THREE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NABBED FOR CORRUPTION
MPUMALANGA –The three suspects Gubhela Victor Mkize (59)Johannes Vivian Tlou (53) and Xolani Arnold Nkosi ( 38 ) was arrested during a sting operation conducted by members of the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Middelburg together with the Road Traffic Management Corporation(RTMC) at Emalahleni Municipality on Monday 28 December 2020 for Corruption.
Gubhela Victor Mkize(59)
It is alleged that complaints were received from motorists about law enforcement officers of Emalahleni Municipality who were demanding gratification for not giving traffic offenders fines after traffic violations. It is further alleged that every time when the suspects are on duty, they do the same thing. An intelligent driven investigation was initiated in 2019, targeting the same perpetrators. In January 2020, an undercover operation was conducted by the team and the same suspects received gratification for not issuing traffic fines for traffic violations during the operation.
Johannes Vivian Tlou (53)
After finalisation of the investigations, the suspects were arrested for the transactions on the early hours on Monday while reporting on duty.
The trio has since appeared in the Emalahleni Magistrate court and they were released on R2000 bail each. Their case was postponed to 10 March 2021 for further investigation.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Jesaja 9:5 Want ‘n Kind is vir ons gebore, ‘n Seun is aan ons gegee; en die heerskappy is op sy skouer, en Hy word genoem: Wonderbaar, Raadsman, Sterke God, Ewige Vader, Vredevors.
Kol 1:27 Christus in julle, die hoop op die heerlikheid. Hoop vir hierdie wêreld!
Kersfees bring die realiteit dat daar iets groter is wat in ons lewens werk as net dit wat ons sintuie sê.
Ons het in die afgelope paar weke in ons Advent reeks gekyk na vier verhoudinge waar die koms van Jesus ‘n groot effek op hulle lewens gehad het. Maria, Herders, Johannes en Paulus.
Maar wat sê Jesus self oor sy koms en wat daardie dag in Bethlehem gebeur het?
Johannes pen ‘n gebed van Jesus tot die Vader neer en gee vir ons perspektief oor hoekom Jesus gekom het.
Johannes is ook die eerste evangelie skrywer wat nie by Bethlehem begin wanneer hy oor die koms van Jesus skryf nie, hy begin by die begin voordat enige iets gemaak is… Hy beskryf Jesus van die begin af by God en self God – Griekse Woord (Pros) – Aangesig tot aangesig, gedraai na mekaar. Hy beskryf Jesus aangesig tot aangesig tot die Vader en Heilige Gees. Mees intieme plek wat jy met God kan wees, een met Hom.
Jesus sê; Niemand het die Vader gesien behalwe die Seun nie.
Johannes ook die skrywer in die Nuwe Testament wat die meeste oor die Vader en die Heilige Gees skryf en ook Jesus se verhouding met hulle. En dan beskryf hy Jesus se gebed so; Johannes 17:1-6 Nadat Jesus dit gesê het, het Hy na die hemel toe opgekyk en gesê: “Vader, die tyd het gekom. Verheerlik u Seun, sodat die Seun U kan verheerlik. U het Hom immers die volmag oor die hele mensdom gegee om aan almal wat U Hom gegee het, die ewige lewe te gee. En dit is die ewige lewe: dat hulle U ken, die enigste ware God, en Jesus Christus, wat deur U gestuur is. Ek het U op die aarde verheerlik deur die werk te volbring wat U My gegee het om te doen. Verheerlik U My nou ook by U, Vader, met die heerlikheid wat Ek by U gehad het voordat die wêreld bestaan het. “Ek het u Naam bekend gemaak aan die mense wat U My uit die wêreld gegee het. Hulle het aan U behoort, en U het hulle aan My gegee, en hulle het u woord ter harte geneem.Hierdie woorde is die hart van die evangelie. Ek het U bekend gemaak Vader en sal U bekend maak. Jesus vat verantwoordelikheid vir hierdie verhouding.
Volgens Jesus se gebed – wat het Hy kom doen? Hy het gekom om die Vader te verheerlik! Hy het gekom om die afstand te kanselleer, vir ons ewige lewe te gee. Hy het gekom sodat ons die Vader kan ken. Hy het gekom om die naam van die Vader bekend te maak.Hy het gekom om vir die mensdom te sê, julle behoort. (Gelykenis van die verlore skaap)
Johannes 17:11 Ek bly nie langer in die wêreld nie, maar hulle bly nog in die wêreld. Ek kom na U toe. “Heilige Vader, bewaar hulle in u Naam, die Naam wat U My gegee het, sodat hulle net soos Ons een kan wees.
Johannes 17:21 Ek bid dat hulle almal een mag wees, net soos U, Vader, in My is en Ek in U, dat hulle ook in Ons mag wees, sodat die wêreld kan glo dat U My gestuur het.
