC claims that there is no vendetta, and that the recall comes after a “glitch in the ANC registration of the candidates”. However, councillors are having none of this, citing that the PR list has been altered by the REC, and that the IEC is in cahoots with those fiddling with official documentation. The councillors, along with a large mass of the community, has taken a firm stance, also verifying that the PR list was different to the original list. This list has been the topic of debate for an extended period of time. The councillors have threatened to resign in unison should the REC continue to, according to council, interfere with the daily operations of the municipality. Resignation would force the municipality into by-elections. < Previous Article Next Article >

The MLM communication department simply stated that “the installation of new sewer pipeline near Global Filling Station is progressing very well”. Reprieve from sewage stench is in sight MLM in progress of replacing sewerage pipelines. The devestating effect of the 4-year long sewage overflow. The devestating effect of the 4-year long sewage overflow. MLM in progress of replacing sewerage pipelines. 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 11 August 2020 The MLM communication department simply stated that “the installation of new sewer pipeline near Global Filling Station is progressing very well”. After years of sewage spillage, and a barrage of endless complaints, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has taken it upon themselves to unblock and repair the disheveled sewerage network opposite Oosthuizen Street. In this week’s update on the progress of the project, the MLM communication department simply stated that “the installation of new sewer pipeline near Global Filling Station is progressing very well”. < Previous Article Next Article >

Op Donderdag, 8 Oktober, ongeveer 16:00, was ‘n bejaarde dame en haar kinders oppad dorp toe. Die gesin het by die stop straat op die hoek van Jan van Riebeeck en Oosthuizen Straat gestop, en daarna oor gestap. ‘n Vragmotor het af gedraai, en het bo-oor die bejaarde dame se bene gery. Die dame is dadelik na die provinsiale hospitaal geneem vir mediese behandeling. “Die bestuurder van die vragmotor sê hy was besig om te draai, toe die insident plaas gevind het.” Het Kaptein Carla Prinsloo, media beampte van die SAPD, gesê. Die vrou het beserings aan albei haar bene en linker arm opgedoen. 'n Klag van roekelose en/of nalatige bestuur is geopen. Tydens ‘n besoek aan die dame in die provinsiale hospitaal, is opgemerk dat sy goed aansterk. Sy het baie seer, maar sy is baie tevrede met die goeie nasorg wat sy ontvang vanaf die personeel van die provinsiale hospitaal. Vrou ernstig beseer tydens vragmotor ongeluk Vrou ernstig beseer tydens vragmotor ongeluk 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 13 October 2020 Die vrou het beserings aan albei haar bene en linker arm opgedoen. 'n Klag van roekelose en/of nalatige bestuur is geopen. Tydens ‘n besoek aan die dame in die provinsiale hospitaal, is opgemerk dat sy goed aansterk. Op Donderdag, 8 Oktober, ongeveer 16:00, was ‘n bejaarde dame en haar kinders oppad dorp toe. Die gesin het by die stop straat op die hoek van Jan van Riebeeck en Oosthuizen Straat gestop, en daarna oor gestap. ‘n Vragmotor het af gedraai, en het bo-oor die bejaarde dame se bene gery. Die dame is dadelik na die provinsiale hospitaal geneem vir mediese behandeling. “Die bestuurder van die vragmotor sê hy was besig om te draai, toe die insident plaas gevind het.” Het Kaptein Carla Prinsloo, media beampte van die SAPD, gesê. Die vrou het beserings aan albei haar bene en linker arm opgedoen. 'n Klag van roekelose en/of nalatige bestuur is geopen. Tydens ‘n besoek aan die dame in die provinsiale hospitaal, is opgemerk dat sy goed aansterk. Sy het baie seer, maar sy is baie tevrede met die goeie nasorg wat sy ontvang vanaf die personeel van die provinsiale hospitaal. < Previous Article Next Article >

