Unconfirmed reports of a lion spotted in the Ermelo area in Mpumalanga have raised alarm among local farmers and residents as lions are not typically found in this region According to a voice note Highvelder received allegedly from local farmers in the Davel and Ermelo area tracks believed to belong to a lion were found in the direction of Ermelo The tracks were reportedly discovered shortly after recent rainfall which made them easier to spot in the terrain The voice note says that Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency (MPTA) officials from Nelspruit have been dispatched to investigate the situation Residents and farmers are asked to remain vigilant and report any further signs or sightings to local law enforcement or conservation authorities stated that in response to the lion sighting reports a team equipped with tracking dogs has been sent to the area “The team will investigate the tracks and trace them,” he explained Shungube also urged the public to report any sightings of the lion immediately to Louw Steyn at 083 626 6792 Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal Read original story on www.citizen.co.za Home | Politics many South Africans feel there is little to celebrate this Freedom Day as service delivery failures continue to plague communities The day is celebrated under the theme  “United in Resilience for the Defence of our Freedom and Democracy.” SABC reporter Natasha Phiri looks at the achievements of the last three decades of freedom and what is in store for South Africa as it enters the fourth decade of freedom Freedom Day | President Ramaphosa will address Freedom Day celebrations residents have voiced growing frustration over poor access to clean water A stream of raw sewage flows into the streets and local dam polluting the area’s water resources and leaving neighborhoods with an unbearable stench Community leader Julia Basson describes the dire conditions: “When we open our taps it looks like coffee coming directly from our tap yet up until today our water reticulated pump has not been upgraded.” “Our streets are full of water and sewer running in the streets we sat without water for 6 months,” adding “They don’t finish most of the project The situation is dire here in this municipality As South Africa marks Freedom Day with a national celebration at AJ Swanepoel Stadium in Ermelo some residents question the meaning of the day Service delivery challenges extend beyond Msukaligwa Municipality and are widespread across the Gert Sibande District District Mayor Walter Mngomezulu acknowledges the issues but points to financial constraints municipalities have 49 mandates as per the Constitution But if you look at the budget announced by the minister is not over 15% a total for the country we cannot afford many other mandates that are allocated to us and our community is not coming forward in terms of payment.” a Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) poised to usher in a new era of economic prosperity and spatial unity for Northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Mpumalanga “As part of our focus on developing Regional Spatial Development Frameworks I would like to provide specific details regarding the Vryheid Governed by Sections 18 and 19 of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act the corridor establishes a legal framework for coordinated development across its eight municipalities “This VENE Corridor has been declared with the status of a Regional Spatial Development Framework providing a legal framework for its development It will be managed in terms of Sections 18 and 19 of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act This legal process will enforce collaboration and commitment among the participating municipalities and stakeholders,” explained MEC Buthelezi MEC Buthelezi highlighted the corridor’s potential to catalyse growth in agriculture and industry while addressing regional disparities “By focusing on the VENE Corridor and other Regional Spatial Development Frameworks we are ensuring that our spatial planning efforts are aligned with national and provincial development objectives contributing to a more sustainable and prosperous KwaZulu-Natal.” Key initiatives include upgrading the R34 road Rural municipalities such as Nquthu and Dannhauser will benefit from improved water and electrification infrastructure Msukaligwa’s focus on logistics and energy projects positions Ermelo as a regional economic hub According to the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) the VENE Corridor project started on 1 April 2016 with the adoption of SPLUMA-compliant by-laws by municipalities including Abaqulusi as gazetted to enable coordinated planning as confirmed by the Department of Agriculture as outlined in KZN CoGTA’s 2024/25 Annual Performance Plan the project faces formidable challenges nearly a decade later Traditional Land Disputes (DALRRD): Resistance from traditional authorities in Abaqulusi and Nquthu over Ingonyama Trust land complicates land use planning. These disputes, unresolved since the project’s inception, have stalled integration of customary land into the RSDF, affecting 30% of planned agricultural zones [DALRRD, www.dalrrd.gov.za Municipal Capacity Constraints (KZN CoGTA): Staffing shortages and technical expertise gaps in rural municipalities like Nquthu and Dannhauser hinder SPLUMA compliance. Only 40% of required municipal planners are employed, delaying Spatial Development Frameworks [KZN COGTA, www.kzncogta.gov.za the KZN 2025/26 budget commits R500 million to R34 upgrades and Msukaligwa’s investments reflect