Mpumalanga province SANTACO chairperson, Mr F. Sibanyoni has assured the community of Mpumalanga that there will be no taxi fare increases in the area.
This follows after numerous rumours have been making rounds on social media platforms about fee increases in the taxi industry.
Speaking on behalf of SANTACO and Vukanini Taxi Association (VUKTA), Mr F. Sibanyoni said:“With the current situation happening across the country and the world, it is not fare to the community to increase fares. The taxi industry has been negatively affected by COVID-19 but we wish to continue engage with the Government that taxis must go back to full-capacity (100%) with passengers wearing masks and sanitation.”
SANTACO is the governing structure of the taxi industry in the country
“Negative comments have been making rounds on social media platforms about the taxi industry that there will be 117% fee increment but we can assure our community that our business is affected but increasing fee is not an option for now,” he continued
This week it is expected that all transport representatives will meet with Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula to discuss way forward about the crisis facing South Africa.
Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula
No need to panic, there will be no taxi fare increases in Mpumalanga province.
Following the regrettable cancellation of the 2020 Comrades Marathon, we have created the virtual running event: Race the Comrades Legends.
Participants from all over the world will virtually compete, run with and compare with each other and past Legends of the Worlds Greatest Ultra Marathon.
Race the Comrades Legends 2020 will be run on Sunday, 14 June 2020 at 00H00 (12 midnight) and finish at 23H59 on the actual race date in your time zone.
Anybody can join in on the fun. You can choose to run a distance of 5km, 10km, 21.1 km, 45km or 90km.
Several runners from Secunda will also be running in this virtual race. Jolene Carstens and Meintjie Jansen will be running the 90km race.
Thanks to the Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) international footprint and its band of passionate International Brand Ambassadors, the foreign entry tally for Sunday’s ‘Race the Comrades legends’ virtual race has surpassed the usual foreign contingent at the traditional Comrades Marathon.
With 25 brand ambassadors representing countries on the six continents of Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, North America and South America, the Comrades Marathon reach is wide and varied.
Boasting an entry tally of nearly 40 000 entries, the CMA is ensuring that ‘Race the Comrades legends’ is indeed The Ultimate Virtual Race.
Comrades route 14 June 2020
The event has attracted entrants from around the world with 86 participating nations, and even more international participants than had entered this year’s cancelled Comrades Marathon.
CMA Chairperson, Cheryl Winn said, “We invite South Africa and the world to be part of the CMA’s inaugural virtual race, ‘Race the Comrades legends’. Sunday, 14 June is going to be a fun and festive day with participants from around the world sharing the spirit of camaraderie and unity on what would’ve been the 95th Comrades Marathon race day.”
The Top 30 country breakdown is as follows (under country and entrants):
South Africa – 25 395
Brazil – 1 259
Great Britain – 433
United States – 256
Australia – 219
Zimbabwe – 136
India – 128
Canada – 104
Germany – 90
Zambia – 60
Russia -47
Netherlands -47
Namibia – 37
Ireland – 35
Botswana -28
Portugal – 28
South Sudan – 25
Philippines – 24
New Zealand – 22
Switzerland – 19
Japan – 17
Kenya – 15
South Korea – 15
France – 15
Tanzania – 15
Uganda – 11
Colombia -11
Israel – 11
Spain – 11
Swaziland – 10
There will be several “waterpoints” along the route that runners can run past. Club Chairperson will be manning one such “waterpoint” in Coen Brits street.
Dankie dat jy vanoggend saam met ons reis en hierdie diens saam ons beleef, ons gebed is dat die Here opnuut ‘n bewustheid van Sy teenwoordigheid by jou sal los.
Ons het ook ‘n Smallville Kinderkerk les vir jou beskikbaar op Smallville se Facebook blad of op Kruik Gemeente se Youtube kanaal.
The electrical problems in Bethal and eMzinoni are proving a burden that is too much to bear for most residents.
