Vista-E-Edition-2-April-2026

Police forcebids farewell to stalwarts

It wasaday filledwith mixed emotions for the police in Welkom as they bid farewell to Col Jacobus van der Merwe, head of support, andLtCol KagishoRatsuba, relief commander in theCommunity ServiceCentre (CSC), both of whomretired at theend of March.

Vander Merwewas applaudedfor his 40 yearsof unblemishedservice during afarewell function held at MTCEndlessEventsand Hall in Riebeeckstad.

In his address, Maj. Gen. LenSingh,deputyprovincial commissioner for support services,commended both members for their unwavering service

He described Vander Merweasaman whose name hasbecome synonymous with dedication, professionalism,and integrity within the police Singhpraised Vander Merwe’scommitment to self-developmentbefore citinghis qualifications, notingthat his leadership hadbeenveryinformed, relevant, and impactful.

He describedVan der Merweasa leader who would be remembered mostfor the manheis.

“A leaderwho ledwith quietstrength, amentor who guided with patience, acolleaguewho stood firm in times of pressure,and aservant of the people,” Singhnoted

In conclusion, he told the twoofficers: “You leave

behind alegacy, alegacyof discipline,reliability, and excellence.”

During hisaddress, Singh paused to encourageyoung members in theservice to takethisasanexample of what yearsofdiscipline and dedicationcan produce, imploringthemtoserve with integrity.

Brig.DiseboCezula, stationcommanderofthe

Welkom police, reflectedon the time she worked with the twoofficers, describing them both as remarkable leaders.

Shedescribed Vander Merwe, fondly known as “Koos,”asthe brains behind the successofthe station.

“Hewas someone who prioritised the safetyofthe membersabove all,”she said.

Shedescribed Ratsubaas “the face of the stationwho kept the fire burning” with heroutstandingworkinthe CSC. Cezula wished them well in their journey.

Maj. Gen-Dr Tholie Afonso, commissionerof the Lejweleputswa District, delivered amessage of appreciation to both In herspeech, shehighlightedthatthe daywas about“celebratingthose who dedicated their lives to servingSouth Africa with integrity”

Vander Merweand Ratsubaservedinthe policefor 40 and 35 years respectively, leavingbehind distinguished careers marked by dedication to public service andcommunitysafety.

Servicesfalling short

An Odendaalsrus family losttheir home and belongings in adevastating fire on 21 March, promptingserious questions aboutthe stateofemergency services in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.

Ward councillor Estelle Dansey haswritten to the municipalmanager andspeaker to escalate the issueof the failureofemergencyservices and to secure urgent accountabilityand a clearturnaround plan following the incident.

Dansey said the incident raised seriousconcerns aboutemergencyservice capacityinthe municipality

“Despitethe fire brigade being contactedatthe time of the incident, no municipal response wasreceived, even days later.

“Thesituation requiredintervention from alocal company, whose assistance helpedcontain the fire and preventfurther damage.”

Shehighlighted that the event exposed twolong-standingchallenges that have repeatedly been raised in council by DA councillors.

“Thereisanongoingshortageand apparent unavailabilityofoperational firefightingvehicles,and continual watersupplyinterruptions

Thepersistentwater problems are especiallynoticeableoverweekends, andthisseverelyhampers emergency responseefforts and places residents at risk,” Dansey said.

Sheemphasisedthatwhilst this wasnot an isolated incident, it served as astark reminder of the real human cost of prolongedservice delivery shortcomings

Thefailureofmunicipal emergency services leftthe affectedfamilyreliant

An Odendaalsrus familylosttheir home and belongingsinadevastating fireon 21 March. PHOTO:Supplied

on privatesectorintervention;while watersupplyinterruptions that have become arecurring problem in the area,particularly affects weekend emergencyresponses when municipal services arealready operating with reducedcapacity.

Thecombination of equipment shortagesand infrastructurefailures hascreated adangerous situation for residents

Dansey stated that the DA believed residents deservedamunicipalitythat wasresponsive, prepared and capable of deliveringbasic services,especially in times of crisis

Theparty hasbeenvocal in council aboutthe deterioratingstate of emergencyservices and the need for urgent intervention to restoreproper firefightingcapabilities

TshedisoTlali, spokesperson for the mayor’soffice of the Matjhabeng LocalMunicipality, did notreplyto amedia enquiry by the time of going to press.

