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The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) acting head in Mpumalanga, Matric Luphondo, and a Hawks lieutenant-colonel were among the trio who appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges. The bail application for the Mpumalanga head of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga, Kebone Masenga, the Hawks Unit Commander of Serious Corruption Investigation, Lieutenant-Colonel Ayanda Plaatje, and Luphondo is set to continue after the court refused the State’s application for a seven-day postponement. It is alleged that the trio colluded to bribe a prosecutor to withdraw charges that Masenga is facing in contravention of the Immigration Act and fraud, NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement. “The prosecutor reported the matter to his seniors as well as the police. Subsequently to further investigations, the three were arrested. The NPA has initiated the relevant labour processes against Luphondo. While the NPA is disappointed that any of its officials is entangled in such allegations, in conflict with our new values which are anchored on high ethical conduct, integrity and credibility, we take pride in the men and women who are resolute in defending our new vision. It is encouraging that there were prosecutors and investigators who acted swiftly and with honesty and strong moral principles in defence of our values and the law.’’ Ngwema said. High profile suspects in court for corruption High profile suspects in court for corruption 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 It is alleged that the trio colluded to bribe a prosecutor to withdraw charges that Masenga is facing in contravention of the Immigration Act and fraud, NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement. The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) acting head in Mpumalanga, Matric Luphondo, and a Hawks lieutenant-colonel were among the trio who appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on corruption charges. The bail application for the Mpumalanga head of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga, Kebone Masenga, the Hawks Unit Commander of Serious Corruption Investigation, Lieutenant-Colonel Ayanda Plaatje, and Luphondo is set to continue after the court refused the State’s application for a seven-day postponement. It is alleged that the trio colluded to bribe a prosecutor to withdraw charges that Masenga is facing in contravention of the Immigration Act and fraud, NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said in a statement. “The prosecutor reported the matter to his seniors as well as the police. Subsequently to further investigations, the three were arrested. The NPA has initiated the relevant labour processes against Luphondo. While the NPA is disappointed that any of its officials is entangled in such allegations, in conflict with our new values which are anchored on high ethical conduct, integrity and credibility, we take pride in the men and women who are resolute in defending our new vision. It is encouraging that there were prosecutors and investigators who acted swiftly and with honesty and strong moral principles in defence of our values and the law.’’ Ngwema said. < Previous Article Next Article >

Aksiegroep dreig om R33/34/66 roetes te sluit 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 19 October 2022 Volgens die groep word die areas se padoppervak deur swaarvoertuie vertrap. Die aksiegroep R33/R34/R66 JOC het ‘n kennisgewing gerig aan alle eienaars en bestuurders van die horde abnormale vrag en kantkip steenkoolvragmotors wat tans die N2 by Pongola, Ermelo, Piet Retief, Paulpietersburg, Vryheid, Melmoth en Utrecht gebiede deurkruis, dat die roete vanaf Donderdag, 20 Oktober 2022, gesluit sal wees vir die bogenoemde voertuie. Volgens die groep word die areas se padoppervak deur swaarvoertuie vertrap. Die groep voer die toestand van verval van die R33 en R66 aan as 'n rede waarom steenkooldraende vragmotors nie hierdie roetes gebruik nie, en het die R33 tussen die Pongola-brug en Vryheid uitgelig as nie ontwerp om die die hoë aslaste te hanteer nie. R33/R34/R66 JOC het gesê dat, vir die kort termyn, moet steenkoolvragmotors opdrag gegee word om alternatiewe roetes na Richardsbaai te gebruik, en op lang termyn, moet steenkool via die Richardsbaai-spoorfasiliteit vanaf die steenkoolvelde na die Baai vervoer word. “In ’n desperate poging om te keer dat die huidige onaanvaarbare situasie langer voortduur, sal die R33, R34 en R66 vanaf Donderdag 20 Oktober 2022 gesluit wees vir alle vragmotors wat steenkool op hierdie roetes vervoer. Die situasie het egter so gevaarlik en skadelik vir die betrokke gemeenskappe geword dat hulle met geen ander opsie gelaat word as om tot vreedsame siviele stappe te wend in ’n desperate poging om verdere skendings van hul menseregte, die bedreiging vir menselewens, te voorkom nie. en die onomkeerbare skade aangerig aan die padinfrastruktuur waarvan hierdie gemeenskappe afhanklik is vir hul sosio-ekonomiese voortbestaan,” lui die verklaring uitegreik deur die aksiegroep. Hulle het gesê versperrings sal op verskeie plekke langs hierdie roetes opgerig word, en het gesê hierdie optrede word genoodsaak deur die uiters verwoestende en gevaarlike gevolge wat die huidige stand van sake op die mense en infrastruktuur van die betrokke gemeenskappe het. In hierdie stadium is dit onduidelik of die groep wettige prosedures rakende roetesluitings sal volg. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLA bied suksesvolle pretdraf aan 1/4 Share SM HATTINGH 2 November 2021 Tydens die dag is daar ook wyn opgeveil, wat van Simonsvlei af geskenk is vir die dag. Op Saterdag, 30 Oktober, het Morgenzon Landbou Akademie (MLA) hul Legend Familie Pretdraf dag aangebied saam met Legend Events. Die dag was bekroon met ‘n 5km of 10km pretdraf, wat ook hindernis bane ingesluit het. Die deelnemers het die dag terdeë geniet. Die hindernisse wat daar was was onder andere, deur modder kruip, onder deur pale seil en vele meer. Die groot aantreking was natuurlik Ferdinand Rabie, of beter bekend as Ferdi van Big Brother. Hy het al die pad van die Kaap af gekom om saam met die personeel van MLA die baan te kom uitlê, en seker gemaak elke deelnemer geniet die pretdraf. Hy was natuurlik oral te siene gewees, en het met die verskeie roetes die mense gaan inspireer. Voor die wegspring van die prefdraf was daar ook ‘n heerlike “colour festival” gewees, waar mense nie meer soos hulself lyk na al die verkillende kleure poeier wat deur die lug getrek het nie. Daar was verskeie uitstallers, onder andere PanSolutions, Twizza, King Price, Tribune ePaper en Ermelo Toyota. Tydens die dag is daar ook wyn opgeveil, wat van Simonsvlei af geskenk is vir die dag. Die personeel van Morgenzon Landbou Akademie wil graag vir elke borg, asook elke deelnemer en ondersteuner baie dankie sê vir hul getroue ondersteuning. Mnr. Alex Wehmeyer, hoof van Morgenzon Landbou Akademie, het tydens die dag bevestig dat die dag nie slegs in 2021 sal plaasvind nie, maar van nou af ‘n jaarlikse instelling sal word. < 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 >

It’s not all bad news, though. MLM has managed to whittle their water debt down from R676 million over the span of a year. However, as demand increases, so does the debt, and in turn, so does the repayment. DWS owed nearly R600M 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 21 September 2021 It’s not all bad news, though. MLM has managed to whittle their water debt down from R676 million over the span of a year. However, as demand increases, so does the debt, and in turn, so does the repayment. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has urged the public to continue using the available water wisely, sparingly and in a more conservative manner as the Spring and Summer approaches. However, the department also made the announcement of ballooning municipal debt. Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has officially taken the crown from the notorious trio, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, Lekwa Local Municipality and Emalahleni Local Municipality, with debt owed to the DWS to the tune of R598 417 326. This is money that could have gone towards the delivery of services. MLM has become synonymous for water supply shortages, water outages and dubious water quality due to dilapidated infrastructure. This further aggravated by the fruitless and irregular expenditure of nearly R60 million, as per the 2019/2020 annual report. Later figures were not available at time of publication. An actual water distribution loss of approximately 42% was reported. The losses and debt aren’t the least of MLM’s worries, though. Ermelo and the surrounding areas are rapidly expanding, and a significant increase in demand of water has been noted. Adequate water provision is still a major issue for the municipality, so much so that they have been dragged to the Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) due to the lack of running and potable water within its areas of governance. Following a massive hoopla and extensive investigations, MLM was, for all intents ad purposes, forced to provide service delivery to destitute residents struggling with water provision. At great financial strain, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo, announced the Greater Breyten Water Supply Scheme project in Warburton in March 2021. The project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024, will ensure that the residents in Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Lothair and Warburton will have access to water. It’s not all bad news, though. MLM has managed to whittle their water debt down from R676 million over the span of a year. However, as demand increases, so does the debt, and in turn, so does the repayment. Feedback is being awaited from the Rand Water Board regarding the status of MLM. According to the latest figures, at 84.0%, the Morgenstond Dam in the Gert Sibande District is the only dam that remained unchanged in the province. The rest of the listed dams in the district continued to drop, with Grootdraai Dam dropping from 79.9% to 79.3%, Nooitgedacht from 95.1% to 95.0%, Vygeboom from 93.9% to 92.9%, Jericho from 71.4% to 70.5%, Westoe from 58.2% to 56.6% and Heyshope from 84.5% to 84.4%. The DWS encourages responsible water use to prevent the unnecessary loss of precious water in the province. At the time of publication, the relevant MLM departments failed to respond to enquiries submitted. < Previous Article Next Article >

