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Op Sondag, 28 Maart, ongeveer 02:30, het daar ‘n grusame botsing tussen ‘n Volkswagen Polo en ‘n Volkswagen Amarok plaasgevind. Die Polo het in Voortrekker Straat af gery, en die Amarok van De Emigratie Weg, waar die bestuurder van die werk afgekom het en oppad huis toe was. Die bestuurder van die Polo die rooi verkeerslig verontagsaam, en dit het daartoe gelei dat die bestuurder van die Amarok, vir wie die verkeerslig groen was, met hul gebots het. Die Polo het gerol met die impak van die botsing, en het op sy dak tot stilstand gekom by die verkeerslig voor McDonald’s. Van die ses insittendes in die Polo, waarvan drie op die toneel oorlede is, het twee het ernstige beserings opgedoen, en een ligte besering. Die twee wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is deur die Ermelo Provinsiale Ambulansdiens behandel, en die ligte besering pasiënt is deur ER24 na Ermelo Provinsiale Hospitaal geneem vir mediese behandeling. Die bestuurder van die Amarok het geen beserings opgedoen nie. ER24, EMS, Ermelo SAPS, Msukwaliga Fire and Rescue, ETS Insleepdienste, Ermelo Forensies en die verkeer offisiere was op die toneel. Een van die insittendes, wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is later ook oorlede in die hospitaal as gevolg van ‘n breinbesering. Daar word ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap gedoen om die verkeersreëls te gehoorsaam, asook om die COVID-19 regulasies en aandklok reëls na te kom. Grusame ongeluk eis vier lewens Grusame ongeluk eis vier lewens 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 30 March 2021 Een van die insittendes, wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is later oorlede in die hospitaal as gevolg van ‘n breinbesering. Op Sondag, 28 Maart, ongeveer 02:30, het daar ‘n grusame botsing tussen ‘n Volkswagen Polo en ‘n Volkswagen Amarok plaasgevind. Die Polo het in Voortrekker Straat af gery, en die Amarok van De Emigratie Weg, waar die bestuurder van die werk afgekom het en oppad huis toe was. Die bestuurder van die Polo die rooi verkeerslig verontagsaam, en dit het daartoe gelei dat die bestuurder van die Amarok, vir wie die verkeerslig groen was, met hul gebots het. Die Polo het gerol met die impak van die botsing, en het op sy dak tot stilstand gekom by die verkeerslig voor McDonald’s. Van die ses insittendes in die Polo, waarvan drie op die toneel oorlede is, het twee het ernstige beserings opgedoen, en een ligte besering. Die twee wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is deur die Ermelo Provinsiale Ambulansdiens behandel, en die ligte besering pasiënt is deur ER24 na Ermelo Provinsiale Hospitaal geneem vir mediese behandeling. Die bestuurder van die Amarok het geen beserings opgedoen nie. ER24, EMS, Ermelo SAPS, Msukwaliga Fire and Rescue, ETS Insleepdienste, Ermelo Forensies en die verkeer offisiere was op die toneel. Een van die insittendes, wat ernstige beserings opgedoen het, is later ook oorlede in die hospitaal as gevolg van ‘n breinbesering. Daar word ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap gedoen om die verkeersreëls te gehoorsaam, asook om die COVID-19 regulasies en aandklok reëls na te kom. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLM bestuur het egter die Tribune op verskeie geleenthede valslik verseker dat die NMD nie verminder is nie, en dat die kragonderbrekings te danke is aan verouderde infrastruktuur. Dit is egter te verwagte dat die NMD verminder is, siende dat MLM meer as R170 miljoen aan Eskom skuld. MBCF vorder met hofsaak teen MLM en Eskom Die Msukaligwa Bussiness & Community Forum (MBCF) span. Die Msukaligwa Bussiness & Community Forum (MBCF) span. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 October 2020 MLM bestuur het egter die Tribune op verskeie geleenthede valslik verseker dat die NMD nie verminder is nie, en dat die kragonderbrekings te danke is aan verouderde infrastruktuur. Dit is egter te verwagte dat die NMD verminder is, siende dat MLM meer as R170 miljoen aan Eskom skuld. Die Msukaligwa Bussiness & Community Forum (MBCF) 'n nie-winsgewende organisasie In Ermelo, dra die belange van Ermelo inwoners op die hart, en is besig om vinnige vordering te maak. Die forum het reeds ‘n reuse sosiale media volging, en nooi alle inwoners om aan te sluit by die forum. Besighede en inwoners kan by die MBCF aansluit teen 'n minimum bedrag van R300 per jaar vir 'n huishouding, en R1200 per jaar vir 'n onderneming. Die MBCF sal alle klagtes wat lede indien rakende water, elektrisiteit of dienslewering vanaf Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM), insluit in die hofsaak. Hierdie groep individue lê hul tyd en kundigheid volledig vrywillig neer. Die regspan het op Maandag, 12 Oktober, 'n tweedelige aansoek aan Eskom, MLM, die nasionale energiereguleerder van Suid-Afrika (NERSA), die premier van Mpumalanga, en die minister van minerale bronne en energie gerig. Hierdie aansoek, wat tans in die Noord-Gautengse hooggeregshof hangend is, sal dien om Eskom te verbied om die ladeningsvermindering, of “notified maximum demand” (NMD) te implementeer. Die NMD wat tans in werking is, verhoed dat Eskom die nodige elektrisiteitstoevoer aan MLM verskaf, en is die rede vir die daaglikse kragonderbrekings wat inwoners ondervind. MLM bestuur het egter die Tribune op verskeie geleenthede valslik verseker dat die NMD nie verminder is nie, en dat die kragonderbrekings te danke is aan verouderde infrastruktuur. Dit is egter te verwagte dat die NMD verminder is, siende dat MLM meer as R170 miljoen aan Eskom skuld. MLM se wanbetaling was sedert 2011 verskeie kere in die kalklig, met Eskom wat menigte male gedreig het om die elektrisiteitstoevoer totaal en al af te sny. Dit is egter kommerwekkend dat MLM bestuur inwoners en besighede ‘n rat voor die oë gedraai het, en die infame “Kabel 88" blameer het vir die onderbrekings. Volgens die MBCF, staan Eskom Deel A, die aansoek, teë. Deel B van die aansoek is 'n hersiening van Eskom se besluit om NMD toe te pas, wat 'n irrasionele besluit is, gebaseer op die skending van grondwetlike regte van betalende inwoners en sakeondernemings. Dié word tans deur die hof hersien, en sal hopelik tersyde gestel word. Die MBCF maak egter staat op die finansiële bydraes van inwoners en besighede om hierdie wettige veldtog suksesvol aan te dryf, om 'n beter en welvarende dorp vir almal te verseker. Aansoekvorms om ‘n lid te word van die MBCF is beskikbaar vir belangstellendes. Twee van die MBCF verteenwoordigers het ook onlangs met hul regspan, Andreas Peens. en advokaat Danie Wijnbeek vergader, en was baie beïndruk met die hoeveelheid navorsing en werk wat reeds gedoen was, en die manier waarop hulle van plan is om die saak te dryf. Inwoners en sake eienaars wat intussen tot die regskoste wil bydra, kan dit doen deur 'n inbetaling in die trustrekening van die MBCF prokureur, Andreas Peens, te maak. Die bankrekening besonderhede is as volg: Andreas Peens Prokureurs, ABSA lopende rekening, 409 642 0347, takkode 632005. Inwoners wat bydraes maak, moet asseblief die verwysing AP792MBCF gebruik met die inbetaling. Belangstellendes wat navrae het oor die MBCF, en die saak wat hul ter harte dra, kan 072 401 1449 kontak. < Previous Article Next Article >

EMS Vehicle flattens traffic light 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 10 August 2022 The force of impact caused the EMS vehicle to careen onto the traffic median, subsequently uprooting one of the traffic lights. On Friday, 5 August 2022, a traffic light was absolutely demolished at the Joubert and Murray Streets intersection, after a collision took place between a Provincial EMS vehicle and a Mazda bakkie. According to information on scene, the EMS was transporting a patient towards the provincial hospital when the collision occurred. The force of impact caused the EMS vehicle to careen onto the traffic median, subsequently uprooting one of the traffic lights. At the time of publication, no life threatening injuries had been reported. ER24 and Msukaligwa Traffic regulated the scene, where drivers blatantly ignored the indications given on several occasions, instead simply gunning it over the intersection. Msukaligwa Fire & Rescue responded swiftly, after tending to another collision mere minutes earlier. Van Wettens, ETS and Shesha Towing Services were on scene to assist where needed. < Previous Article Next Article >

