Mpumalanga government urged to investigate the irregular appointment of traffic officers by Trudie Grovè-Morgan: MPL – DA Spokesperson on Community, Safety, Security and Liaison
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on Mpumalanga’s MEC of Community, Safety, Security and Liaison, Gabisile Tshabalala, and the premier, Hon Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, to conduct a full investigation into allegations about the irregular appointment of 97 traffic officers.
Tshabalala and Mtshweni-Tsipane’s silence is deafening while nepotism and corruption is eating into the core of the province. We want answers.
This sort of scandal is not the first of its kind in Mpumalanga. In January 2020, the DA unveiled that senior officials of the ANC in Emalahleni Local Municipality appointed 20 individuals irregularly – some of which were their family members!
Corruption and nepotism done by the ANC has become so rampant that it continues to hire individuals with not even the minimum requirement of a matric certificate and drivers licences as traffic officers.
The DA will not turn a blind eye while corruption and nepotism continue to deprive those who are qualified and capable to work of job opportunities.
Rhodium plating is part of the family of Platinum, which means they are also a precious metal – considered the rarest and most valuable precious metal in the world. Rhodium is a silver-white metallic element that is highly reflective and resistant to corrosion. Rhodium is also a very brittle metal, meaning rhodium plating alone can’t be used for manufacturing an Engagement Ring, Rhodium can easily crack and break, almost like glass.
However, Rhodium is prefect for plating jewelry. When plating jewelry with Rhodium, it enhances the durability of the metal which is plated with Rhodium.
2.) Is it necessary to plate my Engagement Ring?
Rhodium Plating is used to enhance the durability, luster and light reflection of a piece of jewelry. Because Rhodium is such a hard metal, when an item is plated/coated with Rhodium, the piece will be more scratch resistant. Rhodium plating is used to get a more white finish that we all love, it also enhances the shine and brilliance of diamonds and moissanites. Basically, Rhodium plating is a coating that enhances the entire look and durability of your Engagement Ring At the end of the day, it’s up to you whether to Rhodium plate or not.
Rhodium is plated using an electroplating process. For an Engagement Ring to be Rhodium Plated, it must first be thoroughly cleaned for the reason that if there is any dirt left on the Engagement ring, the rhodium plating will not hold. Distilled water, steam cleaning and electro cleaning are some ways that the item is cleaned before it is dipped into the rhodium solution. A positive electrical charge is then used to fuse the rhodium onto the base metal. Care must be taken, because if the electric current is too high, the rhodium plating will turn black. The process takes roughly around an hour and a half to be completed.
Many people believe that Rhodium Plating is permanent, which is not entirely true. While it is a permanent metal, when used to plate an Engagement Ring, if suffers wear and tear with exposure.
Because Moissanites are high up in the Mohs scale (9.5) and Diamonds (10), nothing will happen when Rhodium Plating your Diamond or Moissanite Engagement Ring. Other softer gem stones such as pearls, opals and treated or heavily included rubies and emeralds can be damaged during the process. These gemstones, and many others, are not able to cope with the sulfuric acids and heat in the electroplating solutions and their surfaces can be damaged, becoming spotty and studded.
Rhodium Plating in not a permanent solution, its bound to wear off over time and depending on how you wear and care for your Engagement Ring. There are some things you can do to make it last as long as possible.
– Avoid rubbing the rhodium plating on your ring. For example, constantly washing your hands can wear it off quicker. – Avoid exposing your jewelry to harsh chemicals such as household cleaning products. Always take off your jewelry when dealing with chemicals or wear rubber gloves to protect your rings. – Take your jewelry off when swimming in heavily chlorinated swimming pools as the chlorine can damage the plating. – Perfumes and cosmetics can also affect rhodium plating. Avoid contact with these and wipe away any residue if it does come into contact.
Because rhodium is very rare and expensive, plating is somewhat costly. Re-plating a white gold ring can cost around R400.00, but prices vary based on the quality of the rhodium, the jeweler’s skills and the size of the jewelry.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the provincial government of Mpumalanga to intervene in the crumbling state of finances of municipalities in the province.
This statement was released by Trudie Grovè-Morgan: MPL – DA Spokesperson on CoGTA
Trudie Grovè-Morgan: MPL – DA Spokesperson on CoGTA
It is with great concern that we note this dilapidated state in a number of municipalities in the province – most of which begun to break down since late 2016 as a result of the ANC-led government’s inability to render services to residents, a growing debt to external entities as well as a complete failure of these municipalities to draw an income.
