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Wat ‘n gewone Vrydag sou wees, met die naweek wat voor die deur lê, het geëindig in ‘n botsing tussen vyf voertuie. Ongeveer 13:20 het daar ‘n skokkende botsing op die Breyten pad plaasgevind, waar daar vyf voertuie betrokke was. Een van die betrokke voertuie was ‘n ambulans wat ‘n pasiënt vervoer het. Die oorsaak van die botsing was digte rook van ‘n nabye veldbrand, wat die sig baie vermoeilik het vir motoriste. Die bestuurder van die Life Care ambulans het spoed verminder soos wat hy die rook gesien het, en nie voor hom kon sien nie. ‘n Toyota Quantum het agter in die ambulans vasgery. Agter die Quantum was ‘n Volkswagen Caddy, wat toe ook binne in die Quantum vasgery het en dadelik aan die brand geslaan het. Agter die Caddy was ‘n Nissan NP200 en agter dié ‘n Volkswagen Golf 1. Die pad was vir ‘n geruime tyd gesluit, waar die brandweer blitsvinnig op die toneel was om die brandende voertuig te kom blus. Die bestuurder van die Life Care ambulans het dadelik hulp ontbied, en het begin om die mense wat in die ander voertuie mediese behandeling te gee. Al die mediese personeel en nooddienste was spoedig op die toneel. Vier persone is hospitaal toe geneem vir mediese behandeling, asook die pasient wat reeds in die ambulans was. Vyf voertuie in botsing as gevolg van digte rook Vyf voertuie in botsing as gevolg van digte rook 1/16 Share SM HATTINGH 15 June 2021 Die oorsaak van die botsing was digte rook van ‘n nabye veldbrand, wat die sig baie vermoeilik het vir motoriste. Wat ‘n gewone Vrydag sou wees, met die naweek wat voor die deur lê, het geëindig in ‘n botsing tussen vyf voertuie. Ongeveer 13:20 het daar ‘n skokkende botsing op die Breyten pad plaasgevind, waar daar vyf voertuie betrokke was. Een van die betrokke voertuie was ‘n ambulans wat ‘n pasiënt vervoer het. Die oorsaak van die botsing was digte rook van ‘n nabye veldbrand, wat die sig baie vermoeilik het vir motoriste. Die bestuurder van die Life Care ambulans het spoed verminder soos wat hy die rook gesien het, en nie voor hom kon sien nie. ‘n Toyota Quantum het agter in die ambulans vasgery. Agter die Quantum was ‘n Volkswagen Caddy, wat toe ook binne in die Quantum vasgery het en dadelik aan die brand geslaan het. Agter die Caddy was ‘n Nissan NP200 en agter dié ‘n Volkswagen Golf 1. Die pad was vir ‘n geruime tyd gesluit, waar die brandweer blitsvinnig op die toneel was om die brandende voertuig te kom blus. Die bestuurder van die Life Care ambulans het dadelik hulp ontbied, en het begin om die mense wat in die ander voertuie mediese behandeling te gee. Al die mediese personeel en nooddienste was spoedig op die toneel. Vier persone is hospitaal toe geneem vir mediese behandeling, asook die pasient wat reeds in die ambulans was. < Previous Article Next Article >

Bethal SPCA requires urgent assistance 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 July 2021 Our monthly expenses range between R40 000 and R50 000 per month. We have an active Adopt a Kennel program in place, and any donations can generate an 18a tax receipt. Media Statement - Bethal SPCA has been in operation for over 25 years, serving the communities of Bethal, eMzoneni and Davel. Presently, we are also servicing Kriel, Standerton and as far afield as Ermelo. We have been in operation with no support from local government (Govan Mbeki Municipality), and a little support from the local community. We are now in imminent danger of closing our doors due to lack of funds. There is no other animal welfare organization operating in said areas, and therefore it is vital to keep our doors open. Municipalities are legally obligated to provide the community with a sustainable animal pound, to provide a safe environment for stray animals. However, we do not receive any funding for tirelessly providing this service, and the municipality has failed to pay for these services. We have a small management committee that works hard at trying to raise funds, however, in these economic times, it is very difficult to sustain the service we provide for the community. We are an essential service, attending to emergencies, cruelty complaints, routine facility inspections, collection of strays and unwanted animals, as well as hosting regular outreach clinics, educating the public, and arranging sterilization and vaccination drives. If we no longer exist, what is going to happen to all of these functions, not to mention the abandoned, lost and abused animals? We need members of the community, as well as businesses, to become actively involved in helping us survive. Our monthly expenses range between R40 000 and R50 000 per month. We have four paid staff members, and one part time staff member. Our staff members are loyal, overworked and passionate, and we cannot afford to lose them. We have an active Adopt a Kennel program in place, and any donations can generate an 18a tax receipt. The animals depend on YOU to keep the SPCA operational. We are grateful to the community that generously donate dog and cat food, as well as diesel for our vehicles, but to make Bethal SPCA sustainable, financial support is needed urgently. Please consider making a donation into our bank account, or contact us regarding ways to help us. Our banking details are as follows: Account name: SPCA Bethal, account number: 03 103 325 3, type of account: current/cheque, bank: Standard Bank, with branch code: 05 25 44. Please be part of the solution! With any enquiries, you may contact Barbara Mitton, Vice Chairperson, Bethal SPCA, on 082 496 1501, or via e-mail, vicechairperson@spcabethal.co.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

The Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Department minister, Thoko Didiza, on Sarturday held a meeting to appease farmers in the area amidst a massive scandal which involves eviction letters, threats of eviction from department officials via WhatsApp messages, bribery from department officials and various other issues. The meeting addressed issues related to state-owned land leased to farmers, which are now being cut short and unlawfully terminated by department officials. Several farmers in Mpumalanga received letters informing them that they would be evicted from state farms, and some have been lured into paying bribes to officials of up to R25 000 to have paperwork processed and the lease renewed. John Mabasa of Goedehoop farm said that his family had been farming on their family land for over two centuries. When he submitted a land claim in 1998 to formalize his family’s land holdings, the Department claimed that they had no records of the claim. In 2013, after a Public Protector finding instructed the Department to allocate him a farm, he was given caretakership on a portion of land. The award came with the condition that he should farm as part of a co-op. When he refused to pay R25 000 to ensure that a proposed business plan was approved by the Department, his land was advertised for occupation for interested new leases. Swazi Motha of Rietspruit farm is part of a group of three farmers who, in 2013, were granted a lease to a farm. In 2019, when asked to apply for financial assistance, they were told to “pay something” to facilitate the signing of the contract. They refused to pay the bribe, and received a letter of termination in 2019. To date, the department had been keeping mum on the issue. Although the enquiries from the Tribune ePaper have been acknowledged, no response had been received from the department despite several enquiries. However, in a turn of events that is laughable, to say the least, Didiza has assured the farmers that they will not be evicted from the farms, and claimed to have been in the dark amidst this saga, and did not authorize the eviction letters to be sent out. “There is not going to be any eviction and in any way of actions process in terms of state land, you’ll have to involve the Minister. And in this incident, those letters were not even given out with authorization of the Minister. So we agreed that there is not going to be any eviction of the farmers we are created in two weeks time the team from the property unit in the Department of Agriculture will come down and all those farmers who have got issues around their leases we’ll meet at the department so that those issues are resolved.” Didiza stated. This is of very little comfort to the affected farmers, as it is clear that there is a high level of confusion and collusion within the department. This is a developing story. Minister Didiza claims to be in the dark amidst scandal Minister Didiza claims to be in the dark amidst scandal 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 "And in this incident, those letters were not even given out with authorization of the Minister. So we agreed that there is not going to be any eviction of the farmers we are created in two weeks time the team from the property unit in the Department of Agriculture will come down and all those farmers who have got issues around their leases we’ll meet at the department so that those issues are resolved.” The Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Department minister, Thoko Didiza, on Sarturday held a meeting to appease farmers in the area amidst a massive scandal which involves eviction letters, threats of eviction from department officials via WhatsApp messages, bribery from department officials and various other issues. The meeting addressed issues related to state-owned land leased to farmers, which are now being cut short and unlawfully terminated by department officials. Several farmers in Mpumalanga received letters informing them that they would be evicted from state farms, and some have been lured into paying bribes to officials of up to R25 000 to have paperwork processed and the lease renewed. John Mabasa of Goedehoop farm said that his family had been farming on their family land for over two centuries. When he submitted a land claim in 1998 to formalize his family’s land holdings, the Department claimed that they had no records of the claim. In 2013, after a Public Protector finding instructed the Department to allocate him a farm, he was given caretakership on a portion of land. The award came with