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Arson is a crime that may land you in prison 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 June 2022 The crime is typically classified as a felony, with instances involving a greater degree of risk to human life or property carrying a stricter penalty. The crime of arson is committed in a number of different ways in the South African context. However, what is common to all incidences of the crime is that it causes danger to property, wildlife and persons. Although the act of arson is classified as a crime against property, the crime also endangers the community. Arson is the act whereby a person sets the fire, or intends to start a fire, knowing that the fire will destroy something. The majority of arson crimes are classified as intentional, wilfully and maliciously. This means that the arsonist has the intent to cause damage upon starting the fire. It does not require targeted property to be damaged by the fire, and liability can attach even though the “wrong” property caught fire. Though the act typically involves buildings, the term arson can also refer to the intentional burning of fields, dry grass and leaves, which is a common sight in Ermelo. The crime is typically classified as a felony, with instances involving a greater degree of risk to human life or property carrying a stricter penalty. The imprisonment term for a convicted crime relating to arson could be set up to seven years or more, and a fine of up to R250 000, and four years of probation. If you see a suspected arsonist in your ward or area, please contact ACSU, the SAPS or your neighborhood watch, such as SACCW, immediately. Where possible, obtain photographs or video footage of the suspect in the act, as this will make conviction of the felon easier. When in a fire emergency situation, please remember the following contact numbers: 112 for the ambulance service and 017 801 3400 for Msukaligwa Fire & Rescue. < Previous Article Next Article >

Bethal is nou lank genoeg as die ongewenste stiefkind behandel. Die VF Plus gaan hierdie kwessie na die provinsiale departement van samewerkende regering verwys vir ondersoek en om sodoende aanspreeklikheid by die munisipaliteit af te dwing. Bethal lank genoeg as GMM stiefkind behandel The embattled GMM. The embattled GMM. 1/1 Share INHOUD VERSKAF 25 Augustus 2020 Bethal is nou lank genoeg as die ongewenste stiefkind behandel. Die VF Plus gaan hierdie kwessie na die provinsiale departement van samewerkende regering verwys vir ondersoek en om sodoende aanspreeklikheid by die munisipaliteit af te dwing. Mediaverklaring - Bethal het die afgelope week soms tot so lank as 24 uur geen kragvoorsiening gehad nie. Sake-ondernemings, ouetehuise en inwoners het groot ongerief en skade gely in die proses. Volgens bronne in die Govan Mbeki-plaaslike munisipaliteit het munisipale elektrisiëns moontlik doelbewus die krag na die dorp vir hierdie lang periodes afgesny aangesien hulle glo nie besoldig is vir oortyd-werk nie. Munisipale amptenare het later bevestig dat hierdie werknemers die vereiste werktyd van 40-uur per week oorskry het en dat betaling vir oortyd nie gemagtig is nie. Die VF Plus sal ondersoek instel na hierdie beweringe en indien dit waar is, sal die skuldige persone verantwoording moet doen. Dit is onaanvaarbaar dat dienslewering in Bethal gestriem word deur onbevoegdheid, munisipale wanadministrasie en binnegevegte. Die gebeure versterk die mening van die VF Plus dat Bethal en Emzinoni van die groter Govan Mbeki-munisipaliteit geskei moet word. Bethal is nou lank genoeg as die ongewenste stiefkind behandel. Die VF Plus gaan hierdie kwessie na die provinsiale departement van samewerkende regering verwys vir ondersoek en om sodoende aanspreeklikheid by die munisipaliteit af te dwing. < Previous Article Next Article >

