TWO (2) SUSPECTS WERE REMANDED IN CUSTODY FOR POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVES
Nelspruit: 14 January 2022 – The Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has expressed her appreciation for the alertness and focus of the members when conducting their patrols.
This emanates from an incident in which two suspects aged 29 and 43 appeared before the Barberton Magistrate’s Court earlier today on charges of possession of explosives and were remanded in custody. They were arrested on Wednesday, 12 January 2022.
According to the information police in Barberton were tracing a murder suspect when they came across a white Fiat bakkie with occupants, they then saw one of the occupants toss the lunchbox he was holding inside the bakkie, prompting them to stop and investigate.
They (police) then searched the vehicle and found 4 metres of detonating cord and 12 x superpower Zambia blasting cartridges and the suspects were swiftly arrested.
The suspects will appear again on 21 January 2022, for formal bail application.
Members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR BUSINESS ROBBERY SUSPECTS
Nelspruit: Police in Belfast are looking for suspects in connection with a business robbery incident that occurred last night, at the Belfast Traffic Department.
According to the information, four armed men forcefully entered the premises and handcuffed the security guards. They then headed to the safe, cut it open, took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled thereafter.
The matter was reported to the police and a business robbery case was opened.
Police request anyone with information about the whereabouts of the suspects to immediately contact Warrant Officer Shane Coetzee on 0845104761 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Bail was not granted to Belinda Margaret Swart accused of possession of drugs.
Belinda Swart (53) was remanded in custody by the Secunda District Court on Thursday, 13 January 2022 after she was arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit based in Secunda. The Hawks, together with Crime Intelligence and the K9 Unit promptly responded to information about a suspect allegedly dealing in drugs around Secunda on Wednesday, 12 January 2021.
Belinda Margaret Swart as she entered the courtroom today
A disruptive search and seizure operation was executed on the premises and the suspect was found in possession of drugs (Chrystal meth). Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was previously arrested by the Hawks in 2018 for the Drugs and Drugs Trafficking Act. The accused was later in August 2018 found guilty and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment of which 1 year 6 months are suspended for 5 years, with the choice of acknowledgement of guilty of R12 000
During the first appearance on Thursday, the defence of the accused insisted to proceed with a formal bail application on the schedule 5 hearing. The accused was denied bail and remanded in custody. The case was postponed to 4 April 2022 for further investigation.
The Bulletin learned that Belinda Swart did duty as a reservist in the SAPS.
Belinda Margaret Swart (52) appeared in the local courts today on charges of possession of drugs. The charges are for the contravention of the Drugs and Drug trafficking act for being in possession of a dependence forming or dangerous drug. The charges are schedule 5 charges. Under the schedule 5 charges, the onus is on the applicant to prove that it is in the interest of justice that she be released.
Belinda was arrested yesterday by the hawks when they raided her residence.
The applicant, Belinda Margaret Swart, stated through an affidavit that was read by her attorney in court, that the state has a weak case. She said that she had been living at the same address for the past 30 years and has a handicapped child to care for.
She informed the court of two previous convictions. In 2018 she was found guilty of contravening the Drugs and Drug trafficking act for being in possession of a dependence forming or dangerous drug. In 2020 she was found guilty of contravening the Drugs and Drug trafficking act for dealing in a dependence forming or dangerous drug. There are no pending cases against her.
She claimed that she had assets exceeding R500000 in value, these included a house, household items and a vehicle.
She also claimed that she does not know the witnesses in the case. She also undertook not to interfere nor communicate with any witnesses should she be released on bail. She also stated that she would not threaten or interfere with witnesses in any way.
Belinda also said in her affidavit that she would plead not guilty. She also claimed that she had never seen the drugs that were found.
Belinda claimed that she is not a flight risk and would not pose a danger to anyone should she be released on bail. She is also not a member of a gang.
The state prosecutor read an affidavit of the investigating officer, Hawks Detective Warrant Officer Ras, as opposition to the bail application.
Ras stated in his affidavit that the applicant stated that the applicant, Belinda Swart, has two previous convictions for contravening the Drugs and Drug trafficking act and was sentenced to imprisonment in 2018 and in 2020 she received a fine.