the condition that he should farm as part of a co-op. When he refused to pay R25 000 to ensure that a proposed business plan was approved by the Department, his land was advertised for occupation for interested new leases. Swazi Motha of Rietspruit farm is part of a group of three farmers who, in 2013, were granted a lease to a farm. In 2019, when asked to apply for financial assistance, they were told to “pay something” to facilitate the signing of the contract. They refused to pay the bribe, and received a letter of termination in 2019. To date, the department had been keeping mum on the issue. Although the enquiries from the Tribune ePaper have been acknowledged, no response had been received from the department despite several enquiries. However, in a turn of events that is laughable, to say the least, Didiza has assured the farmers that they will not be evicted from the farms, and claimed to have been in the dark amidst this saga, and did not authorize the eviction letters to be sent out. “There is not going to be any eviction and in any way of actions process in terms of state land, you’ll have to involve the Minister. And in this incident, those letters were not even given out with authorization of the Minister. So we agreed that there is not going to be any eviction of the farmers we are created in two weeks time the team from the property unit in the Department of Agriculture will come down and all those farmers who have got issues around their leases we’ll meet at the department so that those issues are resolved.” Didiza stated. This is of very little comfort to the affected farmers, as it is clear that there is a high level of confusion and collusion within the department. This is a developing story. < Previous Article Next Article >

The ballsiest, bravest run to date 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 28 October 2021 Most South Africans know someone affected by prostate or testicular cancer. The bottom line is that early detection saves lives. What started twelve years ago with one brave soul running through peak hour traffic in a speedo to raise awareness about cancer, has since become a nationwide phenomenon. Usually held as a mass participation event in Johannesburg, the first ever COVID-edition national Hollard Daredevil Run 2021 recently took place across the country. This event, which raises funds towards prostate and testicular cancer awareness and screening, saw runners taking part countrywide dressed only in a purple speedo, including men from Mpumalanga, bravely showing off their inner Daredevil. “This is a run with a difference that makes a difference. The Hollard Daredevil Run has been a highlight on the South African social calendar since 2009, attracting thousands of brave men from all walks of life to do their part to raise awareness about male cancers,” says Heidi Brauer, Chief Marketing Officer at Hollard. Far from being limited to the streets of Johannesburg, this year the event attracted participants from every corner of the country, with teams closer to home spotted running from early morning in Witbank. A 2021 Hollard Daredevil Run highlight is most certainly the purple wildlife warriors, a team of game rangers dressed in nothing but purple speedos taking a run on the wild side through Skukuza in the Kruger National Park. Social media was abuzz with images from other participants around the province, some in more rural areas, some as part of high school teams and soccer and sports club teams as well as the bravest of them all, those running alone in their neighbourhoods. “At Hollard, we like to do things differently, to be bold, brave and ballsy. The act of stripping down to nothing but a speedo is not only challenging for runners, but also challenges stereotypes about male cancers. It takes courage to strip down to a speedo and run in public, but that’s the whole idea. The Hollard Daredevil Run challenges South African men to confront male cancers head-on by showing that they’re not afraid to run in a speedo, not afraid to talk about cancer and not afraid to get checked,” Brauer concluded. All proceeds from the annual Hollard Daredevil Run go to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, towards awareness and screening of prostate and testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged between 15-39 and can affect men of all races. The survival rate of stage 1 testicular cancer can be as high as 100%, making early detection and prompt action vital. Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer and is on the increase. According to global research, one in every six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, with the risk of prostate cancer increasing with age. Early diagnosis can mean a 95% chance of being cured. Most South Africans know someone affected by prostate or testicular cancer. The bottom line is that early detection saves lives. Any members of the public wanting to support these purple cancer warriors can go to www.daredevilrun.com to donate further funds towards cancer awareness and screening initiatives. For more information about prostate and testicular cancer, go to www.prostate-ca.co.za , or www.cansa.org.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

