Bulletin Newspaper 4 December 2020

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THE GREAT CROSSROAD OF GOOD INTENTIONS

Tzaneen is a community divided. At the centre of the hot potato topic lies a well-intended project to upgrade a municipally owned public park which was left to ruin through lack of maintenance. The project and its originator have received equal amounts of praise and criticism. Bulletin decided to look beyond the fence.

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4 December 2020

Personeel | Personnel Kantoor: 015 306 0198 Redakteur / Editor Joe Dreyer 072 930 1462 joe@bulletin.us.com Joernaliste / Journalists Roelof de Jonge 078 672 7306 roelof@bulletin.us.com Billy Sibuyi 081 429 2040 billy@reallysa.co.za Drukker/Printer: Novus Print

Office: 064 650 7123 Ontwerp / Design Tessa Thompson 079 653 6317 tessa@bulletin.us.com Ontwerp / Design Deborah Varrie debz@bulletin.us.com Bemarking / Marketing Chrizelle Dreyer 082 628 4181 chrizelle@bulletin.us.com Admin / Finance Jacqueline Allan admin@bulletin.us.com

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Tel: 015 306 0198 072 930 1462 (Joe) Fax: 086 502 1853 E-posadresse/E-mail addresses: Agri-advertensies/Agri ads: chrizelle@bulletin.us.com Briewe/Letters: joe@bulletin.us.com Events: tessa@bulletin.us.com Nuus & foto’s/News & photos: joe@bulletin.us.com Copyright © 2020 Far North Bulletin All rights reserved. No part of this publication (including editorial, artwork and layout) may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission by Far North Bulletin.

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Egpaar, vriendin buite gewilde kuierplek aangerand ■ Joe Dreyer ‘n Man, sy vrou en haar vriendin is die naweek in die parkeerterrein van ‘n populêre kuierplek op Tzaneen deur twee mans aangerand. Een van die slagoffers het reeds ‘n saak van aanranding by die polisie aanhangig gemaak en teen druktyd is daar aan Bulletin bevestig dat een van die aanvallers reeds inhegtenis geneem is. Die verdagte sou volgens die polisie, gister, Donderdag 3 Desember, in die hof op Tzaneen verskyn. Volgens die polisie sal die tweede verdagte ook inhegtenis geneem word en sal die paar klagtes van aanranding met die doel om ernstig te beseer in die gesig staar.

Bulletin het met een van die slagoffers in gesprek getreë. Volgens die vrou het sy, haar man en haar vriendin Saterdagmiddag ‘n familie aangeleentheid by ‘n eetplek buite Tzaneen geniet. Die egpaar se minderjarige kinders, asook hul skoonouers, is die middag saam.

“Na ons klaar gekuier het, het my ma aangebied om die kinders saam met hulle huistoe te neem sodat ek en my man bietjie ‘n gesellige aand saam met ons vriendin sonder die kleintjies kon gaan

geniet. Ons besluit toe om een van ons gunstelling plekke te besoek,” het die vrou verduidelik.

“Daar aangekom merk ons ‘n voertuig wat in die parkeerarea luier met die truratligte aan. Ons wag toe vir die voertuig om te ry sodat ons in dié se parkeerplek kon intrek. Die voertuig het egter nie gery nie en ons besluit om ander parkeering te soek.”

Volgens die vrou het die moeilikheid begin toe sy en haar vriendin uit die motor klim. “Daar was twee mans in die voertuig wat opmerkings vir my man geskree het. My man ignoreer dit en ons stap aan. Die een man skree toe vir my man “wat juice jy” waarop hy toe reageer met “vra jou ma” en ons stap aan.”

Die vrou vertel dat die twee mans op hulle afgestorm het, waarna hulle die vrouens begin slaan en rondslinger het. Haar man was op die tydstip nie bewus van wat gebeur nie aangesien hy aanhou stap het om ‘n tafel te kry en die twee vroue ‘n ent agter hom aangekom het.

Die vrouens is na bewering op die grond gegooi en deur die twee mans herhaaldelik in die gesig met die vuis geslaan. “Ek het die een ou wat my

op die grond gegooi het, op die plek geslaan waar dit saak maak, maar hy het nie eers geskrik nie en my net aanhou slaan. Toe my man op die toneel aankom het die ou my gelos en op my man se rug gespring en hom op sy kop en nek begin slaan. My man is nie ‘n bakleigat nie. Jare terug was hy in ‘n ongeluk met die gevolg dat daar ‘n gedeelte van skedelbeen weg is.”

Die eienaar van die eetplek het die rumoer buite gehoor en dadelik die slagoffers te hulp gesnel.

Bystanders het ook na bewering hulp verleen om die twee aanvallers van die man en die vrouens af te verwyder.

Een van die vrouens se ligamente in haar regter gewrig is geskeer en sy het merke op haar gesig en nek opgedoen. Tydens die aanval is sy op haar oor geslaan wat later begin bloei het. Haar vriendin het ook wonde opgedoen en teen druktyd sou sy x-strale van haar arm laat neem om inwendige skade te bepaal. Die man het steke op sy knieg gekry.