Johannes 17:22-23 Die heerlikheid wat U My gegee het, het Ek ook aan hulle gegee, sodat hulle een kan wees net soos Ons een is: Ek in hulle en U in My, sodat hulle volkome een kan wees, sodat die wêreld kan weet dat U My gestuur het en hulle liefhet net soos U My liefhet.
Johannes 17:24 “Vader, Ek wil graag hê dat waar Ek is, hulle wat U My gegee het, ook by My moet wees, sodat hulle my heerlikheid kan sien, die heerlikheid wat U My gegee het omdat U My al voor die skepping van die wêreld liefgehad het.
Johannes 17:26 Ek het u Naam aan hulle bekend gemaak, en Ek sal dit verder bekend maak, sodat die liefde wat U aan My bewys het, in hulle kan wees en Ek ook in hulle.”Ek het gekom sodat julle kan wees waar ek is, nie net fisies nie, maar geestelik.
Ek het gekom om die Vader aan julle bekend te maak en dat julle Hom mag ken soos Hy julle ken. Soos Ek Hom ken!
Ek wil Hom groot maak in jou, sodat niks groter in jou lewe sal wees as Ons nie. (Hy wat in jou is, is groter as hy wat in die wêreld is) Ek wil hê jy moet sien wat ek sien, beleef wat ek beleef. Ware lewe…
Ek wil hê jy moet lewe vanuit hierdie verhouding – dat alles in jou lewe sal begin vanuit hierdie verhouding.
Johannes 10:10 Ek het gekom, dat julle lewe en oorvloed kan hê.Ek gaan weg maar ek stuur die Heilige Gees om julle te lei en te help en oortuiging te bring van hierdie wêreld!
Johannes 14:20 In dié dag sal julle weet dat Ek in my Vader is, en julle in My, en Ek in julle.
Die geboorte van Jesus in Bethlehem, is ook die terugkom van God na die mens toe.
Die versoening, die herenig tussen God en mens – en Jesus nooi ons uit om te gaan daar waar Hy is. Aangesig tot aangesig met die Vader.
Kersfees en die koms van Jesus bly ‘n uitnodiging!
Kom! Volg My, na die Vader!
Gebed – Mag die liefde van ons Vader, die genade van ons Here Jesus Christus en die teenwoordigheid van die Heilige Gees met julle wees.
Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere:
MPUMALANGA: Intelligence driven disruptive operation was conducted by members of the Hawks Serious organized crime investigation Nelspruit and Middelburg assisted by National Intervention Unit, Bomb disposal, Tactical Response Team, Local Criminal Record Center, SAPS Barberton and SSG Security Services on Wednesday 23 December 2020 at Brown farm in Barberton.
Intelligence Investigation led to the discovery of the illegal laboratory which is operating in the farm whereby the group of illegal miners are employed to illegally process the gold.
On arrival at the identified address the team heard the sound of hammers from the nearby bushes and the team disrupted the group and ten suspects, five illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe and five local guys from Mpumalanga were arrested. Amongst the suspects two are minors aged 15 and 16 and others are between the ages of 18 to 37.
During the interview the suspects confirmed that they are employed by different bosses, one boss responsible for foreigners and the other one for the local guys. The foreigners explained that their boss is originated from Zimbabwe but residing in Johannesburg and he is only coming occasionally to check them.
The other local group confirmed that they are employed by the local boss. The team followed the suspect’s alibi which led to the arrest of mastermind who was at the nearby house in the same premises next to the laboratory.
The team entered the house where the suspect was found on crutches and on questioning about his condition he explained to the team that he was injured in the mine while doing illegal mining.
The team introduced themselves and the purpose of the operation and requested to search the house. Upon the search crushed gold bearing materials were found and confiscated and the suspect was arrested for possession of the gold bearing materials.
The suspect was also charged for contravening section 43 of basic conditions of employment act of 2017. The suspect’s motor vehicle, a double cab silver ford ranger which is suspected to be used in the commission of crime was also confiscated for further investigation.
During the search in another house, an unlicensed .22 hunting rifle, telescope and live ammunition were found and confiscated. A 20-year-old male was arrested for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
The following exhibits were also found and confiscated, pendukas, hammers, Generators, cellphones, Gold-bearing material, chemicals and gas cylinders containing mercury.
Standard Bank assists community with food vouchers
Many South Africans live on social grants, with no additional sources of income. The Covid-19 pandemic brought with it the unprecedented economic lockdown, which severely limited economic activity and face-to-face human interaction.
In the face of a world pandemic which put into sharp focus challenges around food security and job losses, Standard Bank in Mpumalanga Province made available food vouchers, redeemable at local shops. This came as a relief to those who were not able to put food on the table.
