This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers Two suspects were shot dead on Monday following a shootout with police on the N2 outside Tsolo Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa says members attached to the Tactical Response Team (TRT) pounced on the suspects who were allegedly on their way to commit a cash-in-transit heist in the area She says the suspects are believed to have been involved in CIT robberies in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape and were driving towards Mthatha on Monday in a Polo Vivo Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa says both suspects were killed on the scene She says police recovered a revolver and a pistol in their possession Cases of attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition were opened for investigation against the deceased the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) will investigate the case in an Inquest 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 South Africa (14 August 2024) – Ramabele Tsolo’s harrowing battle with leukaemia took an unexpected turn when a miracle arrived from across the world The emotional story of how Ramabele received a second chance at life when things seemed bleak is enough to tug at anyone’s heart told Good Things Guy that he was 22 when he was diagnosed with leukaemia which started off as experiencing painful tonsillitis that just wouldn’t go away “Some months later I got a job offer On the day of signing my contract I just felt weak and drove myself from work and went to the hospital where the doctor confirmed that something was definitely wrong They ran a lot of tests on me and confirmed that I had leukaemia I had no reaction because I didn’t know what it was,” shared Ramabele who later googled the disease that led him to believe he was dying Ramabele was told he would need a stem cell transplant and was introduced to the South African Bone Marrow Registry The odds were against Ramabele. While 60% of total cancer deaths in the country affect black South Africans, only 10% of them are registered as potential stem cell donors on the SABMR database After the Johannesburg resident could not find a match for a stem cell transplant in his family a global search was initiated by the South African Bone Marrow Registry which led to a life-saving connection with Pete Johnson Johnson’s selfless gift offered Tsolo who had been in and out of hospital at the time transforming a desperate situation into one of hope and resilience According to the Dallas Morning News He found his purpose in service and a desire to make a meaningful difference he got a call from NMDP in early 2019 asking if he was willing to be a stem cell donor Johnson expressed that he felt blown away by the fact that it had been so many years that he had almost forgotten he’d signed up for the program “The transplant happened and it literally took a few minutes and then I stayed for about a month in the hospital They monitored me very closely and slowly started to recover I’m very blessed to say that I am happy and well I’m at a loss for words when it comes to thanking my donor.” A heartwarming video shared online captured the priceless moment when Tsolo met his donor at the World Marrow Donor Association’s annual International Donor Registry Conference Tsolo is seen giving Johnson a warm embrace which speaks volumes of his gratitude Their unique story and reunion is a living example of the enduring spirit of humanity and the miracle of life Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "ae0c19cb6892fe66e4573b5aa0ec88e2" );document.getElementById("d2d9e305b5").setAttribute( "id" and website in this browser for the next time I comment Would you like to receive truly phenomenal inspirational and good thing stories right to your inbox Then subscribe to our weekly GoodThingsGuy newsletter today I accept GTG’s Privacy Policy GoodThingsGuy is the home of everything good and those are the things that really matter We believe that there is good news all around us and over 1 million readers a month agree with us GoodThingsGuy was officially launched on the 1 August 2015 in order to only promote good news inspirational stories and promote only positive multi-platform media company that distills unique content across multiple media platforms We consider individual and corporate contributions through the website or mail us directly here. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries “The appointment of Tsolo as executive director of the ASAQS comes at the right time in the association’s 116-year history,” says Trusler a new brand of leadership is essential to navigate challenges and develop innovative solutions.” ASAQS president Mosha Senyolo commented on the rigorous recruitment and selection process which included a thorough assessment of the top three candidates based on their qualifications “The successful candidate was selected based on her qualifications and her forward-looking vision for the profession,” explains Senyolo “The appointment underscores ASAQS's commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of the construction sector and shaping a sustainable In her prior role as chief quantity surveyor at the Department of Infrastructure Development Tsolo managed operational capital project portfolios Her work also involved managing the performance of subordinates and implementing knowledge-sharing initiatives Having experience as both a client and service provider in the construction sector Tsolo possesses a comprehensive understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities in both government and corporate contexts She is currently pursuing an MBA from Wits Business School which will further enhance her business acumen equipping her to address both internal organisational needs and external stakeholder demands effectively her experience as a part-time lecturer positions her well to bridge the gap between higher education and industry fostering an evolving and future-focused quantity surveying profession “I plan to build on the strong foundation laid by the Association and the work of my predecessors ensuring we remain relevant in an ever-changing industry,” says Tsolo “My vision for ASAQS’s future is to establish it as a prominent voice and resource within the built environment championing the value and skills that quantity surveyors bring to the field while promoting