Financial constraints, coupled with the constant vandalism of equipment and infrastructure, makes it virtually impossible to cover all aspects of service delivery. Service delivery complaints flooding in 1/17 Share GK CRONJE 9 March 2021 Financial constraints, coupled with the constant vandalism of equipment and infrastructure, makes it virtually impossible to cover all aspects of service delivery. The Tribune ePaper has received various complaints from residents in Breyten and Chrissiesmeer, regarding the alleged complete lack of service delivery from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). Complaints include, amongst others, the haggard state of the roads, where residents have no choice but to fill the massive potholes in front of their residences at their own time and expense. Potholes and sinkholes which are filled with bricks, debris and gravel often result in tyres being damaged by sharp edges protruding from the rubble. Rainy weather disguise potholes of up to 20cm deep, and many motorists have suffered immense damage to the vehicles as these potholes are unexpectedly hit. Erratic electricity supply is also a great cause of grief for the residents in these areas, where the connection and supply is unreliable and volatile, at best. Residents are often left without electricity for days on end, as thin-spread MLM technicians struggle to tend to all complaints. Alleged lack of equipment and spare parts due to financial constraints is also a major cause for concern. Allegations have also surfaced regarding the absolute nonchalance of ward councillors, who simply do not play their part in servicing the residents. As of late, the water supply in these areas is also a cause of great concern, as vandalism and sabotage takes its toll in the infrastructure. The water supply to both Chrissiesmeer and Breyten is erratic at best, and residents often complain about the water that is not in a potable state. Unverified claims of political interference in this area have also surfaced. The majority of wards in both Chrissiesmeer and Breyten are devoid of working street lights, with fallen lamp posts either left to rust in unkempt fields, or are liberated by vandals and sold for scrap. Wards and council properties are left unkept, with grass of up to a meter tall. This, in turn, poses a great fire hazard as winter approaches, and arsonists set their sights on the dry grass and shrubbery. Refuse removal is also an issue, as refuse are left to line the streets, further exacerbated by illegal dumping of all manner of refuse and rubble by residents of the area. MLM spokesman, Mr. Zwane, has categorically stated that the municipality is doing its utmost best to cover all service delivery angles, but financial constraints, coupled with the constant vandalism of equipment and infrastructure, makes it virtually impossible to cover all aspects of service delivery. Breyten is especially notorious when it comes to vandalism and sabotage, as the recent vandalism of the reservoir pump proved. These acts cost the municipality large amounts in terms of repairs and supply, which in turn sinks the allocated budget for service delivery. < 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 >

Geen gedwonge inenting vanaf werkgewers 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 22 June 2021 “Voorts is elke persoon ingevolge ons Grondwet op liggaamlike integriteit geregtig, wat beteken dat elke persoon dan ook die reg het om oorwegend self te besluit oor enige moontlike gesondheids- of mediese intervensies.” Enige algemeen-geldende besluit om inenting verpligtend te maak, sal onwettig wees. Solidariteit het ʼn omvattende regsmening van eksterne advokate bekend gemaak wat wys dat enige eensydige besluit om inenting verpligtend in die werkplek te maak, nie in ʼn hof sal steek hou nie. Solidariteit het ook met ʼn omvattende proses onder sy lede begin om ʼn mandaat te kry om enige sodanige algemeen-geldende besluit van werkgewers om inenting verpligtend te maak, te beveg. “Volgens die regsmening is dit duidelik dat werkgewers binne die arbeidsregsraamwerk moet funksioneer, en dat dié raamwerk nie voorsiening maak vir verpligte entstoftoediening aan werknemers nie,” sê dr. Dirk Hermann, bestuurshoof van Solidariteit. “Voorts is elke persoon ingevolge ons Grondwet op liggaamlike integriteit geregtig, wat beteken dat elke persoon dan ook die reg het om oorwegend self te besluit oor enige moontlike gesondheids- of