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21 April 2017
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SIMA Silver Lodge is now cleared The owner of the SIMA Silver Lodge in Lushof, Sam Simata, is unaware of any noise disturbance complaints against his establishment, nor is he aware of the GTM’s claims regarding his rezoning application. Simata spoke to Bulletin, at our offices, on Wednesday and refuted the claims by residents of the area that his lodge was responsible for sleepless nights because of the lavish parties hosted there over weekends. “Who are the ones who complained? If there is a list, I would like to see that, because I am not aware of any noise disturbances,” he said. “The people have to understand that in the same area where my lodge operates, there is another lodge less than a kilometre away, and a compound just across the road where there is always loud music and parties being held. How sure are these people that the noise comes from my place specifically?” This followed a number of complaints by resident on adjoining plots and farms in the Lushof area who have complained about the noise allegedly stemming from SIMA Silver Lodge. The complaints in turn sparked a debate on the legality of the lodge’s operations which led to an investigation by Bulletin uncovering some alleged irregularities concerning the zoning rights of the land on which the business operates. In last week’s edition we reported that the land on which the lodge was built, was still zoned for agriculture and that the rezoning application had been submitted, but the promulgation thereof was pending the outcome of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The GTM issued a statement this week, wherein they confirmed that the rezoning of the Remainder of portion 28 of the Farm Lushof 540LT (Sima Silver Lodge) from “Agriculture” to “Special for Overnight Accommodation and Ancil-
lary Activities” including a restaurant and conference facilities, was approved by Council under resolution C 2008 05 27: B14 with at least sixteen conditions. One of the conditions was that the owner (Simata) ensures that the proposed land uses comply with an Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulation no 1182 in terms of the Environmental Conservation Act, 1989 (Act 73 of 1989). Simata countered that statement with a document from the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, dated 28 January 2011. The document stated that the proposed development of the lodge will be located within a tourism or agricultural development node and therefore would not significantly alter the sense of place of the surrounding area. “Based on the review of the information submitted, the Department hereby informs you that the proposed activity is
not listed in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2010 (GN R. 544) published under the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No 107 of 1998) and therefore does not legally require Environmental Authorisation from the Department. Although authorization in terms of NEMA is not required for this activity, all relevant legislation and requirements of other government departments (ie National, Provincial and Local) must still be complied with.” The document goes on to list 12 conditions which may require pre-approval by the department, but closes with the following: “In light of the above, Mr D.S Simata may proceed with the establishment of the above activity without having to conduct a Basic Assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment Process subject to the above conditions.” Following our meeting at Bulletin, Sam Simata went to the offices of the GTM and handed them the very same document. Upon analysing the document, the GTM contacted Bulletin and rectified their initial statement on the basis of the new information Simata provided. For all intents and purposes it would appear as though the necessary documents have been put in place and all the legal processes have been adhered to. This means that SIMA Silver Lodge is legally entitled to operate their lodge. The process of rezoning will now also be finalized. “On the issue of noise, we would like to assure our neighbours in the Lushof area that we will be more considerate in the future. We urge the community to approach us with any complaints regarding the running of our business so that we can attend to those issues timeously,” said Simata. — Joe Dreyer joe@bulletin.us.com
Singh us a song 3 escapees, 3 attacks
Come and support the
ation of R207 990.44 for the term (which is nearly R100 000 less per annum than the proposed salary for a cashier at the same facility – as per Ndlala in an article on the topic earlier). Why did the GTM appoint Singh above all other possible candidates that could have qualified for the position? “He met all the requirements, he is qualified and has experience,” said Ndlala. As part of the conditions for the applicants wanting to apply for the position, the GTM stated in their advert “short-listed applicants will be screened for criminal records and / or any pending criminal cases and their qualifications verified. Council reserves the right not to appoint.” According to Ndlala, Singh told the GTM that he was currently under investigation and that the matter was still in court. He also said that Singh resigned from the BCM and was not fired. “He told us of this, and he said that he will have to return on the third of next month to appear in court. We will double check with Buffalo City and verify the information.” It seems strange that a case as highly publicised by the local newspaper within the Buffalo City Municipality - The Daily Dispatch - as the case of Singh’s termination, managed to slip under the GTM’s radar? A very quick Google search on Singh turns up a number of articles on the case. — Joe Dreyer joe@bulletin.us.com