Die saak word tans deur die Tzaneen SAPD ondersoek en Bulletin sal verdere inligting publiseer soos dit bekend gemaak word.

Fibre network installers update ■ Joe Dreyer The trenchers should be done with their project to install fibre optic cable networks in Tzaneen, by February 2021. This is according to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality who spoke to Bulletin this week. An official statement containing the terms of the service delivery contract between the municipality and the various fibre companies will be released this month.

In the interim, Bulletin has had confirmation from the municipality that the fibre companies each paid a refundable deposit to the municipality of R50 000. This deposit is, however, non-refundable should any of the municipal infrastructure be damaged during the diggings. Furthermore, the contractors pay a fee to the municipality each month for the duration of their work, to ensure that a supervisor and maintenance team is on standby in the event that a waterpipe or electrical cable is damaged during the digging.

In the last few months, we have reported on, and

received reports from residents who have had their sidewalks unearthed and, in the process, suffered damage to their irrigation systems and expensive plants installed on these pavements. Many incidents of burst waterpipes were also recorded and so too an incident of an electrical cable which was damaged during these diggings. In most instances, the GTM’s maintenance team tended to the faults rapidly, however in the case of the damaged electrical cable, parts of Arbor Park remained in darkness for two days because municipal workers affiliated to SAMWU were on strike and hence not available to mend the cable.

Residents were very vocal during the diggings which they saw as a very real disruption to the aesthetics of their neighbourhoods. In some parts however, the diggings have been completed. The grass has returned to the pavements, irrigation systems were repaired and the unsightly webbing outlining the trenches have long since been removed.

In its place, there now lies the next step in the tech-

nological evolutionary ladder – fibre optic internet infrastructure. For businesses and businesspeople forced to work from home, a stable internet connection not affected by weather or vandalism, is crucial.

Initially there were fears raised about the validity of these optic fibre installations and questions around the environmental impact studies were asked. Some residents were concerned that electromagnetic radiation could be leaked from these cables which could be detrimental to their health.

These fears were unfounded however, as fibre optic cables transmit pulses of light and therefore do not generate any electromagnetic radiation. Since such radiation does not occur in fibre optic transmission, there is also no evidence of its impact on human health through fibre optics. The only risk to one’s health would be in the physical handling of a fibre optic cable as the cable itself is composed of glass strands which are fragile. For this reason, these cables are buried underground or hoisted high above ground on telephone poles.

A Great Tree Has Fallen At 11:00am on the 23rd of November 2020 the air over Tzaneen resounded briefly with the roar of aeroplanes flying in a “missing man formation” over St. Peters Anglican Church. Tzaneen Bush Pilots were paying an aerial tribute to “one of them” at the memorial service of Spencer Drake.

Frederick Spencer Drake was born at Elim on the 1st of November 1946, the oldest son of Fred and Santie Drake and he grew up on the farm Redbank in Georges Valley. He went to primary school at the Tzaneen Laerskool and high school at Pretoria Boys High. He captained the first team cricket and rugby, was head boy of Rissik House and deputy Head boy of the school. His military service was carried out in the navy in Simonstown. He was selected as the second most outstanding naval trainee of his intake.

After training at Acme Timbers in Sabie, him and his wife, Helen, returned to Tzaneen in 1970 where together with his father Fred, he built Redbank Sawmills, a tomato box sawmill, that he developed to become the biggest supplier of tomato boxes in the Southern Hemisphere which later became Diggersrest Treated Timbers.

During the 1980’s he was an active member of the 084 4000 911 072 98 98 911 084 22 00 911

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Letaba Commandos and achieved the rank Major.

He was made Company Commander of B Company where his exceptional leadership qualities inspired great admiration and devotion in the men under him.

During the ensuing years Spencer Drake pursued a very successful sawmilling and farming career. He was an exceptionally hardworking entrepreneur who in the 1990’s developed and patented a unique method of finger jointing wet-off saw Saligna planks which earned him world recognition in the timber industry. He was an exceptionally enthusiastic, tenacious, modest and humble man who inspired many people with his calm, uncritical wisdom and compassion. He had a wicked sense of humour, was passionate about fishing and flying and a devoted family man who had a zest for life. He died in Pretoria on the 17th of November 2020 after a brief illness. He leaves his beloved wife of 53 years, Helen, his two children Paula and Frederick, grandchildren Eiren and Mia and great grandchildren Jordan and Ava. His sudden passing has left a huge gap in the lives of his family and many friends.

“He who leans against a big tree will always find shade” - Albanian Proverb

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4 December 2020

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“No tender needed, we fix our roads” ■ Billy Sibuyi The A-Team, as they are now affectionately known by members of the Phalaborwa community, have continued taking service delivery into their own hands and have systematically filled potholes in the town’s hotspots.

On Wednesday afternoon, the team of 12, in partnership with the chamber of business and businesses across Phalaborwa rolled up their sleeves and fixed the potholes at the corner of Palm Avenue and Hardekool Streets.

Manie Kriel, the president of the Phalaborwa Chamber of Business, told Bulletin that what the boys were doing was something that should be commended.