The value of the drugs found in her possession was valued at R3000.
The state opposed bail on the following factors:
The nature of the crime of which the accused is charged is a schedule 5 offence
The applicant, Belinda Swart, identified the drugs and meth pipes to W/O Ras. She acknowledged that the drugs are Crystal Meths.
Witnesses gave statements to implicate her in the charges. One witness was on the scene when she was arrested and identified the bag of Belinda in which the drugs were found.
This case is likely to be send to the regional court due to her previous convictions.
The accused is familiar with the witnesses who was on the scene and identified the bag that contained the drugs.
Swarts also stated that once she gets out, she will deal with the witness who pointed out the bag, thus threatening the domestic worker.
It will be nearly impossible to keep the accused from contacting the witnesses.
Warrant Officer Ras said in his statement that the public expects the court not to grant bail as she seems to be a repeat offender.
The defence for Belinda Swart then had an opportunity to continue arguments in obtaining a favourable outcome in the Bail application.
Belinda Swart
The defence argued again that Belinda is not a flight risk and have a property to the value of half a million rands and would not flee the country with such assets.
Belinda’s defence also argued that the previous two convictions and these charges are unrelated, and the court should not really take them into consideration.
The defence reiterated that Belinda intends to plead not guilty as she denies ever even seeing the drugs.
It was also argued that if denied bail she would leave her disabled child without care.
The defence also argued that Belinda is not a flight risk and poses no threat to anyone as she is a loving and caring mother for her child.
The state through the state prosecutor pointed to the contradictions in the applicants’ affidavit.
She stated that she did not know any of the witnesses, the state pointed out that one of the witnesses is a domestic worker at the place where she resides. She even threatened the witness stating that she will deal with her when she returns.
This is a clear indication that the applicant will intimidate the witnesses.
The state said that the previous convictions are related to the current charge. She did not take the previous convictions seriously said the state prosecutor.
She pointed out the drugs and pipes to W/O Ras.
It is clear that she will carry on with drug-related offences.
The state said that the drugs were found in the same household that the child resides in. They also argued that the father and the domestic worker is there to take care of the child. The father is also residing at the same household.
The state also argued that the absence of Belinda from the child would not damage the child but rather the presence of Belinda near the child would be detrimental to her wellbeing.
The state also argued that W/O Ras’s investigation revealed that the accused does not have assets to the value of R500000 or anywhere near that.
In her judgement, the presiding officer, Judge Kekana said that from Belinda,s own affidavit she was convicted in 2018 and also in 2020. It is now 2022 and she is back on similar charges.
She said that it is very worrying that there is a handicapped child in the house and the previous convictions and the current charges do not equate to a loving and caring mother of a handicapped child.
She also said that Belinda Swart clearly had no intention or desire to rehabilitate herself. She also said that she would still be here in 2024 as it appears that she is appearing every two years. She also stated that the arrest was not made by ordinary SAP members this time but by the hawks.
She also said that she does not understand how anybody with drugs can take care of a child.
“You have a problem and you did not address it that you could have done a long time ago. The court is not going to be so lenient again,” said Judge Kekana, the presiding officer, “Bail denied.”
The case had been postponed until 4 April 2022
The Bulletin learned that the Hawks are now prioritising the drug industry in the area. The Bulletin will publish a number that will be provided by the hawks in due course that the public can use anonymously to report any drug-related matters.
HAWKS – SUSPECT DUE TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR DEALING IN DRUGS
MPUMALANGA: The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Secunda together with Crime Intelligence and K9 Unit promptly responded to information about a suspect allegedly dealing in drugs around Secunda on Wednesday, 12 January 2021.
A disruptive search and seizure operation was executed on the premises and the suspect was found in possession of drugs (Chrystal meth). A 53 years-old suspect was arrested and the drugs were confiscated for further investigation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was previously arrested by the Hawks for the same offence in 2020 and she was sentenced to R12 000. She is expected to appear in the Secunda District court on Wednesday, 13 January 2022 facing another charge of dealing drugs.
The SAPS advises victims of crime to report all crimes to their toll-free number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP
Secunda, Mpumalanga – Sasol has launched its 2022 Back to School campaign under the theme “Sharpen your Pencil”. The initiative was launched at the Marietije Special School in Secunda where Sasol also handed out over 350 face masks, 100 litres of sanitiser, water bottles and stationery items.
“Sasol, is committed to the education of all children. The Sharpen Your Pencil initiative is mostly inspired by our beloved former State President Nelson Mandela’s quote that, ‘education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” said Nomia Machebe, Acting Head of Corporate & Community Affairs.
Sasol has planned a number of outreach initiatives throughout the month of January which will be held under the #SasolForGood banner. Speaking at the launch, Machebe said: “Our visit here today is not purely to donate face masks, sanitisers and water bottles to the school in line with Department of Basic Education rules, we are largely here to demonstrate that we truly hope that all our learners have a successful and safe year ahead as the world continues to look for a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic”.
The Sharpen Your Pencil initiative aims to inspire all learners as they embark on the 2022 academic year, and it’s aligned with President Ramaphosa’s vision of “developing a new generation of patriotic citizens, young people who are conscious of their responsibility to build a better society”.
Sasol is a proud sponsor of bursaries, learnerships, TechnoX and the Sasol grade 12 Awards, and supports the national skills development plan.
ANIMALS 101 – A GUIDE TO LOST AND FOUND ANIMALS IN AND AROUND SECUNDA.
Many animals are roaming the streets and reported as lost! This happens all year round, but we see especially high volumes during and after the holidays or firework displays. There are always good Samaritans who take them in and keep them safe, but many people do not know how to proceed, so here are our guidelines.
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Escape-proof your yard. (Including for cats)
Sterilise your pets which helps reduce roaming.
Micro-chip them.
Register the micro-chip on more than one database.
Add a collar ID with your number on it (we don’t add the animals name for safety reasons)
For cats a break-away collar with ID.
Have a recent photo available.
Get a responsible pet sitter when you are away.
Know how and where to post.
JOIN YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS IN ADVANCE
IMPORTANT – Join the local WhatsApp group for lost and found pets, our VERLORE DIERE SECUNDA (TEKS) group on Facebook (not the page) and your neighbourhood watch groups. Others shared your lost pet’s post, please do that for them.
If you are not on the local WhatsApp group, contact Chantel on 081 013 4952. If you know someone who is not on social media, they can also contact Chantel, so she can post for them.
We try very hard to centralize this to more effectively reunite animals, but there are so many people, inexperienced in animal welfare, who do their own groups. This is not beneficial for an effective reunion of pets.
POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
Posting correctly is important to more effectively reunite pets and save time. Your post should include:
Whether you found a pet or lost a pet.
A photo.
The area (street, near e.g., Spar & town).
The date (lost or found).
Estimate time if possible.
Contact person & number. (Facebook Messenger is ineffective if you aren’t friends)
We don’t recommend adding too much info about the animal as that info can be used to “test” the owners who claim them.
Please COMMENT on and SHARE the original post only and always! Don’t create many different posts nor add details like a contact number in the comment section, as few people read it.
If you share it from your personal profile, make sure the setting is public, otherwise only your friends can see the post.
Frequently reshare the original post again.
UPDATE the original post as soon as the pet is found, so those who shared the post can see the outcome and people can rather share other lost/found posts instead of an already found one. How: click on the 3 dots in the top right corner of your original post. Choose “edit post” and then add above the original writing in capital letters UPDATE: OWNERS FOUND or BACKHOME, AT VET, AT SPCA etc.
The SPCA may not advertise the animal during the pound period, so continue to share the post that you updated with “at the SPCA”.
Look for our tags on the posts like #owneresfound etc.
EXAMPLE BELOW
How to structure your post and how to update it afterwards.
YOU LOST A PET
Phone your local SPCA and send them an email with picture & detailed description of your pet.
Visit the SPCA frequently IN PERSON. Remember they have many animals coming in daily.
Drive around in your area.
Put up posters (good idea to have one in advance).
Search manholes or other hiding spaces.
Contact your local Vets to see if an animal has been brought in.
Share on your local social media pages or groups as per social media guide above.
Contact other local welfare organisations.
Continue to follow up with the SPCA and other organisations.
Try and call for pets at night as sound travels further.
Some suggest putting out cats’s litter-box or pet’s blankets, as a familiar scent could help them find their way home. (Controversy about litter-box exists)
Sometimes stolen animals are sold or dumped in nearby towns, so widen your search.
If they have a micro-chip, immediately double-check if it is registered. Type in the micro-chip number on both ChipNDoodle and AMLA. If it does not appear on both, you can stilldo it immediately and it can help if they are found.
Re-check areas previously searched.
Don’t give up as some reunions even happened weeks, months or years later.
These individuals, businesses and organisations can’t be vouched for by me nor The Bulletin.
YOU FOUND OR SEE A STRAY ANIMAL
If they are hurt, please take them to the local Vet or SPCA.
Contact the SPCA emergency numbers if an animal is injured or in distress and you can’t help.
Provide water, but be careful so that they don’t over-drink as well as be cautious with giving food.
Scan for micro-chip at local vets, SPCA or animal welfare organisations (Feral Watch & TNR or Because Dogs & Co).
Check with groomers if it seems like a recently groomed pet.
If it appears that the animal has recently been to the vet (stitches, healing wound or vet shaved areas), please check with all local Vets.
Post on local social media groups/pages.
Take care of the animal (foster) until you find the owner.
Find a foster home if you can’t foster and after 7 days organize adoption through one of the responsible welfare organisations.
Take the animal to the SPCA if you can’t foster or find a foster. The SPCA has a 7-day pound period, after which the animal becomes their property and can go up for adoption or be euthanized. The owner claiming the animal will be responsible for costs incurred and will have to abide by certain procedures. By law, no SPCA may refuse any animal.
When you reunite them with the possible owners, ask them to provide info like sex, specific markings, sterilisation as well as other proof of ownership (photos, microchip number etc.). Watch the animals’ reaction when a person claims the pet. If you are unsure, rather contact a local animal welfare organisation to assist.
If they are injured, you should take them to a veterinarian. They should be able to address the emergency and if they are not equipped to treat the wildlife, they will have the right contacts to provide guidance.
If the animal was not injured, we usually refer them to the SPCA immediately. They have protocols in place for this.
NEVER KEEP THE WILD ANIMAL if you found them, as you might not be equipped to meet their needs and you might require a permit, even if you plan to release them later. Keep the environment where you keep them as stress-free as possible.
You can also contact the NSPCA (011 907 3590/ nspca@nspca.co.za) directly. They will either contact the Wildlife unit or the local SPCA.
The SPCA and other organisation rarely have the resources to drive up and down to pick up or search for strays and therefore needs the community to assist with this. If you choose to take in an animal, please do not just dump them on any already overwhelmed organisation, when you can help.
Thank you to each of the heroes who take in these lost pets and help us effectively reunite animals with owners!
Next week we will at how to escape-proof your yard.
PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER WELCOMES HEFTY SENTENCES HANDED DOWN TO THREE ACCUSED
Nelspruit: The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has welcomed hefty sentences that were handed down to three accused of a range of crimes they committed in June 2019.
The three accused, Vusi Sihlabela, 41, Karabo Makhubedu, 31 and Norman Mokoena, 25 were sentenced today, 11 January 2022 by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court.
The court heard how on 02 June 2019, the three entered a local tavern at Marite Trust near Hazyview and randomly targeted as well as robbed a man of his wallet. When they heard the following day that he had reported the incident to the police they hunted him down, found him at his house and shot and killed him. They also shot and injured his nephew in the process.
Police then launched an investigation into the matter and managed to trace and arrest Sihlabela in August 2019. Makhubedu and Mokeona were arrested in 2020.
Vusi Sihlabela – Life Imprisonment for murder and a combined 75 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
Karabo Makhubedu – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 65 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of a firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
Norman Mokeona – Life imprisonment for murder and a combined 65 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, unlawful possession of firearm as well as unlawful possession of ammunition.
The Provincial Commissioner has also applauded the team of detectives for their hard work and thorough investigation that led to this notable conviction.
The SAPS advises victims of crime to report all crimes to their toll-free number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP
SANParks released a statement today regarding the attempted highjacking outside Numbi Gate
South African National Parks (SANParks) today sent its message of comfort to the family that survived an attempted hijacking incident on their way home from Kruger National Park (KNP) along the R538 in Mpumalanga.
This regrettable incident involves a family that brought much-needed tourism revenue to the Mpumalanga Province said the Acting SANParks CEO Dumisani Dlamini. He advised guests to be extra vigilant when travelling through crime hotspots outside of the national parks as the risk of opportunistic crime is higher in such areas.
“We have communicated with our colleagues in the provincial security cluster to secure all routes leading to the Kruger through regular patrols and visible policing. The South African Police Services (SAPS) has launched a manhunt for the perpetrators. We urge responsible community members to be active in protecting tourists visiting the province as tourism is key to boosting rural economic activity. We wish the family well and speedy recovery to their daughter “concluded Dlamini.
The SAPS advises victims of crime to report all crimes to their toll-free number 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP
ANIMALS 101 –MAKING PET-POSITIVE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF YOUR PETS.
The presents are opened, the Christmas leftovers are done…….and now it’s that time of year again when we think about what we shouda-coulda-woulda done differently last year and vow to do better this year.
A new year brings new goals, renewed hope, and 365 days of opportunity for you and your pet to bond, develop healthier habits, and discover new ways to live a full life. Your pet can live a better tomorrow with your help.
An important first step is to avoid becoming overwhelmed thinking you need to make big changes overnight. Baby steps in the right direction are the way to go. The important thing is to make a plan and move steadily forward.
Image from The Paw Company
HERE ARE IDEAS FOR SOME PET-POSITIVE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION
SPAY & NEUTER YOUR PETS.
This is probably our most important one. There are so many benefits to this plus you will help stop this massive overpopulation crisis we face in animal welfare. If your pet is already sterilized, thank you! Now please consider sponsoring one other sterilisation for someone in need this year.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT FOR YOUR PET AND FEED A NUTRITIOUS DIET.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW ABOUT ANIMAL CARE, BEHAVIOUR OR PET HEALTH EVERY WEEK.
Check out The Paw Company’s index post on various animal topics or read this weekly Animals 101 feature in The Bulletin published on Wednesday evenings after 19h00.
PROVIDE A LIFETIME OF TRAINING AND SOCIAL INTERACTION.
IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF PET FIRST AID AND CREATE A PET EMERGENCY PLAN.
STRENGTHEN YOUR BOND WITH QUALITY TIME.
MEET ALL THEIR NEEDS.
GET MORE EXERCISE & LET THEM SNIFF MORE.
TRY A NEW ACTIVITY, LOOK AT THINGS FROM A NEW ANGLE, OR GO ON AN ADVENTURE WITH YOUR PET.
INCORPORATE MORE PLAY AND FUN TIME.
SCHEDULE A WELLNESS CHECK-UP WITH YOUR VET AND IMPROVE YOUR PET’S HEALTH.
SEEK MORE NATURAL WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR PET’S HEALTH.
ADD YOUR PETS TO YOUR WILL.
MICRO-CHIP YOUR PETS AND UPDATE YOUR PET’S MICRO-CHIP & ID COLLAR INFO.
CLEAR OUT OLD TOYS & GET CREATIVE BY MAKING SOME NEW ONES.
SCHEDULE SOME DAILY DIY GROOMING TIME.
CREATE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT & A SPACE THAT IS ONLY THEIRS.
Almost done. You have your pet and you have made the decision to make some pet-positive changes in the new year. You even have great ideas for some paw-some resolutions. In order to execute these resolutions though, there needs to be detailed goals and an easy plan to follow every day.
It is important to create a plan that you can stick to. Consider asking a friend to check in with you and make sure you are keeping to those resolutions. Maybe start a calendar and write down the days and the goals. The most important part, get excited!
Thanks for tuning in! May you and your fur family members have a fantastic 2022! Next week we will look at some basics when it comes to finding missing pets.