Op Maandag, 2 Augustus, het die ses verdagtes van die veediefstal saak, wat reeds is 2019 plaasgevind het te Breyten, weer in die Ermelo hof verskyn. Die verdagtes, Jan-Spruyt Steenkamp, Cornelius Johannes van der Walt, Lucas Knulwane Magagula, Sibusiso Jeremaih Mabuse, Dinky Fredman Sibeko en Vusi Mhlongo se saak is nou al verskeie kere uitgestel vir verdere ondersoeke asook bewyse. Tydens hierdie hofverskyning was al die regsverteenwoordigers teenwoordig, waar hulle die saak weer uitgestel het. Die tussentyds se nuwe datum is 1 Oktober 2021, en die twee datums vir verhoor is 26 November en 1 Desember 2021. Die drie beskuldiges wat nog in aanhouding is, bly in aanhouding, waar die ander drie uit is op parool. Een van die beskuldigdes wat ook in aanhouding was, is oorlede voor die saak gefinaliseer kon word. Veediefstal verdagtes verskyn weer in hof Veediefstal verdagtes verskyn weer in hof 1/4 Share SM HATTINGH 3 August 2021 Die drie beskuldiges wat nog in aanhouding is, bly in aanhouding, waar die ander drie uit is op parool. Een van die beskuldigdes wat ook in aanhouding was, is oorlede voor die saak gefinaliseer kon word. Op Maandag, 2 Augustus, het die ses verdagtes van die veediefstal saak, wat reeds is 2019 plaasgevind het te Breyten, weer in die Ermelo hof verskyn. Die verdagtes, Jan-Spruyt Steenkamp, Cornelius Johannes van der Walt, Lucas Knulwane Magagula, Sibusiso Jeremaih Mabuse, Dinky Fredman Sibeko en Vusi Mhlongo se saak is nou al verskeie kere uitgestel vir verdere ondersoeke asook bewyse. Tydens hierdie hofverskyning was al die regsverteenwoordigers teenwoordig, waar hulle die saak weer uitgestel het. Die tussentyds se nuwe datum is 1 Oktober 2021, en die twee datums vir verhoor is 26 November en 1 Desember 2021. Die drie beskuldiges wat nog in aanhouding is, bly in aanhouding, waar die ander drie uit is op parool. Een van die beskuldigdes wat ook in aanhouding was, is oorlede voor die saak gefinaliseer kon word. < Previous Article Next Article >

MSV Roads opens their hearts in Ermelo 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 19 April 2022 MSV Roads will also in the near future hand over another donation to a local school in Wesselton. The needs of the disproportionate and struggling individuals in and around Ermelo is systematically starting to outweigh the support that charity organizations are able to provide. Most charity organizations and assistance programs require quite a number of resources, not to mention constant donations towards the NGO’s cause. While the economic climate has caused everyone to tighten the purse strings, Vusi Nkosi from MSV Roads, based in Piet Retief, opened their hearts towards charity organizations in need in Ermelo. On Tuesday, 12 April 2022, Vusi personally delivered a total of 50 supportive packages to the CMR Ermelo, as well as a total of 144 sanitary pads. Additionally, to Ermelo Outreach, he handed over a cheque to the amount of R10 000, to assist in the costs incurred in the food parcels and delivery for the needy in Ermelo. MSV Roads will also in the near future hand over another donation to a local school in Wesselton, as the parcels needs to be sent from the disaster-stricken KwaZulu-Natal. The name of the school, and the details regarding the donation will be published as soon as it is available. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tribute to Johanisi Mandla Mahlangu 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 February 2021 Be assured, you will be missed. Hamba Kahle Johannes, ‘til we meet again. In the time of COVID-19 we hear about people falling ill, and people dying. Somehow, however, it remains a distant possibility, something that happens to other people. This is until a fateful morning when someone close to you confides that he is not feeling well. For Mandla Mahlangu’s colleagues at Willem Cilliers Attorneys, that date arrived on 3 February 2021. Despite Mandla immediately being sent for medical attention, his illness progressed steadily and led to his unfortunate demise on Friday, 12 February 2021. Though we are stunned by the suddenness and the finality of it all, we also have a heartfelt desire to honour Mandla as a loyal staff member and an invaluable cog in the machinery of our practice. Albert Einstein said: ‘The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.’ In one word, Mandla was a man who gave. He gave much to his work, he was loyal to his employer and loyal to our clients. That is why we would like to speak in celebration of his life. Here was a life that demanded notice, a life that inspired emulation, a life that burned so that others’ paths be lit. His neighbours in Wesselton will remember him as the guy with the Houghton house in Mabuza Street, the man with the dazzling garden who tried to uplift his community. A man strong of conviction and not shy to weigh in when needed. On a cold winter’s day, 11 July 1994, Mandla and I started a journey on an uncertain path. We started small with baby steps but with a firm belief that the future will be bright. Oh, what a journey it turned out to be, and along the way Mandla became a trusted friend. A journey that lasted for 28 years. The journey that ended to soon! The character of the life he lived might be summed up on a few words, he was sincere, he was earnest, he was loyal. The road without you beckons, Mandla, and it promises to be lonely. Be assured, you will be missed. Hamba Kahle Johannes, ‘til we meet again. - Contributed by Willem Cilliers. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” SAICE Nasionale Brugboukompetisie 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 31 August 2021 “Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” Ligbron se Graad 10 span, Beverly Kirsten, Luhlelo Motha en Thando Motsoane, het deurgedring na dié kompetisie nadat hulle die Hoëveld kompetisie loshande gewen het. Beverly Kirsten het die 155 gram bruggie ontwerp, wat ‘n ongelooflike vrag van 133.6 kg kon dra voordat dit meegegee het. With this achievement they qualified for the national bridge building competition held at the St George Hotel in Doornkloof. Unfortunately their bridge gave way with the scale on 68.9kg, and the finished 6th in this national competition. “Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” < Previous Article Next Article >

President’s Air Trophy touches down at Ermelo Airfield 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2021 The PTAR - Presidents Trophy Air Race, is the most historically elite, internationally recognized prestigious air race in the world. Excitement and joy filled both pilots and spectators, who partook in the event hosted at Ermelo Airfield from 20-22 May. Aircraftof all shapes and sizes landed at the airport strip, while onlookers stared in amazement. The planes were then parked and shown off, where spectators could view and photograph these beautiful inventions. The PTAR - Presidents Trophy Air Race, is the most historically elite, internationally recognized prestigious air race in the world. If you’re interested in competing in future events, you may visit www.safpa.co.za . You may also view more photos and videos of the event on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Local talent secures finalist-spot 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 29 June 2021 The sprightly and go-getter attitude of Nompumelelo has made her an ideal candidate. 22-Year-old Nompumelelo Mabona, a chemical engineering student at Vaal University of Technology, has been selected as a finalist for Miss Township South Africa 2021. Nompumelelo hails from Siyabuswa, Extension D. The sprightly and go-getter attitude of Nompumelelo has made her an ideal candidate. “I am doing my final year as a finalist, and I am required to raise 50 pads for underprivileged girls at school or orphanages. I entered the pageant in order to create a difference, and I aim to create awareness on sanitary pad donations. I would like to see that my community outreach will reach as broad a audience as possible. I am also an upcoming writer, and I aim to publish my first novel this year, titled “Tears Blinding, A Depressed Black Child”. I am hunting to find a publishing company that will be willing to publish my book on their platform.” Nompumelelo would like to thank everyone for their support on her journey thus far. If you would like to become involved in a project with Nompumelelo, you may contact her via WhatsApp on 072 035 0519. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Baie geluk en baie sterkte vir julle. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle.” Liggies gekies vir KSA Mpumalanga span 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 March 2021 “Baie geluk en baie sterkte vir julle. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle.” Twee leerders van Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie, Jaco van Wyk en Zandri du Preez, is gekies vir die KSA-Mpumalanga elite karate span wat vanaf 5-7 Maart 2021 aan die SA Kampioenskappe gaan deelneem. “Baie geluk en baie sterkte vir julle. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle.” < Previous Article Next Article >