“I had a guy give me 10 cents today and said he is contributing to the fixing of the road. Clearly he does not see any importance in what we are doing, maybe, and I am sorry to say this, if he finds himself in one giant pothole then he will realize that his 10 cents will not help,” said Kriel.

“We have a lot of experience between us, we have time on our side, and we will guide him and show him the exact way to fix a pothole. Fixing it with concrete is a temporary solution because it does not melt with the tar and its worse when it rains because between the tar and concrete there will be a hole again,” commented Kriel when asked about how the chamber of business is willing to assist Clifford Manyama, the originator of the idea and chief driver behind the team.

“This kid is going far I am telling you now, he has the mentality of a businessman and I will help him.

You can see he has the drive and the will to do something, not sitting around waiting for a tender from a politician,” continued Kriel.

“It is a very sad situation to see these boys doing

this work the municipality should be doing, I have people telling me that they will not contribute a cent towards this thing because they are paying rates and taxes but then they must go complain at the municipality because this youngster is prepared to put his livelihood at stake as he is not earning a salary but he wants to assist.”

He also mentioned that he would help the 12 young men secure jobs and put bread on the table as he can see that they are eager to work.

Kriel did not hold back on the failure by the municipality to render services to its residence. “There is no doubt in my mind that they have failed. They could not give a damn about the potholes. Always excuses of “they don’t have this, they don’t have that”. All kinds of nonsense everytime, I am gatvol,” exclaimed the president of the chamber of business.

“The problem with the mayor here is this is just a stepping stone for her to get into parliament, so she couldn’t care about what is going on here as long as she is performing politically,” concluded Kriel.

Clifford Manyama told Bulletin that he was happy that they are slowly but surely getting support from the ‘rest of the A-Team’ as he refers to the residents.

“We are doing this for the community and we will continue doing this because we are also marketing ourselves, with this donations we receive here we buy material and if there is anything left behind, we buy food and eat together after a long day,” stated Manyama. “In time we will have beautiful roads everywhere in our beautiful town.”

The project has garnered national attention with an SABC camera crew documenting the progress of the team this past week. The resounding silence from the office of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s communications department remains deafening.

Residents left divided over well intended initiative ■ Joe Dreyer Not all residents of Tzaneen share the current enthusiasm with which the public park in Boundary Street has been fenced off through a project launched by a private individual. Some residents have voiced their concerns over issues related to not only the aesthetics but the ownership, access, and finances of the now completely fenced-in park.

Minitzani Park was an open, publicly accessible park and playground freely available to any member of the public for many years. The grounds are municipal property and therefore the maintenance of the grounds and the apparatus contained within it, are the responsibility of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM). Residents pay monthly rates and taxes to the municipality who are supposed to apply these funds to the upkeep of their properties which include infrastructure such as the roads, electrical grid, water supply lines and public parks.

Earlier this year, it became apparent that the municipality was failing in its mandate to keep the park and playground in good nick. While the park grounds were regularly landscaped, the swings and slides were in serious need of repair and the familiar landmark T-Rex needed a paint job. There was also an issue with loitering and allegations of drug dealing in one section of the park. This prompted resident, Zantelle Ras, to establish the Tzaneen Projects initiative with their first project being the complete repair and upgrading of Minitzani Park.

For the most part the project received praise as beautifications started taking shape. Members of the community joined in and repaired and painted the swings and rides, and even ol’ Rex received a makeover. The project received applause from all sectors of the community until one day a palisade fence was erected around the entire park. Soon after the erection of the fence, community members were asked to join in painting the structure. Soon after the paint had dried, the first of the advertising signboards appeared. Soon after this, more signboards made their appearance and today, a total of 35 company advertisement boards adorn the brightly coloured fence. A single access point was created in the form of a pedestrian gate which is reportedly locked up at night and opened again the following morning.

On their Facebook page, Tzaneen Projects, a notice appeared which detailed the map of Minitzani playground’s mini roads network. The roads were coloured in and a message read “buy your own street, give your street a name!” The pricing for the purchase of the streets ranged from R3 000 to

R10 000. Combined it equates to total of R55 000.

Furthermore, on the page is a new initiative where companies are encouraged to choose a picnic bench area, decorate it to their taste and brand it.

We received some questions from residents which we compiled into a list and sent it off to Zantelle and to the GTM Municipal Manager, Thapelo Matlala for clarity. “Morning. I have asked for a report on the matter. Once I have the report, we will respond promptly,” said Matlala.

Zantelle opted to post the questions onto the Tzaneen Projects Facebook page a few minutes before our deadline yesterday without informing us of this, and despite a message earlier in the day that she would send us the answers to our inquiry later in the evening. To our question regarding the costs for the advertisement boards, she responded by saying that all sponsors involved in the project were entitled to an advertisement board on the fence. “The size of the board depends on the size of the sponsorship which is divided into two sizes. For sponsorships smaller than R10 000 a 930mmx930mm signboard was available and for sponsorships larger than R10 000 signboards of 2mx930mm was available. These boards can stay on the palisades for as long as the sponsor wishes to remain involved in the maintenance of the project. If a sponsor no longer wants to be involved in the maintenance of the project, we ask that the board be removed to make space for the next sponsor.”

