FORMER MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ARRESTED FOR OVER R34.7MILLION FRAUD AND CORRUPTION
MPUMALANGA: Phakamile Thwala( 50) Former Acting Municipal Manager of Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Municipality and currently employed as a member of Mpumalanga Legislature, Linda Bennet Tshabala(61), Former Municipal Manager, Luthando Mpangeva(37), Former Project Management Unit, who have a previously pending case for Fraud and Corruption. He is still attending court which was postponed to 1 July 2023.
Nicolus Fezile Thabo Buthelezi(65), Former Director of the Project Management Unit ( resigned), Bhekuyise Happy Buthelezi(40) Current technician for Project Management Unit and Joseph Solly Madubula Mabuza (50), Former Municipal Manager and currently a Service Provider who was awarded a tender in the same Municipality together with his company were arrested by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Thursday, 30 March 2023 facing charges of:
Contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act, Act no.56 of 2003.
The suspects appeared before the Volksrust Magistrate Court on the same day and they were granted R35000.00 bail each except Luthando Mpangeva who was granted R40 000.00 bail whereby the court explained that he has to get higher bail because he have a previous case for a similar matter.
The case was postponed to 6 July 2023. The court impose conditions on all of them that they must not interfere with the investigation and that they should be released only after the bail amount is paid in full. The court further warned them that if they don’t come to court on the day set, the court will issue a warrant of arrest against them and bail money will be forfeited to the state.
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.
A WEEK AFTER EASTER, THE CANDY WILL BE FORGOTTEN, BUT SADLY SO WILL THE RABBIT.
Easter is around the corner and with Easter comes family gatherings, chocolate, Easter egg hunts and gifts. Please don’t use this occasion to give your children chicks and rabbits just because they asked for them and think that they look “cute.” Pet ownership is a huge commitment and responsibility and it’s not something that should be done on impulse.
Did you know that rabbits are some of the most popular pets after cats and dogs, but also one of the highest abandoned animals? 95% of rabbits gifted for an Easter gift don’t make it to their first birthday. Stuffed toys or a chocolate bunny is a way more ethical and safe option.
A rabbit that seems cute, can quickly turn into a mixture between a toddler going through their terrible twos and a puppy that is into everything. Now add the mood swings and hormones of a teenager and soon you will have something that is hard work and not so fun because you can’t meet their needs.
In addition, Easter, like every holiday, involves potential hazards for your pets, that every pet parent should be aware of, so make sure your pets avoid Easter goodies and decorations to avoid unexpected heartaches.
1) Rabbits can live more than 10 years, so this is a long commitment. They need food, water, hay, and regular medical care, including spaying and neutering and enrichment.
2) They’re not ideal pets for children – the curiosity and high energy of children are terrifying to most bunnies and because rabbits are prey animals they may take a long time before they tolerate being picked up.
3) When your children tire of the bunny, they cannot live “in the wild”. Domesticated rabbits usually last 1-2 days if left in a park or the woods before they suffer a terrible death from a predator or nearby traffic.
4) Rabbits’ teeth never stop growing, so they are always looking for something to chew on. Electrical cords look like roots. They will gnaw on furniture, shoes, rugs, drywall, skirtings and anything they can reach.
5) As prey animals, they are genetically programmed to maintain a normal appearance, even if they are very sick. They don’t whine like a dog or meow like a cat. They can become critically ill without you realizing it. You need to spend time observing and getting to know your bunny and their body language in order to detect the least deviation from “normal” and get him or her to a vet quickly!
6) Rabbits’ gestation period is 31 to 33 days and that they can fall pregnant within a few days after giving birth – they can reproduce hundreds of offspring within just a few years.
7) A balanced diet is imperative and the illusion that bunnies require only carrots is misleading – a variety of vegetables, hay and even herbs is vital to a healthy diet.
If you have a rabbit already, please make sure that you choose your veterinarian carefully because not all vets are qualified to treat them. You need an exotic pet vet and even better, one that specializes in rabbits.
