A WOMAN ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY STABBING HER NEIGHBOUR WHO LATER SUCCUMBED
Nelspruit -15 March 2022: The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela condemned acts of violence during a dispute which resulted in a man, aged 47 murdered, whilst another sustaining some injuries. A 42-year- old woman, who is also a neighbour of the slain man was arrested in connection with the murder after she allegedly stabbed him on Sunday, 13 March 2022 around 20h30 at Kwazanele Township in Breyten.
According to the information, a man (who is now deceased) reportedly went to fetch his wife from his neighbour’s house where he found four people in the yard, two females (one being his wife) and two males. The four are said to have been sitting and drinking outside the house by then. Upon his arrival, it is said that he demanded for his wife to return home with him but the wife reportedly refused.
A quarrel is said to have ensued between the man and the four. During the scuffle, the deceased reportedly took out a knife and one of the men present attempted to diffuse the situation but he was stabbed in his hand. He reportedly sustained minor injuries. The female neighbour is said to have then grabbed the knife from the man’s hand(s) and allegedly stabbed him several times on his upper body.
It is further reported that the man, who was bleeding by then, left the place and went to his house. He was then discovered by a friend, who reportedly came to check up on him in the morning of the next day, 14 March 2022 around 06h30 am. It is said that he found him outside, lying in a pool of blood at the back of his house.
Police at Breyten and emergency personnel were notified about the incident. Upon their arrival they found him with multiple stab wounds, unfortunately, he was certified dead. The woman who allegedly stabbed him was also present and she reportedly handed herself to the police who immediately arrested her. A murder case was opened accordingly by the police at Breyten.
The suspect is expected to appear at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 16 March 2022 facing a charge of murder.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has strongly condemned this shocking incident and made a clarion call for people to resolve their differences amicably rather than resorting to violence. “Our society needs to under learn to solve issues in a peaceful manner because violence only breeds undesirable results,” said the General.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER DELIGHTED OVER THE ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTS WHO WERE ALLEGEDLY SMUGGLING MOTORBIKES TO MOZAMBIQUE
Nelspruit – 13 March 2022: The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has applauded Nelspruit Flying Squad members for arresting three suspects, aged between 31 and 47. The three were arrested on the N4 Road between Kanyamazane and Matsulu in the late hours of Saturday, 12 March 2022 on charges of being in possession of suspected stolen properties whilst possibly smuggling motorbikes and parts thereof to Mozambique.
The police report indicates that members received information about a certain white Toyota Quantum minibus with Free State registration number plates. The details further pointed out that the kombi, carrying some suspected stolen items was en route to Mozambique, using the N4 Road. The said vehicle, which was occupied by commuters was then spotted by the members between Kanyamazane and Matsulu whilst travelling towards the direction of Malelane.
A search was then conducted on the kombi as well as the trailer which it was towing and items suspected to have been stolen were discovered. The properties include amongst others, motorbikes as well as some parts of motorcycles wrapped in black plastic bags. Three commuters informed the police that they were the owners of the bags. The three men were then arrested and charged for possession of suspected stolen properties.
Motorcycle parts
The preliminary investigation into the incident revealed so far that the kombi was travelling from Welkom (Free State) and was destined to Mozambique when it was intercepted. The three are believed to have been on a mission to smuggle the goods from South Africa to the country of Mozambique when their attempts were halted by the astute members.
The three suspects are expected to appear in the Barberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 March 2022 facing the said charges. They could possibly be linked to cases in relation to the confiscated properties wherein more charges may be added.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has reassured the public that police and other law enforcement agencies are determined to stop the smuggling of goods. “As long as the information about criminal activities is brought to our attention, we will act decisively without fear or favour. We thank both members of the public and the members for this commendable success ” said the General.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER WELCOMES THE ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTS POSSIBLY LINKED TO MURDERS AND ROBBERIES
Nelspruit -12 March 2022: The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has gladly welcomed the arrest of two male suspects who could possibly be linked to murders as well as armed robberies. The pair was nabbed at Marite (near Bushbuckridge) on Friday night, 11 March 2022 by joint forces of the police from the Tactical Response Team (TRT) from Tshwane and Ekurhuleni in partnership with members from the Calcutta Task Team.
According to the information, police received information from some members of the public about some individuals who were reportedly in possession of firearms in a certain tavern at Jim Brown (in Marite). A sting operation was then planned and swiftly carried out on the said day (11 March 2022) around 23h20 by the formidable team.