One of the old age homes, Palm Oord, have been without electricity since Sunday while Silverjare is continually experiencing electricity interruptions.
Not only did the area at the northeast of Bethal had to experience extensive water supply problems for the past two years (it seems to be resolved for now) They also now have to face most of the power supply problems in Bethal. eMzinoni is sharing the burden as well.
Protest actions started recently with residents taking to the streets, defying the lockdown, and burning tyres at night.
The Eskom debt of Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) is continuing to have a negative impact on the lives of its residents. Eskom has been cutting supply to Bethal, Emzinoni and eMbalenhle. This is because of the areas exceeding the Notified Maximum Demand (NMD).
Eskom refuses to increase the levels as GMM’s debt continues to grow.
“The Democratic Alliance (DA) has continually made suggestions and proposals in the Council to address the problem to no avail. The ANC led majority refuses to allow any suggestion, proposal, or motion to be accepted when it does not originate from within their own ranks”, Said Cllr Ciska Jordaan, Caucus leader of the DA in GMM.
The Residents of Bethal have also taken matters into their own hands and started to institute legal action against GMM.
Repairs to the ageing infrastructure seem to be exacerbating the problem. Cables are incorrectly connected and more and more transformers are lost. One resident house nearly caught fire when the electricity was reconnected. Houses that are fed from Three Phase must then deal with low voltage problems.
Transformer next morning: Photo Whatsapp, Facebook
Transformer burning : Photo Whatsapp, Facebook
Transformer burnt in Tsibitsi street, Cllr Chamberlain
Food is spoilt as the power continues to be interrupted for hours on end. Equipment is also failing.
The DA in GMM have now escalated the problem to the national government after repeated pleas at the provincial level proved futile. Cllr Mariaan Chamberlain, GMM Constituency Chairperson escalated the issue to provincial level in April. She has also been working tirelessly to improve the situation in Bethal.
In a Statement Issued by Cilliers Brink MP – DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs he said the following:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has asked the Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, to intervene in the electricity crisis in Bethal, Mpumalanga.
The town falls under the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality, which owes Eskom R1.9 billion and is in breach of its repayment arrangement with the power utility.
But the effects of the municipality’s delinquency have fallen disproportionality on residents of Bethal, including the township of Emzinoni.
According to Eskom, which has a direct supply line to Bethal, the town is exceeding its maximum demand limit for electricity.
In times of peak demand, this limit would ordinarily be lifted, but now Eskom refuses to do so in light of the delinquency of the Govan Mbeki municipality. Credit action has coincided with the beginning of the lockdown, which has meant that households in Bethal have had to ensure daily power cuts of up to 12 hours a day – 6 hours in the morning, and another 6 hours at night.
Due to the damage wrought on the electricity network by the stops and starts of load-shedding, power outages have not been limited to official schedules. Under the strain of the load shedding process, transformers blow, feeder cables burn, and ring feeds break, and so power outages become longer and more frequent.
In April, the DA raised the Bethal power crisis with Mpumalanga’s Provincial Government, but the situation has only become worse.
In these circumstances, the DA believes that s 139(7) compels the national government to step into the shoes of the province, or at least to put some steel in its spine.
The Bulletin received numerous complaints about the electricity supply and the effect that it has on the people of Govan Mbeki Municipality.
In December 2019 GMM was placed under investigation by the MEC for COGTA, Mr Mandla Msibi.
The MEC visited GMM council on Thursday, 21 November, to discuss the Terms of Reference for the Forensic Investigation in terms of section 106(1)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000.
This report was due by the end of January, but no report has yet to be tabled to the Council
Let us hope that this will see the end of the electricity problems in Bethal.
The Bulletin received complaints about the Municipal offices that were closed today.
Rumours were doing the rounds that one of the cashiers tested positive for the Corona Virus. This was not confirmed and should be treated as just a rumour for the moment.
