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Misuse of SASSA grant is a criminal offense 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 April 2021 This comes after several complaints and allegations surfaced where misuse of the grant had been noted, whether it was for the purchase of alcohol, or transferring the funds to other accounts for personal use. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has vowed to leave no stone unturned to fight fraud with regard to social grants. SASSA said it has pursued an active fraud prevention strategy and has always exercised a zero tolerance to anyone who commits or is complicit in fraud in the social grant environment. If you are receiving a social grant illegally, you could soon be facing the full might of the law and end up behind bars. The agency will take legal steps against officials and members of the public who have defrauded the system. According to Renay Ogle, of SASSA’s Fraud Management Unit, the agency will show no mercy to the public or employees who are caught up in social grant fraud. “Social grant fraud and corruption does not pay. Do not continue with it and never get involved with it because you will be caught, investigated, arrested, prosecuted, convicted, jailed and separated from your family,” she warned. SASSA has also issued a stern warning to parents and guardians who misuse Child Support Grants, that they are violating the right of a child. “Any deviation from the purpose of supporting the child’s needs, according to the Social Assistance Act, will be deemed as abuse or neglect to the child, and classified as a criminal act, which is punishable by law. If the grant is received by the parent, who does not stay with a child not transfer the money to the caregiver, that person must be reported to SASSA offices and also open a criminal case at the local police station.” This comes after several complaints and allegations surfaced where misuse of the grant had been noted, whether it was for the purchase of alcohol, or transferring the funds to other accounts for personal use. < Previous Article Next Article >

New R2 coin announced 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 “The new R2 coin represents the ‘Freedom and Security of the Person’ right in the Bill of Rights, as stated in Section 12 of the Bill of Rights of our constitution,” the mint said. The South African mint has announced that it will introduce a new R2 coin into circulation. The coin forms part of the mint’s celebration of 25 years of constitutional democracy, with a number of other coins featuring prominent post-1994 events and rights. The SARB issues commemorative circulation coins from time to time as part of its currency production function. These coins are issued to commemorate a person or an event that has had a significant impact on society. “The new R2 coin represents the ‘Freedom and Security of the Person’ right in the Bill of Rights, as stated in Section 12 of the Bill of Rights of our constitution,” the mint said. The reverse of the count depicts a women and child walking hand in hand, while the obverse of the coin features the traditional coat of arms and the name of the country in two official languages. The R2 coins aim to highlight some of the rights that resonated the most with citizens surveyed in South Africa, depicting children’s rights, the right to education and environmental rights, among others. Such coins are always produced in large quantities and are made available and accessible to the public at face value. < Previous Article Next Article >

Take a stand against poor service delivery 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 February 2021 This will assist the MB&CF’s legal team in bringing the municipality to penance. The Msukaligwa Business & Community Forum (MB&CF) has launched an initiative to get the public involved in bringing Msukaligwa Local Municipality to fulfil their service delivery obligations towards tax paying residents within its jurisdiction. Residents are requested to download the GPS Camera Map on their mobile phones, available from all app stores. Once installed, this application will allow the user to take photos of any and all service delivery issues, be it potholes, electrical issues, refuse, street lights, or any other service delivery related issues. The GPS Camera Application automatically overlays the exact coordinates of the photo, along with other essential information, which will assist the MB&CF’s legal team in bringing the municipality to penance. The MB&CF requests that all residents play their part in this by sending photographs via WhatsApp to 072 401 1449, or by sending an e-mail with the photo attached to mbc@myermelo.co.za . All received photographs will be presented as evidence in upcoming court cases. < Previous Article Next Article >