Zantelle explained that sponsorship consists of material, labour or financial contributions. She stated that where possible, the sponsors paid the funds for the material directly to the suppliers, but that any extra funds were paid into the Tzaneen Swaarvoertuie account from where it is then deposited into various suppliers’ accounts. We asked her on which statistics she based the claim that the park was unsafe and needed to be fenced in, to which she replied “I don’t work on statistics, nor on threats. I believe that God gave me the instruction to be the change. Everyone always has opinions and say that things need to change, but nobody ever takes the initiative to do something.

So I’m doing something. All I ask is that everyone takes hands and works together to be the change the world needs.”

Ras explained that the idea to “sell” the streets inside the park was an initiative by a sponsor to raise funds to complete the project. According to her, there is still material that needs to be purchased and labour that needs to be paid for. “During the Covid pandemic many businesses were unable to assist financially and some sponsors were forced to withdraw. Those holes now need to be filled.”

The full set of questions and Zantelle’s response can be viewed on the Tzaneen Projects Facebook page. We have compiled further questions for Zantelle and the GTM, which we will send to both parties for publication in next week’s edition.

We would like clarity on which municipal official signed off on the project, and who will be taking responsibility in the event that a child should be injured on any new structures erected at the playground, considering that according to Ras, no safe-

ty inspectors have visited the site. We have also requested clarity on whether or not there is a fee Tzaneen Projects would have to pay to the municipality, for consent to display advertisement boards on the fence surrounding the park, as per the municipal bylaws. Lastly, we sought clarity from the municipality on consent to private individuals to “rent” out municipal grounds as fundraising projects. We will publish their feedback in next week’s edition.

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Curfew on the cards again ■ Jeff Jackson The banning of alcohol, and a curfew were some of the resolutions taken by the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) during their meeting which took place on Tuesday. The decisions had since been referred to the Presidential Co-Ordinating Council (PCC) for deliberations before it could be finalised and be announced.

According to leaked information, the curfew will start from 22:00 to 04:00 in the morning mostly in places where there is a surge in infections. Alcohol will be sold from Monday to Thursday while pubs and taverns should be closed by 21:00. The NCCC further resolved that restaurants should be expected to close at 21:00 as part of the new developments.

“It was also decided that drinking of alcohol in public will be banned at places such as parks and

beaches, and restaurants selling alcohol will have to shut down at 21:00 before the curfew could be implemented. The meeting of people in the affected areas to be announced by Cyril Ramaphosa will be restricted to 100 indoors while outdoors only 250 people will be allowed. This includes religious gatherings.” said the source.

If the decisions of the NCCC is anything to go by, the restrictions will be regionalised which means that it would be determined on how the province might be performing in terms of containing the spread of the disease. But in the areas which will not be affected by the so-called “Second Wave” Level 1 Lockdown regulations will remain in place.

The areas likely to be affected by the new restrictions are the Eastern and Western Cape.

The president is expected to address the nation either on Thursday or Sunday, the 6th of December.

R78 billion pay hike dispute ■ Jeff Jackson The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has threatened to leave the Triparteid Alliance with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) if its deployees continue to implement the three years’ salary hike freeze as announced by finance minister, Tito Mboweni. The Minister made the announcement during the Budget Speech, and last week during the Medium Term Budget Speech (MTBS) despite the matter set for court this Tuesday.

The Treasury is afraid that if the matter could be decided in favour of labour, the government will have to borrow R78 billion in order to implement the salary hike for the coming three years. This comes at a time the salary negotiations are to commence next year after March, but the government said they cannot afford the increment as salaries make up 51 percent of the budget.

Mboweni said that the government cannot im-

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Ranger still missing ■ Billy Sibuyi The Kruger National Park investigation team is still searching for one of their own, Checkers Mashego, who went missing two weeks ago on the 17th of November, in the Stolsnek section of the KNP while on a routine patrol with his patrol partner.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) head of communication, Isaac Phaahla, said it was rare for field game rangers to go missing and that this was the very first time that one from the Kruger National Park has gone missing. Mashego is said to have disappeared not far from the border fence of the KNP and Mozambique. Phaahla stated that both the radio and cellphone signal tracking was a part of the investigation.

“The partner is also being interviewed for his version. All the above are subjects of an intensive investigation undertaken by a special task team comprising of SAPS and SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit,” stated Phaahla and

according to further details shared with Bulletin none of these items have been recovered since the disappearance of the ranger.

The rangers worked in pairs, however Mashego was not seen by his partner when he disappeared into the great wilderness of the South of the Kruger National Park. A credible source alleged that both the radio and cellphone have since been turned off, and that matters are further being complicated by the fact that the phone Mashego had on him, was not a smartphone.

SANParks ranger corps, their K9 unit, as well as airwing and environmental crime investigation units have continued with their intensified search.

