A 30-year-old suspected police killer has been arrested in a joint collaboration with the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation based in Secunda and Secunda K9 in Evander.
It is reported that on 18 February 2022, the late police officer, WO Hlatshwayo was attacked and shot while entering his home by unknown suspects. The victim was transported by to a Provincial hospital in Piet Retief and later to Trichardt Medi Clinic in critical condition for treatment. The member later succumbed to his injuries.
An investigation into the brutal murder of the warrant officer was conducted and one of the suspects was identified.
Yesterday, 18 May 2023, the investigating team followed up on information on the whereabouts of the suspect and arrested him in Evander.
More arrests are expected. The suspect will appear in the Piet Retief Magistrates’ Court soon.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
LEKWA MAYOR NARROWLY ESCAPE DEATH AFTER GUNSHOTS MISSED HIM
Standerton – The SAPS can confirm an incident that reportedly occurred at Standerton (Lekwa) on the evening of Wednesday 17 May 2023. Councilor Delani Thabethe, the mayor of Lekwa local municipality in Mpumalanga, narrowly escaped an attempt on his life when two gunmen shot at him outside his home in Standerton on Wednesday night.
As Delani Thabethe left his home two unknown gunmen started shooting at him as they tried to ambush him. He was fortunate to escape unharmed back into his house as the gunmen fled on foot.
The municipality will now look into increasing security for Delani Thabethe after a report from the police.
A case of attempted murder is currently under investigation. The victim was reportedly unharmed during the incident and no one has been arrested so far.
A team of investigators has been assembled under the leadership of the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela.
Police call on anyone with information that may assist in this investigation to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AND WOMEN IN MINING BENEFICIARY BELIEVES A DAY OF LEARNING IS A DAY OF GROWING
Since Seriti launched its Women in Mining programme in May 2022, twenty female entrepreneurs have undergone extensive mentoring and training in managing their own businesses. This programme is running until July this year and is being managed by Collective Value Creation (CVC).
One such entrepreneur is Precious Nkambule, born and bred in Emalahleni and a former electrical engineer in training at BHP Billiton (now Seriti) who went into business in 2016 but relaunched KhanyaP Mining Engineering Maintenance and Supply this year.
Precious Nkambule
Speaking on the particular difficulties of an entrepreneur, Precious echoes many of the other entrepreneurs’ sentiments. “Working in a male-dominated environment is challenging because sometimes we are not given the same opportunities and I am constantly expected to explain and prove myself as a female entrepreneur.”
Although they have previously been part of entrepreneurial development programmes focussing on women, CVC’s Managing Director Wybrand Ganzevoort stresses that the Women in Mining programme “specifically looks at the needs of women entrepreneurs in a male-dominated industry as well as the women in the context of the family, spouse and community.” With most programmes of this nature, immediate attention is provided to the business support needs, however, Women in Mining specifically addresses the holistic relationship between the female entrepreneur and all the various stakeholders. The aim is also to separate realistic from unrealistic expectations and establish which expectations require restoration.
With this objective in mind, Precious hopes to gain adequate knowledge and skills to do just that. She is also enjoying the connection with the different beneficiaries of this programme as learning from one’s peers is equally satisfying as learning from the different mentors and trainers. She mentions that she has gained valuable knowledge on the importance of branding your enterprise, correctly defining your offering and conducting professional meetings with clients. She believes that every day of learning is a day of growing.
This young lady and TUT Electrical Engineering graduate thoroughly enjoy the support of her siblings and partner. When she takes a break from the competitive world of business, she takes long hikes along rivers and in the mountains.
She has the following advice for other women wishing to start a business. “Giving up should not be one of your options and if I could go back to motivate myself as a young eighteen-year-old student, I would tell myself that, girl you got this!”
Apart from growing her business, Precious has a dream of one day opening a learning centre for young women who want to go into the mining and engineering business, by empowering and skilled them for their own journeys.