Inwoner ly reuse skade nadat woonhuis vlamvat 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 9 March 2021 Nooddienste het ook gespartel, want die brand het ontstaan tydens 'n watertekort in Ermelo as gevolg van herstelwerk aan die toevoer. 'n Inwoner van Bothma Straat het op Donderdag reuse skade gely nadat ‘n brand onstaan het in haar woonhuis. Bure, bystaanders en inwoners het almal gehelp waar hul kon, en reddingsdienste was spoedig op die toneel. Die brandende woonhuis het ‘n groot skare gelok, wat in skok gekyk het hoe nooddienste spook om die vlamme onder beheer te kry. Nooddienste het ook gespartel, want die brand het ontstaan tydens 'n watertekort in Ermelo as gevolg van herstelwerk aan die toevoer. Op die stadium is daar geen ernstige beserings aangemeld nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Xtra Savings can now also transact 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 November2021 To get a Money Market Account, register for a free account in-store or download the Shoprite app from the Apple Store, Huawei App Gallery or Google Play Store. Good news for all shoppers! Checkers and Shoprite Xtra Savings members can now transact using their Xtra Savings cards following a significant update to the Shoprite Group’s Money Market Account. The Money Market Account, which has attracted 530 000 users since it launched just over a year ago, now provides customers with transactional banking functionalities, including sending money and making withdrawals. “The development and roll out of the account have been driven entirely by customer needs,” explains Jean Olivier, General Manager: Financial Services at the Shoprite Group. Customers indicated that they like transacting with their phones, but also with a card, and some raised concerns about how to access their Money Market Account if their phone battery went dead or they forgot their phones. Realizing that 20 million customers already had the Xtra Savings rewards card, the Group worked on a solution. Customers can now link their Xtra Savings card to their Money Market Account and will be able to use these cards to pay for items provided shoppers have funds in their account. They can use their Xtra Savings cards to pay for goods at checkout points, as they would any other bank card. Money Market Accounts offer banked and unbanked consumers, many of whom are regular customers at the Group’s stores, access to basic transactional banking activities that are specifically aimed at their needs. The account gives them simplicity and transparency, as there are no fees and no physical forms, as it is all digital. It also offers low-cost banking with no monthly fees, no load fees, no transactional fees, only a R5 withdrawal fee, and no debit orders or deductions, as to ensure that customers are in full control of their money. Easy access is offered on any mobile phone, and available for free via the Shoprite app, USSD (*120*3534#), WhatsApp (087 240 5709) or the Xtra Savings card. Anyone can register for a Money Market Account, as a customers just need a South African ID or any passport and a South African cellphone number. “It is a straightforward account which allows customers to be in full control of their money and does not surprise them with any hidden fees,” says Olivier. To get a Money Market Account, register for a free account in-store or download the Shoprite app from the Apple Store, Huawei App Gallery or Google Play Store, or by by dialing *120*3534#. Customers can also add Shoprite on 027 87 240 5709, or Checkers on 027 87 240 5385 as a WhatsApp contact, and follow the prompts. < Previous Article Next Article >

Local scrapyard suffers extensive wind damage 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 16 September 2020 Several residents have also reported damage to their property and vehicles with the freak wind speeds today, which included corrugated iron roofing coming undone and temporary structures being damaged by the velocity. A local scrapyard in Wessels Road suffered immense damage from the high wind speed in Ermelo approximately an hour ago, with two sections of their perimeter wall collapsing. Management and damage control teams are scurrying to temporarily block off damaged sections. According to the information at hand, management will use large metal containers as barricades until rebuilding of the walls will commence. < Previous Article Next Article >

