Latest news with #MosselBay
The Herald
17-07-2025
- The Herald
Garden Route construction industry extortionist gets jail time
A convicted extortionist was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on Thursday for targeting a businessman involved in the construction industry on the Garden Route. Fabian Mertenton, 38, was convicted because of an investigation by various police units prompted by reports more than a year ago about extortion in Mossel Bay and George. 'On Wednesday, 20 March 2024, members attached to the George police responded to threats towards a businessman involved in the construction industry. A team consisting of various police units was assembled and the information operationalised when a sting operation was launched,' said police spokesperson Sgt Christopher Spies. 'The members pounced on a house at Plattner Boulevard in George where a group of five men and one woman were cornered. Police also confiscated a substantial amount of cash found in possession of one of the men and arrested the group.' Further investigation by provincial organised crime detectives uncovered a trail of email and WhatsApp messages confirming the scheme. 'The accused, Fabian Mertenton, subsequently faced a charge of extortion and the others were released. He has remained in custody ever since,' said Spies. Mertenton was sentenced in Plettenberg Bay to 10 years' imprisonment, five years of which were suspended for five years. Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Thembisile Patekile commended the team that carried out the raid and arrest. 'This conviction and sentencing should serve as a deterrent to those who intend to commit similar offences. Extortionists targeting the construction sector or any other business threaten the economy of this region. The police will ensure no effort is spared to bring those to book once reported.' TimesLIVE
News24
10-07-2025
- General
- News24
Dead, and dying birds, tortoises: Mossel Bay Municipality embroiled in animal cruelty case
@mosselbaymun/Facebook Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Start your FREE trial now
The Herald
10-07-2025
- The Herald
SPCA lodges criminal complaint against Mossel Bay municipality
The Garden Route SPCA is lodging a criminal case against the Mossel Bay municipality related to 'severe cruelty' observed at a bird and animal park in the coastal town. Harry Giddey Park is regarded as a 'green lung' in the CBD and has been a popular picnic spot. However, an inspection in September last year uncovered illness and neglect among the animals. The park sustained substantial damage due to flooding in 2023. The municipality then launched an internal investigation into the welfare of animals, operational and financial matters at the park and released the findings just more than a week ago. 'This is not a decision we have taken lightly. The cruelty discovered at the park in September 2024 was severe. Our inspectors found animals living in conditions of neglect and distress and humane euthanasia was necessary to end the suffering in several heartbreaking cases,' said the SPCA. 'In the 10 months since, we have worked tirelessly behind the scenes — providing the municipality with evidence, attending meetings and giving every possible opportunity for accountability to be taken and corrective action implemented.'
News24
26-06-2025
- Politics
- News24
By-elections: PA takes first Mossel Bay ward, DA and ANC retain wards in Tshwane and Knysna
The Patriotic Alliance has won its first Mossel Bay ward with 51.5% of the vote. The DA retained Ward 56 in Tshwane with 80% of the vote. The ANC secured Ward 8 in Knysna with 52.12%. The Patriotic Alliance is making even more inroads in the Western Cape after winning a ward in Mossel Bay. This marks the party's first-ever ward in Mossel Bay following a 51.5% showing at the polls on Wednesday. Luhein Prins is the new ward councillor. The DA previously held the ward, but the councillor died in April. However, the DA had a better night in Tshwane after it retained Ward 56 in Hatfield, with an overwhelming 80% of the vote. This means Tiaan Dippenaar is the new ward councillor. Meanwhile, the ANC held onto a ward in Knysna after securing 52.12% of the vote for its candidate Ndoda Tsengwa. The parties have welcomed the results, which the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has confirmed. Tshwane DA caucus leader Cilliers Brink said the party was strengthening its hand in Tshwane with every by-election. 'This victory comes on a day that we have seen duplicity and political power plays in Johannesburg, which reveal the true colours of parties in Tshwane too,' he added. 'It is clear that the current ANC-EFF-ActionSA coalition leaves little hope for the people of Tshwane. This by-election result is an affirmation of the City's belief in the DA.' 📈 DA support has surged to 80% in Ward 56 Tshwane. The Party is grateful to the voters who have given the DA a resounding mandate in this by-election. The results show extraordinary momentum toward the upcoming Local Government Election. #KhulaDA — Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) June 25, 2025 Brink said the results showed extraordinary momentum in the build-up to next year's local government elections. 'The 2026 elections are around the corner, and the DA is committed to ensuring that stability and effective leadership returns to the City of Tshwane, but that can only happen with a strong DA. The outcome of [Wednesday's] by-election is a step in that direction. Tshwane is ready for change,' he added. READ | ANC holds on in by-elections, but EFF and PA rattle its dominance 'In a province where others believed they could erode our support, the people stood firm. The community of Ward 8 has once again displayed unmatched loyalty, dedication, and clarity in choosing progress and unity over noise and narrow agendas,' she added. 'This is more than a victory at the ballot. It is a demonstration that the ANC continues to inspire trust, even in contested spaces. Where others saw vulnerability, the people saw strength. Where others plotted disruption, the people affirmed continuity.'
Zawya
20-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Africa Energy sees first output from South Africa's largest gas field by 2033
Canada-listed Africa Energy Corp is aiming to start production from South Africa's largest gas discovery by 2033 as it forges ahead with a project former operator TotalEnergies walked away from. The company is awaiting regulatory approval for a reworked environmental authorisation to survey Block 11B/12B off South Africa's southern coast. Using domestic gas is a key part of South Africa's strategy to diversify away from coal-fired power generation, with a flurry of new projects being pursued, including the country's first liquefied natural gas import terminal along the east coast. "Our 11B/12B indigenous gas should be very competitive versus imported LNG," Robert Nicolella said from the Africa Energy offices in Cape Town. Nicolella said the company was studying various ways to market the gas, although its preference is to supply a gas-to-power plant. South Africa is targeting 6,000 megawatts of new gas power projects. The CEO said Africa Energy is currently in talks with former national oil company PetroSA to use some of its infrastructure to land gas from the Brulpadda and Luiperd fields at Mossel Bay. TotalEnergies first mooted using PetroSA's infrastructure, which includes the FA offshore platform in Block 9, to help accelerate production. The idea was to connect Block 11B/12B to existing subsea pipelines that run to the FA platform and from there onwards to Mossel Bay. "It could be a commercial alternative. It's an option, without a doubt," Nicolella said of using PetroSA infrastructure. Africa Energy's majority-owned local subsidiary Main Street 1549 was left as operator of Block 11B/12B after TotalEnergies and joint venture partners QatarEnergy and Canadian Natural Resources decided to leave the project last year. Announcing its withdrawal last July, TotalEnergies said it appeared to be "too challenging to economically develop" and monetise the gas discoveries for the domestic market, without elaborating. Main Street will hold a 75% participating interest in the block and Arostyle Investments the remainder, according to Africa Energy Corp's website.