The DA previously wrote to the former MEC of COGTA and current Premier, Hon Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, detailing the financial crisis and asked her to place the Emalahleni Local Municipality under administration when its bill owed to Eskom had led to an exorbitant R1 billion. Her failure to do so resulted in this financial crisis spiraling out of control and the growth of this debt by R3.6 billion.
This funding could have been redirected to the poor service delivery in the municipality.
To date, municipalities like Emalahleni, Govan Mbeki, Lekwa and Thaba Chweu continuously struggle with aspects of revenue generation, debt collection policies, frequent meter readings and the resultant paying off creditors on time and within agreed amounts, despite the adoption and implementation of financial recovery plans.
As of the 31st of October 2020, Emalahleni was owed R5.3 billion for the provision of services and in turn, the municipality owed Eskom R4.6 billion. Over the same time period, Thaba Chweu owed the entity R827 million.
As a result of this debt, the above-mentioned two municipalities and many other municipalities in our province often find themselves on Eskom’s disconnection list. Recently, a case was brought up by various interested parties in Emalahleni and Thaba Chweu which sought to challenge the legality of power supply interruptions over unpaid debt. In this case, the Supreme Court of Appeal Deputy President Xola Petse wrote that “what this means is that without national and provincial governments intervention in the financial crises experienced by ELM, TCLM and many other similarly situated municipalities- all are doomed”.
Given the above analogy and the fact that our Constitution makes provision for national and provincial governments to intervene when a municipality is struggling to live up to its constitutional mandates; the DA reiterates its call on this provincial government to deal with the financial crisis.
Read more about the Democratic Alliance in Mpumalanga HERE
MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS AN INCIDENT WHERE AN ELDERLY WOMAN WAS SET ALIGHT
NELSPRUIT: Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned an incident which took place on 09 January 2021, where an 80-year-old elderly woman was burned to death in what is believed to be a mob justice attack.
The condemnation by General Zuma came after facts were brought before the police that the victim, who was accused of practising witchcraft, was hacked with a hoe then locked in her house in Mbuzini near Tonga, before being set alight.
General Zuma said, it is disheartening that the elderly community, often suffer such accusations from sections of the society and strongly warned people to refrain from their actions. As a result, General Zuma has directed police to work tirelessly to ensure that those arrested, face the full might of the law.
Four suspects aged between 44 and 22, have already been arrested so far and will possibly make their first appearance before the Tonga Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, Tuesday, 12 January 2021. According to a progress report on the case, other suspects are still outstanding on this investigation and arrests are imminent.
General Zuma has called for stability in the area where the woman was murdered.
Read more about the Department of Community Safety, Security And Liaison HERE
POLICE INVESTIGATE TWO MURDERERS INVOLVING TWO PRINCES
NELSPRUIT: The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned the killing of two Princes, who were shot and killed in two different areas.
General Zuma has then called on the community to work with police during the investigations into these senseless killings.
The first murder was of Prince Zwelithini Dlamini 47-years-old who was shot and killed by an unknown man who stormed into his house in Matsulu near Nelspruit on 04 January 2021 around 22:00.
The victim was eating food with his two friends when this callous incident happened.
The heartless assailant after entering the house, did not utter a word but opened fire aimed at Dlamini killing him instantly.
His friends ran for cover and escaped unharmed.
Police are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact Captain Elvis Shabangu on 0824490339.
Meanwhile on another seperate incident on 09 January 2021, in Siyabuswa.
Another royal family member Prince Andries Mbangelwa Mahlangu 67-years-old was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle. His son told police that he heard gunshots at around 08:15 and went out to investigate. He then saw two men running out of the yard where his father had parked his vehicle.
When he approached the vehicle, he realised that his father was leaning with his chest against the steering wheel unconscious.
He further discovered that the victim was shot, the son immediately summoned police who mobilised all role players including medical personnel. Mahlangu was certified dead on the scene.
No one has been brought to account so far and police are requesting anyone with information that can assist in the investigation to contact Lieutenant Colonel April Aphane on 0823026621.
Three people killed in accident on N2 Road near Mkhondo
A head on collision that occurred this afternoon around 15h00 on N2 Road between Ermelo land Mkhondo,has claimed the lives of three people. The collision occurred between an articulated truck and a sedan.
The deceased were all passengers in the sedan. The driver of the sedan and another passenger sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby Piet Retief Hospital.
The driver of the truck got away with slight injuries.
12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Hoe kan jy gefokus op God bly in 2021? Wees bewus van afleidings wat jou die jaar potensieël kan probeer weghou van dit wat werklik tel. Ontdek saam ons dit wat volgens Jesus werklik tel en fokus daarop in 2021.
RESIDENTS WARNED AS MANY VICTIMS FALL PREY INTO SOCIAL MEDIA FRAUD
NELSPRUIT – Residents are again warned to take extra precautions and be careful with their money as many fall into traps which scammers set for their unsuspecting victims, defrauding them of their hard-earned cash. Since the festive season began last year up to this far, the police in Mpumalanga received more than 15 cases where members of the public were lured via the Internet and social media platforms to deposit a sum of money into deals which were later found to be unscrupulous and never materialised, resulting in them losing a considerable amount of money.
Perpetrators often post appealing advertisements regarding the sale of cars, household appliances, cell phones, pets, generators, containers for sanitisers and other valuable items on social media platforms, including Facebook and the Internet. These suspects would then convince their targets who are in a dire need of the mentioned items that they can be obtained at an unbelievable price. Vulnerable victims would then engage in some form of communication with these faceless sellers who would then persuade on urgently getting a cash deposit either via EFT or deposit at the bank before the needed items are delivered.
After such a fraudulent transaction is made, the suspect would confirm having received the money and at times even demand more cash then vanished into thin air without fulfilling the promise. Despite countless warnings in the past, these type of trends continues to happen.
In a recent incident which had occurred at Bethal on 14 December 2020, the complainant was defrauded with a total of R150 000, after being made to believe that a white Toyota bakkie posted and advertised on a particular social media platform was authentic. The victim got hooked and was told by the fraudster to make an urgent deposit of the cash in order to secure the said vehicle urgently. He was further convinced that the vehicle documents will be prepared for him immediately after the payment. He then excitedly made the deposit and unfortunately, that was the last time he had his hands on his money.
The police were notified about the incident and a case of fraud was opened. They (police) have learned with great concern that others across the province were scammed of thousands of rands in the same fraudulent process.
The public is therefore again urged to approach reputable businesses, shops or car dealerships that are operating within the ambit of the law whenever they want to make purchases. The community members are further advised to conduct proper research rather than naively relying on advertisements displayed on social media as most of the information tends to be misleading. The public should also guard against the idea of quickly depositing or transferring cash to unknown people without proper verification.
Contact Mpumalanga Department: Community Safety, Security and Liaison HERE
Anyone with information that can assist police in apprehending these perpetrators with a view to putting their evil mission to an abrupt end, should call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, they can send information via MySAPSAPP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated with strictest confidentiality and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Geniet nog ‘n uitgawe van Marius Britz se “So is die Lewe”. Hierdie week se tema is “La gayyim!.
‘n Ou Ierse spreuk lui: Leef só, dat wanneer jy gebore word, die wêreld lag, maar wanneer jy sterf, die wêreld huil. Hoe langer jy daaroor dink, hoe meer maak dit sin. Voorbeelde van mense wie se dood die wêreld diep geraak het, is daar baie. Ayrton Senna was die groot Brasiliaanse renmotorheld, wat die Brasiliane hoop en trots gegee in ‘n donker tyd in hulle geskiedenis. Sy dood in ‘n F1-ongeluk in 1994 het ‘n hele nasie in rou gedompel.
So ook Evita Peron, die Argentiniese presidentsvrou. Moeder Teresa. Prinses Diana, Elvis Presley, noem maar op. Mense wat onteenseglik ander se lewens aangeraak het. Nader aan die huis is daar mense soos Johannes Kerkorrel en Gè Korsten, wie se dood derduisende aanhangers geskok en verbysterd gelaat het, en van hulle kultusfigure ná hulle dood gemaak het.
In die Bybel lees ons van Simson, ‘n merkwaardige man met geweldige krag en ‘n nog groter humeur. As hy hom vererg, bars die Filistyne. As hy ‘n weddenskap vir 30 linnehemde en pakke klere verloor, slaan hy 30 Filistyne dood, en gee hulle klere aan die Filistynse wenners van die weddenskap. As hulle kom om hom te vang, slaan hy ‘n 1000 van hulle dood met ‘n eselskakebeen en noem die plek Kakebeenshoogte.
As sy aanstaande skoonpa hom indoen met ‘n ooreenkoms, vang hy 300 jakkalse, bind hulle twee-twee aan mekaar vas, en maak ‘n brandende fakkel in elke paar se stert vas voordat hy hulle die Filistyne se landerye en hooimiedens injaag. Nou, elkeen wat al probeer het om een rooijakkals wat skaaplammers doodbyt, te skiet met ‘n jaggeweer en teleskoop, sal weet watter prestasie dit was om 300 jakkalse te vang met die hand en aan mekaar vas te bind.
Hy verskeur ook ‘n leeu met die kaal hand. Fenomenale man!
Simson verskeur ook ‘n leeu met die kaal hand
Dan vang die Filistyne hom nadat hy in onnadenkendheid sy kraggeheim aan Delila vertel. Hy verloor sy krag, en sy oë word uitgesteek. Al die Filistyne se leiers vier fees in hulle god Dagon se tempel! Tot op die dak van die tempel is daar 3000 mense wat fuif en dans. Simson bid dan om hom te wreek op die mense wat sy eer gesteel het, en kry vir oulaas sy krag terug. Hy trek die tempel se pilare om, en almal sterf. Soos hyself ook, wat gebid het dat dit moet gebeur. Dan die interessante vers. Ten spyte van sy manjefieke lewe, sê Rigters 16:30: Simson het met sy dood meer mense doodgemaak as in sy lewe.
Dit laat mens wonder: wat sou jy anders doen, as jy soos Simson die keuse gehad het om reg te maak vir die vroeëre verkeerde keuses van jou lewe? Miskien sou jy kon kies om meer lief te hê, om ander mense se seer beter raak te sien. Daarmee saam, om te sê: ek is hier vir jou. Altyd. Miskien sou jy ook kon kies om ‘n dikker vel te hê vir mense se geite.
Ons homo sapiens is dikwels soos boerbokke: as die voorbok deur die heining spring, spring al die ander agterna. Sonder om te weet waar hulle gaan beland. Maar, mense is ook bietjie anders as bokke, ons kry te skaam om terug te gaan en te sê: dit was ‘n fout, wanneer ons besef dit was onnooslik om sekere dinge te doen. Dalk sou jy veel makliker gesê het: “ek was verkeerd. Vergewe my asseblief.” Dink net hoeveel makliker dit jou lewe sou maak.
Miskien sou jy jou minder aan stories gesteur het. ‘n Leuen wat gefluister word, trek baie vinniger en verder as die waarheid wat kliphard geroep word. So kan baie mense getuig van ‘n gebabbel en gerugte wat hulle diep, diep, seergemaak het. In so mate dat hulle hulself onttrek het van alles en almal, en emosioneel siek geword het. As jy terugkyk, besef hoe lagwekkend dit eintlik was dat jy jou gesteur het aan sekere mense se opinies.
‘n Leuen wat gefluister word, trek baie vinniger en verder as die waarheid wat kliphard geroep word.
Jy sou dalk met jou oë groter oop deur die lewe gegaan het, en agtergekom het wie werklik jou vriende is, wie jy eerder moet vermy. Ek meen ook mens sou baie harder daarteen gewaak het om jou humeur te verloor. Soms kry jy koue rillings as jy dink aan al die kere toe jy te haastig reageer het, te vinnig ‘n mening uitgespreek het. Of te ongeduldig was, of bevooroordeeld was teenoor mense wat dit glad nie verdien het nie.
Elkeen van ons sou meer kon lag. ‘n Oudkollega van my van Secunda was oral gewild en bekend, nie net oor sy diep menslikheid nie, maar oor die manier waarop hy gelag het. Jy kon hom myle vêr hoor lag, en almal om hom het saamgelag. Hy was ‘n ligstraal in vele mense se lewens met sy aansteeklike lag. Vandag nog bewonder ek mense wat hartlik kan lag, uit hulle maag uit, sonder dat iemand noodwendig ‘n grap vertel het.
Laastens: jy sou dalk beter na jouself gekyk het, meer geoefen het, gesonder geëet het, gewerk het aan jou stresvlakke, meer ontspan het, meer nuwe dinge probeer het, vreemde horisonne ontdek het. Kortom, as jy toè geweet het wat jy noú weet, sou jy dalk anders gelèèf het, in plaas van net bestaan het. Begin vandag nog om die foute wat jy in die verlede gemaak het te vermy!
Dan sal jou dood, soos diè van Simson en al die ander, mense laat huil. Maak dit jou nuwejaarsvoorneme vir 2021. Jy het nie beheer oor virusse en dood nie. Maar jy het beheer oor jou eie benadering teenoor lewe en jou voorsorg teen rampe.
