MULTIDISCIPLINARY INTELLIGENCE-DRIVEN OPERATION LEAD TO THE THE ARREST OF 11 SUSPECTS AND THE RECOVERY OF CHROME WORTH 5 MILLION RANDS
Nelspruit: 29 April 2022 -The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcome the arrest of 11 suspects and recovery of chrome worth about R 5 Million on Thursday, 28 April 2022 in Witbank.
According to the report, on the day in question at around 15H00, a team of law enforcement agencies that were in possession of a search warrant conducted a sting operation. The team consisted of members from Witbank SAPS, the Witbank Crime Intelligence members as well as officials from Transnet. A search and seizure was conducted by the astute members at Self Storage offices in Witbank. During the operation at the facilities, a discovery of four facility rooms packed with mining chrome was made. The police then arrested the eleven suspects on the premises whilst they were reportedly busy loading chrome into a truck.
During the initial investigation conducted at the crime scene, it was discovered that the arrested suspects were part of suspects who were allegedly stealing and smuggling chrome from trains between Ferro Metals Witbank and Richardsbay in KwaZulu-Natal. It is suspected that the chrome was transported in trucks to Gauteng where it was then sold to certain individuals.
Amongst the 11 suspects, one female and 8 males are from Zimbabwe meanwhile two other males are from Mozambique. The investigation has so far revealed that the woman, believed to be the kingpin was in possession of a South African ID whereas the rest did not have legal documents to be in the country. The police are working in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs to determine the status of the woman and also to find out how she got hold of the Identity Document. The suspects are facing charges which include the illegal possession of mining chrome whilst the 10 were also charged for contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa. The investigation regarding this matter is continuing and more arrests are expected.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further appreciated the collaborative effort displayed by the team which produced desired results. “As part of the PROVJOINTS Structure, we will continue to work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to root out crime whenever it raises its ugly head without fear or favour “ emphasised the General.
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 annual rock and roll music festival hosted by Lake Umuzi is happening this weekend, 29 April to 1 May.
Misty Waters Music Festival is a three day indie rock and folk music festival located in Secunda at Lake Umuzi South Bank. This location is ideal nestled in between small dams, streams, and lush grass and willow trees. It’s the perfect weekend escape into nature, yet a stone throw away from your home.
Misty Waters boasts more than just top South African artists. When attending this festival one can expect various food, drink and merchandise vendors scattered around the festival ground. There’s a craft gin and craft beer tent ready to serve you the most delicious handcrafted gin sprinkled with tasty garnish. You can bring the whole family to this festival, and either choose to set-up camp for the weekend or simply come for one day and enjoy the unique atmosphere that Misty Waters brings to Secunda
Festival attendees enjoying some cold craft beer. Photo: Henry Engelbrecht
Along with enjoyable food and drinks, Misty Waters offers its attendees more accommodation options than other festivals. In walking distance from the festival grounds there are three luxury hotel and lodging options. Gone are the days where you have to rough it up to attend a rock festival. You can now have your cake and eat it too! The hotel options are The Merchant Hotel, Umuzi Lodge with self-catering chalets, and InnGreen Hotel that is ideal for the budget conscious and millennial traveller. These luxury options tend to fill up quickly, which is why we encourage our guests to book them early for the next Misty Waters festival happening in 2023.
Misty Waters first started in 2017 with household names performing such as Francois van Coke, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Just Jinjer, and Wonderboom, amongst others. With many successful years since then this festival has become a renowned name in the music festival industry in South Africa. This credit has been earned considering Misty Waters was the only music festival that took place in 2021 in the whole of South Africa during the unusual and curious time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the cosy chalets at Umuzi Lodge
They say that “the show has to go on”. And now in its sixth year, Misty Waters is still growing strong and the organisers know all too well that the show must go on. This year you can expect another weekend for the books. Prodigious bands will grace the stage once more, and you as a festival attendee can get excited for artists like Moses Metro Man, Valiant Swart, Tidal Waves, Aking, Black Cat Bones, Bittereinder and 23 other.
