Search this site

SAPO cuts down on waiting time 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 March 2021 Monday is reserved for 083 and 088, Tuesday 084 and 089, Wednesday 080 and 089, Thursday 081 and 086, and Friday is reserved for the 082 and 087. The South African Post Office (SAPO) has introduced a system to reduce the waiting time for beneficiaries collecting the R350 social relief of distress grant. The system, which has been introduced in the Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, will also make it easier for beneficiaries to comply with COVID-19 social distancing requirements. “The first week of the month is reserved for paying grants to the elderly, disability and child grants. The Post Office has introduced separate queues at its branches to reduce waiting time and to ensure social distancing. One queue is reserved for beneficiaries of the R350 grant, while the other queue is for all other transactions. There will be queue walkers, who will check ID numbers to ensure that the system is implemented.” SAPO explained. In a statement, SAPO said that each day of the week is reserved for different beneficiaries, depending on the last three digits of their ID numbers. Monday is reserved for 083 and 088, Tuesday 084 and 089, Wednesday 080 and 089, Thursday 081 and 086, and Friday is reserved for the 082 and 087. For more information, clients are encouraged to call the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) on 0800 60 10 11 from 08:00-16:00, from Monday to Friday. Alternatively, visit the SASSA website on www.sassa.gov.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

Merino Mall construction taking shape despite heavy rainfall 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 18 January 2022 Barring any unforseen events, the developers aim for an October 2022 launch date for the mall. Property developers Moolman Group and Abland, the developers of the Merino Mall, proudly announced the earth works for Merino Mall that commenced on 1 July 2021. The development will positively impact the local economy and stimulate further growth and development, as well as enhance and supporting the town’s current infrastructure. The developers makes use of the local workforce during the construction phases, and a large roster of prospective tenants have showed immense excitement and support in the project. Familiar favorites such as Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Clicks, Crazy Plastics and Dis-Chem are already on board as anchor tenants. Crazy Plastics and Dis-Chem are especially exciting new additions to Ermelo. The mall will also bring Cape Union Mart, Old Khaki, Cross Trainer, Queenspark, Primark and Refinery to the Ermelo community for the first time. Truworths, Identity, Mr Price, Jet, Ackermans, Foschini, Sportscene, Totalsports, Mr Price Sport, PEP, Exact, Markham, Miladys, Tekkie Town, Studio 88, The Fix, Sheet Street, Crazy Store, Mr Price Home, Pep Home, @home, and a host of others will join the Merino Mall family. Banks will include Nedbank, Capitec and FNB. Merino Mall is set to enhance the current retail offering in Ermelo, and will bring convenience, value and pride to the town’s visitors, residents, and its surrounding communities. The recent heavy rainfall has made progress a tad slower, but barring any unforseen events, the developers aim for an October 2022 launch date for the mall. < Previous Article Next Article >

Two immigration officers and an assistant director from Department of Home Affairs in Ermelo were arrested on Tuesday, 9 November. The trio allegedly demanded money from foreign national shop owners in Ermelo, as from January 2021, claiming that they are illegally in the country. The complainant reported the matter to the SAPS, and an investigation was launched by the Anti Corruption Unit. An operation was conducted, where the three suspects were arrested after receiving trap money, and it was found in possession of the suspects. The three suspects made their first appearance before the Magistrate's Court in Ermelo on Wednesday, 11 November on the charge of corruption. The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has been adamant that the SAPS will do everything in their power to root out corruption in the province. “No one is above the law. Anyone found to be in breach of the law will be arrested irrespective of the position he or she holds. Mpumalanga must be a crime free province;” she said, while applauded the sterling work by the SAPS. The three suspects, Khulekani Innocent Zulu (27), Yolande Pretty Ngomane (39) and Mavis Minah Mthetwa (48) appeared before the court, and the case had been postponed to 10 December 2021. The suspects were granted bail of R2500 each. Corrupt Home Affairs trio nabbed Corrupt Home Affairs trio nabbed 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 17 November 2021 The trio allegedly demanded money from foreign national shop owners in Ermelo, as from January 2021, claiming that they are illegally in the country. Two immigration officers and an assistant director from Department of Home Affairs in Ermelo were arrested on Tuesday, 9 November. The trio allegedly demanded money from foreign national shop owners in Ermelo, as from January 2021, claiming