One of the business owners in the area lamented that state of the complex, and dangers inherent with the regression. Cassim Park shopping complex now lawless badlands 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 30 June 2022 One of the business owners in the area lamented that state of the complex, and dangers inherent with the regression. The Cassim Park Complex in has, over the past several years, systematically regressed to a crime-ridden rotten spot in the once-glorious Cassim Park. Despite a constant barrage of complaints from residents and business owners, Msukaligwa Local Municipality turns a blind eye and a deaf ear. Upon visiting the complex, one’s nose is greeted with a hearty serving of old, rank urine, mixed with rotting refuse that lone the sidewalk and roadway. Makeshift testing grounds sees lumbering heavy vehicles crunch over shards of broken liquor bottles, while unsavory characters skulk around in and around the dilapidated buildings. At the centre of the complex, a group of vagrants have staked out the charred husk of a building, which they now call home. The outside walls are blackened with soot from daily fires made to melt down cable casings to get to the valuable innards, while the inside of the building is wrought with human faeces, old blankets and refuse. Any item of value has long been stripped from the walls, and the PVC drainage pipes, both interior and exterior, have been reduced to ash by the flames. A lonely, stripped wreckage of a vehicle has, oddly, also made an appearance. Piles of wiring that holds no monetary value is left smoldering, while vagrants loot the surrounding businesses for anything of value. Miraculously, the few remaining mast lights still stand tall, but have been out of order for several years, encouraging criminal behavior in the dead of night. Heaps upon heaps of liquor bottles and other manner of refuse are dumped on site by unknown individuals, including garden refuse. One would assume that the lack of service delivery in Cassim Park attributes to the dumping of refuse, as the municipal refuse collection service often fails to do rounds, or leave entire wards uncollected. The absence of municipal refuse bins and skip bins also contribute to the ghastly state of the area, as litterbugs have a field day. One of the business owners in the area lamented that state of the complex, and dangers inherent with the regression. “The state in which this complex, and Cassim Park as whole, finds itself in is nothing short of a travesty. If only the mast lights were to be operational, at least we’d have some peace of mind at night. But, alas, this is not the case. Our businesses and premises are being ransacked on a weekly basis by criminals looking for scrap metal to trade. In one of these buildings, a pop-up scrap dealer has opened its doors, and in my opinion, directly contributes to the soaring crime rate in Cassim Park. I’m not sure if the dealer is operating legally, but I do know that it really impacts the crime rate. Time after time I have caught brigands on my premises, looting anything of value to go and sell. It’s a pain for by business, as well as many others. The fact that we face constant electrical outages due to dilapidated junction boxes only aggravates the situation. It’s as if the municipality simply does not care what happens to their residents.” he stated. The Tribune lodged an enquiry with Msukaligwa Local Municipality regarding the state of affairs, as well as the issue regarding the mast lights. The municipal spokesman, Mandla Zwane, stated that the municipality is investigating, and will provide a response. < Previous Article Next Article >

"What an accomplishment! As soon as rugby may commence, they will play against the Falcons and Limpopo after which the final teams will be announced." Blou Masjien Rugby - 19 spelers in Puma-spanne 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 25 May 2021 "What an accomplishment! As soon as rugby may commence, they will play against the Falcons and Limpopo after which the final teams will be announced." Alhoewel almal hartseer is oor skolesport wat vir eers uitgestel is, het 19 Liggies se harte trots geklop. Dié spelers is in die voorlopige Puma Hoërskole Spanne vir 2021 opgeneem. Sodra ons weer aan kontaksport mag deelneem, gaan die spanne wedstryde teen die Valke en Limpopo speel, waarna die onderskeie spanne (A/B) gefinaliseer sal word. “Baie geluk met julle prestasie!” 19 Ligbron rugby players received the good news that they have been included in the preliminary Puma High school teams for 2021. What an accomplishment! As soon as rugby may commence, they will play against the Falcons and Limpopo after which the final teams will be announced. “Congratulations - hard work was rewarded!