Met die reënseisoen wat sterk oppad is, is die kanse dat die oppervlak van die roete dit gaan maak tot volgende jaar hierdie tyd redelik skraal. Kommer oor gerehabiliteerde Wessel Weg 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 28 September 2021 Met die reënseisoen wat sterk oppad is, is die kanse dat die oppervlak van die roete dit gaan maak tot volgende jaar hierdie tyd redelik skraal. Motoriste en besighede het ‘n sug van verligting laat val rakende die onlangs gerehabiliteerde Wessel Weg, want die pad was voorheen 'n volslae nagmerrie vir verbruikers. Na ‘n uitermatige lang gespoeg en spartel tussen Burlec Electrical en Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM), het ‘n hofbevel die munisipaliteit egter forseer om die roete te herstel, asook om die onkostes te dra wat aangegaan was deur Burlec Electrical. Alhoewel meeste heel tevrede en dankbaar is dat die oppervlak van die roete nou glad en nuut is, is daar egter bekommernis vanaf die publiek en besighede in die area. Die afrondingswerk van die roete laat veel te wense oor, en laat rooi ligte flits oor die duursaamheid van die oppervlak. Die stormafvoer geute is geensins geïnstalleer nie, en die kante van die roete is ‘n ramp wat wag om af te speel. Met nadere ondersoek kan daar opgemerk word dat die dikte van die teer op die oppervlak oneweredig is, en op sekere areas ‘n skamele 1cm dik is. Met die reënseisoen wat sterk oppad is, is die kanse dat die oppervlak van die roete dit gaan maak tot volgende jaar hierdie tyd redelik skraal. Verdere kwessies wat geopper word is die afrondings van die roete wat na die ingange van besighede lei. Die rand van die roete, waar die randstene en afvoer geute veronderstel is om te wees, ins slegs ‘n onbegaanbare sloot, soveel so dat afleweringsvoertuie aan die oorkant van die pad moet parkeer om voorraad af te laai. Motoriste en kliënte wat kleiner voertuie besit se kanse is min om deur die sloot te kom tot by die parkeer areas. Verder is daar ook kommer uitgespreek oor die opruiming van die area. Die puin van die herboude rybaan is doodluiters in die nabye veld gestort, gepaard met verskeie ander rommel items en boumateriaal wat gebruik was deur die kontrakteurs. Die Tribune ePaper het navraag rakende die kwessies gerig aan die verteenwoordiger van MLM, Mandla Zwane. Teen perstyd het Zwane egter versuim om terugvoer te verskaf. < Previous Article Next Article >

NERSA requires mini-substations to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. Lack of kiosk maintenance causes concern 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 11 January 2022 NERSA requires mini-substations to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. Despite several enquiries and reports regarding the issue from various media outlets, little to no information is available as to the action plan that Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s (MLM) departments are taking in waterproofing, safeguarding and maintaining the electrical kiosks and substations in Ermelo, Wesselton and the surrounding areas. The slightest moisture, drizzle or rain results in leaving hundreds of residents without electricity at any given time. Being a major inconvenience and that equipment and devices are damaged in the resulting electricity spikes, this is an issue which addressing is long overdue. Additionally, the sharp increase in wilful vandalism and alleged sabotage from unknown entities further aggravate the situation. In the latest of a string of instances of kiosk vandalism, neutral electrical wires were cut at a kiosk in George Botha Park. This act in itself is extremely dangerous, and can be the cause of thousands of Rands in damages to residents receiving electricity from this feed. When a neutral wire is broken, cut or disconnected, the unbalanced current cannot return to the supply through the star point, and this current takes the path back to the supply through the lines. This causes “hot” voltage or unequal voltage currents. An instance such as this has been reported recently in the area of Camden Avenue, where the supply current was measured at 380 volt, shockingly higher than the 220 volt that is supposed to be measured. When the voltage is too high, electrical wires may melt, light bulb would burned out real time, and other electrical devices may stop working, or may even burst into flames if an overvoltage is delivered to the circuit. However, the ease of which kiosks and substations in Ermelo can be tampered with is nothing short of laughable, with the vast majority of electrical kiosks being without doors, lids or covers. Nary a kiosk is locked with a padlock as required by law, and many kiosks are completely devoid of cover doors. Several instances have been reported to MLM, where their own technicians have jerry-rigged kiosks or substations in unsafe and dangerous manners. However, these reports have fallen on deaf ears. By now, it is no secret that MLM officials, as well as ward councillors are well aware of the myriad of electrical kiosks and substations which are without doors, have been severely