The Democratic Alliance (DA) is concerned that the under-construction Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) is about to be another cash-cow for the notorious provincial Tender Cartel.
“We have learnt through the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency’s (MEGA) 3rd Quarter Report that the developer and landowner of the (MIFPM), will ultimately be responsible for rates and taxes on the property, as well as obligations flowing from the service level agreement entered with the Mbombela Local Municipality,” said Bosman Grobler MPL, Spokesperson on Finance & Economic Development
Bosman Grobler MPL, Spokesperson on Finance & Economic Development
“The DA’s concern is that the MIFPM will have the same outcome as the MEGA office block in Mbombela where they (MEGA) currently rent this office from the Tender Cartel for an exorbitant amount of R1 459 631, plus facilities management fee of R193 553 per month.”
In 2022, the DA revealed that a Tender Cartel, has infiltrated Mpumalanga Government Infrastructure Projects, and not only do they get tenders to develop and construct, but now the tenders are stretched further into rental and facilities management services.
The Tender Cartel has grown further since 2022, with a new company Holdco (registration pending) which is comprised of Mire Beck, Crowie Developments, Brightwater Trade and Encha Properties, which according to the lease agreement for the MEGA buildings with Crowie Developments, Holdco will become the new registered owner of the MEGA building. All the above-mentioned companies are linked to Crowie, the owner of ENZA Construction, which is currently developing the MIFPM.
The DA thinks that his links to the Tender Cartel enable Crowie to negotiate similar agreements as with the MEGAbuilding. Crowie’s links to all the above companies ensure that one of his several companies becomes either the rental agent or the service facility management. As per MEGA’s 3rd quarter report regarding the payment of rates and taxes.
This MIFPM project was originally a five-year project which was to boost the economy. But year in and year out the government uses this project as a carrot to lure Mpumalanga residents into believing that many job opportunities are just around the corner. However, this project has stretched over 11 years with no end in sight.
Today during a Legislature Sitting in Mbombela, the DA asked the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Busi Hlophe, the following questions:
Who is the property developer of the MIFPM?
Who is the landowner of the MIFPM?
When will the MIFPM property be transferred and why?
Are there any negotiations or agreements in place to enter into any facilities management services agreements for the MIFPM buildings? If yes, from when?
MEC Hlophe refused to answer any of the above questions. She said that she would answer in writing in 7 days.
The DA will do whatever it takes to ensure that this suspicious rental and facility management deal between the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and the Mpumalanga Tender Cartel is stopped before it takes place – as this means once again that the provincial government projects are held at ransom by the Tender Cartel at the expense of taxpayers.
“We will go as far as approaching the Public Protector to investigate this matter,” Said Bosman to the Bulletin, “The DA will also escalate this issue with our counterparts at the National Assembly to address it within Parliament and relevant Ministry.”
FAKE ATTORNEY SOUGHT BY THE HAWKS MPUMALANGA AND MOROKA DETECTIVES FOR IMPERSONATION
Doctor Sobetha (31), fake attorney, is sought by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and Moroka detectives respectively, for impersonating an attorney. Sobetha was arrested on Friday, 24 March 2023 for impersonating an attorney at Bethal Magistrate court, while he was representing Mhlabuyaxega Mntungwa(37), who was previously circulated as wanted person for the murder of a former manager of Sam Holdings, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Ngcongo (34) who was fatally wounded on 12 September 2019.
After a series of court appearances, Nkosi was found guilty on 20 October 2020 and sentenced to twenty-five years imprisonment by the Bethal Magistrate court on 23 October 2020 for murder.
The warrant of arrest was authorised for the arrest of Mntungwa. Mntungwa was eventually arrested on 1 February 2023 by the provincial tracking team in KwaZulu Natal. Mntungwa was charged and appeared before the Bethal Magistrate court and was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to 24 March 2023.
On the day of his appearance, he was represented by his fake attorney (Sobetha). The Bulletin learned that during the presentation of an affidavit to court on the bail application of Mtungwa, there were discrepancies that caught the attention of the court. A preliminary investigation was conducted, and it was discovered that Sobetha did not have any qualification to practice as an attorney. He was then arrested by the Hawks Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation and Secunda based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for Impersonating an attorney.