Missing pets are shared on socia meida daily and it is a rising concern for us in animal welfare. There are so many animals in the streets and although there are some exceptions, most of them are shockingly allowed outside by their owners, including cats. We can share horror stories on why this is dangerous and irresponsible and how many never came home. How the one you thought was “streetwise” was hit by a car or the one you say “knows his way home”, stopped returning home. If you think the streets are unsafe for your child, why would it be safe for your pets?
When your pets roam the streets, they also become a nuisance to others and sadly the cruelty against animals increases because of this e.g. poisoning and shootings. Other dangers include being attacked by animals or humans or stolen for dog fights, re-selling or breeding and more. That is apart from the dangers of cold nights which seem to be here already! Millions of animals enter shelters every year in mainly three ways: Surrendered by owners, confiscated legally from owners, or brought in as strays by good samaritans.
Why do animals engage in this behaviour?
Trying to get home – have you recently moved?
Your dog’s habit
Mating
Loneliness & boredom
Your dog is scared & had a fright
Something excites them
It’s easy to get out
The above can be addressed or prevented by:
Create a safe, secure and familiar environment.
Meet their needs with exercise and enrichment.
Spay/neuter your pets.
Don’t leave them alone for too long, especially social animals.
Some behaviour might require training and patience.
Teach them not to go out of the yard without you, even if the gate is open.
There are many ways to keep your cats safe in your yard. This includes PVC roller bars, angled fences, catios and more.
TIP for in case they get lost – make sure you have a good full body photo of your pet to share when they are lost. You can even make a flyer in advance. Microchip them (collar ID too) and register the microchip on more than one database with up-to-date details.
PreventionHow to share on social mediaFinding a missing pet
SHARE MISSING PETS CORRECTLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO IMPROVE THE CHANCES OF FINDING THEM.
Share a clear full body picture (preferably only one because of how it might appear groups and timelines)
Share this post on your personal profile with the privacy setting on public. Include a photo, sex of pet details, specific identifying marks, the area lost, the date, during which time frame and a contact number (another alternative number is even better).
Don’t put these details in the comments, but everything in the original post.
Then share that post to all groups and pages. Now people can share it out from private groups, which can’t be done otherwise and you only have one post to follow and to update.
Always comment on and share the original post from social media as well as UPDATE the post if FOUND.
Messenger is not an ideal place to be contacted due to message requests not being a formal notification for non-friends. We have lost so much time, not getting in touch with these people. I, for one, do not mind sharing my number on Facebook when the life of my fur-kid is at stake. It is a priority for me.
Please take recent photos of your pets. As someone who loves animals, I don’t get how people don’t have any photos of their missing pets or they use old ones which does not even look as much like the pet now.
DO YOU HAVE A MISSING PET – WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Act immediately and start searching as soon as you realize your pet is lost.
Share on your local social media pages or groups & neighbourhood watch.
Contact other local welfare organizations.
Drive around in your area, put posters up, hand out flyers, and search manholes, fields, green strips, parks, ditches, complexes, churches, community buildings, schools, petrol stations, near shops or other hiding spaces.
Ask neighbours if you can search on their property.
Keep your phone charged.
Re-check spots.
Contact your local Vets to see if an animal has been brought in hurt or deceased.
Don’t give up. Some pets were reunited with their owners after months and even years.
Vary your search times. Try and call for pets at night as sound travels further. Cats are more active at night, while dogs might be more during the day.
Some suggest putting out cats’ litter boxes or pets’ blankets as scent could help them find their way home.
If your cat is used to being outside or your pet is missing for more days, expand your search radius.
You can offer a reward, but keep in mind it does create a future incentive for pet theft so it is not ideal.
Birds tend to fly when their adrenaline levels are high. They generally fly up to the highest point they can land. Most pet birds today have never fully fledged, so larger parrots require more skill to be able to take off, land, navigate where they want to go, or climb down. You will have to wait until the bird is ready to come down. Read more on missing bird guidelines here.