It’s the long weekend and if you still don’t have plans, well now you do. This is a very affordable outing for you, your friends and your family. Day tickets are available from only R150, and children under the age of 7 can enter for free. Day tickets can be purchased at the entrance/gate of the festival. The festival gate is located at the South Bank entrance of Lake Umuzi, next to Idwala Adventures rock climbing and across from Action Sports.
Danie from Spoegwolf standing on the barricades in front of the stage and getting held up by one of the fans in the crowd. Photo: Jacques Schutte, 2021
Prices and shows are as follows:
Friday, 29 April
R150 per person
17:00 MaxX and Love
18:00 Bad Peter
19:00 Valiant Swart
20:30 Moses Metro Man
22:00 Taxi Violence
23:15 Double Sun
00:15 Lost Youth
Saturday, 30 April
R250 per person
13:00 Kirkland
14:00 Court Gibson
15:00 Poeselig
16:00 Painted Flowers
17:00 Lourens VD Berg
18:00 Wolfgang Marrow
19:30 Tidal Waves
21:00 Aking
22:15 Defy Theory
23:15 Ruff Majik
00:30 Joy Club Cassidy Cassidy
Sunday, 1 May
R250 per person
13:00 Kabaal Klankbaan
14:00 Aya Nixon
15:00 Apollo Motel
16:00 The Fake Leather Blues Band
17:00 Southern Gypsey Queen
18:00 Black Cat Bones
19:30 Shadowclub
21:00 Hellcats
22:30 Bittereinder
23:45 We Kill Cowboys
00:45 #SOZLOL
You can expect an assortment of shows, from pure rock to more casual, hip-swaying Afrikaans sets and even DJs. Misty Waters really caters to every type of person and this festival is like something you have never experienced. Attendees come from all over the country – Gauteng, Natal, and more and more people are flying up from Cape Town. The festival has also had the pleasure of hosting a crowd from Swaziland. So, why not do something different this long weekend and partake in a weekend, or even just a day, of complete jubilation.
And the best part is, it’s happening right here in your town – Secunda.
ANIMALS 101 – THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A NEW HOME AS A PET OWNER
Whether you’re a renter, looking to buy or a homeowner looking for more (or less) square footage, house hunting is no easy task, especially if you have a pet to consider. Once you find what you think might be the perfect house, you’ll need to make sure it will also be a good fit for your furry family members.
Our No.1 rule when choosing a new home for you and your family is to ensure that your pet can come along. Although there are very few exceptions, it is always sad to see people move without their pets. Ukrainians take their pets out of a war zone, but those who move to another town, dump their pet on an already overwhelmed animal welfare system.
TIPS WHEN HOUSE HUNTING
Dr. Karen Becker & Pets Best have a few tips to help your family determine if the next place you move to will be a good fit for you and your pet.
WILL YOUR PET BE MOSTLY INDOORS OR OUT?
Will your pet be running around in the house or the yard? If the answer is indoors, choose a home with wide spaces and hallways so your pet has plenty of room to move and play. Also consider a home that has an area inside that you can “fence off”, or has a separate room where your pet can relax when guests come over.
If your pet will be an indoor/outdoor pet, keep the flooring in mind too. Although wood floors are popular, they scratch easily. From a practical standpoint, if you’re planning to redo your flooring, choose one that is resilient, stain-proof and easy to clean and disinfect if necessary. Tile, sealed concrete and sealed stone are better options than carpeting. If you prefer carpets, remember that muddy paws are part of the pet package. Try choosing a colour that won’t show a lot of wear and tear.
If your pet is mostly outdoors, make sure there’s room in the yard for a cozy dog house and plenty of shade for warm summertime weather.
Image by Petsbest.com
DO OTHER PETS LIVE CLOSE BY?
