POLICE TRACED AND ARRESTED ONE OF THE MOST WANTED SUSPECT IN MPUMALANGA.
Nelspruit: 12 February 2022 – The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of one of the most wanted suspects in the province and applauded members in anticipation of solving many outstanding cases registered.
This is through a collaboration between the SAPS members from Gauteng’s Crime Intelligence, Pretoria West, Mpumalanga’s Anti-Gang Unit and the Tracing Unit which led to the tracing and arrest of one of the most wanted suspects yesterday, Friday 11 February 2022. The man, aged 21 was already in the police cells in Gauteng after being arrested in Pretoria for unlawful possession of firearms with ammunition last week.
This development came as a breakthrough after the suspect was sought by police in connection with several crimes committed in Bushbuckridge, Calcutta, as well as Kanyamazane. These cases include amongst others, 14 counts of Murder, Assault with intent to inflict Grievous Bodily Harm, Arson, Burglaries, Pointing with a firearm, kidnapping, Malicious Damage to Property, House Robbery and Rape.
One of the murder cases involves a pregnant woman from Marite, who was sadly shot and killed and her body dumped into the Crocodile River at Kanyamazane. Her lifeless body was retrieved on 22 August 2021. The suspect is linked to the said cases and is expected to appear before the Bushbuckridge, Mkhuhlu and Kanyamazane Magistrate’s Court respectively between Monday, 14 February 2022 and Wednesday, 16 February 2022.
ANIMALS 101 – EXERCISE IS CRUCIAL FOR PETS, BUT WALKS ARE ALSO ABOUT MORE THAN JUST EXERCISE.
Walks are essential for the well-being of canine companions and when done correctly, with the right attitude, they can be very beneficial for us, as well. It is a commitment responsible pet parents make.
Walks are an opportunity for dogs to:
Relieve themselves.
Move their bodies.
Get fresh air.
Help with weight control.
Reduce anxiety, boredom and depression.
Interacting with their environment and “earthing”.
Socialize with other humans and dogs.
Strengthen their bond with you.
If you can’t do this daily (30-60 minutes) or walks are stressful for you or your pet, we suggest finding other ways to exercise and provide enrichment for them, like playing games in and around the home or by hiring a professional dog-walker. AbsoluteDOGS has a game for everything!
Image from Pexels.com
DIFFERENT KINDS OF WALKS (Dr Karen Becker)
1. Purposeful walks — These are typically short and have a specific goal, for example, walking your dog to her potty spot.
2. Training walks — These walks can be about improving leash manners and learning basic or advanced obedience commands. Remember to take some healthy training treats.
3. Mentally stimulating walks — Most leashed dogs don’t get to spend nearly as much time sniffing and investigating as they would like, so allowing your pet some time to explore is good mental stimulation for her.
4. Sniffaris — During these mentally stimulating walks, your dog takes the lead, you follow, and he gets to sniff whatever he pleases.
5. Power walks — Power walks to keep your dog’s frame strong, his weight in check, and help alleviate arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases. These walks can also be an essential method for ensuring your dog gets enough exercise.
6. Walks with friends — If your dog is comfortable around other dogs, consider meeting up with neighbours or friends with dogs for social group walks.
7. Different dog-walker walks — Everyone walks a dog a little differently, so the more members of your household who walk your dog, the more variety she’ll enjoy.
8. Change-of-scenery walks — Instead of heading outside in the same old direction, instead, buckle your dog in and drive a few blocks away or to a neighbourhood park or nearby hiking trail for your walk.
Not allowing sniff time — Your dog’s most acute sense is her sense of smell. She explores and experiences the world through her nose.
Ignoring your dog or multi-tasking — Unfortunately, there are pet parents who do everything but, pay attention to their dogs during walks. The activity becomes so routine that they do it without giving much thought to the furry fellow at the other end of the leash. This is a bad habit primarily for the danger of what your dog can get up to if you are not looking.