damaged, either my accidents, vandalism or plain neglect on part of MLM, which carries direct correlation in the outages that plague Ermelo. The municipality has appealed to the public to report any suspicious persons near electrical infrastructures, and has stated that municipal employees are identified by overalls and reflector vest with the logo, and/or the name of the municipality. This statement from the municipality is contradictory, as many contractors employed by the municipality drive unmarked vehicles, and wear civilian clothing. This makes the point moot, aggravated by the fact that the call centre operators are all but a zero with regards to public assistance. According to the standards set forth by the National Energy Regulator (NERSA), any municipality, at any given time must, upon inspection, be able to provide a safe and reliable electrical network, that does not pose a hazard to personnel, especially during switching. It is expected of municipalities to provide evidence to NERSA of preventative maintenance on substations. Substations are expected to be built on well-constructed plinths to avoid contact with moisture, or minimize damage during flooding or heavy rain, and also be free of vegetation and/or grass that might pose a fire hazard. This is not the case of some of the substations in Ermelo, which are on ground level and covered in vegetation. Furthermore, NERSA requires mini-substations to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. Alas, this is not the case in Ermelo, with no bright light in the municipal tunnel ahead. An electrical kiosk in Steynberg Street has been reported to the municipality on numerous occasions, with no joy. The high voltage cable has been haphazardly connected and snaked through a tree’s branches by municipal teams more than two years ago. The cable poses a direct danger to small children of the nearby preschool, as well as to pedestrians and patrons of a nearby superette. This is but one of hundreds of exposed and dangerous kiosks with the municipal service area. < Previous Article Next Article >

WOF celebrates 17 years of success Working on Fire Mpumalanga firefighters assist their FPA in suppressing a fire. Working on Fire Mpumalanga General Manager, Ovie Sehlabela, cuts a cake during Working on Fire’s 17 Years of Partnerships for Success celebrations. Working on Fire Mpumalanga firefighters assist their FPA in suppressing a fire. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 27 October 2020 The programme celebrated its seventeenth year of existence in September, with the theme being “17 Years of Partnerships for Success”, to celebrate the strong relationship the programme has with its partners, which has seen it being named one of the best Expanded Public Works Programme. The 2020 Winter Fire Season is in the latter stages, and the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Working on Fire (WOF) firefighters in Mpumalanga, working with various Fire Protection Associations (FPA’s), suppressed a total of 58 veld and forest fires during the month of September 2020.According to WOF’s provincial communications officer, Amanda Mthembu, the fires recorded were all successfully contained, and mop-up operations conducted. “We dispatched a total of 17 out of 24 teams to assist their FPA’s and local municipalities in fire suppression operations this month, with fewer fires recorded than in August, as the season is drawing to a close,” Mthembu said. In addition to the ground crews dispatched to extinguish these fires, WOF, Umphuluzi Fire Protection Association (UFPA) and Lowveld Escarpment Fire Protection Association (LEFPA) aerial resources provided aerial firefighting assistance and flew over 70 hours during these fire suppression operations. “The novel COVID-19 pandemic has made operations difficult, but as an essentialservice, we have had to adjust and continue with our world-renowned Integrated Management Services, ” Mthembu added. WOF continues to partner with various provincial government departments, municipalities, private and public landowners, in attempts to minimize the dire effects of veld and forest fires. The programme celebrated its seventeenth year of existence in September, with the theme being “17 Years of Partnerships for Success”, to celebrate the strong relationship the programme has with its partners, which has seen it being named one of the best Expanded Public Works Programme. < Previous Article Next Article >