Easter – Image by Rabbit.org
WHY GIVING A BUNNY (OR ANY ANIMAL) AS A GIFTIS A TERRIBLE IDEA!
Animals are not and should never be seen as commodities. They are sentient beings and not disposable toys. Giving them as gifts sends the wrong message and is usually an impulse buy.
Animals are not gifts; they are many years of commitment.
Children’s attention span will fit better with a stuffed toy than with a sentient being whose needs should be a priority. Children lose interest quickly.
Tragically, many of the rabbits are abandoned in the weeks after Easter, once families begin to realize that caring for a rabbit is a major commitment. Many end up dead, abandoned, dumped on already overwhelmed shelters, or end up confined in outdoor hutches, before their first birthday.
Caring properly for a rabbit is complex. In general, rabbits need appropriate housing, exercise, socialization and a specific diet for good welfare. Rabbits are high-maintenance pets with many specific physical and emotional needs. It is not an ideal pet for kids! Rabbits may suffer from boredom and depression if they are kept in cages, so they need many hours of free-roaming time and mental stimulation every day in a spacious, rabbit-proof area. Rabbits also require a diet rich in hay and fresh vegetables. Some breeds of rabbits, particularly the longer-haired rabbits, may require daily grooming. You must understand their physical, dietary and social requirements, including the fact that most bunnies need friends, before getting them!
Dogs are much more often the victims of chocolate poisoning than cats because dogs like sweet-tasting things, and they’re indiscriminate eaters. Both theobromine and caffeine stimulate the central nervous system and heart muscles. They also relax smooth muscles, especially the bronchial muscles, and increase the production of urine by the kidneys. Even small amounts of chocolate can cause adverse reactions in pets, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.
Easter candy, baked goods and other products containing xylitol
Sadly, xylitol poisoning in dogs is reaching epidemic proportions. Just a few years ago, xylitol could be found in less than a hundred products, but today it can be found in a wide range of products. Xylitol is a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Xylitol is used to sweeten a wide range of products, including sugar-free gum and mints, nicotine gum, chewable vitamins, certain prescription drugs, dental hygiene products and baked goods. It can also be purchased in granulated form as a sugar replacement to sweeten beverages, cereals and other foods.
Easter basket grass and other fillers
The plastic grass used in Easter baskets can look tasty to pets, but it can’t be absorbed into their bodies. This means it can become lodged at any point along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and create serious problems. If the grass is a staple in your Easter baskets, consider substituting paper grass or tissue paper.
Plastic eggs, foil wrappings and Easter toys can also be attractive to pets, so be sure to keep Easter baskets and their contents well out of the reach of your dog or cat.
If you hide hardboiled eggs in your house or yard for the kiddos to find, be sure to keep track of how many you hide and how many are found. You don’t want your pet to discover a rotten egg in a few weeks or months and eat it.
Also, keep in mind that plastic eggs can easily be cracked and produce small sharp shards that can cause injury if your pet swallows them.
If you dye your Easter eggs, make sure to use non-toxic food colouring.
Easter lilies
A variety of lilies can potentially be toxic/deadly to pets, especially cats, but dogs too. Nontoxic varieties of lilies include the Calla, Peace and Peruvian. If a kitty swallows even a tiny amount of any portion of these plants, including the pollen, kidney failure can result.
Easter dinner
Most types of traditional holiday feasts for humans are entirely too fatty and otherwise problematic for dogs and cats. Easter dinners are no exception, especially when they include things like honey-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, bread, buns and desserts. Additional human foods to keep away from your pet due to their potential toxicity include onions, garlic, leeks and chives; grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants; and macadamia nuts. Cooked bones are also a no-no, along with alcohol.
Easter gardening supplies
If you plan any yard work, be sure to avoid exposing your pet to chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. If you know or suspect your pet has eaten a potentially toxic substance, immediately contact your veterinarian!
Read last week’s article on dog body language here.
