HEAVY
Platinum SENTENCES FOR
Gazette TAXI WAR
The High Court in Polokwane has sentenced eight
men who were charged with cases ranging from
murder, assault with intention to do grievous bodily
harm (GBH), pointing of firearm, possession of un-
lawful firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition,
malicious damage to property and public violence.
These sentences follow after a taxi feud between
the Ohrigstad Taxi Association and the Leolo Taxi
Association during march 2017. During the feud one
had been shot dead at Ohrigstad and several taxis
were damaged.
At the time nine men had been arrested and re-
leased on bail wile the investigation continued. The
investigation team led by Warrant Officer Johannes
Masuku ensured that eight of the accused were all
found guilty of all charges leveled against them,
while one accused was found not guilty.
The eight guilty men were sentenced on Friday
2018-04-06 by acting Judge D Nair in the High
Court in Polokwane as follows:
Stanley Ramaila (41) and Aubrey Mafane (34):
Murder – 15 years direct imprisonment without fine
Possession of unlawful firearm – 03 years direct
imprisonment without fine
Unlawful possession of ammunition – 02 years
direct imprisonment without fine
The above 3 sentences were ordered to run concur-
rently.
Assault GBH – R20 000 fine or 12 months impris-
onment
Public violence – 02 years imprisonment wholly sus-
pended for 05 years on condition that the accused
are not convicted of public violence or any offence
involving violence during the period of imprison-
ment.
Nathaniel Matshaba (37) and Tumelo Makofane
(35):
Murder – 10 years direct imprisonment without fine
Possession of unlawful firearm – 03 years direct
imprisonment without fine
Unlawful possession of ammunition – 02 years
Fetakgomo Tubatse Tel 0832719151 (Editorial) 0835431676 (Advertisements)
Burgersfort, Steelpoort, Ohrigstad, Apel 13 April 2018 Fax 0865549031
direct imprisonment without fine
The above 3 sentences were ordered to run
concurrently
Public violence – 02 years imprisonment wholly
suspended for 05 years
Lucas Kgwedi (50) and Meshack Shai (45)
years:
Public violence – 02 years imprisonment wholly
suspended for 05 years
Hector Komane (34)
Malicious damage to property – R10 000 fine or
03 years imprisonment (Accused opted to pay
fine)
Public violence – 02 years imprisonment wholly
suspended for 05 years
Godfrey Mphogo (47)
Pointing of firearm – R20 000 fine or 12 months
imprisonment (Accused opted to pay fine)
Public violence – 02 years imprisonment wholly
suspended for 05 years
All accused were declared unfit to possess
firearms meaning the investigating officer is to
immediately take possession of any licensed
firearms that they have.
Handing down this sentences in the Polok-
wane High Court, acting Judge Nair said this
sentences should serve as a strong warning
to the public in general that any person who
is involved in public violence will be dealt with
harshly by the law.
The management of Ohrigstad SAPS wel-
comed these sentences and echoed the same
sentiments and also thanked the hard working
dedication displayed by the investigation team.
(Information: Sgt Kholofelo Phokane
SAPS Ohrigstad Corporate Communication)
email: adverts@platinumgazette.com
editorial@platinumgazette.com
2 NEWS 13 APRIL 2018

Suspects
of bus
attack in
court
Four suspects appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrates Court
last week Friday after the now notorious attack on a bus full of
Modikwa Platinum mineworkers last week Monday near Driekop
on the R37 road.
Sipho Khumalo (28), Aubrey Remos Tjie (35), Thabo Mokgala
(33) and Philimon Makwana (34). A fifth suspect, Kgaogelo
Moime (29) appeared in Mecklenburg Magistrates Court last
week Thursday. All five the suspects were due to appear in the
Mecklenburg Magistrates Court, presumably for bail applica-
tions, on Thursday 12 April 2018. Until then they were remand-
ed in custody.
According to Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, Police spokesper-
son, they are accused of murder, attempted murder and mali- Last week the site of the attack was visited by the local and district mayors, the MEC for Safety and Security Makoma
cious damage to property. Makhurupetje as well as high ranking police officers.

School Cut down

Grass cutting is happening near Ohrigstad

Uniforms at the moment. It being a good thing to clear

the road from
overgrown grass,

donated to it unfortunately
seems that many
of the indigenous
learners Fosteri aloes that
are now in bloom
are also being
Matshaile Secondary taken down.
School in Kgautswane
changed its uniforms this
year.
There were however some
vulnerable and orphaned
children left without new
uniforms.
Moribo Engineering and
Construction came to the
rescue and sponsored
some uniforms for learners
who perform well despite
difficult family circumstanc-
es.
California Mabuza and
Dimpo Masuku (photo left)
shows off the new school
uniforms.

