Jill is a club, salon & honours judge and has traveled extensively to judge many international events including the HIPA Awards in Dubai, the Emirates Photography Competition in Abu Dhabi, the Al Thani Awards in Austria, the FIAP Nature Biennials in India as well as numerous international events in China.
She is a member of the JAP team and is currently running the accreditation programme in Port Elizabeth.
When she is not called on to judge she often enters and has achieved considerable success both Internationally (Wildlife Photographer of the Year & Nature’s Best) and Nationally (Fuji, Getaway & Agfa Awards) as well as on the salon circuit. Her most notable win being of the Toyota Landcruiser in the Africa Photographic Awards.
Jill has been awarded honours in prints, slides and audiovisual and was the first person to achieve the MPSSA. She also achieved her FRPS and MFIAP in nature prints and was recently awarded the Hon CPA (China) and Hon FIP (India).
A day to celebrate love and all it embodies, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show the special someone in your life how important they truly are. And it is around the corner!
This excruciatingly romantic day by far the most popular day for marriage proposals, so you will need some ingenuity if you want to make your proposal one to stand the test of time and one that will be remembered forever. Here are 8 ideas for creating a day your sweetheart will remember fondly for the rest of your lives.
1. Go Cliché!
There is nothing wrong with embracing your favourite Valentine’s Day clichés, as sometimes it’s the silliest moments that become the biggest surprises. Our cliché idea requires a box of chocolates and a large stuffed animal. Right before the big moment, sneak the engagement ring inside the box of chocolates.
Once you give your lover the box of chocolates, which could result in an eye roll, start with the Forrest Gump scene and say “You know something? Life, truly, is like a box of chocolates.” Encourage them to open the box as you drop to one knee, gazing upon their face as they find what’s inside. Then finish the quote by saying “You never know what you’re going to get.”
www.slideshare.net
2. Spa Day
Treating your partner to relaxing and unwinding day at a spa is perfect! This will not only be a lovely Valentine’s Day treat, but the cherry on top of a lovely, relaxing day is the ring at the end.
www.ashtonhawks.com
3. Final Piece to the Puzzle
Perhaps you’re an older couple who prefer more sedate activities together, such as assembling jigsaw puzzles or playing cards with friends this is the perfect proposal for you. If you’ve been assembling a large puzzle with your partner, you can remove a final piece and pretend that it’s been lost until the last piece is ready to be played. Paint the back of the last piece with the words, “Will You Marry Me?” and hide it in an easy-to-find location, where your partner can find it. Have the engagement ring ready at the moment she reads the proposal.
www.nevillehobson.com
4. A Secret Book with a Ring In It
Your intended will open his or her Valentine’s gift to reveal a book of love poetry. Glue most of the pages together, but at the spot where the book opens, cut a slot and tuck the engagement ring inside.
This is also the perfect way to pop the big question – If you need ideas on a Engagement Ring, head over to Ralph Jacobs to find inspiration on your dream engagement ring.
To find alternatives to expensive diamonds, Evermore Moissanite will blow your mind when it come to only the best Moissanites.
www.pinterest.com
5. At The Height of Adventure
If you and your partner enjoy active adventure, arrange to pop the question at the top of a mountain, just before entering the rapids on a white-water raft trip, on the verge of leaping out of a plane to skydive (“Let’s take the leap!), or while in the gondola of a hot-air balloon. This is the perfect way to ask your adrenaline junkie the big question!
www.vallartanayaritblog.com
6. Keep It Classy
A restaurant proposal never gets old. Keep it classy, but with a twist. A house piano player can change the lyrics of a favorite song to pop the question to your intended. Or the chef can spell out your proposal with lettering on the dessert. Get down on one knee and pop the big question at your favourite restaurant!
www.etsy.com
7. Movie Night at Home
You’d be surprised to learn that not all girls want this over-the-top proposal, and they prefer an intimate one. If you know your girl and you guys love your snuggly movie nights, this one is for you!
Nothing beats a movie night complemented with popcorn and a box of chocolate-covered raisins. Just dim the lights, grab a blanket, and flick on your favorite romantic film. Somewhere during the film, when they least expect it, pause the film and turn to your love, make this the most romantic move night ever!
www.nicolinapicolina.blogspot.com
8. Radio Love!
If your love awakens in the morning to a particular radio station, you can propose on-air on Valentine’s Day. This means you will have to contact the radio station a while before the day to make arrangements. This is very unique, but has to be planned perfectly for your partner to listen to the radio at that exact time. C’mon give your love a shot on air!