Upon arrival at the tavern, the two men were identified and searched accordingly. One of the men was found with a 9mm Girson pistol whilst the other was reportedly found with a 9mm Norinco pistol in his possession. The two, aged 26 and 34 were arrested and charged accordingly, one was charged for unlawful possession of a firearm with ammunition. Meanwhile the other was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Preliminary investigation by the detectives unearthed that the two are somehow fingered in a string of serious cases, including the murder of a police officer at Marite near Calcutta in January 2022 as well as a murder case at Alexandra (Gauteng Province) in December 2021 and other robberies. Police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspects to other crimes committed elsewhere. The confiscated firearms will also undergo some forensic tests where more charges may be added upon the suspects.
The two suspects are expected to appear at the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 March 2022 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has reassured the public that the information provided to police will receive the necessary attention. “The area of Marite where the two suspects were arrested, has been in the spotlight in terms of violent crimes. We are busy cleaning up the area and we encourage communities to continue with providing the information that is needed and we will act accordingly ” said the General.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Secunda – Accident on Nelson Mandela drive this afternoon (16H15)
An accident was reported this afternoon in Nelson Mandela drive near the 5 Star Superspar.
It is alleged that 4 recovery vehicles from GTR chased the taxi during a high-speed chase. The taxi proceeded towards the CBD where it turned into the residential area.
Stratcon received a call around 16H25 from a member of the public alerting them to a “Hit and Run” accident in Nelson Mandela. They joined the chase and proceeded to follow the GTR vehicles.
Taxi crashed into the barracks
The taxi moved to the wrong side of Helen Joseph at Trichardt Ave fearing those that chased him. At one stage the taxi had to apply the brakes aggressively (reason unknown) and the vehicle from GTR crashed into the back of the taxi. The high-speed chase continued involving the GTR vehicles and the Taxi. All travelled on the wrong side of the road forcing oncoming traffic to take evasive action according to reliable sources. Several cars were damaged by the taxi during the chase.
Frontal damage on the tow in truck
Afriforum also received calls from the public alerting them to an accident where a taxi allegedly fled the scene. They also joined the chase and search when the Taxi entered the residential area.
The Taxi driver drove his vehicle into the Secunda Police Station eventually crashing into the barracks. That area is now treated as a crime scene.
The driver of the Taxi was allegedly locked in a cell for his protection while the area was full of tow trucks and ambulances.
The Bulletin spoke to the taxi owner that was visibly upset (not the driver). He showed us the damage on the GTR vehicle claiming that both damaged areas were caused by the driver of the tow truck. The owner also alleged that at least one firearm was pointed at the taxi driver trying to force him from his vehicle at the accident scene. He also claimed that the one that used the firearm had left the charge office. This could not be confirmed and a formal statement by the police after they concluded their investigation will confirm or not confirm this allegation.
The Bulletin tried to contact the owners of GTR but could not establish contact. We would like to bring you our readers their story as well and hope to get a response from them soon.
We also contacted Jaco Horn that is well known as the contact person of GTR. He is no longer associated with GTR or any of their associated companies
Govan Mbeki Municipality recently released an army of insects to fight this invasion. The “Groenstrook Gabbas” are also doing a sterling job of removing the Hyacinth from the dams but they really need help.
But first, we must look at why the Hyacinth is so bad for South Africa.
Water Hyacinth is the world’s worst invasive water weed!
It is a floating water plant that grows about 20 cm high and has beautiful lilac-blue flowers with yellow markings.
The leaf stalks have air sacs that enable the plant to float, and the long feathery roots hang down into the water.
It forms dense mats in lakes, rivers and wetlands.
It does not tolerate brackish water, so is found in the upper parts of estuaries rather than near the estuary mouth.
Water Hyacinth comes from tropical South America, where it grows in rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin.
It was brought to South Africa as a decorative water plant because of its beautiful flowers.
It is an aggressive invader, especially in water bodies with high levels of nutrients.
The water Hyacinth is the world’s most invasive water weed
Water Hyacinth is a successful invader because:
It can reproduce both vegetatively (sprouting new plants) and sexually (from seeds. One flower produces 450 seeds)
It grows faster than any other flowering plant in the world!
Once a seed germinates, the plant grows very quickly and can flower within three or four months.