mediese intervensies.” Solidariteit voer aan dat terwyl sommige proponente van verpligte werkplekinenting graag aanvoer dat die werkgewer ingevolge die Wet op Beroepsgesondheid en Veiligheid (No. 85 van 1993) sodanige reg het, skryf die wet egter voor dat daar ʼn behoorlike konsultasieproses met ʼn werknemer moet plaasvind, en dat alle moontlike remedies eers uitgeput moet word alvorens ʼn werkgewer drastiese stappe mag oorweeg. “Nadat ons deur navrae oor verpligte inenting by werkplekke oorval is, het ons die regsmening ingewin. Volgens die opinie is dit duidelik dat die voordeel van keuse sterk ten gunste van ʼn werknemer sal wees,” verduidelik Hermann. “Dit is eenvoudig onwettig vir ʼn werkgewer om ʼn werknemer te verplig om ingeënt te word, en daar kan selfs geargumenteer word dat dit strafregtelik en grondwetlik inbreuk maak op elke individu se persoonlike reg tot liggaamlike integriteit. Ons sal nie huiwer om ons lede met die volle mag van die reg te beskerm, indien werkgewers sulke drastiese besluite neem nie,” sluit Hermann af. < Previous Article Next Article >

Op Dinsdag, 28 Junie 2022, het daar ‘n boodskap deur gekom op ‘n WhatsApp groep, wat laat weet het dat die Ermelo gemeenskap moet uitkyk vir ‘n swaarvoertuig wat vanaf Panbult in die rigting van Ermelo reis met gesteelde sleepwaens. Die swaarvoertuig is in Ermelo, Merinostraat voorgekeer deur ACSU, asook plaaslike SAPD lede. Die sleepwaens is reeds in November 2021 gesteel, en daar was ‘n saak geopen. Tydens ondersoek is daar gevind dat die VIN nommer op die lisensie skywe, en die VIN nommer wat gemerk is op die swaarvoertuig deur die fabriek, nie dieselfde is nie. Die eienaar van die sleepwaens is dadelik gekontak deur Mnr. Bester Maree van ACSU. Ermelo SAPD lede, saam met ASCU, het die swaarvoertuig geneem na die voertuig diefstal eenheid. Die eienaar van die sleepwaens was spoedig op die toneel, en het die nodige bewyse gestaaf dat die waens wel aan hom behoort. Die twee waens, asook die swaarvoertuig, is gekonfiskeer vir verdere ondersoek in die saak. Die eienaar van die waens wil graag vir ACSU, asook Ermelo SAPD, bedank vir hul vinnige en flinke reaksie om die waens te kon terug gekry. “Wel gedaan, ACSU en Ermelo SAPD!” ACSU fnuik kriminele ACSU fnuik kriminele 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 5 July 2022 Die swaarvoertuig is in Ermelo, Merinostraat voorgekeer deur ACSU, asook plaaslike SAPD lede. Op Dinsdag, 28 Junie 2022, het daar ‘n boodskap deur gekom op ‘n WhatsApp groep, wat laat weet het dat die Ermelo gemeenskap moet uitkyk vir ‘n swaarvoertuig wat vanaf Panbult in die rigting van Ermelo reis met gesteelde sleepwaens. Die swaarvoertuig is in Ermelo, Merinostraat voorgekeer deur ACSU, asook plaaslike SAPD lede. Die sleepwaens is reeds in November 2021 gesteel, en daar was ‘n saak geopen. Tydens ondersoek is daar gevind dat die VIN nommer op die lisensie skywe, en die VIN nommer wat gemerk is op die swaarvoertuig deur die fabriek, nie dieselfde is nie. Die eienaar van die sleepwaens is dadelik gekontak deur Mnr. Bester Maree van ACSU. Ermelo SAPD lede, saam met ASCU, het die swaarvoertuig geneem na die voertuig diefstal eenheid. Die eienaar van die sleepwaens was spoedig op die toneel, en het die nodige bewyse gestaaf dat die waens wel aan hom behoort. Die twee waens, asook die swaarvoertuig, is gekonfiskeer vir verdere ondersoek in die saak. Die eienaar van die waens wil graag vir ACSU, asook Ermelo SAPD, bedank vir hul vinnige en flinke reaksie om die waens te kon terug gekry. “Wel gedaan, ACSU en Ermelo SAPD!” < Previous Article Next Article >

While Msukaligwa Local Municipality has replaced a section of sewerage line, the damage is already done, and raw sewage continues to pollute the environment and underground water sources. Residents of Extension 7 have to make do with the raw sewage flowing past their dwellings, along with a wide range of garbage, animal carcasses and other debris floating in the sewage. Sewage spillage wreaks havoc on environment 1/13 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 While Msukaligwa Local Municipality has replaced a section of sewerage line, the damage is already done, and raw sewage continues to pollute the environment and underground water sources. Residents of Extension 7 have to