Sometimes it’s great to have other pets live nearby so your fur family can interact and meet new friends. Nevertheless, some pets struggle with their fellow furry neighbours. Knowing your pet’s personality will help you determine if he or she needs more space.
ARE THERE PET FRIENDLY COMMUNITY FEATURES CLOSE BY?
Choosing a neighbourhood with convenient access to a veterinarian and/or outdoor spaces like walking areas and parks for pets is very important. Some things to look for in good walking paths include spacious areas with little threat from traffic, pleasant scenery and different route options.
IS THERE ENOUGH SPACE TO RUN AND PLAY?
Is the backyard big enough for you and your pet? Remember the energy levels and needs are more important than the size of the breed. Is the yard properly fenced and pet-friendly, or will you need to do some immediate work? Remember that an upgrade in housing for you doesn’t always equate to an upgraded yard for your pet. If you are moving to an apartment, make sure the square footage of your dwelling is appropriate for the type of breed you own. Apart from regular walks, they also need activities like nose work for stimulation. You can create pet-friendly spaces in your yard, such as a play area, water feature, perhaps a marking post and if you’re thinking big, a sensory garden. For people with horses, goats and other outdoor animals as pets, a house with at least an acre of land is desirable.
KEEP YOUR PET’S AGE IN MIND
Other features that may appeal to pet guardians are homes with a master bedroom on the first floor, particularly if their pets are elderly and can’t easily climb stairs and especially if they are showing signs of arthritis. Puppies can also struggle with stairs as they continue to improve their coordination.
LEGAL ASPECTS
It seems pretty simple, but many real estate agents don’t ask if potential home buyers are pet owners. Tell them, so they can focus on homes that can be more pet friendly. Some homeowners’ associations and landlords or local governments have limits on the number, size and type of pets allowed, so do your research ahead of time.
Moving can be stressful for people, so just imagine how anxious it can make your pets in a new environment. These challenges don’t come with a formula solution, but here are some tips that should make the experience a bit calmer for your beloved pets.
Prepare and overnight kit.
Contact your vet for records & medication if you move out of the area.
Keep your pets away from the action.
Take your pet in your vehicle.
Don’t let your pet out until you’ve arrived and the yard is secure.
Update their info at the vet, microchips, insurance, or anywhere else needed.
Take special precautions when moving with birds, guinea pigs and fish.
Treat your new lawn before you arrive, if you use chemicals treatments (which all pose a danger to your pets).
Please consider your pets as a priority when you move and if you are going to dump them on an already overwhelmed welfare system, then donate to that organization and do not get pets again!
Next week we will look specifically at a cat-related topic for the cat-guardians.
Nelspruit: 27 April 2022 -The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest of Sifiso Ronald Nkomo, aged 28 for possession of dagga at Carolina on Monday, 25 April 2022.
According to the report, SAPS members from Carolina were patrolling in the area when they spotted a White Ford Ranger Bakkie and ordered the driver to stop. Upon searching the bakkie, the members discovered about 31 refuse bags stashed with dagga weighing 113.6 kilograms, to the estimated value of about R 170 400-00. The man was then apprehended and charged with dealing in dagga.
Dagga confiscated
Preliminary investigation suggests that the suspect was allegedly trafficking the dagga from the Kingdom of Eswatini into South Africa when his mission was intercepted by the police. The said bakkie was also confiscated as police believe that it was used in the commission of a crime.
The bakkie that was confiscated
He appeared before the Carolina Magistrate’s Court yesterday, 26 April 2022 and was granted R10 000 bail. He will appear again at the same court on 13 June 2022.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has appreciated members for their vigilance in fighting crime in all aspects
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.
Gee deur Zapper – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.
Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (072 133 6130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za
Geniet die diens saam ons!
