HAWKS DISMANTLE ILLEGAL SMELTING PLACES OF GOLD BEARING MATERIAL IN MPUMALANGA
MPUMALANGA – Nhlanhla Zweli Magagule (43) and Jabulani Sfiso Nkosi (33) were denied bail by the Barberton Magistrate Court on Friday while Sydwel Sengwane (32) and Sunnyboy Manzini (27) were granted R1000 bail each for illegal mining and illegal possession of gold-bearing material. The case is postponed to 11 December 2020 for further investigation.
Nhlanhla Zweli Magagula (43) Swati National
Jabulani Sfiso Nkosi (33
Both were denied bail
The four suspects were nabbed during and intelligence driven disruptive operation by members of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga together with National Intervention Unit in Barberton on Wednesday.
Hawks investigations revealed that a group of illegal Zama-Zama’s, both local and foreign nationals, allegedly trespassed at an old shaft. On Wednesday the team descended upon the illegal gold miners processing premises where the four suspects were arrested whilst others fled to the nearest mountain.
The joint team seized pendukas, gas cylinders, hammer, head torches, generators and backpacks bags, detonators cords and blasting gel total estimated at R500 000.
Equipment seized
Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the arrest and sent a strong warning to whom would be Zama-Zama’s that illegal mining will not be tolerated in Mpumalanga.
HAWKS WELCOMES CONVICTION OF COPPER CABLE THIEF FOR R1.2 MILLION
MPUMALANGA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a 59-year-old Johannes Wellem Harmse yesterday for Theft and possession of stolen copper cables that took place in Klipspruit farm in Delmas during September 2015.
Johannes Wellem Harmse(59)
The intelligence-driven operation was conducted by members of the Hawks` Serious Organised Crime Investigation Middelburg and Crime Intelligence Middelburg targeting on the suspects who buy stolen copper cables. On the 30 September, 2015 entrapment was carried out and the accused was arrested in possession of nine drums rolled cables immediately after handing the money and receiving the cables valued to R1.2million.
Rolls of stolen cable
The Delmas Magistrate’s Court has found Harmse guilty of Theft and Possession of stolen copper cables. The accused was sentenced to six years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition the accused is not found guilty of Theft and receiving of stolen property during the period of suspension.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Zodwa Mokoena has congratulated both the investigating and the prosecution teams in a hope that the sentence will set an exam to those who are still buying stolen properties. Major General further said that theft of copper cables affect the growth of the economy of the country.
POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR A SUSPECT FOLLOWING DISCOVERY OF A BODY OF WOMAN STASHED IN A FREEZER
NELSPRUIT – The police in Mpumalanga have launched a manhunt following the discovery of an 80-year-old woman’s body stashed in a freezer at Pankop near Mmamethlake on Monday, 12 October 2020.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the victim was staying with her 10 year old grandson as well as a caregiver believed to be from Lesotho, hired by the family to look after the granny. On Monday, the young boy came back from school only to find that there was nobody at home. He realised that the door to the house was wide open but the burglar door was locked. He then began to ask neighbours of the whereabouts of his granny and the caregiver.
The neighbours tried to assist in the search meanwhile other family members were also informed about the matter. Whilst searching, the neighbours became suspicious when they noticed a coffee table, a gas stove and a TV set placed on top of the freezer. They then removed the items and discovered the lifeless body of the elderly woman inside the freezer. The police as well as medical personnel were summoned where the victim was certified dead at the scene. The police opened a case of murder hence the manhunt.
The police appeal to the woman (in the picture attached) named MmaThato to immediately go to the nearest police station as they (police) believe that she can assist immensely in the investigation.
Police are searching for MmaThato
Members of the public who know her whereabouts, are also urged to kindly contact Detective Captain Solomon Moshime at 082 065 1355 or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111, alternatively, a tip-off can be given on the MySAPSApp that can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
At Valbank, a few kilometres from Mmamethlake a similar incident occurred recently between March and September 2020, where a 91-year-old woman was severely assaulted by a caregiver hired to look after her. After the incident, the 45-year-old suspect fled the scene and the matter was brought to the attention of the police who opened a case of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The suspect, believed to be from Lesotho was traced and arrested in Pretoria. She is expected to appear in the Mbibana Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 16 October 2020, where she is expected to apply for bail.
The police have strongly condemned the incident as well as the vicious attack on senior citizens because these incidents once again depict a serious moral decay in the society.
MEDIA STATEMENT Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS)
MPUMALANGA: Shane Ngutjane (26) was charged in Nelspruit prison after an investigation linked him with eight serious violent crimes on Wednesday 14 October 2020.
Ngutjane who was initially arrested in July 2020 for car hijacking and shooting at police in Culcutta was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition by the Mpumalanga Tasked team successfully linking him with other violent crimes.
Shane Ngutjane (26)
The investigation linked Ngutjane to Possession of suspected stolen vehicle crime committed in April 2014 in Masoyi. Housebreaking, theft and attempted murder in November 2014 at Hazyview. Pointing of firearm in April 2018 in Culcutta. Car hijacking in September 2018 at Culcutta. Attempted murder in December 2019 at Culcutta. Pointing of firearm in April 2020 at Culcutta. Possession of a prohibited firearm, Attempted Murder and Robbery in July 2020 at Culcutta.
Nog ‘n “So is die lewe” rubriek vanuit die pen van Ds Marius Britz. Titel is “Inperkings het sy voordele”
Hierdie jaar is ‘n anderster jaar, meneer. Nadat ons alreeds vir 202 dae ingeperk is, het ons gehoor dat ons nog ‘n maand in fase 1 gaan wees. Baie goed word daardeur geraak, soos mense wat gewoond geraak het om van die huis af te werk, gewysigde kantoorure wat jou ure in ‘n tou laat staan vir iets eenvoudigs soos ‘n motorlisensie, noem maar op.
Ek kan nie eens die dra van maskers noem sonder om te hyg na my asem nie. Mens voel veral jammer vir die matrieks, wat groot hoogtepunte van hulle skoolloopbaan soos “Fourty days” en matriekafskeid misgeloop het.
Maar ek, valslik synde ‘n sinieswordende, grimmige ou man, sien ook die positiewe van hierdie verlengde inperkingstyd. Al noem my kinders my met liefde ou “Knorrie” of “Moaner van Heerden”, is my hart hart veerlig in my liggaam oor sekere goed wat ek genadiglik misloop vanjaar. Soos jaareindfunksies, afskeidsfunksies en personeelfunksies.
Nou is dit alles goed en wel as dit jou eie kollegas is saam met wie jy gaan fuif en filosofeer. Maar, dis ietwat van ‘n ander storie as jy as aanhangsel saamgaan, en bitter min mense ken met wie jy die betrokke aand jou kosbare tyd gaan verwyl. So stap jy in die gholfklubgebou in waar die funksie gehou word saam met jou gade, en alreeds is daar ‘n klomp groepies wat gons en dawer. Vrouens eenkant, manne anderkant.
Jy is nou op jou eie tyd, jou eie teiken. Nou betrag jy die spulletjie so, en besluit die een groepie doèr links lyk na jou tipe mense. Gewone manne. Grappige knolle vol kaperjolle. Jy sluit jou by hulle aan, en gaan staan langs ‘n klein mannetjie met ‘n reuse adamsappel wat op en af wip as hy teug aan sy bier.
Jy kom dadelik agter jy bevind jou in die midde van ‘n ernstige gesprek oor die afgradering van Suid Afrika se fiskale status. Waarvan jy g’n toet of blaas verstaan nie. Dis geharde sakemanne diè, en hulle is driftig. “Die gevolge van afgradering is ernstig vir sowel die makro, as mikro-ekonomie,” beduie ‘n oënskynlik gesaghebbende man.
Jy voel jouself geroepe om repliek te lewer. “Inderdaad,” sê jy. En Adamsappel sê: “het julle gehoor wat is alles voor die Zondokommissie onthul?” Almal in die groepie kyk ons twee gesteurd aan, en gaan voort met hulle gesprek.
So beweeg jy gedetermineerd dog taktvol na ‘n ander groepie toe. Hierdie is dalk meer jou soort manne, meen jy. Jy sien dat Adamsappel tot dieselfde gevolgtrekking gekom het, want hy staan weer langs jou. ‘n Man met ‘n kaalkop en Paul Krugerbaard sê driftig, brannas en Coke in die hand: “Ek sê julle! Die! Bokke! Se! Skakelpaar! Is! Die! Probleem! Hulle moet eerder nie vanjaar internasionaal speel nie!”
“Inderdaad,” merk jy tereg op. En Adamsappel lê ook sy eiertjie: “Het julle gehoor wat alles uitgekom het by die Zondokommissie?” Die kyk in hierdie groepie manne se oë as hulle my en Adamsappel aangluur is veelseggend, en ek besluit dat ek hulle genoeg opgevoed het met my enorme insig in die wêreld van toetsrugby.
Ek verkas na ‘n ander groepie toe. Nou maak dit nie meer saak hoe die manne lyk nie, ek hoop en bid net dat ek iets van die gespreksonderwerp sal verstaan, sodat ek ‘n sinvolle bydrae kan lewer. Adamsappel huldig toevallig weer dieselfde opinie, en ek en hy is weer die nuutste aankomelinge in die groep wat duidelik al heel aand hulle droë kele gelaaf het met sterk, koelerige vloeistowwe met baie ys.
Hulle het dit weer oor die betroubaarheid van Chinese en Koreaanse bakkies, en is besig om in detail die voor en nadele van die twee lande se ligte afleweringsvoertuie te vergelyk. Toe daar ‘n oomblik van stilte in hulle luide debat kom, voel ek myself weer geroepe om kommentaar te lewer op die onderwerp ter sprake. “Inderdaad,” sê ek, alhoewel ek onseker is op wie se opmerking ek gereageer het.
En Adamsappel laat nie op hom wag nie. “Het julle gehoor wat alles uitgekom het by die Zondokommissie?” vra hy vir niemand in die besonder nie. Hulle kyk vir my en Adamsappel aan asof ons reeksmoordenaars op ‘n sendingkonferensie is. Adamsappel besluit daar en dan dat hy nog ‘n Duitse bruisdrankie gaan koop. Sy ontsteltenis oor die onthullings voor die Zondokommissie maak hom dors. Hy is skielik nie meer langs my nie.
Ek onthou Springs se dorpsleuse uit my kinderjare: Carpe diem! Gebruik die geleentheid! En daarmee herinner my blaas my dat ek ‘n daaglikse verbruiker is van waterpille, en ek maak gebruik van die geleentheid om te verdwyn in die rigting van die fasiliteite vir mans.
Ek het sorgvuldig ‘n verkenning gedoen van die perseel met ons aankoms daar, want waterpille het maar bepaalde gevolge vir die slukker daarvan. So, mens moet altyd paraat wees, vir die wis en die onwis. Soos ‘n wafferse verkenningsoldaat het ek die terrein gekarteer in my kop.
Ek sit af met ‘n spoed soontoe. Binne in die lokaal agter my gons dit nog. Ek hoor vaagweg die woorde makrobegroting, kilowatt en losbal, en besluit terstond om vars lug te gaan soek buitekant na my besoek aan die fasiliteit.
Die lug buitekant is heerlik verfrissend na die bedompigheid daar binne. Die see ruik vars vanaand. Ek wonder of mens Saldanhahawe se liggies van hier af kan sien, en loop tussen ‘n klompie bome in na so effense hoogtetjie. Skielik is dit pikdonker. Ek ruik sigaretrook iewers naby my, en sien ‘n kooltjie gloei in die donker. “Het jy ook verdwaal?”, vra iemand my.
“Ja”, lieg ek. “Die plek is ook so groot.” Stemme draal oor die stilte na ons toe vanuit die kuierlokaal. Ek hoor onbekende mense wat heeltemal te hard lag vir hulle eie en ander se grappe. Ook ‘n paar manne wat meen dat die suksesvolste manier om jou opponente in ‘n debat te oortuig van jou standpunt, is om harder en vinniger as hulle te praat.
Erens, hoog bo die gedruis, hoor ek Adamsappel dringend vra vir die een of ander tot dusvêr onbekende groep: “Het julle gehoor wat alles voor die Zondokommissie getuig is?” My onbekende, onsigbare metgesel in die donker suig aan sy sigaret. Ek sien die kooltjie brand. “Dis soms beter om te verdwaal,” sê hy.
It has been a few weeks since hard lockdown has been lifted, but do some of you still struggle to find your bearings and get going in the morning?
That makes three of us! Believe it or not but Ané and I also still struggle in the mornings sometimes.
We went from starting the year off with a bang, feeling like the whole world is right at our finger tips, to it all being taken away and to being told that we have to stay at home, laze on the couch and through this you could save the world (okay some of us looked at it that way), to Zoom meetings every few days and suddenly right back to normal.
It is quite a lot to deal with, but have no fear, we have got your back and we are here to give you ways to salvage a disastrous post-lockdown-back-to-work day!
This October is all about natural beauty and how to own it!
You cannot fathom the importance of starting the day with a clear head.
By meditating we are not talking about pulling out your yoga mat out and listening to the “zen mix” on Spotify and “oohmming” for 10 minutes.
Well… if that works for you great!
However, anything that allows you to start your day relaxed is what we are talking about!
Whether that is drinking a cup of coffee in silence, or jamming the heaviest metal music during your shower or even mindlessly scrolling through Instagram – find what makes you relax and use those 10 minutes each morning.
Cup of coffee and chill
Tip 2: Prioritise and Create a To-Do-List
After you have meditated in whichever manner works for you, you are now ready to officially start your day and hit the hard work.
Prioritising is crucial and having a simple To-Do List can be one of the best tools for you in a work day after lockdown.
Prioritising and a simple To-Do List go hand-in-hand.
Writing everything that needs to be done in your day down, allows you to see what has highest priority and through that you will know when, where and what.
It will give you the chance to prioritise your tasks and projects and separate the truly important ones from the ones that you should not over prioritise.
When it comes to prioritising, To-Do lists are your best friend.
Keep it simple too!
These lists give you the chance to come back to them whenever you may forget something and one of the most rewarding feelings is seeing the tasks you have crossed off begin to slowly takeover the number of tasks you still have yet to finish.
But even when making a To-Do list there are some steps you should follow; including assessing the importance of each task and planning for each task ahead.
Prioritise tasks with a To-Do List
Tip 3: Assess the Importance of Each Task
After you have created your To-Do list, you now want to glance the tasks over and once more make sure you understand which tasks are crucial to finish and by what time or date.
While some tasks may be of more importance than others, there may be some that have a deadline and thus require an urgency to them over other less important tasks.
At this point you need to realise that any task with a deadline deserves priority over those that do not have a deadline.
However, you still have to weigh up urgency against importance of each task.
Once you can visually see how your day is going to go, it will be easier to keep up with your work and tasks at hand!
Tip 4: Do not Multi-Task, Focus on One Task at a Time
Do not try to complete two tasks at once because this can and will backfire.
If you concentrate on two tasks at once, you run the risk of making a mistake on one or both of the tasks and this will only make you feel like you have failed when in fact you just took on more than you can handle in one moment.
Instead, where possible focus on one task and only move on to the next task once you are done or have completed a stage on the previous task.
This way you ensure that you are efficient and should you get stuck on one task, you have already prioritised your tasks for the day and know which order to follow.
Tip 5: Compromise
As your day continues, you may have to consider that not all of your tasks may be completed the way you want them to, whether it is because of other priorities or because you have delegated some tasks.
Sometimes you will need to compromise with yourself, your business partners, your colleagues or clients in order to reach a happy medium.
You need to allow your team to approach things with their own initiative.
Remember that a leader pushes the broken-down car with their team instead of sitting on the side line watching how others struggle to push the broken-down car forward…
When a compromise occurs and you feel defeated, please refer to tip number 6.
Tip 6: Do not Be Too Hard on Yourself
Do not beat yourself up for allowing a compromise.
It is important to know your limits and what you are capable of!
Now, once you have crossed almost every task off your To-Do list, start a new To-Do list because it is certain that 10 more tasks have already surfaced in the time it has taken you to complete the last tasks you set yourself – this is where tip number 7 fits in perfectly!
Tip 7: Plan Your Week
You want to not only create your To-Do list for that specific day, but rather create a plan for the whole week.
Take 30 minutes during your Sunday night or Monday morning to plan for the week ahead.
Plan and prioritise your week ahead
Naturally, it would not work out precisely how you planned the week but this will help ensure that you complete most of your tasks.
So, the next time you are worried about not having everything in order, take a deep breath, take a few minutes to sit down and follow the steps above and see how big of a difference they actually make!
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” – Andy Warhol
As in previous years, High School Evander dominated once again in the Mpumalanga departmental Visual Art competition.
This year’s theme was: Heritage reimagined and reinterpreted.
The instructions to the students were easy, asking the students how they would embrace the past, present and future and to give their unique interpretation of how their heritage is still part of their fibre.
The students were instructed to research their heritage and find out what is of importance to them and combine it with the world we live in today.
They were also instructed to inspire and encourage others to study their heritage and reimagine their future.
The students were encouraged to use any material and textiles that they thought would bring their heritage to life.
Four of High School Evander’s students blew the judges away and three of these students do not have art as a subject.
In 2018 Qiniso Ndlazi won 1st place in the GET MP departmental Art competition and in 2019 he once again won 1st in his category Eisteddfod MP. This year Qiniso won 1st place in the FET MP departmental Art competition, students without art as a subject.
Qiniso Ndlazi and his winning art piece
Curtis Golele won 2nd place in this years’ FET MP departmental Visual Art competition and also does not have art as a subject.
Curtis Golele and his piece: Proudly South African NTOZHINHLE
Thandowethu Shangwe won 3rd place in this years’ FET MP department Visual Art Competition, students without Visual Art as a subject.
Thandowethu Shangwe and his piece: The Christening
Naledi Lulama Mlimo won 1st place in her category at the Eisteddfod in 2019. This year she was one of six student placing 2nd in the Visual Art in the whole of Mpumalanga for students with art as a subject.
Naledi Lulama Mlimo and her sculpture
Their teacher, Ms Delport could not stop telling The Bulletin how proud she is of these students. She also added that during such a difficult time with lockdown, these students did not give up nor in but instead they fought through and truly embraced the true meaning of art by not letting anything stand in their way.
These students are truly an inspiration to all!
Congratulations to these students for performing so well and not letting any challenge veer them from their path!
Yané van der Merwe, oud- leerder van Hoërskool Secunda, het reeds op skool uitstekend in atletiek presteer. Sy gaan egter van krag tot krag en het tweede gekom in die toekenning vir Sportvrou van die jaar met ‘n gestremdheid.
Yané het hierdie toekenning tydens ‘n formele rooi tapytfunksie by Johannesburg stadion ontvang.
Haar prestasies wat gelei het tot haar nominasie en tweede plek in die top-toekenning, is:
Derde plek in Spiesgooi by die “World Para Athletics Junior Championship” in Switserland met ‘n nuwe Suid- Afrikaanse rekord.
Yané het ook drie goue medaljes by die Suid-Afrikaanse Kampioenskappe in Maart 2019 behaal met ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse rekord in diskus.
On Saturday, 23 February 2019 a senseless murder occurred in Secunda. Everyone was up in arms and shockwaves surged throughout the town and surrounding areas.
Below is the article that was published in The Bulletin’s edition of 1 March 2019:
A 63-year-old woman was found murdered in her flat at 18 Hodgson Street, Secunda on Saturday, 23 February.
The call for help came through on the Zello channel, Secunda 911 Assist 24/7. The operator dispatched the trauma Chaplain, Brad Blake as well as Langamed to the scene. Chaplain Brad arrived first at the residence and accompanied one of the occupants of the house to the flat at the back of the house.
He found the body of, later identified as Corrienne Tesner on the floor, the body was covered by a duvet. Brad noticed that the scene was covered in the victim’s blood and a large puddle of blood was spreading from underneath the duvet.
Corrienne Tesner
Sources close to The Bulletin revealed the name of the deceased. Brad, a trained first aider could not find any sign of life by checking airway, breathing and circulation (pulse).
Langamed declared Corrienne deceased at the scene of the alleged crime after additional examining for proof of life.
Brad, family of the deceased and a member of one of the supporting services contacted the police by phone to secure the scene. It is alleged that the SAPD members arrived approximately 45 minutes after the calls were made from different cell phones.
An indication observed at the scene indicated that it seemed as if Corrienne’s throat had been slashed, but it was not clear whether this was the cause of death.
The rest of her body was properly covered with the duvet in a manner that suggested respect for the deceased.
A complete autopsy still has to be conducted to determine the exact cause of death as well as whether sexual assault took place.
It is unknown at what time during Saturday, 23 February, the actual murder took place and with going to print; no arrests have been made so far.
Photo of the murder scene
Today, The Bulletin can announce that justice was served. The accused was caught and sentenced.
After a very intricate and thorough investigation by the investigating officer, Sergeant Mabaso, the accused, Taelo Steven Mathabatha has finally appeared in court and has been sentenced.
Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club recently hosted their Senior Ladies’ Golf Open.
Golf has tremendously changed since the reopening of after the Covid-19 lockdown but the restrictions did not deter these lady golfers to show off their skills on the course.
Twenty players from around the Highveld participated in the day and the format was 4-ball alliance.
The ladies raved about the immaculate condition of the Graceland course and said that they will definitely be returning for the Senior Ladies’ Golf Open next year.