Thulatsepo General Trading was appointed as contractor for the project, with a completion date of 30 June 2023. High water table proves problematic for MLM 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 18 October 2022 Thulatsepo General Trading was appointed as contractor for the project, with a completion date of 30 June 2023. Residents in De Bruin Park have been left baffled, after contractors excavated an extended portion of the main sewerage line between Camden Avenue and Roberts Street, at the Pet Dam. Residents were told by the said contractor that they were appointed to upgrade the sewerage line to alleviate spillage issues. However, they have done more harm than good. In President Fouché Avenue, near the Roberts Street intersection, raw sewage has been flowing for months into the field. The trenches dug by the alleged contractor merely exacerbated the issue, with several more spillage points being noted following excavation. In Mauritz Read Street, towards Camden Avenue, trenches had been excavated months ago, and stood as a white elephant since. Building materials, including concrete and PVC sewerage infrastructure pipes have been put on display in the field, along with heaps of sand and gravel. Residents have now alerted the Tribune to the fact that the trenches dug in this area are being filled up. The main concern here being that there has seemingly been absolutely no work done on the sewerage network. The trenches are filled with raw sewage, and are now simply filled with soil. Storm drains have been trampled and destroyed by heavy machinery, and are left as is. In one of the trenches, a storm drainage pipe can be noted, which is also damaged. To the point of where the trenches are filled, no sign of upgraded or replaced pipes can be noted. In an official response, Msukaligwa Local Municipality stated that BTMN Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd were appointed to undertake the feasibility study and detailed designs for the Upgrading of Ermelo Extension 32, 33 & 34 outfall sewer pipeline. Thulatsepo General Trading was appointed as contractor for the project, with a completion date of 30 June 2023. “The excavated sewer line trench was barricaded by the contractor, pending the engineer’s instruction of working along the areas with excessive water table. The engineer’s representative has reported that the contractor has started with backfilling the trench, in order to re-excavate and follow the engineer’s site instruction,” the statement from the municipality reads. “It is untrue that the contractor has left the site and trenched unattended. The contractor has been procuring materials required for working under high water-table areas like this one. Materials such as crusher run stones, geofabric biddim blanket and perforated subsoil drain pipes are required in order to follow the engineer’s instruction.” However, several residents have brought the train of thought by MLM and appointed contractors in question. “Surely, they should have taken the constant sewage the flows into the field, which is actually wetland, into account. It is only logical that the water table would be high, but it surely isn’t water,” one resident stated. “So, in reality, the entire exercise of months of digging, damaging infrastructure, pipes and stormdrains, have all been for nought? The trenches have been left for months to fill with raw sewage, only to be closed again because of shoddy planning... That is beyond a joke,” another told the Tribune. Concern has been raised as the summer rain season approaches, and the trenches and surrounding work area left with heaps of loose soil, which will prove problematic, seen as this specific area floods annually, due to the non-existent stormwater drainage infrastructure. Residents in this area should be prepared for more trenching in the near future, as the engineer’s orders are implemented. < Previous Article Next Article >

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. 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 >

The Secunda Regional Court, on Thursday 28 January 2021, sentenced Enzani Wiseman Shongwe (31) to 20 years direct imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs. During August 2016, nine drug syndicate members were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Secunda during the termination of a project driven investigation. The “Project 24” Operation was targeting the manufacturing and dealing in drugs around Secunda. The eight other suspects  admitted guilt on the open trial and were sentenced in 2018 to a total of 144 years combined imprisonment. However, Shongwe opted to go for trial and appeared several times in the same court whilst he remained in custody since his arrest in 2016. Shongwe was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment on each of the three counts of dealing in drugs. The first two of the three sentences are said to run concurrently and the judge ordered  that the accused serve an effective minimum of 20 years direct imprisonment. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the sentence and applauded the team for the great work . “We hope that  this will serve as deterrent to those who are still committing such type of crimes” said Major General Mokoena. Kingpin slapped with 20-year sentence Kingpin slapped with 20-year sentence 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 February 2021 Enzani Wiseman Shongwe (31) sentenced to 20 years direct imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs. The Secunda Regional Court, on Thursday 28 January 2021, sentenced Enzani Wiseman Shongwe (31) to 20 years direct imprisonment for manufacturing and dealing in drugs. During August 2016, nine drug syndicate members were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit in Secunda during the termination of a project driven investigation. The “Project 24” Operation was targeting the manufacturing and dealing in drugs around Secunda. The eight other suspects admitted guilt on the open trial and were sentenced in 2018 to a total of 144 years combined imprisonment. However, Shongwe opted to go for trial and appeared several times in the same court whilst he remained in custody since his arrest in 2016. Shongwe was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment on each of the three counts of dealing in drugs. The first two of the three sentences are said to run concurrently and the judge ordered that the accused serve an effective minimum of 20 years direct imprisonment. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the sentence and applauded the team for the great work . “We hope that this will serve as deterrent to those who are still committing such type of crimes” said Major General Mokoena. < Previous Article Next Article >