Revelation 3:20 NIV

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I
will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
13 APRIL 2018 NUUS 3

Leboeng Forum discusses

local involvement in road
project

After rains in the area, roads and streets took a beating and several potholes appeared
The Leboeng Forum held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss their involvement in the vil- as if overnight. Luckily the powers that be quickly did something and teams were seen
lage’s new road project. Construction of a new road has started from thge R36 to the derelict in town filling holes a best as they could (top) and also creating some unintentional road
community hall in the village. According to the forum they will discuss the possible subcon- rage situations (bottom) in the process.
tracting of some work with the main contractor. Although work has started on the new road,
not much were going on when the newspaper visited the site this week. A detour to travel on
has already been coonstructed.

Almost ready for play

It seems if developments at the Ohrigstad sports grounds is picking up lately after a long
period of very slow progress at the project. The recent rains as well as regular irrigation
has done the grass on the sports field a lot of good, while rugby poles were also erect-
ed.
4 NEWS
Local veterinarian honoured
Dr Florence Makgamatha, Veterinarian and
owner of Tubatse Veterinary Consulting
Room in Burgersfort was honoured with the
1st runner-up award in the 2017 Regional
Business Achiever Awards - Profession-
al Enterpreneur Category of the Limpopo
Businesswomen’s Association of South
Africa (BWASA). The winners of the regnion-
al events eventually compete against their
peers on national level. The regional event
was held in August last year. Dr Florence
Makgamatha and her animal practice were
nominated into the Professional Enterpre-
neur Category of the Businesswomen’s Asso-
ciation of South Africa for their professional-
ism, hardworking character, friendliness and
for being the first African female veterinarian
to open a veterinary practice in Burgersfort.
She competed against general practitioners,
dentists, nurses, social workers, lawyers and
other professionals in her category. There
were 5 categories including Established En-
terpreneur, Emerging Enterpreneur, Corpo-
rate, Professional and Social category. The
Competition was tough and the finalists were
not only judged by their Portfolio of commu-
nity work ranging outside their normal duties
but also by their private practices’ financials
and by being interviewed in different rounds
of the competition. Dr Florence managed to
make it to top 3 finalists in her category. The
awards evening was attended by high profile
guests and Dr Florence’s award was handed
to her by Mmabogoshi Bella Msiza who is the
chairperson of the BWASA in Limpopo.
Dr Malehotlo Florence Makgamatha (39),
is also the Director of Matlokoma Holdings
(PTY) Ltd, trading as Tubatse Veterinary
Consulting Room, and is a mother of 2 boys.
She loves and is compassionate to animals
and have a passion for veterinary work. She
is currently working for the Limpopo Depart-
ment of Agriculture as a State Veterinarian
during week days, She runs an after-hour
Veterinary Consulting room which operates
from 5 -7 pm during the week and from
8am – 3pm Saturdays and holidays. She is
a highly motivated, enthusiastic, inspirational
person with self-esteem and self-confidence.
She was born and bred in a small village,
Ga-Mankgodi in the Aganang Municipality in
Limpopo. She was exposed to animals at a
very tender age as her family and the villag-
ers owned different kinds of animals. That
is where she developed a love for animals.
She schooled and matriculated at the age of
18 from a local government school with the
dream of becoming a Veterinarian. She was
admitted at Medical University of Southern
Africa (MEDUNSA) in 1996, where she
enrolled in Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine
and Surgery (BVMCh). She then completed
her degree in 2003 at University of Pretoria,
Onderstepoort. She is a registered mem-
ber of the South African Veterinary Council
(SAVC) and South African Veterinary Associ-
ation (SAVA).
She started working at Limpopo Department
of Agriculture (LRARD) as a State Veteri-
narian in 2003 till to
date, she heads the
Veterinary section in
Fetakgomo Tubatse
Municipalities. Seven
13 APRIL 2018
years down the line she realised her passion
and dreams were not completely fulfilled
because at the state she works mainly with
livestock and pets are not catered for. She
opened her Consulting room in May 2010.
Veterinary services was a male dominated
and white dominated career and as such she
had to work hard to prove to some clients
and farmers that she, as a black female can
really do the job. She has seen her practice
grow from just a small consulting room into a
vet shop as well.
Dr Florence also does motivational talks and
career guidance at schools, mentoring high
school pupils with career choices and tertiary
students doing Veterinary Science, Ani-
mal Science and Animal Health Diplomas.
She also assist with bursaries, experiential
learnings and internships. She supports St
Giles during their fund raising and also does
charity work assisting with the SPCA cases
and programs.Dr Florence Makgamatha is a
Christian and believe that the Lord has plans
for each of us. She is thankful for the rec-
ognition that came with this award and says
she has learned that hard work really pays
off and that whatever you are doing out there
people are noticing and observing.
Dr Florence Makgamatha with her award at
the awards function.
In memoriam
‘n Bekende oud-inwoner van Burgersfort,
Kay Bakker Roets is op 9 April oorlede na
‘n stryd met kanker.
Die familie nooi almal uit om haar lewe
saam met hulle te kom vier by Salt &
Pepper by die ou swembad in Lydenburg
op Dinsdag, 17 April om 18:00.
Vir meer inligting skakel Hanli by 083 231
9246.
13 APRIL 2018 NUUS 5

How are you coping with 15% VAT?

South Africa saw its first increase in VAT in
25 years at the beginning of April. VAT was
increased from 14% to 15%. Then Finance
Minister Malusi Gigaba in his budget speech
said that it will add an estimated R22,9 thou-
sand million to the fiscus.
South Africa’s VAT is seen as still being low
compared to other countries in the world. Gi-
gaba said that the poorest of the poor will not
feel it so much. According to him the current
zero-rating of basic food items such as maize
meal, brown bread, dried beans and rice will
limit the impact on the poorest households.
“In addition vulnerable households will also
be compensated through an above average
increase in social grants.”
Fears had however been that especially the
lower to middle income South Africans will Ms Sophie Mashaba and Ms Sannie Chauke said: “It is very, very dif-
feel the brunt of the increased VAT. ficult. We suffer. We are domestic workers. Die geld is min. Ons werk
It has now been almost two weeks after the dalk 3 dae ‘n week. We suffer. We can’t buy meat anymore. We now Ms Millicent Lebelo and Ms Charmaine Lebelo said: “We are suffer-
increase and Platinum Gazette asked read- pay more VAT so we can only buy mealie meal and sauce. Transport ing. We cannot buy everything we need anymore”.
ers how they are coping with the increase. is now also more expensive. They did not care about us when they
increased this VAT. We have to buy water and electricity. Everything
is money and we don’t have it”. With Sophie is Naledi.

Mr Johannes Selahle said: “Eish, it is bad,

bad, bad. It kills us. I am now having to cut
back on things because items are too expen-
sive”. With him is Katliso.
Ms Happiness Komane and Ms Francina Maepa said: “We are suffer-
Mr Phillip Mphogo and Mr Peter Maebela said: “We saw that the price
ing. It is bad. Everything is more expensive – petrol, taxi fees, airtime
of airtime went up with this VAT as well. We are suffering with this
– everything. It is worse than we expected. It is 1% on everything and
VAT. Petrol is too expensive. Filling up a tank of petrol was R500, but
it adds up”.
yesterday it was R580! Jacob Zuma used Malusi Gigaba to get this
VAT increase because he thought he’ll pay his debts with the money
while he was still president. Even if we had a salary increase it would
not have made a difference at all”.

Mr Noah Mohlala said: “We are not coping. It

is too bad. It is killing us”.

Mr Moses Paile and Mr Lazy Letageng both commented. Lazy said:

“1% is not so much for those working but for those like us who are
unemployed, we suffer”. Moses said: “We as the working class did
not get an increase in our salaries. They should have increased our
salaries first and the VAT. This is not good”.
Mr Michael Tshehla and Mr Kabelo Thobejane said: “Most of us have
not felt it yet. In the long term it will be difficult. Three to six months
down people will feel the impact. Just a few basic things will make
a difference. There has not been any salary increases before this
either. We don’t know where to cry. Groceries cost too much. We will
no longer go for quality, we will have to buy from the Somalians”.

Ms Florence Munyira said: “I’ve felt it. Sala-

ries are the same, but everything is more ex-
pensive. The burden is heavy. We now have
to cut back on luxuries. We have no choice,
we have to eat”.

Mr Klippies Tladie and Mr Willy Matjie said: “It is not that bad. It is for
everyone. It is not targeting just some people. Everyone pays VAT.
We’ve not really felt the impact yet”.