Gebede Medley Change my heart Oh God Eddie Espinosa, 1982, Vineyard Publishing Doen slegs U wil Heer Tradisioneel Gebed Koos du Plessis, Public Domain Onse Vader Tradisioneel Here Heilige Here Johan Heystek, STEK Music Publishing CCLI# 573661
Glencore Coal handed over a revamped service centre office to the community of Klarinet situated in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga
eMalahleni – On the 30th of March 2022, Glencore Coal handed over a revamped service centre office to the community of Klarinet situated in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. The Klarinet Municipal Pay Point Centre will be used as a functional rates and taxes municipal service facility for community members who were unable to access the only other available service centre in eMalahleni due to distance.
Klarinet Service Centre
The project was undertaken as part of Glencore’s social and labour plan commitments as stipulated in the Tweefontein Social Labour Plan. Glencore consulted with eMalahleni Local Municipality (ELM) to identify projects that they could assist with according to the socioeconomic needs in the municipal area. This led to a service centre being identified as a crucial need in ensuring adequate service delivery and ease of access to municipal services for the community of Klarinet.
Klarinet community members came out in their numbers to receive the revamped centre. The handover event was also attended by Glencore representatives and the newly elected Executive Mayor of eMalahleni, Cllr. Conny Nkalitshana, and was accompanied by ward councillors from various wards.
General Manager for Community and Regulatory Affairs at Glencore Coal, Mr Noel Pillay addressed community members on the day and expressed what an important day this was for the community.
Glencore eMalahleni Service Centre Handover
“Today is really about demonstrating our commitment to delivering on our Social and Labour Plan obligations but more importantly, it’s about our commitment to progressing together with our stakeholders. The Klarinet Service Centre was identified as a priority need to the Municipality’s IDP after several engagements with the municipality so it is such a momentous occasion to finally see it come to fruition.”
“I am especially pleased to announce that a local service provider was awarded the business opportunity, thereby ensuring that local employment was created for the duration of the project. As Glencore, we are committed to bettering our communities And we will continue to contribute to activities and programmes designed to improve the quality of life of the people,” he said.
In addition, Glencore is proud to be a supporter of the Executive Mayor’s 90 days in office cleaning campaign called ‘Hlanzeka’ by donating various cleaning equipment towards the drive.
Executive Mayor of eMalahleni Cllr. Conny Nkalitshana gave her words of appreciation to Glencore.
“We are so grateful to Glencore for the service centre that they have handed over today. This centre will assist in bringing the necessary local government services closer to the community but what I am most pleased about is that it will also create job opportunities within this area. I am all about service delivery, employment and creating a better city, this centre will help us to achieve all those things and it is thanks to Glencore. I hope that all our officials and community members will embrace this opportunity because it will benefit the community in so many ways,” she concluded.
The Klarinet Municipal Service Centre speaks to Glencore’s commitment to progressing together through developing and growing its communities by rolling out initiatives that respond to their direct needs. The centre will also contribute to the local economy through additional job opportunities that will be available to ensure that it runs effectively.
Mayor of eMalahleni Local Municipality Cllr Conny Nkalitshana and Alicia Human Project Manager at Glencore
About Glencore
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global diversified natural resource companies and a major producer and marketer of more than 60 responsibly-sourced commodities that advance everyday life. Through a network of assets, customers and suppliers that spans the globe, we produce, process, recycle, source, market and distribute the commodities that enable decarbonisation while meeting the energy needs of today.
With a strong footprint in over 35 countries in both established and emerging regions for natural resources, Glencore’s industrial activities are supported by a global network of more than 30 marketing offices. Glencore’s customers are industrial consumers, such as those in the automotive, steel, power generation, battery manufacturing and oil sectors. They also provide financing, logistics and other services to producers and consumers of commodities. Glencore’s companies employ around 135,000 people, including contractors.
Glencore is proud to be a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and the International Council on Mining and Metals. They are an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Glencore recognises its responsibility to contribute to the global effort to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Their ambition is to be a net-zero total emissions company by 2050. In August 2021 they increased their medium-term emission reduction target to a 50% reduction by 2035 and introduced a new short-term target of a 15% reduction by 2026.
