As we say hello 2017 and goodbye 2016, let’s take one last look at the good, the bad and the ugly.
JANUARY
• Police find body of missing boy — In the very first edition of 2016, the Herald had to break the tragic news on the front page that the body of missing five-year-old Matthew Ryan Olivier was found at the bottom of a water-filled trench about 500 metres from his grandparents’ home in Groenplaas, after a three-day search.
• Escaped convict back in prison after 23 years — A convict who escaped and hid for 23 years was finally put back in jail. 23 years ago, Samson Lemeko was involved in a hijacking for which he was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. He escaped from the Protea Court in September 1992 shortly after being sentenced. He was allegedly also involved in the murder of a well-known Soweto hair salon owner, Pat Magadze in 1993. Lemeko then disappeared, staying under the radar after his escape.
• New Station Commander — Randfontein Police got a new station commander and the Herald went to meet this mysterious brigadier Mashole who has been in the service for 24 years. He is originally from Limpopo and has six sons, of which the eldest is 18 and the youngest nine. He calls on the community to reach out to him and let him know when they are unhappy about a police matter or if they have information that could help him rid the town of crime.
• New old age home in town — The Connie Mulder Centre launched its old age home, Wisteria Old Age home, in hopes of keeping the centre open for years to come.
FEBRUARY
• If I were president — Randfonteiners, what would you do if you were president for a day? The Herald set out to ask the Randfontein community this important question: If you were president, what would you change first in the country and then in your town?” This was in the midst of the Nkandla saga and just before the elections. A few quotes from people were: “Our municipality’s service delivery needs to get up to standard.” “I will increase child grants as mothers are struggling out there.” “I will immediately attend to unemployment in the country.” “Lower the cost of food so that less fortunate people can also have a proper meal.”
• Mother who murdered twin sons convicted — In April 2015 the Herald reported on an murder involving a mother who allegedly had poisoned her twin sons. In February, the mother was convicted of murder and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment on both charges.
• 15 years for killing lover’s wife — Odette Botha, a resident of Randfontein was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after stabbing and killing her lover’s wife at a restaurant in Krugersdorp in 2012.
• Baby allegedly abused by father dies — The three-week-old baby boy who allegedly was abused by his father died on 17 February. The day after the death of the severely battered baby, the father was arrested. Police confirmed the charge was changed from child abuse to murder. Baby Joshua was laid to rest in the Greenhills Cemetery on 29 February.
MARCH
• 30ste Randfontein Skou beskou as die grootste nog — Daar is gesê die 30ste Randfontein Skou van Donderdag 3 tot Sondag 6 Maart 2016 was die dorp se grootste skou nog.
• Rodora family massacre: 4 killed — A family of four, including a nine-year-old child, was murdered between Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 March on a farm in Rodora, Doornfontein. Monty MacCormack, 73, Kenny MacCormack, 42, Marietjie Meyer, 46, and Kayla Meyer, 9, were brutally murdered. In August, Randfontein Police made a major breakthrough and arrested four suspects in connection with the murder.
APRIL
• G’n keer aan Jannas se pom-poms — In 2016 is Hoërskool Jan Viljoen (Jannas) vir die vyfde agtereenvolgende keer as wenners by die Randfontein Skou aangewys. Die skool het hul wenresep en lys van prestasies oor die jare met die Herald gedeel.
• Once Tambotie Mall was a dream, now it’s a reality — The days of Randfonteiners heading out of town to do their shopping will be over soon. By April 2017 Randfontein should have its own Tambotie Mall in Greenhills. The Herald attended the sod-turning ceremony on Wednesday, 6 April.
• ‘Crossing of Death’ claims two lives — Two women tragically died while two others sustained injuries when a bakkie and light motor vehicle collided at one of Randfontein’s deadliest intersections, the Northway Road/ R24 crossing, also known as the Randfontein/ Tarlton intersection, near Elandsvlei. In July, the crossing was made safer for motorists when a four-way stop was erected. The speed limit in the area was lowered, prominent signage was erected, and the road markings received new coat of paint.
• ‘Zuma must go’ — The Herald took to the streets to find out what Randfontein thought about President Jacob Zuma and the recent Nkandla verdict that he should pay back the money spent on upgrading it. Out of the 19 community members approached, only one said Zuma should remain in his position.