a culture of innovation and ongoing professional growth.” Tsolo believes that balancing innovation with respect for the profession's heritage is key to equipping members for a dynamic future while maintaining the core values that give ASAQS and the quantity surveying profession its esteemed reputation Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or swiping left Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or the keyboard right arrow key The Joe Gqabi Tactical Response Team deployed in some areas of OR Tambo District Municipality has apprehended an 18-year-old African male suspect in Tsolo The young man was arrested at his residence in Magutywa area located in Kumnkani Mhlontlo Municipality for possession of an unlicensed assault rifle (AK-47) along with ammunition His arrest comes just as law enforcement officials are battling with the rise of gun related crimes in the Eastern Cape The operation was part of the SAPS ongoing crime prevention initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety Authorities believe that the suspect may have been keeping firearms after engaging in criminal activities raising serious concerns about public safety in the area the suspect was brought before the Tsolo Magistrate Court on October 17 including possession of an unlicensed firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition This arrest not only underscores the police’s unwavering commitment to reducing gun violence but also highlights the crucial role of community vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities especially with the recent crimes that include illegal firearms in the Eastern Cape Law enforcement officials are urging residents to remain alert and report any illegal firearms in their vicinity reinforcing that collective effort by relevant stakeholders is vital in making the community safer for all Residents from Tsolo have praised the efforts of the SAPS in combating crime the Tsolo community is hopeful for a more secure environment free from the threats posed by illicit weapons Add me to your newsletter and keep me updated whenever you publish new blog posts Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2025 Pondoland Times. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy The South African Police Service has recovered stolen livestock in some areas of the Eastern Cape (particularly Qumbu) The estimated value of the livestock recovered is said to be worth more than R6 million The long arm of the law has struck against stock theft in the Eastern Cape resulting in the capture of six suspects and the seizure of livestock worth an estimated R6 127 500 Provincial commissioner lieutenant general Nomthetheleli Mene addressed the ongoing issue “Stock theft is a challenge in the province as most people in subsistence farming are leaving their stock roaming unattended.” The operation lasted two weeks from 23 September to 4 October 2024 and involved a collaborative effort from a provincial task team This included members from the stock theft and endangered species unit and Amathole were the areas targeted as they are known hot-spot districts for stock theft the operation led to 83 fines worth R97 600 for several contraventions four butcheries in KwaBhaca faced notices due to non-compliance Among the key successes recorded during the operation: Farmers in rural areas often fall victim to stock theft due to inadequate security measures Mene said it is challenging to prosecute suspects if the livestock is not branded “We appeal to stock owners to work with the police to overcome these challenges starting with a visit to the nearest SAPS stock theft and endangered species unit for assistance with branding or tattooing of stock,” he said READ NEXT: Steenhuisen calls for action on SA’s food insecurity crisis Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain This week's agricultural events include Food For Mzansi's Nampo Bothaville lunchtime conversations Deloitte's conversation with agricultural experts With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society Contact usOffice: +27 21 879 1824News: info@foodformzansi.co.zaAdvertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za Police Recover 106 Stolen Sheep in Tsolo Amid Ongoing Crackdown on Eastern Cape Livestock Theft In response to information about a stock theft in Cicirha members of the Elliot Stock Theft Unit (STU) working in tandem with the Endangered Species Unit (ESU) recovered 106 stolen sheep in Tsolo on Saturday the members followed a lead that took them to Majaba locality in Tsolo where they discovered 106 stolen livestock (82 sheep and 22 lamps) “The members then followed up on all possible leads and the preliminary investigation took the members to Majaba locality in Tsolo They then spotted three suspects driving the sheep in an open field,” said police “As soon as the suspects saw the SAPS members The 106 livestock (84 sheep and 22 lambs) to the value of R 116 000-00 were recovered by the members.” The sheep were found with clear ear marks and will be returned to their lawful owners once identified the Eastern Cape government reported that more than 18,000 animals In an effort to tackle prolonged stock theft in the province introduced a technology-based system known as the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) in May of this year The LITS is a technology-based ear tag device that identifies the location and ownership of the stock as well as tracks its movements At the LITS launch in Tsolo two months ago Mabuyane stated that the project aims to help the province combat persistent livestock theft “We are trying to introduce a more organised and commercial way of handling these animals This is part of us trying to fight and curb livestock theft We are sending a message to all the thieves out there that we will go after you in a better and more organised manner You cannot sleep today and wake up with a kraal full of cows that you can’t account for,” he said a recent crackdown on stock theft in the province resulted in the recovery of 512 animals indicating ongoing efforts to address this problem in the province Insession writer Mava Lukani spoke to a number of people who attended the Ad Hoc Committee on Section 25 of the Constitution’s public hearings in Tsolo yesterday in the Eastern Cape The people he spoke to included representatives of different political parties The majority of the people he spoke in the venue and outside referred to the failure of the “willing buyer which the first democratic government introduced as a tool to deal with the legacy of the exclusion of the majority of South Africans from land by the systems of colonialism and apartheid Some argued that the principle failed because of the unwillingness of those who own the land to share it with the historically disposed and the majority of South Africans Others argued that the principle failed because of the failure of the government to put strategies in place to effect the principle and the exclusion of God in the efforts of correcting the wrongs of the past Mr Xolile Nkomphela of Tsolo’s Ntshiqwa Village who is the Chairperson of the Ntshiqwa Farmers Association said the government’s mistake was to assume that the voluntary willing buyer willing seller principle would work without some force He said: “Land is the economy and that was why it was taken violently by the settlers when they came in this country The argument that they would voluntarily give it to us was fallacious and a waste of time The solution is expropriation of land without compensation.” Mr Ngawonke Bulala of Mhlontlo Youth Unemployment Forum said they have been appealing to the farmers who own many hectares of land in Maclear and surrounding areas in the Mhlontlo Local Municipality “The worrying reality is that the small land that is at our disposal is unproductive as it is part of the unproductive 13% of land that was given to the black people by the colonial government Our Maclear brothers and sisters own large hectares of the productive land and their eyes don’t see that we are suffering Now is the time to expropriate our land without compensation We have waited for 25 years without a positive response.” Ms Gladys Mazitshana of the African National Congress (ANC) said the ANC always applies all the strategies of persuasion and avoids the application of force it resorted to the use of force when all the other avenues of negotiations have been exhausted and produced no results “The ANC led government introduced the willing buyer willing seller principle to ensure peaceful land distribution in South Africa The ANC has urged the minority that owns the 87% of the productive land to share it with the historically marginalised South Africans especially those who show willingness to work the land We have reached a point where other means should be applied to ensure that land is distributed equally among South Africans.” Mr Thamsanqa Futwa of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said that the party demands that the land that was taken violently from its rightful owners through the notorious and vicious laws He said the black people were left with nothing by the colonial government They took land and gave them little and unproductive land The took livestock from our forebears and stipulated the number our of livestock our forebears could own They killed the natural mind of confidence in our forebears and replaced it with the mind of trusting on the white people for survival and foreign investors Hence this irritating warning about avoiding chasing foreign investors Ms Lindiwe Liwani of the Democratic Alliance (DA) said the DA is opposed to land expropriation as the Constitution spells out how land distribution should be done you note that its drafters understood what they did and did it wisely and perfectly the Constitution indicates how land distribution should take place and there is absolutely no need to amend the Constitution The government must just ensure that the people have title deeds and stop the chiefs in the rural areas from selling land to the people.” willing seller principle failed because of the rejection of God by the government and the people we urge the people to put God at the centre of their attempts to fix the legacy of colonialism even the expropriation of land with or without compensation is also going to fail as the forum we are saying something must be done to correct the wrongs of the past But it must be correction not the creation of the new wrongs which is also exposed by the Zondo Commission which affects everything the government does There is a great likelihood that this land expropriation process is also going to be affected by corruption Hence we call for the involvement of God in this.” “Harnessing Parliamentary Diplomacy for the Realization of Global Solidarity reflects Parliament’s commitment to international collaboration in addressing socio-economic challenges fmokwele@parliament.gov.za Eastern Cape police have been urged to expedite their investigation into a mass murder in which six family members were shot and killed in three separate incidents in Tsolo in the OR Tambo District Spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the killing spree started on Monday night when a 43-year-old man was gunned down outside his grandfather’s homestead in the Mpoza location in the district She said gunmen struck again on Tuesday night at around 7pm and killed two elderly people Colonel Naidu said a short while later on Tuesday three more people between the ages of 62 and 67 were murdered in a nearby homestead two unknown armed males arrived and shot the victims in the head “The motive for the senseless attacks is under investigation,” Colonel Naidu said has called on the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit to accelerate their probe into the killings “We need the community’s cooperation in helping us bring the perpetrators of these heinous and cruel murders “These senseless acts of violence are purely criminal and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms We will not allow criminals to inflict fear in our communities.” police in Tsolo successfully intercepted a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist on the N2 was foiled by members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa detailed the events stating that upon their arrival at the scene the TRT members were informed that some of the suspects had fled into the nearby bushes one suspect attempted to escape in a Nissan NP200 which was later found abandoned with explosives inside The investigation led police to several houses in the Sidwadweni Administrative Area in Tsolo where a significant cache of weaponry and other items were discovered police confiscated four vehicles: a Toyota Fortuner Lieutenant Colonel Mawisa further reported that during the search of the premises TRT members arrested two suspicious men who were found with explosives in their possession fled on foot into the bushes and engaged the pursuing TRT members in a gunfight Six suspects connected to the robbery remain at large possession of suspected stolen motor vehicles and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition The Hawks have now taken over the investigation continuing the pursuit of the remaining suspects and delving deeper into the details of this attempted heist This incident follows a series of related activities on Monday in areas such as Bizana and Lusikisiki where a security guard was fatally wounded and a police officer was killed The Eastern Cape government is dealing with livestock theft which has been a major problem in the province for some time The Eastern Cape government recently introduced the livestock identification and traceability system (LITS) in Tsolo located within the Mhlontlo local municipality of the OR Tambo District This initiative will be implemented across 120 cattle farming enterprises benefitting 30 000 cattle throughout the province spokesperson for the provincial government LITS is a technology-based ear tag device marking a significant step forward in securing the livelihoods of farmers in the Eastern Cape and beyond demonstrating the transformative potential of integrating cutting-edge technology into traditional agricultural practices “The LITS is the national initiative that was agreed upon by government and industry The scourge of stock theft in the rural Eastern Cape is serious threat into the lives of livestock farmers The ability of the system to fight stock theft is based on its ability to identify the owner through branding and identify animal through individual animal identification number,” Mazizi said He added that the current prosecution rate in the province is low due to non-compliance of farmers with the Animal Identification Act of 2006 “The current intervention [is] through capacitation of the department offices and officials with equipment to brand and identify animals with electronic tags These together should improve conviction rate thus reduction of stock theft,” he explained Sabatha Mnjunju from Jence village in Tsolo shared hesitation and excitement about the government taking action to address farmers’ concerns I feel like we didn’t get enough information on how this works in case our cattle disappear He said government officials did not provide sufficient details on where to report missing livestock “I just know that we report to the police station we should be reporting to someone responsible for tracking them immediately after noticing their disappearance then to the police station but we do not have that information,” he explained Mnjunju also noted that livestock thieves can be from surrounding villages and these devices are placed in the cows’ ears “How is that helping when thieves can just take off these devices I believe they need to find a more secure method.” He suggested that if these devices could be stored in a hidden place within the cow the founder of Find Me Security Technology a GPS tracker company specialising in advanced security technology for the agricultural sector this is a big step for the Eastern Cape farming community Maphosa highlighted that traditional methods of livestock branding are no longer sufficient in the modern age Where a farmer loses his or her livestock and they are found It is easier also to know where in the province and district the livestock are from it had been hard to connect them with the rightful owners as they do not have brand marks,” Maphosa said He added that by enabling farmers to track the movement of their livestock similarly to how vehicles are tracked this technology offers a powerful tool against stock theft ALSO READ: ‘Agriculture has many successes but we can’t ignore inequalities’ Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain members of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) in Mthatha uncovered hidden bombs at a suspect’s house in Mdikisweni allegedly linked to a suspect involved in hijacking money cars The search yielded a shocking discovery – bombs hidden under a bed The police promptly opened a case and called for additional reinforcements to continue searching the premises for more weapons and explosives showcasing the police’s commitment to their duties We hope the prosecution will yield positive results.” General Mene warned that anyone found guilty of breaking the Explosives Act 15 of 2003 will face severe punishment The discovery of hidden bombs in a residential area has raised concerns about public safety and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation principal of Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (TARDI) was nominated to represent Africa at the World Veterinary Association In a great achievement for Mzansi and the Eastern Cape has been nominated to represent Africa at the World Veterinary Association (WVA) The nomination, praised by the Eastern Cape department of rural development and agrarian reform, acknowledged Ndudane’s outstanding contributions to the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) “Being the SAVC president has provided a unique opportunity to understand intimately the needs of the veterinary profession and para-professions,” shared Ndudane in a statement “Through honouring invitations to the conferences and congresses and through representing the SAVC on key animal health platforms I have contributed to the voice of the professionals we are representing and championed their needs.” The department commended Ndudane for being the first woman SAVC president a role it says she executed with dedication and diligence she will play a vital role in coordinating veterinary issues for the African continent Ndudane views this nomination as a voluntary non-paid commitment aligned with her social contribution to the growth of veterinary services Having served as the SAVC president since 2022 Ndudane emphasised the responsibilities of the position interacting with around 6 000 registries and engaging with diverse stakeholders She highlighted her advocacy for the protection of the environment Ndudane played a pivotal role in accrediting TARDI providing access to para-veterinary animal health qualifications TARDI is one of two institutions in South Africa offering face-to-face veterinary animal health qualifications Ndudane’s academic achievements include a Master’s degree in veterinary pathology and a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine and surgery and training veterinary and para-veterinary professionals The elections for the WVA are scheduled for February this year READ NEXT: AgriSETA’s CEO inspires churches, households and schools JOHANNESBURG - Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya on Tuesday encouraged young South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds not to let their circumstances define them Maya was interviewed before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for appointment as Chief Justice. This, with the incumbent, Raymond Zondo, set to retire in August. Maya, who hails from the small town of Tsolo, in the Eastern Cape, had this to say when asked to share a message of hope for young people.  "All you need do is to just reach out for the sky and chances are that you will land somewhere in between the ground and up there. Opportunities are there for anyone - it doesn't matter, your background doesn't define you. If you reach for opportunities and work hard, then chances are you'll make it." Sections Home | South Africa The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) says two security officers have been gunned down in Tsolo The union has called on the Police Minister and the provincial police commissioner to deal with the high levels of crime in the province The security officers were murdered in the line of duty The perpetrators also stole the security officers’ firearms The SATAWU national spokesperson Amanda Tshemese says they are concerned about the growing number of security guards being killed on duty “We are calling on the Minister of Police and the Provincial Commissioner in the  Eastern Cape to ensure that these criminals must be sentenced harshly The union is also calling anyone that may have information that may lead to the arrest of these criminals The crime that we are facing as the country needs all of us to unite and to fight against It is also very clear that there is a huge problem in the Eastern Cape when it comes to crime.” The partnership between FAO and Tsolo agricultural college is set to empower many young people in the Eastern Cape The Tsolo Agriculture and Rural Development Institute (Tardi) in the Eastern Cape has joined forces with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to empower animal health technicians in the province to venture into entrepreneurship and ensure growth and development in the sector The programme aims to provide comprehensive training that empowers individuals with the knowledge and tools required to launch their own sustainable animal healthcare businesses the collaboration between them and the FAO is aimed at equipping animal health technicians with the necessary skills to establish their businesses “This groundbreaking partnership signifies a novel approach to strengthening the capabilities of these technicians through an innovative framework developed jointly by the college and the FAO we successfully hosted the ‘building a primary animal healthcare business’ workshop This transformative event culminated in a closing ceremony celebrating the commitment and dedication of participants in pursuing entrepreneurship within the animal health sector,” she said Ndudane said they were thrilled to pioneer the groundbreaking partnership with the FAO READ NEXT: Gumede challenges agri graduates: ‘Break free from victimhood’ “This collaboration represents an extraordinary opportunity to foster entrepreneurship among animal health technicians offering them the expertise and support needed to contribute significantly to South Africa’s agricultural sector “The college’s proactive engagement with the FAO showcases an unwavering commitment to bolstering entrepreneurship and fostering self-reliance among individuals passionate about animal health,” she said Ndundane said the transformative initiative is poised to not only elevate the prospects of aspiring entrepreneurs but also contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of South Africa’s agricultural industry The college said the chairperson for the portfolio committee for rural development and agrarian reform in the Eastern Cape unveiled the collaborative venture during the recent graduation which saw over forty students graduate in different faculties ALSO READ: ICYMI: KZN partnership poised to take cannabis farmers to the top Home | Lifestyle Six slain George family members have been laid to rest in Tshisane village near Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. They were allegedly murdered in what is suspected to be a family feud, last week. Five of the victims were allegedly shot in their beds in the early hours of Wednesday a man from the same family was also hacked to death Mawethu and Ongam whose body was found next door The deceased are between the ages 18 and 82 says they are shocked by the murder of their relatives George says they want the court to refuse bail for the five suspects as he fears this might cause tension in the community “As a family we do not want these children not to get bail we will find peace We do not want them back in this community because we do not know what other family members are thinking.” He promised to provide support for the family “The government has put together a very formidable team to look at all the issues He government ensures that this family does not feel this pain it has come on handy to ensure how then we move forward For this family not to perish we’ve got to look after those young kids They must ho to school to have their own future.” Mabuyane says they will work with the community to try and prevent similar incidents from happening We are here to mobilise the community to make sure that they work with government work with saps to ensure that we really avoid incidents of this nature and create proper dialogs in our families and engage on issues find solutions I don’t think this violent approach is helpful.” Five suspects have been arrested for the brutal murders Among the suspects are four brothers and their cousin They are expected to appear in the Tsolo Magistrate’s Court on the 19th of January for a formal bail application In the video below is the funeral service of the six George family members: