Weekend accidents leave nine people dead in Mpumalanga

Weekend accidents leave nine people dead in Mpumalanga

Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe has called on motorists to exercise great care when driving. This comes after three serious crashes that claimed at least the lives of nine people over the weekend.

The first crash occurred in Delmas on Friday 23 January 2015 where a Mini bus overturned after losing control, while pulling a trailer. It was traveling from Johannesburg towards Nelspruit on the N12 road next to the Bronkospruit Bridge. Two people died instantly and three were seriously injured and taken to Delmas Hospital.

On Saturday 24 January 2015 a vehicle lost control and overturned on the R544 road from Emalahleni towards Verena. Four people died on scene while three people were injured and rushed to Witbank Hospital.

Meanwhile, in Standerton on Sunday 25 January 2015 a Nissan LDV lost control and overturned after hitting an articulated truck killing the driver and two passengers on the spot. All the deceased were occupants of the bakkie.

MEC Shongwe has sent condolences to all the families of those who passed away due to the road crashes. He says that it is very sad to lose lives through road crashes and it is high time that motorists prioritize safety when driving.

He further said that road fatalities should be prevented from becoming the number one cause of death in the province. Shongwe also wished those who were injured a speedy recovery and has also called on motorists to be more vigilant in order to make roads safer.

He has further called on members of the public to assist government to curb road crashes by reporting any bad driving to the authorities.

“Let us all raise a hand against loss of lives and injuries on our roads by reporting any person who violate traffic rules to the authorities. Our drivers must also come to the party by being extremely cautious to avoid accidents,” Shongwe said.

DA to lodge HRC complaint over abandoned learners of Carmon Primary School

DA to lodge HRC complaint over abandoned learners of Carmon Primary School

The DA will lodge a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) following the department of education’s continued failure to acknowledge and support the learners of Carmona Primary School.

The primary school was ear-marked by the department of education as one of 120 small and non-viable schools that were due for closure. Learners of these schools supposed to integrate into neighbouring schools or sent to one of the three newly built boarding schools, in the province.

The department states that they held a public hearing on 6 November 2011, informing parents that the school closed by January 2013, yet, during a constituency visit last year, we were shocked to find that it was still operational 10 months after its supposed closure.

Last week, we visited the school again and found it open with only one teacher teaching about 22 learners.  The teacher had not received any payment from the department or any indication as to when the learners moved to a functioning school.

The learners were transported to and from Carmona using the department of public work’s scholar transport system even though the school’s paper budget and feeding scheme had been merged with that of another school. The school received a partial delivery of their support materials, indicating that that the circuit manager and the department of education were aware of its existence.

Carmona Primary School is functioning with little to no support resulting in an environment that is not conducive for learning. This grossly undermines the learner’s basic right to education. As such, we will submit this case to the HRC, asking for a full investigation in the matter. We will also write an urgent letter to education MEC, Reginah Mhaule, asking her to intervene and ensure that these learners granted access to quality education.

The future of these learners cannot hang in the balance because of the department’s confusion about the status of the school. The department must ensure that they placed in a functioning school where they can have the best chance of succeeding.

ACTING PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS VIOLENT PROTEST IN WITBANK.

ACTING PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS VIOLENT PROTEST IN WITBANK.

NELSPRUIT – The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga Major General (Adv) Meshack Nogwanya, condemns the spate of violence that erupted in Witbank.

 The condemnation comes on the wake of an alleged unbecoming behaviour by some members of the community from the Old Coronation in Witbank.

The community embarked into an illegal protest today, 26 January 2015, complaining about unemployment in the newly constructed Kusile Power Station.

Reports revealed the during the protest, some members of the community who took part in the protest, looted two shops belonging to foreign nationals and burnt one of them which was operating in a container.

In the midst of their anger which directed to Kusile, the community started to divert their focus to the Local Municipality now complaining about service delivery.

They then marched to the offices of Emalaheni to meet with the officials. Police had to call in to monitor the situation as the marchers started to harass hawkers and even looting their belongings.

The police managed to force them back to their area before more damage could do.

“It is clear that within those who participated in the march, there was an element of hooliganism. As the police, we will not tolerate lawlessness whether there is concern regarding jobs or services that cannot be a vehicle to commit crime. The community should know that if they loot or embark into an illegal march, the law will act harshly against them,” warned Major General Nogwanya.  

legislature reach people

Plans have started in earnest in preparation for the Legislature programme of "Taking the Legislature to the People (TLP)”.  The programme scheduled to take place during the week of the 02 to 06 March 2015 in the area of EMalahleni Local Municipality.