commitment to the corridor’s goals Nearly a decade after its launch on 1 April 2016 the VENE Corridor’s full potential remains constrained by these obstacles as reported by KZN CoGTA and DALRRD on 25 April 2025 and 15 March 2016 the VENE Corridor holds the promise of transforming KZN and Mpumalanga by invigorating economic growth and fostering equitable development across urban and rural landscapes By aligning municipal efforts with national and provincial objectives stimulate industries such as agriculture and tourism paving the way for a more integrated and prosperous region despite ongoing challenges like funding shortages and land disputes as reaffirmed by KZN CoGTA on 25 April 2025 Share your views in the comment section below Let’s hope the red tape doesn’t 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may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers Detectives in Komatipoort in Mpumalanga have made yet another breakthrough in the murder investigation of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi says a sixth suspect was arrested following a tip off the Unit Commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit Police made swift arrests less than 24 hours after the murder and five people Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi says Mdluli was arrested in a clothing shop in Komatipoort on Saturday Four of the alleged killers have abandoned their bail except Valencia Skhosana whose bail hearing will continue next week Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane says Pretorius was driving an official vehicle when he was shot multiple times The suspects fled the scene in a white Sedan which was found torched in extension seven in Ermelo an exclusive podcast on the life of Vicki Terblanche Dive into the expansive world of motoring with Naresh Maharaj Join Mark Marshall as he shares his extraordinary encounters with everything from bees to reptiles i Home | South Africa The five people accused of the murder of a police officer in Ermelo The five were arrested after police Lieutenant-Colonel Piet Pretorius was shot and killed in Ermelo last week Pretorius was ambushed by gunmen while on duty and the state vehicle he was travelling-in was riddled with bullets The matter has been postponed to Monday next week for the profiling of the accused Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Mangoseni Nkosi says the motive behind the brutal killing of the officer is yet to be established “The team managed to get information together where they tracked the vehicle or tracked the suspects down in Nelspruit some few hours later we have four guys one of the guys is a former police officer and the fifth suspect is a lady who appeared today Four suspects have legal representatives and the fifth suspect doesn’t have a legal representative The case has been postponed for him to access the legal representative.” Police in Ermelo in Mpumalanga made a quick breakthrough in the murder investigation of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane says Pretorius was driving an official vehicle when he was shot multiple times by an unknown assailant He says the vehicle was riddled with bullet holes The suspect allegedly fled the scene in a white Sedan police arrested five suspects believed to be linked to the murder He says the vehicle allegedly used in the commission of the crime was found torched in extension seven in Ermelo Pretorius was a Commander of the Vehicle Identification Unit in Ermelo The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga has expressed his condolences to the Colonel's family The Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga has again postponed the case of nine suspects arrested in connection with the murder of police officer who was the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit Commander Five of the suspects were arrested the following day while the other four were arrested last month The four suspects will appear again in the same court next week Their five co-accused will appear again in June Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Tel: +27 11 268 6300 Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms & conditions and privacy policy Acting President Gwede Mantashe has used his Freedom Day address to call for unity among different races in the country Mantashe delivered the keynote address at the National Freedom Day commemorations in Ermelo This after he was announced as Acting President due to President Ramaphosa’s ill health Mantashe urged the people of South Africa to reject racial divisions as the country celebrates 31 years of democracy “We’ll not allow anyone to define us nobody must define us and tell us who and what we are or turn us against one another We must roundly reject all attempts to divide us on racial lines.” A manhunt is underway following the shooting of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius (59) in what appears to have been an ambush in Ermelo earlier today. who was the commander of the Vehicle Identification Unit in Ermelo was ambushed while driving an official vehicle around 14:00 Reports indicate that an assailant fired multiple shots at Pretorius leaving his vehicle riddled with bullet holes the suspect fled the scene in a white sedan Circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear and police are working to uncover details of the ambush A specialised investigative team has been assembled and a 72-hour activation plan has been implemented to ensure every effort is made to identify and apprehend the perpetrator(s) has appealed to the community for assistance in solving the case “Killing a police officer is a direct attack on the state and we are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice Lieutenant Colonel Pretorius was an asset to our community and we will not rest until those responsible are held accountable,” said Major General Mkhwanazi The SAPS is urging anyone with information to come forward Tip-offs can be provided anonymously by calling the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111 or using the MYSAPS app All information will be treated with strict confidentiality Mkhwanazi extended his heartfelt condolences to the family “This senseless murder is a loss not only to his loved ones but also to the community he served so diligently,” he added and further updates are expected as police pursue leads in this high-priority case The murder comes two days after Sergeant Fundiswa Motlhaoleng (45) was shot and killed while travelling to work in Klerksdorp on Tuesday Motlhaoleng was stationed with the Jouberton Visible Policing Unit Read original story on www.citizen.co.za were arrested in Ermelo on Friday in connection with the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius (59) the commander of the Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit Highvelder News reports that the four suspects: Vusi Shabalala (43) and Phetheni Samaria Duba (37) appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court today Their case was postponed to Thursday for a legal representative They were arrested on charges of conspiracy to commit murder possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition This brings the total number of accused in the case to 10 The latest arrests follow that of fugitive Prince Gift Mdluli who was apprehended in Komatipoort on March 8 when he will join co-accused Mthobisi Nkosi (40) Valencia Skhosana (35) is proceeding with her bail application Read original story on www.citizen.co.za The ten people accused of the murder of Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit commander, Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court today The accused are former police official Mthobisi Nkosi (40) Njabulo Zwane (26),Percy Duba (30) and Phetheni Duba (37) Highvelder reports that nine of the accused were remanded in custody and the case was postponed to June 25 for further investigation To date, Phetheni Duba (37) is the only accused who is out on bail Zwane (26) and Percy Duba (30) will reappear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on April 17 for their bail application the provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the case “The postponement will allow the investigating team to consolidate all necessary information so that justice is served for the fallen hero,” he says Read original story on www.citizen.co.za The four men and one woman accused of the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius the commander of the Ermelo Vehicle Investigation Unit again appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court on Monday The case was postponed to February 18 for their formal bail applications The accused Nyiko Mujovo (30) and Valencia Skhosana (36) Pretorius was ambushed and killed on January 16 established by the acting provincial police commissioner where they were arrested the day after the murder The five accused first appeared in court on January 20 Read original story on www.citizen.co.za AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale EMERLO - Gwede Mantashe will on Sunday deliver the keynote address at the national Freedom Day celebration in Ermelo in 1994 non-white South Africans finally got to have their say in how the country is run.  Millions waited in snaking queues to vote for the first time in democratic elections The event is being held at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium.  This year’s theme is 'United in Resilience for The Defence of Our Freedom and Democracy'.  eNCA's Moloko Moloto is tracking this story.  NATIONAL NEWS - A storm – suspected by residents to be a tornado – caused major damage in isolated areas in Cassim Park South African Weather Service forecaster Celeste Fourie said the possibility of severe thunderstorms had been predicted for the area but she was unable to confirm ‘if a tornado did touch down’ it is difficult to determine if the brief footage captures the start complicating efforts to verify its specifics.  The publication states that a journalist who visited the affected locations found widespread destruction A journalist from Highvelder recorded video footage of the damage Damage at Cassim Park at Tilly Passenger Services Photo: Wayne van der Walt/Highvelder  Article: Caxton publication, Caxton Network News ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route The five suspects who were arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius are expected to appear in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court soon According to an article published by Highvelder says the suspects are aged between 29 and 40 A multi-disciplinary team established by the acting provincial commissioner intelligence members and a security company tracked and traced the suspects in Nelspruit A vehicle believed to have been used in the commission of crime was found torched next to Ext 7 in Ermelo today Highvelder will publish more information as it becomes available Read original story on www.citizen.co.za Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio It’s been nine months since the national custodian of South Africa’s water resources dragged a local municipality to the high court hoping to pull the handbrake on the prolonged tide of untreated sewage fouling river systems on the Mpumalanga Highveld Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu won the case in September, but the high hopes generated by the judge’s clean-up directive appear to have been stillborn.