Bringing back feelin

Former learners of the Hentie Cilliers High School in Virg school reunion (the class of 1986).With this get-together weaken the strong bondsformed during their school da and wasfilled with with laughter,memories,andheartfe stories from thepast four decades.Thereunion also inc the previous reunion,the group lost their friend Vickus Pr duringthe gathering – aquiet but meaningfultributetoaf

PHOTO:Supplied

EVERYSATURDAY

Theweekly parkruninWelkom takesplace at 08:00atthe St Dominic’sCollege sports field at 85 JanHofmeyr Road. Come walk, jog,run,or volunteer.The wholefamilyiswelcome to participate. Access the starting pointvia theVolks Road entrance.

Hope for theweek

Self-sacrificing love astounds

As we remember thecross of Christ this Easter, mayitnot just be areligious symbol, but a real reminder of what Goddid forusand what He is reallylike.

It is wherewesee the Father’s love revealed through what the Sondid for us

As the Bible says,“Godwas in Christ reconcilingthe worldtohimself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

This meansGod did not send Jesustodo somethingHe, Himself,was unwilling to do Godwas rightthereinChrist, personally bringingusbacktoHimself

Theologian T. F. Torrance putitthis way: “Thecross is awindowintothe innermost heartofGod,wherein we seethe exactnature of God’slovefor the whole world.

“Ingivinghimself for us on the cross, God proves that he lovesusmorethanheloves himself.”

Real love,the kind the Bible callsagape,is always self-giving.

JesusHimself said, “Noone takes my life from me,but Ilay it down on my ownaccord”(John 10:18)

He wasnot avictim

He chosetogiveHis life

And in that choice,wesee the heart of the Father:alovethat would rather give everything than loseus.

So the crossofChristisnot adistant, powerlessreligious symbol, butratheran eternallypresent invitation to receive alove not just powerful enough to laydownits ownlife andgiveeverythingtoreconcileall people to God, butalsopowerful enough to resurrectand offer new life to allsothat all men canshare this same love with one another.

Cuts to power payment

Eskomhas starteda formalconsultation processthat could see14 municipalities losetheir electricity supplyasthe powerutilitytries to claw back morethanR110 billion in unpaid bills

Most of the municipalities facing possible powercuts areinMpumalanga,followedbythe Free State, NorthWest, and oneinthe Eastern Cape Thestate-owned enterpriseis issuingnotices under thePromotion of AdministrativeJustice Act(PAJA), givingaffectedmunicipalities achance to make their case beforeany supplyinterruptions happen. Eskomsaysithas triedeverything elsethrough theIntergovernmental Relations Framework Act. Thefourteenmunicipalitiesin Eskom’ssightshaveeither not paid theirbills for at least18months, failedtomeetconditions of the National Treasury’s municipal debt relief programme,orposeaserious financial risk to the powerutility.

Agnes Mlambo,Group Executive Distribution (acting), said Eskom needed to tackle rising debt to protectthe operational stabilityand financial discipline it hasworkedto rebuild over thepastthree years.

“Through the turnaround, we are enablingbusinesstoprotect and create jobs and supportingstrategic industriestoremain competitive,

that in turn enable communitiesto thrive,”Mlambosaid.

Eskomhas invited written proposals from anyone who mighthelp with asustainable solution.

“Ifmunicipalities don’t act, Eskomwillmoveahead with credit controlmeasures, including cutting electricity supplyatset times. If the defaults continue,the utility will limit supplytomatch whatever paymentsitreceives,”she said.

Thepower utility says it understands communitiesmay suffer, butsupplyingelectricitywithout payment simply cannot continue Municipalitiescollectmoneyfrom customers for electricityservices, and when theydonot pass these funds on to Eskom, it threatens the utility’sabilitytokeepthe lights on.