that they are illegally in the country. The complainant reported the matter to the SAPS, and an investigation was launched by the Anti Corruption Unit. An operation was conducted, where the three suspects were arrested after receiving trap money, and it was found in possession of the suspects. The three suspects made their first appearance before the Magistrate's Court in Ermelo on Wednesday, 11 November on the charge of corruption. The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, has been adamant that the SAPS will do everything in their power to root out corruption in the province. “No one is above the law. Anyone found to be in breach of the law will be arrested irrespective of the position he or she holds. Mpumalanga must be a crime free province;” she said, while applauded the sterling work by the SAPS. The three suspects, Khulekani Innocent Zulu (27), Yolande Pretty Ngomane (39) and Mavis Minah Mthetwa (48) appeared before the court, and the case had been postponed to 10 December 2021. The suspects were granted bail of R2500 each. < Previous Article Next Article >

Farm workers should be prioritized 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 “We need a balance to ensure that these two threats are both addressed,” says Geldenhuys. The need to maintain food chains and production is one of the most important things currently needed. We cannot afford to have farms quarantined should a COVID-19 outbreak occur." The TLU SA wrote a letter to the Minister of Health requesting that farm workers be considered as a priority group for vaccination against COVID-19. Farm workers perform an essential service and have been classified as such since the beginning of the restriction. The potential exposure of workers to COVID-19 is significantly high and it would be harmful if production units had to be placed in isolation in the event of an outbreak. “To date, we have not received any response from Minister Zweli Mkhize," says Henry Geldenhuys, the president of TLU SA. Since the beginning of the pandemic, TLU SA has held the view that everything possible must be done to fight the virus, but that it must be done with a functioning economy. By severely restricting the economy, a second threat is created, namely poverty and famine. “We need a balance to ensure that these two threats are both addressed,” says Geldenhuys. The need to maintain food chains and production is one of the most important things currently needed. We cannot afford to have farms quarantined should a COVID-19 outbreak occur. What worries the TLU SA is that President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that Phase 2 will start in mid-May and that 5.5 million people over the age of 60, with comorbidities, will be vaccinated between 17 May and 31 July. TLU reiterates its urgent call to the Minister to prioritize the vaccinations of farmworkers. < Previous Article Next Article >

On Thursday, 27 April 2021, a collision occurred between a two vehicles, after one of the drivers allegedly ignored the traffic light at the N17 intersection near Cassim Park. The road was closed for an extended period as emergency services scrambled to tend to the injured, with a large crowd of onlookers standing in awe of the scene. One vehicle was extensively damaged in the front, whilst the second vehicle was left upturned in a nearby field, approximately 10 meters from the scene. According to the information at hand, two persons succumbed to their injuries suffered during the collision. The SAPS spokesperson was sparse with the details regarding the incident, and an update will be published once more information has been received from the SAPS. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. Late-night horror collision claims two lives Late-night horror collision claims two lives 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 4 May 2021 The road was closed for an extended period as emergency services scrambled to tend to the injured, with a large crowd of onlookers standing in awe of the scene. On Thursday, 27 April 2021, a collision occurred between a two vehicles, after one of the drivers allegedly ignored the traffic light at the N17 intersection near Cassim Park. The road was closed for an extended period as emergency services scrambled to tend to the injured, with a large crowd of onlookers standing in awe of the scene. One vehicle was extensively damaged in the front, whilst the second vehicle was left upturned in a nearby field, approximately 10 meters from the scene. According to the information at hand, two persons succumbed to their injuries suffered during the collision. The SAPS spokesperson was sparse with the details regarding the incident, and an update will be published once more information has been received from the SAPS. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