Johannesburg, South Africa – Sasol is donating R7,5 million to support emergency relief efforts in KwaZulu-Natal, following the devastating floods that have resulted in significant loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure.
Sasol Executive Vice President: Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations, Charlotte Mokoena, conveyed Sasol’s deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones in the wake of this disaster as well as those who are separated from their family members; and/or impacted in other ways.
“Our donation will be channelled through one of our partners, the Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA), to facilitate and coordinate the disbursement of funds to various vetted relief agencies that are providing active on the ground disaster support in the province,” said Mokoena.
“For Sasol, it was imperative that we stepped up swiftly to support relief efforts in the most affected areas. For this reason, working closely with the Provincial Government, different district municipalities and eThekwini Municipality, a portion of our donation will be released with immediacy for the provision of necessities such as food, clothing, mattresses and blankets. The remaining funds will go towards rebuild efforts for critical infrastructure such as schools and clinics.”
Several of Sasol’s employees in KwaZulu-Natal have also suffered bereavements and damage to property. To support them, Sasol has implemented a special care package, which includes special leave dispensation, salary advancement and leaves encashment options to provide immediate relief and assistance. Sasol employees and their family members can also access 24/7 counselling services through the Sasol Employee Assistance Programme.
“Through Sasol for Good, our employee volunteer programme, our employees are also able to make a monetary donation to reach those who are in most need of assistance, and Sasol will match 50% of the total employee contributions received,” concluded Mokoena.
FOUR ALLEGED POACHERS WERE REMANDED IN CUSTODY BY THE COURT FOLLOWING THEIR ARREST IN TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS
Nelspruit: 21 April 2022 -The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has once more acknowledged with appreciation the relentless efforts by field rangers in the fight against poaching where they work in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. The sentiment by the General follows the court appearance of four alleged poachers who were arrested in two separate incidents at the Kruger National Park on Monday, 18 April 2022 and Tuesday, 19 April 2022. The four were remanded in custody during their court appearance.
According to the report, on the said Monday at about 12h00 pm, field rangers that were deployed to work at Houtboshrand Section of the Kruger National Park, spotted some human footprints which signalled possible poachers inside the park. The rangers followed the tracks with the assistance of a tracker dog and managed to corner two male suspects.
Police at Skukuza were notified as such and upon their arrival at the scene of the crime, the two men were arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition, more charges may be added as the investigation continues. The pair was found with some items in their possession, which included a hunting rifle with its serial numbers filed-off, 8 live ammunition, as well as an axe. The suspect was identified as Raydon Zitha, aged 24 and Ernesto Zitha, aged 27.
The investigation also revealed that the two men are Mozambican Nationals and had entered South Africa illegally hence they are faced with a charge of contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa. During their court appearance, the case of the two was postponed to 04 May 2022 for a formal bail hearing whilst they remain in custody.
Meanwhile on the said Tuesday at around 12h30 pm, field rangers that were posted to work at the Tshokwane Section of the Kruger National Park that day indicated that they spotted some human footprints in the area and then followed the tracks with the help of a tracker dog where they too managed to arrest two male suspects who were found in possession of a hunting rifle, four (04) live ammunition and an axe.
Skukuza Police were once again summoned and upon their arrival at the scene, they arrested the two men and charged them for possession of an unlicensed firearm with ammunition, more charges could be added as the investigation proceeds. The suspects were identified as Maxiyi Hlungwana (33) and Khensani Chauke (26).
The probe so far revealed that the two suspects are originally from Mozambique and had illegally entered South Africa hence a charge of contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa was added to them. During their court appearance at Skukuza Regional Court yesterday, Wednesday 20 April 2022, their case was postponed to 04 May 2022 as well for a formal bail hearing whilst they remained in custody.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further expressed her satisfaction with the manner in which poaching is dealt with recently. “We are very much happy and content with the successes that we have been getting with regard to poaching and we hope that the court will do justice to these suspects,” said the General.