Lyke ontbind in staats lykshuis 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 5 July 2022 Lykshuis koelkamers is al minstens twee weke buite werking, wat daarnatoe lei dat die lyke ontbind as gevolg van die gebrek aan verkoeling. Die Tribune het ‘n steurende anonieme wenk ontvang vanaf ‘n fluitjieblaser, rakende die toestand van die lykshuis koelkamers by die Ermelo Provinsiale Hospitaal, wat beide die hoof koelkamer, sowel as by die forensiese afdeling insluit. Na aanleiding van bewerings is dié lykshuis koelkamers minstens twee weke buite werking, wat daarnatoe lei dat die lyke ontbind as gevolg van die gebrek aan verkoeling. Bewerings rakende die beperkte spasie by een van die koelkamers is ook kommerwekkend, waar lyke na bewering op mekaar gestapel word. Dié koelkamers se wisselvallige werking word na vermoede toegeëien aan die munisipaliteit se onvermoë om stabiele elektrisiteitstoevoer te verskaf, sowel as Eskom se onlangse beurtkrag. Na bewering is die kragopwekker nie genoegsaam om die lading te hanteer nie. Die Tribune het Ermelo Provinsiale Hospitaal se Korporatiewe Dienste gekontak rakende die bewerings. Dié het egter doodluiters en ongeskik geweier om enige informasie te verskaf, of om die bewerings te ontken. Die hoof uitvoerende beampte se kontak nommer was ten tye van kontak direk na stempos. Dumisani Malamule, woordvoerder vir die provinsiale Departement van Gesondheid, het terugvoer verskaf vanaf die departement, en lui as volg: “Die Departement wil graag meld dat daar geen lyke is wat op mekaar gestapel is nie. Lyke word deur hul familielede opgeëis onmiddellik nadat hulle van hul dood ingelig is. Die gesinne sou gewoonlik hul eie private begrafnisondernemer aanstel wat die liggaam tot begrafnis sal hou. Die enigste lyke wat in die forensiese lykshuis is, is dié wat wag vir die nadoodse ondersoek. Daar is ook baie min liggame wat ons armlastiges noem. Dit is liggame wat onbekend is. Gewoonlik, na 'n sekere tydperk, word die liggame deur die staat begrawe as niemand na vore kom om dit op te eis nie. As gevolg van die feit dat hierdie liggame vir langer tydperke in die lykshuis was terwyl hulle wag vir prosesse om moontlike familielede op te spoor, sal hulle 'n ongemaklike reuk afgee, selfs wanneer die yskaste in 'n werkende toestand is. Ja, die yskaste is geraak deur die lang ure se beurtkrag, wat gelei het tot hul beskadiging en nie-werkende toestand. Die Departement het toe 'n diensverskaffer aangestel om dit met onmiddellike effek te herstel, maar daar was 'n mate van vertraging van die diensverskaffer se kant af, en dit het daartoe gelei dat die liggame selfs meer onaangenaam ruik. Maar vanaf verlede week het die diensverskaffer die yskaste herstel, en hulle is nou in werkende kondisie. Die Departement is tans besig met Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit om 'n manier te vind om die onbekende lyke te begrawe, aangesien dit volgens wet die verantwoordelikheid bly van plaaslike munisipaliteite om die lyke te begrawe wat nie opgeëis is nie.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Boots on the ground in DALRRD farm corruption saga 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 6 April 2021 Explanations requested from Minister Thoko Didiza, one month ago, yielded no response. Enquiries sent by the Tribune ePaper to the DALRRD have been acknowledged, but no response had been received from the Department. Amidst a flurry of confusion and flying allegations of corruption and nepotism, harrowing tales have emerged from the affected farmers. Thabani Nxumalo of Klipplaatdrift farm stated that he had a three-year lease agreement on the Ultkyk farm from 2013. In 2019, he had to move to Klipplaatdrift farm because his farming operation was too big for Ultkyk farm. In 2020, he received an eviction order from the Department, despite making an undertaking to resign from his current job to meet the requirements for renewing the lease. The Department has since advertised the farm for new potential lessees to come and view the farm. John Mabasa of Goedehoop farm said that his family had been farming on their family land for over two centuries. When he submitted a land claim in 1998 to formalize his family’s land holdings, the Department claimed that they had no records of the claim. In 2013, after a Public Protector finding instructed the Department to allocate him a farm, he was given caretakership on a portion of land. The award came with the condition that he should farm as part of a co-op. When he refused to pay R25 000 to ensure that a proposed business plan was approved by the Department, his land was advertised for occupation for interested new leases. Swazi Motha of Rietspruit farm is part of a group of three farmers who, in 2013, were granted a lease to a farm. In 2019, when asked to apply for financial assistance, they were told to “pay something” to facilitate the signing of the contract. They refused to pay the bribe, and received a letter of termination in 2019. Mr. Nxumalo of Tweefontein farm started farming in 2009 after signing a three-year lease agreement. In 2018/2019, he signed a 30-year lease agreement, for which the Department did not give him a copy. He was given a strategic partner to work with for 5 years. Without notice, he was told that his lease agreement will not be renewed. Ms Nconwane of Steenwyk farm has been farming since 2016. In 2017, she drew up a business plan to access farmer support funding. Her application for financial support has not been granted. Instead, officials have told her that “everything she does is wrong”. Despite her efforts, she has never been given a lease agreement. Isaac Buthelezi of Dorpsplaas/Drinkwater farm had a three-year lease agreement since 2009, with an offer to purchase. When the lease lapsed, he renewed it again until 2017. Strangely, this time the Department removed the offer to purchase. After 2017, the Department refused to renew the lease completely. The Department sent notice of eviction in 2019 through WhatsApp. Sibusiso Parinengatua of Tarbert farm received a three-year lease in 2011, which was renewed for 5 years in 2014. He received an eviction letter in 2017, with the claim that he is behind on lease payments, and he must vacate the land. He left the farm in 2019 when his lease expired, and after he was told that his lease will not be renewed. To his knowledge, the farm is still vacant. Sisonke Farmers Group, represented by Isaac Muvhali of Tweefontein farm in Dipaliseng received a lease in 2009, which was renewed for 5 years in 2012. In 2019, they saw an advertisement stating that the farm was advertised for state lease. No one had informed them of this. They were asked to pay a bribe of R250 000 if they wanted the lease renewed, to which they refused. The Democratic Alliance (DA) already has boots on the ground with the affected farmers threatened by illegal eviction orders from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). Explanations requested from Minister Thoko Didiza, one month ago, yielded no response. Enquiries sent by the Tribune ePaper to the DALRRD have been acknowledged, but no response had been received from the Department. < Previous Article Next Article >