Should anyone be able to provide any information relating to the whereabouts of the missing Field Ranger, Checkers Mashego, they should contact either their nearest Police Station, Skukuza Police Station or SANParks MAJOC Emergency Call Centre numbers 013 735 0197/076 801 9679.

plement the pay deal as it would precipitate a fiscal crisis. An extract from the court papers states “What the government and the South African economy cannot afford, and what is not just and equitable under the current circumstances, is for civil servants to claim yet further inflation beating and private sector outperforming salary increases off an already high base.” Thus, reneging on a three year pay deal this year set to end in March 2021 as government and unions negotiate for three years at a time.

This week the government, in a twist of affairs, called on the workers union to put aside their court case until February as the government had a new offer to table. Though some unions were in agreement, the Public Servants Association (PSA) refused to heed the call and said they are prepared to meet the government in court.

The unions had also threatened not to support the ruling ANC in the coming local government elections.

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Phalaborwa mayor accused of bribery on things that do not mean anything to me,” she said. “He is family and I will not hate him, I will leave him just like that and one day when it all sinks in, he will know that he was wrong about me.”

The mayor said that she believed in transparency. “If I was involved in procurement and it was about nepotism, then I would most probably hire my own family instead of an outsider, in this case Masea Bens. But because I have nothing to do with this, the people who are dealing with it, dealt with it,” she concluded.

In the meantime, there have been many rumours that Masea Bens, was very intricately connected with the mayor which is how he managed to obtain the contract. However, Masea begs to differ with this as he saaid that his past relations with the mayor should not be weighed against him in bidding for an open tender.

“There is nowhere where it says that if you have any relation or past relations with somebody you are not allowed to bid, it was an open tender and I won it fairly,” stated Masea whose company started operating in the municipality from Monday.

Merriam Malatji, mayor of Ba-Phalaborwa

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LIGHTING

“We now understand why the mayor had bodyguards during her Imbizos, it was all in preparation to take over the security gig in the municipality.” These were the words of the outgoing security company, Mopani Flying Squad director, Louis Malatji, who blew the whistle on alleged corrupt dealings within the municipality.

Just a few months ago, the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality (BPM) Mayor, Merriam Malatji, was lambasted for allegedly hiring bodyguards during an Imbizo. However, it was later denied that they were hired but in fact they were members of a community policing forum.

It later emerged that those ‘bodyguards’ that would escort the BPM Mayor, were members of a task force team, A-Team Task Force, that was established in Phalaborwa and were providing security protection to several garages and fleet companies across the Mopani region.

“Unless there is an interdict that says I am not allowed to do business here in Phalaborwa I will do it,” said the A-Team Task Force director, Tebogo Bens Masea.

Masea stated that he never saw any contradiction when he offered his services by volunteering as a community police forum member. “I will still continue being a community police forum because our people will be safe.”

Moreover, the company was recently employed by the municipality on an interim basis for a contract of three months and according to the municipal spokesperson, Jonas Mahesu, met all requirements needed for said contract.

According to the municipality’s tender requirements for the provision of security guarding services and alarm systems, it requires a minimum of three years traceable track record. The A-Team was only registered in 2018.

However, this does not disqualify them but only decreases points on their evaluation report. Moreover, in January 2021, they will possess the minimum three years to meet the tender requirements. The A-Team Task Force will meet the requirements when their interim contract ends, putting them in a favorable position to win the bid for three years.

“I obtained this contract fair and square because all my documents are in order,” stated Bens Masea who also told Bulletin he had nothing to hide. “I have seen they say my company has 11 months in service, however, we have been working with other companies for over two years.”

A corruption case has been opened against the BPM and its mayor,

Merriam Malatji, following a dispute between her and the Mopani Flying Squad’s owner, Louis Malatji.

Malatji claimed he obtained an interdict against the mayor after she attempted to solicit a half a million Rand (R500 000) bribe from him to secure his company a further three years contract with the municipality.

He claimed that the mayor demanded R500 000 when she requested to meet with him in her office. “She told me that she wanted to see me in connection with my company which was doing well in the municipality as the evaluation report showed that I am ahead in bid points.”

“She told me that the reason my company was on the top of the bid list was because she had her hand in the matter and I should give her R500 000 so that she can finalize the process. I said it was fine I will give her the money but first she must show me proof and that is when she brought the evaluation report,” continued Louis Malatji.

“When the mayor produced the report, I realized that I was qualifying and there was nothing she had done for my company to be in that position, so I told her that I won’t give her even a cent. She asked me whether I am sure of what I am saying and I reiterated that I won’t offer her even a cent. She threatened to re-advertise the post should I not give her the money. I told her to go ahead and re-advertise.”

Louis has now won a High Court interdict that stops the municipality from appointing a new security company. According to him the municipality was supposed to have appeared in court on Monday, 31st of November, but they requested a postponement on the basis that they wanted to add another lawyer to their panel of lawyers.

“They are busy using taxpayer’s money to cover up for the corruption of the mayor,” he stated.

Bulletin spoke to the BPM mayor to hear her side of the story.