TBCSA calls for opening up of borders 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 An opening date is critical if tourism is to reignite South Africa’s economy, not only to ensure that international trade can plan ahead, but also so that airlines can retain South Africa on their schedules. If airlines take the decision to redeploy their aircrafts or reduce their schedules, this will have a direct impact not only on tourism, but also trade. One industry in particular, tourism, has the power and potential to reignite South Africa’s ailing economy, but to do so it’s going to need more than support from South Africans, and Government giving the green light for reopening borders. Therefore, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) suggested that, as a top export earner and high employment creator for low to semi-skilled workers, tourism has the best potential to reignite South Africa’s economy quickly. The TBCSA is the umbrella organization that represents the unified voice of business in the travel and tourism sector. The TBCSA was established in February 1996 by leading tourism businesses and associations, to form a unified platform to engage with the South African government around the development of the sector. International tourism can reopen safely, but it requires an enabling environment, which includes the reopening of international borders, an improved visa regime, air access and better safety for tourists. The indicated 51% decline in South Africa’s GDP during quarter 2, puts a spotlight on swift measures that will need to be put in place to aid South Africa’s ailing economy, which prior to COVID-19, was already in the doldrums. Tourism is known to have the ability to sustainably breathe new air into the sails of any economy, as touted by analysts and economists and this has been stated by the South African Government itself. According to PWC’s Public and Private Growth Initiative (PPGI) Report in 2019, tourism is the number one industry in South Africa, with the greatest potential to stimulate inclusive economic growth and employment, creating the greatest multiplier effect in terms of employemnt, growth and export potential. For this to happen, tourism requires targeted economic stimulation and favourable policy decisions for it to flourish and become the jobs multiplier and economic powerhouse it has the potential to become. Tourism’s contribution to employment is already estimated to be larger than the individual contribution of agriculture, automotive manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, and mining, with an approximate 1.5 million individuals employed directly and indirectly through the sector. Tourism had also generated R120 billion in foreign exchange from visitor receipts in 2018, adding up to approximately 8.7% of South Africa’s exports, second only to mining. Further, as an apex sector, it has a long and deep supply chain into industries such as vehicle manufacturing, agriculture, fuel, and other manufacturing. For every R1 of direct GDP impact, R1,50 is spent on supply chain and capital, offering many SMME opportunities. “Tourism can be South Africa’s economic lifeline, but only if international borders are opened up soon,” says Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA). “We are appealing to the Government to safely open our borders. Our industry is ready, our source markets are waiting to travel, so let's save jobs and the economy.” Tourism needs to reopen as quickly as possible, as safely as possible. The TBCSA’s Travel Safe-Eat Safe protocols and programme, endorsed by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), has been rolled out widely across the tourism sector to ensure the safe reopening of the industry. And while tourism stakeholders agree that the reprieve granted by domestic travel will provide a lifeline, it cannot be the industry’s lifeblood. An opening date is critical if tourism is to reignite South Africa’s economy, not only to ensure that international trade can plan ahead, but also so that airlines can retain South Africa on their schedules. If airlines take the decision to redeploy their aircrafts or reduce their schedules, this will have a direct impact not only on tourism, but also trade. “The safe reopening of South Africa’s borders is an essential step for tourism to contribute meaningfully to government’s tax revenues. Every day we remain closed to international travel, we lose R336 million of spend, and the government loses vital tax revenue. Opening up our tourism sector will have a direct and immediate positive impact on Government’s coffers at a time when it most needs it.” Tshivhengwa concludes. < Previous Article Next Article >

