HERO OF THE WEEK : THE FIRST GROUP

We started with this project in October 2015 after an incident was reported on Facebook that took community service to another level.

Inspired by what continued when other members of the public also carried out heroic actions with their contributions, Jeffreys Bay Online decided to start publishing these actions, sharing with the community.

Facebook reminded us this week of the International Coastal Cleanup that took place in 2015 when our Mayor at the time, Daphne Kettledas was chosen as our Hero of the Week, for her participation in cleaning up a large stretch of beach on the day.

Here are the initial winners of this project :

Tiaan van Eck
Tiaan works at Office4U. During November 2015 members of the public were often impressed with his great service and availability to assist with last minute emergency printing even after closing times.
Mayor Daphne Kettledas
Daphne accompanied the children from Pellsrus Primary School cleaning up the stretch of beach from the parking area off Duine Road down to Dolphin Beach as part of the 2015 International Coastal Cleanup.

Marcelle van Schalkwyk
Marcelle was instrumental to take the JBay Neighbourhood watch to a different level by implementing the block watch whats app groups. Certainly not a easy task she coordinated the establishment and is to this day still involved.
Dean-Iris Gilbert.
As the first recipient, Dean one day, standing in the vicinity of ABSA bank spotted a chap who removed a lady’s handbag or wallet from her person whilst cycling past her. As he came around a corner in Dean’s direction, he tackled the guy on the bike, thereby recovering the stolen item.

Nominate your Hero of the Week

“Hero of the Week” is another Jeffreys Bay Online initiative.

Animal Management Kouga

The KOUGA Municipality has recently been inundated with complaints that dog owners are not adhering to local bylaws.

This is causing much frustration among residents as well us resources that are being used to control this activity that should have been attending to more serious matters.

An animal pound was established during April 2019. More details here. Stray animals should be reported to the Call Centre at 042 200 2200 option 5

The Kouga Municipality Law Enforcement together with the SPCA ASSISI and committee members from Jeffreys Bay Ward 11 recently had discussions in order to confirm current policies and to find solutions.

The SPCA also met with the Animal Rescue Sanctuary and will embark on a combined educational program with Law Enforcement in order to bring the management of animals under control.

Some residents are outraged at the sudden action been taken when fines were handed out for trespassers. For many years residents complained that Law Enforcement was absent and were not carrying out their duties.
There appears to be even bigger problems in the smaller communities and outlying areas of Kouga, with rather disturbing information been received from local SPCA Inspectors.

The local SPCA tabled a proposal for the establishment of an Animal Management Committee for Kouga at a special council meeting held in April 2019.
This committee will be headed by the Director of Community Services and will comprise representatives from SPCA, JBay Animal Sanctuary, St Francis Bay Animal Sanctuary, Law enforcement as well as a representative, being a committee member from each of the wards in Kouga.
The committee will aim to re-look the various bylaws appertaining to animals, assist in the establishment of a training forum where all communities within Kouga will be orientated towards animal management as required and also act as contact personnel within the wards for cruelty as well as general aspects surrounding animal management. More details will be published later.

It is hoped that the efforts will go a long way in bettering the lives of our loved animals.

A recent article focused on dogs on the beaches of Cape Town. Dogs are not allowed on beaches within the Cape Town area. Read More.

Comments and contributions from the general public is welcomed via mail to news@jeffreysbayonline.co.za alternatively please attend the SPCA 2019 AGM on Wednesday 5 June 2019, 18:00 at the Bowls Club in Tulip St in Jeffreys Bay.

TRANSNET PENSIONARISSE BEGIN LIG IN DIE TONNEL SIEN

THE SITUATION

In what is believed to be the biggest court case South Africa has ever seen, an initial 66,000 pensioners instituted a class action against Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and Transnet. The claim is currently estimated to be over 100 Billion Rand. When this payout succeeds it would do mayor damage to the SA Economy according to Economist, Dawie Roodt. All indications are that Transnet would settle out of Court. Transnet Chairperson Popo Molefe and the Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has been very active in cleaning Transnet up post Gupta era. Transnet needs to cleanse itself of “pervasive corruption” so it can improve efficiencies and win back public and investor confidence, its newly confirmed chairman says. Adv Anton Alberts, FF Plus Chairman is currently on a road trip communicating with pensioners all around the country and hopes to reach every possible area where pensioners reside.

THE COURT CASE

In 2013‚ the 60 000 pensioners instituted a class action against the Transport Pension Fund‚ the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and Transnet.

Their claim was based on a promise made to them in 1989 that they would receive the same pension benefits under a commercial entity‚ Transnet‚ as they did under the state entity that employed them until then‚ the South African Transport Services (SATS) and its two pension funds.

The promise was that the practice of annually increasing members’ pensions by at least 70% of the rate of inflation would continue. The pension funds kept the promise until 2002‚ when the funds failed to grant any pension increases beyond the minimum of 2% per year. The pensioners had calculated that the debt owed to the two pension funds stood at R80bn by March 2013.

In his judgment‚ Constitutional Court Justice Johan Froneman said the pensioners – in their particulars of claim – pleaded that the 1989 promise was made orally by the general manager of SATS. It was also made by the Minister of Transport at meetings throughout the country with some 80,000 SATS employees in May and June 1989.

He said the terms of the contract were expressly and clearly set out and so were the parties bound by those terms. “There is nothing vague and embarrassing that prevents [the pension funds and Transnet] from knowing what case they have to meet‚” Froneman said.

The case represents about 60 000 pensioners, many of whom have found themselves destitute because their Transnet pensions have not kept up with the cost of living. Today only about 44,000 pensioners are still alive.

According to a 2013 estimate by the legal team representing the pensioners, 80% were receiving less than R4 000 a month, 62% less than R2 500 a month and 45% less than R1 600 a month. Some pensioners got only R1 a month after deductions such as contributions to the Transmed Medical Fund

FF Plus encouraged by Gordhan’s words on Transnet pensioners’ claim

The Freedom Front Plus said it was encouraged by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan’s response to its question about the plight of thousands of Transnet pensioners.

The approximately 40‚000 pensioners achieved a victory at the Constitutional Court last month when the court granted a go-ahead for their claim to recover billions owed to them.

The Freedom Front Plus had asked Gordhan in May 2018 to discuss a possible settlement of the class action by the pensioners‚ following the Constitutional Court judgment last month.

Speaking during the budget vote of the department on Tuesday‚ Gordhan said Transnet appeared willing to settle‚ but added that the matter was still with the courts.

“But I think what’s blocking the two sides from getting together is possibly an extravagant evaluation of what pensioners are entitled to as opposed to what might really be the case. “If all of us can encourage a realistic amount in this particular case‚ we are quite willing to bring parties together and see how we can deal with this particular story‚” Gordhan said.

The FF Plus said it considered the minister’s statements to be positive and a step in the right direction.

“The party hopes that a fair settlement will be reached soon for the sake of the approximately 40‚000 pensioners who have suffered years of poverty and misery due to the fact that the money in their pension fund was looted‚” FF Plus chairman and parliamentary spokesman on transport Anton Alberts said. Adv Alberts is of the opinion that the case should be finalised by no later than 2019. The upcoming elections in May 2019 may very well play a role as this hot potato is currently in the ANC lap.

JEFFREYS BAY VISIT

Advocate Anton Alberts met with Transnet Pensioners in Jeffreys Bay on 25 September to discuss the current status of this court case. He also shared the history of the case with those present, a fully packed out Seashells Conference Room, whilst many other pensioners on Facebook requested similar visits. Adv Alberts will be doing the rounds to cover as many of the towns where these pensioners are situated.

Photos by Chris de Vos

FOLLOW PROCEEDINGS

Legal Updates on the case is posted here Pensioners are also welcome to contact Adv Anton Alberts office via email to Neels Hattingh at neels@vfplus.org.za or via phone to 012 772 4410 or 012 770 6041 or 021 665 0564

TRANSNET PENSIONARISSE BEGIN LIG IN DIE TONNEL SIEN

THE SITUATION

In what is believed to be the biggest court case South Africa has ever seen, an initial 66,000 pensioners instituted a class action against Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and Transnet. The claim is currently estimated to be over 100 Billion Rand. When this payout succeeds it would do mayor damage to the SA Economy according to Economist, Dawie Roodt. All indications are that Transnet would settle out of Court. Transnet Chairperson Popo Molefe and the Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has been very active in cleaning Transnet up post Gupta era. Transnet needs to cleanse itself of “pervasive corruption” so it can improve efficiencies and win back public and investor confidence, its newly confirmed chairman says. Adv Anton Alberts, FF Plus Chairman is currently on a road trip communicating with pensioners all around the country and hopes to reach every possible area where pensioners reside.

THE COURT CASE

In 2013‚ the 60 000 pensioners instituted a class action against the Transport Pension Fund‚ the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and Transnet.

Their claim was based on a promise made to them in 1989 that they would receive the same pension benefits under a commercial entity‚ Transnet‚ as they did under the state entity that employed them until then‚ the South African Transport Services (SATS) and its two pension funds.
The promise was that the practice of annually increasing members’ pensions by at least 70% of the rate of inflation would continue. The pension funds kept the promise until 2002‚ when the funds failed to grant any pension increases beyond the minimum of 2% per year. The pensioners had calculated that the debt owed to the two pension funds stood at R80bn by March 2013.

In his judgment‚ Constitutional Court Justice Johan Froneman said the pensioners – in their particulars of claim – pleaded that the 1989 promise was made orally by the general manager of SATS. It was also made by the Minister of Transport at meetings throughout the country with some 80,000 SATS employees in May and June 1989.

He said the terms of the contract were expressly and clearly set out and so were the parties bound by those terms. “There is nothing vague and embarrassing that prevents [the pension funds and Transnet] from knowing what case they have to meet‚” Froneman said.
The case represents about 60 000 pensioners, many of whom have found themselves destitute because their Transnet pensions have not kept up with the cost of living. Today only about 44,000 pensioners are still alive.

According to a 2013 estimate by the legal team representing the pensioners, 80% were receiving less than R4 000 a month, 62% less than R2 500 a month and 45% less than R1 600 a month. Some pensioners got only R1 a month after deductions such as contributions to the Transmed Medical Fund

FF Plus encouraged by Gordhan’s words on Transnet pensioners’ claim

The Freedom Front Plus said it was encouraged by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan’s response to its question about the plight of thousands of Transnet pensioners.

The approximately 40‚000 pensioners achieved a victory at the Constitutional Court last month when the court granted a go-ahead for their claim to recover billions owed to them.

The Freedom Front Plus had asked Gordhan in May 2018 to discuss a possible settlement of the class action by the pensioners‚ following the Constitutional Court judgment last month.

Speaking during the budget vote of the department on Tuesday‚ Gordhan said Transnet appeared willing to settle‚ but added that the matter was still with the courts.

“But I think what’s blocking the two sides from getting together is possibly an extravagant evaluation of what pensioners are entitled to as opposed to what might really be the case. “If all of us can encourage a realistic amount in this particular case‚ we are quite willing to bring parties together and see how we can deal with this particular story‚” Gordhan said.

The FF Plus said it considered the minister’s statements to be positive and a step in the right direction.

“The party hopes that a fair settlement will be reached soon for the sake of the approximately 40‚000 pensioners who have suffered years of poverty and misery due to the fact that the money in their pension fund was looted‚” FF Plus chairman and parliamentary spokesman on transport Anton Alberts said. Adv Alberts is of the opinion that the case should be finalised by no later than 2019. The upcoming elections in May 2019 may very well play a role as this hot potato is currently in the ANC lap.

JEFFREYS BAY VISIT

Advocate Anton Alberts met with Transnet Pensioners in Jeffreys Bay on 25 September to discuss the current status of this court case. He also shared the history of the case with those present, a fully packed out Seashells Conference Room, whilst many other pensioners on Facebook requested similar visits. Adv Alberts will be doing the rounds to cover as many of the towns where these pensioners are situated.

FOLLOW PROCEEDINGS

SPCA SAYS “NO FIREWORKS” COMPETITION!

As we close in on November, the traditional Fireworks sadly becomes an issue again, with December normally getting it’s fair share of fireworks activity around New Year as well. This year the SPCA is taking the early initiative by reaching out to the youth. This initiative comes from Marenda Venter, a local teacher at Pharos Primary School, who recently joined the SPCA committee.

Marenda has put together a Competition for All children from Kouga to participate in this awareness campaign, simultaneously raising funds for SPCA ASSISSI.

“This is an important fundraiser for the SPCA and we need all schools to get on board”, says Marenda. The teacher has spoken, so get your children to participate and enquire at their Schools.

It will be amazing if all your learners from Gr.R to 7 can participate! To be eligible for the school prize, a minimum of 75% of the school’s learners in that phase must enter for the competition.

Written entries may be in English or Afrikaans. Printed posters will be delivered to all schools as well as entry forms.

Wonderful prizes are on offer for each category winning School, with a Notebook as First prize, sponsored by True Technologies as well as R2,500 Cash Prize on offer sponsored by The Bay Pasta Co. A range of prizes are also on offer for the winning participants. Be sure to enquire at your school for entry forms as well as for the rules of the competition. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

Enquiries: Marenda Venter 084 548 3149