Bread flour, second to toilet paper, became a very scarce commodity at the start of the lockdown.
It would appear that everybody is going to bake their own bread and companies such as Albany would have a surplus.
We at The Bulletin decided to test our own bread baking skills (we’ve done it before) and pit it against the other bread flower buyers.
Here is how our effort turned out.
Francois appeared in the Bethal court on Friday, 27 March. He is set to face two charges of murder. The community of Bethal was shocked when they heard about the murder of Emeritus Pastor Hannes Beukes and his wife, Ibel, the previous Wednesday. It is on charges relating to these murders that Francois appeared in court.
Francois was dressed in khaki clothes that he most probably wore from the incident. The clothes were dirty and he was unshaven. He appeared to be confused as to the proceedings and would start any answer with “I am guilty.” Judge De Villers had to explain the procedures to Francois several times.
As I sat and listened to the proceedings, I could only wonder what went wrong. It would appear that Francois is telling the truth about killing the pastor and his wife, although he never said that, just “I am guilty” was all he said.
Francois gave the impression of someone that was fully aware of what he has (allegedly) done and was extremely remorseful. His main concern was that of his family and what financial implications this trial would have on his family.
I, as The Bulletin, applied for permission to have his photograph taken and he only opposed it with a plea that he would like to spare his children the embarrassment. He even stood briefly so that I could take the photo.
Francois handed himself to the police with the help of his Father in law. It would appear that he has made a full confession to a magistrate. This case would have to take the full route regardless of his statement.
Francois indicated that he would rather conduct his own defence. He waivered his right to legal aid.
Judge De Villiers explained the bail application to him in detail. At one stage she had to say that she is not yet interested in his story but only if he would like to apply for bail.
To this, he replied with weighted shoulders that he would not apply for bail. He would like to spare his family: “Anyway what should I do there.”
Francois seemed genuinely confused by the court proceedings and even enquired about the cost of a formal bail application.
Judge De Villiers said that as these charges related to a schedule 5 offence, no bail would be given unless he could prove that it would be in the interest of justice that he, Francois, be released on bail.
Francois had never been charged with anything (according to his testimony) and said that it was his first time in a courtroom.
I could not help to feel some sympathy for him as we sat in the courtroom. So many times, we have sat in the courtrooms with murderers appearing before the court only to feel the hate of the audience towards them.
In Bethal Court A there is bulletproof glass separating the audience from the court officials. It created an incredibly sad and surreal atmosphere as we, The Bulletin, were the only two people in the audience.
There was no support for Francois. The lockdown made matters worse as no one could travel to court.
There was no hatred from the back but there was no love either. There was no support. In a world where things went so horribly wrong for three people, Francois became a statistic, a number, a convict for now and definitely a broken, scared man.
Let us hope that the family and friends of DS Beukes and his wife will get some answers during this trial. Let us hope they can find closure and peace. Let us hope that justice will be done.
And for Francois, if he really carried out the deeds accredited to him, let us hope he finds forgiveness in the arms of God. If he is guilty, he will have to answer to everyone during the trial, but, above all, to his Maker.
I know that there are already a lot of stories doing the rounds and some comments that he is guilty. May I appeal to everyone that they would wait for the full trial before they judge? I sense that there will be many tales to tell after this trial.
This one is going to be an emotional trial.
Leon Haywood contracted the Coronavirus and has been under quarantine and lockdown for two weeks already.
He spoke to The Bulletin about his infection and how it affected everyone in his family.
Die Bulletin het met Gawie van Niekerk, die nuwe Hoof by Laerskool Goedehoop, gesels.
Die tegnologie het ‘n paar probleme gegee maar ons plaas die gesprek met die probleme sodat almal Gawie kan ontmoet. Al is dit nou op langafstand.
According to the report, on 12 March 2020, the Traffic Officers stopped a man who was transporting school kids with his Bakkie. Instead of issuing him with traffic fine, the officers allegedly took the man’s driver’s licence and demanded money in exchange for the license. The man then allegedly explained to them that he did not have money and was told that he will never see his driver’s license unless he “pays” for it.