Water Hyacinth threatens biodiversity by:
Changing the ecosystem so that it no longer suits indigenous plants and animals
Forming thick mats that stop light from getting into the water so that underwater plants cannot grow
Removing oxygen from the water when the plants die, sink to the bottom and rot; this causes fish and other animals to move away.
Water Hyacinth is a problem for people because:
It blocks waterways and interferes with transport, irrigation, fishing and recreation
It worsens flooding and can even cause bridges to collapse
Disease-carrying mosquitoes can breed amongst the plants.
Some people use Water Hyacinth as a source of fibre for making rope, baskets and paper, fodder for livestock, compost, and removing excess nutrients from the water.
Controlling Water Hyacinth:
To control Water Hyacinth it is important both to reduce nutrients (e.g. fertilizer, sewage) entering watercourses, as well as to remove the invasive weeds.
Small amounts of Water Hyacinth can be removed by hand or by specially designed harvesting machines.
It is not a good idea to use herbicide as this can poison other plants and is dangerous for people and wildlife. When large amounts of Water Hyacinth are killed and start to rot, this removes oxygen from the water, which can kill fish and other water creatures.
Three biological control agents have been introduced to control populations of Water Hyacinth,
The parks department of Govan Mbeki Municipality have been proactive and received a consignment of Hyacinth Planthopper to release into the affected dams in Secunda and Evander. This was done on Thursday.
The “Groenstrook Gabbas” has also been very active in fighting this invasion. They have been taking out huge amounts of Hyacinth from the dam by hand.
Groenstrook Gabbas busy removing the Water HyacinthGroenstrook Gabbas busy removing the Water Hyacinth
Lake Umuzi has now made a float available to aid in taking out the Hyacinth.
“It is going to make our work much easier,” said Rika Lambrecht of the “Groenstrook Gabbas”.
Lentreis… Hoe kan ons met die laaste 40 dae voor die kruis vereenselwig met Jesus se pad? Hoe kan ons deel word van hierdie pad? Om teenwoordig te wees in hierdie reis en deel te word van wat hierdie pad bring. Reis saam ons, reis saam Jesus op die pad na die kruis.
PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER WELCOMES THE DECISION TO SENTENCE THREE POACHERS REGARDLESS OF AWAITED FORENSIC RESULTS
Nelspruit -12 March 2022: The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the decision to sentence three poachers regardless of awaited forensic results. Sibusiso Mahlaule, aged 29, and George Manyise, aged 30 as well as 34-year-old Rodrigues Ngobeni did not escape the might of the law as they were sentenced by the Skukuza Regional Court for poaching on Friday, 11 March 2022.
Their sentences emanate from an incident in which the three were caught by field rangers at Kruger National Park on 18 April 2021. It is said that the rangers, working at Pretoriuskop Section (inside the Kruger National Park) discovered something sinister which raised suspicions of the presence of intruders. The rangers then began to be on the lookout and followed some tracks with the assistance of tracker dogs as well as a helicopter belonging to SANParks.
Poachers sentenced
It was not long before the field rangers spotted the three men. These men were then cornered and apprehended. There were certain items found in their possession, which included a .375 H&H bolt action rifle with a fitted silencer, as well as three cartridges of a .375 H&H.
Police at Skukuza was notified about the incident and on their arrival, all three suspects were arrested and charged for trespassing, as well as for conspiracy to commit a crime. Meanwhile, a charge of contravention of the Immigration Act was added upon Rodrigues Ngobeni after police established that he was from the country of Mozambique and was in South Africa illegally. The case was then handed over to the experts in the field of stock theft, hence the Stock Theft Unit of the SAPS at Skukuza took over the investigation.
The three accused were subsequently brought to court and whilst the probe was ongoing, where detectives were still waiting for the forensic outcome in their case, the three accused persons consider that as an opportunity that would probably work in their favour. They then decided to plead guilty. The court accepted their plea however they were not exempted from punishment as they were sentenced as follows:
On the count of trespassing, the three accused were each sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. On the count of conspiracy to commit a crime, the three accused were each sentenced to 5 years imprisonment, meanwhile, Ngobeni was sentenced to an additional 8 years imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela added that people should continue to obey the laws of the country, including the laws that have been put in place to protect nature. “We further applaud the good working relationship that existed amongst the team of field rangers, the Investigators, as well as the Prosecution Team and the Judiciary. We also hope that the sentence will serve as a lesson that, one way or another, there is punishment for lawbreakers” concluded the General.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Piater Kruger appeared before the court for the contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances act today.
MPUMALANGA – A 28 years old suspect (the manager of Muscle Mecca shop) appeared before the Secunda Magistrate Court on Friday 11 March 2022, after he was arrested by the Hawks Vereeniging and the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Mpumalanga, based in Secunda on Thursday, 10 March 2022 for Contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101/1965.
Piater Kruger (28) was granted R5000 bail and the case was postponed to 10 June 2022 for further investigation.
Piater Kruger (28)
Information was received about a person who is selling medicine in his shop. A Project Disprin was registered and the matter was investigated. During the investigation it was established that the suspect does not have a valid document to possess the said medicine. The court was consulted and a “warrant of search” was authorised and executed at the said address. Upon the search, numerous steroids to the value of R300 000,00 were found and confiscated. The suspect was immediately arrested, charged and detained pending his first court appearance on Friday.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust is pleased to confirm that the Endurance22 Expedition has located the wreck of Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship which has not been seen since it was crushed by the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in 1915.
Taffrail and ship’s wheel, aft well deck. Credit – Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust and National Geographic.
One hundred years after Shackleton’s death, Endurance was found at a depth of 3008 metres in the Weddell Sea, within the search area defined by the expedition team before its departure from Cape Town, and approximately four miles south of the position originally recorded by Captain Worsley.
The team worked from the South African polar research and logistics vessel, S.A. Agulhas II, owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and under Master, Capt. Knowledge Bengu, using Saab’s Sabertooth hybrid underwater search vehicles. The wreck is protected as a Historic Site and Monument under the Antarctic Treaty, ensuring that whilst the wreck is being surveyed and filmed it will not be touched or disturbed in any way.
Donald Lamont, Chairman of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, said:
“Our objectives for Endurance22 were to locate, survey and film the wreck, but also to conduct important scientific research, and to run an exceptional outreach programme. Today’s celebrations are naturally tempered by world events, and everybody involved in Endurance22 keeps those affected by these continuing shocking events in their thoughts and prayers.
Drone Footage of SA Agulhas at res in the ice
“The spotlight falls today on Mensun Bound, the Director of Exploration, and Nico Vincent, Subsea Project Manager. Under the outstanding leadership of Dr John Shears, they have found Endurance. But this success has been the result of impressive cooperation among many people, both onboard the remarkable SA Agulhas II with its outstanding Master and crew, a skilled and committed expedition team and many on whose support we have depended in the UK, South Africa, Germany, France, the United States and elsewhere. The Trustees extend to them all our warmest thanks and congratulations on this historic achievement.”
Mensun Bound, Director of Exploration on the expedition, said:
“We are overwhelmed by our good fortune in having located and captured images of Endurance. This is by far the finest wooden shipwreck I have ever seen. It is upright, well proud of the seabed, intact, and in a brilliant state of preservation. You can even see “Endurance” arced across the stern, directly below the taffrail. This is a milestone in polar history. However, it is not all about the past; we are bringing the story of Shackleton and Endurance to new audiences, and to the next generation, who will be entrusted with the essential safeguarding of our polar regions and our planet.
We hope our discovery will engage young people and inspire them with the pioneering spirit, courage and fortitude of those who sailed Endurance to Antarctica. We pay tribute to the navigational skills of Captain Frank Worsley, the Captain of the Endurance, whose detailed records were invaluable in our quest to locate the wreck. I would like to thank my colleagues of The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust for enabling this extraordinary expedition to take place, as well as Saab for their technology, and the whole team of dedicated experts who have been involved in this monumental discovery.”
Launch and recovery of the AUV
Dr John Shears, Expedition Leader, said:
“The Endurance22 expedition has reached its goal. We have made polar history with the discovery of Endurance, and successfully completed the world’s most challenging shipwreck search. In addition, we have undertaken important scientific research in a part of the world that directly affects the global climate and environment. We have also conducted an unprecedented educational outreach programme, with live broadcasting from onboard, allowing new generations from around the world to engage with Endurance22 and become inspired by the amazing stories of polar exploration, what human beings can achieve and the obstacles they can overcome when they work together.
We will shortly begin our return leg to Cape Town, after an expedition which it has been my great privilege and honour to lead. The Expedition team, and the officers and crew of the S.A. Agulhas II, have been simply outstanding. I would also like to say thank you to The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust, and all of our partners, especially in South Africa, who have played a vital role in the success of the expedition.”