The Bulletin also received complaints from staff members that no protocols are being followed when it comes to the GMM staff. We were unable to confirm this with the management of GMM nor were we able to discuss the matter with GMM management due to a number of technical difficulties.
A statement was, however, received by The Bulletin, this afternoon, regarding the closure of the offices.
In the statement it stated the following:
The public is hereby urgently informed that the GMM Offices were closed today 12 June 2020 due to a situation that demanded swift action of fumigation and disinfection. The municipality was alerted of a suspected positive case of COVID-19 within the institution. This prompted the GMM Management to take this decisive action as a matter of urgency
The fumigation and sanitization exercise was executed in the morning in order to ensure that no stone is left unturned. All employees were advised not to enter the building and that they should return back to their homes. We tentatively anticipate the opening of the offices next week Monday 15 June 2020.
We, therefore, express our humblest and sincerest apologies for the inconveniences caused by this action.
Three suspects, including a police officer, aged between 36 and 46 appeared at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on 11 June for dealing in dagga, possession of illegal cigarettes, Contravention of the Disaster Management Act as well as Immigration Act.
The 36-year-old Constable Ntokozo Zungu, as well as the two foreign nationals, Ntombikayise Nkambule aged 46 and 48-year-old Nokuthula Ginindza, were arrested on Tuesday, 09 June 2020.
According to information received, SANDF members were conducting routine patrols along the Mahamba Port of Entry Borderline when they spotted two females, Nkambule and Ginindza throwing bags over the fence into the country.
The officers devised a plan to approach them but surprisingly moments later, noticed a marked police bakkie coming from Phongola KZN direction, which stopped at the exact spot where the bags had been placed.
The females started loading the bags as well as cigarette cartons into the police bakkie while Zungu stayed in the vehicle.
The SANDF members grew suspicious and approached Zungu to make enquiries but he told them that he was on duty, chasing a vehicle but decided to stop and assist the two females.
As the SANDF members were discussing the matter, Ginindza as well as Nkambule continued loading the goods into the bakkie where after they all (Zungu, Ginindza and Nkambule) jumped in the bakkie and left.
The matter was reported to the local police station at Mahamba Port of Entry, who swiftly responded and found the bakkie parked along the road.
Upon searching it, they found bags containing dagga as well as cartons of illegal cigarettes.
The officers found bags containing dagga as well as cartons of illegal cigarettes.
A further probe revealed that Zungu who was wearing uniform, is attached to a police station in Kwazulu Natal, had crossed over to Mpumalanga illegally by breaking the lockdown regulations, Ginindza and Nkambule, who are from the Kingdom of Eswatini were undocumented.
The police did not hesitate to arrest all three suspects on the spot, hence their appearance in court on 11 June 2020.
During the trio’s appearance at Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on 11 June 2020, Constable Ntokozo Zungu was granted R5000 bail whilst Ginindza as well as Nkambule were remanded in custody and will appear again on 24 June 2020.
Meanwhile internal disciplinary steps will be instituted against the member in his province.
The Provincial Commissioner has welcomed the arrest and has further sent a strong warning to law enforcement officers as well as members of the public who collude in criminal activities.
“We will not allow criminality, particularly within our ranks more so during this challenging period in our country where they are called upon to protect and preserve lives. Such acts have the potential of denting the image of other upstanding law enforcers who are working hard to root out crime and corruption. We will arrest anyone who commits crime and engage in corrupt activities without fear or favour, even if it means arresting our own,” said General Zuma.
During the winter months, when parts of South Africa get very cold, Eskom would like to share these simple tips to help keep your home warm and cosy. Even in the absence of load-shedding, every household has a duty to choose a heating option that will help keep the house warm and cosy without breaking the bank.
So, what is the most energy-efficient and appropriate heating option for your home? Understanding the various heating options will help you make an informed decision about how best to keep your house warm whilst still being energy efficient.