Both accused were remanded in custody, and the case was postponed to 27 March 2023. Mntungwa was appearing for murder while Sobetha was facing charges of impersonating an attorney. The accused were remanded in custody, and the case was postponed to 23 May 2023.
During the appearance, Sobetha was granted R5000 bail while Mtungwa was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to 14 October 2023. Sobetha absconded court, and a J165 was issued against him. A warrant of arrest was authorised on 13 February 2024, for his arrest.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber is requesting members of the public to assist with information regarding the whereabouts of Sobetha. Anyone with information can contact the Investigating Officer Thembinkosi Daniel Nkambule on 082 303 9874. Major General Gerber further assured the public that all information received will be dealt with confidentially.
ACCUSED SENTENCED TO R200 000.00 OR TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THE CUSTOMS & EXCISE ACT- COUNTERFEIT GOODS
MPUMALANGA-Bento Abilio Cuna(40), Mozambican citizen, was found guilty and sentenced by the Mbombela Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Monday, 11 March 2024, after he was arrested by Lebombo Border Police, Lebombo Customs and Excise, the Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Mpumalanga.
Bento Abilio Cuna(40)
It is alleged that on Saturday, 04 November 2023, at about 03:20, Cuna, a Mozambican citizen, entered the Lebombo Port of Entry, from Mozambique into the Republic of South Africa, driving a Volvo truck with two tipper trailers. The truck was stopped and searched.
During the search, counterfeit goods (tekkies & clothes) with an estimated street value of R 5 973 200.00 were found on the back of the trailers. The accused was then arrested and detained. The counterfeit goods, including the truck & trailers were confiscated and impounded at the Customs warehouse for safe keeping.
Section 212 affidavits were obtained from the brand holders.
The investigation has been finalised for court proceedings and the State successfully opposed bail. The owner of the truck also testified in the bail hearing regarding the employment of the driver.
The investigation was finalised and the accused was sentenced to a R200 000.00 fine or 2 years imprisonment, of which half is suspended for 5 years, on condition that accused is not found guilty on charges of contravening the provisions of Section 80(1)(a) of the customs and excise Act, Act 91 of 1964.
The counterfeit goods was forfeited to the state.
The owner of the truck and trailers also had to pay a penalty fine and storage fees to SARS Customs to the amount of R135 000.00
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber applauded the team for speedy finalization of the investigation and conviction.
Bethal: A 34-year old man was convicted by Bethal regional court to 12 years imprisonment during his trial on 22 February 2024 for attempted murder which happened in February 2021.
On the day of the incident, the suspect intentionally stabbed a security officer with a knife on his head and back while attending to a complaint near Total Jan Marie in Bethal.
It is alleged that the accused, Sikhosana Gift Vusi also known as Mberuthi attacked the security guard and disarmed him. He then used the firearm threatening to shoot everyone within the vicinity during the attack.
The police from Mzinoni SAPS were driving in town when they were stopped by a passerby and informed them about the incident. The men in blue never hesitated and swiftly responded to the complaint and on arrival at the scene, they called police members from Bethal for back-up as the accused was having a firearm which he discharged it when he noticed them.
As trained and competent police officers on handling suspects with firearms, they managed to disarm the accused and apprehended him.
After apprehending the accused, the firearm was seized from him and marked as an exhibit which was presented during trial period at court.
Skhosana was then arrested for attempted murder, and appeared before Bethal Magistrate’s Court facing charges of attempted murder, Assault with the intent to cause grievous body harm(GBH) and discharging of firearm in public and robbery of firearm in several occasions until he was found guilty and convicted.
“The docket was allocated to Detective Sergeant Andreas Strydom for investigation and through his experience in investigation, he managed to secure the conviction,” said the SAPS spokesperson to the Bulletin.
Based on the evidence and testimonies from all the witnesses, the Magistrate accepted both the evidence and testimonies brought before court and strongly believed that the accused had intentions to harm the victim.
Skhosana was convicted on the said charges hence his sentence as follows :
On the count of attempted murder, he was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.
On the count of robbery of a firearm, he was sentenced with 5 years imprisonment.
On the count of discharging of firearm in public, the accused was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
On the count of assault GBH, Skhosana was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment.
In terms of section 103 Act 60/2000 of fire-arms control act, the accused was deemed unfit to possess a fire-arm.