A resident in Grobler Street has stated with concern that they have noticed that a young male in the area has been targeting and wounding animals with a pellet gun, most notably her cats. It is troubling to note the extent of the injuries inflicted by the shooter. The pellet inflicted two wounds, one behind the animal’s ear, and another laceration above the left eye. While a pellet gun is considered as a non-lethal weapon, an adequately placed pellet is enough to wound, maim and even fatally harm an animal, especially smaller animals such as cats and smaller dogs. Another complaint has also been noted that a resident’s ginger cat had been seriously wounded by a pellet gun. Suffering lacerations and punctures to the chest, the cat has now been missing for two days. Both cats have been spayed, and pose no threat or nuisance. It is also alleged that a shooter in the same area have opened fire on passing pedestrians. It is unclear if the incident relates to the same individual shooting the animals. There have, however, been a slwe of complaints of animals being injured in this manner in this general area. A pellet gun has a caliber smaller than 5.66mm, as to which it falls under the South African airgun laws. While it is not a requirement to possess a firearm licence for a person to own a pellet gun, a pellet gun is regarded as a firearm in terms of the definition section of the Firearms Act. Any person who uses a pellet gun to commit a crime may be charged for possession of a firearm replica to induce fear. It is also an offence to discharge a pellet gun in a residential area, since it jeopardizes the safety of an innocent person. Animals that are targeted fall under the same. In terms of Section 2(1) (s) of the Animal Protection Act of 1962, any person who kills an animal in contravention of a prohibition in terms of a notice published in the Gazette is guilty of an offence, and liable to a R4 000 fine or imprisonment of up to one 2 years. The wilful injury or maiming on any animal also falls under this category. It is an offence to cause injury to any person, animal, or cause damage to property of any person by negligently using a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun (pellet gun). It is also an offence to fire an airgun (pellet gun) in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety or property of any person, or with reckless disregard for the safety or property of any person. AWS spokesperson, Allan Perrins, says that most cases involving pellet guns involve cats. Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. Injuries inflicted to animals could result in loss of sight or limbs, permanent disfiguration or disability, and even death. Pellets lodged in animals could potentially become infected, and lead to the animal’s death. If you notice someone discharging a pellet gun in a residential ward, please report the guilty party immediately to the neighborhood watch, CPF, SACCW or SAPS. Fury as cats are wounded by pellet gun Fury as cats are wounded by pellet gun 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 24 August 2022 Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. A resident in Grobler Street has stated with concern that they have noticed that a young male in the area has been targeting and wounding animals with a pellet gun, most notably her cats. It is troubling to note the extent of the injuries inflicted by the shooter. The pellet inflicted two wounds, one behind the animal’s ear, and another laceration above the left eye. While a pellet gun is considered as a non-lethal weapon, an adequately placed pellet is enough to wound, maim and even fatally harm an animal, especially smaller animals such as cats and smaller dogs. Another complaint has also been noted that a resident’s ginger cat had been seriously wounded by a pellet gun. Suffering lacerations and punctures to the chest, the cat has now been missing for two days. Both cats have been spayed, and pose no threat or nuisance. It is also alleged that a shooter in the same area have opened fire on passing pedestrians. It is unclear if the incident relates to the same individual shooting the animals. There have, however, been a slwe of complaints of animals being injured in this manner in this general area. A pellet gun has a caliber smaller than 5.66mm, as to which it falls under the South African airgun laws. While it is not a requirement to possess a firearm licence for a person to own a pellet gun, a pellet gun is regarded as a firearm in terms of the definition section of the Firearms Act. Any person who uses a pellet gun to commit a crime may be charged for possession of a firearm replica to induce fear. It is also an offence to discharge a pellet gun in a residential area, since it jeopardizes the safety of an innocent person. Animals that are targeted fall under the same. In terms of Section 2(1) (s) of the Animal Protection Act of 1962, any person who kills an animal in contravention of a prohibition in terms of a notice published in the Gazette is guilty of an offence, and liable to a R4 000 fine or imprisonment of up to one 2 years. The wilful injury or maiming on any animal also falls under this category. It is an offence to cause injury to any person, animal, or cause damage to property of any person by negligently using a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun (pellet gun). It is also an offence to fire an airgun (pellet gun) in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety or property of any person, or with reckless disregard for the safety or property of any person. AWS spokesperson, Allan Perrins, says that most cases involving pellet guns involve cats. Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. Injuries inflicted to animals could result in loss of sight or limbs, permanent disfiguration or disability, and even death. Pellets lodged in animals could potentially become infected, and lead to the animal’s death. If you notice someone discharging a pellet gun in a residential ward, please report the guilty party immediately to the neighborhood watch, CPF, SACCW or SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kendall power plant up to be scrapped 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 June 2020 Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has already instructed Eskom to stop operations at least at one of two Kendal power station units found to be posing serious health risks to the surrounding communities. Kendal, built in 1982 is not on the list as Eskom began shutting down some of its old power stations in 2019. It shut three units at the Hendrina power. Grootvlei was scheduled to close this year, and Komati by 2021. Environmental activists are mounting on pressure for a complete shutdown of the 4116MW Kendal power plant, located 40km west of eMalahleni, on the grounds its toxic emissions were killing people. However, there are fears that a shutdown of Kendal power station in Mpumalanga would paralyze several small businesses and destroy livelihoods in the coal mining towns. “Poisonous coal power plants must be shut down sooner rather than later, in a fair process that fully involves all coal workers and communities, and urgently replaced with cleaner, cheaper renewable power,” said Timothy Lloyd, attorney at the Centre for Environmental Rights. Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has already instructed Eskom to stop operations at least at one of two Kendal power station units found to be posing serious health risks to the surrounding communities. Kendal, built in 1982 is not on the list as Eskom began shutting down some of its old power stations in 2019. It shut three units at the Hendrina power. Grootvlei was scheduled to close this year, and Komati by 2021. Arnot will be decommissioned by 2029. Concerned coal transporting businesses believe the move to decommission stations will put them out of business and leave coal mining towns with no economy. In a notice served on Eskom, Creecy said the power utility must stop operations at either unit one or unit five at Kendal within 30 days. Eskom submitted the units had been repaired, and their present problems were the result of poor coal quality, and due to poor quality of work on site. According to Eskom, it was crucial for the units to remain active for the utility to meet the country’s electricity demands and avoid or limit load shedding. However, Creecy found there was no merit in Eskom’s position, and that Eskom “misrepresented the facts” about the level of emissions from the units. “As an example, they claim that Unit 5 averaged less than 600mg/nM3 in February 2019. But according to the monthly Emissions Report for February 2019, the monthly average is estimated at 1227mg/nM3. It follows that the figure of 600mg/nM3 emanates from the fact that Eskom decided to add days in which the unit was switched off in determining the monthly average. Eskom is well aware that this is an unacceptable practice,” Creecy stated. The decision to force stoppage of one unit took into consideration the need to avoid load shedding, Creecy said. “In essence, the operation of units 1 and 5 should not be ceased simultaneously. In my view, this will allow (Eskom) an opportunity to carry out the required maintenance and remedial work on one unit at a time in order to bring the units in compliance with the requirements of the Atmospheric Emission Licence. I am mindful of the fact that the failure to take action to bring the power station back into compliance, among others, will continue to present serious environmental impacts and health threats to the affected communities,” she concluded. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha stated that the station has been operating above the emission limits since the strike action late in 2018 left infrastructure vandalised and damaged. “During the strike the interior of the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) was vandalised and the functioning of the dust-handling plant compromised. To repair it, the ESPs of several generation units require long outages and the repairs on generation units can only be executed one after the other,” he said. Environmental NGO’s gave Creecy what they termed evidence that emissions from Kendal were responsible for as many as 274 deaths between November 2018 and October 2019. < Previous Article Next Article >

