Uncertainly looms as Motshekga consistently fumbles 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 The unions said this is a time to show solidarity with the plight of other provinces, and sympathy with the plight of thousands of teachers and children across the country. The unions have called on Motshekga to meet teacher unions and governing body associations on 11 June for "genuine assessment and engagement" about the readiness of the system. “If we follow the protocols and maintain all precautions, we will effectively minimize the risk posed by the coronavirus.” There are the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has urged schools to not reopen until all the necessary precautions are in place. This comes after the return to school for Grades 7 and 12 has been delayed by another week. President Ramaphosa has assured parents that government and all stakeholders are doing all they can to ensure their children’s safety. Teacher unions have called on schools not to reopen amid the chaos caused by government's last-minute 7 day postponement. “We have heard them, we welcome their contributions and are taking steps to address their concerns as well as proposals.” the President stated. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga was expected to address the nation on Sunday evening, and has been heavily criticized for her apparent inability to maintain a sense of order in her department, and with the confusing myriad of conflicting statements made. The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) was concerned that, in some provinces, personal protective equipment (PPE) for pupils had not been received and some schools had not been made ready for their return. Despite Motshekga claiming otherwise, school governing bodies and unions believe it is not in the best interest of children and teachers to return to school while there is uncertainty about health and safety. “The response never came through until the statement which was released after two cancellations of the media briefing, and despite an undertaking in the meeting by the minister on behalf of the CEM. The teacher unions were vindicated by the independent monitoring consortium led by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) that the system wasn't ready for the reopening of the schools for learners in Grade 7 and 12 on 1 June 2020. The minister asked for time to consult her colleagues, and committed to respond on 31 May, which she did not honour. This is a betrayal of trust, and does not bode well for the credibility of the education system. We want to put on record that the date of 8 June was never mentioned in the meeting, because the focus was readying the system and ensuring that all the provinces comply with the 12 non-negotiables,” unions NAPTOSA, PEU, NATU, SADTU and the SAOU collectively stated. The unions alleges that the Department of Basic Education is "obsessed with dates and ignoring the evidence of provincial readiness. The lack of appreciation for evidence can only be characterized as irresponsible and negligent,” they echoed. The unions said this is a time to show solidarity with the plight of other provinces, and sympathy with the plight of thousands of teachers and children across the country. The unions have called on Motshekga to meet teacher unions and governing body associations on 11 June for "genuine assessment and engagement" about the readiness of the system. The proposed date for re-opening is now 8 June 2020, but is subject to change at any time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ligbron rugby 53ste in die land Ligbron rugby 53ste in die land Ligbron rugby 53ste in die land 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 8 September 2020 Tydens die dekade is daar na verskeie aspekte gekyk soos, sterkte van opposisie, werklike punte behaal op veld en nog vele meer. Ligbron is onder die top 100 skole van die dekade, en die top groot skool in Mpumalanga asook onder die top drie skole in Mpumalanga. Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie is 53ste in die land met hulle puik rugby. Afgesien van die COVID-19 pandemie, wat veroorsaak het dat daar geen sport kon beoefen of gespeel word nie, het die SA Skole Sport na die laaste dekade (2001-2019) gekyk om te kan bevestig waar elke skool lê. Tydens die dekade is daar na verskeie aspekte gekyk soos, sterkte van opposisie, werklike punte behaal op veld en nog vele meer. Ligbron is onder die top 100 skole van die dekade, en die top groot skool in Mpumalanga asook onder die top drie skole in Mpumalanga. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 3 November 2020 A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. It was noticed in Friday that individuals helped themselves at a fire hydrant in Church Street, and several large containers were repeatedly filled with water from the hydrant. The culprit had a makeshift tool handy to open the fire hydrant. According to the available by-laws, it is illegal to use a fire hydrant to obtain water for purposes other than fire fighting, unless authorised by the water authority or person to whom the hydrant belongs. A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. The community is urged to refrain from tampering with fire hydrants, as those in question often waste precious water, and also repeatedly leave fire hydrants partially open, aggravating the wasteful behavior. < Previous Article Next Article >

Close call for LPG tanker Close call for LPG tanker The overturned LPG tanker, tended to by Van Wettens and Ermelo traffic department. The overturned LPG tanker, tended to by Van Wettens and Ermelo traffic department. 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 8 September 2020 After establishing that the vehicle was loaded with 27 000 liters of LPG, the fire service requested total closure of the road. The Ermelo traffic department, with the assistance of two Van Wettens trucks, managed to lift the vehicle. On Thursday, 3 September 2020, at 02:32, the Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Service was notified by Mr. Theo Craven, employed by ACSU, that a heavy motor vehicle had jackknifed near the Ermelo Plaza, on the Ermelo Bethal Road (N17). Firefighters responded, and on arrival it was found that it was, in fact, a hazardous material vehicle transporting liquefied petroleum gas that had overturned after the driver lost control. After establishing that the vehicle was loaded with 27 000 liters of LPG, the fire service requested total closure of the road. The Ermelo traffic department, with the assistance of two Van Wettens trucks, managed to lift the vehicle. No leakage of the product was detected, and the fire service kept an eye on the recovery of the vehicle until 10:40, when the area was declared safe and road was reopened. < Previous Article Next Article >

Dr. Bhoola se vermeende moordenaars vasgetrek Dr. Bhoola se vermeende moordenaars vasgetrek Lethukuthula Makepeace Davide Shakwane. Senzo Thamsanqa Dube. 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 20 April 2021 Die verdagtes het Dr. Bhoola se hande en voete vasgebind, en ‘n verband gebruik om hom te verwurg. Wyle Dr. Yasvantray Bhoola (75), wat op 10 Maart 2019 wreed vermoor in sy huis in Cassim Park, se twee vermeende moordenaars is gearresteer. Senzo Thamsanqa Dube (34) is op 9 April 2021 vasgetrek, en Lethukuthula Makepeace Davide Shakwane (39) is op 10 April 2021 gearresteer in Nelspruit. Die twee verdagtes het reeds op Maandag, 12 April 2021, in die hof verskyn, waar die saak uitgestel is na 16 April toe vir verdere ondersoek. Die verdagtes het toegang deur die motorhuis verkry, waar hulle voorgegee het dat hulle mediese behandeling nodig het. Toe die verdagtes ingelaat was, het hulle Dr. Bhoola na die hoof slaapkamer gedwing, waar daar ‘n kluis was met kontant was. Die verdagtes kon egter nie daarin slaag om die kluis oop te kry nie. Die verdagtes het toe Dr. Bhoola se hande en voete vasgebind, en ‘n verband gebruik om hom te verwurg. Sy lewelose liggaam is later gevind in dieselfde kamer. Tydens die aanval was daar ‘n iPhone 7 en iPhone 8, ‘n skootrekenaar, CCTV kameras met die CCTV rugsteun hardeskyf, asook ‘n BMW 7Series voertuig gesteel. Die voertuig is later die aand terug gevind in Suluma Straat, langs Lindiwe Skool in Wesselton, waar die voertuig se sleutel nog binne-in die voertuig was. DNA toetse wat gedoen was in die BMW om die verdagtes te help vastrek. Dube is deur ‘n speurder gekontak om DNA toetse te laat doen, en die DNA toetse wat in die voertuig gedoen was, het ooreengestem met Dube se DNA. Die DNA monsters was verkry deur sweet wat op die rathefboom, asook die deur se handvatsel om die voertuig te open, gevind was. Die speurder het tydens die hofsaak op Vrydag gesê dat daar wel vingerafdrukke geneem was op die aand, in beide die voertuig en in die huis, maar dat daar geen vingerafdrukke gekry was nie. Hul is van mening dat die verdagtes handskoene gedra het tydens die moord. Tydens ‘n ondervraging Shakwane, het hy aan die SAPD gesê dat hy die toneel sal gaan uitwys en kan bevestig waar die insident plaasgevind het. Die twee verdagtes bly in aanhouding, en die saak is uitgestel tot 26 April vir verdere ondersoek. < Previous Article Next Article >

Milky Lane bederf Medi-Kliniek personeel 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 17 August 2021 Daar was heerlike lofprysing gedoen in die gange waar pasiënte, personeel sowel as afgesonderde COVID pasiënte, die musiek kon hoor. Op Sondag, 15 Augustus, het Milky Lane die personeel, asook die COVID pasiënte elk bederf met ‘n melkskommel, pakkie lekkers, en ook ‘n inspireerende boodskap. Daar was heerlike lofprysing gedoen in die gange waar pasiënte, personeel sowel as afgesonderde COVID pasiënte, die musiek kon hoor. Pastoor Zet van die AGS kerk het geopen deur skriflesing en gebed. Jesus Laaik Jou was ook teenwoordig, waar hulle die klank behartig het, en seker gemaak het dat almal in die hospitaal die musiek kon hoor. Die organiseerder van die projek, Sonja Kirk, wil graag vir Muhammed Bhyat van Milky Lane Ermelo bedank vir die skenking, asook vir Medi Kliniek se personeel vir die tyd wat hul kon gebruik om lofprysing te doen. Laastens, maar nie die minste nie, groot dank aan Pastoor Zet en al die lede van Jesus Laaik Jou. < Previous Article Next Article >

Rowers vasgekeer op Amersfoort pad Rowers vasgekeer op Amersfoort pad 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 31 August 2021 ACSU reaksie lede is in kennis gestel, en het dadelik spoor gesny op die Amersfoort pad. Die voertuig, ‘n Datsun Go wat gebruik is, is deur die reaksie lede opgemerk. Op Maandag, 30 Augustus het ACSU ‘n boodskap ontvang van ‘n besigheid in Amersfoort wat geroof is, en dat die rowers oppad Ermelo toe is. Die reaksie lede is in kennis gestel, en het dadelik spoor gesny op die Amersfoort pad. Die voertuig, ‘n Datsun Go wat gebruik is, is deur die reaksie lede opgemerk, en is dadelik agterna gesit. Binne-in die voertuig was drie verdagtes, en ACSU kon daarin slaag om die voertuig tot stilstand te bring. Die dame wat hul geroof het, saam met die SAPD van Amersfoort, het op die toneel aangekom. Daar is ‘n onbekende bedrag gesteel tydens die roof. Ermelo plaaslike SAPD personeel was ook op die toneel, waar die drie verdagtes gearresteer is en na die SAPD stasie geneem is. “Wel gedaan ACSU, asook die SAPD lede wat spoedig op getree het en die rowers kon vas trek.” < Previous Article Next Article >

R50 miljoen onwettige alkohol bedryf ontbloot R50 miljoen onwettige alkohol bedryf ontbloot 1/7 Share SM HATTINGH 7 September 2021 Gao besit verskeie besighede is die dorp, waar sy plaaslike drankwinkels ook deursoek is. Van die aanklagtes teen Gao is dat hy onder andere doelbewus en onregmatig wanvoorgestel het aan SARS, Doeane- en handelsmerkbeskermers, opsetlik en onregmatig onwettige goedere in sy beheer gehad het, en dat hy valse verklarings afgelê het ten opsigte van die invoere van al die alkohol. Die afgelope twee weke was nie ‘n maklike tyd vir SAPD lede van Amersfoort en Ermelo, asook ander lede met hoë rangposte soos SARS, asook personeel van Misdaad en Intellegensie wat informasie ontvang het van twee verskillende onwettige alkohol pakhuise in Ermelo en Amersfoort nie. Die eerste pakhuis wat in Amersfoort geleë is, is op Donderdag, 26 Augustus vasgetrap, waar daar onwettige alkohol bedryf plaasgevind het. Informasie is gelui vanuit Volksrust dat daar ‘n groot pakhuis in Amersfoort verlate staan. Die leidrade en alle informasie is gelui, en die verlate pakhuis is gevind. Tydens die ondersoek by die pakhuis is daar verskeie handelsmerke en tipes drank gevind, ter waarde van ongeveer R40 miljoen. Die drank is ondersoek, waar daar ook gesien is dat van die etikette op die verskeie