Do yourself, your bank account and the rescues who are all overwhelmed with unwanted pets a favour and ADOPT! Critter Rescue SA adopt their rabbits out sterilized, after performing a property check as well as supporting your family with sufficient information regarding housing and dietary requirements.
Please do your homework before getting any pets! If you can’t commit to their whole life, then please do not get them. Keep your pet’s safety in mind this Easter and have a blessed one with loved ones.
Next week we will look back on many of the posts in the last few weeks.
NINE UNLICENSED FIREARMS AND 617 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION CONFISCATED
Nelspruit: 27 March 2023 – A 33-year-old Emalahleni man appeared briefly in Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court after allegedly being found with nine different kinds of unlicensed firearms with 617 live rounds on Friday, 24 March 2023 at about 16h00.
Martin Frederik Nelson was granted bail of R3 000 and is expected to be back in court on 10 April 2023.
His arrest came after police reacted to a tipoff from the community about a man allegedly acting irresponsibly with firearms in his possession.
According to the whistleblowers, the suspect allegedly threatened people with firearms and appeared intoxicated. On police arrival at his residence, he was reportedly found with two firearms, a revolver and a rifle next to him. Police searched the house whereby seven rifles, two shotguns, one revolver, one pistol and ammunition were found in his possession.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had four firearms registered under his name, but only two firearms had valid licences. Seven of the firearms were reportedly inherited from his father, but there were no licences obtained by the suspect.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has applauded members of the public for alerting police about the weird behaviour displayed by the suspect. The General further appreciated the swift response by police which resulted in the arrest as well as confiscation of the firearms with ammunition.
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.
The Misty Waters Fringe Festival & The Fringe Market
The following article appeared on the Lake Umuzi Web Page. Read the original article HERE
As most of you know by now, one of South Africa’s biggest alternative music festivals are happening at the end of April in Secunda, Mpumalanga at Lake Umuzi. You guessed it, it’s the Misty Waters Music Festival: Riders on the Storm, taking place April 28th to April 30th, 2023.
Misty Waters started out as a passion project in 2017, and included a Pitt’s Aerobatics air show and FMX stunt shows. And while all of this sounds rather intriguing and as fun as it was at the time, focus was quickly brought back to what really mattered at a music festival. And just like that Misty Waters emerged as a strong competitor boasting what seems to be the biggest line-up in South Africa in 2023.
Misty Waters has certainly made a name for itself throughout the years and we believe it is going to continue to become one of the biggest and most successful music festivals in South Africa. And if you ask the Europeans any big festival requires a smaller festival that is associated with it. The Edinburgh International Festivalproved just that. Now, we are not saying Misty Waters can be compared to the Edinburgh International Festival or that The Misty Waters Fringe Festival is anything close to the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, but everyone has to start somewhere right? This year being Misty Waters’ fifth year and falling on such a beautiful extra-long, long weekend we had to step up our game. We’d be imbeciles if we did not make use of TWO public holidays surrounding the famous Misty Waters weekend.
With the gift of our extra-long, long weekend we decided to host a Misty Waters Fringe Festival. The word ‘Fringe’ is somewhat self-explanatory, but for the fun of it, let’s jump through our time portals and head to Edinburgh, circa 1947.
The Fringe as we know it now emerged when eight theatre companies showed up, uninvited to the inaugural Edinburgh International Festival in 1947. The International Festival was using all of the city’s major venues and left no room for the smaller folk.
It is then that the smaller theatre companies decided to take control and take over smaller, alternative venues for their productions. Their aim was to take advantage of masses streaming into the city to showcase their own alternative theatre. Although at the time it was not recognised as such, this was the first Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
The major defining feature of a fringe festival was established early on – the use of unconventional venues. At first, these groups referred to themselves as “Festival Adjuncts.” It was not until 1948 that Robert Kemp, a Scottish playwright and journalist, coined the title “Fringe” when he wrote during the second Edinburgh International Festival:
“Round the fringe of official Festival drama, there seems to be more private enterprise than before … I am afraid some of us are not going to be at home during the evenings!”
