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Zoutpansberger
14 Desember 2012
WE WILL BE OPEN ON MONDAY 17 DECEMBER UNTIL 13:00
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Microdotting on all vehicles will eventually be inevitable - page 2
Joubertstraat 16B Makhado (Louis Trichardt) TEL: 516 4996/7/8
Molesteerder moet vir eers maar agter tralies bly - bladsy 3
Jaargang 28 Vol. 49
Tel: (015) 516 1535/6/7 Fax: 516 1786
LOTS OF IN-STORE SPECIALS ON 17 DECEMBER UNTIL 13:00
Nuwe rioolaanleg dalk teen middel 2013 klaar - bladsy 5
Amidst electricity crisis some 90 Denel AMG specialists also stand the chance to lose their jobs
AFB still gripped in crisis Over R1,2 million per month to keep generators running By Frans van der Merwe Budget problems in the SANDF, massive retrenchment in a specialized staff component of the SAAF and the continued electricity crisis at Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado are causing concerns, also regarding overall combat readiness. A delay in the repair of the extensively damaged high-voltage electricity supply at AFB Makhado is adding to the severe budget problems of the SAND/SAAF. Extremely expensive interim support measures with standby generators by the SAAF are still in force to assist 234 households at the base with an ongoing supply of electricity, at an additional monthly cost of more than R1milion. In the meantime, a massive retrenchment of members of the Denel AMG unit, comprising some 90 specialists involved in the maintenance of the Hawks and Gripens at AFB Makhado, is on the cards. According to national news reports, in total, 523 Denel aircraft specialists are about to be retrenched countrywide after an air force contract was cancelled. The retrenchment process is reported to start early next year. The reported impending local retrenchment of the entire unit comes in the wake of the recent announcement
in Parliament that the Air Force currently does not have sufficient money to keep all 26 Gripen fighter planes in the air. At the time of going to press, answers to questions about the status of the Gripens and Hawks at AFB Makhado and the overall effect of the SANDF/SAAF’s financial situation on the combat readiness at AFB Makhado were still being awaited. On the issue of the electricity crisis at AFB Makhado, Officer Commanding Brig Gen Schalk van Heerden confirmed upon enquiry the ongoing use of standby generators at the base. For this the average monthly expenditure for diesel alone runs into some R1,2 million, to be recovered from the standard Air Force operating budget. This does not include the costs of spares, oil and manpower hours. “Initial saving measures to have the generators run only during peak hours proved to be damaging to electrical appliances of members, due to electrical spikes and surges during start-up procedures; thus the decision was made to have generators run on a 24-hour basis. Provision of power by this means contributed to the improvement of the dire situation in Braambos regarding the morale of members and the social welfare in preserving food supplies of families,” Van Heerden said. The generators require standard
2011 BMW X1 S-Drive 1.8 Auto MPack Panoramic Roof 47 000km
day-to-day maintenance actions as well as scheduled maintenance services at various intervals, during which they have to be switched off for the duration
of the services. This brought the total requirement of generators to 13 in order to have one or two on standby in case of unserviceability. Competencies were required by the Base’s technical staff
to maintain the generators, but AFB Makhado is also assisted by outside Air Force units from Pretoria with more serious unservicabilities. (Contd on P2)
The two young save-the-rhino activists of Makhado (Louis Trichardt), Casper-John Venter and Marco Marcos, had an exciting experience on Monday when 50/50 came to shoot an insert about them for a possible television broadcast! They also had privilege of meeting actress and 50/50 presenter Faye Peters on 10 December. From left to right are Faye, Ruan Marcos (6), Casper- John (11) and Marco (11). Read article on P4.
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Prices valid from 1 to 31 December 2012. E&OE. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Cash and Carry while stocks last.