Choosing the wrong type of collar, harness, or leash — Many pet parents don’t realize the importance of choosing the right type for their dog.
Not taking advantage of different types of walks, mentioned above, to keep things interesting for both of you.
Image from Dr Karen Becker (Facebook)
SAFETY FIRST
Before the walk, test the road/tar/ground temperature. If you can’t keep the back of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds then it is too hot for their paws!
Discuss with your veterinarian when your puppy’s immune system is strong enough to go for walks.
Even if off-leash, always pack their harness and leash (no choke or pinch collars) and include an ID tag. They should be accustomed to wearing it before you attempt to take them for walks.
Watch out for dog snatchers who follow your walking routines as well as any other hazards.
Keep them hydrated and prevent them from drinking contaminated water.
Do not let young children or the elderly walk animals alone.
Pack a mini first aid kit.
Go at their pace.
Wear reflective gear.
KEEP IN MIND
If you are having trouble with the walk, then get some professional help. This could be a trainer, if your pet just never learned to walk on a leash properly or a behaviourist if there are other underlying issues like anxiety or re-activity.
Although walking is a great activity, some breeds might not be getting enough exercise for cardiovascular health through just a walk. For others you might have to start slower for shorter distances.
When you do suburban walking, the other dogs barking, are not them “saying hello”, it is more like “death threats”. For re-active and anxious dogs this won’t be beneficial.
Be mindful of fellow walkers. Never allow your dog to just approach another dog, even if they are friendly and especially not when that dog is on a leash because they might be fearful, re-active, aggressive, in pain or recovering from an operation.
When going for hikes, make sure your pet is up for it, you have enough water, the trail is dog-friendly and never let your dog chase any wildlife.
The most important thing you can do to ensure a lifetime of enjoyable walks with your canine companion is to help them learn to be the perfect walking partner and be one too.
Next week we will look at a tough topic for any pet parent or rescuer; euthanasia.
There is a decline in Rhino poaching in Government reserves but private reserves are not so lucky
A total of 451 rhinos were poached in South Africa in 2021, 327 within government reserves and 124 on private property. While there is a 24% decrease in rhino poaching compared to the pre-Covid period in 2019, there has been an increase in poaching on private properties.
In 2021, 209 rhinos were poached for their horns in South African National Parks – all in the Kruger National Park. This was in fact a decrease in comparison to 2020 when 247 rhinos were poached within the national parks. It is important to note that none of SANParks’ smaller rhino parks experienced any rhino losses from poaching in 2021, in comparison to the 2 rhinos that were poached in 2020.
The steady decline in rhino poaching in Kruger Park is related to an increase in the intensity of anti-poaching activities in the Kruger National Park. A close working relationship between the police’s endangered species unit, the SANParks environmental crimes inspectorate has resulted in increased arrests and convictions.
Minister Creecy
One of the unintended consequences is that poaching syndicates are looking to other areas for easy prey and this has resulted in their targeting private reserves in Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Over the last year, conservation and anti-poaching efforts have intensified countrywide as a joint effort is made by state-owned conservation areas, government and private landowners to reduce the poaching of rhinos in South Africa. More targeted deployment of resources is being assisted by the rollout of a CSIR-developed situational awareness platform known as CMORE into the integrated wildlife zones. Through this single technology platform, all role players are able to collaborate, making use of real-time insights and analytical capability, linking, for example, camera traps and ranger patrols while integrating a range of other systems.
Information collected and communication flows through the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre (EEFC) which continues to support the teams at both a tactical level and a strategic level. Our analysis capabilities have also improved, resulting in the increased identification of those involved in rhino poaching and trafficking and improved and expanded investigations by multi-disciplinary teams.
SANParks, provincial nature reserves and private rhino owners are dehorning rhinos to deter poachers, while SANParks is investigating the feasibility of additional actions such as anti-poaching initiatives focused on apprehending poachers and establishing additional founder populations outside the Kruger National Park.