make do with the raw sewage flowing past their dwellings, along with a wide range of garbage, animal carcasses and other debris floating in the sewage. Residents and businesses familiar with the ongoing sewage spillage in the vicinity of Oosthuizen Street is in for a even bigger shock. While Msukaligwa Local Municipality has replaced a section of sewerage line, the damage is already done, and raw sewage continues to pollute the environment and underground water sources. Residents of Extension 7 have to make do with the raw sewage flowing past their dwellings, along with a wide range of garbage, animal carcasses and other debris floating in the sewage. The Tribune has, in light of the unimaginable environmental impact, approached various roleplayers within government, as well as AfriForum, VF Plus and Ermelo Business Association for input and potential solutions. MLM will also be approached for input on the matter. Read the full article in next week’s publication. You may view videos relating to this article on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school. Extensions turned dumping site as DPWRT fails to deliver 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school. The Tribune has received complaints from residents in Ermelo Extension 44 and KwaZanele Extension 6, regarding illegal public dumping near the abattoir bridge. This is a slap in the face of reisdents in this area, who were delighted to learn of a community clinic that was to be erected by the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT). In mid-2019, sudden preparations and excavations kicked off on site, and the project was touted to be a 24-Hour Community Health Centre, to be constructed by the DPWRT on behalf of Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health. These two extensions were claimed to be identified to be part of the UISP Programme (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme. The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school. Whilst Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a warning to residents who dump refuse illegally, no heed is paid to the warning. According to information available, no residents who partake in illegal dumping have been reprimanded, nor issued a fine. Enquiries to the DPWRT have yielded no results, and the status of the project is unknown at this time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Several complaints have been lodged regarding the call centre at MLM, with operators allegedly claiming that the system is offline, and they are unable to provide complainants with reference numbers to their complaints. Choking on the smell of faeces 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 Several complaints have been lodged regarding the call centre at MLM, with operators allegedly claiming that the system is offline, and they are unable to provide complainants with reference numbers to their complaints. Residents in De Bruin Park is once again getting the short en of the stick, as sewerage lines are blocked and overflowing, with no reprieve from Msukaligwa Local Municipality. Residents in Generaal Botha Road have are left with their hands in their hair, and their yards drenched in sewage as blocked lines makes life miserable for everyone in the area. In some cases, sewage has been constantly overflowing for more than a week, and complaints from residents to MLM fall on deaf ears. Speaking to the Tribune ePaper, a resident in Camden Avenue, living near the marshlands next to Nomndeni, also complained about the constant smell of sewage in the field, as well as the field between President Fouché Avenue and Tom Muller Street. “It is a nightmare living like this on a daily basis. You can literally hear the sewage bubbling the field, and the smell is always here, not matter which direction the wind blows in. It is especially bad at night and in the early morning, I don’t know why. I am out of options, the call centre always says they will send someone, but the problem is just always there, it is never solved.” he stated. Residents in President Fouché Avenue also suffers in the stench of sewage overflows, with pooling sewage baking in the sun on a daily basis. Despite the wholly unhygienic situation that residents are put in during a pandemic, the health