The Legislature expected to evaluate programmes and projects implemented by the provincial government on behalf of the people. The legislature does this through its constitutional mandate of oversight. Today, Members of the Legislature visited EMalahleni Local Municipality where the Legislature will oversight government projects in the area.

This week Members of the Legislature will commence with the pre-oversight work by visiting existing projects in preparation for the March 2015 TLP.

 Today (27 February), the Members of the Legislature and Councillors from EMalahleni Municipality were briefed by researchers on key projects to be visited during the anticipated week-long programme of “Taking the Legislature to the People.

ERMELO K9 TO DONATE ITS AWARD TO CHARITY, MEDIA INVITED

ERMELO K9 TO DONATE ITS AWARD TO CHARITY, MEDIA INVITED

Nelspruit – Tuesday 28 January 2015, Tracker will be giving an award of R10 000 to Ermelo K9 Unit formerly known as Dog Unit. 

The unit won the award last year on 03 October 2014 in a ceremony which held at Kyalami in Johannesburg.

Taking into account that this was a national event, the unit takes pride in this enormous achievement.

The unit scooped position one hence the award. The unit collaborated with tracker and managed to recover 28 stolen vehicles to the value of over 11 million rand and 19 suspects arrested.

The members of this unit met the criteria set by tracker in deciding when it comes to awarding the best of the best.

The criteria includes inter-alia the unit that contributed immensely towards the investigation of stolen or hi-jacked vehicles, the amount of stolen vehicles recovered and the number of arrests made as well as the co-ordination of operations.

Ermelo K9 Unit surpassed all their peers in the country.

After receiving the award, the members of the unit have decided to donate the whole R10 000, to a charity of their choice. CMR Child and Youth Centre in Ermelo will be the beneficiary as a result of the hard work done by the unit.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Adv) Meshack Nogwanya has commended the unit for the award.

“This is true policing at its best; I am delighted by what the unit has achieved not to mention that this is the first time that a K9 Unit walked away with such an award country wide.

Indeed the members attached to this unit have made us proud through their earnest enhancement of service delivery. I am also overjoyed that the money will donated to a charity organisation in the area where they service their community. Lastly, I want to humbly appreciate Tracker for acknowledging the work done by the police,” said Major General Nogwanya.

STERN WARNING TO ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATORS

STERN WARNING TO ONLINE GAMBLING OPERATORS

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has noted with concern media reports suggesting that there may be operators that are offering online gambling in South Africa, which is illegal. Online gambling or what others refer to as remote gambling, not allowed in South Africa, and the National Gambling Board together with other law enforcement agencies will act on this illegal activity with immediate effect.

the dti has made it publicly clear that there is no intention on the part of government to propose the legalisation of online gambling in South Africa. This means this activity remains illegal, and any person offering or operating such a business is committing an offence under the law. Perpetrators operating an illegal establishment, or participating as individuals could be liable to a fine of up to R10 million and/or 10 years in jail.

There are arguments that government is losing on the opportunity to generate revenue through online gambling in the forms of taxes, however generating tax revenue cannot be at the expense of the South African citizens, some of whom are over indebted and living in poverty.  There are a number of social ills associated with gambling, especially online gambling which occurs in unregulated and unsupervised locations.  Other forms of gambling that allowed in South Africa take place under strict supervision in locations that designated for such activities. 

Online gambling is not desirable and the dti has raised its objection to the proposal by the Democratic Alliance to legalise online gambling.  In our view no amount of control will adequately curb the harm that be caused to South African citizens by online gambling; hence we reiterate that it must remain a banned activity.

Members of the public are urged to report online gambling and any other form of illegal gambling activities to the police on 08600 10111. For any further information on gambling contact the National Gambling Board on 086 722 7713.

Small Business enterprise Deputy Minister to Sin MOU with Indian Model

A ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Black Business Council and National Small Industries Chamber of India under the theme – “Small Business Development, the Indian Model”.

The South African delegation will be led by Deputy Minister of Small Business Development; Ms Elizabeth Thabethe whilst the Indian delegation will be led by the Minister of Micro Small Medium Enterprises, Sh. Kalraj Mishra.

The President of Black Business Council, Mr Ndaba Ntsele said that the purpose of the MOU is to further strengthen the existing good relations between the two countries and encourage exports as well as investments from both countries.

The event will held on Monday, 19 January 2015 at   09:30 at the Gauteng Investment Centre in Sandton

                                       

BBC sees the partnership with National Small Industries Chamber of India as a catalyst to help create the much needed jobs as our foreign direct investments improve.

Emakhazeni Boarding School remains a dream

Emakhazeni Boarding School remains a dream

The DA is shocked to learn that two weeks into the new school year; the eagerly awaited Emakhazeni Boarding School has yet to open its doors.

Last year, questions were put to the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, asking when the Emakhazeni Boarding School would open since it has been meant to open in 2014. In her reply, the Minister stated that the school would open in January 2015, "in line with the commencement of the academic year".

Mpumalanga schools opened on 14 January and to date no pupil has seen on the premises.  Learners who promised an education at the school have seemingly already missed out on 2 weeks of learning.

For this boarding school to become a reality, six schools had to closed down. This begs the question – where are the children of Allie Primary, Bloomplaas Primary; Nhupheko Primary; Ummeli Primary; Thembalethu Primary and Khayalethu Primary attending school?

Emakhazeni Boarding School built with the promise of being one of four fully functional boarding schools in the province that take care of children whose families live below the bread line. Sadly, it seems that the learners’ right to education ignored because of a failure by the provincial department of Public Works and the department of Education to work together.

During an oversight visit to the school, the DA learned that due to a dispute between the two departments, the key to the school only handed over on 10 January 2015. While there were a few staff members at the school, the admin block was not up and running, furniture was just standing outside and all classes locked.

Sources at the school indicated that while they had active connections to electricity and water, the water pressure was very weak and could cause problems.

The school has also not yet finalised its admissions so it couldn’t even confirmed if the more than 750 learners that the school originally said it can cater for, will be accommodated.

Access to education is a constitutionally guaranteed right.

The departments must put an end to their dispute and ensure that the school opens its doors and that any missed learning caught up.

Premier Mabuza awards bursaries to three Emalahleni learners

Premier Mabuza awards bursaries to three Emalahleni learners

Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza today [Wednesday, 14 January 2015] awarded bursaries to three Mabande Comprehensive School learners in Phola Township in Emalahleni Local Municipality for being the school’s top achievers.

Premier Mabuza visited the school near Ogies, west of Emalahleni Municipality, as part of the school visits programme countrywide.

The Premier was impressed with Sibusiso Masango, Deborah Maphanga and Sithembiso Mbanjwa maths and physical science results as they were the top three achievers, and he subsequently awarded them with free bursaries to pursue their tertiary education at their preferred institutions.

He congratulated them and committed to give more free bursaries and laptops if the current class of matric at the school would achieve a 100 percent pass rate.

“We congratulate these learners for their efforts, it is not easy to be at school and on top of all end up passing. It must have been a long journey for them growing up and concentrating on their education, ours is to try encouraging and taking them to their next destination,” said Mabuza.

Mabuza took time to inspire other learners saying they should stay away from alcohol and drugs, but should look after themselves.

“Stay away from nyaope, do not even taste alcohol, it is for the elders because they can handle themselves when they are drunk. Start today to prepare for your final examinations, stay next to your teachers and look after yourselves.

“We can only make the face of the country look better if we make you the better people. We expect the best, and we believe in you that you can do it. As for the Grade 12 class, we want to say this is your last year at the school, we do not need you here next year, go and work and make us proud,” said Mabuza.

He warned the girl learners not to be distracted by the desire to want to earn the child social grants. He said they should have the desire to have children once they have completed school and studied for their desired qualifications.

“We want young women to be liberated too, but somehow it looks like the child social grants seem to be distracting them, really babies are more than social grants, we want all girl children to be at school learning instead of queuing for the grants,” said Mabuza.

Premier Mabuza gives a life present to Miss Mpumalanga’s mom

Premier Mabuza gives a life present to Miss Mpumalanga’s mom

Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza Tuesday 13 January 2015 gave what he described as a “life present”, an up market luxurious three-bedroom house, to the mother of the current Miss Mpumalanga, Natasha Dos Santos.

Speaking at the house handover ceremony in Tekwane outside Mbombela, Premier Mabuza explained that he donated a house built through his DD Mabuza Foundation after he was “touched” by Natasha’s story that regardless of being crowned Miss Mpumalanga in April last year, she came from a poor background and that her family lived in a shack on a mountainous area.

Ever since she won the 2014 provincial beauty contest, Natsha had never parked her car at their yard because the home was inaccessible; hence the Premier built them a house at a decent stand.

“I was touched by Miss Mpumalanga attitude that regardless of the background, she was determined to win. As a provincial government we always ask her to go motivate the learners at the schools, but we needed to ensure that she spoke with confidence knowing that she had a better home.

“I thought we should give her mother the present of their life, she has managed to raise her children under the difficult circumstances. As for Miss Mpumalanga, she should continue to be the best role model; we are sending her to school to pursue her tertiary education, the DD Mabuza Foundation is giving her a bursary for free,” said Mabuza.

He added that the house was like “Freedom Day” to them.

“As from today, you will have a peaceful sleep knowing that you have the roof over your head and that you are secured. Today is your Freedom Day,” said Mabuza.

This was not the only house the Premier donated today. He gave another three-bedroom house to a single mother of nine children, Ms Joana Thabethe at Ngodini. The Premier thanked the sponsors of both houses saying they displayed a good gesture in changing the lives of others for the better.

“This is a basic problem in the country that as long as we have unstable families, we will not have a nation. In our case, we have broken families; therefore we do not expect a good society to emerge. Everywhere we go, we see struggling families, but we believe that one day we will conquer this war and we will have stable families.

“The impact which the sponsors have done is huge and is valuable; these families will now have their dignity restored. We are in the middle of this road, it is a long, hard, winding and painful journey, but today these families are stepping into their democracy,” said Mabuza.

The Premier urged other people to contribute in changing the lives of others instead of fighting amongst each other. He added that people should share their wealth in order to be blessing to others.

“We can only succeed when we are united and people will respect,” said Mabuza.

Both houses were financially sponsored and built by Deep Space Construction and Nemotcon Holdings as from November last year. Again both companies further donated school uniforms, furniture and food parcels.

Learners from Msukaligwa farms enter second week of school without transport

Learners from Msukaligwa farms enter second week of school without transport

Learners from Nyibe, Keke and KwaMabuza farms in Msukaligwa have been without scholar transport since schools reopened last week.

While doing site visits to monitor schools last week, the DA found that learners from the above farms had to travel by foot to the Umzivela Agriculture Combined School which is 15km away because the department of Public Works had failed to arrange scholar transport for them.

The learners and their parents told that there is a shortage of buses to transport pupils to and from the school. Some learners have not attended classes since schools reopened.

Last week Thursday, MEC of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Dumisile Nhlengethwa was at the school where she reassured the principal, parents and learners that scholar transport will operate normally by Monday 19 February. It has been almost a week since the MEC’s reassurance; learners still stranded without transport to get to school.

Learners who have no access to public transport in rural and outlying areas to prioritised. The failure to provide transport to and from school is a violation of a learners’ right to granted access to education.

The broken promises of the MEC are a slap in the face of all parents and learners. We need to ensure that every child has access to basic education – so that they can pursue a life they value and develop to their full potential.

The DA will write to the MEC requesting that;

The department ensure that transport for learners living far away from schools is prioritised

·         Ensures that all learners are able to access education, despite a long distance to the nearest suitable public school, and/or the lack of and high cost of public transport.

·         Establishes procedures that are safe, reliable, cost-effective, sustainable and fully integrated with learner transport operations which will meet the educational needs of the learner, support social development and enhance economic growth.

On further investigation, we also found that this school has 960 school learners and only 200 chairs and 100 desks. The DA will follow this up with the departments involved.

Education Department fails to identify 90 learners for scholarships

Education Department fails to identify 90 learners for scholarships

Education MEC, Reginah Mhaule, must do everything in her power to prevent the loss of 90 scholarship opportunities for Mpumalanga learners, offered by the Mining Qualifications Authority.

The MEC today announced that the department had been unable to identify even a single learner who qualified to award a full bursary to study towards a career in the mining sector.

Speaking at a meeting held by the department with the principals of secondary schools in Mpumalanga, MEC Mhaule said that on 10 December 2014, they had received a letter from the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) requesting them to identify 90 learners who be fully funded towards any field of study in the mining sector.

MEC Mhaule claimed that the department had conducted radio talk shows, issued media statements and posted on social media platforms yet they could not identify a single learner to take advantage of this opportunity.

Simply put, the department claims that, out of 18 971 possible learners who passed maths and science in Mpumalanga, they failed to identify 90 learners who qualify for bursaries.

The MEC further claimed that the department had submitted their report on the bursaries yesterday with “their inside(s) bleeding” as they were unable to take advantage of an opportunity to assist learners with funding. She continued on to lament the opportunities that the province was likely to forfeit if this issue was not addressed.

According to Mhaule, the department had to decline the MQA’s offer due to the province’s poor performance in the subjects of maths and science. The recent Grade 12 results indicated that the number of learners in the province taking and passing these subjects had declined. 

In 2013, of the 19 400 learners who wrote mathematics, 11 301 passed. In 2014, there were 17 767 learners who wrote mathematics and only 10 050 passed taking the average of learners passing mathematics from 58.3% to 56.6%.

Mpumalanga is one of the few provinces in the country that has established the Maths, Science and Technology Academy, a vehicle to ensure that there is an improvement of learner performance in maths and science. The department has also increased the number of Dinaledi Schools from 48 to 100 but this is not yielding the desired results.

While the department may claim that it did everything in its power to attract the 90 learners, it is clear that it failed to extend its reach by speaking contacting school principals or constituency offices to help identify suitable learners. It is simply impossible, regardless of the recent grade 12 results, that 90 learners be identified to take advantage of this offer.

Education Department fails to identify 90 learners for scholarships

Education Department fails to identify 90 learners for scholarships

Education MEC, Reginah Mhaule, must do everything in her power to prevent the loss of 90 scholarship opportunities for Mpumalanga learners, offered by the Mining Qualifications Authority.

The MEC today announced that the department had been unable to identify even a single learner who qualified to award a full bursary to study towards a career in the mining sector.

Speaking at a meeting held by the department with the principals of secondary schools in Mpumalanga, MEC Mhaule said that on 10 December 2014, they had received a letter from the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) requesting them to identify 90 learners who be fully funded towards any field of study in the mining sector.

MEC Mhaule claimed that the department had conducted radio talk shows, issued media statements and posted on social media platforms yet they could not identify a single learner to take advantage of this opportunity.

Simply put, the department claims that, out of 18 971 possible learners who passed maths and science in Mpumalanga, they failed to identify 90 learners who qualify for bursaries.

The MEC further claimed that the department had submitted their report on the bursaries yesterday with “their inside(s) bleeding” as they were unable to take advantage of an opportunity to assist learners with funding. She continued on to lament the opportunities that the province was likely to forfeit if this issue was not addressed.

According to Mhaule, the department had to decline the MQA’s offer due to the province’s poor performance in the subjects of maths and science. The recent Grade 12 results indicated that the number of learners in the province taking and passing these subjects had declined. 

In 2013, of the 19 400 learners who wrote mathematics, 11 301 passed. In 2014, there were 17 767 learners who wrote mathematics and only 10 050 passed taking the average of learners passing mathematics from 58.3% to 56.6%.

Mpumalanga is one of the few provinces in the country that has established the Maths, Science and Technology Academy, a vehicle to ensure that there is an improvement of learner performance in maths and science. The department has also increased the number of Dinaledi Schools from 48 to 100 but this is not yielding the desired results.

While the department may claim that it did everything in its power to attract the 90 learners, it is clear that it failed to extend its reach by speaking contacting school principals or constituency offices to help identify suitable learners. It is simply impossible, regardless of the recent grade 12 results, that 90 learners be identified to take advantage of this offer.

Steve Tshwete’s ANC flagship municipality burning because of youth unemployment

Steve Tshwete’s ANC flagship municipality burning because of youth unemployment

Unemployed disgruntled young people in Mhluzi Township, in the ANC’s flagship Steve Tshwete local municipality, went on a rampage this week protesting against the municipality and local mines for lack of job opportunities.

According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the population of Steve Tshwete local municipality is standing at 229 831 with 27% rate of youth unemployment, and an overall total of 19,7% unemployment rate.

The protestors continued to disrupt transport routes with burning tyres and stones on Wednesday and Thursday, demanding that the municipality create jobs for them. They were also protesting against the local Stainless steel plant - accusing it of failing to employ local people.

The protestors damaged some private property, including cars, houses and municipal buildings.

Crime in the area has reportedly been on the increase in past years as a result of increasingly high levels of unemployment and poverty, especially in the surrounding townships of Mhluzi etc.

On Thursday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the municipality called for calm and also condemned the violence and requested swift action from the police who were on the scene. According to the DA, violence won’t change circumstances in the Steve Tshwete local municipality, but a change of vote will.

In 2012, DA councilor in the municipality, Gys Romijn, submitted a question to the municipality requesting them to provide council with details on plans that will ease the challenges of the extreme high poverty and unemployment rate. He said a pro-development plan was needed.

On behalf of the executive mayor, the Municipal Manager responded by saying that “It is important to indicate that the municipality is not per se responsible for poverty alleviation and job creation - as it is the responsibility of the national government.”

He then added that “As far as unemployment goes it is required of the municipality to create a conducive climate for Local Economic Development which is the only vehicle by means of which unemployment can be addressed.”

While the DA recognises every citizen’s right to protest, violence can never be a legitimate strategy to voice dissatisfaction. The SAPS must proactively intervene to prevent any further damage to property, and the municipality must publicly declare their economic growth and job creation strategies.

MUNICIPAL MANAGER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

MUNICIPAL MANAGER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

Nelspruit –Thursday 16 January 2015, the municipal manager of the Mbombela Local Municipality Mr Noko Michael Senaego 40-years-old, arrested for allegations of fraud and corruption.

His arrest stems from a recruitment process for Law Enforcement officials that allegedly went wrong. According to statements presented by complainants, Senaego did not follow due processes when employing those officials.

The accusations spiral from panel members who complained that Senaego did, not consider some of the candidates recommended for employment,, instead he allegedly opted to employ some officials who did not even apply or did not make it to the short-list.

His alleged conduct led to a protest by some of the Law Enforcement officials who reported to suspended later.

The squabble between the panel members and Senaego led to a case opened at the Nelspruit Police Station.

After the case was registered, and the police having presented all facts before the NPA for a decision, the court ordered that he arrested.

The suspect then charged and taken to the Nelspruit District Court to answer for his conduct.

He was granted R2 000 bail and the case was postponed to 19 February 2015 for further investigation.

DA in Mbombela strongly condemns the murder of a local resident

DA in Mbombela strongly condemns the murder of a local resident

The DA offers its deepest condolences to the family of Mr Clive Bowers who was unnecessarily shot and killed in his residents at the Bundu Estate between White River and Nelspruit on the 13 January 2015.

According to reports, Mr Bowers shot whilst defending his property from suspects who had illegally entered his home during the course of the evening.

The police reported that unknown suspects gained entry to Mr. Bowers’s home on Tuesday evening before midnight by breaking a sitting room window. The suspects fled with various stolen items, including a firearm which later recovered. They are still determining if the recovered firearm used to murder Mr. Bowers.

DA Mbombela strongly condemns the attack and request that the SAPS apprehend the attacker(s) as soon as possible to ensure the safety of other possible victims to come.

We will again ask our colleagues in the provincial legislature to put question forward to the MEC of Safety and security about the implementation of specially trained rural safety units to deal with the Lowveld’s rural environment. Since the dis-banning of the SANDF Commandos and the then moratorium placed on the recruitment of reservist police, we ask SAPS what done about filling this vacuum on rural-safety. 

The DA also requests that SAPS must do all they can to protect rural areas - ranging from informal settlements, farms and country estates. We also saddened by the fact that Mr. Bowers was killed in the presence of his spouse Mrs Renate Wagner.

The suspects are still at large, and the DA requests any member of the public who might have information to come forward and help the police.

DA demands suspension for municipal Manager

DA calls for immediate suspension of the Mbombela municipal manager following his arrest

The DA calls for the suspension of Noko Seanego, the manager of Mbombela municipality, after he arrested on Friday in connection with the allegations of a “job for ANC-cadres scandal”.

Seanego appeared briefly in the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Friday on charges of fraud and corruption, and he is out on R2000 bail until February 19.