Nkomazi grensposte amptelik heropen 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 October 2020 Alhoewel daar onlangs geen padongelukke gerapporteer is nie, het die LUR vir padveiligheid, Gabisile Tshabalala, motoriste aangemoedig om die paaie versigtig te gebruik. “Na die heropening van toegangspoorte, verwag ons 'n groot toename in die transportvolume op ons paaie. Ons wil almal versoek om versigtig te wees." Die Nkomazi-substreek huisves drie internasionale grensposte, naamlik Lebombo, wat die land en Mosambiek van mekaar skei, en Matsamo en Mananga, wat albei toegangspunte tot die Koninkryk eSwatini is. Vragmotors wat goedere vervoer het na Mosambiek, moes ure in die ry wag om die grens oor te steek, terwyl die verkeer na die land vlot geloop het. Matsamo en Mananga het egter minder mense ontvang wat tussen die twee lande gereis het. Dit volg nadat grensposte amptelik hul hekke vir internasionale reise onlangs heropen het. Die besigste was Lebombo, wat 'n groot aantal Suid-Afrikaanse toeriste na Mosambiek sien reis het. Voordat die grense op 27 Maart 2020 gesluit is, het plaaslike ondernemings aan die kant van die grensposte floreer, maar het vinnig 'n neusduik ervaar nadat die grendeltyd in werking getree het. Alhoewel daar onlangs geen padongelukke gerapporteer is nie, het die LUR vir padveiligheid, Gabisile Tshabalala, motoriste aangemoedig om die paaie versigtig te gebruik. “Na die heropening van toegangspoorte, verwag ons 'n groot toename in die transportvolume op ons paaie. Ons wil almal versoek om versigtig te wees. Ons werk saam met alle belanghebbendes, en is gereed om die verhoogde verkeersvolumes wat deur die provinsie vanuit die buurlande in en uit die land kom, te hanteer. Daar is geen verdraagsaamheid teenoor roekelose en nalatige bestuur nie.” het Tshabalala afgesluit. < Previous Article Next Article >

NPO bied brandbestryding lugondersteuning aan boere 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 Junie 2020 ‘n NPO groep tot die redding gekom met ‘n diens wat lugondersteuning sal bied aan boere wat tot die diens aangeteken het. Teen slegs R1.50 per hektaar, per maand, vir n tydperk van 3 maande, word boere tot rus gestel met die wete dat hul nie met hande in die hare sal sit tydens ‘n noodgeval nie. Die droeë winter maande hou reuse brandgevaar in vir boere van die omgewing, en wegholbrande is ‘n potensiële realiteit wat elke boer in die gesig staar. Boere in die omgewing het nie meer toegang tot die diens van lugondersteuning tydens ‘n veldbrand nie. In hierdie tyd van nood het ‘n NPO groep tot die redding gekom met ‘n diens wat lugondersteuning sal bied aan boere wat tot die diens aangeteken het. Teen slegs R1.50 per hektaar, per maand, vir n tydperk van 3 maande, word boere tot rus gestel met die wete dat hul nie met hande in die hare sal sit tydens ‘n noodgeval nie. Die dekking sal geldig wees vir Julie, Augustus en September 2020. Hoe meer lede aansluit, hoe goedkoper kan die diens word in die toekoms. Die lugondersteuning daag binne ‘n blitsige 18 minute op teen die verste punt van die area. Die koste per hektaar sal gewend word na die akkommodasie van die vlieënier en die span, asook die staankoste van die helikopter op die lugveld. Om vir die diens aan te teken, moet jy voldoen en behoort aan FPA en regulasies, en moet ook beskik oor lugondersteuning brandversekering. Dié projek sal vanaf Ermelo bestuur word, en ‘n radius van 50KM om Ermelo dek. Hierdie diens is nie munisipaliteit- of distrik gekoppel nie. Plaaslike sekuriteitsmaatskappye in Ermelo en paramedici sal ook genader word om hul steun te bied aan die projek waar benodig. Belangstellendes kan Roger Barnett by 072 852 4686, Johan vd Merwe by 082 338 4362, of Hein Aucomp by 082 571 2530 skakel. < Previous Article Next Article >

Community set to march against GBV Image Credit: Safer Spaces. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 18 August 2022 Participants who wish to join are urged to dress in black clothing, as it matches the theme of the march. On Friday, 19 August 2022, the community of Ermelo will participate in a march against Gender Based Violence. The march will commence at 08:00, and is an organized march to hand over a memorandum. The march will commence at 1948 Wesselton Community Hall. From there, the participants will march to the Magistrate’s building, where a memorandum will be handed over. From there, the participants will march to the Ella De Bruin Hall, where a meeting and prayer session will be held. Participants who wish to join are urged to dress in black clothing, as it matches the theme of the march. GBV is regarded as a human rights violation, and a major barrier to achieving gender equality as well as an obstacle to a country’s development. During times of crisis, such as pandemics and war, GBV escalates dramatically. Violence specifically directed at someone because of their biological sex or gender identity is classified as GBV. It can occur publicly or privately. It includes, verbal, physical, sexual and psychological abuse. As well as threats, coercion and deprivation, for example, economic or education. It is important to remember that GBV does not discriminate. Nor does it confine itself to specific communities, socio-economic standing or income level. Any person of any race, age, gender, sexual orientation or religion can be a perpetrator, victim or survivor of GBV. Read more in the upcoming publication of the Tribune ePaper. < Previous Article Next Article >

Apply for a bursary through Shoprite 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 Registered university students with a 65% aggregate or higher are encouraged to apply. The Shoprite Group offers bursaries for the 2022 academic year in accounting and IT, and applications for the Shoprite Group’s bursary programme are now open for the 2022 academic year. The bursaries offer students in the fields of accounting and information technology an unparalleled opportunity to further their studies - and then go on to work for Africa’s largest retailer. The Shoprite Group has thousands of stores under various brands in more than a dozen countries, and its employees are at the forefront of one of the continent’s most fast-paced and technologically advanced retail organisations. IT and accounting are two key elements that help power the Group, and its bursary programme has several benefits for students of both disciplines. Upon graduation, accounting clerks will join a small, hands-on articles programme, where students can expect to receive individual attention, have a say in their rotation plan and exposure to many different fields, including buying, logistics, or IT. Article clerks also have the option to complete up to three electives, and may even work closely with the Group’s CFO. Importantly, the Group consistently achieves a high Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) pass rate. IT students will benefit from working within a highly innovative team - in recent years the Shoprite Group has implemented and pioneered various initiatives in the retail space. These include virtual vouchers, Xtra Savings - South Africa’s fastest growing loyalty programme - and the hugely popular Sixty60 on-demand grocery delivery service. The practical experience gained through these work-back agreements is invaluable in an increasingly competitive work environment. Registered university students with a 65% aggregate or higher are encouraged to apply for the Group’s bursary programme by visiting the Bursary and Graduate Opportunities page on www.shopriteholdings.co.za . Applications for IT and Accounting bursaries are open from 1 March to 30 April 2021. Appearing on the photo is (f.l.t.r): Qayiya Kobese, Eslje De Wet, Dzhavhelo Mudau, Kayla Matthews and Mpilo Sicwebu. < Previous Article Next Article >