Since easing if the lockdown came into effect, many parts of the country has seen a sharp incline in crime rate. According to the SAPS, the increase in Mpumalanga is negligible, and under control. “At Levels 5 and 4, the regulations were very strict. Now that we’ve entered Level 3, the regulations have been relaxed a bit and there’s more movement of people from June 1, that doesn’t call for the SAPS to relax their viciousness of repelling all kinds of crime, including gender-based violence. We will leave no stone unturned in unraveling all types of crime in our communities at all costs. Our forces are ready to fight it, head-on.” This was the statement from Lt. General Mondli the cluster police in Pixley ka Isaka Seme conducted a roadblock in Volksrust. During this joint operation with the SAPS, traffic officers, and the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Gabisile Shabalala. Some confusion was noticed with the COVID-19 regulations. “There are a lot of transgressions on travel permits, especially from province to province. We had to turn back seven vehicles at the time we spent there. One had a bottle of liquor on his person, and another was in possession of a firearm, which was licensed. “The permit issue needs to be drummed into travelers from province to province, that each time you travel, it must be for a valid reason like for work purposes or funerals, and these permits must be applied for at your local municipality or police station. You can’t just drive into another province to collect friends and family without a permit. Worse still, the passengers who include children, all don’t have permits,” he concluded. Mpumalanga crime rate under control Mpumalanga crime rate under control 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 June 2020 This was the statement from Lt. General Mondli the cluster police in Pixley ka Isaka Seme conducted a roadblock in Volksrust. During this joint operation with the SAPS, traffic officers, and the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Gabisile Shabalala. Some confusion was noticed with the COVID-19 regulations. Since easing if the lockdown came into effect, many parts of the country has seen a sharp incline in crime rate. According to the SAPS, the increase in Mpumalanga is negligible, and under control. “At Levels 5 and 4, the regulations were very strict. Now that we’ve entered Level 3, the regulations have been relaxed a bit and there’s more movement of people from June 1, that doesn’t call for the SAPS to relax their viciousness of repelling all kinds of crime, including gender-based violence. We will leave no stone unturned in unraveling all types of crime in our communities at all costs. Our forces are ready to fight it, head-on.” This was the statement from Lt. General Mondli the cluster police in Pixley ka Isaka Seme conducted a roadblock in Volksrust. During this joint operation with the SAPS, traffic officers, and the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Gabisile Shabalala. Some confusion was noticed with the COVID-19 regulations. “There are a lot of transgressions on travel permits, especially from province to province. We had to turn back seven vehicles at the time we spent there. One had a bottle of liquor on his person, and another was in possession of a firearm, which was licensed. “The permit issue needs to be drummed into travelers from province to province, that each time you travel, it must be for a valid reason like for work purposes or funerals, and these permits must be applied for at your local municipality or police station. You can’t just drive into another province to collect friends and family without a permit. Worse still, the passengers who include children, all don’t have permits,” he concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

Carolina gemeenskap staan saam teen grusame moord Petrus Phakamile Sitho, wat alle Suid-Afrikaners van enige ras aanmoedig om op Maandag, 7 Maart, in Carolina te wees tydens die hofsaak. Leonora Steenkamp (63) en Renier Lens (82) Petrus Phakamile Sitho, wat alle Suid-Afrikaners van enige ras aanmoedig om op Maandag, 7 Maart, in Carolina te wees tydens die hofsaak. 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 1 March 2022 Tydens die verdagtes se eerste verskyning, het die Carolina gemeenskap reeds voor die Carolina hof gebou bymekaar gekom en ‘n optog gehou. Leonora Steenkamp (63) en Renier Lens (82), jarelange inwoners van Carolina is op Saterdag, 19 Februarie 2022, vermoor in hul woning in Vootrekker Straat te Carolina. Die twee inwoners is vir ‘n tydjie nie gesien nie, waar daar dadelik onraad vermoed is. Carolina SAPD is op Dinsdag, 22 Februarie, om 07:10 ontbied na die huis, waar die inwoners gevind, en later deur nood personeel dood verklaar is. Die SAPD het die huis binne gegaan, waar beide deure wat nie gesluit was nie. Enkele ure nadat die inwoners in die huis gevind is, was daar reeds 2 verdagtes gearresteer. Gedurende die loop van die week is daar nog drie verdagtes gearresteer deur verskeie Ermelo SAPD lede, naamlik Adjudant-Offisier Thomo, Sersant Maharaj, Sersant Mkoko, Konstabel Sikhonde, Sersant Nkuna en Konstabel SE Nkosi. Al vyf wat gearresteer is, is tussen die ouderdomme van 18-30 jaar oud. Daar is klagtes teen hul geopen vir dubbel moord, asook diefstal. Tydens die insident is daar ‘n vuurwapen en ‘n Toyota Carolla gesteel. Die voertuig is later gevind naby die toneel. Die verdagtes het op Donderdag, 24 Februarie 2022 hul eerste verskyning in die hof gemaak, waar die saak uitgestel is na Maandag, 7 Maart 2022. Tydens die verdagtes se eerste verskyning, het die Carolina gemeenskap reeds voor die Carolina hof gebou bymekaar gekom en ‘n optog gehou. Petrus Phakamile Sitho, ‘n aktivis teen plaasmoorde, het mense van Suid-Afrika gevra om op Maandag in Carolina te wees vir die hofsaak, en om saam te staan teen moord. Met ‘n video opname het Petrus in sy boodskap gesê “Mense, ek gaan daar voor wees vir julle, want ek is nie bang nie. Dit is so hartseer as ek sien wat met hierdie ou mense gebeur het”. Kyk gerus na die video op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo. Mev. Steenkamp word oorleef deur haar vier kinders en tien kleinkinders. < Previous Article Next Article >

President Ramaphosa to visit Mpumalanga 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 The visit will conclude with a visit to Rob Ferreira Hospital, as this is a designated hospital for managing COVID-19 cases. The president will be accompanied by health minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, basic education minister Angie Motshekga, and Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. President Ramaphosa will district municipalities in Mpumalanga to assess the state of COVID-19 readiness. This follows the president’s oversight visits to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape to evaluate the fight against the pandemic. Mpumalanga currently accounts for 0,8 per cent of infections nationally. The president will commence his visit by receiving a presentation from the provincial command council on the province’s COVID-19 response strategy. He will also monitor progress made in managing the impact and spread of the virus in schools. The visit will conclude with a visit to Rob Ferreira Hospital, as this is a designated hospital for managing COVID-19 cases. The president will be accompanied by health minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, basic education minister Angie Motshekga, and Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. < Previous Article Next Article >

"Why do we even bother paying these people, if they don’t deliver the promised services. They never have enough money, and they always want more. The community only receives false promises from the municipal managers and staff. " Cassim Park residents have had it in chunks 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 20 July 2021 "Why do we even bother paying these people, if they don’t deliver the promised services. They never have enough money, and they always want more. The community only receives false promises from the municipal managers and staff. " The Tribune ePaper has received a barrage of complaints from residents of Cassim Park, who are, according to complaints, getting the short end of the stick. An alarming amount of unfinished worksites, dubious connections and crumbling infrastructure are but a few of the complaints. Another major complaint from a resident was that of the streetlights that are out of order, and have been for the longest time. Additionally, the road conditions in Cassim Park leaves much to be desired, with focus shifting to Littledale Street and Nelspan Road. The condition of these roads, and the roadway in general in Cassim Park is horrendous, with a mixture of rubble, chipped bricks, stone and other materials that have been used as makeshift patches in an attempt to make the roads traversable. Unwary motorists could easily suffer great damage to their vehicle if not alert. The majority of streetlights are either damaged and leaning dangerously towards the roadway, or completely out of order. This, in turn, contributes to a high crime rate and opportune conditions for criminals to lurk and sneak in the yards of residences. A large number of residents in Cassim Park have already suffered damages as criminals pounce, with any items of value not bolted down or locked up, being nabbed from yards. Uncollected refuse litter the sidewalks, grass on municipal grounds are long and unkempt, and council buildings, covered in graffiti and obscene spray painted images, rot away in glorious non-maintenance. Residents are also irked by the fact that they face electricity issues on a daily basis, often being left for hours without electricity, with a very slow response rate from municipal departments. According to complaints, the electricity are often not restored in a timely manner after the load reduction had been implemented by Msukaligwa Local Municipality. “We pay our bills and pay our taxes, but this municipality never fixes the issues we have in the area, or Ermelo as a whole. The street lights have been off for years, and all we get are weak excuses of the trees being a problem. Most of the lamps don’t even have bulbs in them. The roads are falling apart, water leaks are all over the place, and then every other week there is a stream of sewage running down the streets. Why do we even bother paying these people, if they don’t deliver the promised services. They never have enough money, and they always want more. The community only receives false promises from the municipal managers and staff. The upkeep is so neglected that even the tennis court is no more, and the sportsground is falling apart. All this is due to poor management. Enough is enough,” stated one angry resident. < Previous Article Next Article >