Sabretooth AUV snow night
Nico Vincent, Subsea Project Manager, said:
“This has been the most complex subsea project ever undertaken, with several world records achieved to ensure the safe detection of Endurance. State of the art subsea technologies have been deployed to achieve this successful outcome and I would particularly like to thank the subsea team for all of the engineering support, both onboard the ship and throughout the months of planning, design and testing. All of them showed a huge commitment and resilience, worthy of the finest tradition of polar exploration. Saab provided the Sabertooth so I also want to thank them, including their ace team onboard SA Agulhas II, and those who ensured the vehicles performed as well as they did.”
The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
It was Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ambition to achieve the first land crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea via the South Pole to the Ross Sea. The Ross Sea Party which was landed at Hut Point on Ross Island had the task of laying supply dumps for Shackleton’s crossing party and achieved its objective, but at the cost of three lives lost. In the Weddell Sea, Endurance never reached land and became trapped in the dense pack ice and the 28 men on board eventually had no choice but to abandon ship.
After months spent in makeshift camps on the ice floes drifting northwards, the party took to the lifeboats to reach the inhospitable, uninhabited, Elephant Island. Shackleton and five others then made an extraordinary 800-mile (1,300 km) open-boat journey in the lifeboat, James Caird, to reach South Georgia. Shackleton and two others then crossed the mountainous island to the whaling station at Stromness. From there, Shackleton was eventually able to mount a rescue of the men waiting on Elephant Island and bring them home without loss of life.
Weddell Sea Ice
Scientific Research
Under the leadership of Dr Lasse Rabenstein, Endurance22’s Chief Scientist, a world-leading team of scientists from research and educational institutions successfully conducted hundreds of hours of climate change-related studies over the duration of the expedition. Representatives from the South African Weather Service, German firm Drift & Noise, Germany’s Alfred-Wegener-Institute, German Space Agency (DLR), Aalto University in Finland and South Africa’s Stellenbosch University researched the ice drifts, weather conditions of the Weddell Sea, studies of sea ice thickness, and were able to map the sea ice from space. Combined, these important studies will materially help our understanding of this remote region and how it influences our changing climate.
Endurance22 education programme
Since the expedition was conceived, educational outreach was a key objective. The FMHT partnered with Reach the World, the US-based education organisation, and the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) who have successfully connected with tens of thousands of children throughout the expedition via regular live stream interviews and material produced for classroom use.
Endurance Wreck AUV footage in 4K
Expedition coverage and exclusive documentary
History Hit, the content platform co-founded by historian Dan Snow, award-winning digital content agency and media network Little Dot Studios, and impact-driven production company, Consequential, have produced a range of content covering the setting up of the expedition, the voyage and search, and now the discovery itself, as well as the history, science, and other themes that connect to the wider mission. Short-form content continues to be distributed to millions of subscribers, including with content breaking on TikTok. The team has also been filming for a long-form observational documentary chronicling the expedition which has been commissioned by National Geographic to air later this year.
Ship at sea
Set to premiere this Fall 2022 as part of National Geographic’s EXPLORER series, this documentary event will air globally on National Geographic in 172 countries and 43 languages before it heads to Disney+. Exclusive storytelling about the Endurance will be featured across National Geographic’s digital and social platforms, including in the National Geographic magazine and the award-winning podcast, Overheard at National Geographic. An in-depth story about the finding of Endurance, including its historical relevance, is available on natgeo.com now.
DUO RELEASED ON WARNING FOR OVER R4.7MILLION FRAUD AND THEFT
MPUMALANGA – Clive Lewarne (54) and Clive Lewarne (54) were released on warning by the Middelburg Magistrate Court on Tuesday,08 2022 after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Middelburg.
Clive Lewarne (54)Clive Lewarne (54)
They were arrested for the contravention of Sec 18(2)(a)of the Riotous Assemblies Act, Act 17/1956 that the accused conspired to commit theft, fraud, contravening Sec 11(1) of the Banks Act, Act 90/1990, Contravening Sec 4, Sec 1 and Sec 8 of the POCA Act, Act 121/1998, contravening Sec 7 of the FAIS Act, Act 37/2002 and contravening Sec 43 of the Consumer Protection Act, Act 58/2008 in that they operated an investment scheme combined value R 4,796 595-00.
The case was joint with their other court case and postponed to 20 May 2022 for the accused three`s lawyer to be present in court.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