TheNational Treasury’s debt relief programme wasmeant to help by ring-fencing old electricitydebt and freezingrelated interest,giving municipalitiesbreathing room to meet their currentobligations.But the growingmunicipaldebtisalso holding back South Africa’s electricityreformplans,whichaim to open up the market to new players.

Despitethe National Treasury’s intervention to restoresound financialmanagement, municipal debt hascontinuedtoclimb,forcing Eskomtotakedecisiveaction on debt recovery

Domestic violence spikeprompts action

Aspate of domestic violence casesreported in theSunriseView policingprecinct in Thabongpromptedmembers of the SAPS from SunriseView Social Crime Prevention, joinedbyCommunityPolicingForum (CPF) members,to initiatea crime awarenesscampaign.

Thecampaignwas held in theTen Cityzone on 12 March.

Thespikeindomestic violence incidents reported in this precinct highlightedthe urgent need forcommunity interventionand awareness, Sgt. Palesa Thabana, Lejweleputswa SAPS spokesperson, hasstated.

Thecomprehensiveactiontaken addressedmultiple crime categories affectingthe area,including: assault, gender-based violence (GBV),theft of copper cable,malicious damage to property andgeneral theft

Officersfocused on providingresidents with practical informationthat could help reduce thesecrimes

Communitymembers were encouraged to work collaborativelywith police and report anycriminal activities to ensurethat offendersare dealt with lawfully.

Educationalpamphlets containing crime preventiontips were distributed amongcommunitymembers,providingthemwith practical guidance on howtoprotect themselves, as well as

their property Thematerials included informationonrecognising warning signsofdomestic violence and steps to take when witnessing or experiencing criminal activity.

Theinitiativereflects ongoingefforts by the SAPS to engage proactivelywith

communities rather than simply respondingtocrimes after theyoccur

Localpolicehaveindicatedthat similar campaignsmay be rolledout in other areasexperiencingelevated crime rates, particularly thoserelated to domestic violence and GBV.

Theatreindustry experts share skills

TheSouth AfricanArtsand Culture Youth Forum, in partnership with the Culture, Arts,Tourism,Hospitality, and SportSectorEducation andTraining Authority(CATHSSETA), hosteda successful three-day Theatreand Film at the LeultureCentrein March. ghttogether nd actors from itatedbyindustry oand Lucky arenowned actor ,isknown for isiondramasand Ekurhuleni News, ueen.Malebatso, ector, shared his ants pportfromthe dCultureCentre; mentofSports, eation; andthe ndustries Chamom the MEC’s utswa Arts and ed their backing rovincial Chairdelivered the gparticipants, ilitators

“Asweconcludethis workshop,we’re remindedthat the arts bringustogether andtellour stories.Let’s continue to push boundaries and celebrate our unique voices,” Mbele said.

Theworkshop providedaplatform for networking, skill-sharing, and professional growth,with participants gainingvaluable insights into the world of theatre and film.Attendees received certificatesofappreciation,markingthe conclusion of the productive programme that fostered connections within the regional arts community.

Thesuccessofthe Theatreand Film

ActingSkills Workshop demonstrates the powerofcollaboration between government, industrybodies,and arts organisationsindevelopingcreativetalent. Theconnectionsmade and lessons learnedare expected to pave the wayfor futurecollaborationsand creativeendeavours acrossthe Free State’scultural landscape

Theinitiativereflects growinginvestmentinartseducation and skills development, providingemerging performerswith accesstoprofessional trainingand industryexpertisethatwas previously difficult to access.

Keepingfitness on track, regardless of age

Avibrant group of teachers,aged 60 yearsand above,showcased their impressive skills during agym session at the SIA sports club on 19 March.Theenergeticseniors were seen mastering various exercises, including hulahooping,demonstrating their agilityand spirit.The event highlighted the inclusivenature of theSIA sports club,which welcomes seniors to join their sessions everyTuesday and Thursday from 08:30 to 10:00.The club encourages allseniors to participateintheir activities,promoting health,fitnessand communitybonding among seniorsand other members.For moreinformation aboutthe club’s schedule and activities,interestedindividualscan contact the coaches Dineo Selikisho on 073051 6813and Nkgodi Marupeloon083 3735267.