Allegations started surfacing in October last year, that Seanego, imposed 24 ANC cadres from Ehlanzeni District to an interviewing panel, some of whom had criminal records. This was after council initially approved and advertised for 16 posts of by-law enforcement officers in August last year. The municipality advertised 16 by-law enforcement officer vacancies but ended up employing more people at an additional cost of about R2 million a year to council.

According to the police, Seanego taken from the municipal offices in Mbombela to the Nelspruit police station for questioning, and was charged with fraud and corruption.

In December last year, the DA called upon the mayor of Mbombela municipality, Sibusiso Mathanso, to take decisive steps against Seanego and other officials who implicated in the scandal.

The DA wants the mayor and council to save the integrity of law enforcement and the Mbombela municipality in general, by suspending Seanego from work immediately, pending the outcome all investigations against him.

The DA also demands that the appointment of these 24 officials withdrawn and that the process start from the beginning to appoint suitably qualified officials as by-law enforcement officials. According to municipal by-laws, people with criminal records appointed to the posts of law enforcement officers.

The DA deeply worried by this growing trend of officials alienating those who are not supporting the ANC when opportunities of employment arise. Jobs are to people who are suitable to do those jobs, not to ANC comrades.  It is a shame that the much needed by-law enforcement unit, which is responsible for enforcing by-laws in the municipality, now finds itself in this scandal.  The Mayor Sibusiso Mathonsi must act quickly to restore the integrity of this unit and to prevent it from becoming absolutely useless as a result of political interference.

SAPS HQ leaves Elukwatini police in the lurch

SAPS HQ leaves Elukwatini police in the lurch

Stock theft in the Elukwatini SAPS Cluster for the period 1/10/2014 to 31/12/2014 showed an increase of 140% compared to the same period in the previous year, and the local police are struggling to solve the cases.

Only two (2) of the 36 cases reported in this time has been solved, leaving the unit with a shocking case solving rate of 6%.

These figures became apparent in the monthly sector 2 report back meeting on 15/1/2015. The meeting was aimed at affording the community an opportunity to raisetheir concerns with provincial SAPS representatives, but the provincial head-quarters of the SAPS notified the sector members of their unavailability a mere 10 minutes before the meeting was scheduled to start.

The report showed that the Stock Theft Unit of the Elukwatini cluster has an area of 958km² to serve. To their disposal they have three (3) vehicles and (5) members. Sector 2 in this cluster includes the farming sector of Carolina. This sector has one (1) vehicle and one (1) member to serve the whole area.

The meeting expressed serious concern with the fact that the provincial SAPS office does not support the local police service. Farmers voiced anxiety with the fact that local police are completely understaffed, underequipped and overworked. While expressing support and appreciation to the local Colonel and Commander, the lack of support from the provincial SAPS head office, was leaving the cluster in the lurch.

For many years the DA has called for the establishment of specialised rural safety units, adequately resources and staffed aimed at ensuring the safety of residents in rural area. Crime in the agriculture sector will continue unabated if such safety units are not established. While Premier Mabuza, previously expressed his support to this initiative, the SAPS taken no steps to establish them.

The DA will continue our fight to have rural safety units established and will engage the provincial SAPS head office to provide greater support and resources to the Elukwatini SAPS cluster

ANC factionalism cause chaos

ANC factionalism leads to chaos at special council meeting

Deep divisions and factions within the ruling ANC again became apparent at a special council meeting in Nkangala district on Friday evening.

ANC councillor from eMalahleni local municipality S. Nkosi, who is allegedly facing disciplinary charges for having business dealings with the Nkangala district municipality, initiated a motion to remove the ANC council speaker Cllr BA Nkwanyana from office. This angered the members of the ANC seated in the public gallery and other ANC councillors who started shouting and totally disrupted proceedings. They wanted to know why Nkosi was turning against a fellow ANC comrade.

As the meeting could not proceed, The Municipal Manager called a 5 minute recess. The DA in the meantime could not declare its intention not to participate in the meeting as per Chapter 6 Section 86 (6) of the Standing rules of order of Council which states that 7 day notice had to be given of the meeting. Members of the DA caucus only received notice of the meeting on Tuesday 13 January 3 days before the meeting.

When the meeting resumed, ANC members, presumed to be supporters of the speaker, again started disrupting the proceedings, threatening members of the security called in to maintain order.

At this time the DA declared its intention not to further participate in the meeting as per the standing rules of order and the Municipal Manager called for a 30 minute recess. As councillors left the chamber, ANC members went on the rampage, jumping over railings and chairs.

Access to the building precinct blockaded with rocks and the police were deployed as nobody could leave the premises. Rioting ANC members attempted to climb over and break down the palisades in front of the district council parking area to attack the police in the main street.

Meanwhile, other ANC members continued their rampage inside the municipal building, spraying pepper spray into the council chamber and attacking members of the catering firm contracted to the district municipality and destroying their equipment and hurling cans of soft drink at councillors in the parlour.

Two councillors that hit were injured. All municipal officials and councillors moved into the parking area for safety reasons as they still could not leave the premises due to the gates still locked. After the arrival of the riot squad and tactical Team from eMalahleni, the situation brought under control and a few perpetrators arrested. 

If this is the method used by the current ruling party to settle internal differences, what else will it be like on the road to the 2016 local Government elections?

The Democratic Alliance takes exception to and distances itself from all forms of unruly behaviour, damaging of property, violence and intimidation in order to achieve and manipulate any outcome in the Nkangala District Council.

Residents of Hlalanikahle Ext 2 in Emalahleni, living on a sewer hell

Residents of Hlalanikahle Ext 2 in Emalahleni, living on a sewer hell

Residents of Hlalanikahle, Ext 2 on the main road of ward 1 in eMalahleni are bearing the brunt of the Municipalities continuous neglect of the area.

The smell surrounding the area is unbearable, raw sewer flowing on the streets, even motorists are avoiding the area.  According to residents - this is has been going on for a while. Their cries about the conditions have fallen on deaf ears.

In the same area, the other manhole has blocked since last year.  The ANC claim to care about the poor, especially the most vulnerable, yet they continue to subject people to inhumane conditions such as this.  It is the worse crime against humanity to live with a stench and raw sewer spewing and flowing right in front of your house and all over the streets.

Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in the eMalahleni local municipality, Sibusiso Mokoena, visited the site on Friday, and he found raw human waste spewing out of the manhole flowing through out the main street.  There is no human being who is supposed to live with that kind of smell on a daily basis.  It is a huge health hazard and it is wrong.

If there is one thing the eMalahleni Municipality has succeeded in doing was to create a situation of hopelessness in our communities. Residents feel frustrated because no one is listening to them.

It is incomprehensible to think that the people who are supposed to fix this are getting paid for doing nothing. On Friday, the Administrator Mr van Vuuren announced new appointments and additions to his team during Premier DD Mabuza’s visit to eMalahleni. The newly appointed Deputy Administrator Mr Eric Ngomane must put the people of eMalahleni first and the appointment of Mr Elija Shongwe as acting Executive Director for waste and environmental management must deal with this unpleasant waste as it’s causing environmental havoc for the residents of Hlalanikahle.

I will be writing an urgent letter to the Administrator, Mr van Vuuren to give this matter urgent attention, failing which the DA will run a petition to force the Municipality to act.

Mbombela law enforcement officers, using municipal cars for personal interests

Mbombela law enforcement officers, using municipal cars for personal interests

Officials from the newly established law enforcement unit in Mbombela local municipality – are allegedly abusing public resources for personal gains.

According to Democratic Alliance (DA) sources; on 17 December 2014 an official from the municipality known as “Max’’, arrived at Hoogland Farms to buy 300 chickens which he intended to resell to the public during the festive season. He was driving one of the unit’s vehicles, registration number HMC 098 MP. The chicken farmer turned the driver of the vehicle away, as she was not willing to sell chickens to someone using public resources for personal gain.

This incident follows on another incident that took place on Friday 21 November 2014, where two bakkies of the same law enforcement unit, were used to transport food parcels on behalf of the Mayor, Sibusiso Mathonsi.

These bakkies are meant to be used by officials in the unit to act against illegal electricity and water connections, but instead, some use them for personal interests. This law enforcement unit has been marked with scandals since its inception last year. There are reports that 24 specialised security personnel, reportedly with criminal records, appointed through ANC connections.

The DA in Mbombela appeals to Mayor Mathonsi to act in ensuring that the integrity of this unit restored, and to ensure that it operates within the mandate it received from Council. The mayor must also make sure those disciplinary actions taken against those who use public resources for personal gain.

The DA is also demanding that Mayor Mathonsi, respond to our questions raised regarding the duties and activities of this unit. We also want to know who the unit report to.