risks associated with breathing in the overpowering particle-filled stench is a major cause for concern. Some residents in President Fouché Avenue have to drive through pools of raw sewage on a daily basis, and the overflow is further exacerbated by the fact that an education facility is in close proximity to the pools of raw sewage. Several complaints have been lodged regarding the call centre at MLM, with operators allegedly claiming that the system is offline, and they are unable to provide complainants with reference numbers to their complaints. In light of this, operators request residents to make a return call to find out if the issue has been tended to. This is not the first time that residents have complained about the call centre operators, and the feeble excuses that are provided to frustrated residents. Unsurprisingly, and mostly expected by residents, MLM failed to reply to enquiries submitted by the Tribune ePaper. < Previous Article Next Article >

"We are the ones losing clients and business, yet we have to dig into our wallets to assist the municipality." Havenga Road gone to hell in a handbasket 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 11 January 2022 "We are the ones losing clients and business, yet we have to dig into our wallets to assist the municipality." Scores of residents, along with heavy vehicle drivers, have lamented the shoddy state of Havenga Road. Motorists are forced to drive on the sidewalk to avoid the ghastly sinkholes and potholes. Some of the sinkholes measure up to 50 centimeters in depth, and some of these sinkholes cause the mud flaps and belly plates from heavy vehicles to scrape on what remains of the road. The road conditions have deteriorated to such an extent that various heavy vehicle drivers have a had close calls being bogged down by their load, and all drivers have an amazingly stressful time navigating the maze of sinkholes. The road surface virtually nonexistent, with motorists having to take detours, or face the offroad track that is Havenga Road. Recent rainfall has highlighted the utter lack of maintenance and upkeep from Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) of this designated heavy vehicle route. Msukaligwa Local Municipality's spokesman, Mandla Zwane, has stated in December 2021 that the municipality had plans on making the road traversable with the assistance of local businesses. Alas, the roadway is currently in an exponentially worse condition due to the rainfall experienced. Several local businesses have, however, expressed their dissatisfaction at the fact that MLM comes crawling tail between the legs for assistance when service delivery situations get financially too hot to handle. “It is funny that the municipality only acknowledges big roleplayers in the Ermelo business and mining sectors when they are in need of assistance. We have been nagging at the municipality to take action with regards to Havenga Road, to maintain the surface and to make repairs before the road surface is too far gone;” a local business owner, who chooses to remain anonymous, lamented. “We have had several meetings with the officials at the municipality to avoid Havenga Road becoming a second Wessels Road lawsuit. However, nobody paid any heed, and all we as business owners were offered were half-hearted heaps of soil ditched in the sinkholes. The municipality did not even care enough to compact the soil. Months later, and now business owners and mining businesses are requested to assist with materials and machinery. To what end? It is clear that we, as business sector, are being misused. We are the ones losing clients and business, yet we have to dig into our wallets to assist the municipality, who is already pocketing and clearly wasting our rates and taxes, along with skyhigh water and electricity bills that we have to fork out every month. They are getting to the end of their rope and I don’t even feel a tinge of remorse for refusing to assist them in any way.” Road users are warned to the fact that smaller, deceptively deep potholes may be waterlogged, and pose a danger to unaware motorists further aggravates the situation. The shocking state of Havenga Road. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

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