• Teine looi Poorte die eerste keer in 11 jaar — Randfontein Rugbyklub se eerstespan, beter bekend as Mapogo Teine, het beïndruk toe hulle Roodepoort Rugbyklub vir die eerste keer in 11 jaar met 21–15 geklop het. Die kragmeting het in Teine se agterplaas plaasgevind.
• Cheers, Mr Harris — Roy Harris, Randfontein’s former mayor and a well-known face in the community announced that he was set to retire at the age of 75.
• The Herald was highly commended — There are 120 publications in the Caxton local newspaper division, and the Herald was highly commended, meaning it was the runner-up in the 20-and-over pagination category.
• Rappies vier 100 goue jare — Laerskool Rapportryer (Rappies) het in dié maand sy 100ste verjaarsdag gevier. Tydens die glansgeleentheid het voormalige hoofde, personeel en leerlinge van voor 1980 asook gaste die dag kom geniet terwyl Rappies-leerlinge met allerhande aktiwiteite op die veld besig was. Rian van Heerden (radio-omroeper by Jacaranda 94.2) was een van die spesiale gaste.
• Woman, 33, gets heart transplant — Candice Eno, who was featured on the Herald’s front page in October 2015, raising awareness for organ donations, was on the urgent heart transplant list for 22 months – until Tuesday, 12 April, when she got her new heart.
MAY
• Mayor drops merger bomb — It was announced that the merging of Randfontein and Westonaria Municipalities would come into effect after 3 August and the new municipality would be called the Rand West City Local Municipality.
• Horror head-on crash leaves 15 dead — Fifteen out of 17 passengers were killed in a head-on crash between a taxi and truck on the R41 (Randfontein Road). The Herald found the bodies of the victims scattered across the road. A mass funeral was held at the Swanieville Stadium in Krugersdorp.
• Randfontein Magistrate’s vehicle attacked — A 21-year-old man was arrested after attacking the car of Mphafolane Koma, a Randfontein Magistrate, in Pretoria. He was denied bail.
JUNE
• Kolonel Cassie groet die polisie — Kolonel Cassie Rautenbach, inwoner van Randfontein en bevelvoerder van Florida Polisiestasie, het na 42 jaar in die diens afgetree.
• Estate agent’s body found dumped — The news that the body of Remax estate agent Hanle Lategan, 52, had been found dumped in Elandsvlei hours after her disappearance made national headlines. Lategan went missing in Krugersdorp at about 6pm on Monday, 30 May. Her vehicle was later found abandoned in front of the Netcare Krugersdorp Private Hospital. Nearly 11 hours later, children on their way to school spotted Lategan’s body on the banks of a stream in Elandsvlei in the Randfontein area, just off the dirt road near the sewerage farm. Later it became clear that Lategan’s death was linked to the recent murders of two brokers in Krugersdorp. Police have since made a breakthrough in the so-called Krugersdorp Triple Murder case and have arrested six people. The trial is currently ongoing and the group is facing more than 11 murder charges.
• Paartjie vier hul 60ste huweliksherdenking — Daar is geen einde aan Mavis en Hannes Kruger, albei 80, se liefde nie. Die paartjie is 60 jaar gelede, op 9 Junie 1956, getroud en het vyf kinders (drie dogters en twee seuns, waarvan een seun in 2014 oorlede is), 13 kleinkinders en vier agterkleinkinders.
• New support centre opens in Randfontein — Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, and Gauteng’s MEC for Social Development, Nandi Mayatula Khoza officially opened the Randfontein Inpatient Abuse Centre on 26 June. The opening ceremony also marked International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
JULY
• Na ‘n eeu steeds fiks — Die Renaissance-ouetehuis het op Woensdag, 29 Junie ‘n inwoner se 100ste verjaarsdag gevier. Maria Elizabeth le Roux, of Tannie Lizzie, het op Sondag, 3 Julie die ongelooflike mylpaal bereik. Tannie Lizzie en haar man Andries – wat op 83-jarige ouderdom op 16 Junie 1997 gesterf het – is op 7 Maart 1939 getroud en het vyf kinders gehad, waarvan een reeds oorlede is. Daar is altesaam 13 kleinkinders en 21 agterkleinkinders waarvan twee oorlede is.
• Woman killed after calling man a ‘donkey’ — Xolani Tengwa, 29, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for the murder of a 32-year-old woman. According to police, the victim allegedly called Tengwa a ‘donkey’, which started an argument between the two. The fight got heated and Tengwa pulled out a knife and stabbed the woman several times in the neck.
• Ongeluk eis sekuriteitswag — Michael Heyns van BOZ Armed Response and Security was net 26 jaar oud toe hy op Sondag, 10 Julie in ‘n motorongeluk gesterf het. Michael se motor het na bewering ‘n boom langs Jan Blignautstraat in Westonaria getref, waarna dit aan die brand geslaan het.
• Bibberkoud in Randfontein — Haelkorrels groot genoeg om inwoners bloedneus te slaan het die dorp op Maandag, 25 Julie getref, maar dit het ook vir groot pret gesorg. Dit was so erg dat dit gelyk het soos sneeu. Mense het hul haelfoto’s op sosiale media gedeel dat dit bars. Daar was selfs sprake van ‘n tornado wat deur die Robin Park-area beweeg het. Plekke soos Uncle Harry’s Roadhouse, Life Robinson Hospitaal asook die rolbalklub het skade gely weens die storm.
• Former town alderman and freeman dies — Alderman, Freeman and former councillor of Randfontein, Jan van der Westhuizen, passed away at the age of 91. Jan was born at De Rust in the Western Cape on 19 October 1924. His family moved to Randfontein when he was 10 years old. He became a councillor in Randfontein and served the community for 28 years. He was also the chairman of the Randfontein Management Committee for nine years, councillor on the Rand Water Board for 21 years and treasurer of the National Party Divisional Committee for 33 years.
• RHS impresses in Europe — Six learners from Randfontein High School (RHS) had the opportunity to participate in the Heart of Europe International Debate Tournament in Olomouc in the east of the Czech Republic. There they competed against some of the best teams from countries such as Hungary, Canada, Peru, Denmark, Spain, Poland and Malaysia. Team RHS reached the Top 16 but lost against teams from Canada and Denmark who eventually were the two finalists.
• Christmas Day killer gets 20 years behind bars — On 29 July, 34-year-old Bobby Jack Hartney was found guilty on two charges, namely murder – that of EFF member, 33-year-old Monde Kwenyama – and common assault, and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. According to Kwenyama’s sister-in-law, Raylene Martin, Kwenyama’s then 10-year-old son witnessed the murder.
AUGUST
• Randfonteiners trek hul kruisies — Inwoners het tougestaan by verskeie stempunte in Randfontein om hul kruisie te trek in vanjaar se plaaslike verkiesing. Volgens die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie is 71 843 stemme in Randfontein/ Westonaria teen 5 Augustus getel. Die ANC het toe voorgeloop met 52,71 persent van die stemme, gevolg deur die DA met 27,96 persent en die EFF met 11,32 persent.
• Respected cop dies in his sleep — A well-known face in the Randfontein Traffic Police tragically passed away recently and the town’s top brass gathered to honour his memory. Ronald ‘Ronnie’ van der Merwe passed away in his sleep at the age of 57 on Friday, 12 August. He was a well-known face on the administrative side of the Traffic Department.
• Ex-convict now saves lives — Maleeto Mabe, 23, an ex-convict who was incarcerated for murder when she was only 17 years old, has started a new life by working as a fire-crew leader at Working on Fire. Maleeto was taken into custody in 2010 after stabbing a man to death while he was beating her. She served two years of her six-year sentence, after which she was released on parole.
• Exciting times for Randfontein boxing — After extensive talks with the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), Randgate Boxing Club will now act as the base of the newly formed West Rand Boxing Academy. West Rand junior and youth boxers from the ages of 12 to 18 will be eligible to be part of the team. The academy’s base will be at the Randgate Club, but its training facility will be at the Simunye Sports Complex in what was previously known as Westonaria. A number of sport scientists and physiotherapists will be based there to treat the academy’s boxers. Transport will be provided for academy members who live far away.
• Parents murdered near highway — A mother and father were shot and killed near the intersection of the R28 and the N12 in Westonaria. The double murder occurred at this dangerous intersection on Friday, 19 August. The only survivor of the incident was the couple’s 10-year-old son. A passing motorist allegedly took the blood-spattered boy to the Westonaria Police Station to tell the shocking story.
• New place of safety for all abandoned and neglected babies — Georgina Caetano decided to open the Just In Time Baby Sanctuary in Greenhills. The sanctuary is a temporary place of safety, in addition to The Cradle of Hope House of Restoration in Krugersdorp. It is an NGO that is completely dependent on the faith and goodwill of the community.The sanctuary was launched on Saturday, 27 August.
SEPTEMBER
• New crime stats paint a bleak picture — The overall crime rate in Randfontein and Westonaria has increased according to the latest crime statistics provided by the South African Police Service. In Randfontein, murder increased by 43,2 per cent, sexual offences by 18,2 per cent, burglary at residential premises by 15,8 per cent, stock theft by 90,9 per cent, truck hijacking by 66,7 per cent and attempted murder by 91,7 per cent. Other types of crimes also increased.
• Death toll among former Life Esidimeni patients stands at 36 — According to Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, a total of 36 psychiatric patients transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni in Randfontein have died while in the care of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) they were transferred to.
• Vrou vul self slaggate — Op Dinsdag 20 September het die Herald talle oproepe van inwoners regoor Randfontein ontvang rakende ‘n middeljarige vrou wat slaggate op die R559 vul. Die Herald het vir Annetjie Herbst, 58, opgespoor en gehoor dat sy in haar bakkie rondry en slaggate met miershoopgrond vul. Op soiale media het die storie meer as 11 000 lesers bereik, 107 ‘likes’ gekry, is 60 keer gedeel en 25 mense het kommentaar daarop gelewer. Die munisipaliteit het ‘n dag nadat Annetjie die slaggate gevul het, opgedaag.
• From load shedding to water shedding — On Monday, 12 September, the municipality announced water restrictions for the entire Rand West City. This was necessitated by the low dam levels, and an unseasonably warm spring. The expected above-normal summer temperatures played a role in the decision as well.
• 27 December declared a public holiday — President Jacob Zuma announced that 27 December 2016 would be a public holiday, after a number of trade unions pointed out that workers will be missing out on one of the 12 public holidays they are entitled to by law.
• Riebeeck nommer een in Jukskei — Al vyf jukskeispanne van Hoërskool Riebeeckrand het podiumplekke behaal tydens vanjaar se skolejukskeiliga. Die dogterseerstejukskeispan, wat vroeër vanjaar by die SA-skolekampioenskappe as die beste skoledogtersjukskeispan in Suid-Afrika aangewys is, het weereens stof in hul opponente se oë geskop en as die kampioene weggestap.
OCTOBER
• From merging bomb to billing bomb — Many residents and business owners in Randfontein are up in arms about the impending double charge on their municipal accounts in October. The double billing resulted from the merging of Randfontein and Westonaria to form the new Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM). Tshidiso Tlharipe, the RWCLM spokesperson, said the decision was made to get residents from both former municipalities up to date with their municipal accounts.
• Great support for SPCA’s Annual Dog Walk — The SPCA’s Annual Dog Walk was held in Randfontein on Sunday 9 October in commemoration of Animal Week. On this day, the streets of Randfontein saw many feet and paws walking the walk for a good cause.
• Seven months to go for Tambotie Mall — During the Herald’s latest visit to the site at the corner of Tambotie and Malan Streets in Greenhills, we saw that construction had progressed from laying the foundations and putting up the steel structure as reported in June this year, to the big, beautiful structure that made us think of the metamorphosis and transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
• Man uit die kloue van varkgriep gered — Anton Zaayman, 52, het die dood in die gesig gestaar nadat hy op 5 September met varkgriep gediagnoseer is. Anton het vertel hoe hy twee dae tevore baie siek begin word het terwyl hy in Viljoenskroon vir besigheid was. Sy simptome was soortgelyk aan dié van longontsteking. Hy is in die Netcare Krugersdorp Privaat Hospitaal opgeneem waar hy 19 dae gelê het, waarvan hy ‘n week onder sedasie in die intensiewesorg-eenheid was. Hy het ook gesê dat daar 18 keer van sy bloed getrek is en dat hy in een week in die intensiewesorg-eenheid 6kg-gewig verloor het.
• 94 jaar oud – 109 nasate en nog blakend gesond — Lettie Scholtz Gerber van Bootha-plotte het op Vrydag, 14 Oktober ‘n volle 94 jaar oud geword. Sy is op 14 Oktober 1922 gebore. Ouma Lettie het 17 kinders (10 seuns en sewe dogters) in die wêreld gebring, maar het 23 grootgemaak – ses van hulle as pleegouer. Veertien van Ouma Lettie se eie 17 kinders is tuis gebore. Haar eerste huwelik op 16-jarige ouderdom was met Willie Scholtz. Hulle het saam 14 kinders. Willie is op die ouderdom van 56 oorlede. In 1961 is sy met Carel Gerber getroud, en hulle het saam drie seuns.