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.
ANIMALS 101 – CRUELTY COMES IN MANY FORMS AND MANY PEOPLE, POSSIBLY UNKNOWINGLY, SUPPORT THESE PRACTICES OR INDUSTRIES.
In the light of April being the prevention of cruelty to animals month, we want to look at some industries and practices that are contributing to the cruelty to animals, that you might be supporting. Have you ever complained about a dog being chained, yet you take your kids to petting farms, aquariums, on animal rides, or to the circus? Whether it hurts them physically or not, there is always an ethical, welfare and cruelty question! Let’s look at a few practices or industries.
Responsible people and tourists do not interact with captive wild animals! While many elephant-riding operations say that their animals are well treated, there is no quick, easy or humane way to train any elephant, Asian or African, purely for the pleasure of people to ride these highly intelligent and majestic creatures. Also, look at the spine structure and think about whether it will hurt or not.
Too many animals living on one property can be a sign of animal hoarding. Thousands of animals are hoarding victims each year. Animals are kept in overcrowded, deteriorated areas and unfortunately most hoarding animal victims will have to be euthanized due to ill health.
Every year millions of animals suffer and die for nothing – animal-based experiments are misleading and retard medical progress. There are safe, modern, effective, accurate, reliable and repeatable methods available that require no living beings. Watch this Save Ralph short film.
Make a difference where you can, by using kind options for household cleaners and grooming needs. It doesn’t matter what a brand says, it is what it can prove. Remember that all bunny logos does not mean the same.
Image by Beauty Without Cruelty SA (Facebook)
UNETHICAL HUNTING PRACTICES
Even though we understand that hunting is deeply entrenched in the SA culture, we strongly object to any hunting or fishing for sport, entertainment, or recreational purposes. The sport does not justify causing suffering to animals.
A canned hunt is a trophy hunt that is not a “fair chase”; it has been made too easy for the hunter. Animals have been kept in a confined area, such as in a fenced-in area, increasing the likelihood of the hunter obtaining a kill. A canned hunt is a hunt for animals that have been raised on game ranches until they are mature enough to be killed for trophy collections.
The welfare concerns are crucial here and both the dog and its prey can get injured and die a terrible death, apart from the living conditions of the hunting dogs.
A line of beaters pushes the animal in the direction of a chain of waiting hunters, this way you can be relatively certain of getting a chance of shooting the game several times each day.
Are you ok with cruel beauty or comfort? If you’re considering buying a product stuffed with down or body feathers, the first thought on your mind probably isn’t: “Where did these feathers come from? One of the ways they collect feathers is live-plucking. Live plucking is exactly what it sounds like: a goose or duck is held down by their neck or wings as the “targeted feathers” are torn from their skin. When the skin rips during this process it is sewn up with a straight needle (no analgesic or sterilization used) and the bird is left to recover before the next “harvest of feathers.” This process is repeated every 6-7 weeks before the bird’s eventual slaughter (or death from the trauma of the plucking process itself).
This is an amputation equivalent to the first digits of your fingers. We believe declawing cats is both unethical and inhumane. We also believe that Veterinarians should say no to this procedure unless there is a medical reason for it. There are many alternatives for responsible pet owners who are not lazy. Watch this video about declawing.
While docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to the removal of the tail, the term cropping is used about the ears. There is no justifiable reason to dock a dog’s tail or ears. Those who do it will be liable for prosecution under the Animal Protection Act no 71 of 1962. When you buy breeds where this has been done, you are supporting cruelty.