“We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on communities in the province of Mpumalanga. A lot of households were affected by the lockdown. With this in mind, working with NGOs, local supermarkets and spaza shops, we made available 100 virtual food vouchers.” explains Theunis Duvenhage at Standard Bank.
Food insecurity was rife during the extended lockdown. Hunger and desperation have pushed many to the edge, with almost daily reports of supermarkets, spaza shops and trucks being looted. In order to build resilient communities, the relief of hunger is at the heart of our corporate social investment (CSI) programmes.
Standard Bank donated food vouchers to the value of R100 000, for the benefit of informal traders affected by the lockdown, based in the informal settlement of Marikana, in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. For transparency, the authorities ensured that each voucher was numbered and that the recipients provided accurate contact information.
Photo for illustration purposes
“This was a very tough and unusual year for many households, yet we truly hope that these food vouchers provided some welcome relief, and that no one went to bed on an empty stomach,” concludes Theunis Duvenhage at Standard Bank.
Standard Bank is committed to sustainable socio-economic development of local communities and productive citizenship, that contributes to the economic growth in Mpumalanga Province.
MPUMALANGA – A 30-year-old suspect, Thembi Pretty Gwebu(30), employed by TRAC as a toll booth collector at Machado Toll Plaza Mpumalanga, was arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Middelburg on Monday 21 December 2020 for Fraud.
Thembi Pretty Gwebu(30)
It is alleged that the suspect colluded with someone who provided her with a credit card which she swiped whenever the motorist was making a cash payment for toll fees at the toll gate and pocketed the cash for herself. She did not honour the monthly payment for the credit card and the allocated credit got depleted.
The bank sent notices to the company for non-payment of the credit card which was used at the toll gate. An internal investigation was initiated and it was established that the credit card was used by the suspect and prejudiced the company more than hundreds of thousands of rands.
The matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation. During the investigation, it was established that the co-accused in this matter is an employee of a government institution. His arrest is imminent.
Thembi Pretty Gwebu(30) appeared before the Belfast Magistrate Court on Tuesday 22 December 2020. The accused was released on R1000 bail and the case is postponed to 21 January 2021 for further investigation.
Motorists urged to be on high alert as traffic volumes are expected to soar
Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms Gabisile Shabalala is calling on motorists to be extremely cautious as traffic volumes on most roads are on the rise.
MEC Gabisile Tshabalala
Shabalala says with heightened vigilance on the part of all road users, many people will make it to their destinations safely.
“We want everybody to arrive safely wherever they are going. We do not want to see any further loss of life on the road. Let us exercise patience and tolerate one another where there are delays,” adds the MEC.
Roads such as N2, N17, N4, N3, N11, R573, R38, R555 and R568 are among the busiest roads so far. These roads link Mpumalanga with provinces such as KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo provinces as well as Eswatini and Mozambique.
She also calls on those who will be driving long distances to rest sufficiently along the way because fatigue is another contributor to poor decision making on the part of motorists.
“While every driver must ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, they need to ensure they also physically fit to drive long distances. We are also appealing to motorists to try and avoid night time driving but rather move during the day as most fatal crashes experienced so far occurred at night,” the MEC stated.
The MEC has sadly noted that more than 70 people have died in the province since the start of the Festive Season.
She states that while law enforcement are on high alert and visibility has been greatly enhanced, it was still critical for all road users to play their part by using the road safely and obeying the rules.
She is calling on the communities to continue complying with the COVID-19 Health protocols and the Regulations.
She reminds communities to continue wearing masks at all times in public places, keeping social distance and also avoiding large gatherings.
Read more about the Department of Community Safety, Security And Liaison HERE
Meanwhile, the Provincial traffic officers have stopped and checked over 99000 vehicles since the beginning of the holiday season. Over 16 000 notices were issued to motorists for various offences. So far about 21 people were arrested for drinking and driving and about seven motorists were brought to book for excessive speeding.
Shabalala is encouraging law enforcement officers to continue saving lives by showing no mercy to negligent and reckless driving during the Festive Season and beyond.
She is calling liquor traders and tavern owners to ensure that they comply with the Regulations by closing on stipulated times.
SUSPECT DUE TO APPEAR BEFORE COURT IN CONNECTION WITH THREE COUNTS OF MURDER
NELSPRUIT – A 29 year old man is due to appear before court in connection with three counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two for rape, one of kidnapping and another for arson. The news of this shocking incident broke out in the early hours of today, Wednesday 23 December 2020, at Siyabuswa near KwaMhlanga.
According to the reports, a 35 year old woman was allegedly kidnapped yesterday evening by a man who was armed with a knife. The man then demanded cash from her and when she said to have had no money in her possession, he then took her cellphone and forcefully went with her to the bushes. The man then allegedly forced her to drink some unknown chemical. He then left her in the bushes and went to her house.