This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/valentines-day-2021/
Residents in Kango and Soutpansberg streets are furious over rubbish in streets.
It would appear that someone decided to tear open every rubbish bag in the area and scatter its contents in the streets.
Residents awoke this morning only to find rubbish everywhere. Today was scheduled to have the areas refuse collected by GMM. Refuse collection could not be done according to schedule during the past two weeks due to the heavy and persistent rain in GMM.
Workers from GMM will also not clean the streets and residents have to do it themselves.
Some residents reported a bakkie that drove over all the refuse bags in the area. “The dogs were going crazy,” said one resident, “we were just to slow to catch him on camera.”
The bakkie drove around the block several times as he went about his devious plans. The incident took place around 22:00 to 22:30 last night.
The Bulletin is calling on all residents in the area to contact us at encee@thebulletin.co.za or 0825547589 if you could identify the culprits.
“It is illegal to dump rubbish anywhere,” said DA Cllr Mariaan Chamberlain, “There are also old people that now have to pick the rubbish up by themselves.”
We are currently speaking to a few people that have footage of the bakkie and hope to bring the person responsible to justice soon.
First images of the suspected bakkie
First images of the suspected bakkie
Several pensioners stay in the area and would not leave their houses due to safety concerns last night, only to have to pick up the spilt refuse in the morning.
Golf community, Family and friends mourns the death of Lucille Lyon.
Well known member of the golfing community and resident of Evander, Lucille Lyon, lost her fight against cancer on Wednesday.
“Lucille Lyon was one of the strongest women I had the honour of knowing.” said Elmarie van Huyssteen from the Bulletin, “Although she was diagnosed with cancer several times, she was always positive and enjoyed life to the fullest.”
The Bulletin would like to convey our condolences to all her family and friends. Lucille will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
In honour of Lucille, please read the article below that The Bulletin placed in 2017 about the amazing woman she was:
“Lucille Lyon (62) recently won the women’s trophy of the Gold Rush Golf Tournament at Walker Park Golf Club. This tournament is held over three days and according to Lucille, in very cold weather.
She has been the women’s club champion at Walker Park Golf Club twice and played in leagues at Walker Park, Graceland and Ermelo. She was also part of the Interzone team in Middelburg and travelled to Nelspruit last weekend to play for the team.
She has won the BMW regional golf tour three times and BMW sponsored her to play at the Arabelle Golf Estate near Hermanus, Sun City and George to name a few.
“The competition there was tough and it was a privilege to take part in that tournament,” said Lucille.
She began playing golf when she was 28 years old when her husband, George Lyon, gave her his old golf set.
He taught her the basics of golf, but a woman from America taught her the finer details. However, she stopped when she started with a family.
When her children were grown and left the house, she started playing golf again.
“It was when I started playing in leagues that my golf improved.”
She has taken part in golf tours in Vietnam and Turkey and several other countries. Turkey has the second oldest golf course in the world.
Lucille was diagnosed with cancer when she was 40 years old and then again at ages 50 and 60.
“I always felt I was not as sick as other cancer patients I have seen,” said Lucille. “I have learnt a lot from my journey so far.”
In her free time, Lucille enjoys gardening and she is also a keen traveller.
Her favourite places to travel to are Italy, France, Seychelles, Namibia and the Victoria Falls.
Lucille enjoys anything outdoors such as cycling, rock climbing, bridge swinging, hiking, sky diving, quad biking, deep-sea fishing and flying in microlight planes. Next on her bucket list is to do kite surfing in the Cape.
Lucille is also a bridge player and said the art of finesse, helps her outwit her opponents.”
Geniet nog ‘n aflewering van “So is die Lewe” uit die pen van Marius Britz.
Nog een slaaplose nag in tye wat turbulent is vir baie mense. Die heer Klaasvakie het sekerlik my adres vergeet vanaand. Die weskusnag brand deur die studeerkamer se dakvenster in miljoene sterre. Amper soos gate in ‘n tentdoek waardeur die lig skyn, soos die ou Jode geglo het oor die uitspansel. Onder in die vallei flikker duisende liggies as ‘n vae herinnering dat ek nie heeltemal alleen is nie, dat andere ook hierdie donkerte bewoon.