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The pollution of the Vaal River catchment and other service delivery failures continue Now communities in Ermelo and neighbouring towns are pushing for more drastic action to capture the attention of the Msukaligwa Local Municipality “A lot of people find it a little scary to take on the government so it’s not as if they are doing us a favour We are not talking about burning tyres or buildings but take away the money and see how fast they move,” Durban businessman and municipal rates protest leader Asad Gaffar suggested at a public meeting at the Ermelo Inn on 5 June Read more in Daily Maverick: Civilians spearhead eThekwini ratepayers’ revolt in bid to fix municipality and set up oversight of public purse head of the eThekwini Ratepayers’ Protest Movement visited Ermelo at the invitation of the Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum which was set up four years ago to hold the municipality to account for a string of service delivery failures Forum chair Janice Conradie complained that the local municipality has done little to address business and community concerns about regular municipal tap water outages, burst water pipes and sewage overflows that have forced some farmers to abandon part of their land or to switch over to expensive borehole supply and pumping projects.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads this small patch of fenced land is the source of the mighty Vaal River A tiny stream of crystal-clean water rises from the ground here near Breyten Conradie told residents that the time for complaining was over noting that even the urgent high court interdict won by Mchunu has not made a difference who helped to galvanise a rates boycott in Durban’s Westville in 2023 acknowledged that his movement “made some mistakes” during a recent court case but said the group is planning further legal action in Durban “In Ermelo there is already a court order in place compelling the municipality to do what it is supposed to do Gaffar did not shy away from fears that residents could have their electricity disconnected if they withhold rates payments – as happened to five members of the Westville Ratepayers’ Association in 2023 “There can be no progress without sacrifice. The risk of disconnection is real. But you are entitled to receive the services you pay for,” Gaffar said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads He noted that the Municipal Systems Act provides for a formal process to resolve disputes, including clauses that prohibit disconnections when disputes are not resolved.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Our family used to fish and swim in the river or have weekend picnics under the willow trees But look at it now – even the cattle turn up their noses the Westville Ratepayers Association lost an interdict application heard by acting Judge Jabu Thobela-Mkhulisi who questioned whether section 102 (2) of the act was applicable in the dispute acting Judge Andrew Reddy ordered the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North West to reconnect electricity to Lichtenburg property owners who have declared a formal dispute with the municipality under the same act Read more in Daily Maverick: No water, no way out: Ditsobotla’s downfall and the collapse of government Back in Ermelo and surrounding towns that form part of the Msukaligwa municipality it now seems to be up to residents to decide whether they will declare formal disputes and withhold rates Daily Maverick visited earlier in June and spoke to several residents who are tired of poor service delivery. Farmer Jan Grey drove us to the Klein Drinkwater stream, named for its once pure-tasting water. On the day we visited, the stream looked more like the foaming outlet of a washing machine.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Breyten Primary School deputy principal Paul van Rooyen says more than 600 children rely on tankers for drinking water along with rainwater tanks to flush toilets Chrissiesmeer builder Sizwe Mahlangu says his tap water is often undrinkable Grey said sewage leaks from the Ermelo and Davel wastewater treatment works happen almost daily, rendering the water unhealthy for his herd of dairy cattle and also unsuitable for the irrigation of export-quality apples to the EU.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads who owns a large herd of Beefmaster cattle said he started to experience 3% to 5% losses with his calves about a decade ago which he believes is linked to high sewage pollution loads in a stream running through his farm to provide an alternative source of clean water “When we arrived here 22 years ago, this was a beautiful, clean stream. Our family used to fish and swim in the river or have weekend picnics under the willow trees. But look at it now – even the cattle turn up their noses,” he said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads several residents complained that the municipal tap water is either patchy or undrinkable relies on drinking-water supplies from local farmers because the water is not fit to drink or cook with “You can’t even wash your clothes in it at times because it’s so brown,” he said said there has been no tap water in her home for the past three months said municipal water supplies improved slightly before the elections Roughly 80% of the time there was no water in the taps and when it did flow it was so polluted that it stained your clothes “Three weeks ago we were on the point of closing the school because there was no drinking water for our children,” he said When Van Rooyen phoned the municipality to explain that he was facing a water emergency and would have to send more than 600 pupils home but it’s still not ideal or a permanent solution “We capture water from the roofs during the summer to flush the toilets with buckets but this is not a rich area and the monthly school fee of R320 barely covers the basic bills but we don’t have the money – even for basic maintenance and repairs.” restaurant owner Jan Bezuidenhout stopped drinking the municipal tap water two years ago “Roughly 80% of the time there was no water in the taps and when it did flow it was so polluted that it stained your clothes – and yet we call this area South Africa’s Lake District There are over 230 lakes and pans around Chrissiesmeer.” Fellow resident Sizwe Mahlangu echoed these concerns observing that municipal water supply has been poor or erratic for nearly four years “The water you get here is red from soil or has little worms and insects floating inside it So I get drinking water from a farm borehole instead.” when Mchunu took the municipality to court council officials did not bother denying the problems Judge Bruce Langa noted that official complaints against the municipality dated to at least 2016 “The uncontroverted facts from all the investigations inspections and tests conducted established that both the effluent discharged from the Ermelo wastewater treatment works and the manholes overflowing with raw sewage were polluting the water resource and posed a serious health threat to human lives aquatic species and livestock that depend on the water resource,” the judge said The gist of Msukaligwa’s defence was that Mchunu and his department had failed to comply with a formal intergovernmental dispute resolution mechanism or it “failed to engage” the council properly before it resorted to litigation The municipality also cited financial constraints to comply with the law Judge Langa said it was clear that Msukaligwa recognised the extent and seriousness of the problems “even though it has for some inexplicable reasons remained supine for about five years” “The communities of Ermelo have clearly been let down by their local government This is unacceptable and constitutes an act of constitutional delinquency on the part of [Msukaligwa municipality] which should be frowned upon.” The Department of Water and Sanitation confirmed that the municipality had not complied fully with Judge Langa’s order the municipality said it was in the “planning phase” of implementing the court directive Farmer Jan Grey holds a sample of sewage-polluted water from the foaming Klein Drinkwater stream near Ermelo in Mpumalanga It has appointed an environmental specialist to apply for a water use licence and compile an environmental rehabilitation plan that would be implemented in the 2024/25 financial year It would also be necessary to upgrade the Ermelo sewage treatment works to cater for increased sewage flows from the town and a technical report has been submitted to source funds for the upgrade Msukaligwa said it would implement a project funded through a regional bulk infrastructure grant to upgrade its bulk-water infrastructure It noted that the local business forum had already declared disputes and was engaging with those concerned Municipal spokesperson Mandla Zwane said: “The municipality has always acknowledged that there are indeed challenges with its infrastructure – water roads and stormwater – and it has never disregarded its legislated responsibility of providing these services as effectively as it possibly can.” DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " The Hawks’ investigation into the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius has uncovered additional evidence that could link the accused to other criminal activities According to Highvelder News Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi revealed that a BMW belonging to one of the accused was stolen in eMalahleni (Witbank) in 2018 The stolen BMW matches the one found torched in Ermelo suspected to have been used as a getaway vehicle during Pretorius’ murder During a search of one of the accused’s residences investigators discovered three BMW vehicles one of which was confirmed to be the car stolen in 2018 “Investigation revealed that one of the vehicles found at the suspect’s residence was the same vehicle that was reportedly stolen in Witbank six years ago,” Nkosi said Preliminary investigations also found the vehicle identification numbers had been tampered with 50 licence discs and related documents were recovered at the property The BMW 325i and vehicle documents were seized and an inquiry has been registered for further investigation Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber said the Ermelo murder case remains a top priority “The team could potentially uncover more evidence that would add possible further criminal charges against the accused The team will not relent and will vigorously pursue all leads and gather evidence as required,” Gerber stated including former police official Mthobisi Nkosi (40); Aubrey Xaba (35) appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court yesterday The case has been postponed to next Monday Read original story on www.citizen.co.za In a bid to curb infrastructure-related crimes the Ermelo Regional Court sentenced 28-year-old Batsheleni Dladla to 15 years’ direct imprisonment for damaging Msukaligwa Municipality’s essential infrastructure disrupting operations in the Ermelo Industrial area for eight hours while repairs were under way claiming he had been attempting to steal from a location 10 metres away from the substation State Prosecutor Chané Rothman presented compelling evidence including eyewitness testimony and photographic documentation of the damage Magistrate Eben Jonker rejected Dladla’s testimony and found him guilty and emphasised the prevalence and severity of infrastructure-related crimes, which crippled essential infrastructure and strained municipal resources. Magistrate Jonker sentenced Dladla to 15 years’ direct imprisonment.