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

On previous occasions, MLM stated that residents should contact the call centre to report such incidents. However, the inefficiency of the call centre, coupled with the lackluster response time from municipal departments have made this statement all but redundant. No respite from stray cattle 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 On previous occasions, MLM stated that residents should contact the call centre to report such incidents. However, the inefficiency of the call centre, coupled with the lackluster response time from municipal departments have made this statement all but redundant. Over the course of several years, cattle owners have systematically circumvented the by-laws of Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) with regards to the care, control and branding of cattle and other stray animals. These individuals have also taken advantage of MLM’s lax attitude and have erected pens and makeshift shelters for farm animals in several wards. Despite the municipality’s by-laws stating that no person may keep farm animals in an enclosure or stable within 15 meters of any boundary of any land, dwelling, building or any structure used for human habitation, or 50 meters of any water resource or water supply intended or used for human consumption, transgressors live their best lives without consequence. Although it is mandated by the Animal Identification Act, Act 6 of 2000, a large percentage of the stray animals roaming the CBD, roadways, wards and surrounding areas are unmarked and unbranded. The fact that there are no longer pounding services offered by local companies makes life extremely difficult for residents and road users alike. Stray animals and cattle impede the flow of traffic, and have been the cause of many an accident in the vicinity of Ermelo. The inherent danger of stray cattle is especially notable on the N11 Ermelo-Hendrina road, where several serious collisions have been caused by these nuisance strays. Stray cattle and animals within wards demolish gardens, tear open refuse bags and unnecessarily rile up neighborhood dogs. On previous occasions, MLM stated that residents should contact the call centre to report such incidents. However, the inefficiency of the call centre, coupled with the lackluster response time from municipal departments have made this statement all but redundant. Although the municipal by-laws grants the municipality the power to rapidly fill their coffers by impounding and selling stray animals if they are not collected by their owners, the motivation seems to be lacking for unknown reasons. MLM ignored the enquiry submitted by the Tribune regarding this matter. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mnr. & Mej. Errie 2022 wenners word aangekondig Junior wenners: Wianke Cloete en De La Rey Hattingh. Senior wenners: Walter van der Walt en Mienke Cloete. Junior wenners: Wianke Cloete en De La Rey Hattingh. 1/2 Share Content Supplied 7 June 2022 Dit is vir Hoërskool Ermelo ‘n voorreg om elke geleentheid te gebruik om vir die leerders kosbare herinnering te skep. Die Errie raad het aan Hoërskool Ermelo se leerders die geleentheid gebied om in te skryf vir mnr. en mej. Errie 2022 met die tema “From Star to Galaxy.” Nadat onderhoude met elkeen van die inskrywings gedoen is, is 40 finaliste gekies wat op 25 Mei aan die Gala-aand deelgeneem het. Hierdie geleentheid was weereens ‘n glansryke aand en die gehoor het dit terdeë geniet. Elke deelnemer het uitsonderlik vertoon en het dit vir die beoordelaars moeilik gemaak om top-plekke aan te wys. Baie geluk aan elke deelnemer, die organiseerders en beoordelaars met ‘n skitterende aand. EHS is trots op elkeen wat die verhoog betree het, maar in besonder dié wat plekke behaal het: Mnr./Mej. Persoonlikheid: Inge Greyling, Mnr./Mej. Fotogenies: Gedeon Muteb. Derde plek, junior seuns: Ulric Badenhorst, Derdeplek, junior dogters: Ororiseng Sepitla, Tweede plek, junior seuns: Joshua du Toit, Tweede plek, junior dogters: Mia van Deventer, Junior mnr. Errie: De La Rey Hattingh, Junior mej. Errie: Wianke Cloete, Derdeplek, seniorseuns: Billy van der Walt, Derdeplek, senior dogters: Deidre van der Meyden, Tweedeplek, senior seuns: Lood Geldenhuys, Tweedeplek, seniordogters: Mia Steenkamp, Senior mnr. Errie: Walter van der Walt en Senior mej. Errie: Mienke Cloete. ‘n Besondere woord van dank aan Allison van der Walt wat die deelnemers puik voorberei het, asook vir die Errie Raad-ouers vir al die ondersteuning om hiervan ‘n sukses te maak. EHS gee graag erkenning aan die borge: Bottomless Blessings, Melissa Beauty Within, Beauty Lounge, Blush Models, Mariska’s Salon, Spur, Butr Deli, Mizpah Beauty Salon, La Silhouette Skincare Aesthetics, Wimpy, Yolandi Beauty Clinic en Wildman, maar in besonder Platteland Aesthetics, Ermelo Dental Care en Jana Strydom Photography wat as hoofborge opgetree het. Dit is vir Hoërskool Ermelo ‘n voorreg om elke geleentheid te gebruik om vir die leerders kosbare herinnering te skep. (EHS) < Previous Article Next Article >

In 2022 het die munisipaliteit hulself oortref met ‘n gradering van slegs 8%. Ermelo stortingsterrein behaal 'n treurige 8% gradering 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 26 July 2022 In 2022 het die munisipaliteit hulself oortref met ‘n gradering van slegs 8%. AfriForum het vanjaar 162 vullisterreine landwyd geoudit as deel van dié organisasie se nasionale projek om die gehalte van vullisterreine in Suid-Afrika te meet. Nie een van die 22 vullisterreine wat in Mpumalanga geoudit is, het aan nasionale standaarde voldoen nie. Kragtens toepaslike wetgewing en regulasies, waaronder die Wet op Nasionale Omgewingsbestuur: Vullis 59 van 2008, moet ’n vullisterrein aan bepaalde vereistes voldoen. Volgens Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir die Hoëveld, is die vullisterreine in hierdie provinsie in ’n haglike toestand. “Dit is duidelik dat geen beheer toegepas word by hierdie terreine nie en dat dit net nog ’n voorbeeld is van die totale agteruitgang van munisipale dienste in ons land.” Die Ermelo-stortingsterrein is al jare lank 'n onderwerp van omstredenheid, met miljoene rande wat vermors is op kontrakteurs en onnodige rehabilitasies van die terrein, net sodat dit slegs maande ná rehabilitasie uit die genade val. In 2015 het Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) 'n indrukwekkende 84% voldoeningsgradering behaal. Ongelukkig dit het van daar af na die honde gegaan. Volgens die oudit het dit in 2016 52% behaal, en 42% in 2017. In 2018 en 2020 is die munisipaliteit elke jaar 18% gegradeer. In 2019 het MLM egter in wese hul nakoming heeltemal misluk, met 'n gradering van 2%. In 2021 se oudit het die munisipaliteit 'n voldoeningsgradering van net 10% behaal, wat ver onder selfs die laagste van aanvaarbare standaarde is. Nietemin het die munisipaliteit hulself oortref met ‘n gradering van slegs 8%. Op hierdie trant sal die stortingsterrein geklassifiseer word as te gevaarlik, indien dit minder as 2% behaal. Bekker sê die mees algemene probleme wat AfriForum tydens die oudit opgemerk het, is die afwesigheid van afvalbestuurslisensies en ’n algehele wanbestuur van terreine. “Dit wil voorkom of daar geen doelwit of plan is om op munisipale vlak hierdie dringende probleem op te los nie, en sal ons as AfriForum dus met die relevante owerhede kontak maak om die probleem te probeer oplos, dit is ’n absolute skande om te sien hoe van die terreine lyk en dit is onaanvaarbaar dat daar niks aan die probleem gedoen word nie. Munisipale verval is aan die orde van die dag, en dit is ooglopend dat veral kleiner munisipaliteite onder grootskaalse wanbestuur gebuk gaan,” sê Arlo van Heerden, distrikskoördineerder vir die Laeveld. < Previous Article Next Article >

The owners of Glasfit Ermelo arrived at their premises with a shock, as reports of a brazen burglary stunned the community. In a seemingly well-planned operation, perpetrators gained access to the building through one of the side windows, which is concealed from the outside view. SAPS was on scene, and took statements and inventory of stolen items. With a flair for the dramatic, one of the perpetrators left an ominous, although poorly spelt message scribbled on the rear window one of the vehicles, stating “next time I took my dream car”. At the time of publication, no additional information had been supplied by the SAPS. Gutsy burglars leaves ominous message Gutsy burglars leaves ominous message 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 March 2021 With a flair for the dramatic, one of the perpetrators left an ominous, although poorly spelt message scribbled on the rear window one of the vehicles. The owners of Glasfit Ermelo arrived at their premises with a shock, as reports of a brazen burglary stunned the community. In a seemingly well-planned operation, perpetrators gained access