alkohol bottels vervang is, en dat dit nie die oorspronklike etikette is nie. Die etikette word self gedruk, waar die oorspronklike etikette verwyder word met spesiale toerusting, en dan weer op die bottels geplak word. Die bokse waarin die drank verpak is, is gemerk “Export” waarby dit verander word na “Import”. Die grootste handelsmerk wat gevind is by die pakhuis, is “Original Best Classic Whiskey”, wat 664 kaste was. Ander handelsmerke is ook gevind, onder andere Bells Whiskey (389 kaste), Smirnoff 1818 Vodka (452 kaste) en Johnny Walker Red Label (156 kaste) met 11 los bottels. Tydens die ondersoek is daar niemand gearresteer nie, want volgens inligting wat ontvang is, woon die eienaar van die pakhuis in China. Die ondersoek duur steeds voort, al die alkohol wat gevind is in die pakhuis is verwyder na die staats pakhuis in Johannesburg. Op Woensdag, 1 September, het die ondersoek verder gegaan, waar daar ‘n pakhuis in Ermelo in Sluiter Straat gevind is. Navorsing is gedoen, en die eienaar van die pakhuis is gevind en dadelik gearresteer. Mingmin Gao (31) het op Vrydag, 3 September, sy eerste verskyning in die Ermelo Hof gemaak, waar hy borgtog geweier is en 4 aanklagtes in die oë staar. Sy saak is uitgestel tot 10 September 2021. Gao het op 1 September ‘n SAPD lid probeer omkoop met ‘n bedrag van R 6800.00, sodat die SAPD hom nie moet arresteer of enige verdere stappe teen hom neem nie. Sersant Nkosi het Gao egter steeds gerresteer, en ‘n saak teen hom geopen vir korrupsie. Dieselfde prosedures is gedoen met die alkohol wat in Amersfoort gevind is, waar daar ook valse etikette gemaak is en op die bottels geplak is. Tydens ondersoek is die alkohol wat in die Ermelo pakhuis gevind is, ongeveer R10 miljoen werd. Die Ermelo pakhuis, en dié van Amersfoort word verbind met mekaar, die ondersoeke duur steeds voort. In die Ermelo pakhuis is daar verskeie tipes alkohol gevind, waar die grootste handelsmerke 150 kaste Belgravia Gin, 65 kaste Wellington Whiskey en nog vele meer is. Gao besit verskeie besighede is die dorp, waar sy plaaslike drankwinkels ook deursoek is. Van die aanklagtes teen Gao is dat hy onder andere doelbewus en onregmatig wanvoorgestel het aan SARS, Doeane- en handelsmerkbeskermers, opsetlik en onregmatig onwettige goedere in sy beheer gehad het, en dat hy valse verklarings afgelê het ten opsigte van die invoere van al die alkohol. Al die alkohol wat by die Ermelo Pakhuis gevind is, is na die plaaslike SAPD geneem, waar dit ook later na die Staatspakhuis in Johannesburg geneem sal word, gepaard met al die vervalste etikette wat self gemaak is en al die toerusting wat gebruik is. < Previous Article Next Article >

I don't like cricket... I love it! 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 23 March 2021 Alviro Petersen, former SA international cricketer, will be hosting the clinic at the Ligbron cricket oval. Alviro Petersen, voormalige SA- krieketspeler, deel sy kennis en internasionale ondervinding by die Ligbron krieket oval. Die koste beloop R150.00 per persoon. Neem kennis dat die inskrywings op 23 Maart 2021 sluit. Bring jou eie kriekettoerusting en krieketbal saam. Die Program is as volg: spelers 15 jaar en jonger registreer vanaf 08:30. Die kliniek is van 9:00 - 11:00. Spelers ouer as 15 jaar registreer vanaf 11:30 en woon die kliniek by tussen 12:00 en 14:00. Daar sal ‘n vraag-en antwoordsessie wees tussen 14:00 en 15:00. Kontak mnr. Andrew Els vir meer inligting 079 189 6341. Alviro Petersen, former SA international cricketer, will be hosting the clinic at the Ligbron cricket oval. The cost per player is R150.00. Please note that entries close on 23 March 2021. Cricketers must bring their own kit as well as a cricket ball. The program will be as follows: Players younger than 15 years register at 8:30 and join the clinic between 9:00 and 11:00. Players older than 15 register at 11:30 and join the clinic between 12:00 and 14:00. A question and answer session will take place between 14:00 and 15:00. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hoërskool Ermelo stel nuwe adjunkhoof aan 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 March 2021 Sy het ‘n aansteeklike passie vir die Erries, en haar omgee hart is die groot dryfveer agter alles wat sy aanpak. Me Erna Schoeman is al vir langer as 25 jaar deel van Hoërskool Ermelo. Vandat sy in 1994 permanent as onderwyser aangestel is by EHS, het sy saam met die Erries gegroei, en op vele gebiede bygedra tot die vooruitgang van Hoërskool Ermelo. In 2016 word me Schoeman aangestel as departementshoof vir Engels. Haar liefde vir die vak, vir netbal en vir die leerders is duidelik te sien in haar toewyding wat sy ten toon stel. Me Schoeman is vanjaar aangestel as Akademiese-adjunkhoof van Hoërskool Ermelo. Sy het ‘n aansteeklike passie vir die Erries, en haar omgee hart is die groot dryfveer agter alles wat sy aanpak. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ripe for the picking while MLM cries foul 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 15 June 2021 Opportunistic criminals sit and wait for the infamous load reduction to be implemented, and have themselves a jolly good time chopping off one cable after another. As you’re busy bathing your children and cooking dinner in the rush of peak evening time at home, the power suddenly goes out. The entire household curses in extremely colorful language, and you grab your phone to dial the call centre’s number. You’re informed that the outage is caused by cable theft, and that you’re going to have to make do without electricity for the next several hours. You sit and wonder how you’re going to finish the laundry, while your children stumbles in the dark, and your partner struggles to find the ever-elusive flashlight. According to Msukaligwa Local Municipality, thousands of Rands are spent every week to repair and tie in cables that have been stolen. Cables are being stolen in broad daylight, and entire wards are left without electricity. Opportunistic criminals sit and wait for the infamous load reduction to be implemented, and have themselves a jolly good time chopping off one cable after another. One cannot help and wonder as to how these criminals are so wily, and make a daring escape before anyone notices their wrongdoing and alerts ACSU or the neighborhood watch. Unfortunately, it is much easier than you might think, as various jerry-rigged electrical cables, ranging from low- to high voltage, are ripe for the picking. With shockingly low-quality workmanship, electrical cables are tied into substations and junction boxes, and draped over trees, fences and lamp posts, loosely tied down with flimsy wire. A shining beacon that screams “steal me” at the top of its voice. While MLM cries foul and laments the funds squandered on stolen cables, the old saying, idle hands are the devil's workshop, rings true. Ultimately, better craftsmanship, and correct procedures being followed, will both contribute to mitigating losses suffered by the hands of cable thieves. < Previous Article Next Article >

Manhunt for escaped duo launched by SAPS Manhunt for escaped duo launched by SAPS 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 January 2021 An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. A vigorous manhunt has been launched by police in Mpumalanga following an incident where two dangerous suspects escaped from lawful custody earlier today, Tuesday 26 January 2021. The suspects are 24-year-old Sabelo Nkosi, and Njabulo Nsibande aged 27. The duo are said to have escaped at Gert Sibande District near Ermelo Correctional Centre. They were being transported from Breyten Magistrate's Court to the Correctional facility. Nkosi and Nsibande were initially arrested after they reportedly committed various offences in December 2016. These offences include murder, attempted murder, two counts of rape as well as two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and were both on trial for the said charges. The escapees appeared before the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Breyten on Monday, 25 January 2021. Police urge members of the public including families of the suspects, to assist with information that may lead to their re-arrest. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Mmabatho Mafate on 072 610 5768 from Ermelo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MY SAPS APP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous. An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. < Previous Article Next Article >