Mense wat asemhaal in die doodse stilte van inperking na nege in die aand, wat vandag geleef het, gelag het, dalk gehuil het. Mense wat gelukkig is, en mense wat hartstogtelik droef is. Vervalde lewens se spasie wat vakant geraak het. Fiks mense wat gaan fietsry het, en mense wat huil van pyn. Mense wat diep slaap, maar ook mense wat slapeloos rondrol.
Februarie het volgens die kalender stiptelik om twaalfuur aangebreek. Nou is die dae reeds besig om te krimp. Die herfs trek sy rug styf, maak iewers gereed om op te styg suidwaarts. Die lug vermoed reeds dat iets besig is om te gebeur. Iewers is daar ‘n grys kombers oor die aarde se baldadigheid gegooi. Daar is geen voetspore op die strande vir branders om weg te spoel nie. Die miniskule, onsigbare virus het vreugde en vooruitgang kom doodblaas.
Desondanks is daar steeds ‘n malsheid, oordadige spel van amberrooi lig oor die see vroegoggend, en die lanferpers van die son wat sak agter Postberg is die uitroeptekens van die somer wat steeds koning kraai. Elders reën dit oordadig, in Mpumalanga en die Vrystaat loop damme vol. Pretoriuskop in die Krugerwildtuin kry 175 mm reën in een nag.
Jy beleef die donker nag as ‘n geboorteproses, die einde van ‘n oningekleurde bladsy, en die omblaai na ‘n helder ontploffing van kleure. Iewers skreeu ‘n kiewiet ontsteld, waarskynlik gesteur deur ‘n rondloperkat. ‘n Tarentaal antwoord vererg, en ver weg, in die nasionale park, skreeu ‘n jakkals. Die seerste is die eensklapse geroep van ‘n hadida in die donker. Vervaard, ontredderd, ‘n blakerende angs. Jy vou jou arms om jouself te beskerm teen die onbekende, soos dit in die simfonie van die nag gespeel word. Dis asof die naggeluide die ewigheid en die ritmiese verloop van die heelal bevestig, maar dit is ook dreigend, onbekend.
More, iewers in Kaapstad en Johannesburg en Londen en Istanbul gaan mense in hysbakke op en af ry, gaan besigheidstransaksies beklink word deur gemaskerde mense. Iewers gaan babas gebore word, iewers gaan iemand hulle laaste asem uitblaas. Baie van hulle op ventilators, die Kainsmerk van die Virus.
Hoe dieper jy die nánag inploeter, hoe meer word die vrae, en hoe minder die antwoorde. Jou oú, onopgelosde kwessies kom meld hulself een-een aan. Die keuses wat jy met jou lewe gemaak het, die afdraaipaadjies wat jou loopbaan geloop het, die vrees wat jy ervaar het in ander donker nagte op patrollie as soldaat, die skramse aanraking van die dood, wat ‘n paar keer langs jou bed kom staan het.
Die dooies en verminktes langs die pad waarmee jy gekonfronteer is. Jy onthou ander winters en ander lentes. Die gesigte wat weggeraak het uit jou fotoalbum, lank voor die tyd van selfone. Die knus somers in Springs en Pretoria en Trichardt, Jakarandas wat baldadig uitbars in ‘n oordrewe pers. Die diepte van die nag maak jou bewoë oor hoeveel koue winters en reënerige lentes jy al beleef het. Jou kwesbaarheid word intens. Die tempo waarteen dae en nagte mekaar nou opvolg, voel vir jou soos ‘n mallemeule wat buite beheer raak.
Jou kwesbaarheid word intens.
As die lug begin verkleur om die nuwe seisoen aan te kondig, kom die diepste van jou denke uit. Die woorde “ek het jou lief” begin ander betekenis kry. Jy dink oor God. Jy wonder oor God. Die natuur raak eensklaps stil. So stil soos die voertuiglose strate. Véraf grom die branders, amper soos Sasol in die nánag. Die veld, bosse, die eilande in die see buite jou venster, word stom en woordeloos.
Later hou jou dink op.
Jy kan nie meer dink nie.
Jy wil nie meer dink nie.
Jy staan voor jou boekrak, haal die Spaanse skrywer Miguel de Servantes se bekende verhaal oor ‘n vaal mannetjie met die naam van Alfonsus Quichano uit. Hy het hom min aan die wêreld rondom hom gesteur, en net heeldag dik boeke gelees oor ridders wat drake en reuse oorwin. Dag en nag het hy homself hiermee besig gehou, totdat hy naderhand verward begin raak het.