The man then allegedly made arrangements to “pay” them at the end of March 2020. When the day arrived, he contacted the Officials and allegedly handed over the money.
The police were then notified about the allegations and they followed up on the information. The traffic officials were arrested shortly thereafter after being found in possession of the money which was allegedly handed over as payment.
The Provincial Commissioner reiterated the position of law enforcement agencies when it comes to rooting out corruption and crime in general. “As law enforcers in the province, we made a decision that we need to tackle corruption head-on without fear or favour and we cannot allow rotten elements to exist within our ranks. If anyone is found to have been involved in any kind of corrupt activity, must be rooted out as we are here to serve the public not victimise and take advantage on them,” said General Zuma.
Meanwhile, the six suspects appeared at the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court today, Thursday 02 April 2020 on charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. All were released on warning and they will appear again at the same court on 08 July 2020.
The public is encouraged to continuously report corrupt activities by calling 08600 10111 or send a SMS to 32211. MYSAPSAPP can also be used in this regard.
Public transport remains one of our biggest risk areas in the spread of the virus. We must, therefore, do everything in our power to protect both the citizens who rely on public transport and those who operate the system from exposure and possible infection.
We indicated from the onset that we are on a steep learning curve and we will regularly review the measures we introduce from time to time in order to achieve the desired outcomes.
Since the lockdown came into effect at midnight of 26 March 2020, we have conducted an assessment of our measures and consulted with the taxi industry.
The consultation process also included relevant structures within government and individual Ministers. As a consequence of this assessment and consultation, we have revised a number of our measures insofar as they relate to public transport.
In consulting with the taxi industry, I have engaged the leadership of the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the National Taxi Alliance (NTA).
I must commend the taxi industry for their efforts and commitment to playing their part in enabling mobility of the poor and vulnerable in these trying times. Despite the economic challenges facing the industry, we were able to reach an agreement that guarantees the continuous availability of public transport during the lockdown period.
We must all appreciate that the measures we introduce to curb the spread of this virus are about preserving human life, and not about our individual narrow self-serving interests. Every one of us must appreciate this and play their part in eradicating this pandemic.
In our engagements, the taxi industry placed on the table critical issues, some of which we have processed while others remain work in progress. At the time the lockdown was declared, we were in the process of finalizing our plans for the hosting of the National Taxi Indaba, which will be held later in the year, to address a number of critical economic issues confronting the industry.
Among the key issues to be considered by the Indaba is a sustainable economic empowerment model for the taxi industry. This will include a public transport funding model, which must include a possible subsidy regime, in which the taxi industry is a full participant.
Subsequent to these engagements and consultations, we have taken steps to amend Directions relating to Public Transport. Our engagements with our counterparts in government are ongoing to ensure alignment of our Directions with the Regulations published by the Minister of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
We have therefore amended our Directives to give effect to the following measures:
During the lockdown period, the following public transport vehicles must reduce the number of maximum passengers to 70% of the licensed capacity, with no masks as follows:
• A minibus licensed to carry 10 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 7 passengers.
• A minibus licensed to carry 15 passengers, is limited to carry the maximum of 10 passengers.
• A midi-bus permitted to carry a maximum of 22 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 15 passengers
• A vehicle licensed to carry a maximum of 4 passengers is limited to carrying 50% of its permissible passenger-carrying capacity.
ALTERNATELY
During the lockdown period, all Minibus and Midi-bus taxi vehicles are permitted to load their maximum 100% passenger loading capacity as provided for in their operating licenses, provided that all passengers are wearing masks. The masks must be of the following categories:
(a) Surgical masks
(b) N95 respiratory masks
We require public transport operators to adhere to the Directions on sanitizing vehicles and put measures in place to give effect to social distancing at all material times.
Post the lockdown period, we will give priority to the National Taxi Indaba, which will tackle pressing and strategic issues facing the taxi industry. This industry continues to operate on the fringes of the formal economy despite the fact that they have the largest market share of all public transport modes, in excess of 60%. We are under no illusion that the conflict and violence that continues to define this industry are a consequence of an economic challenge that we need to collectively address as a matter of urgency.
The Taxi Indaba will seek to find consensus on a sustainable economic empowerment model.
In addition, we will review the effectiveness of current interventions, which include the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme and the rollout of the Integrated Public Transport Networks. We will similarly pay particular attention to leadership issues and achieving sustainable unity which must ensure that taxi violence becomes a relic of the past. The Indaba will also focus on regulation and ensuring that government ensures effective regulation, while the industry must commit to the rule of law.
We have no doubt, that the Taxi Indaba will emerge with a blueprint of an industry that is at peace with itself, able to sustain itself beyond government incentives and subject to the rule of law.
Fikile Mbalula – MINISTER OF TRANSPORT
The following statement was released by Sasol in support of the COVID-19 pandemic:
Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol has partnered with government to help combat the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.
As a producer and bulk supplier of a variety of specialty chemicals, Sasol has developed a new unique blend of alcohol-based chemicals to be used in manufacturing of hand sanitisers to help address the increase in market demand for these products.
Sasol is a producer and bulk supplier of high purity ethanol (HPE), isopropanol (IPA) and n-Propanol (NPA) alcohols, which are solvent chemicals used in the production of sanitisers, amongst other key chemicals. The company supplies these to distributors globally.
Contrary to some reports, Sasol pricing has remained stable for key chemical feedstock since the current outbreak of COVID-19 in South Africa and the declaration of the State of Disaster and subsequent national lockdown.
“While global demand and pricing for ethanol and isopropanol alcohol has increased due to higher demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Sasol has prioritized local supply and prices for South African sales have remained stable,” said Sasol President and CEO Fleetwood Grobler.
He said the COVID-19 outbreak has caused a run-on hand sanitiser, which has in turn created excessive demand for alcohols required to produce hand sanitisers and disinfectants.
“Over the past few weeks, Sasol has experienced an increase in demand of nearly 400% for alcohol-based products. In recent weeks, we have delivered close to eight million litres to the South African market and our laboratories, production, marketing and supply chain teams are working around the clock to ensure a reliable supply of critical alcohol-based products to customers.”
To help address the increasing demand for sanitiser alcohols in South Africa, the company has come up with a special blend of alcohols, which will be sold to existing and new Sasol customers to expedite the production and availability of these critical products locally to help safeguard the health and wellbeing of South Africans.
Sasol is collaborating with the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) and is also prioritising supply to Government entities and other essential services to jointly combatting the spread of the virus in South Africa.
During the GMM JOC meeting Monday morning at the council chambers it became clear that the towns of Lebogang, eMbalenhle and eMzinoni are problem areas with people not adhering to any regulations. There is defiance with residents of these towns.
It does not mean that the towns of Leslie, Kinross, Evander, Secunda and Bethal are off the hook. People are still moving around, far more than they should.
The Honourable Minister of State and Security Ms Ayanda Dlodlo visited Govan Mbeki Municipality on Monday 30 March and expressed her shock at what she saw. SABC news reported that there was no police visibility while people were visiting the shops.
Most businesses adhered to the regulations and either closed for the period or scaled-down. This, however, is only the beginning of the lockdown. If people refuse to adhere to the lockdown regulations the whole country could face extensions of the lockdown.
While stories of police brutality and harassment are continuing to surface it is also very clear that there is a defiance of their authority. A lot of people think that the virus will not affect them while others take every precaution.
The Homeless shelter in Kinross is facing its own challenges. The homeless are used to living out in the open and struggle with the confinements of the shelter. The number of people that are housed in the shelter reached 106 on Monday but are expected to rise as the predictions are that GMM has 500 homeless people.
The authorities are clear on the restrictions. Stay Home. Don’t move unless you have to. This pandemic can be beaten only if everyone does their part.
Ek het ook die raaisel wat vriend Mervin per Watsapp gestuur het, probeer uitwerk. Hy het diepe bepeinsing gedoen, en besef dat die woordsomme wat ons op skool gedoen het, wel waarde het, want hy moes belangrike berekeninge doen. Hy het 8 bottels wyn, en hy moet 20 dae uitkom daarmee. Elke bottel het 4 glase wyn in. Hy mag net tussen 14:00 en 23:00 wyn drink, sê sy vrou. Hy vra dat ek moet help uitwerk elke hoeveel uur hy ‘n glasie mag skink. Ek kom agter hoekom ek nooit goed was met woordsomme nie. Die som is te moeilik vir my.
‘n Ander vriend deel per vonkboodskap sy groot nuus. More kom die munisipaliteit sy vuilgoed haal, en hy moet die swart sakke op die sypaadjie gaan uitsit. Hy kan net nie besluit wat om aan te trek nie! So lees ek die een spitsvondige grappie na die ander op sosiale media. As daar een ding is waarmee ons as Suid Afrikaners uitblink, is dit ons vermoë om krisisse te verwerk met humor.
Toe kry ek die “please-call-me.” Die nommer vertel my dadelik van wie dit is. Van ons bestuurder, opsigter, versierder, nutsman, beheerpersoneellid, noem dit maar, en hy is dit, van ons huisie in die Bo-Karoo. Op sy facebookprofiel het hy sy naam verkeerd gespel, Jahonnes in plaas van Johannes. Maar dit pla hom nie. Hy kan sy selfoon werk wat ons vir hom gegee het, en hy is trots op sy profiel. Daar word van hom geweet, foto en al, op sosiale media.
Ek bel hom. “Ek het net tee”, sê hy. “ Hoe lank al?” vra ek hom. “Vrydag.” Saaklik. Ek reël met die plaaslike winkeltjie op die dorp dat hy daar kan gaan olie, meel, suiker, hoender en ander goedjies gaan koop. Ek sal regmaak. Hy is die sout van die aarde, eerlik, hardwerkend, en gebrei teen swaarkry. Hy het nie ‘n vaste werk nie, soos die meeste van sy bure. Sy voete is kliphard gebrei soos ou leer, omdat hy winter en somer kaalvoet loop. Hy het een paar skoene, en hy weier om dit na enige ander plek as kerk toe te dra.
Sy groot trots is die fiets wat ons hom gegee het, wat hy met presiesheid en deeglikheid in stand hou. Sy beker het oorgeloop toe ek anderdag vir hom ‘n stel fietsligte stuur, een vir voor en een vir agter. Dis gevaarlik as ‘n man in die nag op die karoo se grondpaaie ry sonder ligte. Sy ander groot trots is sy John Deere pet, diè een wat my seun amper weggegooi het, maar oplaas vir hom gegee het. Hy het dit silwerskoon gewas, en dra dit net dorp toe as hy gaan meel, olie en aanmaakkoeldrank koop. Die ou televisiestel wat ek wou weggooi omdat hy so flenters was dat selfs die wit olifanttafel by die kerkbasaar hom nie wou gehad het nie, het hy wonderbaarlik reggekry om weer te laat werk. Die sepies en sokker kleur nou sy sielsdodende lewe in.
Die inperking raak hom nie eintlik nie. Hy is gewoond aan geisoleerd wees, gewoond aan nerens heen om te gaan nie, gewoond aan bitter min kos, gewoond aan krane deel, gewoond aan sy draaie in die karoobossies loop. Dis net as die skroppies, die tydelike werk, opraak soos nou, dat die mismoedigheid by hom kom lê soos ‘n brandsiek hond. Gelukkig het hy nog een “life-line” oor: stuur ‘n vriend ‘n “please-call-me.”