Left: Mr Petrus Kgoete said: “I’m suffering. With my salary I cannot Mr Timothy Mojalefa and Mr Phillimon Bhembe said: “We feel it. That
afford everything I need. Especially the petrol is bad now. We are 15% is very, very high. Things are too expensive. Everything went up,
struggling”. but the salaries did not increase”.
6 Platinum Gazette 13 APRIL 2018

Klein Advertensies • Smalls

Place your small advertisement via e-mail or fax or contact Beánnla Celliers on 083 543 1676 or 083 271 9151. E-mail: adverts@platinumgazette.com • Fax: 086 554 9031

Advertise here/
Adverteer hier:
1. Sport Klubs / Pets
Platinum Gazette
Sport Clubs 6. Persoonlik/
Beánnla Celliers will see
2. Betrekking/ Personal to it that your advertise-
Vacancy 7. Allerlei/ ment in the Platinum Ga-
3. Dienste/ Miscellaneous zette meets the highest
Services 8. Finansies/ standards with regard to
4. Oornag Financial design and
Akkommodasie/ 9. Te Huur/ reproduction.
Overnight To Rent
accommodation 10. Te Koop/ Contact her on
5. Troeteldiere/ For sale 083 543 1676 /
013 231 7147 or
Crossing Mall in adverts@platinumgazette.com
3. Dienste/ Burgersfort.
Services Beskikbaar vanaf 1
Mei 2018.
Visit your local
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and décor framer in
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en elektrisiteit in. Elek-
trisiteit ingesluit tot op
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‘n standaard hoeveel-

24 Years experience
in framing. Get the
option that fits your
taste and budget!
Small gifts and crafts
available in store.
Printing, photocopies
and much more.
Stockists of EPA!
Chilli and other
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Visit Esmé Framers
in Steelpoort next
to Wimpy or contact
Esmé on 079 100
9643.
9. Te Huur/
To Rent
HOUSE TO LET
Two bedroom house
available from
R4500. (Full time
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Three bedroom
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Please call on
082 578 6113.
TO LET -
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Contact Ina:
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TE HUUR
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Platinum Gazette contact details:
Vacancies
heid eenhede, verdere
gebruik word saam
met huur ingevorder.
Skadunet afdak vir
voertuig.
Troeteldiere welkom
(voorwaardes geld).
Deposito word vereis.
Huis toegerus met
alarmstelsel wat
huurder kan laat
moniteer.
Kontak Mike by
082 357 1954
Get your
hard copy
of the
newspaper
here:
* Bronrich Slaghuis
* Tubatse Build It
* Vyfster Slaghuis
*Fouché Medical
Practice
* Mooifontein Kafee
* Mahlasedi Health
* Health Zone Gym
* Cheap Cheap
* CTM
* Boxer Steelpoort
* Tubatse Build It
* Themba Filling Station
* Supa Dry Cleaners
Burgersfort
* Dr Phetla Medical
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Editorial: William Zwart

Tel: 083 271 9151
E-mail: editorial@platinumgazette.com

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Act (98 of 1978).
Platinum Gazette- 013 231 7147
13 APRIL 2018 NUUS 7

Local SAPS soccer teams perform well in league

The SAPS Capricorn District soccer league
matches for stream A and B are still on track.
The resluts for stream A’s matches played
on Wednesday 11 April was a draw between
SAPS ORS soccer team and SAPS Mank-
weng/Sebayeng. SAPS Mankweng/Sebay-
eng soccer team was the hosts and play
happened at Lethuli just outside Seshego.
Const Raleweza scored for the ORS team
and Const Nchabeleng scored for the Mank-
weng team.
In another match played in Mogwadi, SAPS SAPS Burgersfort/Sekhukhune/Leboeng 6 Lebowakgomo/Masemola 2 (goals socored
Mogwadi/Maleboho/Senwabarwana man- (goals scored by Secretary Nkadimeng x2, by W/O Mphahlele, Const Mello)
aged to 3-2 against Saps 10111. Cleaner Sergt Maredi, Const Malepe, Const Skosana, (Photographs and Information: Sergeant
Seroba scored all three goals for the hosts. Const Lekoloane, Const Lebyane) vs SAPS Mvundlela)
Security officer Marema and Const Thako
scored for 10111.
Results for stream B: Saps Tubatse Meck-
lenburg Ohrigstad 1 (goal scored by: Const
Makgolane) vs Saps Dennilton/Marble Hall
3 (goals scored by Const Maruma, Sergt
Molapo, Const Kekana)

Modikwa athletes compete all over

Modikwa athlese has been competing in
various races over the last few weekends.
Sonia Mokuoa (bottom right) ran the Irene
race in Pretoria. He found the last 8km of
the race very tough, but still finished in a
time of 4:10.
Albert Tshosago (below) participated in the
Mall of the North 21km race. He finished in
a time of 1:41.
Leboka Noto ran the 42,2km marathon
and finished in a time of 2:58:47. He was
6th in the veteran race and also finished in
the top 20.
(Information and photographs: Willem
Montgomery).

Provinsiale rolbalspelers
Die provinsiale rol-
balspanne is onlangs
aangewys. Die junior
span bestaan uit
lede van verskillende
dorpe tussen die
ouderdomme van 12
en 20 jaar oud. Hulle
het in Bloemfontein
aan die nasionale
kampioenskappe
gaan deelneem. Die
A span het in die A
groep gewen en op
die laaste kop van
die kwarteind ronde
teen Grens Span
verloor. Die B span
het in die B groep
Voor van links na regs: Keaton Erasmus (Bethal), Michael Semple 5 of 6de geëindig.
(Secunda), Maurize Buckingham (Lydenburg) Marli Truter (Lyden- Finale uitslae is dat
burg), Marco Jordaan (Lydenburg). Agter: Arno Jordaan (Middel- Mpumalanga Junior
burg), Bertie Erasmus (spanbestuurder), Dewald Ferreira (Waterval A span 5de en die B
Boven), Juan Buckingham (Lydenburg) en Simone Joubert (Lyden- span 8ste geëindig
burg). (Foto en inligting: Chrismari Erasmus). het.
8 13 APRIL 2018

It‛s child‛s play to read your

Platinum Gazette online
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SPORT
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to adverts@
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com

Ratels geborg met nuwe drag en toerusting

Die Ratels Rugby Klub het amptelik die rugby kouse, sakke, rugbytruie en hemde uitgedeel van Lydenburg gespeel. die nuwe veld op Ohrigstad vir die speel van
seisoen afgeskop. Verlede jaar het die Ratels op die funksie wat by Die Plaashuis gehou is. Rugbyspelers wat sou belangstel om steeds wedstryde te kan gebruik.
opgeskuif in die liga en uiteindelik in die Die borge het elk ‘n geraamde aandenking lid van die Klub te word is welkom. Die span Na al die formaliteite en oorhandigings
vierde plek geëindig. gekry van ‘n rugbytrui met hul besighede se oefen elke Dinsdag en Donderdagaan om gedoen was is daar lekker saam gekuier en
Tydens ‘n spesiale oorhandigingsfunksie logo op. Die kostes verbonde aan die klere 18:00 by Winterveld Klub se rugbyveld. Die geëet.
verlede Woensdag is die borge van hul klere vir die rugbyspelers is baie hoog. Hulle het Klub nooi die
bedank vir die bydraes. Daar is broeke, nie net kouse, broeke en rugbytruie nodig jong manne uit
vir wanneer hulle speel nie, maar daar is om saam te kom
ook spesiale oefentruie en klere wat meer fiks word en die
formeel is vir wanneer die span ‘n funksie sport in die area
moet bywoon of na ‘n ander dorp reis om te ondersteun.
daar te gaan speel. Enige iemand
Die Ratels sien uit na die komende sei- is welkom, al
soen en het reeds hul eerste wedstryd teen het hulle nie in
Baberton gespeel verlede naweek. Dit was die onlangse
‘n wegwedstryd en die span het ongelukkig verlede rugby
verloor en baie beserings opgedoen. gespeel nie. Dit
Hierdie naweek word daar teen die Rooikatte gaan uiteindelik
oor die
span en
elkeen se
bereidwil-
ligheid om
hard te oe-
fen en daar
te wees
wanneer dit
nodig is.
Die pan is
egter om
so gou
moontlik

Die Ratels Rugby Klub is baie afhanklik van borge om die kostes
van hul toerusting en die nodige klere vir spelers te dek. Die borge

Don’t miss the is verlede week erkenning gegee vir hul bydraes. (Foto’s en inligting:
Ratels Rugby Klub).

Chrome Open this

weekend
This weekend, on 14 April the Chrome Golf Open 2018 will take
place at Tubatse Chrome Club.
Tee-off will be from 07:00 and it will be a 36 hole medal competi-
tion. The entry fee is R350 per player and players need to enter
online at www.limpopogolfunion.co.za
Included will be morning tea/coffe and sandwiches as well as lunch
between the rounds. The prize giving is scheduled for 18:00.
Players can contact Martin van Rooyen (072 564 2811) on 13 April
to confirm their tee-off time. Accommodation will also be available
at Tubatse Club for players coming from far. To book this contact
Tubatse Club on 013 236 5112.