Phone your local SPCA and send them an email with a picture & detailed description. Remember they have many animals coming in daily and various volunteers, so it is still best to visit them in person and multiple times. They may not advertise the animal in the first 5-day pound period.
Continue to follow up with the SPCA and other organizations as well as continue to share the original post again.
Also, read more on how to be a responsible pet owner.
We would like to see one formal lost & found group for Secunda instead of all the separate groups created by the public. The groups I focus on include:
Verlore diere Secunda (TEKS) (group). This is the only group in Secunda, run by those actively involved in animal welfare.
Join the local WhatsApp group for lost and found pets here.
Sasol Grip and Rip beat Bethal Rugby comprehensively during Saturday’s match.
The rugby game was called a mismatch by a lot of people and the scoreline of 65-5 (Sasol win) certainly would support this notion. But, watching the actual game I thought that Bethal deserves a lot more credit than what is given to them.
Yes, Sasol Grip and Rip beat them by a large margin. Yes, Sasol scored a massive 10 tries. This is something that cannot be taken away from Sasol. They were the best team and they showed it. Not 100% but nonetheless they showed that they were the league winners last year.
I have to first mention that I saw no foul play during the game and thought that the game was played in good spirits.
Sasol Grip and Rip played a neat controlled game with few areas to complain about. It is easy to try and find fault with teams if one has to, but I think both teams deserved praise.
The forwards from Secunda played a fairly tight game with the backline breaking through the defences of Bethal on a regular basis. The ball handling was better than expected at this time of the year with not too many handling errors.
There might have been a little too many penalties at one stage give, especially to Bethal, but even that was not to bad.
The defences of Sasol Grip and Rip were thoroughly tested at times and Bethal managed to score a try in the second half. A spark they dearly needed. The halftime score was 42-0, showing the dominance of Sasol Grip and Rip. The second half was a different game for Bethal. They kept on trying. As I stood behind their try line and within hearing of the players, I never heard excessive (if there is such a thing) cussing or even despondency.
Bethal can only benefit from Saturday’s game. They were their own league winners last year and will have to compete in a higher league this year where they can either swim or drown, figuratively speaking. It is their choice. Based on Saturdays game though, they are serious about swimming.
The kicking shoes for Sasol Grip and Rip were spot on with an excellent record for the day. Well done.
There were a few injuries on the field, but I had no confirmation that any were serious.
AfriForum wins order against Rand Water with costs
AfriForum won an order against Rand Water with costs in the Pretoria High Court today. In November 2020, Rand Water reduced the water pressure in several areas due to the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality’s inability to settle outstanding debts.
Although the water pressure was greatly reduced in several towns, parts of Bethal and Leandra were left completely without water. Residents had to get by without running water for weeks at a time.
In March 2021, AfriForum submitted an application to review the decision to lower the water pressure after the organisation determined that there was insufficient public participation in the process.
The matter was finally settled by Rand Water’s legal team after two years of delay and the decision was declared invalid and illegal by the High Court in Pretoria.
AfriForum set up emergency water points in Bethal and other affected towns to help communities if their taps ran dry. These emergency water points are filled by volunteers at no extra cost.
“AfriForum will not just stand by and watch as communities are punished as a result of the mismanagement of state organs and municipalities and we will not hesitate to act if these draconian measures were to be implemented again in other areas,” says Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s District Coordinator in the Highveld.
ABNORMALLY LARGE WORKSHOP FABRICATED STORAGE VESSEL TRANSPORTED TO CLIENTS SITE FOR INSTALLATION
People watched as the largest tank to be transported into Sasol, a fully fabricated and Erected Tank, since the operation of Sasol Secunda in 1976, was transported into Sasol Plant.
Those residents that were living in Secunda, and some working at Sasol, will remember the days of large pieces of the plant were transported by road into the factory area.
Each one is bigger than the next, until now.
At 78 tons and a minimum of 15.8m in diameter and 17.5m in height, this would prove to be a mammoth task to transport. Everything needs to be considered. The wind, the road surface, areas to be able to turn and overhead cables. Even the congestion of traffic was considered.