On 21 and 22 February 2024, Sasol Secunda held public participation sessions in eMbalenhle, Secunda and Leandra. The objective of the sessions was to give community members an opportunity to engage Sasol on its integrated emission reduction initiatives and progress.
Sasol’s roadmap and environmental investment include:
Reduce environmental footprint through improved energy efficiency
R11bn Invested in the different elements of improved energy
2014 499 (799%) emission sources compliant to minimum emission standards
2017 618 (98%) emission sources compliant to minimum emission standards
2019 622 (98%) emission sources compliant to minimum emission standards
2025 >R7bn Minimum emission standard compliance (except for boiler SO2 emissions)
2030 R25bn Reserved for the implementation of the integrated emission and greenhouse gas reduction solution.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed a life sentencing that was handed down to a murderer, Thabo Silas Tsotetsi (41). Tsotetsi was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting in Delmas yesterday, Wednesday 06 March 2024.
The badly decomposed body of Nosipho Caroline Mthombeni (34) was found concealled in the ceiling at Totetsi’s house in Balfour.
This shocking discovery was made on 04 October 2022 by a female companion who shares a child with the accused. It is said that this woman went to the house and had an unpleasant smell but not knowing what might have been the cause of it (smell).
Read the origional story dated 5 October 2022 HERE.
According to information, at first when she confronted Tsotetsi, she was made to believe that the smell could have been caused by dead rats on the ceiling.
Nosipho Caroline Mthombeni (34)
Tsotetsi allegedly left her alone in the house after informing her that he was going to pay some bills but never returned.
Days later, the woman reported the matter to the Police who investigated and it was during this period when the members at Balfour discovered the decomposed body of a female whose gender was only identified through polished nails and shoes according to a statement received by the Bulletin.
Later through investigation, it became known that the body was that of Mthombeni who was in a relationship with the accused.
It took six months though for the Investigation team to track down Tsotetsi in Witbank on 14 April 2023 and arrested him. He was then charged with murder.
Tsotetsi made his first court appearance in Balfour Magistrate’s Court on 17 April 2023. He was remanded in custody. Thereafter, the case was transferred to the High Court where he made several court appearances which led to his sentencing to life imprisonment.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, further commended the investigation team for the intense and professional probe conducted. The General also thanked the Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary which all culminated into the harsh sentence that was imposed upon the accused. “We are delighted with the sentence and we hope it will serve as a deterrence to perpetrators of Gender-Based-Violence. The wheels of Justice are surely turning to address crimes perpetuated against women and the vulnerable groups, ” said the General to the Bulletin.
There are constantly pets in the streets and this holds many dangers in a cruel world. If your pets are out and about, they might get injured, hit by a car, attacked by other animals or hurt other animals, get poisoned, get shot, get stolen to sell, breed, or for dog fights. They may also become a nuisance to others, especially cats.
We understand that accidents happen and some animals are really escape artists, but one of a few reasons why animals get out is because IT IS EASY! You get climbers, runners, jumpers, diggers, chewers, some learn to open gates or some pets use a combination of the above. We have seen fox terriers climb trees to get out.
Sadly, irresponsible owners and the organizations that support those behaviours think it is acceptable to let them roam the streets. Luckily, legislation in the form of by-laws is being implemented in certain municipalities and we are hopefull that these large fines will get people to keep their animals safe.
That said, let me be clear on the following: Some people claim that they “have done everything” to keep the animal in…… IF YOUR ANIMAL IS IN THE STREET THEN YOU HAVE NOT DONE ALL YOU CAN TO KEEP THEM INSIDE. If you have, then they will not be in the streets. How do other people do it?
Secure your yard, but also take these precautions:
Sterilize your pets which helps reduce roaming.
Meet their needs in terms of enrichment (mentally, physically, etc).
Don’t leave them alone for too long or consider daycare.
Make your garden their happy place. (Sandpit, sensory garden, etc.)
Microchip them and register the microchip on more than one database.
Add a collar ID with your number on it.
For cats a break-away collar with ID tag.
Have a recent photo ready.
Get a responsible pet sitter when you are away.
When the garden services come, keep your pets inside.
If possible, keep them in your backyard, away from the street, or only in the front yard with supervision.