“Even R50 000 is a lot of money for me to ask, because I will no longer be asking for money but a bribe,” Merriam Malatji told Bulletin “This was not the first time Louis did something like this as he had done so when his contract ended at Mopani and several other places he was employed.”

She has denied all allegations against her and said that she has no power to appoint nor dismiss any company in the municipality. “I have been sick for the last two months and have been in and out of hospital. I was unaware of any procurement of any companies in the municipality,” stated the mayor.

“Louis must just provide the facts, my life is more important right now1258 and I will not focus energy RSA 200 xmy262

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4 December 2020

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M E D I A

Legals NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL CONSENT TO ESTABLISH A PLACE OF INSTRUCTION IN TERMS OF SECTION 68 OF THE SPLUMA BY-LAWS OF GREATER TZANEEN MUNICIPALITY 2016, READ TOGETHER WITH CLAUSE 15 OF THE TZANEEN TOWN PLANNING SCHEME 2000 I, Willem Johannes Jacobsz of Omniplan CC Town Planners, being the authorised agent of the registered owners of Portion 70 Pusela 555-LT hereby give notice in terms of Section 68 of the SPLUMA By-Law of Greater Tzaneen Municipality 2016, read together with Clause 15 of the Tzaneen Town Planning Scheme 2000, that I have applied to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality for Special Consent to utilise the property for the purposes of a Place of Instruction.

Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, Civic Centre, Agatha Street, Tzaneen, for a period of 30 days from 04 December 2020 (the date of the first publication of the notice). Objections to or representations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in writing to the Municipal Manager at the above address or be delivered to room 257, Civic Centre, Agatha Street, Tzaneen within 30 days from 04 December 2020, by quoting the above-mentioned heading, the objector’s interest in the matter, the

ground(s) of the objection/representation, the objector’s property description, phone numbers and address. A person who cannot write may during office hours visit the abovementioned Municipality requesting assistance to transcribe his/her objections, comments or representations. Contact person: Mr. M J Mathye (015-307-8031) Address of Agent: Omniplan Town Planners, P.O. Box 2071, TZANEEN, 0850.

Tel. 015 307 1041. Ref. J275 Dec101_____________________

KENNISGEWING VAN AANSOEK SPESIALE TOESTEMMING VIR ‘N PLEK VAN ONDERRIG INGEVOLGE ARTIKEL 68 VAN DIE SPLUMA BY-WET 2016 VAN DIE GROTER TZANEEN MUNISIPALITEIT, SAAMGELEES MET KLOUSULE 15 VAN DIE TZANEEN DORPSBEPLANNINGSKEMA 2000 Ek, Willem Johannes Jacobsz van Omniplan CC Stadsbeplanners, synde die gemagtigde agent van die geregistreerde eienaar van Gedeelte 70 Pusela 555-LT gee hiermee ingevolge Artikel 68 van die SPLUMA By-Wet 2016 van die Groter Tzaneen Munisipaliteit, saamgelees met Klousule 15 van die Tzaneen Dorpsbeplanningskema 2000 kennis dat ek by die Groter Tzaneen Munisipaliteit aansoek gedoen het vir Spesiale Toestemming om die eiendom te gebruik vir ‘n Plek van Onderrig.

Besonderhede van die aansoek lê ter insae gedurende gewone kantoorure

by die kantoor van die Munisipale Bestuurder, Burgersentrum, Agathastraat, Tzaneen vir 'n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 04 Desember 2020 (die datum van eerste publikasie van hierdie kennisgewing).

Besware teen of vertoë ten opsigte van die aansoeke moet skriftelik binne 30 dae vanaf 04 Desember 2020 gerig word aan die Munisipale Bestuurder by bovermelde adres of afgelewer word by kamer 257, Burgersentrum, Agathastraat, Tzaneen, deur die verwysing na bostaande opskrif, die beswaarmaker se belang in die saak, die gronde/redes vir die beswaar, die beswaarmaker se eiendomsbeskrywing, telefoonnommer en adres.

Enige persoon wat nie kan skryf nie mag gedurende kantoorure die bovermelde Munisipaliteit besoek en hulp versoek om sy/ haar besware, kommentare of voorstelle op skrif te stel. Kontak persoon: Mnr. M J Mathye (015-3078031) Adres van Agent: Omniplan CC, Posbus 2071, Tzaneen, 0850, Tel. 015 307 1041. Verw. J275 Dec102_____________________

TZANEEN AMENDMENT SCHEME 467 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF A TOWN-PLANNING SCHEME IN TERMS OF SECTION 57 OF THE GREATER TZANEEN MUNICIPAL SPLUMA BYLAWS 2016 I, Willem Johannes Jacobsz of Omniplan Town Planners, being the authorised agent of the registered owners of Erf 125

Tzaneen X2 hereby give notice in terms of Section 57 of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality’s SPLUMA By-Laws 2016, that I have applied to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality for the amendment of the town-planning scheme known as the Tzaneen Town Planning Scheme, 2000 by the rezoning of the property described above, 6 King Edward Street, Tzaneen X2, from "Residential 1" to "Residential 3". Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, Civic Centre, Tzaneen for a period of 30 days from 04 December 2020 (the date of the first publication of the notice). Objections to or representations in respect of the applications must be lodged with or made in writing to the Municipal Manager at the above address or at PO Box 24, Tzaneen, 0850 within a period of 30 days from 04 December 2020. by quoting the abovementioned heading, the objector’s interest in the matter, the ground(s) of the objection/representation, the objector’s property description, phone numbers and address. A person who cannot write may during office hours visit the abovementioned municipality requesting assistance to transcribe his/her objections, comments, or representations.