The tank was supplied by WOOD PLC as the contractor with Hydra-Arc/Sky Hill as the sub-contractor. Sasol Secunda Tank Farm was the end user.
The request was submitted in 2021 already for a Budget Proposal:
Tyrone van Heerden, PMO Manager and Project Manager for Sky-Hill
“We were initially requested to submit a budgetary Proposal in May 2021,” said Tyrone van Heerden, PMO Manager and Project Manager for Sky-Hill, “At the time of providing the Original Pricing Proposal, we issued our Commercial offer in line with the original scope calling for On-Site Fabrication and Erection of the tank. We did concurrently investigate the Full fabrication and Erection of the tank at our Sky-Hill Fabrication Facilities, and the transporting of the tank undressed (Meaning no walkways and Fire Suppression Deluge System installed which would be installed onsite) to site.”
“Upon Conclusion of our Investigation, with the Contractor, we established that the cost savings were proven and significant, the feasibility of this major undertaking, the risks associated and Schedule Benefits, aligned to build the Storage tank as One Unit, as against an onsite build.” Said Tyrone
Preliminary Transport route surveys and the investigation of other similar projects showed that it was possible to transport the Storage Tank with the diameter of the tank being 13.75m in total, considering both the road limitations and Plant Congestion.
As they proved the viability of fabricating and Transporting the Storage Tank as a Single Unit and well below the Originally Priced Onsite Build, the contractors received an RFQ in Aug 2022 requesting a Commercial Offering on the revised option which was submitted in the middle of August 2022.
The order was placed at the beginning of September 2022.
The project scope included a full turnkey project with the Management, Design, Procurement of materials and sub-contractors, Fabrication, Painting / Galvanising, Transporting, and Rigging of the tank into position on site.
“Luckily, the Contractor knew our Capabilities and if we said we could do it, we would do anything in our power to reach the Contractor deliverable to the client,”
Tyrone van Heerden, PMO Manager and Project Manager for Sky-Hill
“Once the Tank is placed, and rigged into position, we were to install the walkways, platforms and install the fire Suppression deluge system. We were also required to complete the Storage Tank stand test and the Tank Gauging and Strapping’” said Tyrone.
As the transport was the biggest risk and the biggest deliverable, they needed to prove within 20 days it could be definitively done without any risks that were “show stoppers”.
The design commenced in parallel with their alternative offer proposal. They (Hydra-Arc/Sky Hill) met their deadline, and it was decided to go ahead with this option by managing the risks and establishing the Best Engineering practices to Deliver the Projecton time, In Budget and Ahead of Schedule.
“Luckily, the Contractor knew our Capabilities and if we said we could do it, we would do anything in our power to reach the Contractor deliverable to the client,” said Tyrone.
As they continued with the Project, they continued to look for opportunities to mitigate risks but also optimise their offering to the Contractor and ultimately the End User.
Photos by Liefling Photography
During one of their risk mitigation and optimisation sessions, an alternative route was identified due to another large project being underway that they were not aware of and which allowed them through an alternative access route West of the Plant with much less congestion.
This would now allow the transportation of the entire tank including the walkways, platforms and deluge system fully installed, essentially removing any construction work being required within the Primary Area of Sasol Secunda, as previously planned. This option was then taken.
“With this revised option, the fully dressed storage tank would need to be transported at a minimum of 15.8m in diameter and 17.5m in height, making this the largest tank to be transported into Sasol as a fully fabricated and Erected Tank, since the operation of Sasol Secunda in 1976.” Said Tyrone
Some technical Details on the Tank and Project are as follows (supplied by Hydra-Arc/Sky Hill:
The tank weighs 78 tons.
The total transport weight is 190 tons.
The total super lift weight is 94.2 tons with a boom radius of 45.5 meters and a boom height of 63 meters.
The Transport width of the tank will be 16.5m and the height will be 17.52m.
A USEFUL GUIDE TO SEE WHETHER YOU MEET THE CRITERIA OF A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER.
Have you cleaned your pet’s kennel or cage today or their water and food bowl? Have you made sure to feed them and provide fresh clean drinking water before eating yourself? Have you made the effort to say hello to them today? Your animals never really got a choice as to where they end up. You chose to have them and taking care of them and meeting their every need is not something optional for responsible pet guardians. It is a privilege to share your life with an animal companion and this responsibility should not be taken lightly. We make time for things that are a priority to us…..no excuses!
Before you even get any species of animal, you need to do proper homework on their needs and the cost involved. In addition to meeting your pet’s basic needs like food, water, shelter, health and basic care, there are some extremely important rules of responsible pet ownership you need to know about to keep your pet in good health and enjoying life.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) lists six areas of responsible pet ownership, including commitment, investment, obeying local ordinances, ensuring your dog is properly identified, limiting his or her reproduction, and preparing for emergencies and other life-changing events.
COMMIT
Avoid impulsive decisions when selecting a dog.
Select a dog that’s suited to your home and lifestyle.
Provide appropriate exercise and mental stimulation.
Properly socialize and train your dog.
Commit to the relationship for the life of your dog(s).
Keep only the type and number of dogs for which you can provide appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.
INVEST
Recognize that dog ownership requires an investment of time and money.
Make sure your dog receives preventive health care as well as care for any illnesses or injuries.
Budget for potential emergencies.
OBEY
Clean up after your dog.
Obey all local ordinances, including licensing, leash requirements and noise control.
Don’t allow your dog to stray.
IDENTIFY
Make sure your dog is properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and keep the registration up-to-date.
LIMIT
Don’t contribute to the dog overpopulation problem: limit your dog’s reproduction through sterilization, containment, or managed breeding (The Paw Company does not support any breeding while there is a massive overpopulation crisis).
PREPARE
Prepare for an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.
Make alternate arrangements if you can no longer provide care for your dog.
Recognize any decline in your dog’s quality of life and make timely decisions in consultation with a veterinarian.
FOUR PAWS SHARE THE FOLLOWING ON RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP
PET’S BASIC NEEDS
You are responsible for ensuring that your pet has:
the opportunity to express their natural behaviour;
healthy diet and access to fresh water;
a comfortable resting place;
regular exercise;
protection from stress, illness, and injury.
MEDICAL RESPONSIBILITY
You are responsible for ensuring that your pet gets:
annual vaccinations;
regular preventative parasitic treatment;
annual/general health checks;
nail clipping, dental checks and grooming;
vet consultation when your pet is sick/injured.
TRAINING & SOCIALIZATION
You are responsible for ensuring that your pet:
understands basic commands;
is socialized well to cope with life (other pets, people, children, noises);
receives behavioural training, when necessary, from a reputable behaviourist;
receives reward-based training and not punishment-based training;
receives mental stimulation through training and enrichment.
Also, read tips to keep your pets warm in cold weather
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
You are responsible for ensuring that your pet:
is microchipped and the details are kept up to date on the microchip database;
is kept on a leash and under control in public places;
How well do you score on our basic responsible owner test? Give yourself one point out of 10 for each yes answer.
1. Can you commit for their whole life and do they fit your lifestyle?
2. Are your pet’s vaccinations, worm and parasite treatment up-to-date?
3. Do you know and are you obeying the local laws on having pets?
4. Are your pets sterilized?
5. Are your pets safe and secure in your yard and not allowed to roam the street freely?
6. Are your pets microchipped and the chip registered and do they have a collar ID?
7. Are they on healthy weight?
8. Do you meet the enrichment needs for your pets, including, social, mental stimulation and regular exercise?
9. Does your pets have access to fresh drinking water daily and do they get the right specie appropriate food?
10. Are you prepared for an emergency and for when something happens to you – are they included in your will?
Being a responsible pet parent is about more than just these 10 points. It also means learning to pick up on your pets’ often-subtle communication cues, as well as helping your pet learn human communication signals through proper handling, socialization and training. Being a responsible pet guardian is a privilege, with responsibility and a serious commitment that takes time and energy. Commit fully, or don’t get a pet! It is that simple!
Next week we will take a look again at what to do when you lost or found an animal.
FAMILY HOUSE CONSUMED BY FIRE AFTER BROTHER ALLEGEDLY SET IT ALIGHT
Nelspruit: A 36-year-old lady was left devastated trying to figure out what her next move will be after the hard-earned family house was allegedly set alight by her younger brother on Wednesday 03 May 2023 at about 23:00.
A 33-year-old Bheki Tibane left his 36-year-old sister homeless, with only walls, broken windows and ashes which serve as memories of what was the fully furnished mansion left behind by their late parents.
According to information, the suspect Tibane from Kanyamazane township found his sister watching TV in her bedroom at home and allegedly borrowed matches.
Innocently she gave it to him, a few minutes later the sister could smell some smoke inside the house.
Upon inspecting, she found that one of the rooms was on fire. The fire spread in the whole house in such a way that it went out of control.
The shocked sister called the police whilst helplessly watching the fire consuming the house with its contents.
On arrival to attend to the complainant, police found both siblings still at home. A preliminary investigation led to the arrest of Bheki who appeared in Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court yesterday Monday 08 May 2023, and he was remanded in custody for a formal bail application scheduled for tomorrow 10 May 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela called upon family members to seek for professional advice when they do not see eye to eye or identify unusual behaviours from one another to avoid unnecessary damages or loss of lives.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
ALLEGED RHINO POACHER FROM MOZAMBIQUE REARRESTED AT KABOKWENI
One of the most wanted suspects in rhino poaching-related cases in Mpumalanga, Odis Maluleke (47), a Mozambican National was rearrested at Kabokweni on Saturday, 06 May 2023 after police got information of his whereabouts. Thanks to the whistleblowers as well as members of the SAPS from Skukuza Stock Theft Unit who were assisted by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT). The man is said to have been running away from facing court cases against him where he was allegedly involved in poaching.
According to the report, Maluleke was initially apprehended together with three of his fellows on 20 July 2015. The ages of the other three South African male suspects were 30, 35 and 49 at the time. It is said that when they were cornered, the four were trying to enter the Park through the Skukuza Kruger Gate and their car was searched. During the search, security guards discovered a hunting rifle, 12 live ammunition as well as an axe inside their vehicle.
The Police at Skukuza Station were immediately informed about the incident and the men and women in Blue attended the scene where the four were arrested as well as charged accordingly. Maluleke got bail of R20 000 but failed to return to court at some point whilst his fellows attended court then a warrant for his arrest was issued.
In 2019 the Police as well as SANParks officials received information about poaching. A follow-up was made and on 15 February 2019 four suspects were arrested, amongst them was Maluleke. The ages of the other three South African males arrested with Maluleke were 31, 39 and 50 by then. The three were not the ones that were apprehended with Maluleke in 2015. During the arrest, the suspects were found in possession of two rhino horns, a hunting rifle, five live ammunition, as well as a knife. All four suspects were arrested and charged accordingly.
During last their court attendances, the other three South African suspects were granted R3000 bail each. On the other hand, initially, Maluleke was not granted bail for the second time but the amount for his bail was R30 000. The suspect was expected to show up in court but he absconded again. Another warrant for his arrest was issued and the Police were in pursuit of him but fortunately, on the said Saturday he was captured again.
Maluleke appeared yesterday, 08 May 2023 at the Mhala Regional Court where his case was postponed to 18 May 2023 for further investigation meanwhile the suspect remains in custody until his appearance in the Skukuza Regional Court.
Meanwhile, the cases against other suspects that were arrested with Maluleke are still proceeding in court except for the 50-year-old male suspect who has since passed on, on 25 January 2021.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of the suspect and the General is adamant that justice will prevail.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