The government continues to work closely with the private sector and non-governmental organisations through the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros approach and the draft National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) to address rhino poaching.
In 2021 there were 189 arrests in connection with poaching activities: 77 within the Kruger National Park and 109 outside the Park. This compares with 156 people arrested countrywide in 2020. In the 38 verdicts handed down by the courts, 37 cases resulted in the conviction of 61 accused rhino poachers/traffickers.
The following are among some of the successful prosecutions during 2021:
Project Python: Three persons were arrested and several properties seized. The 3 accused were charged with racketeering and money laundering relating to rhino horn trafficking. One of the accused Ping WU was convicted on two money laundering charges in the Tembisa regional court. The case was remanded to 9 February 2022 for sentencing. The racketeering trial against the other two accused, Huang and Chen, continues and was postponed to the 3 March 2022 for the state to lead further evidence.
S v Arlendo Mhlanga; Hlayisile Adam Hlongwane; Inancio Chauke were sentenced to 85 years’ imprisonment, effective sentence of 35 years imprisonment after being convicted on 10 counts in relation to the killing of three rhinos in the Pilanesberg National Park, the possession, transportation, cutting of 6 rhino horns, theft and the possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition and trespassing. In addition, the Ford Courier vehicle which was used during the commission of the offences was forfeited to the State.
S v W Mhangani & and 2 others were convicted for killing 3 rhinos within the Kruger National Park, for being illegally in SA, trespassing, possession of unlicensed firearm and the possession of unlicensed ammunition. Accused 1 was sentenced to an effective 45 years imprisonment and accused 2 and 3 were sentenced to an effective 30 years imprisonment.
S v GV Tibane and J Matshinga Sithole were sentenced to 19 years imprisonment following a conviction in relation to trespassing in the Kruger National Park, contravention of the Immigration Act, illegal killing of a rhino, possession of firearm with obliterated serial number, possession of silencer, possession of firearm with intent to commit crime, possession of ammunition and possession of an axe.
S v Emmanuel Mdluli was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment after being convicted on charges of trespassing, possession of firearm with the intention to poach a rhino, possession of firearm with serial number obliterated, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of dangerous weapon, contravening Immigration Act.
On the international front, the following are examples of the important work that is taking place between South Africa and those countries implicated in wildlife crime:
A Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) process was successfully finalised between SA and Poland, after receipt of a request from Poland relating to rhino horn trophy hunting in South Africa;
Operation Golden Strike, which relates to the cooperative work done between Southern Africa and South East Asia, has set a platform for better cooperation between these countries with the aim to combat wildlife trafficking at international levels. Several successful operations, bilateral engagements and information sharing sessions were conducted during the reporting period;
A controlled delivery between South Africa and Vietnam took place in July 2021, resulting from the work between the Hawks and the Vietnamese authorities on a consignment of rhino horns and suspected lion bones that was trafficked to Vietnam. The operation was successfully conducted and 138kg of rhino horns and an estimated 3 tons of suspected lion bones were seized at Da Nang Port in Vietnam. The investigation continues between the two countries;
Cross border investigations between South Africa and the People’s Republic of China are underway as a result of a joint integrated operation between the Hawks, assisted by DFFE and the transport sector at OR Tambo International Airport in December 2021. A total of 32 rhino horns were seized. The information obtained during this operation was shared with the People’s Republic of China authorities, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect in South Africa and two suspects in China as well as seizure of additional rhino horns.
South Africa remains committed to safeguarding the country’s rhino populations and will continue to work tirelessly, alongside the private sector, committed NGOs as well as authorities in transit and destination countries, to combat wildlife crime.
Members of the public can report any suspicious activities around wildlife to its environmental crime hotline which is 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111.
Laerskool Kruinpark het op 5 Februarie 2022 ‘n verrykingseminaar vir ongeveer 100 juffrouens van die omgewing aangebied.