Contact person: Mr. M Mathye (015 307 8031). Address of authorised agent: Omniplan Town Planners, PO Box 2071, TZANEEN, 0850, Tel No (015) 307

1041. Ref No: J269 Dec103_____________________

TZANEEN WYSIGINGSKEMA 467 KENNISGEWING VAN AANSOEK OM WYSIGING VAN ‘N DORPSBEPLANNINGSKEMA INGEVOLGE ARTIKEL 57 VAN DIE GROTER TZANEEN MUNISIPALE SPLUMA BY-WETTE Ek, Willem Johannes Jacobsz van Omniplan Stadsbeplanners, synde die gemagtigde agent van die geregistreerde eienaars van Erf 125 Tzaneen X2 gee hiermee ingevolge Artikel 57 van die Groter Tzaneen Munisipale SPLUMA ByWette, 2016 kennis dat ek by die Groter Tzaneen Munisipaliteit aansoek gedoen het om die wysiging van die Dorpsbeplanningskema bekend as die Tzaneen Dorpsbeplanningskema, 2000 deur die hersonering van die eiendom hierbo beskryf, geleë te 6 King Edward Tzaneen X2, vanaf "Residensieel 1” na "Residensieel 3". Besonderhede van die aansoek lê ter insae gedurende gewone kantoor ure by die kantoor van die Munisipale Bestuurder, Burgersentrum, Tzaneen vir 'n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 04 Desember 2020 (die datum van eerste publikasie van hierdie kennisgewing). Besware teen of vertoë ten opsigte van die aansoek moet binne 'n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 04 December 2020 skriftelik by of tot die Munisipale Bestuurder by bovermelde adres of by Posbus 24, Tzaneen, 0850 ingedien of gerig word deur die verwysing na bostaande opskrif, die beswaarmaker se belang in die saak, die gronde/redes vir die beswaar, die beswaarmaker se eiendomsbeskrywing, telefoonnommer en adres.

Enige persoon wat nie kan skryf nie mag gedurende kantoorure die bovermel-

de Munisipaliteit besoek en hulp versoek om sy/ haar besware, kommentare of voorstelle op skrif te stel. Kontak persoon: Mnr. M Mathye (015 307 8031).

Adres van gemagtigde agent: Omniplan Stads- en Streekbeplanners, Posbus 2071, Tzaneen, 0850, Tel. No. (015) 307 1041. Verw.

No. J269 Dec 104_____________________

NOTICE: LOST OR DESTROYED DEED Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, of the intention to apply for the issue of a certified copy of Certificate of Registered Title T2867/2010 passed

by PIET WARREN PLASE (EIENDOMS) BEPERK, Registration Number: 1984/005343/07 in respect of certain PORTION 4 (A PORTION OF PORTION 3) OF THE FARM CLAIMLAND 780, Registration Division L.T., Limpopo Province which has been lost or destroyed.

All interested persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Register of Deeds Limpopo at Polokwane within two weeks from the date of publication of this notice.

Dated at Tzaneen on this the 26TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2020 Applicant: Joubert & May Attorneys Address: 50 Boundary Street, Tzaneen, 0850 Tel no: 015 307-3660 Email address: fransie@joubertmay.co.za Ref: Fransie/NP013 Dec105_____________________

NOTICE Notice to Creditors and Others Estate of the deceased Hermanus Johannes Pieterse, born 1939/09/18, deceased on 2020/07/11.

Notice is hereby given by the undersigned, H. Pieterse executor of the last will and testament of H.J. Pieterse, 1939/09/18, deceased, to the creditors of and all persons having claims against the said deceased, to exhibit them with the necessary documents, within 30 days after the first publication of this notice, to the said executor H. Pieterse, Cell nr 0790582195.

Dec106_____________________

AMENDMENT OF TZANEEN TOWN-PLANNING SCHEME, 2000 (AMENDMENT SCHEME 470 WITH ANNEXURE 288) We, Masungulo Holdings ( Pty) Ltd being an authorized agent of the owners of the erf mentioned below, hereby give notice in terms of Chapter 5, Part C: Section 57 of the Greater Tzaneen SPLUMA, By-Laws , 2016 that we have applied to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality for the amendment of the Tzaneen Town Planning Scheme, 2000, by the Rezoning of Erf 5058 Tzaneen Extension Ext 84 Township, Registration Division LT Limpopo Province, located at 07 Sugar Bird Street , from “ Residential 1 ” to “ Residential 1” with relaxation From 5 Meter Building Line to 3 meter building line with an Annexure 288. Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, Civic Centre, Tzaneen, for a period of 30 days from 04 December 2020 (the date of the first publication of notice) . Objections to or representation in respect of application must be lodged with or made in writing to the Municipal Manager at the above-mentioned address or at P.O Box 24, Tzaneen, 0850 within a period of 30

days from 04 December 2020. Address of agent: Masungulo Holdings (Pty) Ltd 14 Thornhill Crescent Street, Thornhill Estate, Bendor Ext 87, Polokwane, 0699. Tel: (015) 491 – 4521, Fax: 015 491 2221.