In the wise words of Robert Kemp, we believe we’re also not going to be at home during the evenings of April 26th to April 28th as we’re going to be enjoying The Misty Waters Fringe Festival!
This is a festival not to miss, considering it won’t happen again next year. The Misty Waters Fringe Festival will only occur every few years on the rare occasion when Misty Waters Music Festival happens to fall on an extra-long, long weekend as it does this year.
Fringe Festivals are dedicated to supporting independent performers and artists while creating opportunities for diverse communities to experience boundary-pushing theatre and live performance at affordable rates. We are making our Fringe Festival completely FREE as we want everyone to relish in the music, while bringing more exposure to the smaller bands performing within this more alternative realm of music.
Speaking of alternative music, Misty Waters Music Festival is an alternative music festival featuring mostly rock, blues, folk and indie music as stated earlier. The Misty Waters Fringe Festival, following in the footsteps of its father festival, will also showcase bands and artists that generally fall into that genre of music. Another reason to attend the Misty Waters Fringe Festival is that it serves as sneak peek to Misty Waters and the type of music performed there. Perhaps you’re a lover of festivals, but never thought a rock music festival was your thing and didn’t feel like spending money to find out. Well, with our FREE Fringe Festival you don’t have to spend a cent to enjoy the music, you can get a sense of the type of music performed at Misty Waters and come to find you actually love it.
The Misty Waters Fringe Festival is taking place from April 26th to April 28th, 2023 at Eish Restaurant, Upstairs Sky Bar and Zebra’s located at Lake Umuzi in Secunda. The Fringe Market is happening at the new developments at Lake Umuzi, and will take place on April 26th and April 27th, 2023. The market will feature unique, artisan vendors.
Join us at 1 Kiewiet Street, Lake Umuzi, Secunda from around 15:00 until 20:00 on April 26th for The Misty Waters Fringe Festival and The Fringe Market. The very next day on the public holiday the festivities continue from around 14:00 throughout the whole day until late into the night! The last day of The Fringe Festival and the first day of Misty Waters Music Festival (Friday, April 28th) will also start around 14:00 with live shows until late at night.
As previously stated, this is not a time to miss or not partake in these celebrations. There’s always this lingering whisper around town that there’s never anything to do. We are giving you five days of music and markets, two of which are FREE! The Misty Waters Fringe Festival won’t happen every year and this year’s Misty Waters line-up is potentially the biggest music festival line-up South Africa will see in 2023.
Save these dates:
April 26th – April 28th 2023:
The Misty Waters Fringe Festival
FREE ENTRY
Locations: Eish Restaurant, Upstairs Sky Bar and Zebra’s at Lake Umuzi.
April 26th + April 27th 2023:
The Fringe Market
FREE ENTRY
Location: The new developments at Lake Umuzi.
April 28th – April 30th 2023:
Misty Waters Music Festival
R590 per person for the weekend until 31 March 2023. Price increase 1 April 2023 to R690 per person for the weekend
Location: 1 Kingfisher Street, Lake Umuzi, Secunda, Mpumalanga.
To book accommodation for The Misty Waters Fringe Festival or Misty Waters Music Festival please click on the link below:
NOTICE OF SOCIAL AND LABOUR PLAN (SLP) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRESS FEEDBACK
Notice is hereby given of the Public Participation process as required in terms of the provisions of Clause 7.3 of the Implementation Guidelines for the Broad-Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter of the Mining and Minerals Industry, 2018 (Mining Charter 2018). This relates to the 2021- 2025 SLP submitted to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE).
Sasol Mining (Pty) Ltd is the holder of the Mining Right No 128/2011 MR (Reference number: MP 30/5/1/2/2/138 MR) with the associated approved SLP in respect of the area referred to as the Sasol Secunda Complex. The Sasol Secunda Complex SLP is in its third year of the five-year cycle as per the implementation plan submitted to the DMRE.
Sasol Mining is therefore required, in terms of the Act (Mining Charter 2018), to consult and provide feedback to the surrounding communities on the progress of the implementation plan. In terms of the Public Participation process, the following topics will be discussed:
An update on progress made with the implementation of the SLP
An overview of the Sasol Secunda Complex SLP for the financial years 2021 – 2025
Applicant: Sasol Mining (Pty) Ltd
Process Description: To comply with the requirements of the SLP implementation plan, we are required by law to give feedback to the interested and affected communities. The SLP addresses issues pertaining to human resources development and local economic development, with the commitments in respect thereof, for the next two-year period. The Sasol Secunda Complex SLP (FY21-25) can be viewed on Sasol’s website: https://www.sasol.com/mining-slp.
The engagement sessions will take place as follows:
Venue
Date
Time
Nthoroane New Community Hall
11 April 2023
10:00 –13:00
Grootvlei Community Hall
12 April 2023
10:00 –13:00
Siyathemba Thusong Service Centre
13 April 2023
10:00 –13:00
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Ntombfuthi Macheke at Ntombfuthi.Macheke@sasol.com.
The 30th Lake Umuzi Kosmos 3 in 1 has come and gone and WOW! what a race it was!
The following article was originally posted on the Lake Umuzi Webpage. Read the original article HERE.
Over the last 32 years, the Kosmos 3 in 1 has truly become the Rainbow Race. More than once, as I walked through Lake Umuzi Waterfront over the weekend, I wished Nelson Mandela or Archbishop Tutu could see what became of their vision of a Rainbow Nation.
Everyone with a common goal of beating the 73,3km of road. A common goal that brings Unity in Diversity.
Unlike other marathons that are over by 11:00, the Kosmos 3 in 1 is a weekend family affair. From 06:00 until 19:00 3 in 1 runners slog it out on the road but don’t forget that they already arrive in Secunda from early on Friday, filling Umuzi Lodge, The Merchant, InnGreen and Kamp Oase until it is time to go home during the course of Sunday. The accommodation is so popular that by 12:00 on Sunday Umuzi Lodge, The Merchant at Lake Umuzi and InnGreen at Lake Umuzi were already fully booked for the following year’s race. The Kosmos effect means that all Guest Houses in the area are full to the brim for the entire Kosmos Weekend instead of being almost empty. It is a huge injection in the Local economy.
Although 2023 was the 30th Kosmos 3 in 1, the event started 32 years ago. The brainchild of Ria van Schalkwyk, Jan Pieterse and Louis Hilligan, the race was run for 10 years until iron man Nic Bester took the event to Pretoria. After one event, the 11th Kosmos 3 in 1 in Pretoria, the organisers called it quits as they realised the magnitude of organising involved with such a unique race, that city mentality simply cannot compete with the small town tenacity which Secunda is known for.
Thus, the 12th Kosmos was dead and buried. Was it not yet again for Ria who wanted to resurrect the Kosmos. At the time, Lake Umuzi Waterfront was being built and, we could foresee the value that an event like the Kosmos 3in1 could have for Sport Tourism and we agreed to become the new Title Sponsors – to give the race a new lease of life. With the help of the Secunda Marathon Club, Sasol Marathon Club and Harmony Marathon Club, the new Kosmos 3in1 committee under the leadership of Dederick Venter, Willie Pruis, Chris Claassen, Ronnie Nelson and others, the 12th Kosmos 3 in 1 was on the road again.
Today the Kosmos 3 in 1 is solely organised by the Secunda Marathon Club and the only other year that the race was skipped was 2021 under the Covid19 rules at the time. In fact, the week following the 2020 Kosmos 3in1, the country was notified by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country would be locked down and the Kosmos 3 in 1 was the last major sporting event in South Africa before the Lockdown and one of the first to continue in 2022.
This event does not just fall out of the sky, and when we get feedback from the runners it is clear that the residents of Secunda make the difference between the Kosmos 3 in 1 and the other races.