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads stating that it “remains committed to ensuring that those convicted of infrastructure-related crimes face severe consequences Such offences hinder service delivery and deprive communities of essential services warranting strict prosecution and harsh sentencing.” Notably, this is not the first time the court has had to rule against this type of crime. On 19 July 2024, the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court found Witness Sibanda guilty of damaging and stealing essential infrastructure as well as contravening South Africa’s Immigration Act This came after his arrest on 8 February 2023 at Camden Power Station after CCTV operators detected suspicious activity Security personnel responded and found Sibanda in a restricted area and in possession of stolen copper cable Investigation also revealed that he had gained unauthorised access by cutting through the perimeter fence The growing trend of infrastructure damage is alarming. Last year alone, Mail & Guardian reported estimated annual losses of about R187-billion Read more: Western Cape town ‘held to ransom’ by cable theft syndicate counts health, economic costs of blackouts The devastating impact is felt across provinces where relentless attacks on critical infrastructure have become the new norm a surge in theft and destruction of traffic signals resulted in a R30-million loss They are selling this cable to a scrap metal dealer Until these are sorted out this cable theft will continue So good to see a magistrate with the balls to actually fight these criminals So many of our magistrates countrywide do untold harm to infrastructures and communities by handing out meaningless sentences of minimal severity or using technical argument to release criminals on bail The Ermelo Magistrate’s Court proceedings in the case involving the murder of Lieutenant Colonel Piet Pretorius have been postponed to next Monday Magistrate Catherine Hugo announced the postponement to allow for the gathering of profiles and legal representation for one of the suspects They — four men and one woman aged between 29 and 40 — were arrested in Mbombela within 12 hours of the murder Highvelder News reports profiles are being compiled to provide a detailed background on the accused a process often used to inform legal proceedings Four of the five suspects have secured legal representation Conflicting reports about the date and time of the arrest were raised in court The accused allege they were arrested on January 16 at 22:00 while the arresting officer and docket record the arrest as occurring on January 17 at 01:25 need to be addressed before a bail date can be set The state requested a postponement until next Wednesday The courtroom was filled with members of the community including provincial head Major General Nico Gerber Journalist René Joubert of the Highvelder attended the proceedings after receiving court approval though the application to take photographs inside the courtroom was denied members of the South African Communist Party held a protest displaying placards and calling for the suspects to be denied bail The street leading to the court was cordoned off for safety and order with a strong police presence ensuring control Read original story on www.citizen.co.za Acting President Gwede Mantashe says he would encourage people to go and build in Orania if he was the president of South Africa Mantashe says this move would would encourage healing over hatred among people of all races as the country marks 31 years of democracy this year He was speaking at the Freedom Day celebrations in Ermelo Mpumalanga today where various government officials commemorated the annual celebrations at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium if I would be a president for more than three hours I would declare that people must go and build in Orania They appreciate that hatred can never survive I would say  go and build in Orania.” Freedom Day 2025 | Acting President Gwede Mantashe reflects on democracy in keynote address:  Integrated Residential Development Programme the Mpumalanga government says it has launched a multi-million-rand special Integrated Residential Development Programme The aim of the programme is to address the housing as well as water and sewerage infrastructure challenges Residents of Ermelo are bemoaning spilling sewage and a lack of basic services in their area Premier Mandla Ndlovu says phase one of the project has been completed “We are implementing a number of infrastructure projects including bulk water and bulk sewerage Some of them include but are not limited to installation of a bulk sewerage pump station as part of the integrated residential programme in Ermelo extension 44 This project will cost R25-million on completion and phase one of this project has been completed.” LIVE | 2025 SA National Freedom Day celebrations: