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.
SAPS ARREST A SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN BUSINESS ROBBERY, MANHUNT LAUNCHED FOR OTHER SUSPECTS
Nelspruit – 05 January 2022: Police in Calcutta arrested a 28-year-old man alleged to have been involved in a business robbery at a post office in Ximhungwe near Bushbuckridge. The robbery incident took place yesterday on Tuesday, 04 January 2022 at about 10h40 am.
According to the information at police disposal, employees at the said post office were on duty when a group of about 10 armed men pounced on them. Some of the suspects reportedly came inside whilst others remained outside and everyone was held hostage by the suspects. They (suspects) then ordered all of them to lie down and forced one of the employees to open a safe.
It is said that during the whole ordeal, shots were randomly fired around the post office thereby causing panic. The suspects then took an undisclosed amount of cash before they fired more shots as they fled from the scene using three motor vehicles, a grey BMW, white VW Polo and a white Ford Ranger with false registration number plates.
Police were notified about the incident and immediately launched a manhunt for the suspects. They managed to arrest one suspect who was driving a BMW motor vehicle at Ronaldsey also in possession of a firearm with a serial number filed off.
Police further managed to locate the Ford Ranger after it crashed at Kildare Trust near a Secondary School. Preliminary investigation also unearthed that the Ford Ranger was hijacked at Masoyi near White River. The vehicle was seized and the firearm will be sent for ballistic testing.
Seized firearm
The arrested suspect is in police custody and police are still continuing with their investigation with anticipation to make more arrests. The man will appear at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court soon.
Police urged anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact Detective Lieutenant Colonel Duduzile Shabangu at 0824692569 or Detective Captain Prince Mokoena on 0823199843. Alternatively, members of the public call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
POLICE IN SEARCH OF SUSPECTS WHO REPORTEDLY KIDNAPPED AND ROBBED THREE SISTERS AT GUNPOINT
Nelspruit: Police at Calcutta has launched a manhunt for suspects who reportedly kidnapped and robbed three sisters at gunpoint. The incident is said to have taken place on Friday, 31 December 2021 around 20h30 at Cunningmore near Bushbuckridge.
According to the information, the three siblings were reportedly walking next to the road, on their way to a party. It is alleged that a certain white Toyota Hilux bakkie with about five occupants stopped next to them. These armed men then pointed at the three ladies with firearms and ordered them to get inside the bakkie which had no registration number plates. They then drove with them to nearby bushes between Cunningmore A and Cunningmore B.
The victims were then instructed to undress and to hand over everything that they had. The suspects reportedly robbed them of two cellphones as well as one pair of sneakers and a Capitec bank card. The suspects also demanded a pin code for the bank card and thereafter tried to rape the girls but never concluded the rape. The men then fled the scene, leaving behind the three ladies. One of the victims is aged 21.
The incident was reported to the police in Calcutta where a case of armed robbery with kidnapping was opened and a manhunt launched.
Police urge anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to contact Detective Sergeant Galton Mnisi 0712192641. Alternatively, members of the public can call the Crime Stop number at 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Emergency services are battling to contain a fire that broke out at Parliament in Cape Town on Sunday morning.
“Various crews from different fire stations were on the scene trying to contain the blaze,” said Jermaine Carelse Spokesperson for the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Service, “We were notified of the fire just after 05H00 this morning (Sunday).”
“Initial reports indicated that the fire started on the third floor and spread to the office space and gymnasium,” said JP Smith, City of Cape Town mayoral committee member for safety and security.
There was no indication of what may have started the fire.
Patricia de Lille, Minister of Public Works said about 35 minutes ago that the fire is mostly under control and that Old Assembly is where the building was burning.
There are about 36 firefighters on the scene that were struggling to bring the fire under control. There are fears that the fire will spread even further as that area has a lot of wood and carpets.
Roads have been closed near the parliament buildings
Firefighters are still battling to contain the fire
Several videos and tweets are doing the rounds on social media
Smoke billows from the roof of parliament in footage shot from Government Avenue in the company's Garden. Video: City of Cape Town pic.twitter.com/eAREWGMhQK