Me. Diana van Wyk het in 2021 die behoefte raakgesien wat grondslagfase onderwysers het om in ons eie dorp opleiding te kan ontvang. Die onderwysers wat die verrykingseminaar bygewoon het, het met ‘n volledige toegeruste gereedskapkas uitgestap met nuwe vaardighede!
Die sprekers by die geleentheid was Magdi Kruger, Carla Grobler en Mariëtte van Eeden. Onderwerpe soos die potloodgreep, sensoriese integrasie en die temperamente van kinders is aangeraak.
Johrné van Huyssteen en Me. Diana van Wyk, organiseerder van die Verrykingseminaar wat 5 Februarie 2022 by Laerskool Kruinpark plaasgevind het.
Johrné van Huyssteen het behoorlik almal wat die verrykingseminaar bygewoon het se maagspiere laat lag met sy praatjie oor “Woema vir 2002”. “Dit was ‘n voorreg om vir Johrné van Huyssteen vir die tweede keer by Laerskool Kruinpark te verwelkom,” het Anita de Beer, Laerskool kruinpark bemarking, gesê “Die vorige ontmoeting was met ‘n heerlike damesoggend net voor die Covid pandemie!”
Elke grondslagfase onderwyseres het op haar tafel ‘n boksie ontvang met gereedskap in om leerders te help met hulle potloodgreep. Laerskool Kruinpark wil ook dan die volgende borge bedank: Prima Stationery, WMPG, Nanouk en De Wet Engelbrecht. “Dit is vir ons ‘n riem onder die hart om te weet dat plaaslike besighede ons skole so getrou ondersteun. Klein of groot, elkeen se hulp en ondersteuning word waardeer,” het Anita de Beer gesê.
Spreker beurt tydens die verrykingseminaar.
Me. Diana van Wyk het ook al die deelnemende skole bedank, “Dankie dat julle u onderwysers en leerders se akademiese en emosionele welstand belangrik ag,” het sy gesê, ” Dankie ook aan elke grondslagfase onderwyser wat op ‘n Saterdag die verrykingseminaar bygewoon het om ook jou eie lewe te verryk en daardeur jou leerders in die klas se lewe te verryk.”
Laerskool Kruinpark beplan om hierdie verrykingseminaar ‘n jaarlikse instelling te maak.
Kyk gerus uit na Laerskool Kruinpark se volgende projekte!
Volg Laerskool Kruinpark se nuus en gebeure op hulFacebookblad.
Laerskool Kruinpark se vorige suksesvolle projek was hul Manne-aand waar Robbie Wessels die vermaaklikheid was. Lees meer HIER.
English (google translation)
Complimentary Enrichment Seminar 1st for Kruinpark Primary School!
Kruinpark Primary School hosted an enrichment seminar for approximately 100 teachers from the area on 5 February 2022.
Me. In 2021, Diana van Wyk saw the need that foundation phase teachers have to be able to receive training in our own town. The teachers who attended the enrichment seminar walked out with a fully equipped toolbox with new skills!
The speakers at the event were Magdi Kruger, Carla Grobler and Mariëtte van Eeden. Topics such as the pencil grip, sensory integration and the temperaments of children were touched upon.
Johrné van Huyssteen really made everyone who attended the enrichment seminar laugh in the stomach muscles with his talk on “Woema for 2002”. “It was a privilege to welcome Johrné van Huyssteen to Kruinpark Primary School for the second time,” said Anita de Beer, Kruinpark Primary School marketing, “The previous meeting was with a wonderful ladies morning just before the Covid pandemic!”
Each foundation phase teacher received on her desk a box with tools in it to help learners with their pencil grip. Kruinpark Primary School would also like to thank the following sponsors: Prima Stationery, WMPG, Nanouk and De Wet Engelbrecht. “It is a belt under our heart to know that local businesses support our schools so faithfully. Small or large, everyone’s help and support is appreciated,” said Anita de Beer.