Skielik begin ek dink oor die landswye inperking. Hier sit ek en ander bevoorregtes en tob oor ons rondrygewoontes ingeperk is, omdat ons nie kan koop wat ons wil nie, omdat ons ons planne moes afskaal of verander, oor ons kinders wat elders woon en nie kan rondbeweeg nie. Maar hoe min weet ek nie van die impak daarvan nie? Wat maak jy as jy sewentig kilometer van die naaste dorp woon, en daar is geen beweging van bakkies of voertuie nie, en jy het niks om te eet nie? Hoe uiters desperaat moet mens nie word nie?
Watter potensiële moeilikheid kan daar nie wees as mense in die informele werksektor, wat tans geen inkomste verdien nie, karwagte, trollieherwinnaars, selfoonlaaierverkopers by robotte, mense wat plastieksakkies met appels en lemoene verkoop op die sypaadjie, begin honger word? Hoe ver kan desperaatheid selfs ‘n eerlike, hardwerkende mens dryf?
Wat doen jy as julle tien mense is bestaande uit drie geslagte wat in ‘n tweevertrek sinkhuisie woon, en ver is van een gemeenskaplike kraan, of tien opslaantoilette wat deur ‘n swetterjoel mense gedeel word? Soos ‘n vorige eerste minister gesê het: die moontlikhede is “too ghastly to contemplate.”
Dit is verstommend hoeveel mense nie eens waaroor die inperking gaan nie, wat nog te sê waak daarteen. Die straatslapers, die wat geen toegang het tot televisie en radios en koerante en internet nie.
Miskien kan ons, en die res van die gesofistikeerde westerse wêreld, soos Italië, Spanje, Brittanje en Amerika, iets sinvols gaan leer by ‘n eenvoudige kaalvoetman wat in die karoo woon: Leer ons om te leef, Jahonnes. Leer ons om te oorleef. Leer ons dat lewe ‘n genade is, nie ‘n gegewe nie. Leer ons.
Nelspruit – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has in the strongest possible terms condemned the killing of two women in Kwaggafontein and Kwamhlanga. The words of the General were uttered following two incidents whereby two women were murdered. In the first incident the body of a woman, suspected to be in her twenties was discovered at Kwaggafontein in the early hours of today, Monday 30 March 2020.
According to the report, police received information about a woman who was lying motionless by a drain next to the Road near Sokapho Secondary School in Kwaggafontein. Upon arrival, they (police) found the woman half-naked and she was certified dead by paramedics at the scene. Police opened a murder case and immediately launched a manhunt. Preliminary investigation suggests that the woman might have been raped.
Anyone with information that can assist the police in locating and apprehending the suspect(s) can contact Lieutenant Colonel Johannes Kgomo on 082 923 1736.
Meanwhile, in Kwamhlanga, police received information about a stabbing incident today at a local Funeral Parlour where a 32-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed by a man believed to be her friend.
It is reported that the man went to the said Funeral Parlour where the woman was working and moments later her colleagues heard the woman screaming. When they (colleagues) rushed to her office to investigate, the suspect sped off and upon entering they found the woman, heavily bleeding from visible stab wounds.
Police, as well as paramedics, were summoned to the scene where the woman was certified dead. A murder case was immediately opened and police and an investigation into the matter commenced.
Preliminary investigations into the murder revealed that the woman had a Protection Order against the suspect and the two were supposed to attend Court on the matter today, Monday 30 March 2020.
The suspect is still at large and the police appeal to anyone with information that can assist locate the suspect to contact Colonel Nompumelelo Manzini on 0823189651.
The Provincial Commissioner has strongly condemned the killing of the two women and had appealed to the community to assist with information that can assist in apprehending the suspects.
“I am disturbed by the heartless killing of the two women, especially during this difficult time where people should unite and think of solutions that can save the human race. I have since ordered the quick arrest of the suspects. The perpetrators of these crimes should face the full might of the law and I urge members of the public to assist police with information so that we stop them before they prey on their next victim.” said General Zuma.
Members of the public can also call 10111 or 08600 10111. Alternatively, they can send an SMS to 32211 for any crime-related information or download MYSAPSAPP to anonymously send valuable information to the police. Their information will be treated with strictest of confidence.