Rondloper beeste steek inwoners dwars in die krop 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2022 Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Die kwessie van verdwaalde en rondloper vee in Ermelo woongebiede, omliggende areas en die buitewyke is al jare ‘n doring in die vlees van motoriste, sonder enige optrede van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) en die relevante departemente. In hierdie geval word verordeninge heeltemal geïgnoreer, en die wette word nie deur die owerhede afgedwing nie, wat 'n bose kringloop van frustrasie, saakbeskadiging en gevaar vir motoriste veroorsaak. Verskeie inwoners het gerapporteer dat hul honde onbeheerbaar opgewerk word deur die rondloper vee wat ronddwaal in die woongebied, veral in die De Bruin Park omgewing. Klagtes vanaf inwoners beweer dat dié rondlopers so gewoond geraak het aan verkeer en gevloek van frustreerde motoriste en inwoners, dan die diere hul geensins steur aan die kwaad wat hul stook nie. Verskeie motoriste het nouliks vermy om met hierdie diere te bots, wat ‘n veer voel vir aankomende verkeer. Hierdie kwessie is egter nie net tot diewoongebiede beperk nie, aangesien inwoners verskeie klagtes ingedien het oor beeste wat in die begraafplase wei, en kosbare herinneringe vertrap, blomme opvreet en vase beskadig, en ander gedenkwaardighede verniel. Alhoewel dit 'n dringende kwessie in Ermelo is, wag almal in spanning dat MLM -amptenare nog beslissend optree. Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Verskeie navrae was al aan MLM gerig. Dié het egter die navrae doodluiters ignoreer, en het tot hede geen terugvoer gegee nie. < 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 >

Die skoolhoof en twee onderwysers van die Masizakhe Secondary School, het in die landdroshof in Ermelo verskyn omdat hulle na bewering lyfstraf aan vier leerders toegedien het. Hulle is in hegtenis geneem nadat die ouers die saak by die polisie aangemeld het. Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, woordvoerder van die polisie in Mpumalanga, het onderwysers gewaarsku om hulself te weerhou van lyfstraf, omdat dit in die land afgeskaf is. “Dit het tot lig gekom dat die drie betrokke was by lyfstraf van hierdie kinders, nadat hulle nie hul skoolwerk gedoen het nie.” Die departement van onderwys gaan ook teen die drie onderwysers optree. Woordvoerder van die departement, Jasper Zwane, sê die voorval is uiters teleurstellend. Die drie verdagtes, Mxolisi Mdakane, Tau Nkosi en Mamatjie Zitha (skoolhoof) staan tereg op aanklagte van aanranding met die doel om ernstig te beseer, sowel as gewone aanranding. Die drie het op 2 September 2020 in die hof verskyn, waar borgtog op R1 000 vasgestel is. Hul saak was tot 18 September in die landdroshof in Breyten uitgestel, en weerends uitgestel na 20 November 2020 vir verdere ondersoek. Lyfstraf saak weereens uitgestel Lyfstraf saak weereens uitgestel 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 6 Oktober 2020 ie departement van onderwys gaan ook teen die drie onderwysers optree. Woordvoerder van die departement, Jasper Zwane, sê die voorval is uiters teleurstellend. Die drie verdagtes, Mxolisi Mdakane, Tau Nkosi en Mamatjie Zitha (skoolhoof) staan tereg op aanklagte van aanranding met die doel om ernstig te beseer, sowel as gewone aanranding. Die skoolhoof en twee onderwysers van die Masizakhe Secondary School, het in die landdroshof in Ermelo verskyn omdat hulle na bewering lyfstraf aan vier leerders toegedien het. Hulle is in hegtenis geneem nadat die ouers die saak by die polisie aangemeld het. Brigadier Leonard Hlathi, woordvoerder van die polisie in Mpumalanga, het onderwysers gewaarsku om hulself te weerhou van lyfstraf, omdat dit in die land afgeskaf is. “Dit het tot lig gekom dat die drie betrokke was by lyfstraf van hierdie kinders, nadat hulle nie hul skoolwerk gedoen het nie.” Die departement van onderwys gaan ook teen die drie onderwysers optree. Woordvoerder van die departement, Jasper Zwane, sê die voorval is uiters teleurstellend. Die drie verdagtes, Mxolisi Mdakane, Tau Nkosi en Mamatjie Zitha (skoolhoof) staan tereg op aanklagte van aanranding met die doel om ernstig te beseer, sowel as gewone aanranding. Die drie het op 2 September 2020 in die hof verskyn, waar borgtog op R1 000 vasgestel is. Hul saak was tot 18 September in die landdroshof in Breyten uitgestel, en weerends uitgestel na 20 November 2020 vir verdere ondersoek. < Previous Article Next Article >

Pampoenkraal Plaas kringtelevisiekameras vertel ware verhaal 1/3 Share SM HATTINGH 27 April 2021 Advokaat Celliers het aan die hof verklaar dat die boere nie gewapen was soos vroeër beweer nie, en hul het ook nie koeëlvaste baadjies aangehad nie. Die bewerings was dus onfeitlik. Die omstrede Pampoenkraal Plaas hofsaak is gister (Maandag, 26 April) weer hervat in Mkhondo, onder streng waak van die SAPS. Vier boere, Daniel Cornelis Malan (38), Cornelius Lourens Greyling (25), Othard Johann Klingenberg (53), Ignatius Michael Steynberg (31) en Zenzele Yende (48), die plaas sekuriteitswag, het voor die hof verskyn. Die vier boere staan tereg op aanklagte van moord en ontvoering. Die vyf verdagtes in die saak het die banke hervat nadat die staatsaanklaer en advokate die verklarings spoedig deurgewerk het. As bewyse het die advokate, regter, staatsaanklaer en staatsgetuie besluit om beeldmateriaal te hersien van geslote kringtelevisiekameras op die plaas. Nadat die video hersien is, stel advokaat Japie Cilliers verskeie vrae aan die hof. Die beeldmateriaal wys dat daar op 9 April, omstreeks 10:30, vier persone op die Pampoenkraal opgedaag. Dié was skynbaar gewapen met stokke van ongeveer 1 meter lank, en het dadelik die skuur binnegegaan, waar agt plaaswerkers besig was. Binne sekondes nadat die mans die