Upon arrival, the man then pounced on the woman’s family members, stabbing a 41 year old man (the woman’s brother), her two children, a five year old girl and eight year old boy as well as an eleven (11) year old girl who was a visitor. The suspect is said to have raped the five year old girl during this despicable ordeal and thereafter burnt the house before fleeing the scene.
When the woman finally made it home earlier today, she was met with a terrifying experience where her loved ones were brutally attacked. The police, as well as the paramedics, were notified about the incident and upon arrival, three victims, aged 41, 08, and l6 were certified dead meanwhile two of the victims with serious stab wounds were taken to hospital where they are fighting for their lives.
Photo for Illustration only
The police opened a case and immediately began with their investigation where a manhunt was launched. The members worked tirelessly and received information on the whereabouts of the suspect. They then followed the leads where the suspect was finally cornered. They (police) recovered a cellphone believed to be the one taken during the kidnapping. The police also seized other clothing items with blood stains and then arrested the suspect hence his expected appearance before the Mdutjana Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 24 December 2020.
Read more about the Department of Community Safety, Security And Liaison HERE
The police management in Mpumalanga has condemned the violent incident displayed by this man, however, applauded the cooperation displayed between members of the public and the police, which led to a swift arrest of the suspect.
The festive season is approaching fast and Christmas shopping is on the to-do list. Whether Christmas or not, animals should not be on that list!
There are people who buy animals for themselves and those that buy them for others. Both can be equally dangerous if the person who has to take care of the pet is not prepared to be a pet owner, but the latter is a particularly bad idea.
Animals should not be given as gifts
SHOULD ANIMALS BE GIVEN AS GIFTS?
NOOOOOO‼ and here is why,
1. Animals are not and should never be seen as commodities. They are sentient beings and not disposable toys.
2. Animals are not gifts, they are 10-20 years (or more) commitment.
3. Many animals given as gifts find their way to shelters a short time after. According to some studies at least 14 % if not more. This sounds low to you, but in an overwhelmed animal welfare system, this is 14% on top of crowded shelters and it could have been prevented.
4. Children’s attention span will fit better with a stuffed toy than a sentient being who’s needs should be a priority. Children lose interest quickly.
Interest: Did this person already express interest in owning a pet?
Cost & Resources: Is the recipient financially capable, stable and willing to pay for food, supplies, veterinary care, and other services over the animal’s lifetime? You don’t want to give them a gift of debt.
Time & Energy: Does the recipient have time for daily exercise, interaction, and play? How active are they? How often is this person at home? Although you might love them, they do not come without work.
Animals are not presents
Space: What kind of environment will the animal live in? Does the building or residence have any restrictions on pets?
The Future: Do they plan to move locally or possibly overseas? Are there kids on the way or job changes coming? Could their financial situation change soon?
Compatibility: What kind of animal would fit this recipient’s lifestyle best? Are they right for that animal? It is not just about the owner, but also about the needs of the animal.
Age: Is this pet age-appropriate? Some kids are too young to take responsibility for the pet and buying pets for elderly parents can be just as irresponsible.
Visit the web page: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) HERE
Health: Does the recipient have allergies or other conditions that would conflict with caring for this pet?
Other Pets: Will this new animal get along with other animals in the household?
HOW TO SAY NO & YOU SHOULD:
They say you don’t show gifts away. When it comes to animals as gifts, you should, if you did not plan or want them at that stage. The animals usually pay the price if you take them.
Thank them
Decline the gift
Worse case (not ideal), you take the animal and tell the giver you are going to surrender them to a shelter that can find a suitable home.
This is probably not the first time this person did this and they need to learn to take responsibility for their choices.
WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMALS WE ARE RARELY FOR EXCEPTIONS, BUT WE WOULD RATHER ADVISE IN ADVANCE OR PROVIDE SOLUTIONS.
If nothing above convinced you then….HERE ARE SOME KEY CONSIDERATIONS:
Only give animals as gifts to direct family.
Take responsibility for the life of that animal. If you are not willing to be the back-up home for the animal you gave as a gift, then don’t do it.
Animals as gifts should never be a surprise as the new owner needs to be prepared.
Avoid impulse. You went to the store for milk, not a puppy.
Give without giving. We mentioned picking a suitable pet for the recipient and the best way you can do that is through #adoptdontshop. Go to your local shelter and pay the adoption fees and let the potential owner go through a responsible process with the shelter.
THE LIFE OF AN ANIMAL IS IN YOUR HANDS……ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK THEIR LIFE AS A GIFT?
REMEMBER if you bought or took a pet for free and did not adopt through a reputable organisation……then you just fuelled the overpopulation crisis and made the work of a shelter harder.