Dec107_____________________

WYSIGING VAN TANZEEN STADSBEPLANNINGSKEMA, 2000 (WYSIGINGSKEMA 470 MET AANHANGSEL 288) Ons, Masungulo Holdings (Pty) Ltd, 'n gemagtigde agent van die eienaars van die onderstaande erf, gee hiermee kennis ingevolge Hoofstuk 5, Deel C: Artikel 57 van die Greater Tzaneen SPLUMA, ByLaws, 2016 wat ons op die Groter Tzaneen Munisipaliteit vir die wysiging van die Tzaneen Stadsbeplanningskema, 2000, deur die hersonering van Erf 5058 Tzaneen Uitbreiding 84 Dorp, Registrasie Afdeling LT Limpopo Provinsie, geleë te 07 Sugar Bird Straat vanaf “Residensieel 1” na “Residensieel 1” met ontspanning van 5 meter boulyn tot 3 meter boulyn met bylae 288. Besonderhede van die aansoek le ter insae gedurende gewone kantoorure by die kantoor van die Munisipale Bestuurder, Burgersentrum, Tzaneen vir 'n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 04 Desember 2020 (die datum van die eerste publikasie van die kennisgewing). Besware teen of vertoe ten opsigte van die aansoek moet skriftelik by of tot die Munisipale Bestuurder by bovermelde adres of by Posbus 24, Tzaneen, 0850 binne 'n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 04 Desember 2020. Adres van agent: Masungulo Holdings (Pty) Ltd 14 Thornhill Crescent Street, Thornhill Estate, Bendor Ext 87, Polokwane, 0699. Tel: (015) 491 - 4521, Faks: 015 491 2221.

Nov201_____________________

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4 December 2020

7

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Sport 4 December 2020

Menge and Raaths nail championships ■ Roelof de Jonge

The final two rounds (five and six) of the National Rally Championship (NRC); the TRAC N4 Rally, took place around Dullstroom on Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th of November.

Several of the Northern Regions Rally Championship contenders entered again in these two rounds, such as Tzaneen’s rally co-driver, Louis Menge, who indicates the road ahead for Pretoria driver, Anton Raaths.

The pair competed this year in the NR1 class of the Northern Regions Rally Championship with their Mark1 VW Golf. As Menge explained afterwards, they had quite an eventful outing in both the last two rounds.

Nevertheless, the consistent performance of Raaths and Menge throughout the shortened championship due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was good enough for them to be crowned as the 2020 Northern Regions Driver and Navigator Champions in their respective class, NR1.

Menge also received an award for his overall second place of the Northern Regional Championship Navigator Championship.

Menge said in Friday’s rally event consisting out of five stages, they ran into trouble with a broken shock absorber in the first stage. They managed to finish the stage, team manager and mechanic, Harry Venter, had to spark at the next service point to get Raaths and Menge going again.

“We just could not get the shock problem solved from there on and subsequently we crashed out of the event in the last stage of the rally. Raaths had another car available which was based in Pretoria, and he ordered that it be brought to Dullstroom for the next

day’s rally.”

“Although this is a newer version VW Golf, it has much less power than the Mark1 Golf we usually compete with. The Citi Golf performs way better, but we had no choice as to carry on with the second car.”

It was not all plain sailing for Menge and Raaths on the second day and final round of the rally championship. They again picked up some mechanical troubles in the early part of the rally in stage two when the car suffered a broken CV joint.

“We could not fix the car and failed to complete the stage.

We then continued to race, although under Super Rally Regulations, which means we won’t be able to score points even if we do finish in a competitive position.”

“The rally was really great, although it was quite tricky especially in the forest plantations with consistent mist and muddy conditions making it a challenge for all the teams. But we are incredibly happy with the end result to bag championship titles. I would also like to congratulate and thank the whole team for their immense teamwork and incredible positive spirit.”

The final two rounds also saw a welcome return to an old rally stalwart from Tzaneen, Eddie Simpson, who after two years due to illness, competed in his class NR1 Opel Corsa. Simpson partnered with Raaths’ wife, Isabel, who navigated the route of Anton Raaths and Louis Menge have won the NR1 class for drivers and navigators in the 2020 Northern Regional Rally the rally.

Championship. Photos: Supplied

Eddie Simpson from Tzaneen in his familiar Opel Corsa teamed up with Isabel Raaths as co-driver and also competed at the weekend’s national and regional TRAC N4 Rally in Dullstroom.

Anton Raaths and his Tzaneen based co-driver, Louis Menge, in action during the weekend’s last rounds of the National Rally Championship in Dullstroom.