skuur ingegaan het, het die werkers hul besittings geneem en die skuur verlaat. Die vier mans het in ‘n teenoorgestelde rigting as die werkers weggeloop. Die vier mans was vergesel deur ‘n vrou, wat ook ‘n stok in die hand gehad het. Mnr. Greyling het daarna opgedaag met tien werkers agter op sy bakkie. Een van die Coka broers was een van die werkers agter op die bakkie. Op die kringtelevisiekameras word opgemerk dat ‘n wit sedan minute later op die plaas opgedaag. Die ander Coka broer was die bestuurder, en het dadelik sy hemp uitgetrek toe hy uit die voertuig klim. Op hierdie stadium was die atmosfeer nog rustig op die plaas. Drie ander mans het op die plaas opgedaag in ‘n Toyota bakkie, en het uit die voertuig geklim. Een van die Coka broers het vanaf die hek aangehardloop gekom, en sy broer gekonfronteer. Die rusie het vir etlike minute geduur. Die een broer het die ander van die plaas af probeer wegstoot. Advokaat Celliers het aan die hof verklaar dat die boere nie gewapen was soos vroeër beweer nie, en hul het ook nie koeëlvaste baadjies aangehad nie. Die bewerings was dus onfeitlik. Die beeldmateriaal bewys dat die boere tot hede rustig en kalm verkeer het. Die vyf verdagtes doen tans aansoek vir borgtog. Bittereinders is gestig deur Devon Hofmeyr saam met sy ander lede, Justin Behr en Francois van der Merwe, wat dit goed gedink het om die SAPD, die boere, die gemeenskap asook die verdagtes te ondersteun in hul tyd van nood. Die Bittereinders se missie vir die dag was om hulp te verleen waar dit nodig was, en om die inwoners en die dorp te kom help met beveiliging. Die Bittereinders het diegene wat opgedaag en hul onderstening getoon het bedank as volg: “As jy nie opgedaag het nie, kry liewer ‘n ander chat groepie vir die passiewes en deel jou screenshots daarop. ‘N Ware Bittereinder se ja bly sy ja, en nee sy nee. Dankie aan al julle wat opgedaag het. Julle het my respek, en ek sal altyd daar wees vir julle! Dankie aan oom Harry vir die oproep om verskoning te maak, en dankie aan Sue van die Tribune. Bittereinders SAL die verskil in Suid Afrika wees. Besluit jy of jy ‘n aktiewe bydrae wil maak, en of jy ‘n “keyboard warrior” wil wees. Ek groet julle wat nou die groep gaan verlaat.” Die saak is uitgestel na 28 April 2021, en geen borgtog is toegestaan nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

MEC’s visit Cebisa following fatal stabbing 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 23 August 2022 Gangs are often connected to organized crime, violence and drugs. Following the gang-related fatal stabbing of a student at Cebisa Secondary School in Wesselton on Tuesday, 16 August 2022, the eyes of the country are on the government to take action. Mpumalanga education MEC, Bonakele Majuba, condemned the incident, and also conveyed his condolences to the family. “Regrettably, the stabbed learner succumbed to his injuries at Ermelo Provincial Hospital. It is alleged that the learners belonged to different troublesome gangs in the township,” the department said in a statement. The suspect is a fellow student, and has since been arrested on a farm between Ermelo and Breyten. MEC Majuba visited the school on this morning, together with Mpumalanga Community Safety and Security MEC, Vusi Shongwe, and other officials, who rendered psychosocial assistance to all who are affected by the incident. The two MECs also visited Laerskool Ermelo, where a meeting took place between the principals and student governing bodies of all schools in the area to discuss the way forward. During the visit, it was also announced that an imbizo will be hosted at the Wesselton Stadium on 28 August 2022. The imbizo will commence at 11:00. The imbizo will be led by MEC Shongwe, where gang violence and school safety will be discussed. Youth Gang Violence (YGV) is on the rise in South Africa, and this situation has led to increased fears about safety and security in and around schools. The increasing number of high school learners getting involved in gang activities raises a major concern regarding the impact of their involvement on their educational attainment, and lives in general. Young boys start associating with gangs very early, when they are still at primary school level, between the ages of 5 to 12-years-old. Other learners join youth gangs when in high school and beyond, between the ages of 14 and 21-years-old. The crimes and violence committed by the latter age group are of greater significance, and of a more serious nature. Gang involvement leads to many negative outcomes, such as incarceration, drug and alcohol use, injury and death. Gangs may also serve as a protective influence, and offer many benefits that are unmet in their homes, schools and neighborhoods to those who join them. Risk factors include poor attachment to school, attention and learning problems at school, and dropping out of school, whilst gangsterism that emanate from the family include poor attachment to the parents, delinquent siblings, and violent parents and gangster family members. Gangs are often connected to organized crime and drugs, while other gangs are more about identity, and their gang fights are about claiming their space and their identity within these communities. < Previous Article Next Article >