Op ‘n dag het hy homself tot ridder geroep en homself Don Quichot de la Mancha genoem. Hy het een maer perd met die naam Rosinante gehad wat hy opgesaal het, asook ‘n geroeste swaard wat hy iewers opgespoor het. Toe het hy besluit om heldedade te gaan verrig, om reuse en drake te gaan beveg. Ook het hy ‘n sukkelende kleinboer, Sancho Panchez, omgepraat om op ‘n donkie saam met hom te gaan en sy agterryer te wees. Een nag vertrek hulle toe.
Quichot ry voor op sy knol soos ‘n generaal wat ‘n groot weermag lei. Die dik Sanchez kom agterna op sy lui donkie. So in die ry sien hulle in die donker ‘n reusagtige figuur voor hulle. Onmiddelik storm Quichot met sy knolperd op die ding af wat hy vir ‘n reus aansien. Daar is ‘n groot slag en ‘n aaklige gekreun. Quichot kry ‘n paar verskriklike klappe van hierdie reus. Die perd, Rosinante, lê plat op die grond, bo-op Quichot. Toe die son opkom, sien hulle: Dit was toe nooit ‘n reus nie, maar ‘n groot windmeul wat hy gesien het.
Dit raak onbeskryflik stil net voor die son opkom. Jy dink daaraan dat jy in hierdie donker nag drake baklei het. Drake wat teen sonsopkoms maar slegs windmeulens was. Drake wat groot en skrikwekkend is in die nag, so aan die einde van die somer. Dit raak so onbeskryflik stil, dat jy die son kan hoor opkom. Jy dink aan Emmylou Harris: “…spinning unheard in the dark of the sky, and this is our glory if this is goodbye..”
Dit is die nuwe dag. Jy dog in die donker nag het jy die drake uit jou uit geskryf. Maar teen dagbreek het die lewe nog dobberend voor jou gedryf.
The public are invited to comment on the 2018/2019 Annual Report.
The closing date for the public comments is 25 February 2021.
The Council of Govan Mbeki Municipality convened on Thursday, 28 January 2021 but the council ended in chaos as the Speaker of Council decided to make rulings in contravention of the council standing orders.
The council meeting continued on Friday. It took a long time for council to start with the actual items on the agenda.
The first item on the agenda was the 2018/2019 Annual Report.
The following resolutions were taken on the Annual Report:
That it BE ACKNOWLEDGED that the 2018/2019 Audited Annual Report for the financial year ending 30 June 2019, was prepared and submitted as contemplated in Section 46 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, read with Chapter 12 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003.
That the 2018/2019 Audited Annual Report BE APPROVED for public comments in terms of Sections 21(a) and (b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, read with Section 127(5)(a)(i) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003.
That it BE ACKNOWLEDGED that the public was informed of the Council meeting where this report will be considered, through notices on the various municipal notice boards, in compliance with Section 130 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003.
That it BE ACKNOWLEDGED that the closing date for the submission of public comments on the 2018/2019 Audited Annual Report is the 25th of February 2021.
That the 2018/2019 Audited Annual Report BE REFERRED to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee for scrutiny.
That once the Municipal Public Accounts Committee has finalized the detailed analysis and review of the 2018/2019 Audited Annual Report, the committee is to DRAFT an Oversight Report to BE TABLED to Council in March 2021 for adoption in terms of Section 129 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003.
The Bulletin obtained a copy of the Auditor-General’s report on the 2018/2019 Annual Report. Read it below:
DA Councillor and DA Caucus leader in Govan Mbeki Municipality released the following statement:
The report of the Auditor-General on the Annual Financial Statement of 2018/2019 that was presented to the Govan Mbeki Municipality council on Friday, 29 January 2021, truly paints a grim picture of the mess that this municipality finds itself in.
Despite the advice of the auditor general over the past 2 audit reports, it is disappointing but unsurprising that again our municipality has received a disclaimer of opinion.
Cllr Ciska Jordaan. Democratic Alliance Caucus leader in GMM
However, shocking it was to personally hear the CFO state earlier this week that the municipality is basically in a state of insolvency and should be liquidated, it appears the council has become completely desensitized to the state of affairs that it is currently dealing with and that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Year upon year we receive this kind of audit report and pass it through the council as if we are not ashamed of the total dilapidation of this municipality that has ensued in front of our eyes during our term of office.
