ASSET FINANCE FRAUDSTER SENTENCED FOR NEARLY R800 000
MPUMALANGA –Themba Wilson Lushaba (28) appeared at the White River Magistrate Court for sentencing on a charge of fraud worth R793 158.48 on Wednesday 02 December 2020.
Themba Wilson Lushaba 28
Lushaba was arrested in May 2018 by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team after he submitted fraudulent documents in an attempt to secure a favourable result on his vehicle finance application at a local car dealership in White River.
MPUMALANGA – Simangaliso Ennocent Khoza (36), Nhlanhla France Nyambi (42), Marcus Madala Mdluli (43), and Sabelo Given Khumala (34), appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court for alleged fraud and tax evasion on Wednesday.
Smangaliso Innocent Khoza (36)
The four were arrested earlier on the same day following a Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation which revealed that they colluded and defrauded the South African Revenue Service (SARS), through misrepresentations.
Their modus operandi was that around 2017, they registered dormant entities including; Khuzumdumo General Trading and Smangalisobusisiwe General Trading. Fictitious tax returns were then submitted to SARS resulting in actual losses of approximately R3.8 million.
Nhlanhla France Nyambi (42)
About a week ago, Simangaliso Ennocent Khoza was initially arrested with his partner, Busisiwe Prudence Nkosi (35), a sole director of Madam and Eve General Trading. The pair was charged in for fraud, theft and money laundering in contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act as well as the provisions of the Tax Administration Act. They were both released on R10 000 bail each.
Sabelo Given Khumalo (34)
Further investigation has linked Khoza to other entities established for a common purpose of defrauding SARS through fraudulently tax returns. The money would then be paid into the other arrested syndicates’ accounts and further laundered into family and friends’ bank accounts.
Marcus Madala Mdluli (43)
The Court has extended Nkosi’s bail from his previous appearance. Nyambi was released on R3000 bail, Mdluli was released on R5000 bail whilst, Khumalo was released on warning. The group is expected back in court on 14 December 2020.
John Steenhuisen released the following statement on gender-based violence
South Africa’s coronavirus pandemic has highlighted, in gruesome detail, the rising scourge of gender-based violence in our country.
For the many women and children in South Africa who were forced into isolation with their abusers, our country’s national lockdown was a time of terror.
As much as 51% of South African women have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner, and the worrying spike in gender-based violence under lockdown serves as a reminder of the crucial work we must all take up to bring a swift end to this crime in our country.
Today as we observe the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Democratic Alliance recommits itself, both where we are in government and in opposition, to bring an end to this prolific crime which robs women and children of their basic rights and freedoms. South Africa does not need 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we need 365.
The DA recognises that tackling gender-based violence in our country requires a multifaceted and comprehensive approach including victim support and empowerment programmes, violence prevention initiatives and, more importantly, education and public awareness campaigns to bring about behavioural change which is the root cause of this crime. Here are just come of the initiatives we have rolled out where we govern:
The Western Cape Department of Community Safety has tasked Advocate Leslie Morris to monitor gender-based violence and domestic violence cases in the Court Watching Brief Unit;
The Western Cape Department of Social Development currently funds 20 shelters in the province which can accommodate victims and their children for up to 3 months, and 4 emergency shelters which accommodate victims for up to 3 weeks; and
The Western Cape Department of Education’s Safe Schools holiday programme creates safe spaces and activities for children during the holidays and includes content on gender-based violence, sexual abuse and gender equality to empower learners.
For a full breakdown of how the DA is fighting the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa, visit our website at www.da.org.za.
Tackling gender-based violence isn’t a convenient campaign or a catchy slogan, it is a pledge to which we must recommit ourselves each and every day, for the women of our country, and for the basic freedoms of which they are robbed by crippling fear of harassment, violence, and rape. It is these basic freedoms that we as the DA fight to uphold and protect as a liberal party.
I am recommitting myself to bringing an end to gender-based violence, and I call on each and every male DA public representative, member, and activist to do the same.