• Truck with over R7 million in fines pulled over — On Wednesday morning, 26 October, the Herald was called out to the Randfontein Traffic Police Department‘s Law Enforcement: Impound unit, where an unroadworthy truck with over R7 million in fines against it was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.
NOVEMBER
• Reverend robbed of R33 000 at gunpoint — Reverend Lawrence Mabaso, 63, recently took it upon himself to help the Carryou organisation with its financial difficulties. These difficulties lay in insufficient funding, mainly from government. While the government does regularly fund the organisation, the funds fall short at the best of times. Consequently, he decided to dig into his pension fund and give the funds to the ministry, but he was robbed of the R33 000 he wanted to give away on Tuesday, 25 October.
• SA’s new rising star in 800m — Former Laerskool Randfontein learner, Liza Kellerman, a specialist long-distance runner, is the new rising star in the 800 metre event, and alongside Rio Olympics champion Caster Semenya, she could be a formidable force at the next Summer Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo in 2020 – that is, if she’s considered for selection.
• Three-year-old allegedly murdered by stepfather — The news that Poppie van der Merwe, 3, a blue-eyed blonde girl was allegedly murdered by her stepfather made national headlines. She died on her way to a hospital in Brits after she had allegedly sustained injuries all over her body. It is alleged she was kicked. Her funeral was held in Westonaria.
• ‘Missing man’ jailed — Willem ‘Wimpie’ Pretorius, 39, the man who allegedly first went missing, then was wanted by the police, is now jailed. Wimpie was found guilty of theft and was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
• Cansa Relay for Life another success — Randfontein once again walked through the night to support cancer patients in the 2016 Cansa Relay for Life held at Laerskool Randfontein’s (Ram) sports grounds. The event is used to raise funds for the Cansa Association and create awareness about cancer.
• #TripleMurderCase – First photo of all the accused — The six people arrested in connection with the murder of two insurance brokers in Krugersdorp and a real estate agent in Randfontein showed their faces for the first time in the Krugersdorp Magistrates’ Court on 7 November. A media frenzy broke out as journalists from different media houses took advantage of their first opportunity to take pictures of all the accused together. The accused, who face 11 murder charges are: Zak Valentine – the man accused of faking his own death and murdering a homeless man – Marcel, Cecilia, Marinda and Leroux Steyn, and Johan Barnard.
• Woman, 37, found dead in car — On the morning of Monday, 14 November, 37-year-old Candice Leslie (née Fritz) was found dead in her red VW Polo in Toekomsrus. On Wednesday, 16 November, outside the Randfontein Magistrates’ Court, a group of family members and friends demanded justice for her. It was the first court appearance of the suspect – said to be her ex-husband – who has been charged with murder. Magistrate Botha confirmed the victim had been stabbed repeatedly before succumbing to her injuries.
DECEMBER
• Dagga – Coming to a pharmacy near you soon — Following a two-year process of deliberations, investigations and research prompted by the Medical Innovation Bill, an announcement by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health was made that the Department of Health will soon regulate access to medicinal cannabis for prescribed health conditions. The product should be available by April 2017, the Department of Health said.
• Five arrested after high-speed chase — The Westonaria Police showed their smarts after arresting five armed robbers shortly after the robbery. The armed business robbery took place just outside Hillshaven, Westonaria, in a small informal settlement called Speru Speru. Upon their investigation of the scene, police found two firearms as well as the goods stolen from the business which included (but wasn’t limited to) cigarettes, toiletries and washing powder.
• Baba Duncan kry uiteindelik sy groot operasie — Dit was ‘n lang wag – amper ‘n halwe jaar – maar die 16-maande-oue baba, Duncan Baker, se lewegewende operasie is uiteindelik by die Netcare Sunninghill Hospitaal uitgevoer. Die aanvanklike datum vir sy operasie was 12 April. Duncan is met ‘n gebreekte skedel gebore, wat veroorsaak het dat sy brein nie kon groei nie. Daar is gevrees dat hy later in sy lewe nie net gespot sou word nie maar dat sy ontwikkeling beïnvloed sou word. Dit gaan nou goed met hom.
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