Me. Diana van Wyk also thanked all the participating schools, “Thank you for considering the academic and emotional well-being of your teachers and learners,” she said, “Thank you also to every foundation phase teacher who attended the enrichment seminar on a Saturday to also to enrich your own life and thereby enrich your learners in the class’s life.”
Kruinpark Primary School plans to make this enrichment seminar an annual institution.
Looking forward to Kruinpark Primary School’s next projects!
Follow Kruinpark Primary School’s news and events on their Facebook page
Kruinpark Primary School’s previous successful project was their Men’s Night where Robbie Wessels was the entertainment. Read more HERE.
REPEAT OFFENDER REMANDED IN CUSTODY FOR POSSESSION AND DEALING IN DRUGS
MPUMALANGA – Mavis Themba Hlungwane (60) was arrested by members of the Hawks` Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Secunda, Mpumalanga Provincial Crime Intelligence Cluster and Ermelo Crime Intelligence on Sunday 06 February 2022 for possession and dealing in drugs.
Mavis Themba Hlungwane (60)
Information was received about a shipment of drugs which was delivered at the bottle store of the well-known drug dealer in Standerton. A disruptive search and seizure operation was conducted at the identified address. Upon the search drugs including Nyaope, Mandrax and Dagga with an estimated street value of more than R100 000.00 were confiscated. The accused was detained and taken to Standerton court on Monday 7 February 2022.
Confiscated drugs
During preliminary investigation, it was established that the accused was previously arrested several times since 1997 for possession and dealing in drugs. On 13 October 1997, she was eventually sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for possession and dealing drugs.
FUGITIVE ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION AND DEALING IN DRUGS
MPUMALANGA – Sunday Cornelius Ugweuezea (40) was remanded in custody by the Hendrina District Court today, 4 February 2022 after he was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Secunda assisted by Witbank Crime Intelligence from his hiding place at Klip street in Middelburg for possession and dealing in drugs.
Sunday Cornelius Ugweuezea (40)
Ugweuezea was detained on a warrant of arrest issued by the Hendrina District court in September 2017. The arrest followed information received about a wanted suspect who was sought for possession and dealing in drugs. The accused was previously arrested and he was released on bail but never returned to court.
ANIMALS 101 – LEARNING TO SPOT THE SIGNS AND TEACHING SAFETY IS IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DOGS & CHILDREN.
Research shows that pets can contribute to a child’s development physically by strengthening their immune system, emotionally by creating an irreplaceable relationship and teaching responsibility by including them in pet care activities. It is however crucial to educate children and parents about dog behaviour and to teach kids how to interact with dogs safely for both the animal and the child’s sake.
One of the top reasons why animals are surrendered to shelters is behaviour. This includes “aggression” because they bit someone. Some people even kill those animals. There is no such thing as a ‘child safe breed’. Every dog has the capacity to bite, some can just do more damage. When children get bitten by a dog, this doesn’t necessarily mean a dog is ‘aggressive’.
Dog body language can be quite intricate and it is easy for parents and kids to miss the subtle warning signals. We often hear the phrase “there was absolutely no warning, the dog just bit out of the blue.” The truth is that there were plenty of warnings, but they were either missed or ignored and the child pushed the dog to their breaking point.
Some statistics show that almost 50% of children will be bitten by a dog before their 12th birthday and more than half of those will be under the age of 5 years. Bites usually occur on the face or neck and are most often inflicted by the family or family friend’s dog, in their own home, with parents present, because parents are less likely to intervene when they know the dog.
Dog bites to children are not accidents, they are preventable!
Contrary to popular belief, dogs don’t have an innate desire to protect or care for children and can find the body language and eye contact of young children unnerving. Dogs generally don’t like their space being invaded, arms around their neck or having children lean or sit on them. At best they will tolerate it…..for a while.
Not one of the photos in this poster below is cute. Missing from this group of pictures is a picture of a dog covered in marker pen drawings. Pictures like this make my blood run cold.