As the DA, we are concerned that contravention of Supply Chain Management policies, an inability to keep a record of and irregularities with transactions and tenders, the council and administration’s neglect to investigate unauthorized, fruitless and wasteful expenditure to quote a few discrepancies that were found by the Auditor General suggest gross maladministration.
Not to mention that this report is being tabled a year late due to the neglect of the municipality to produce its own audited annual report for the 2018/2019 financial year on time because of appointing an inept service provider that they eventually had to take to the high court.
The report that has been received from the Auditor General confirms that the Govan Mbeki Municipality requires urgent intervention.
If serving our people is the reason why politicians are seated in the council, then the council should be doing the conscionable thing and urging the MEC of Cogta, Mr Mandla Msibi, to dissolve the council so that the people of Govan Mbeki can have political leadership that is capable of turning around the financial situation of this municipality, root out corruption and achieve clean audits annually such as in the DA-led Midvaal municipality.
The Bulletin received no statements from any of the other political parties in this regard.
FOUR VICTIMS SHOT, ONE DIED AND THREE INCLUDING A POLICE OFFICER HOSPITALISED, SUSPECT SOUGHT
NELSPRUIT – Police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt for a suspect following a horrific incident in which four people were shot at Mhluzi near Middelburg in the early hours of today, Sunday 31 January 2021. One of the victims succumbed to his injuries meanwhile the other three were taken to hospital where they are fighting for their lives. Amongst them, is a female police Sergeant who was off-duty at the time of the incident.
Police were notified of this shooting which took place at Riverside Section in Mhluzi and upon arrival, they found a 39 year old male victim with bullet wounds on his upper body. The man who has now been identified as Sipho Samuel Magagula, was unfortunately certified dead at the scene. While still at the scene, police were further informed about three other victims who were also shot but taken to hospital for medical treatment. The motive for the shooting is unknown at this stage.
Police believe that Bongani Willken Mkhomazi can assist them in their investigation and is therefore requested to urgenlty contact them. The public is also urged to notify police of his whereabouts.
Anyone with information that can help in the investigation is requested to contact Detective Sergeant Trinity Masemola at 0832463552 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP.
Read more from the office of Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga HERE
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
POLICE MANAGEMENT WELCOME DOUBLE LIFE SENTENCE METED AGAINST RAPIST
NELSPRUIT – The police management in Mpumalanga has welcomed a double life sentence meted by the Kwamhlanga Regional Court to Sibusiso Charles Kabini, aged 26 for raping and robbing three women. Kabini’s reign of terror took place between July and December 2018.
According to the details of the incidences as revealed in court, during the said period, convicted rapist, Kabini preyed on women between the ages 18 and 25. He would wait for them behind a local shopping mall at Kwamhlanga, where he would rape and rob them of their personal belongings using a knife. In one of the incidents, he unashamedly raped a woman in front of her 5-year-old child whilst on the way to a local clinic.
Kabini’s despicable acts continued were at one stage, he also raped a woman who was pregnant at the time and she too was on her way to the local clinic. The third victim went through a similar ordeal after she came back from a tavern where she was also raped by him behind the said mall.
These rape incidents were reported to the police and through a thorough investigation, they managed to arrest Kabini in December 2018. He was subsequently brought before the court and with the assistance of forensic evidence obtained, Kabini was then linked to the said crime scenes at which the state managed to have a watertight case against him. Kabini was then convicted hence his sentencing as follows:
Count 01- rape, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Count 02 – rape – life sentence.
Count 03 – robbery with aggravating circumstances, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment.
Count 04 – rape – life sentence.
When handing down the sentence, Magistrate Marlene Grawensteyn said that the accused have no respect for both women and children. She further indicated that the country is battling with crimes against women and children. She pointed out that convicted rapist Kabini showed no remorse to his victims and the sentence should serve as a lesson that the Judiciary does not take crimes against women as well as children lightly.
The accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm and his particulars will be entered into the national register for sex offenders. He was also found to be unfit to work with children.
The police management has thanked members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for their relentless efforts in preventing the accused from preying on more victims. The management is of the view that Kabini’s hefty sentence, will assist the victims in their journey to find closure and healing from the unfortunate emotional trauma that they had to endure as a result of this man’s vicious and lustful acts.
Read more from the office of Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga HERE