From homeowners and their families hosing the runners down in the heat of the day, to the patient motorists on the road who understand that this is one day in a year that thousands of runners from across the country and neighbouring states fill our roads. When they see the annual blue line appearing, they know that the Kosmos 3 in 1 is approaching. As for the last 30 times that the Kosmos 3in1 has taken place, runners were extremely impressed with the Water Points that local businesses and organisations produce year after year. The Water Points are always a highlight!!
Congratulations to Members of the Secunda Marathon Club, who ensure the smooth running of the event and thanks to Kijima Construction who makes this event so successful. Lake Umuzi looks forward to becoming the new home of the Secunda Marathon Club in the year to come.
To our own staff, who year after year, prepares the facilities to receive the thousands of people, the extra effort beyond the call of duty the early mornings and late nights. I couldn’t be more proud of our own contribution the past 18 years, since Lake Umuzi Waterfront became the home of the Kosmos 3 in 1 Marathon.
This is to the 32 years of history and to many more Kosmos runs in the future. May it grow and continue to be the Rainbow Race of the Rainbow Nation.
Sasol, in partnership with DARDLEA, AFASA and Buhle Farmers Academy, has an opportunity for young farmers
Sasol, in partnership with DARDLEA, AFASA and Buhle Farmers Academy, has an opportunity for young farmers within the Gert Sibande District Municipality to attend a farmers’ training programme at Buhle Farmers Academy, Delmas Campus.
Selection Criteria:
South African Citizen
18 — 35 years old living in the Gert Sibande District Municipality
Minimum Grade 7
Have access to farming land (Gert Sibande District Municipality)
Able to read and write English
Able to do basic calculations
Willing and able to do manual farm work
Willing to attend training at Buhle Farmers Academy in Delmas from April 2023 to September 2023 (Accommodation will be provided for the successful candidates)
Interested youth must apply by sending a CV, proof of address and certified copy of your ID document with the heading “SASOL FARMERS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME-MLM” to applications@buhle.org.za or fax to 087 803 0563. An application form will be sent back to applicants for completion. Please call 087 803 0563 for assistance.
Sasol in partnership with Summit is offering a Handyman Training Programme
Sasol in partnership with Summit is offering a Handyman Training Programme to learners with an interest in and passion for construction. This will enable learners to gain valuable experience in handyman skills.
Learners who successfully complete this customised programme will be equipped with sought-after construction skills and the ability to launch a career in construction or start their own business. Learners will be exposed to theoretical and practical workplace experience
Failure to provide Sasol with truthful information and valid documents will render your application null and void.
Fraud alert: Sasol will never request you to make any cash deposit/payments as part of the recruitment process. If you do not receive any feedback within 60 days after the closing date of the advert, please consider your application unsuccessful
In line with our commitment to employment equity, we welcome applications from female candidates
Nelspruit: 23 March 2023 – When community members breathed a sigh of relief following the recent floods that claimed a number of lives, police had to deal with yet another drowning incident in Tonga.
Unlike drownings witnessed recently which were mainly accidental, the current drowning of a 27-year-old male is regrettable and police believe that it could have been avoided if people adhered to the call by police to refrain from any form of mob justice.
It is reported that the victim and his friend were allegedly trying to save their lives from the angry mob in Tonga when they ran into Nkomazi river.
One of the two victims is said to have managed to successfully swim across the river whilst his fellow disappeared in the heavy current of Nkomazi river on Friday, 17 March 2023.
His body was spotted by the Police’s Airwing yesterday morning, 22 March 2023, six days after he went missing, about five kilometres from the scene where he reportedly drowned.
After his body was retrieved, paramedics were summoned and he was unfortunately certified dead on the scene. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death that led to the attack and those involved.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi reiterated that whenever there are any suspicions of crime committed then community members should utilise the services of the police rather than taking reckless decisions which might end up claiming people’s 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.