to the building through one of the side windows, which is concealed from the outside view. SAPS was on scene, and took statements and inventory of stolen items. With a flair for the dramatic, one of the perpetrators left an ominous, although poorly spelt message scribbled on the rear window one of the vehicles, stating “next time I took my dream car”. At the time of publication, no additional information had been supplied by the SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Die plafonne van die huise loop deur, en begin al inmekaar val te danke aan die vog. Ten spyte van verskeie klagtes aan MLM, word ‘n dowe oor gedraai, en inwoners word gelaat met hul hande in hul hare. Pensionarisse gelaat aan hul eie genade 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 24 November 2020 Die plafonne van die huise loop deur, en begin al inmekaar val te danke aan die vog. Ten spyte van verskeie klagtes aan MLM, word ‘n dowe oor gedraai, en inwoners word gelaat met hul hande in hul hare. Die Tribune het na die onlangse reënval verskeie klagtes ontvang vanaf inwoners van die munisipale behuisingskema in Jan van Riebeeck Straat, ten opsigte van Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) wat geen ag toon aan klagtes nie. Klagtes sluit in watertoevoer probleme, aanhoudende rioolverstoppings, en die groot doring in die vlees van inwoners, daklekke. Verskeie inwoners van die behuisingskema, wat nie meer jong bokkies is nie, moet skarrel tydens reënbuie om emmers, bakkies en handdoeke neer te sit terwyl die water in hul huise in stroom. Die plafonne van die huise loop deur, en begin al inmekaar val te danke aan die vog. Ten spyte van verskeie klagtes aan MLM, word ‘n dowe oor gedraai, en inwoners word gelaat met hul hande in hul hare. Ten tye van pers was daar geen terugvoer vanaf MLM rakende die kwessie nie, en inwoners word gelaat om te worstel met die aanhoudende probleme. < Previous Article Next Article >

Reports have also been noted of scammers who tamper and modify existing, but already spent electrical tokens, altering the unit amounts and prices. No such thing as cheap electricity 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 24 November 2020 Reports have also been noted of scammers who tamper and modify existing, but already spent electrical tokens, altering the unit amounts and prices. If you have ever scrolled through your Facebook feed, or received a chain message on WhatsApp, stating that you can purchase 1000 units of prepaid electricity for a dubiously low price, be aware that this is a scam. Many of these operations have been noted in Mpumalanga, and are perpetrated by individuals who take advantage of vulnerable and gullible residents, including the elderly. A slew of complaints have been lodged with Eskom, regarding fraudsters duping individuals and businesses into paying for this “cheap electricity” through electronic funds transfers such as eWallet and money market. Thereafter, the scammers disappear, and leave the customers destitute and out of pocket. Reports have also been noted of scammers who tamper and modify existing, but already spent electrical tokens, altering the unit amounts and prices. When the token is sent to the buyer via WhatsApp, the code to be read into the meter is non-working, and its validity has been compromised, as it has already been used in a registered meter. Complaints have surfaced of duped customers who have received exact copies of the same token, only with the date and location fraudulently altered. “Eskom is working with several law enforcement agencies to trace and prosecute these unscrupulous individuals. We want to urge the members of public not to fall prey to these crooks, but to report these acts of fraud to the police without delay. We urge anyone who comes across this criminality to report these acts of fraud to the police.” said Eskom’s General Manager for Security, Advocate Karen Pillay. Eskom pleads with the public not to fall prey to these scams. Cooperation with the law enforcement agencies has already resulted in some arrests, and prosecutions are ongoing in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, Eskom said. Eskom hereby cautions customers to refrain from falling prey to these scams, and to purchase their prepaid electricity vouchers from the registered Eskom vendors. Customers can anonymously report illegal activities to the toll-free Eskom reporting line 0800 11 27 22. < Previous Article Next Article >