Image shared by Belinda Thomas (Dog trainer & mom)
There are certain behaviours, called calming signals, that dogs show when they are stressed. These serve two purposes; firstly, they are an attempt on the dog’s part at self-soothing, and secondly, they are a message to others that the dog is not comfortable and would like the situation to defuse. If parents are aware of these SIGNALS, they can step in when they see their dog showing any of these behaviours:
Lip licking (contexts is important)
Tongue flicks
Stress yawns
Eye blinks
Ears back/flat
Whale eye (seeing the whites of the eyes)
Closed/tense mouth
Averting gaze / turning the head away
Shifting weight
Lifting paws
Freezing – WATCH OUT! Freezing is one step past a calming signal. It’s very often a last-ditch attempt to tell you to back off. Dogs will typically freeze right before they snap.
Provide feedback to children by pointing out signs that the animal is uncomfortable or scared. This helps develop a child’s understanding of body language and maintains safety.
Be an example for your kids of compassion, kindness, respect and responsibility towards animals.
Encourage your child to be gentle when touching pets – never allow children to pull tails, ears or roughhouse with any animal.
Pets don’t like to be hugged, so never encourage hugs.
Chairs are for sitting on, not dogs.
Don’t disturb pets when they are sleeping.
Dogs are not canvas or paper, so don’t draw/paint the dog.
Don’t take bones, food or toys from animals.
Don’t chase them nor tease them.
They hear sound much louder than humans so do not scream around them.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS
Safety needs to be the primary goal when mixing children and animals.
When introducing a new born baby to a pet, first start by letting the pet sniff your baby’s blankets and clothes. Later allow the pet to sniff your baby’s foot or hand while you hold the baby securely. Never offer a head to be sniffed.
Never leave a baby or young child alone with an animal, for any reason. Any dog can bite; any cat can scratch.
Closely supervise child-animal interactions.
Never allow a child to approach or run towards an unknown animal, especially alone.
NEVER PUNISH A GROWL as it is a dogs warning system and a way of communicating that they feel uncomfortable. If you punish a growl they will learn to go straight to snap/bite without warning.
No-touch, no-talk, no-eye contact principle when meeting a pet.
LEARN ABOUT & TEACH CHILDREN TO READ BODY LANGUAGE
When you are near an unknown dog/pet, ask the animal’s guardian if they are child-friendly, and then instead of approaching further, call the animal into your space for physical contact. If the animal does not approach, leave them alone.
When touching rather hold out your hand instead of going for their head from above and let them come to you.
Consent to touch an animal by any person should be clear, voluntary and with ongoing permission from the pet.
The way you allow your child to treat animals can be unintentional cruelty, but still cruelty, which is a crime. Do not let your child be the reason that this animal doesn’t trust children/humans. We also do not want your child to fear animals for the rest of their life, because of a bite incident.
It is not your dog’s job to know how to interact with your kids. You need to teach your kids how to interact with your dog.
Next week we will look at tips on walking your dog.
ACCUSED SENTENCED TO DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR MONEY LAUNDERING
MPUMALANGA – An entity, Mpenyani CC and, Lusufi Abednego Mabuza (39) was found guilty by the Nelspruit Commercial Crime Court on Monday, 31 January 2022 for fraud and money laundering.
Lusufi Abednego Mabuza (39)
In October 2019, Mabuza who is the director of the company called Mpenyani CC unlawfully submitted fraudulent foreign tax returns and defrauded the South African Revenue Services an amount of R422 355-00.
On 1 February 2022, the court sentenced Mabuza to four (4) years of direct imprisonment for money laundering. He further received a fine of R50 000 with the entity on four counts of fraud which is wholly suspended for five years on condition that they are not found guilty of fraud, theft and Tax Administration Act.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the sentence and applauded the investigating officer as well as the judiciary for the verdict imposed on the accused. She further urged the public to refrain from defrauding SARS as it is derailing the advancement of the country.
The SAPS advises victims of crime to report all crimes to their toll-free number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP
