The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Mpumalanga is seeking the assistance of the public about the whereabouts of Norman Silvester Mokoena (23) also known as “Dallas” who escaped from Calcutta Magistrate Court holding cells last year.
Norman Silvester Mokoena (23) also known as “Dallas”
On 05 November 2019 Mokoena escaped from the holding cells after he was denied bail for a series of armed robbery cases he committed in the Bushbuckridge (Marite) area where he targeted delivery trucks.
His escape follows his arrest on 08 October 2019 after Mokoena robbed a bakery truck of an undisclosed amount of money at Marite, Mpumalanga and fled the scene.
He was traced and arrested afterwards where he was found in possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition. He was charged on various armed robbery cases.
Norman Silvester Mokoena (23) also known as “Dallas”
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact the investigating officer Sergeant Danny Sanderson on 0824621817 or contact the police Crime Stop number 0860010111 or use MySAPS App.
We also caution the public not to approach the said suspect as he is considered highly dangerous. Information received will be treated with the strictest confidence.
All communities serviced by the Secunda Police Station are advised that this police station will be temporarily closed due to one member who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus yesterday, 08 July 2020.
The Community Service Centre will now be operated at No 06 Laing street opposite PG Glass Secunda.
To access the station, the community should call 079 329 4943 for all emergencies and complaints which will be attended accordingly.
The telephone lines at Secunda Police Station Community Service Centre will not be accessible for the duration of the closure. However, service delivery will not be hampered.
The building will be decontaminated and services will resume normally at the station on Friday, 11 July 2020.
The SAPS management in Mpumalanga apologises for any inconvenience that may arise from this. The Station Commander Harold Mashile can also be contacted on this number 082 970 5788
Integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol and Enaex, a subsidiary of the Sigdo Koppers Group, have announced the start of operations in Southern Africa. The new explosives joint venture Enaex Africa started operating on 1 July 2020.
In 2017, Sasol commenced with a detailed asset review to ensure all assets in the company’s global portfolio deliver against stringent financial metrics and where aligned with the company’s growth strategy.
In line with this review, Sasol’s explosives business was identified as having substantial growth potential that could be unlocked through collaboration opportunities, including the possibility of partnering with a world-class explosives brand.
In June 2019, after a robust evaluation process, Enaex S.A. was selected as Sasol’s preferred strategic partner to create a world-class explosives business on the African continent.
The new company will operate under the name of Enaex Africa. Enaex will be the majority shareholder and will take over management and operational control of the entity from 1 July 2020.
The Enaex Africa explosives division has production plants in Secunda (emulsions) and Rustenburg (Anfo). The main offices are located in Sandton (parent company) and Witbank (technical office for open pit mining). In addition, it has offices and service plants located on the land of the main mining companies in southern Africa. Source: enaex.com
Enaex in association with Sasol will comprise certain assets and associated activities spun off from the current explosives and rock fragmentation value chain of the base chemicals business of Sasol South Africa.
This JV includes the associated business activities in both South Africa and other countries in Southern Africa.
“We are delighted to announce that on 1 July 2020, Enaex Africa in association with Sasol, will officially start operating in South Africa and on the African Continent. Enaex is a Chilean company celebrating 100 years of history and leadership in the explosives business in South America and together with Sasol will be a force to be reckoned in the Mining Industry,” said Sasol President and CEO Fleetwood Grobler.
Founded in 1920 in Chile, Enaex brings to the Southern Africa industry a century’s experience in the global explosives market with their core business being Ammonium Nitrate production – Enaex is the third-largest industrial grade ammonium nitrate producer in the world – explosives production and blasting services.
Enaex is also one of the few explosives companies in the world that can produce and offer the entire spectrum of products and solutions to execute the blasting process.
The company has subsidiaries in eleven countries, including Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, France, the US, Mexico and Australia and exports to more than 40 countries all over the world.
Enaex, provides blasting services to some of the major mining companies in the world, such as Anglo American, BHP, Codelco, KGHM, Glencore, Vale, Yamana Gold and Teck Resources.
This deal is part of the strategic plan of Enaex to continue strengthening its international presence in the most important mining regions of the world.
Francisco Baudrand, CEO of Enaex Africa noted: “This is truly an incredible day for Enaex with a new venture on a new continent. This Joint Venture is a platform of growth for Enaex not only in Southern Africa, but also for us to become the leaders in explosives and blasting services for the Mining Industry on the African continent.”
Meaningful participation for BBBEE has also been catered for in the shareholding structure in line with South Africa’s transformation agenda, which is fully supported by both Sasol and Enaex.
Two suspects, aged 32 and 27, are due to appear tomorrow, Tuesday, 07 July 2020, at the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court facing charges of possession of dagga, reckless and negligent driving as well as bribery.
According to information available, the suspects were stopped by the Lydenburg K9 Unit today but they ignored them and recklessly drove away.
However, their action was short lived when the resilient members persuaded and cornered them on the road towards Mashishing Township.
The Lydenburg K9 Unit searched the suspects’ vehicle and discovered compressed dagga to an estimated value of approximately R70 000.
The suspects tried to bribe the police with an amount of R5000 but did not succeed as the members refused the graft, instead, they added an extra charge against the suspects.
The police did not hesitate to also charge the suspects for driving recklessly ignoring all the intersection lights they crossed.
A 41-year-old man has been taken in for questioning on Monday, 06 July 2020, as part of probing the case of possession of human body parts.
Meanwhile, 45-year-old Jabulani Sam Mnguni and 49-year-old Pascal Mandla Gininda, appeared at the Eerstehoek Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 6 July for possession of human body parts.
Mnguni and Gininda were arrested on Sunday, 05 July 2020, at Elukwatini.
Their arrest spirals from an Intelligence Driven Operation which prompted police to follow up on information regarding a red sedan which was on its way to Elukwatini with two occupants conveying human body parts.
The suspects’ vehicle was intercepted at the Lochiel-Nhlazatshe intersection where police thoroughly searched the vehicle and discovered a leg, placenta and a knee which was separately collected from a certain house.
Imagine the world closing in around you, no one loves you, you hear people around you but you are alone… in an empty shell. Depression.
The thoughts in your head are dark, morbid and to other people terrifying.
Those terrifying thoughts are the light rays in your darkness even though it seems infinitesimal, these light rays are what keep you alive.
The Bulletin took the time to speak to a few people and find out more about depression.
The stories that were told to us by Karen*, Sharon* and John* (names have been changed to protect their identities) are bone chilling and makes one realise that depression is not to be taken lightly.
This article is not for the faint hearted…
According to The South African Depression and Anxiety Group, depression is defined as: “A depressive disorder is a “whole-body” illness, involving your body, mood and thoughts.
It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself and the way you think about things.
A depressive disorder is not the same as a transient blue mood. It is not a sign of personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away.
People with a depressive illness cannot merely “pull themselves together” and get better. Without treatment, symptoms can last for weeks, months or years.
Appropriate treatment, however, can help most people who suffer from depression.”
When looking at the statistics of depression one realises the impact it has on society.
Women are twice more likely to suffer from depression.
About 20% of South Africans will experience a depressive disorder at least once in their lifetime.
There are 23 known suicides per day in South Africa (11% of all non-natural deaths). That is roughly 8000 suicides each year in South Africa.
There have been multiple studies conducted and these studies have shown that the difference between male and female depression is inconclusive.
Source: The South African Depression and Anxiety Group
Here are Karen*, Sharon* and John’s* stories:
Karen* explained to The Bulletin what she felt like during the lockdown.
She said that when life is “normal” and she is back at work and everything is back into a routine, her depression is controllable.
She said: “I know my husband owns a 9 mm. It is in the safe. The safe I have the code to. I open the safe. I pick up the gun. It feels cold between my hand and fingers as I grip it. The magazine is still in the safe.
I cock and pull and as I do that the chamber is empty. I put the gun against my temple. It feels cold but to me it feels likes home. I put the gun in my mouth and I pull the trigger but nothing happened.
I put the gun under my chin, I pull the trigger. Nothing happened and my 3-year-old runs in to the spare room. He doesn’t see the gun.”
Karen* also said that the feeling of guilt was awful after this incident but that one moment of happiness made it worth her while.
Sharon* explained a similar feeling to Karen’s*.
She also said that her depression started after her first born child and she has struggled with depression ever since then.
“I love cooking. I have a husband and 2 children I live for. I used to have a career but I gave that up to be a mother and a wife.
I do not regret my choices but sometimes I see that cutting knife and wonder what it would feel like cutting myself in the bathtub full of bubbles with a glass of wine and seeing my blood fill the tub.
I can see and feel the blood leaving my body but then I remember my husband and he would not be able to handle the kids or my death too well. He would blame me,” said Sharon*.
Sharon* also said that not being able to help contribute to her household has a significant impact on her family life and mental health. She added that her husband does not feel the need for her to work and loves taking care of their family.
Studies have shown that 17% of suicides are because of not being able to take care of dependants.
Depression is not a joke nor is it something to play around with.
Another person The Bulletin spoke to was John*.
“I regret what I have done in my life. I should have trusted and believed the people who kept on saying that they love me and support me. I have been a cutter for so long that I do not know anything else. Pain is my drug and it is the only thing that makes me feel alive!”
Cutting is the biggest source of self harm according to studies. Source: Rebloggy.
When The Bulletin asked John* what regrets he has, his answer was simple: “You can only ever understand if you have thought or planned your own suicide.”
He continued: “It is impossible to tell you what it feels like. The thought of dying is honestly an aphrodisiac. Thinking of killing myself turns me on. The biggest smile I have ever had was the thought of dying.”
The lockdown and COVID-19 have had severe consequences not only in South Africa but worldwide. The normal we knew shall never be again.
The impact it has had is even worse for people struggling with depression, anxiety or any mental health problems.
In Secunda there have been more than 5 suicides since the lockdown started. The families were left devastated and without answers.
No one talks about mental health because the topic is seen as taboo and also the age old answer: “They just want attention.”
In an article written by Mark Orkin, Benjamin Roberts, Narnia Bohler-Muller and Kate Alexander, published by the Daily Maverick:
“In the recent large-scale Covid-19 democracy survey conducted jointly by the University of Johnnesburg’s Centre for Social Change and the Developmental, Capable and Ethical State research division of the Human Sciences Research Council, it was found that 33% of South African adults were depressed, 45% fearful and 29% lonely during lockdown.”
Continued: “…it is evident that 47% have experienced boredom and 29% have experienced loneliness under lockdown. As a benchmark, depression has been clinically measured at between 18% and 27% in less unusual times.”
After hearing from people who have a daily struggle with depression, The Bulletin spoke to social worker and Play Therapist, Barbara Aucamp.
Barbara is a social worker with over 20 years’ experience and currently she is focussing more on trauma and family counselling and also on Play Therapy.
“The worst part during a pandemic like COVID-19 is the insecurity that creeps in.
For example: will I be able to return to work? Or will I still have a job after the lockdown?
All of this can be explained as underlying emotions. These underlying emotions effect your physical and emotional health.
On a positive note, you can learn how to function in other ways where you have to reconsider your current lifestyle.
The healthiest way to do this is to acquire new habits and to adapt.
Another thing is also guilt. In other words, if you buy your bread and milk, you might think of the people who are not able to buy bread and milk.
The biggest thing during and after lockdown is that you must consciously set up goals: be active, eat healthily, have healthy sleep patterns and see the humour in life. This will all help with your mood.
This is an abnormal situation we are in but look at ways to make it easier for yourself.
Your relationships with family and friends are important to cherish because they are the people who can and will support you if you ask for help.”
When I asked Barbara when it is necessary to consider therapy she said:
“When all these emotions start to take a toll on your daily life. When for example, as a friend or family member you see that someone has not been themselves for longer than two weeks.”
If you feel that you are down and having disturbing thoughts, ask for help.
Afriforum het die laaste week die vullis probleem in hulle eie hande geneem en die gemeenskap se pleit beantwoord.
Van laas week Donderdag, 2 Julie het Afriforum saamgespan en 17 4-ton trokke vol swartsakke gelaai en weggery.
Een van die 4-ton trokke vol vullis
Dit was ongeveer 2000 sakke met ‘n gemiddeld van 20 kg per sak. Dit was ongeveer 40 000 kg!
Daar is nog baie sakke om te verwyder, maar Afriforum wag om terugvoering te kry van die munisiplaiteit of maskers, hand saniteerder ens aan die werkers verskaf is.
Die rede hoekom Afriforum ingespring het om te help met die vullis verwydering is omdat daar ‘n problem met die bestelling van die oorpakke, handskoene, maskers ens aan GMM se kant was.
DA-raadslid Mariaan Chamberlain sê: “Baie dankie aan Afriforum. Ek wil ook graag vra dat die as die gemeenskap besluit om self hulle vullis te verwyder, ‘n net bo-oor hulle bakkies sal plaas om te keer dat die vullis af val van die bakkie af. Ek vra ook dat gemeenskapslede nie hulle vullis enige plek in die groen strook gaan afgooi nie. Sodra die personeel hulle oorpakke, handskoene, maskers ens ontvang sal die vullis verwydering weer gebeur soos dit moet. Bethal het al hulle oorpakke, handskoene, maskers ens ontvang.”
Afriforum wil baie graag dankie sê aan Etienne Smit van Smit Trokdienste vir die gebruik van een van hulle trokke.
Afriforum het maskers en ander PPE verksaf aan almal wat gehelp het
Afriforum wil ook baie dankie sê vir die trokbestuurders en almal wat gehelp het met hierdie projek.
Voorstelle het van die gemeenskap afgekom dat daar ‘n area afgekamp moet word in die groen strook vir herwinning.
The Police in Mpumalanga have strongly condemned an incident of murder where a woman was killed allegedly by her boyfriend who also turned the gun to himself.
This incident is believed to have occurred between Thursday, 02 July 2020 and Saturday, 04 July 2020 at Kwaggafontein.
Police gathered information from a neighbour who said he became worried after he did not see his neighbours for a period of time but the garage door remained open.
He contacted one of his neighbour’s family and when they arrived, they made the gruesome discovery where lifeless bodies of a 36-year-old woman as well as that of a 60-year-old man were found inside the house.
The duo was certified dead by medical personnel who attended the scene with police who later opened a case of murder as well as an inquest.
Both bodies had gunshot wounds on their upper bodies and a pistol which belonged to the 60-year-old man was found on his upper body.
Nothing seemed to have been taken from the house and no sign of forced entry.
The police in Mpumalanga has called on men to assist the government on its quest to eliminate acts of Gender Based Violence and request couples to resolve any impasse amicably as opposed to using violence.
Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 maniere: 1.Gee Aanlyn (Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, Rek nr:1510140016) 2.Gee deur Zapper – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.
Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (072 133 6130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/.
MAN SEEN ASSAULTING A WOMAN IN A VIDEO GOING VIRAL OUT ON BAIL
Nelspruit – A 34-year-old man seen in a video going viral, violently assaulting a woman, has appeared before the Kwamhlanga Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 03 July 2020, on three counts of assault with an intention to cause grievous bodily harm. The suspect who has been identified as Thomas Jabu Manana, a teacher at a local high school in Kwamhlanga, is alleged to have severely inflicted wounds to the 24-year-old mother of his child on Thursday, 02 July 2020.
In the statement, the victim indicated that she went with her sister to the suspect’s place to fetch her four-year-old girl. An argument broke between the two whereupon the suspect outrageously assaulted her with a wooden pole and other means. During the fuss, the sister of the victim as well as her child also sustained injuries, hence the three counts.
Police were notified about the incident and the suspect was immediately arrested.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, welcomed the speedy arrest of the suspect and commended the police for their swift action. He further mentioned that he is deeply distraught by this disgustful violence against the women and the child.
It is deeply regrettable that children are often exposed to a wave of violence perpetrated by their own parents, whom they are looking up to as their moral compass
“As police, we will not hesitate to arrest and lock up any perpetrator of GBV. I wonder what is going on in the mind of a person who assaults defenceless and vulnerable women. We are delighted about the arrest and we believe justice will prevail. Our courts stand ready to deal effectively with such matters, “said General Zuma.
The General further expressed his concern mainly that the parents fought in front of their child who was also entangled in the commotion and got injured as well. “It is deeply regrettable that children are often exposed to a wave of violence perpetrated by their own parents, whom they are looking up to as their moral compass. People should not adopt violence as a method of resolving matters and this is a worrying phenomenon. Society should stand resolute against GBV and assist the police,” explained General Zuma.
