Standerton: Police at Standerton are looking for a man in connection with a murder that occurred outside a certain Pub in Standerton on the evening of Saturday, 29 January 2022.
According to the information it is reported that an argument started at around 20h20 between a man and his girlfriend at a Pub. The two are said to have then gone outside whereby the man who was armed apparently shot the woman. It is further said that another man, believed to be the brother of the woman tried to intervene after noticing the shooting but he too was shot by the suspect on the lower body. The suspect then fled the scene on foot, leaving behind his vehicle at the scene.
Illustration purposes only
The brother reportedly drove with the woman to seek medical assistance but unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries upon arrival at the hospital. The man though was treated for his injuries in the same hospital and later discharged.
Police were informed about the incident where a case of murder with an additional charge of attempted murder was opened hence the manhunt. An investigation is underway and police request Mr Jan Mofokeng to come forth as soon as possible as they believe that he can be of assistance in their probe. Members of the public who know of his whereabouts are urged to alert the police immediately. Detective Sergeant Oupa Radebe can be contacted regarding this case on 0634457885. Alternatively, the public can call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has strongly condemned this horrendous act. ” These incidents where women are murdered by their partners or ex-partners are very much disturbing. We cannot allow such acts of violence to prevail. The suspect must be hunted, arrested, and brought to book to face the full might of the law. ” concluded the General.
Sasol held their Grade 12 Merit Awards this past Friday at Ukhusi Lodge.
A grand affair, that is how one can describe the function that was held for the grade 12’s
Grade 12’s from 2021 arrived in cars and busses from near and far. All were in anticipation of the Awards function that Sasol is hosting.
The Program Director Kwezi Nthembu did an excellent job in keeping the programme running and on schedule.
Three candles were lit by Mr Simon Baloyi, Cllr Zulu and Mr Zwane. This was in remembrance of the teachers that were lost during the covid time
Lighting the remembrance candles
GMM Executive Mayor Cllr Zuma asked the graduates to return to Govan Mbeki Municipality and to come and make a difference. He said that more academics leave GMM than those that chose GMM as their home.
Zuma welcomed everybody to the function as part of his welcoming address.
Cllr Zuma welcomed everybody
Sasol Senior Vice President Simon Baloyi said in a message from the sponsor that the past Grade 12’s overcome very difficult times.
“This class of 2021 are a class of resilience, they have proven what we are as a people, no matter what comes our way we will find ways to overcome it,” said Baloyi, “Education is a weapon that can be used to change the world.”
Baloyi also said that he is excited as in 2021 they had 140 students across the whole of Mpumalanga that benefited from this programme that recognised top achievers. “This evening we are honouring a total of 205 students (2022).
Sasol Senior Vice President Simon Baloyi
Cllr N Zulu, Acting Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality said in her keynote address that Sasol played a huge role in the education of learners, especially in the field of science and mathematics.
“It is up to you to you to take responsibility for how your future will turn out,” said Zulu. She also advised graduates to resist the temptation to listen to other voices, especially the one that says, ”you only live once, go out and enjoy life.”
“Ignore those voices,” said Zulu, “Forge forward.”
Die Teksa Radiobeheer Model Klub het Saterdag heerlik gebraai terwyl die model vliegtuie die lug deurkruis het.
Die wind het lastig die gras rond gewaai en dwarel winde oor die aanloopbaan gemaak maar dit het nie die vlieëniers se geesdrif gedemp nie. Groot en klein was daar om bietjie te kan vlieg. Een vliegtuig het selfs naby die 200km/h merk gedraai.
Dit is ‘n belewenis om die vliegtuie in die lug te sien en die vernuf van die vlieëniers te aanskou
Meer as 40 jaar gelede (in 1979) was daar al belangstelling in diè sport in hierdie area en vroeg in 1980 is daar met ‘n amptelike klub begin deur ongeveer sewe vlieëniers waarvan slegs een of twee kon vlieg en die ander moes oplei.
Die klub was bekend as die Evander Model Vliegklub en het betreklik vinnig gegroei. Die vliegveld was geleë op Sasol gronde naby die ou tronk van destyds, aan die Sasol kant van die spoorlyn.
Ag hoekom wil hy nie werk nie?