In 2014, the DA yet again wrote to the MEC, and focused on the Klipbou manhole near Wesselton. To date, the manhole is still overflowing. Looming SAHRC complaint ruffles no feathers 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 26 October 2021 In 2014, the DA yet again wrote to the MEC, and focused on the Klipbou manhole near Wesselton. To date, the manhole is still overflowing. During the course of last week, a local businessman alerted the Tribune ePaper to an extensive sewage overflow that is polluting the Pet Dam. The pollution is to such an extent that the overflow’s stench, which is close to the old Seapike building on the swimming pool’s side, can be smelt on the opposite side of the Pet Dam. This is but one of many instance of raw sewage that flow into the Pet Dam on a daily basis, with no response from Msukaligwa Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District Municipality, or any other role players, both on local and provincial levels. The impact on the wildlife and wetland animals, especially notable the Egrets that grace Ermelo, is a cause of great concern, as the spillage eventually flows down to the Pet Dam, leaving a trail of pollution and wildlife death in its wake. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has alerted the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC on several occasions, and has been shining the spotlight on the issue as far back as 2008. In 2014, the DA yet again wrote to the MEC, and focused on the Klipbou manhole near Wesselton. At the time, the SABC was present and recorded various of the overflow sites. Seven years later, in 2021, the Klipbou manhole, along with a myriad of other sites, still spew a constant flow of raw sewage. The Pet Dam, which is being expensively polluted by mismanagement from MLM, has an overflow which ties in with the Klein Drinkwater stream, ultimately ending up in the Vaal River. Msukaligwa Local Municipality is also subject to a complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) relating to the hundreds of sewage overflow site in Ermelo, Wesselton, Sun City and the surrounding areas. Scope of the complaint includes the fact that MLM and its officials fails to adhere to the constitutional precepts as contained in the bill of rights, which deals with promoting health and safety of both the environment and residents under its governance, the fact that MLM fails to adhere to the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), and also fails to adhere to section 151 (1) (i) of the National Water Act. Lastly, MLM fails to comply with the Municipal Systems Act, which recognizes the role of the municipal council in promoting a safe and healthy environment to the community. An enquiry regarding the overflow into the Pet Dam has been sent to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman. At the time of publication, the enquiry was simply ignored, and the overflow into the dam is still ongoing. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

“EHS wens elke betrokke Graad 8 sterkte toe vir hul tennis-reis by Hoërskool Ermelo." EHS verwelkom Graad 8-tennis spelers 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 March 2021 “EHS wens elke betrokke Graad 8 sterkte toe vir hul tennis-reis by Hoërskool Ermelo." Op Dinsdag, 2 Maart, het die Erries ‘n groot groep Graad 8-tennis spelers beter leer ken op die tennisbane van EHS. Hulle is hier bekend gestel aan EHS se professionele tennis afrigters, mnr.Charl Basson en mnr. Hennie Dippenaar. Die nuwe Erries was, met rede, opgewonde om hul vermoëns ten toon testel. “EHS wens elke betrokke Graad 8 sterkte toe vir hul tennis-reis by Hoërskool Ermelo. Dankie byvoorbaat aan die afrigters wat reeds hierdie spelers ondersteun, en vir die tyd wat opgeoffer word om spelers te ontwikkel.” < Previous Article Next Article >

We hope you've enjoyed every minute of the clinic and we look forward to hear about your successes during the season. My hart klop tjoklits vir hokkie 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 23 March 2021 We hope you've enjoyed every minute of the clinic and we look forward to hear about your successes during the season. Die klap van hokkiestokke het die afgelope naweek oor Ligbron se astro weergalm tydens die Princess Dutch hokkiekliniek. Kyle Marks en Kavesh het kragte saamgespan met die Liggie-afrigters om 'n uitstekende wegspringplek vir passievolle hokkiespelers te bied. Top coaches shared their elite hockey knowledge and the latest skills in hockey. We hope you've enjoyed every minute of the clinic and we look forward to hear about your successes during the season. Op die foto verskyn die leerlinge wat die Princess Dutch hokkie kliniek bygewoon het. < Previous Article Next Article >