If your maid or gardener has a key, have a stern talk about keeping the gate closed.
Always check your yard for foreign objects and poisons that may endanger your pets.
Keep them away from gates & fences and out of sight, to prevent theft.
Image from Petology
Petology provides guidelines to equip you with plausible methods to secure your yard and The Paw Company on how to keep your cats in. This can be possible with little investment and effort.
JUMPERS & CLIMBERS
Have large fences and high walls that can’t be easily climbed (no easy foothold).
Choose solid panel fences without anywhere for your dog to stick his/her paws. This will also keep your dog a lot calmer since they can’t see what’s on the other side.
Metal fence panels or palisades can work but you’ll need to make provisions to prevent them from digging under or slipping through.
Make sure there’s nothing near the wall/ fence that your dog can use to give themselves a boost, like planters, benches, birdbaths, garbage bins, etc.
Alternatively, you can add an extension to make the fence taller or you can install a 45-degree angle lean-in section (overhang) onto the upper part of your fence/wall with brackets. This tilts in to deter pets from getting over it.
Another alternative could be to add a roller bar (a.k.a Coyote rollers) made from PVC or Metal, which dogs’ paws can’t hold onto. Both angled fences and roller bars work well for keeping cats in or out too.
Image from Petology for JUMPERS
DIGGERS, CHEWERS & SLIP THROUGH-ERS
If you have palisades, you can add safe doggie bars that do not have sharp edges. You can also use a durable welded wire mesh overlay and secure it with cable ties. Not the plastic ones!
If they squeeze through or dig underneath you can buy or custom-make metal dig-defence barriers with spikes, which go deep into the ground. If your fence is secure, but not your gate, consider a gate plate.
You can pour a concrete footer along the perimeter of the fence and bury/mount the bottom of the fence into the mixture.
Install an L-Footer/skirt/apron along the bottom of the fence, facing inwards. You can use a wire mesh fence, hardware cloth, or a piece of chain-link fence attached to the base of the fence. Bury it so that it is not visible, or lay it on top of the grass and hold it down with pins/stakes, rocks, gravel, mulch, or even planters.
Some people use “bumper collars” which prevent the pet from slipping through, but we do not support this method.
Image from Petology for DIGGERS, CHEWERS & SLIP THROUGH-ERS
RUNNERS
Runners are those who dash out of the yard as soon as the gate opens. This means you will have to get creative to keep them in and it might require more planning and effort, but the effort can never outweigh the safety of your pet.
In this case, you can consider getting the help of a qualified behaviourist/trainer. Rewarding good behavior is more important instead of punishment or fear-based training. If you call them back and they come, give them a treat or lots of praise (not punishment)! Teach them to sit and wait, when the gate opens.
Try to limit their access to the driveway or main gate. You can install a double gate, which means you create an enclosed area in the yard. If someone wants to come in or out, they have to go through one gate, then the other gate.
You can use a temporary fence, portable playpen, enclosed area outside, or a kennel/run to put them in when you know the main gate will be opened.
If your housing arrangement does not allow the above, then lure your pet into the house when you know the gate will open.
Image from Petology for RUNNERS
KEEPING CATS IN
Higher walls (around 2m).
As mentioned above, roller bars and angled fences work well for cats too.
Use nets
Build a Catio
Plant certain species of plants that cats dislike, but which are not poisonous to cats. Some cats seem to dislike the smell of rue, lavender, pennyroyal, coleus canina, and lemon thyme. Some cats also seem to not like strong citrus cents.
Trim trees regularly and wrap them with plastic or PVC “dividers”, so they cannot climb high enough to get out.
If you really cannot apply any of the above, try creating a routine for your cat, for example, a lick of wet food in the morning to make sure they “check in” and again in the evening. Once they are in for the evening, close the doors/windows until the morning.
Create entertainment for your cats to keep them more indoors.
Invest in a good quality cat harness. Acclimatize your cat to the harness from a young age. With patience and persistence, older cats will also get used to it.
Consider contacting Pet Safety Solutions. I have not used them myself, but they help owners secure their yards. This is not an endorsement for them by myself or The Bulletin.
Remember to never punish your pets when they come back. This will not take away the desire to escape but will make them afraid of returning home. Always find out why your pets try to get out and address the root cause. If it is a behavioural issue, contact a qualified behaviourist.