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Three farm attacks shook the Letsitele com- licensed firearm. munity over the course of the long weekend. The following day a third attack was reIn the first instance a couple was attacked by ported. This time two suspects, armed with two suspects on a small holding, Darina, just knives, entered the home of a family on a outside Letsitele along the Eiland Road. plot at Taganashoek. According to the inKobus Nel (52) and his wife were awoken formation received, the home belonged to at around 03:00 on Thursday morning by an elderly couple who had their family over two knife-wielding men. They wore balacla- for the Easter weekend. The victims were atvas and demanded money from the couple tacked and in the scuffle, a 76-year old lady before tying them up with ropes and fleeing was stabbed and her 78-year old husband asthe scene with a hunting rifle, ammunition saulted with a blunt object. They were both and household electronics. The couple were tied up and robbed of their mobile phones. left unharmed according to the SAPS. The suspects fled with the couple’s car keys. In the aftermath of the attack the police The victims were rushed to hospital and a stated that a case of house robbery was be- manhunt was launched. At the time of going ing investigated and that a charge of Negli- to print no arrests in this case had been regent Possession of a Firearm would be made ported. against Nel for keeping a firearm in contraThe attacks followed less than a week afvention of the Firearms Control Act. ter three criminals escaped from the police In the second attack later that same day, a holding cells at Haernertsburg police station. woman was held hostage by one of the at- This escape was uncovered during a routine tackers for two hours before he handed him- check by police officers the following mornself over to police negotiators. ing. The escapees had used a hacksaw blade The hostage drama played off on the to cut their way through the ceiling of the Charles Luther Farm in the Ofcolaco area, on cells. Thursday afternoon following an attack on The escapees were identified as Abel Modthe Meyer couple by two suspects. The cou- iba (27) who was arrested for two house ple’s 9-year old grandson was visiting at the robberies, Thomas Nkuna (33) who was also time and during the attack, Mr Meyer (78), arrested for two house robberies and Elia fled from the house with his grandson and Makgaba (28) who was arrested for armed called for help. robbery. After the suspect handed himself over At the time of going to print, the police had to the police, a firearm was recovered. The not linked any of the farm attacks to any of suspect appeared in the Lenyenye Magis- the escapees and they were still on the run to show us whatwith youinvestigations are made of and support a cause worth fighti trate’s court on a chargesTime of house robbery, continuing. attempted murder and possession of an un— Joe Dreyer joe@bulletin.us.com
S A D
22 April Registration 7:15 t Star
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DIRTY DETAILS
22 April 2017 Registration 7:15 to 7:45 DIRTY DETAILS Start 8:00
22 April 2017 Registration 7:15 to 7:45 Start 8:00
DIRTY DETA
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Hiring a man into a position from which he was fired from at another municipality is no cause for alarm, according to acting spokesperson of the GTM, Neville Ndlala. After a two-week silence from the municipal communications department on issues related to the appointment of Vikramjith “Vicky” Singh (60), we finally received a response. According to Ndlala, a background check was conducted on Singh upon his application for the post of lifeguard at the municipal swimming bath complex in Crown Street. “A background check was conducted with the references from both Polokwane and Buffalo City and nothing negative came out, he is doing his job properly and there is no need for alarm,” said Ndlala. Bulletin contacted the Buffalo City Municipality’s (BCM) Human Resources department to verify this statement. We were told that Singh was indeed fired from his position at the Joan Harrison swimming complex, but we could get no confirmation of a background check done by anyone from the GTM. “If you can find out which person from the GTM made the enquiry regarding Mr Singh, we could perhaps assist you,” said the BCM clerk. The position of lifeguard at the Tzaneen municipal swimming bath was advertised on the GTM’s website in November 2016. The position is a 12-month fixed term contract (non-renewable) and offers remuner-
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