Latest news with #MiddelburgObserver


The Citizen
7 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Fochville-inwoner sterf in veldbrand
Jana Boshoff Jana works as a senior support specialist for Caxton digital. Before that she was a journalist at the Middelburg Observer 15 years where she won numerous awards including Sanlam's Up and Coming Journalist, Caxton Multimedia Journalist of the Year, and several investigative awards. She is passionate about people and the stories untold.


The Citizen
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Middies is ready for Craven Week
The school will be hosting the prestigious tournament for the second time in its history, and will be availing their facilities for the 36 provincial teams scheduled to lock horns from July 6–12. Hoërskool Middelburg was informed last August that it would be hosting the sporting event, and the school has since been hard at work to prepare its premises for the occasion. Dave Osborn (vice principal) and Tommie Strydom (chairperson for the school governing body) spoke to the Middelburg Observer about the preparations that have been put in place. The school has acquired the help of additional workers to maintain the rugby fields. The A-field is covered every evening to protect the pitch from frost. Additionally, the school's dressing rooms, ablution facilities, hostels, gymnasium, and the pavilion have undergone upgrades. A new cafeteria has also been built to accommodate the scores of participants and supporters, and a new scoreboard has been erected for the B-field. There are about 1 060 rugby players and coaches expected on the occasion, and the 36 teams will be playing 56 matches. Accommodation for the teams is being provided through means of the hostels at Hoërskool Middelburg, Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg, Middelburg Primary School and Hoër Tegniese Skool Witbank. Additional security will also be available to ensure safe passing and transit to the school premises. The open field behind Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, known as the Prayer Oven grounds, is the main designated parking area. 'It's a big honour and achievement to be selected to host Craven Week. It places Hoërskool Middelburg on the map as an institution that holds itself to a high standard in sport and organisation,' Osborn said. He added that the upgrades done for the Craven and Academy Week are considered long-term investments into both the school's sports facilities and its general development. 'The school's learners will benefit from the valuable exposure to top-level rugby, which serves as motivation for younger players to work harder and strive towards becoming part of future teams.' Important information about the Craven Week and Academy Week: • The matches will be broadcast on SuperSport Schools and SuperSport 1. • Entertainment will be provided each night in the beer tent. • The SA Schools teams will be hosted by Middies the week after Craven Week. A match between the A and B teams will take place on July 17, on the MHS A-field. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here


The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Middelburg siblings' bicycle ride ends in tragedy as truck hits girl
A young girl was tragically killed after being hit by a truck while riding her bicycle with her brother on Meyer Street in Middelburg. At the time of publishing, the Middelburg Observer reported that Meyer Street heading towards Kanonkop would be closed for some time for police and forensic specialists to investigate. According to an eyewitness who saw the tragedy unfold, she and her husband were watching the brother and sister crossing the street on their bicycles when the truck drove towards them. She alleged that the truck was speeding and did not have time to avoid the crash. However, this has not been officially confirmed. The witness said the young boy made it onto the pavement, but his sister did not make it onto the pavement in time. The truck came to a halt on the pavement, with the girl's body and bike in front of it Her brother rushed to her aid, leaving his blue bicycle just a metre away from his sister's pink one in the street. A bystander covered the girl's body with a jacket before someone else arrived with a blanket to cover the girl's exposed feet. Her distraught father arrived on the scene shortly before other family members. Screams of anguish could be heard blocks away as family members gathered at the scene. The girl's father is a respected member of the CBD's CPF. Crying CPF members were supporting the family on the scene, while the police were conducting an investigation. Out of respect for the family, photos of the scene were edited. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!


The Citizen
4 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Another municipal strike confirmed as waste removal services suspended
It has been confirmed that solid waste department employees have gone on strike and are demanding salary increases. A trusted council source told the Middelburg Observer that negotiations for higher salaries have been going on behind the scenes for weeks. WhatsApp notifications are currently being sent out, informing residents that waste collection services have been wholly suspended until further notice. It's not great news for taxpayers who will still have to fork out increased tariffs, despite no services being rendered. It's unclear where negotiations stand at this point. According to the municipality, refuse removal services have been suspended due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. The source, however, confirmed that workers have downed tools until their demands are met. The message circulating on groups has been signed off on by Municipal Manager Mandla Mnguni. All collection areas will be affected. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here


The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Men sought after armed robbers in disguise raid Middelburg filling station
A large group of armed robbers dressed as petrol attendants robbed the Doornkop Sasol Filling Station in a hold-up and made off with two vehicles. Middelburg Observer reports that, according to Mid Alarms operational manager Johan Oberholzer, an undetermined number of suspects descended on Sasol Doornkop yesterday at 01:30, where they held up staff members inside the convenience store. A reaction officer from Mid Alarms arrived at the Sasol, and during his initial scan of the scene, petrol attendants were walking around outside, and everything seemed normal. As the reaction officer approached one petrol attendant to ask whether everything was well, the disguised robber pointed a firearm at him and forced him into the shop, where he was held up with the rest of the hostages. 'The officer could not raise an alarm, and two of the suspects left with his reaction vehicle,' Oberholzer explained. A second reaction officer also responded minutes later. 'The second reaction officer was also held at gunpoint and taken inside.' According to Oberholzer, the armed robbers then stole cigarettes and other items from the convenience store before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. Once the robbers were gone, the SAPS was dispatched. 'The SAPS responded quickly, and our reaction officers successfully managed to recover our stolen vehicle. A Volkswagen GTI was also stolen, but was recovered by the police later that day at a school in Doornkop.' While another publication reported that two people were shot, Oberholzer refutes those reports, adding that no one was shot or injured during the robbery. 'We have very clear imagery of the two suspects in our reaction vehicle, and we appeal to anyone with information on the suspects to please come forward,' Oberholzer urged. Although the number of suspects is unknown, Oberholzer said it was a large group of between six and nine suspects. Anyone with information that could assist in the suspects' arrest is asked to call 082 802 6399. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed they are looking for the two people in the photo to assist them in their investigation. If anyone knows their whereabouts, they can contact the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Osia Banze, on 079 420 0535. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!