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Beware of circulating fake messages 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 February 2022 Unless you provide the scammer with authentication, verification or one time PIN (OTP) or banking PIN codes, the call will be futile. Residents are hereby requested to refrain from circulating a WhatsApp message that claims that your banking application on your phone can be hacked via a phone call. According to the message, the caller allegedly requests you to pick an option between pressing 1 and 2 on your dialer, to confirm whether or not you are vaccinated. Your banking app is then allegedly hacked after completing the dialing prompts. This circulating chain message should be considered as fake. Based off available information, the currently circulating message had been constructed off a similar WhatsApp message that had circulated in May 2021, which had been verified as fake. The fake message from 2021 also stated that the call was for “vaccination status census”. Verified sources state that a scammer can call you, pretending to be someone official, and so gain access to your personal details. Unless you provide the scammer with authentication, verification or one time PIN (OTP) or banking PIN codes, the call will be futile. According to ABSA, in cases such as these, fraudster will call you, pretending to be a bank representative or other authoritative person, who requires information such as your ID number, banking details and logon credentials to your online banking profile, to solve a problem or prevent your account from being closed. Vishing is difficult to trace, especially now that fraudsters can mask their numbers, leading a victim to believe that the call is from a legitimate source, or by diverting their number to a legitimate number. Clients can protect themselves by always being vigilant and never sharing their PIN, password, passcode and transaction verification or card CVV number with anyone. If you receive such a phonecall, immediately end the call, and report the call to your bank’s fraud helpline, and alert the SAPS. Your bank will never require you to verify your PIN, CVV or account details via a phonecall. < Previous Article Next Article >

Football explodes on the local scene 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 10 May 2022 The aim is to get sponsors for all sporting codes in Wesselton / Ermelo to keep our young ones encouraged and motivated to do good. The town has now become a great space of football, and the culture seems to be taking the town by storm, That’s a great sight for sponsors, soccer fans and other community stake holders. On 27 April 2022 we saw a great display of football shown by two major radio stations in town, VOCFM 102.9 and Ligwa FM 101.3, jointly with Ermelo Taxi Association and Abagcotshwa United FC (abafundisi), then Ermelo Masters FC and Gunners FC (from Ekasi Social League-Masters), that sealed the deal with a good football to spice up things on the tournament. What a way to celebrate Freedom Day, with a group of positive men, teaming up together to make the day possible and conducive to all. The sport worked as glue that brought everyone together, and people from different spheres came together as one unit. All thanks to Saks Sam and Raff IVundraz for championing the day, big up to Ntokozo Tokyo Siluma for such a great spirit shown in and outside the pitch, we appreciate you gentlemen. Power Hour Motivations Movement really appreciates the day and hoping that more of this kind should be made a norm to our community. Next we will be targeting netball and volleyball. We feel that ladies need to be showcased and be given a fair opportunity as well. The aim is to get sponsors for all sporting codes in Wesselton/Ermelo to keep our young ones encouraged and motivated to do good. Our motto reads ‘Developing a Mentality to see Greatness in the midst of the Worst’. - Sincerely, Bro Ntosh < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. MLM VOIP call centre up and running 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 17 November 2020 MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. Media Statement - MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. MLM is now using a toll free number to make it easier for the customers to reach the municipality, which is 0800 0149 03. The municipality has installed a contact centre solution system, which includes, among others, the soft phones (it enables voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone calls from computer devices, work in conjunction with headset. It records the interaction between agents and callers. The system has statistics wall board, which track important information, such as how long it takes agent to answer, how many calls they’ve taken, how many they’ve missed, average call time and who answers the most calls. The contact centre has a multichannel communication (USSD, e-mail, WhatsApp). The USSD works on all phones, across all cellular networks, and no internet connection or data needed. The USSD code is *134*3043#. The USSD will commenced on or before Monday, 23 November 2020. The SMS function will assist the municipality to send SMS’s out to residents or clients, informing them about planned maintenance or outages. The e-mail address is contactcentre@msukaligwa.gov.za , you may send a WhatsApp message, voice note or video to 079 503 6729. The role of the community members and customer are to report and log in interruptions, to provide clear and concise information about the interruption area, and to make a follow-up using the reference number. The role of the contact centre agent entails answering the calls, logging of queries on the system, giving reference numbers and information to customers, and to dispatch queries out to technicians. The role of the technician is to attend to the query, report back to the contact centre agent on the progress, or lack thereof. The municipality is currently training the agents on new system. < Previous Article Next Article >

Former state security minister, Bongani Bongo, who, along with several co-accused, have been embroiled in a land fraud saga, where millions of Rands were siphoned through front accounts after making various dodgy land deals, including the infamous Rietspruit Farm near Ermelo. Bongo’s corruption case was postponed to January 2022. Bongo’s ex-wife, Sandile Nkosi, is accused of having received R1 million as part of the attempt to recommend the law firm, Singwane & Partners, as dodgy service providers to the department for the sales of the farms in question. Amidst the slew of charges against him, Bongo, who has since been chairperson of the Department of Home Affairs, has shown defiance in the face of the charges, stating that he has no intention of stepping down because he is confident that the Mpumalanga courts will acquit him. His demeanor has now led to his fall, as Bongo has been axed as head of the committee after the ANC caucus made changes in Parliament. ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said the changes were necessitated by the Cabinet reshuffle after some of the committee chairpersons were appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as ministers and deputy ministers. Bongo has been replaced by fellow ANC MP Mosa Chabane. In his upcoming court case, Bongo is accused, amongst others, of having been “gifted” a BMW X5 in order to exert pressure on department officials to effect payments to Singwane & Partners. The case will see 12 people charged, collectively with 69 counts of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in a charge sheet running to more than 70 pages. Additionally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it would appeal the decision to acquit Bongo on charges of attempting to bribe a former parliamentary official, Ntuthuzelo Vanara. Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe, granted Bongo his section 174 application and found him not guilty on a charge of corruption on the basis of insufficient evidence. At the time, Vanara was evidence leader in the parliamentary investigation into the capture of SOEs, now known as the Zondo commission. The noose tightens for Bongo and friends The noose tightens for Bongo and friends 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 The case will see 12 people charged, collectively with 69 counts of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in a charge sheet running to more than 70 pages. Former state security minister, Bongani Bongo, who, along with several co-accused, have been embroiled in a land fraud saga, where millions of Rands were siphoned through front accounts after making various dodgy land deals, including the infamous Rietspruit Farm near Ermelo. Bongo’s corruption case was postponed to January 2022. Bongo’s ex-wife, Sandile Nkosi, is accused of having received R1 million as part of the attempt to recommend the law firm, Singwane & Partners, as dodgy service providers to the department for the sales of the farms in question. Amidst the slew of charges against him, Bongo, who has since been chairperson of the Department of Home Affairs, has shown defiance in the face of the charges, stating that he has no intention of stepping down because he is confident that the Mpumalanga courts will acquit him. His demeanor has now led to his fall, as Bongo has been axed as head of the committee after the ANC caucus made changes in Parliament. ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina said the changes were necessitated by the Cabinet reshuffle after some of the committee chairpersons were appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as ministers and deputy ministers. Bongo has been replaced by fellow ANC MP Mosa Chabane. In his upcoming court case, Bongo is accused, amongst others, of having been “gifted” a BMW X5 in order to exert pressure on department officials to effect payments to Singwane & Partners. The case will see 12 people charged, collectively with 69 counts of corruption, fraud, theft, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in a charge sheet running to more than 70 pages. Additionally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it would appeal the decision to acquit Bongo on charges of attempting to bribe a former parliamentary official, Ntuthuzelo Vanara. Western Cape Judge President, John Hlophe, granted Bongo his section 174 application and found him not guilty on a charge of corruption on the basis of insufficient evidence. At the time, Vanara was evidence leader in the parliamentary investigation into the capture of SOEs, now known as the Zondo commission. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mpumalanga SAPS is searching for a group of armed men who made away an undisclosed number of firearms from the Badplaas police station. According to information received, the men stormed the station, allegedly overpowered the officers and made off with the firearms. SAPS Brig. Leonard Hlathi stated that no arrests have yet been made: “A number of armed men entered the CAC in Badplaas police station and threatened the members on duty with their firearms. They managed to disarm to of the members of their service pistols, and forced them to open the safe in the community service centre, where they took one R5 rifle. The suspects fled the scene, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.” Amidst contradicting reports stating that two pistols and an undisclosed amount of cash was also nabbed. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has come forward, blaming the incident on understaffing and a lack of leadership. “There has not been much progress in ensuring that we deal with the uneven allocation of resources within police stations, and in ensuring that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is restructured to ensure that we get more manpower on the ground where crime is actually happening.” Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU spoksesperson, stated. Badplaas SAPS robbed at gunpoint Badplaas SAPS robbed at gunpoint An example of an R5 rifle, which the group made off with. Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU spoksesperson. An example of an R5 rifle, which the group made off with. 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 The suspects fled the scene, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.” Amidst contradicting reports stating that two pistols and an undisclosed amount of cash was also nabbed. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has come forward, blaming the incident on understaffing and a lack of leadership. Mpumalanga SAPS is searching for a group of armed men who made away an undisclosed number of firearms from the Badplaas police station. According to information received, the men stormed the station, allegedly overpowered the officers and made off with the firearms. SAPS Brig. Leonard Hlathi stated that no arrests have yet been made: “A number of armed men entered the CAC in Badplaas police station and threatened the members on duty with their firearms. They managed to disarm to of the members of their service pistols, and forced them to open the safe in the community service centre, where they took one R5 rifle. The suspects fled the scene, no shots were fired and no injuries were reported.” Amidst contradicting reports stating that two pistols and an undisclosed amount of cash was also nabbed. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has come forward, blaming the incident on understaffing and a lack of leadership. “There has not been much progress in ensuring that we deal with the uneven allocation of resources within police stations, and in ensuring that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is restructured to ensure that we get more manpower on the ground where crime is actually happening.” Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU spoksesperson, stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo Toyota gholfdag ‘n reuse sukses 1/3 Share SM HATTINGH 12 October 2021 Tydens die dag was daar 148 spelers wat deelgeneem het. Daar was heerlik saam gekuier, en die spelers was vermaak deur Jakkie Louw terwyl Buffelsfontein Brandewyn die spelers kom bederf het. Op Vrydag, 8 Oktober het Ermelo Toyota weereens hul jaarlikse korporatiewe gholfdag aangebied. Die dag was ‘n reuse sukses, en die spelers het die dag terdeë geniet. Tydens die dag was daar 148 spelers wat deelgeneem het. Daar was heerlik saam gekuier, en die spelers was vermaak deur Jakkie Louw terwyl Buffelsfontein Brandewyn die spelers kom bederf het. Die wenners van die dag was, in die eerste plek – aka Smoking Tee’s - Deon van Zyl, Johan Du Bruin, Niel Mathiesson en Charl Van Heerden. Tweede plek was DC Swart, Theuns Botha en David Harris en Corrie Swart, en Sheldon Du Preez, Fred Els, Bossie Bosman en Maans Sandenberg in die derde plek. Naaste aan die pen by putjie 6 was Craig Holiday, en by putjie 16 was Greghan Groenewald naaste aan die pen. Die langste dryf by putjie agt was Henro Lewis, en Bennie Kriel putjie 15. Ermelo Toyota wil graag die volgende borge bedank, waarsonder die dag nie so groot sukses gewees het nie: ACSU, AGM2 Trust (AG Muller), Alan's Slaghuis, Aurum Products - Moto Muti, Autopart Centre/Autozone, Budget Insurance, BP Greyling Langfontein Boerdery, Carolina Rollermeule, Chris Rothman - Tent borg, CMR, Christiaan Jacobs, Dalifin Print, Digital Print, Ermelo Abattoir, Ermelo Bearings - Tent opslaan, Ortega, Ermelo Toyota, FNB Comm, FNB Insurance Brokers/ CIB, H2O, Henbase Lodge, Highveld Splendour Boutique Hotel, Highveld Stationery, Hino, Innovation, Kojo Boerdery, Madness, Melrow Pharmacy, Midway Liquors, My-Sure, MFC, Netstar, Oosvaal Landbou, ProShine, Pongola Toyota, Reemar Auto, Ronquest Boerdery, SAVF, SA Oils, Scorekeepers, Team Vibe Customs, TFS, Total, Tribune ePaper, Tuiskoop, Turbo Works, Van der Merwe Boerdery, Wildman, Hunting & Outdoor en Wurth. “Baie dankie ook aan al die spelers wat die dag bygewoon het, en die dag saam met ons geniet het. Sien julle weer volgende jaar!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Op Saterdag, 6 Junie, het ‘n botsing in Wesselton plaasgevind, waar twee voertuie betrokke was. Die bakkie het in die rigting van Wesselton gereis, en die Volkswagen vanaf Wesselton, op pad Ermelo toe. Die bestuurder van die Volkswagen het beheer verloor oor sy voertuig, en die bakkie getref. Tydens die botsing is een persoon oorlede, en ses ander passasiers wat in bedie voertuie was, geneem vir mediese behandeling. Botsing eis lewe Botsing eis lewe 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 9 Junie 2020 Tydens die botsing is een persoon oorlede, en ses ander passasiers wat in bedie voertuie was, geneem vir mediese behandeling. Op Saterdag, 6 Junie, het ‘n botsing in Wesselton plaasgevind, waar twee voertuie betrokke was. Die bakkie het in die rigting van Wesselton gereis, en die Volkswagen vanaf Wesselton, op pad Ermelo toe. Die bestuurder van die Volkswagen het beheer verloor oor sy voertuig, en die bakkie getref. Tydens die botsing is een persoon oorlede, en ses ander passasiers wat in bedie voertuie was, geneem vir mediese behandeling. < Previous Article Next Article >

Digital Divide More Acute in Access to Education 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 Since 1975, The Answer Series has been empowering high school learners’ exam success with its comprehensive, easy to use study guides. Written and frequently updated by teachers, examiners and subject specialists, The Answer Series guides cover a range of school subjects, including Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Accounting, which help learners understand content and prepare for assessments. Pupils across the country have been hard hit by the devastating consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has thrown the school calendar into disarray. To assist learners with their preparations for upcoming examinations, a number of very welcome efforts have been put in place to help schools and teachers harness technology, including making several educational sites free. However, for scholars affected by the digital divide, printed textbooks remain critical. For these learners, limited internet access and high data prices make online resources difficult to come by. In addition, multiple studies over the past decade have shown that when it comes to information retention, print remains the better medium. In Mpumalanga, where the latest General Household Survey by Statistics South Africa found that just 4.4% of households have direct access to the internet, the Mpumalanga Department of Education is assisting students studying at home by providing take-home hardcopy study guide books from The Answer Series for high school students across the province. With more than 44 years of contributing to learner success, The Answer Series is South Africa’s leading provider of up to date, comprehensive paper study guides for all major subjects from Grade 8 to Matric, giving learners a range of study notes, graded questions and solutions to ensure they are adequately prepared for any assessment. “We live in an age of information, where education, opportunity and prosperity are defined by one’s ability to access, create and share information via technologies such as mobile phones and the Internet. However, historical factors and widespread inequality mean that many non-metropolitan communities are unable to capitalize on these innovations, instead these individuals live at the far end of a digital divide, propelled by high data costs and low connectivity,” says Elijah Nkosi, the Director of the Mpumalanga Education Department. “A modern education is key to overcoming these socio-economic barriers; however, this requires access to modern learning materials. As such, the Department recognizes the need for comprehensive paper study guides, which are key to bridging this digital divide and ensuring afflicted learners are able to develop the skills they need to thrive in their examination and future work environment.” Apart from being a pragmatic and immediate solution to Mpumalanga’s educational challenges, multiple studies have shown that students actually prefer to learn using paper text and workbooks. Furthermore, these studies found that learners of all ages, from primary school to university, tend to absorb and retain more information better when reading from paper than on electronic screens; in addition, students reading from paper may be more aware and understanding of their own thought processes. “The only disadvantage of paper resources for learning is that hardcopy educational material tends to be more expensive for students to acquire. This is a critical factor to consider for pupils in Mpumalanga who live in a historically poor province, but who at the same time are in need of modern learning materials. By championing this obstacle on their behalf, the Mpumalanga Department of Education is actively empowering the province’s schooling system and ensuring that their students receive a competitive education,“ says Monwabisi Mfobo, Government Relations at The Answer Series. Since 1975, The Answer Series has been empowering high school learners’ exam success with its comprehensive, easy to use study guides. Written and frequently updated by teachers, examiners and subject specialists, The Answer Series guides cover a range of school subjects, including Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Accounting, which help learners understand content and prepare for assessments. George Eadie, CEO of The Answer Series, says, “It has been more important than ever to ensure books get into the hands of learners without the means to procure them. A lack of access to books and learning material, and a lack of financial reserves to pay for them, are the second and third most important issues affecting students in Mpumalanga after large class sizes. We have undertaken a significant project to create additional guides to support independent learning in response to the adjusted teaching and learning plans. Our resources will support these excluded learners, particularly now during the current uncertainty around COVID-19, while at the same time encouraging them to learn independently.” For more information, go to https://www.theanswer.co.za/ < Previous Article Next Article >

Huawei Technologies - Invitation To Comment 1/2 Share PAID CONTENT 26 January 2021 Msukalikwa Municipality has received an application in terms of Msukaligwa Spatial Planning and Land Use management by-law 2016. A copy of the application is available for inspection during office hours (09h00 and 17h00) at the City Planning Department situated at Corner Kerk & Taute Street, Ermelo, 2351. Comments on the application may be submitted to the City Planning Department in writing to: P.O Box 48, Ermelo, 2350 or hand deliver at Corner Kerk & Taute Street, Ermelo, 2351, by the 10th of February 2021. The Msukaligwa Municipality may refuse to accept comments submitted after the closing date. Any person who failed to lodge comments by the closing date will not have the right to appeal against the decision of the Municipality. < Previous Article Next Article >

Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. MLM keeps mum on plan to improve service delivery 1/42 Share GK CRONJE 22 June 2021 Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. Amidst all-time high dissatisfaction from residents, and a new low in service delivery, the IDP budget has been announced by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), and has been slated as a multi-year budget. The MLM executive mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, delivered the budget announcement, and subsequently outlined the state of the municipality. He admitted that the municipality is currently in a mixed state, and that several backlogs have been ameliorated due to the purchase of new equipment. According to the budget speech, MLM’s success will rely on it ability to adhere to the national and provincial planning frameworks. This framework includes, amongst others, that the municipality should ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with the community. Most notably, the framework stipulates that the municipality should deliver basic services, which includes basic electricity, basic water, sanitation, waste removal and more. The framework also explicitly states that the municipality should ensure that services such as grass cutting, patching of potholes, working traffic lights and street lights and consistent refuse removal are implemented. It further states that focus must be placed on the operations and maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure continuity of service provision. In total, the IDP lists 243 separate community issues and needs across all wards within its governance. Unfortunately, the majority of the listed issues have been longstanding for several years, with MLM failing to address the issues. Notably, the majority of complaints are of a service delivery nature, which includes the ghastly state of all roads, traffic lights and street lights that are in non-working condition, water provision, electrical infrastructure and provision complaints, refuse removal and general neatness of the wards and CBD. The rampant and unchecked drug use in Ermelo and informal townships have also been noted in several complaints. Ironically, no mention of the infamous 88kV substation can be found in the IDP. Electrical issues are simply referred to as “electrical infrastructure” issues. Other issues include the lack of healthcare and clinics, the lack of maintenance of council sportsgrounds, the lack of dumping sites and the issue of illegal dumping, illegal electricity connections and ageing infrastructure. A major point of concern is the Thusong Service Centre in Lothair, which, according to available information, started construction circa 2013/2014, but remains incomplete. According to the IDP, the main issues of focus from MLM should be housing, road upgrades, storm water drainage upgrades, access to sanitation, electricity supply, provision of water, waste management and public lighting. However, the prioritizes pie chart in the IDP makes no sense, as electricity shows a 12% priority scale, public lighting and waste management both at 9%, with roads and stormwater drains taking up 20%, and housing taking 21%. Sanitation takes up a mere 13%. In light of the current electricity situation that the community finds itself in, 12% priority is a slap in the face of residents. By-Laws: According to MLM, the by-laws are not enforced due to “high costs associated” with the enforcement. According to MLM, nuisance, traffic, street trading and electricity by-laws will be enforced with the assistance of the SAPS and NPA. If these by-laws will be enforced, remains a topic of conversation. No mention of stray cattle and stray animal by-laws is made, except in the issues raised by the community. A direct enquiry to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, dated 2 June 2021, yielded no response regarding the plan to step up the enforcement of all by-laws. Water Quality & Sanitation: MLM has stated that it has appointed a technician to control the quality of the water supply, and claims to work towards SANS 241 compliance. MLM claims that the Blue Drop status was at 18.1% in 2014, but makes no further mention as to the current quality of the water supply. Water maintenance budget for 2021/2022 from municipal coffers stand at R3 933 000, with a total of R17 298 735 being allocated from municipal infrastructure grants (MIG). The MIG is a conditional grant from the national government, with the aim of improving service delivery. MLM claims that an actual amount of R12 000 000 is needed for operations and maintenance of water supply. The backlog is 4.97%. Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) has assisted in initiating the upgrade of the bulk water supply pipeline and infrastructure for Ermelo, Wesselton, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Nganga and Warburton at a cost of R264 594 000. Free basic water to indigent households enjoys a staggering R6 835 987. Strangely, the budget for indigent water supply exceeds the water maintenance budget. Sanitation budget stands at a mere R897 000, with R9 187 380 from MIG and a blistering R50 000 000 from water services infrastructure grant (WSIG) funds. The green drop status of MLM is stated as a shockingly poor 98.5% in 2014. Again, no recent Green Drop status is mentioned. A equitable finance share from national government assists in the mammoth R14 922 000 bill racked up by supplying free basic wastewater management to indigent households. No mention of the dilapidated sewerage network is noted. Enquiries lodged, explicitly naming Cassim Park, President Fouché Avenue, Autumn Ridge, Wesselton, Sun City and surrounding areas as areas of focus where the sewerage infrastructure is virtually collapsed, saw no joy. The municipal spokesman simply ignored the enquires. Electricity supply: Amidst the electrical infrastructure of Ermelo teetering on the brink of collapse, with rolling blackouts and load reduction on a daily basis, MLM has allocated a measly R3 000 000 for maintenance of electricity in 2021/2022. R10 000 000 has been allocated from the integrated national electrification programme (INEP) grant, for bulk electricity infrastructure and the electrification of households. MLM stated that it needs to apply for bulk capacity upgrade of the notified maximum demand (NMD) from Eskom. Mandla Zwane has stated that there has been no reduction in the NMD from Eskom. However, residents aren’t biting this carrot, with the load reduction and power outages from MLM that have dramatically increased withing a very short space of time. The municipality claims that ageing infrastructure and insufficient cable sizes are to blame for the electrical outages. These need to be replaced. With the paying residents getting the short end of the stick, indigent support sees a budget allocation of R11 136 000, where MLM supplies free basic electricity of 50kWh to more than 11 500 registrants. A direct enquiry to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, dated 2 June 2021, explicitly enquired as to how MLM plans to resolve the issues faced by the inadequate supply from the 88kV line, as claimed by the municipality. Additional enquiries regarding the budget for the upgrade of the substation, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the line were also lodged. To date, the enquiries yielded no response. It is clear from the allocated funds above did not make provision for neither upgrade nor maintenance of the 88kV substation. No provision has been made for the upkeep and servicing of the electrical infrastructure. Enquiries lodged on numerous occasions regarding the damages suffered by residents due to neglect of the infrastructure and erratic electricity supply, and how they can claim reparations from the municipality, has simply been ignored by the spokesman. MLM also failed to elaborate on how they plan to engage with illegal connections, and the fact that entire towns, such as Breyten and Chrissiesmeer, have, for all intents and purposes, a zero percent payment rate from residents. According to the latest know figures, MLM has an arrangement of R180 634 883 with Eskom, with R35 000 000 already paid, and R145 634 883 being outstanding. It is unclear how these figures were calculated, or if these amounts are the interest or the capital amount owed. According to the last known report, MLM owed Eskom R172 million in August 2020. According to the MLM spokesman, the municipality is on schedule with the arrangement between MLM and Eskom. Roads and infrastructure - Of the total length of 446km of roads within the municipality’s jurisdiction, a mere 234km is either paved or tarred. A total of 212km of roadway lies in the backlog, or are farm and backroads. According to MLM, there is no funds in the municipal coffer for new roads. A measly amount of R2 579 800 has been allocated for infrastructure and maintenance. An additional allocation of R23 969 985 has been funded by the MIG for upgrading existing roads. According to MLM, a total of R86 500 000 is required annually to maintain road infrastructure within the municipal jurisdiction. Therefore, MLM essentially states that there are no funds in the municipal coffer to maintain the roads and infrastructure. Enquiries explicitly outlining the dilemma faced of the collapsing roads in Ermelo, and the virtually non-existent roads in Wesselton, Sun City and other areas have been ignored by MLM. Enquiries regarding the plan of action to rehabilitate and maintain the roadways in high traffic areas, most notably school routes, roadways surround new developments and housing complexes in Camden Avenue and Wes Street and, as well as high density routes in the CBD, have also been ignored. Stormwater management - Puzzlingly, the funds allocated for the maintenance and management of the stormwater infrastructure falls under the measly amount allocated to roads and infrastructure. According to MLM, Human Resources shortages remain a challenge, as no personnel are available due to financial constraints. Refuse removal - MLM will fork out R9 233 000 for free basic refuse removal for indigent registrants. Ultimately, it would be logical to view the budget and financial state of Msukaligwa Local Municipality as likely to collapse, as the municipality is, for all practical, technically bankrupt. Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. < Previous Article Next Article >

NERSA rejects price hike application by Eskom 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 5 October 2021 Power plants are being constructed at exorbitant inflated costs of nearly 300%, and have a 60% surplus of staff at a cost of an estimated R10 billion per annum. In January, Nersa allowed Eskom to recoup an additional R6-billion after a court set aside several of its earlier decisions. It had rejected Eskom’s fifth multi-year price determination (MYPD5) revenue application for the financial years 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 on the basis that it was based on an expired methodology. Eskom has also come under fire for their notorious fruitless en wasteful expenditure, which includes, amongst others, paying R300 per roll of toilet paper, coughing up a blistering R238 000 for a single floor mop, and purchasing kneepads at R80 000 each. This has been slated as cadre enrichment and gross corruption withing the struggling entity. In an effort to curb the corruption, and alleviate mounting pressure on consumers, NERSA has started its process to develop this new pricing methodology that will be applicable to the industry. The first step entails a consultation to determine the new pricing methodology. This will be followed by the development of the actual methodology. As is usual all stakeholders will be given an opportunity to influence the finalization of the new pricing methodology. Once this is finalized, utilities will be required to submit applications to NERSA for analysis to be undertaken before price increase decisions are made. According to Eskom, NERSA’s rejection of Eskom’s MYPD 5 application, has created a regulatory vacuum for the electricity supply industry in South Africa. Eskom is accordingly considering how to proceed, and is taking advice on its position following the NERSA decision. Eskom claims that the situation will create a legal liability for the company. Consumers and regulatory boards are having none of the wet dog attitude set forth by Eskom, stating that power plants being constructed at exorbitant inflated costs of nearly 300% and having a 60% surplus of staff at a cost of an estimated R10 billion per annum. Ultimately, consumers cannot, and should not pay for inefficiency in a state monopoly’s internal structural inflation. < Previous Article Next Article >

MBCF takes off the kid gloves 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 17 November 2020 MLM is provisionally prohibited from imposing municipal load shedding at will, unless reductions or interruptions are associated with national load shedding or maintenance. The legal council for the Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum (MBCF), Mr. Andreas Peens, recently joined in a meeting with members of the MBCF committee in Ermelo. The case was heard in court on 12 November 2020, regarding the matter of the application to stop the NMD load shedding currently being implemented by Eskom and Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). The conjoined efforts by Mr. Peens, MBCF and affiliates paid off, with the court ordering the provisional suspension of municipal load shedding. Eskom has been ordered to issue and file applications compelling the indebted municipalities, which include MLM, to settle arrear amounts owed on, or before 30 November 2020. The municipalities have time to lodge applications until 14 December 2020, with Eskom granted time to file replying affidavits no later than 31 December 2020. Hence, MLM is provisionally prohibited from imposing municipal load shedding at will, unless reductions or interruptions are associated with national load shedding or maintenance. Should MLM fail to adhere to the conditions, MBCF is granted leave to re-enroll the matter in the urgent court for argument. The costs associated with the enrolments are appearances in urgent court during the week of 10 November 2020, as well as the time scheduled for actual appearances are reserved at this time. “People have been accepting the unacceptable for far too long, and unfortunately there are no quick fixes. But what is important is to start.” Mr. Peens has stated. To support the MBCF cause, donations can be made to Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum, Standard Bank, account number 031064701, Ermelo branch, with branch code 052844. Kindly remember to use your cellphone number as reference. Business owners and residents who would like to become members, can do so by completing the membership form. Membership costs entail R300 per household, annually, and R1200 per business, annually. For more enquiries, please contact 072 401 1449. < Previous Article Next Article >