“Even though Eskom is confident it can keep the lights on without implementing load-shedding this winter, adopting the most efficient heating solutions will make everyone a winner by the end of the winter, particularly during these tough times where the Covid-19 pandemic has had the effect of reducing or eroding incomes because of the lockdown,” said Sikonathi Mantshansha, Eskom spokesperson.
First and foremost
Insulation is the single most important factor when it comes to heating a home. An insulated room requires 51% less energy than an uninsulated room. Insulating your home’s ceiling is the simplest and most effective way to prevent the warm air generated by the heaters from escaping
· Only heat the rooms that you and your family are going to spend time in.
· Close exterior windows to contain energy and inter-leading doors to rooms not needing heating.
Underfloor heating
According to energy experts, underfloor heating is the most ineffective way to heat your home. In homes without roof insulation, underfloor heating will lose the battle against the cold.
Wall-mounted heaters
Most wall-mounted heaters are low in heating capacity and for them to heat up a room to a comfortable temperature requires them to be left on for a long time.
Gas vs electric heaters
Then there’s the battle of the heaters, whilst many people use gas heaters, they aren’t necessarily more effective than electrical heaters. Given the cost parity of bottled gas versus electricity and the frequency at which one has to replace the gas bottles, electric heating is more convenient and controllable.
The one advantage of gas heaters is that they have the ability to give off heat at higher heating capacity rates and can warm a room almost immediately but remember you pay for the rate at which heating energy is produced. Should you only have an electric heater, then ensure that you insulate the room by closing windows, blocking all possible draughts coming through and once the room is warm, switch it off and use only what you need.
When looking at options to heat your home this winter, one of the options to consider is an oil heater equipped with a thermostat. Oil heaters are most effective in contained spaces such as a single room. Open-plan living areas are simply too big for an oil heater to make a real impact.
Fan heaters
A typical fan heater is another option to consider. Fan heaters provide heat and comfort immediately and they can be directed to where the hot air is most needed.
Air-conditioner
An air conditioner with a heating cycle can be very effective and cost-efficient. Typically, an air conditioner would use about half the power of an electric heater.
Wood-fired heating
Of course, of all these heating options, none beats the old fashioned fireplace, fuelled by wood. Over time wood always works out to be the cheapest heating option when covering the biggest spaces.
Consider your needs, your room, your budget and your energy costs when deciding how to heat up your home. The right choice will mean you’re warm and cosy and safe – without blowing your budget.
Remember to keep an eye out and respond to the real-time Power Alert messages on SABC, e.tv and DStv to help manage the strain of the electricity system. Together we can make a difference and keep the lights on
A 51-year-old Mozambican National is expected to appear before the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court tomorrow following his arrest yesterday, Wednesday 10 June 2020, at Lebombo Border Post for possession of a drug suspected to be Heroine worth an estimated value of R1.5 million, hidden in the engine compartment of the truck he was driving.
The arrest came when members of both South African Police Service and the South African Revenue Services (Customs) were conducting a multidisciplinary operation at the border as part of their normal duties when a white truck from Mozambique, made a stop at the border awaiting to be processed.
Upon noticing the truck, both formations (SAPS and SARS) conducted a routine search as per their responsibilities and discovered a makeshift compartment in the truck’s engine, stashed with suspected drugs as well as illicit cigarettes.
Preliminary probe suggests that the driver was planning to smuggle the drugs as well as the illicit cigarettes from Mozambique into the country before being intercepted by the said diligent formations.
Illicit cigarettes and suspected Heroine drug found in a truck from Mozambique
A similar incident occurred last month on 25 May 2020, where a man and a woman were arrested for also attempting to smuggle drugs from Mozambique into the country using a similar method but were swiftly arrested.
The arrest of the truck driver has once again proved that security agencies, SAPS, SANDF CUSTOMS as well as Traffic are hard at work in trying to address all crimes in general whilst enforcing Lockdown regulations at the same time.
There have been good reports coming from the border line where the SANDF in particular have been very instrumental in the confiscation of large amounts of liquor and illicit cigarettes as well as the arrest of considerable number of suspects thus far.
The Provincial Commissioner has applauded the law enforcement officers for their hard work and vigilance at the border which led to the arrest of the suspect.
The General has also sent out a stern warning to those who are thinking or planning on smuggling drugs as well as illicit cigarettes, that law enforcement agencies are hard at work and will ensure that no illegal goods go through our borders.
“I would also like to appreciate the work done by the members which resulted in the arrest of this man and others in previous incidents, their work does not go unnoticed,” said General Zuma.
Meanwhile the suspect will appear at the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 12 June 2020, facing charges of possession of drugs and illicit cigarettes.
Police cannot rule out possibility of charging the man with an additional charge of dealing in drugs.
These are the three remaining members of the group of men that killed two Hawks members following the botched heist in Mafikeng earlier this year. They are armed and extremely dangerous.
Please see today’s statement from South African Police Service below for all the details:
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation hereby appeals for public assistance to locate the remaining suspects from a foiled cash-in-transit heist incident that occurred around Mafikeng, North West, on Thursday, 05 March 2020.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) and Special Task Force members responded to an armed robbery in progress at Mafikeng road near Itsoseng Township during an intelligence driven operation.
A group of heavily armed suspects amongst them allegedly included Pascal Wiseman Langu (48), Tebo Phuthegolo, also known as, Boitumelo Mashishi, Jabulani Andrew Sibisi alias Mkhulu (53), used explosives to open the vault of a Fidelity armoured vehicle after they shot at it and forced it to stop.
A shoot-out ensued with the responding team but the suspects managed to escape the crime scene without any cash.
A wide-ranging search for the suspects was launched and TOMS members spotted one of the getaway vehicles, a white Ford Ranger double cab which they pursued.
A shoot-out ensued and Warrant Officer Grobler-Koonin was fatally wounded.
Later that afternoon intelligence was received regarding the sought suspects in a Toyota Quantum minibus allegedly driving from Mafikeng towards Coligny.
The Tracking team spotted the minibus at the Total Filling Station in Coligny. Upon seeing the police, the robbers opened fire and members retaliated.
During the shoot-out Warrant Officer Wynand Herbst was fatally wounded and three of the six robbers inside the minibus were shot dead whilst three were apprehended.
Nine suspects have been accounted for in this case thus far.
Out of the nine, the three Tefo Motsewakhumo (27), from Mafikeng, Themba Hlatshwayo (38), from Katlehong and Tshepho Mokoena (37) from Orange farm were fatally wounded during the confrontation.
Whilst the six suspects, Jabulani Yika (38), from Heidelberg, Phahlane Ngubeni (47), from Katlehong, Musa Mkhabele (34), also from Katlehong, Neo Marule (38), from Mafikeng, Simpiwe Msibi (24) and Tafere Dimmissie (38), from Ethiopia are behind bars on charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of illegal firearms and ammunition and attempted robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Armed and dangerous. If you see this man contact SAPS Crime Stop: 086 00 10111Armed and dangerous. If you see this man contact SAPS Crime Stop: 086 00 10111Armed and dangerous. If you see this man contact SAPS Crime Stop: 086 00 10111
Their last court appearance was on 24 April 2020 and the case was postponed to, 15 May 2020, pending further investigation.
The public is warned not to approach the wanted suspects as they are considered armed and dangerous.
Any member of the public who might be harbouring the wanted suspects is being warned to immediately desist from such as it is a criminal offence which could lead to them being charged as accessories of crime.
We appeal to anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the sought suspects to contact Lieutenant Colonel Gert Serfontein on 071 481 3394 or Warrant Officer Trevor Shaw on 0826975873, alternatively to contact the SAPS Crime Stop number 086 00 10111 or provide information via the SAPS MYSAPSAPP.
All information will be treated with strictest confidence and callers may remain anonymous.