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Shoprite Group the first to recycle sanitizing wipes 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 October 2021 "As a manufacturer, our responsibility is to ensure that these products do not pose a risk to the environment.” The Shoprite Group is the first retailer to recycle the sanitizing wipes from its 1 328 supermarkets nationwide. The wipes, which are green to identify them as 100% recyclable polypropylene, are used to sanitize baskets and trolleys, and are sent for recycling after use. The bucket container, and all stickers on the bucket, are also 100% polypropylene and recyclable. This is a grand gesture, as it is estimated that 129 billion face masks, and 65 billion plastic gloves are discarded every month, globally. Since the onset of the pandemic, retailers have been faced with a number of environmental challenges, including a massive increase in the quantity of wipes. For the Shoprite Group, this has amounted to tens of thousands of kilograms a month. The Group partnered with Sani-Touch to provide it with 100% recyclable wipes, and has embarked on a programme to isolate used wipes, and make sure it is sent for recycling rather than being thrown away with general waste and ending up in landfill. The increased quantity of wipes, and the opportunity to source locally, resulted in the ShopriteGroup moving more wipe products across to the locally-sourced polypropylene. “With small changes to the way we do things, we can ensure that single-use products such as wipes don’t only offer excellent infection protection, but can also be environmentally neutral,” said Group Sustainability Manager, Sanjeev Raghubir. The wet wipes supplier, Sani-Touch, said that volumes in the past have not been big enough for many companies to recycle, but by including the buckets, and with the volumes of wipes that the Shoprite Group uses, this has become viable. “Wet wipes have proven to be invaluable in the fight against the virus, as well as in general infection control in public places and in medical facilities, eliminating the chance of cross infection. As a manufacturer, our responsibility is to ensure that these products do not pose a risk to the environment.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Rietspruit housing development taking shape 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 6 April 2021 Residential, retail and parks were touted as the main attraction, and water, sewage and roads infrastructure will be made available by DOHS. After years of allegations of corruption, arrests of officials, and land invasions from irate residents, Rietspruit Farm, also known as Extension 44, had finally been allocated by the Department of Human Settlements (DOHS) to house nearly 5 000 housing units. This flagship project was recently officiated last year by Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s executive mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, is showing progress and much promise. Gert Sibande District Municipality regional planning unveiled that a reported 5 760 stands had been made available, with an estimated 4 000 mixed housing opportunities. Plans for more than 600 rental units were also mentioned. Residential, retail and parks were touted as the main attraction, and water, sewage and roads infrastructure will be made available by DOHS. - Photos sourced. < Previous Article Next Article >

Jag wenners sê dankie 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 31 August 2021 Ons Van Graan’s het absoluut elke oomblik geniet, wat ‘n groot bederf en ons was skoon moeg Sondag toe ons 14:00 die middag die plaas verlaat. Brief - Waar kan ons begin? Ons gesin het die Jagnaweek kompetisie gewen, en wat ‘n surprise. Die dag toe ons die oproep ontvang het, het ons nie presies geweet wat die naweek gaan inhou nie, maar ons is opgewonde. Vrydag pak ons die kar en begin ry. Elke persoon in die voertuig is opgewonde maar skrikkerig (ons gesin het nog nooit gejag nie) wat, waar en hoe? Vrydag - Western Breeze. Mooiste uitsig vanaf ons chalet, ons is verwelkom en Oom Dirk (van Western breeze) begin reëlings tref met ons vir Saterdag se GROOT jag. Ons geniet die stilte (Let wel ons is van Centurion en dis maar ‘n gewoel) van die natuur en ons longe trek elke bietjie vars lug in, vir die naweek is ons masker vry en COVID is vergete. Ons gesin lê langs die swembad, en vat elke oomblik in en die son strale val op die koppies rondom ons en dis so mooi. Die aand gaan lê ons 4 buite op die lê stoele langs die swembad en skakel al die ligte af. Sjoe, dis net sterre. Ons verwonder ons aan die nag se stilte en die hemel ruim se skepping. Ons is bevoorreg en dankbaar. Saterdag is almal op, en die jag begin al 07:00, en 19:00 die aand is ons tuis. Adrenalien loop nog hoog, en ons dag was ongelooflik lekker. Ons sluit die dag af met ‘n vuurtjie by die boma en besef weereens hoe amazing dit was. Ons Van Graan’s het absoluut elke oomblik geniet, wat ‘n groot bederf en ons was skoon moeg Sondag toe ons 14:00 die middag die plaas verlaat. (Amper ‘n hartseer gevoel). Ja die jag gogga het gebyt en hy het hard gebyt! Ons voel uitgerus, maar ook opgewonde vir die ervaring wat ons beleef het. Iets wat ons gesin nooit ooit sal vergeet nie. Ons hoop julle hou weer so trekking… Dat nog ‘n familie so bederfie kan geniet en dit was amazing (ons sal weer kaartjies moet koop want wie weet…) Baie dankie Morgenzon Landbou Akademie vir die awesome prys en al die reëlings rondom dit en die geleentheid! Dit was wonderlik. Western Breeze. Wat ‘n ongelooflike juweel met sout van die aarde mense. Baie dankie aan almal. < Previous Article Next Article >

The response from the community has been wholly divided, where some congratulated the appointed members. Acting troika elected mainstay by majority vote 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 June 2022 The response from the community has been wholly divided, where some congratulated the appointed members. The upheaval from the council and community due to the illegal appointment of the Msukaligwa Local Municipality acting troika has ruffled a myriad of feathers. Under cloak and dagger, however, it had been announced that the municipal council fully elected the troika. Ironically, the same acting members that have received stiff opposition has now been elected by unanimous vote, according to a source. It has been announced that the acting trio is now fully at the helm. Cllr Xaba has been elected as speaker, Cllr MP Nkosi has been elected as executive mayor, and Cllr PC Sibeko has been elected as chief whip. According to the municipality, 34 out of the 38 councillors voted in favor of the appointments. The response from the community has been wholly divided, where some congratulated the appointed members. However, other members of the community vented their frustration, and allegations of insufficient educational qualifications have also once again surfaced. The announcement of the troika comes at a most inauspicious time, as the result of the High Court case is expected to be received this week, after it was postponed due to outstanding documentation. Speaking to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, he confirmed that the decisions taken by the current troika, such as the budget presentation and other expenditure decisions, will remain in place until such a time that the court case is settled. Upon enquiry if the mayoral chain featured on the photo is the one that had been alleged as being missing in action, the municipality stated that the chain was used for photography and inauguration purposes, and that it is not the chain of Msukaligwa Local Municipality. The Tribune also requested the final budget figures from the municipality as implemented during the budget layout meeting. To date, the municipality has failed to produce the budget documentation. < Previous Article Next Article >

Eight suspects appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 21 January 2021, on charges of alleged tax evasion, theft and money laundering, while the charge sheet also includes four companies that were used by the group. Smangaliso Innocent Khoza (37), Busisiwe Prudence Nkosi (36), Sipho Andrew Philane (58), Sabelo Given Khumalo (35), Nhlanhla France Nyambi (43), Marcus Madala Mdhuli (44), Thabo Chamaine Philane (31) and Mfanzile Tholebono Msibi were arrested following a Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. The initial arrests in this case were in November 2020, followed by the rest of the syndicate members on different dates. The four companies that have been charged are Madam and Eve General Trading, Khuzumuzo (PTY) , Smangalisobusisiwe Trading , Zipho Zethu Trading and Mexza Cleaning Services. The Hawks’ investigation has revealed that from April 2017, Khoza and his girlfriend, Nkosi, the sole directors of Madam and Eve General Trading, submitted fraudulent tax returns to the South African Revenue Services (SARS), causing an actual loss of R2.5 million. The couple, who appear to be the ringleaders in this case, recruited family members and friends to register non-existing companies in order to prejudice SARS. The accused were each released on bail amounts ranging from R3 000 to R10 000. The case has been postponed to 9 February 2021. Eight charged for tax evasion Eight charged for tax evasion 1/8 Share SH HATTINGH 26 January 2021 Fraudulent tax returns were submitted to the South African Revenue Services (SARS), causing an actual loss of R2.5 million. Eight suspects appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 21 January 2021, on charges of alleged tax evasion, theft and money laundering, while the charge sheet also includes four companies that were used by the group. Smangaliso Innocent Khoza (37), Busisiwe Prudence Nkosi (36), Sipho Andrew Philane (58), Sabelo Given Khumalo (35), Nhlanhla France Nyambi (43), Marcus Madala Mdhuli (44), Thabo Chamaine Philane (31) and Mfanzile Tholebono Msibi were arrested following a Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. The initial arrests in this case were in November 2020, followed by the rest of the syndicate members on different dates. The four companies that have been charged are Madam and Eve General Trading, Khuzumuzo (PTY) , Smangalisobusisiwe Trading , Zipho Zethu Trading and Mexza Cleaning Services. The Hawks’ investigation has revealed that from April 2017, Khoza and his girlfriend, Nkosi, the sole directors of Madam and Eve General Trading, submitted fraudulent tax returns to the South African Revenue Services (SARS), causing an actual loss of R2.5 million. The couple, who appear to be the ringleaders in this case, recruited family members and friends to register non-existing companies in order to prejudice SARS. The accused were each released on bail amounts ranging from R3 000 to R10 000. The case has been postponed to 9 February 2021. < Previous Article Next Article >

Monte Sole MOTH invites community 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 3 November 2020 . The Ermelo MOTH Club reminds and invites members of the community to attend the event, and to ensure that the sacrifices are honored, and not forgotten. The Memorable Order of Tin Hats, or the MOTH as it is more popularly known, is an ex-servicemen and women organization founded in Durban, South Africa, in May 1927. The centre of the emblem of the Order is the Tin Hat, hallowed by the Light of Service. The complete emblem includes the crossed rifles of sacrifice, surrounded by 12 stars that signify Mutual Help, the whole within an unending circle, expressing life and harmony without end. In Ermelo, the Remembrance Day service and parade will take place at 11.45 on Sunday, 8 November 2020, at the Monte Sole Bunker, 46 Jan van Riebeeck Street. The Ermelo MOTH Club reminds and invites members of the community to attend the event, and to ensure that the sacrifices are honored, and not forgotten. Fritz Olmesdahl may be contacted on 081 406 8946, should you wish to obtain more information. < Previous Article Next Article >

Nomsa makes great strides in Mrs. SA pageant 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 4 May 2021 To vote for Nomsa, and help her to achieve her dreams in the pageant, you can send an SMS, with her name, Nomsa Mokoena to 35959. In a prestigious pageant, where only the best of the best advance, 49-year-old Standerton resident Nomsa Jennifer (Nkutha) Mokoena has secured a spot in the semi-finals of the competition, and has show no signs of slowing down. Being selected for the Mrs. South Africa pageant is an achievement of note, as only 100 women are selected to enter. Sponsors and sessions are hosted and presented at Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, with the entrants and contestants of Mrs. SA focusing on charity work en empowerment. The event over the weekend was hosted and featured famous guests and delegates from across the country. Nomsa is a successful, self-employed business woman, and does not back down from any challenge. “My main motivation for entering the Mrs. SA pageant was to help the community, and to pave the way for me to fulfill my dreams in helping the needy. I am honored to fulfil my obligations set forth by the Mrs. SA pageant, and my own charity work includes a unique elderly day care that I established in collaboration with my mother.” Nomsa was in the fray, mingling with the influencers, and marking her space in the pageant. “I thank God that my journey in the Mrs. South Africa pageant continues, and I managed to secure one of four sponsors. I still require 3 confirmed sponsors, but believe that I will prevail, and I will never give up.” To vote for Nomsa, and help her to achieve her dreams in the pageant, you can send an SMS, with her name, Nomsa Mokoena to 35959. Appearing on the photo: Margaret Hirsch, the executive director of the mega appliance store, Hirsch’s, with a beaming Nomsa Mokoena, during the weekend’s event at Emperor’s Palace. < Previous Article Next Article >

Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Inwoners stik aan stank van ontlasting 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 6 July 2022 Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Te midde van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) wat nuwe konstruksieprojekte, bouplanne en koshuisuitbreidings links en regs goedkeur, trek die omgewing, fauna en flora, asook inwoners letterlik vir jare lank al aan die kortste punt. Die onvoldoende rioolnetwerk, wat vanaf Camdenlaan, via President Fouchélaan tot en met Robbertsstraat strek, is al vir meer as 10 jaar ‘n doring in die vlees van menigte inwoners. Munisipale bestuurders van vier verkiesings terug se beloftes bly steeds onvervuld, met die probleem wat daagliks vererger. Die impak op die natuurlewe en vleilanddiere, veral opmerklik die reiers wat Ermelo bekoor, is 'n rede tot groot kommer, aangesien die rioolstorting direk in die Pet Dam vloei, wat 'n spoor van besoedeling en wildsterftes in sy nasleep laat. Vanaf die Pet Dam, wat alreeds buitensporig besoedel is, sluit die oorloop aan by die Klein Drinkwaterstroom, wat uiteindelik in die Vaalrivier beland. In 'n omgewingstudie wat vrygestel is, word MLM, onder drie ander Mpumalanga-munisipaliteite, uitdruklik as 'n hoofskuldige in die jare lange besoedeling van die Vaalrivier uitgewys. Tot op hede is geen opgraderings, of aksie geneem nie, met die situasie wat onverklaarbaar erger is as voorheen. Daar is wel bewerings van ‘n kontrakteur wat besig is met rioolstelsel opgraderings in dié area. Helaas, inwoners weeklaag die feit dat die kontrakteur, volgens klagtes ontvang vanaf inwoners, die probleem egter vererger het. “Die manne dolwe die hele area om, en gaan kwansuis nuwe pype installeer. Dit lyk vir my meer of hulle aanjaag, want die riool is nou tien keer erger as wat dit was. As ek by my voordeur uit kyk, sien ek net plasse rou riool waar die kontrakteur werk gedoen het. Is dit nou die tipe werkmanskap wat ons tevrede mee moet wees. My hele huis riuk na ontlasting, en dit vererger soggens en saans. Ons gaan slaap met die reuk, en word wakker met die reuk. Ons kan nie eers meer buite braai nie, want die walglike reuk maak mens letterlik naar,” het ‘n woedende inwoner aan die Tribune gesê. Die gereelde verstoppings en oorloop van die rioollyn in President Fouchélaan dui duidelik op 'n groter probleemfaktor met die netwerkarea, aangesien inwoners naby die President Fouchélaan en Robertsstraat-kruising in 'n konstante walm van ontlasting woon. Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Die velde in hierdie area is voortdurend deurdrenk met riool, en hou ook ernstige gesondheidsimplikasies in vir inwoners en leerders van die nabygeleë skole. Terwyl MLM se gesagsfigure, sowel as verskeie wyksraadslede deeglik bewus is van die probleme waarmee inwoners te kampe het, wil dit voorkom asof min gedoen word om 'n permanente en lewensvatbare oplossing te bied. Gert Sibande-distriksmunisipaliteit is ook by verskeie geleenthede oor die kwessie ingelig, maar beweer dat hulle geen jurisdiksie in die saak het nie. Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) het opgemerk dat die party 'n brief aan die premier van Mpumalanga gestuur het. Ongelukkig is dit bykans ‘n jaar later, met geen terugvoer of aksie rakende die probleem nie. Lesers kan meer foto's en video's op ons Facebook-blad, Tribune Ermelo, sien. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” Hoërskool Ermelo nommer een in Msukaligwa 1/1 Share SHNHATTINGH 27 April 2021 “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” Op Vrydag, 16 April 2021, het die prysuitdeling van die Msukaligwa 1-streek vir die 2020-matriekuitslae plaasgevind. Nie net is Hoërskool Ermelo die nommer een presterende skool in die GertSibande-distrik nie, maar ook, soos aangewys tydens die Msukaligwa 1-streeksprysuitdeling, neem EHS die eerste plek in vir die beste skool in dié streek. Te danke aan 'n slaagsyfer van 99,1%, en 79% leerders wat slaag met universiteitsvrystelling, het die prestasie die Erries te beurt geval. Various teachers received certificates for best educator in subject performance in the circuit 2020, with a pass rate of 100%: Pieter du Plooy: Geografie, Elana Fourie: Wiskundige Geletterheid, Lynelle Grobler: English First Additional Language, Diana Loots: Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal, Annaliza Mentz: Rekeningkunde, Restah Pretorius: Rekeningkunde, Erna Schoeman: English Home Language, Faans van der Merwe: Landbouwetenskap, Gerda van Zyl: Afrikaans Huistaal. Vosjan Grey, EHS-President van 2020, het die prys ontvang vir beste leerder in Hoërskool Ermelo. Hy spog met ses onderskeidings, en ‘n gemiddeld van 85,4%. “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” < Previous Article Next Article >

WOF celebrates 17 years of success Working on Fire Mpumalanga firefighters assist their FPA in suppressing a fire. Working on Fire Mpumalanga General Manager, Ovie Sehlabela, cuts a cake during Working on Fire’s 17 Years of Partnerships for Success celebrations. Working on Fire Mpumalanga firefighters assist their FPA in suppressing a fire. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 27 October 2020 The programme celebrated its seventeenth year of existence in September, with the theme being “17 Years of Partnerships for Success”, to celebrate the strong relationship the programme has with its partners, which has seen it being named one of the best Expanded Public Works Programme. The 2020 Winter Fire Season is in the latter stages, and the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Working on Fire (WOF) firefighters in Mpumalanga, working with various Fire Protection Associations (FPA’s), suppressed a total of 58 veld and forest fires during the month of September 2020.According to WOF’s provincial communications officer, Amanda Mthembu, the fires recorded were all successfully contained, and mop-up operations conducted. “We dispatched a total of 17 out of 24 teams to assist their FPA’s and local municipalities in fire suppression operations this month, with fewer fires recorded than in August, as the season is drawing to a close,” Mthembu said. In addition to the ground crews dispatched to extinguish these fires, WOF, Umphuluzi Fire Protection Association (UFPA) and Lowveld Escarpment Fire Protection Association (LEFPA) aerial resources provided aerial firefighting assistance and flew over 70 hours during these fire suppression operations. “The novel COVID-19 pandemic has made operations difficult, but as an essentialservice, we have had to adjust and continue with our world-renowned Integrated Management Services, ” Mthembu added. WOF continues to partner with various provincial government departments, municipalities, private and public landowners, in attempts to minimize the dire effects of veld and forest fires. The programme celebrated its seventeenth year of existence in September, with the theme being “17 Years of Partnerships for Success”, to celebrate the strong relationship the programme has with its partners, which has seen it being named one of the best Expanded Public Works Programme. < Previous Article Next Article >