Teen mid 1980 het die klub verskuif na gronde tussen Evander en Brendan Village omtrent regoor die ou Evander Vliegveld. Goeie aanloopbane, veiligheidsheinings en ‘n klubhuis was in ‘n kort tydjie gereed en ‘n “fly-in” is gereël. Dit was ‘n reuse sukses en daar was op daardie dag byna 80 radio’s beheer by Frekwensie Kontrole!
Die ou Evander Vliegveld het later in onbruik geraak en is toe aan die lede beskikbaar gestel. Lede het egter begin min raak en hiervanaf het klublede maar gevlieg waar en wanneer hulle kon, soms op ongemaklike en onveilige plekke.
Lekker vleisbraai
Op 11 September 1991 is daar toe ‘n stigtingsvergadering gehou om ‘n nuwe vliegklub te begin, tydens die vergadering word bestuur verkies en ‘n konstitusie is opgestel wat in beginsel ooreenstem met SAMAA Konstitusie.
Daar word op ‘n amptelike naam besluit nl: Teksa Radiobeheer Model Klub. Weereens begin die rondswerf opsoek na ‘n “land van vlieg en geniet”.
Daar is eers by Julius Engelbrecht op die plaas gevlieg, daarna weer op die ou Evander Vliegveld, daarna is op die plaas van Koos Kruger, net buite Trichardt gevlieg.
Presies ‘n jaar nadat die klub ‘n vertoning op Secunda vliegveld gelewer het, is daar ‘n stukkie grond agter Graceland, beskikbaar gestel
Klein Battery aangedrewe vliegtuig
Na al die jare van rondswerf het die groep “flying fanatics” op ‘n stukkie grond in Trichardt afgekom. Vol geesdrif bou die klublede iets uit niks vir die soveelste maal.
‘n Pawiljoen, klubhuis, betonmuur en later “ablusie geriewe” is opgerig en klublede sien eindelik hoe hul droom ‘n werklikheid word met n teer aanloopbaan wat 19 Julie 1997 amptelik ingewei is, waar daar tot vandag toe nog gevlieg, gekuier en gebraai word, met jaarlikse fly-ins.
Pragtige Edge 540 model vliegtuig
Klublede vlieg gewoonlik naweke maar sommige vlieeniers in die week wanneer hul kans kry. Vlieg is n familie sport dus kan mans, vrouens en kinders deelneem. TRMC bied gratis vlieg-opleiding aan nuwelinge.
The Sasol Highveld Photography Club is passionate about photography and about the quality of the images members shoot. They want the members to enjoy their photography.
WHAT THEY DO
Their goal is to help their members to learn, grow and expand their photography. Highveld Photography Club wants to make a difference in each photographer’s life, by giving members inspiration to really appreciate their hobby and by recognizing their work. Each individual is unique and your picture is special!
CLUB MEETINGS
The club meets monthly on a Friday at 18:00 for 18:30 at the Scrum Hall in the main building of the Sasol Recreation Centre.
Check out their “Winners” tab to see the previous winning photos produced by members of the club.
Bernie van der Vyver, a well-known artist from Bethal, acted as the judge for the evening.
Born in 1969, Bernie van der Vyver played from an early age with his pencils, paper and clay on a farm in Bethal. He had a passion for Wildlife and was drawing wild animals as soon as he was able to control a pencil. One of his favourite pastimes was to escape to the marshlands where he could mould forms of animals from clay.
During his high school years, he took art as a subject, but his work was considered too realistic to qualify as art. A few years later he took up a subdivision of art: Sculpting as a subject and worked mainly with iron as a medium. He matriculated with a distinction in art and received certificates throughout his schooling years from the Department of Education.
His creativity and passion blossomed in 1999 and he started to draw in soft pastels. His paintings started to sell and he painted on commission until 2005 when he explored oils due to the request by prospective buyers.
His talent is so diverse that he also paints pictorial paintings on commission despite the fact that wildlife is his first love. He also enjoys doing wildlife photography in the National Parks, which he uses as a reference for his unique paintings.
The “golden ratio” is a unique mathematical relationship, and easy to spot in the natural world.
The “golden ratio” is a unique mathematical relationship. Two numbers are in the golden ratio if the ratio of the sum of the numbers (a b) divided by the larger number (a) is equal to the ratio of the larger number divided by the smaller number (a/b). The golden ratio is about 1.618, and represented by the Greek letter phi.
The Golden RatioThe Golden Ration occurs naturally in nature.
Bethal: Police in Bethal arrested a thirty-six(36)year old female for possession of suspected stolen copper and implements suspected to be used in the commission of the crime.
A 36-year-old woman was arrested for Possession of suspected stolen copper cable and implements suspected to be used in the commission of the crime.
The arrest came after the police received a complaint from the complainant about the woman who was caught with copper cable in her backpack with implements that might have been used to cut the cable where it was installed.
The police responded to the complaint and on arrival at the scene, they found the complainant with the suspect and she was arrested for Possession of suspected stolen copper cable with the implements.
The suspect was taken to Bethal police station for detention and appeared at Bethal Magistrates Court on Thursday 27 January facing charges of possession of suspected stolen property, the matter was postponed to Wednesday 02 February 2022 for formal bail application and consultation with the legal aid.
The acting station commander Captain Anne Steyn thanked the community for reporting the matter to the police and for not taking the law into their own hands after apprehending the suspect. She further thanked the police for responding swiftly to the complaint and making sure that the suspect is detained and faced the might of the law.
The SAPS advises victims of crime to report all crimes to their toll-free number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP
Vehicle accidents in the GMM area largely involves VW polos
Gauteng: Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Quantum are the vehicle models mostly involved in fatal crashes in South Africa and account for the highest number of speed infringement fines issued, a study conducted by the Road Traffic Management Corporation has revealed.
A baseline study – titled South African Fatal Crashes in Context – which was published last month analysed fatal crash data from 1 October 2017 to 30 June 2021 a period of 3.8 years. It also analysed Aarto speed infringement data from 1 January 2019 to 20 June 2021, a period of 2.5 years.
A total of 48 330 vehicles were involved in 37 583 fatal crashes with 45 232 deaths during the period according to data on the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s national crash data management system.
An analysis of the top 20 vehicle models involved in fatal crashes showed that the Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Hilux and Toyota Quantum were involved in 43.2% of fatal crashes.
The Volkswagen Polo came out on top, with a contribution of 16.7% of all fatal crashes, confirming what many South Africans have long suspected. It was followed closely by the Toyota Hilux which was involved in 14.2% of fatal crashes and the Toyota Quantum with a recorded 12.2% involvement in fatal crashes.
These three vehicle models also accounted for the highest number of Aarto speed infringement fines issued by the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Tshwane Metro Police Department, the Gauteng Department of Community Safety, and the National Traffic Police.
A total of 35% of speed infringement fines were issued to these three vehicle models in the period under review even though they constituted 33% of the total vehicle population.
The high number of speed infringements committed by public transport types of vehicles such as the Toyota Quantum is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
Even though not acceptable, considering that Toyota Quantum and Toyota Hiace vehicles are on road on a semi-full-time basis and travel more million vehicle kilometres vs other vehicle models and would thus be exposed to more on road conflict situations and/or to driver fatigue, one could expect more fatal crashes for this type of classes.
Although it is expected that public transport vehicles will be involved in crashes because they are on the road on a semi-full-time basis and travel more million vehicle kilometres compared to other vehicle models, their contribution to fatalities remains unacceptably high considering that they constitute a mere 3.3% of the total vehicle population.
Here is the top 20 list of vehicle make and models with the highest contribution to fatal crashes and speed infringements and their representation in the total vehicle population.
Vehicle accident data
Read the full report on the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s website HERE
The aim of this report is to provide input to road safety programmes regarding the ‘type of vehicle’ which is involved in fatal crashes. In addition, through the analysis of speed infringements of the type of vehicle that is involved in fatal crashes, possible over- underrepresentation of vehicle type in fatal crashes and or involved speed infringements are analysed and discussed.
Amongst others, safe vehicles, and safe speeds as well as safe road use are critical elements of the Safe System approach to which this report might provide relevant analysis output.
A safe system approach recognises that:
the safety and preservation of human life as the highest value of consideration and that deaths and injuries are not an inevitable outcome of road transport;
humans are fallible and capable of making errors that are not mitigated by education, training or enforcement;
humans are fragile and have limits to the crash forces they can sustain, before serious or fatal injuries are inevitable; and
those who design and maintain the roads, manufacture vehicles, and administer safety programmes share responsibility for safety with road users so that when a death or an injury occurs, remedies are sought throughout the system.
The study also found that Volkswagen Polo and Toyota Quantum vehicles aged between 5-10 years were involved in most fatal crashes when ranked by the grouping of the vehicle make, model and age.
The report will inform further research that will provide input towards reducing death and injuries because of road crashes
The full report is available on the RTMC website www.rtmc.co.za
ANIMALS 101 – AN IMPORTANT READ SINCE WE ARE IN BAT BREEDING SEASON.
Many people come across young, injured or grounded bats and wonder what to do with them. Care and caution should be exercised and such cases should be referred to the nearest bat interest group, rehabilitation centre or the SPCA.
Urban development causes fewer suitable roost sites for bats, such as caves, dead trees and natural cavities, thus forcing bats to seek alternative roosting sites making roofs and ceilings the next optimal site for many bat species. They are quiet animals, so you won’t even know they are there.
A bat found indoors is most likely to be a crevice-dwelling species. These bats are often lost youngster or babies that cannot fly since we are in bat breeding season which runs from October up until late February.
SOME BAT FACTS
Bats are clean animals and South African bats are odourless and appear to not carry rabies as we know it.
Bats are the only true flying mammal, with over 1,400 species in the world and more are still being discovered.
Bats usually only have one baby a year and can live for up to 30 years.
Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystem.
Some plants depend partly or wholly on bats to pollinate their flowers or spread their seeds.
Insectivorous bats provide natural pest control. A tiny pipistrelle can eat up to 3,000 insects in a night.
Other species play a vital role in pollinating agricultural crops and indigenous vegetation, being of great value to the agricultural sector – thanks to bats we get bay adapted plants – which include dates, vanilla, bananas, breadfruit, guavas, Iroko timber, balsa wood, sisal, Tequila and chewing gum!
Some bats are ‘indicator species’, because changes to these bat populations can indicate changes in aspects of biodiversity. Bats might suffer when there are problems with insect populations.
You can’t relocate bats, you might be able to exclude (“lock out”) them from the house, but it isn’t advised as you can never be certain that all the babies are out too! Thus, trapping them inside and their parents out which leads to starvation.
Image from Craig View Veterinary Clinic (Facebook)
The young babies do not have fur yet and have a “rubber” appearance. They are called pinky’s. For the first few weeks, the pups can’t fly yet and still drink from their mom.
Collect them in a soft cloth and try not to touch them with your hands.
Secure them in a box or ice-cream tub (with air holes) which can seal properly as they are escape artists.
Any bat found, should be kept warm because they might be in shock. Pups can’t regulate their body temperature yet (no fur) and therefore won’t necessarily move away from the heat and can burn themselves. Warm tap water in a bottle, covered with a towel/cloth is best.
Call a rehabilitator as you might not be equipped to feed them, release them or see whether they are injured. Rehabilitators will ask for photos and videos.
We do not recommend placing bat pups back into roosts (controversy):
The mother bat may be dead.
Several species of bat may roost in the same roof, placing the pup in the wrong roost can get it killed.
The mother bat may have twins or triplets and has chosen to abandon one as resources may not enable her to raise all the babies.
REUNITE WITH MOM
Mom is what is best for them, so reuniting them, with the guidance of a rehabilitator, is ideal! Do this as close as possible to where you found them. Some use ladders with the open container (secured to the ladder) on top, with a cloth and warm water bottle in the bottom and then the pup under another cloth, without the lid. Mom needs to be able to land on a firm surface that is rough enough like a towel thrown over a wall, balcony railing or ladder.
You can try it for one or maybe two consecutive nights and for an hour or two at dusk, depending on the weather. If it didn’t happen the first night, chances are low for the second night. The pup needs to be warm or it won’t call for its mom.
Please watch the pup collection site, so that predators (like cats or owls) don’t come and collect the pup.
Bats can’t take off from the ground, they need to “drop” from a height (around 1.5m). As they’re falling, they get the wind under their wings to fly.
Screenshot from a video on setting up a ladder to reunite mom & pup.
A BAT IN YOUR HOME (NSPCA)
Close any doors you can to contain the bat in a single room or space.
Open all the doors and windows as wide as you can in that area.
Turn any outside lights on.
Turn off the lights in the room.
Stay in the room, sit down, relax, and watch the bat. If you don’t, you will not know if it actually left or has landed and is resting somewhere.
Do not try to guide the bat with a broom, tennis racket etc. It does not want to get in your hair!
The bat, if allowed to, will navigate its way out using the light outside and the draft created by the open window or door.
This may take 20 minutes.
GROUNDED BATS
Adult bats should also be handled with care (no bare hands) and kept warm. If the bat has landed somewhere and is in good health, it may be captured and released outside after sunset as close as possible to where they were found. Approach your visitor very slowly and quietly. Gently place a can or box over the bat, slide cardboard underneath and release your visitor outside at dusk, placing it on a high surface where it will be able to take off.
If bitten by your cat or dog there is a danger of infection and death, even if they flew off. You can add a bell to your cat’s collar or keep them inside around sunset hours to prevent this. Call a rehabilitator or wildlife vet to treat the injured bat.
DON’T FEED THEM (without a rehabilitator’s guidance)
It is our natural instinct to want to feed them and with good intent, however in general, we don’t advise giving food or water until you spoke to a rehabilitator.
Although small, bats have a large body surface due to their wingspan and can easily dehydrate. When they are dehydrated, they can’t digest food properly. They have tiny mouths and can easily choke or aspirate, especially when in shock. If you are inexperienced with liquid therapy and feeding, you can potentially kill them.
Depending on the size, the rehabilitator will guide you on what kind of food. This can range from kitty milk(for tiny pups) with a syringe, mealworms, bananas etc. If you have to give water to a bat who can drink themselves already, a shallow jam jar lid can work.
Image from Johannesburg Wildlife Vet (Facebook)
REMEMBER
Never disturb a roost.
It’s illegal to harm them.
Don’t poison or kill them – they might be the last of their specie!
Never wake bats found during hibernations as waking requires a huge amount of energy which may be more than the bat can afford to survive.
Nelspruit: Police in Delmas arrested a 37 year old man yesterday, 24 January 2022 for truck hijacking.
According to the information, the truck was heading from Ermelo to Delmas when the driver stopped and offered a lift to three hitchhikers (two males and a female). He dropped the female off at Delmas Mall and continued on his journey with the other two.
One of the passengers then urged the driver to stop on the side of the road. Upon stopping, the passenger seated behind him strangled him while the other tied him with shoelaces and they both carried and placed him on the truck’s bed, covered him with a blanket and drove off.
Moments later police stopped the truck and instructed the passengers to get off. The occupant on the passenger’s seat jumped out and ran off. The other occupant then untied the (hijacked) driver and they were both instructed to lie on the floor. Police then swiftly arrested the suspect after establishing he had hijacked the truck.
The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has applauded the members for their vigilance which led to the swift arrest.
The SAPS advises victims of crime to report all crimes to their toll-free number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP
The Bulletin received the following letter addressed to the Editor.
Please note: The views, information, or opinions expressed in “Letters to the Editor” are solely those of the individuals and authors involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Bulletin and its employees
Dear MMC’s and Councillors.
I would like to remind and educate u as to what the salary u earn from the council is for.
It’s not for the Gucci and fancy clothes and shoes. It’s not for the fancy cars u drive It’s to serve the community that voted for u. To have airtime to take and return their calls.
To be able to have fuel for the vehicle so u can go out and help the communities that put u there.
Please u councillors, We cannot and will not be able to continue supporting u as it is an embarrassment as to what u have done. U have allowed the Govan Mbeki area to fall apart systematically.
Is this part of the plan to enrich your friends and family?
Well we see and we hear It either stops or it will be the last time u have a majority.
Common decency is to respond and return calls but no we are beneath you politicians. The excuses for no service delivery are boring if u can’t solve it move on. The current majority has failed us horribly. The poor are poorer the sick are sicker even the dead are deader??
As for the so-called opposition, all they do is: Will report Noted
And other than that their name should be changed to information alliance. Really the audacity of the councillor in this ward doesn’t even introduce himself formally before more after the election.
Now what?
Please nitpicking as to my grammar and spelling is unfortunately due to the potholes.