Many factors seriously compromise the welfare of the fish, leading to suffering and may even kill the animals. The water quality is affected and temperature changes are also a concern. Toxic (to fish) chemicals such as from toiletries or nail varnish may leach into the water. Chemicals used to clean or disinfect tanks or to clean clients’ feet before treatment may also be toxic to the fish. Overcrowding fish in a small volume of water will lead to increased concentrations of ammonia too. Well-fed fish may show no interest in human skin and may be unlikely to feed on the skin if they had access to appropriate food sources. There is also the question of what happens to the fish once they have become too big to be used for pedicures.
People catch & release for personal fun. Take a photo to boost your low self-esteem maybe or for some likes on Facebook? You are not doing this for conservation. Fish can feel the injury and depending on where you hooked them, it can have detrimental effects on their well-being and that is apart from the fact that many die about a week later, due to infection of the injury site.
THE ANIMAL FOOD INDUSTRY, WITH A SPECIAL MENTION OF FOIE GRAS
Foie gras is a speciality food made of duck or goose liver. One bird is forced to consume between 160 and 210 kgs of corn mush in only three weeks. This is the equivalent of a 68kg human consuming roughly 27kgs of oiled pasta daily, or 54 boxes of pasta a day.
There is no way for you to justify these cruel practices or industries. Animals do not deserve to be treated like products. They are sentient beings and deserve respect, care and most of all freedom.
Next week we will look at the things you need to consider when you have pets and you go house-hunting.
The N17 potholes have several motorists up in arms over the past Easter weekend.
Several complaints were received by various social media groups regarding the potholes on the N17 between the water towers and the Trichardt toll plaza.
A message started to circulate that the road has been washed away between Trichardt and the Water towers. Motorists were advised to use alternative routes. This message incited anger and frustration among road users as the words ”washed away” means that there is no more road.
Some people asked about the validity of the message while others took it as the truth and added fuel to the fire by spreading the message far and wide.
The message proved to be False although the road condition of the N17 was dangerous.
Several people threatened to close the toll gates until the potholes are fixed whilst others demand that the gate be opened and no tolls are charged for the road use.
The Bulletin decided to travel the N17 from Bethal to the water towers to ascertain the exact state of the road.
We found several potholes along the route. Several of the potholes are quite large. Near Holfontein, water from the adjacent farm area damaged the road quite extensively with a very large pothole on the edge of the road. We could not take a photograph of that area as it was too dangerous to stop nearby.
We found, however, a team fixing the potholes. The Bulletin spoke to the workers and was told that they had to fix all the potholes. Although this is great news it needs to be seen as some of the potholes can not just be filled with tar and stamped firm.
In some areas, the road surface needs to be redone completely. Maintenance is very important in keeping potholes from forming.
The traffic and water combine to create holes in the road surface. Water pressure created by vehicles driving across the water in small cracks and holes will cause the defect to rapidly increase.
Sanral states its mission as follows: “Our purpose is to deliver a safe, efficient, reliable and resilient national road transport system for the benefit of all the people of South Africa.”
Sanral has a primary mandate to manage and control the national road network and take charge, amongst others, of the development, maintenance and rehabilitation of national roads.
Sanral released a press release regarding the projects in Mpumalanga. It is worthy to note that there is no mention of any project to repair the road in Govan Mbeki. During the GMM presentation all projects that were mentioned outside of GMM, from our borders to other towns.
The Bulletin will try and get more clarity on the subject so that GMM residents and N17 users may have more clarity.
Here is the full statement:
SANRAL willing to respond to the needs of Mpumalanga stakeholders
Pretoria, 30 March 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is willing to respond to the needs and expectations of stakeholders in Mpumalanga, says Board Chairperson Themba Mhambi.
Mhambi was speaking during the “Taking Sanral to the people” stakeholder engagement session in Secunda in the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality on Friday, 25 March 2022. This engagement was in line with SANRAL’s fourth pillar of Stakeholder Relations, which requires stakeholders to be consulted about all project-related activities that affect communities.
During the session, stakeholders voiced concerns about formal training for small businesses prior to bidding for projects to ensure that they have an improved chance of procuring the opportunities. Stakeholders also pleaded with SANRAL to first consider local businesses to be appointed as the main contractors for projects since there were far more capable businesses in the area, and only outsource where they don’t meet the requirements.
The chairperson emphasised that all SANRAL projects should have a direct impact on the communities in the form of jobs, community development and skills training for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
“SANRAL is committed to ensuring that its transformation policy is understood and relevant to the communities in which its projects are operating and ensure that all SMMEs in the affected local municipality are afforded an equal opportunity to tender for projects in the area,” he said.
Mhambi said that SANRAL’s Horizon 2030 Strategy is a proactive response to deliver on the agency’s vision of a national transport system that will ensure a better South Africa for all. It sets out in detail the strategic objectives and the critical enablers that will make it possible for the roads agency to remain a respected, dynamic and responsive organisation over the years to come.
The Executive Mayor of the Govan Mbeki Municipality, Cllr NhlakaniphoZuma, welcomed the visit by the roads agency as it will solidify the partnership between the two entities and will help in advancing the link between road infrastructure and the local communities.
“We are a diverse municipality which accommodates all forms of nations. We are an economy with high factors of industrialisation which seeks to attract an average of 3,3% of population growth per year,” he said.
The mayor highlighted the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local economy.
“While we have a population growth of 3,3 %, we are currently sitting at 1% growth of the economy which indicates the state of the livelihoods of our people. Once you have your economic growth sitting beneath the population growth, it means that you are reproducing over elements of poverty and unemployment. Therefore, we appreciate any initiative that will come and advance us,” said Zuma.
The municipality boasts about 998 km of road infrastructure: 505 km are tarred roads and 398 gravel roads which the municipality says it is struggling to maintain to the acceptable standards required.
The municipality is also home to one of the country’s national key points, the Sasol plant, which attracts lots of heavy trucks to the area, meaning the road infrastructure requires maintenance on a frequent basis.
SANRAL projects in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality
SANRAL manages about 2 400km of road infrastructure across the province and has planned a couple of projects throughout the municipality. Some of the key projects earmarked for construction, upgrading and maintenance include:
The upgrading of the R573 Moloto Road (Thebisile Hani) – the first phase of the project has been completed. More phases will be rolled out in 2022.
The resurfacing of national route N17 section 02 and section 03 from R29/Springs (km 38.7) to R50/Leandra i/c (km 7.9)
The resurfacing of national road R33 section 6 from Mkhondo (km 0.0) to Amsterdam (km 34.2)
There are planned repairs of various structures on national route N12. These projects are in Victor Khanye Local Municipality, and will be split into three parts:
repairs of various structures on national route N12 between Gillooly’s Interchange and Delmas Interchange,
the repair and resurfacing of national route N12 section 20 between Delmas and Petroport, and
the repair and resurfacing of national route N12 section 20 between Petroport to Ogies.
The duration of these projects ranges from 10 to 15 months, and they are estimated to cost between R40 million to R50 million each. Opportunities for subcontracting in these projects include concrete pavement repair, drainage and structures improvements, road furniture (road signs, guardrails) and road markings.
Routine Road Maintenance (RRM)
There is currently 10 routine road maintenance (RRM) projects servicing the province. Two more will be awarded before 31 March 2022. There is a Special Maintenance Project along the N17 Section 5 from Chrissiesmeer to km 85 within the Msukaligwa and Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipalities respectively and the project will be completed approximately on 31 March 2023.
SANRAL has approximately 2 500km of road network where maintenance is being done through RRM projects in the province.
Maintenance of the road is an ongoing exercise and is the only consistent activity within the SANRAL road network that is critical in creating jobs for local communities and subcontracting opportunities for targeted businesses on an ongoing basis.
SANRAL will continue to consult with all key stakeholders and partner with provincial and government entities to uplift communities and grow the economy to guarantee a better life for all.