Because women deserve the freedom and the right to feel as safe as we do in our homes and places of work, on our streets, and in our cities. Let’s #CommitToEndGBV
DAWN is a growing network of women across South Africa. If you are passionate about addressing issues affecting South African women today- such as rape, gender based violence, maintenance and access to Anti-retroviral drugs join DAWN and be a part of the solution.
Greetings to all citizens of Govan Mbeki Municipality. I am Councillor Nhlakanipho Zuma, the Executive Mayor. I would like to take this opportunity and give a commemorative message for all those that have lost their lives as a result of HIV/AIDS related illnesses; a message of support to all those that are living with the virus; a message of caution to all those that are practising unsafe sexual intercourses and a word of support to all families that have been affected by the pandemic.
Councillor Nhlakanipho Zuma, Executive Mayor of GMM
The modern society has been riddled by this unforgiving pandemic in a form of HIV and AIDS. Families have been ripped apart, perished and gotten devoured by this silent mass murderer. We have endured the pain of stigmatization, isolation, brutalization and so many other forms of torture by one human being to another based on misinformation or having no information at all about the virus.
Today we are happy with the progress that this country has made in fighting all forms of discriminations both those that relate to the virus and all other forms of discrimination. The interventions made by the government and other progressive stakeholders is acknowledged and appreciated. This progress is however not enough as there is still some form existence of oppression of one being by another.
The continuous abused that women and children find themselves subjected to, which leaves some of the women and children with the virus is just uncalled for, purely evil and must be stopped. We are from time to time comforted by the fact that evolution of society and the advancement of humankind has proven to us that living with the virus cannot be taken as a death sentence anymore as there are now means to live a long, happy and healthy lifestyle after having been diagnosed with the virus.
We call on those that are affected and find themselves not coping, to reach out so as to receive the necessary support for themselves. There is no need for anyone to die in shame while support is out there and available to everyone.
The South African Government has come a long way in ensuring that we are putting up a good fight against the virus. The provision of free, accessible health care that has been put in place for all is a milestone that very few countries in the world have been able to achieve. As Govan Mbeki Municipality, we remain committed to giving support to all those that are affected and assist the department of health in creating continuous awareness campaigns to the people.
Govan Mbeki Municipality is currently having 28 273 while Gert Sibande District Municipality is currently situated at 144 527 confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS. This then culminates to the district being number 7 which is a positive as it was number 1 at some point. We call on all to support the initiative of the National Health Insurance so as to build sufficient capacity in our public health system.
Let us love each other so as we can protect each other!
World AIDS Day is commemorated each year on the 1st of December and is an opportunity for every community to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV and remember those who have died.
The theme this year is: “We are in this together. Checka Impilo”.
HIV and AIDS in South Africa
South Africa has been relentless in its mission to turn the HIV, AIDS, and TB epidemics around and there are notable achievements to celebrate. A review of our efforts in addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic over the past 20 years, paints a mixed picture. There have been many scientific advances in HIV treatment and we now have a much better understanding of the virus More people are receiving antiretroviral treatment, which means HIV infection rates are decreasing. There is also a scientific optimism around the benefits of treatment as prevention, and progress towards a cure and vaccine.
However, despite these advances, stigma and discrimination still persist for many people living with, or affected by HIV. World AIDS Day 2014 is an opportunity for all South Africans to remind themselves that HIV is still a reality and that it is incumbent on all of us to continue fighting prejudice, stigma and discrimination.
South Africa has come a long way in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In 2012 government implemented the National Strategic Plan on HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis 2012 – 2016.
In 2010 government also scaled up its antiretroviral treatment programme. A further expansion is planned from January 2015 to bring South Africa in line with World Health Organisation treatment guidelines. As part of this, the Department of Health will start HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count of 500 or less on antiretroviral treatment, as opposed to the present CD4 count of 350. All HIV-positive pregnant women will also receive lifelong treatment, regardless of their CD4 counts. Currently, HIV-positive pregnant women receive treatment until they stop breastfeeding.
Despite our many advances we still struggle to eliminate the stigma associated with HIV infection and the resultant discrimination. There are still people with limited knowledge of the facts about how to protect themselves and others.
Former President Nelson Mandela said: “Many people suffering from AIDS and not killed by the disease itself are killed by the stigma surrounding everybody who has HIV and AIDS.”
The devastating effects include abandonment by spouse or family, social ostracism, job and property loss, school expulsion, denial of medical services, lack of care and support, and violence.
It also results in a lower uptake of HIV preventive services and postponing or rejecting care. Women tend to experience greater stigma and discrimination than men and are more likely to experience its harshest and most damaging effects.
World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public that HIV has not gone away and that collectively, there is the need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education to maintain and achieve the aims and objectives of the country as set out in the National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016.
Why stigma and discrimination matter
Stigma and discrimination can be as devastating as the illness itself and may mean abandonment by a partner or family, social exclusion, job and property loss, school expulsion, denial of medical services, lack of care and support, and violence for those affected by them. These consequences, or fear of them, mean that people are less likely to come in for HIV testing, disclose their HIV status to others, adopt HIV preventive behaviour or access treatment, care and support.
Every sexually active South African is at risk of contracting HIV. We call on all South Africans to recognise that HIV and AIDS are chronic diseases, and that people living with HIV can have full and happy lives. We each have a responsibility to treat those who are struggling with an HIV-positive diagnosis with compassion, those struggling with AIDS with care, and ourselves and our sexual partners with respect. Addressing stigma and discrimination is important in mitigating the impact of HIV.
BETHAL- Coniforest Kwekery, Bethal, bied op Saterdag, 12 Desember ‘n Kers Boeremark aan.
Swaar reën word voorspel vir die 5de Desember en die organiseerders het dit goed gedink om die mark aan te skuif na die 12de toe.
Die Kersmark vind plaas vanaf 8:00 tot 15:00.
Hierdie mark stel hom ten doel om ‘n platform daar te stel om plaaslike inwoners, en ander instansies, ‘n geleentheid te gee om hul produkte te verkoop. Die afgelope jaar was moeilik vir alle besighede en het veral hierdie sektore hard getref.
Daar is reeds ‘n verskeidenheid stalletjies wat ingeskryf is. Kosstalletjies gaan sorg dat u nie honger hoef huis toe te gaan nie. Die DBV verkoop weer heerlike kos en ‘n gesellige Koffiewinkel gaan verseker sorg dat u heerlik in die kwekery kan kuier.
Vir die kinders sal daar ‘n speletjiestafel wees.
‘n Radiostasie gaan die dag vir musiek sorg, en u moet ook van die geleentheid gebruik maak om bloed te skenk by SANBS se mobiele eenheid.
Daar is nog stalletjies beskikbaar, en as u dalk nog enige ander insette tot die dag wil lewer, is u welkom om vir Paul te skakel op 083 227 0820, of Rita op 083 560 1155.
The Blood levels are critically low at the moment.
Blood stocks fluctuate throughout the year, and with just a short while until the festive season is in full swing, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has less than 3 days stock of group O blood, this is much lower than the 5 days’ stock needed to sustain the country’s need.
The SANBS is facing severe blood stock shortages, to the extent that there may not be sufficient available blood for patients in need over the festive season. The SANBS is urgently appealing to all potential and existing blood donors that are due to donate, to visit a SANBS blood donation site, to donate their precious unit of blood.
Although the festive season is fun for most people, it is a difficult period for doctors who work hard to save lives, needing blood and blood products to do so. “Traditionally, December is a difficult time for the SANBS, with limited access to corporate blood drives and availability of donors, impacting on the ability to collect the minimum of 3 500 units of blood a day that is needed to treat patients.
We approach this season with low stocks and we know that we have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call to lend a hand,” said Ravi Reddy, SANBS Chief Operations Officer.
The SANBS’ inability to access venues for blood drives is also hampering meeting collection targets successfully. As a result, blood stocks continue to dwindle steadily.
“Our Group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those in need of it” added Reddy.
The SANBS is, furthermore, appealing to the public to make venues available for blood drives. Suitable venues include spaces accessible and open to the public. “As we head into the busy holiday season, we are facing a particularly challenging situation.
All willing and eligible donors are urged to visit their nearest mobile and fixed donor centres.
ELECTION OF THE NEW EXECUTIVE MAYOR AND THE APPOINTMENT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MAYORAL COMMITTEE
The Govan Mbeki Municipality has a new Executive Mayor Honourable Cllr Nhlakanipho Zuma who was elected on the occasion of the Ordinary Council meeting that took place on 26 November 2020.
Executive Mayor Honourable Cllr Nhlakanipho Zuma
This development came as a result of the resignation of the former Executive Mayor Cllr YT Ngxonono. Subsequently, with the powers vested in the Executive Mayor, the newly elected Executive Mayor then appointed Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) as follows:
1. MMC For Finance: Cllr Sakhile Mahlangu
2. MMC for Technical Services responsible for Energy: Cllr Dan Nhlapho
3. MMC for Water and Sanitation: Cllr Betty Ndaba
4. MMC for Corporate Services: Cllr Thandiwe Zulu
5. MMC for Planning and Development: Cllr Thandi Ngxonono
6. MMC for Community Services: Cllr Antony Makhaye
7. MMC for Special Projects: Cllr Nomkhosi Zulu
The election of the new mayor and the executive committee was not without its share of controversy.
The opposition parties was of the opinion that the timing for the election of the Mayor and MMC’s was not thought through. The municipality is currently under administration in accordance to Section 139(1)(b) of the constitution. This would mean that a Mayor would not be necessary and a waste of time, taking into consideration the financial state of the municipality.
The Bulletin received the following statement from Cllr Ciska Jordaan, Caucus leader of the Democratic alliance in GMM:
The DA is severely concerned with the recent election of an Executive Mayor, who has also appointed a mayoral committee while the municipality awaits for the appointment of an administrator by the provincial CoGTA as stipulated by section 139 (b) of the constitution, which would make having an Executive Mayor and a Mayoral committee under the current circumstances, redundant and irrelevant.
The MEC for Cogta had categorically stated on video to the public, and I quote, “there’s collapse in governance, there is collapse in financial management, there’s collapse in service delivery” and that there is no need for an executive authority since the province has taken over the powers for the next 6 months.
As the DA, we concur with this view and are of the opinion that appointing an Executive Mayor and a Mayoral Committee would only result in wasteful expenditure to pay out huge salaries and further political interference. The Democratic Alliance had therefore walked out of the council meeting on Thursday the 26th November as we refuse to participate in the continuous willful destruction of the Govan Mbeki municipality, and in the effort to work with other opposition parties to leave the council without a quorum.
All indications are that either the alleged intervention undertaken by the provincial legislature into the decrepit state of affairs of the Govan Mbeki Municipality is a ruse designed to calm the public, or the ANC in Govan Mbeki is suffering from a psychological difficulty which can only be described as delusions of grandeur in its search for more money to loot and a way to cover up pertinent aspects of ongoing investigations – when there is none, and reward all those same individuals who are implicated in the section 106 report with promotions.
The opposition also vehemently objected to the inclusion of Cllr Tandi Nxgonono in the Mayoral committee. Thandi resigned from her position as mayor in September after being implicated in the Section 106 report. This report was the findings of an investigation sanctioned by the MEC for COGTA.
Laerskool Secunda/National Cars Pa en seun Survivor 2020
Secunda, Mpumalanga –Laerskool Secunda het die afgelope Saterdag, in samewerking met National Cars, hul tweede amptelike pa en seun survivor geleentheid aangebied.
Die weer het gedreig om nie saam te speel nie maar het glad nie ‘n demper op die entusiasme van die Pa’s en seuns geplaas nie. Op die ou einde het die weer glad nie saak gemaak nie.
Laerskool Secunda bedank graag die volgende rolspelers: Pastoor Werner Joubert, National Cars, Supa Quick Secunda, Fireplace roadhouse, Sasol vulstasies en TWK Agri asook al die pa’s en seuns van Laerskool Secunda. Kyk uit vir ‘n groter en beter survivor in 2021!
The Eagles have done in again with their win in the Covid league, Mens A division.
This league was played over five weeks, with five different leagues within, A, B, C, D and a mixed league.
The Eagle have won this league two years in a row.
A new league has started and will end in February next year.
Here is a short history of the Eagles team.
The Eagles started in the middle of 1994 as the Golden Eagles. The name actually originated from a set of orange jerseys with an Eagle on.
The first arena was in Trichardt and called “Blits Bal”.
The Eagles lost their first game against a Police team with about 100 runs but they recovered quickly and grew in strength. At the end of the league, they played the Police again and lost with only 5 runs.
That is where their dominance, not only in Secunda, but in Mpumalanga started.
The following members that still play in our area (from 1994-1999) are:
Hansie Smit
Daan Coetzer
Riaan Burger
Kallie Burger
Johan Jonker
Frankie Jonker
Gustav Kruger
Louis Strauss.
Through the years new talent were added to the team and the older players transferred their skills to the younger players. The following players joined the Eagles Family from 2000.
Pierre Nagel
Johan Snyman
Jaco Joubert
Jaco van Rooyen
All of these players are still playing for the eagles and to compile an “Old School” team for a legends game it would most probably look as follow:
Hansie Smit
Daan Coetzer
Riaan Burger
Kallie Burger
Gustav Kruger
Pierre Nagel
Johan Snyman
Jaco Joubert
They would most probably still teach the young ones a thing or two.
Throughout the years the Eagles never stopped playing even if the arenas closed. They would just find the next arena and play there. They just loved the game so much.
They have played in a lot of different arenas that included:
Trichardt,
Bethal
Kriel
Middelburg
Springs
Pretoria
Secunda.
Most of the time they played without any sponsors and had to fund their games on their own.
The were crowned champions in all the arenas in their league.
The best opponents were the VAT-VAT team that lasted a season or two but they also disappeared.
The Eagles received regular invatations to the club championships in Pretoria and Springs.
As with most successful teams, quality plaers emerged from within. Most of the older players carried the Mpumalanga team for a number of years.
On two occations the entire team played in the Nationals. One was in PE where they acheived third place. The other was in Pietersburg where they won silver medals. The lost aagainst Eastern Province in the final with 9 runs.
The following Eagles received their provincial colours with a few that played national and internationally.
Johan Snyman – Mpumalanga, Northern Transvaal, South Africa
Jaco Joubert – Mpumalanga, Northern Transvaal, Included in the South African practice group.
Chris Janse van Rensburg – Mpumalanga, Northern Transvaal, Included in the South African practice group.
Hansie Smit – Mpumalanga, Captain and later trainer of the Mpumalanga team. Played in one international game, Mpumalanga vs India (this was a warmup game for the India world cup) Mpumalanga won with 38 runs, the game was played at the Middelburg arena.
All of the following players represented Mpumalanga:
Daan Coetzer,
Gustav Kruger,
Kallie Burger,
Riaan Burger,
Pierre Nagel,
Dawie Breedt,
Niel du Tiot ,
Jakes van Rooyen,
Hein Khune (played against India),
Andre Barnard,
Andre Victor,
Johan Kruger,
Jurie Eksteen,
Gert Kemp,
Johan Jonker,
Frankie Jonker,
Ferdi Mclean ,
Louis Strauss,
Harry Clingen,
Cobus Bosman.
Andre Bross – Mpumalanga Invitation
Jaco Bekker – Mpumalanga MIX
Dawie Breedt – Freestate
Ferdi Mclean – Freestate, Mpumalanga
Jaco van Rooyen – South Gauteng, Freestate
Dewald Erasmus – Freestate.
There are also two father and son combinations playing for the Eagles and one uncle and cousin.
Daan en Danie Coetzer
Riaan en Tiaan Burger
Pierre Nagel en Kenneth Kinghorn
Then there are the youngsters (they call some of the team members “Oom”); Mike, Jaco ,Dewald and Andre.
This is a team that stood together for 26 years. A team that is proud, loyal and has respect for each other. Not only for each other but also for the game and their team. The Eagles!
Very few would argue that this team can be called LEGENDS!