Where there is a will there is a way! Don’t let your pets outsmart you!
Next week we will look at the euthanasia of healthy animals and why it is happens.
Zane Ashlin Calitz and Christo Boshoff remains behind bars after their failed bail application in Kriel court.
The duo stand accused on several charges of theft and fraud emanating from several transactions for services that was paid but never done.
The Bulletin received several complaints regarding both accused in the 3 or 4 weeks leading up to their arrest. The complaints were always that money was paid, mostly for solar installations, but the items were never delivered nor was it installed.
On 18 February the SAPS finally arrested Christo and Zane on charges of theft and fraud.
The two were released on R1000 bail each in the Secunda Court but were kept in custody pending their appearances in both Kriel and Bethal courts
At the court in Kriel things did not go the way of the two accused and they were remanded in custody pending further investigation.
Zane Calitz
Zane appeared in the Bethal court this morning and was again denied bail. The state prosecutor argued that the alleged offence is now a schedule 5 offence. He also said that the accused, Zane, with his partner made far to many empty promises and lied to a lot of people. There is no reason to believe that he (they) will not start a new business and defraud more people. He continued to say that there is also no reason why they should not flee and start a business in Cape Town.
Christo Boshoff
Zane claimed to have assets to the value of R5000 only and could only afford a R500 bail.
The Bethal magistrate agreed with the state in their case against the accused and did not grant him bail.
The Bulletin searched the Facebook pages of both Zane and Christo to ascertain what their businesses were.
The following names were used as their businesses. This does not mean that they have been found guilty and one should remember that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We are making no accusations by highlighting these names of businesses.
Rapid Repairs (Automotive repairs, seat upholstery, rubber coating, roof lining, decals, audio) – Tel no 0748940402
Pool cleaning and maintenance Tel no 0827471197
Rapid Rubber (Roof seal, rubberise, house paint, ceiling paint) – Tel no 0748940402
Extreme Projects (Plumbing, Roof rubberising, House painting and repairs on appliances) – Tel no 0827471197
Extreme Solar (We beat any written quotation, Solar installations) – Tel no 0748940402
DIY Solutions (Roof paint, wood work, house paint, carport build, ceiling repairs, modern room design, caravan remodel, caravan repairs) – Tel no 0827471197 & Tel no 0748940402
If anyone paid money to these two and did not receive the services or good you are advised to open a case at your nearest police station according to an investigating officer.
Ratepayers in Victor Khanye and Govan Mbeki are likely to be subject to a 20% reduction in the water flow.
According to Rand Water, these municipalities are amongst those that have been failing to honour the settlement of their debt.
The bulk water supply company has stated that it intends on exercising Section 4 of the Water Services Act and initiating the curtailment of water flow due to non-payment of water services.
To date, the municipalities owe Rand Water a cumulative overdue amount of R1 billion. It has also emerged that the outstanding debt from these municipalities has reached a critical level.
Rand Water has since turned to the National Treasury and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs as they invoked the provisions of Section 41(1) of IRFA and declared a intergovernmental financial dispute.
“Previously, we highlighted that in some parts of Govan Mbeki, residents keep on getting low pressure water and no water in other parts of the municipality,” said Trudie Grove Morgan, DA Spokesperson on COGTA to the Bulletin, “The municipality was also marked as a direct threat to Rand Water’s medium- and long-term sustainability”
Trudie Grove Morgan, DA Spokesperson on COGTA
“In Victor Khanye, we alluded to the dysfunctionality of the municipality’s Technical Service department. This is one critical department that is responsible for engineering potable water, roads, storm water and transport infrastructure amongst others.”
However, in Victor Khanye, this division is led by an acting cadre who was allegedly recommended and appointed because of their political affiliation. Therefore, the head of this department and his cadres in the municipality have seemingly shown disregard for this escalating debt and the consequences.
“Residents in these municipalities deserve to know that the ANC government failed to ensure that there is long-term viability of the water management system,” Said Trudie, “It is high time for the ANC administration to take accountability and make sure that services are provided to the residents.”
Unsound practices of the ANC government have once again proved detrimental to the livelihood of residents. “We call on the department of CoGTA to urgently intervene and hold these municipalities accountable,” concluded Trudie
