Latest news with #Mahlangu
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Scooter means stability for Standerton resident
Bafana Mahlangu has conquered one of the community's most pressing issues: unemployment. He is a born and raised Standerton resident who graduated from Jandrell Secondary School during the height of the Covid-19 restrictions, due to which, he experienced a difficult start to his adult life. 'I thought I would attend college after school and get a job, but I was left in the dust and could not get a spot at any college,' said Mahlangu. Without qualifications or experience, applying for positions was difficult, forcing him to take a gap year. In 2022, he reluctantly applied for a learnership with the National Youth Development Agency and was accepted into the Start Your Own Business course. 'At that stage, I was willing to do anything for work,' said Mahlangu. ALSO READ: Political tension stalls Eendracht sewer project He has no children but lives with family and is their sole breadwinner. Mahlangu was finally given a scooter after a lengthy application process and reapplication. After being congratulated, he and seven other learners received their scooters and drove off into a brighter future. 'I remember thinking that this scooter would open many doors for me and my future,' said Mahlangu. He is now one of the friendly faces you see when ordering for delivery on the Mr. D app. The scooter has helped him gain the confidence to start a delivery business. 'I still cannot believe how good God is. He gave me this chance and I want to use it to the fullest,' said Mahlangu.
The Citizen
18-07-2025
- The Citizen
Middelburg man found guilty of murder after fight over dagga plants
A man (28) was found guilty of murder after killing Kagiso Tshehla with a baseball bat in a fight, allegedly about dagga plants. Mandla Jerry Mahlangu was found guilty in the Middelburg Regional Court after he fatally struck Tshehla with a baseball bat on the head multiple times on October 7, 2020, Middelburg Observer reports. Dispute over dagga plants turns violent Itumeleng Tshehla, the victim's brother, testified in court that he was present when an argument ensued between him, his brother and Mahlangu. The fight was allegedly about Mahlangu's dagga plants that were removed from the garden by the two brothers. Itumeleng said that he and his brother then left and began walking home, but Mahlangu came out of his home carrying a baseball bat, heading toward Tshehla. He said he tried to warn his brother by shouting, but it was too late. Mahlangu repeatedly hit Tshehla with the baseball bat on his head and chest. Itumeleng added that Mahlangu attempted to hit him, and he sustained injuries on both his palms. Mahlangu then fled the scene. Itumeleng told the court that he took his brother home, where a friend drove them to the Middelburg Provincial Hospital. He said that due to Covid-19 restrictions, he could not go inside with his brother. Itumeleng was later informed that Tshehla had died due to his injuries. Mahlangu denies allegations Mahlangu denied the allegations and told the court that it was the two brothers who followed him to his home. He said he saw Tshehla standing at his gate and asked him to leave multiple times. He added that Tshehla asked if the two could talk, but Mahlangu refused and asked Tshehla to leave. Mahlangu testified that he eventually got tired of asking Tshehla to leave and walked into the house to fetch a baseball bat to scare the brothers into leaving. He added that after he saw Tshehla reaching into his pocket for what he believed to be a weapon, he started hitting him with the bat to protect himself, acting in self-defence. Court rejects self-defence claim Magistrate Deon Minnie, however, was not convinced. 'The accused agreed during his testimony that he was not scared when he approached the deceased at the gate, and that he did so while armed with the baseball bat, as the deceased had allegedly insulted his deceased mother. The assault on the deceased thus appears to have been executed in revenge.' The court held that Mahlangu could have foreseen the possibility that hitting Tshehla with the baseball bat could have fatally harmed him. Minnie added that by continuing to strike Tshehla on the head, Mahlangu reconciled himself with the consequences of his actions. His defence was rejected by the court, and Mahlangu was found guilty of murder. The case was postponed for sentencing. 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
17-07-2025
- The Citizen
Murderer convicted after baseball bat attack
Mandla Jerry Mahlangu (28) was found guilty of murder in the Middelburg Regional Court. Mahlangu was convicted for killing Kagiso Tshehla. According to the court, Mahlangu was arrested after he fatally struck Kagiso with a baseball bat on the head multiple times on October 7, 2020. Itumeleng Tshehla, Kagiso's brother, testified in court that he was there when an argument ensued between him, Kagiso, and Mahlangu. The fight was allegedly about Mahlangu's dagga plants that were removed from the garden by the two brothers. Itumeleng said he and Kagiso then left and began walking home, but Mahlangu came out of his home carrying a baseball bat, heading toward Kagiso. He said he tried to warn his brother by shouting, but it was too late. Mahlangu repeatedly hit Kagiso with the baseball bat on his head and chest. Itumeleng further added that Mahlangu attempted to hit him, and he sustained injuries on both his palms. Mahlangu then fled the scene. Itumeleng told the court that he took his brother home, where a friend drove them to the Middelburg Provincial Hospital. He said that due to Covid-19 restrictions, he could not go inside with his brother. Itumeleng was later informed that Kagiso had succumbed to his injuries. Mahlangu denied the allegations and told the court that it was the two brothers who followed him to his home. He said he saw Kagiso standing at his gate and asked him to leave multiple times. He added that Kagiso asked if the two could talk, but Mahlangu refused and asked Kagiso to leave. Mahlangu testified that he eventually got tired of asking Kagiso to leave and walked into the house to fetch a baseball bat to scare the brothers into leaving. He added that after he saw Kagiso reaching into his pocket for what he believed to be a weapon, he started hitting him with the bat to protect himself, acting in self-defence. Magistrate Deon Minnie, however, was not convinced, 'The accused agreed during his testimony that he was not scared when he approached the deceased at the gate, and that he did so while armed with the baseball bat, as the deceased had allegedly insulted his deceased mother. The assault on the deceased thus appears to have been executed in revenge.' The court held that Mahlangu could have foreseen the possibility that hitting Kagiso with the baseball bat could have fatally harmed him. Minnie added that by continuing to strike Kagiso on the head, Mahlangu reconciled himself with the consequences of his actions. • His defence was rejected by the court, and Mahlangu was found guilty of murder. • The case was postponed for sentencing. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Companies squabble over alleged tender favours in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
A Middelburg-based contractor, Joel Mahlangu of Mayivuthe Contractors CC, has denied using two companies to bid for electrical maintenance tenders in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality. This follows complaints by other companies after the municipality awarded the tender to Mayivuthe Contractors and Maqhoba Trading Enterprises. ALSO READ: Maila says there is no crisis with Dresden road project One of the aggrieved applicants, who opted to remain anonymous, said that, as far as he is aware, both companies belong to Mahlangu. 'It is unfair for the municipality to award the tender to two companies that belong to the same individual,' said the source. Mahlangu, however, responded that he does not own Maqhoba Trading Enterprises. My company has been awarded tenders in the municipality over several years due to compliance. There is a rule within the municipality that, when a company is awarded a tender, it is required to subcontract to a start-up and incubate it. Maqhoba Trading is a company we mentored under that requirement. It has since become independent and no longer has any links to my company. Its tender bids are submitted at its own discretion and that of the municipality,' explained Mahlangu. He added, 'Maqhoba Trading Enterprises is free to tender as an independent and legal entity, which it did, and was duly awarded the contract. Mayivuthe Contractors is not involved in tender award decisions, which are made independently by the municipality.' Another business owner suggested that Mahlangu and the municipal manager, Mandla Mnguni, are close associates and that this might have influenced the decision to appoint Mayivuthe Contractors. Mahlangu said his relationship with Mnguni was purely professional, and that his company had been awarded tenders at the same municipality long before Mnguni was appointed municipal manager. Attempts to reach Mnguni for comment were unsuccessful. Lowvelder will update readers as more information becomes available. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Pay up or face cut-offs: Mogale cracks down on high-value defaulters
Mogale City's Credit Control Division has embarked on an extensive drive to recover outstanding debt from defaulting customers under its 'Ra Tima' campaign, which kicked off last week, Tuesday, July 8. Targeting both households and businesses, the campaign forms part of the broader Operation Qoqimali initiative, which calls on residents to take pride in their city and pay for the services they use. The municipality has emphasised that restoring a payment culture is crucial to sustaining service delivery and ensuring the city runs efficiently. According to Refilwe Mahlangu, communications officer at MCLM, as of August 2024, residents, businesses, and government entities collectively owed Mogale City R3.5b in unpaid municipal accounts. She said this figure has since surged to R3.9b. Of that total, households are responsible for R2.793b, an amount that could be used to overhaul ageing water infrastructure. Government departments owe R117m, and businesses R780m. 'These are funds that could significantly enhance electricity networks and youth development facilities.' To enforce compliance, Mahlangu said Credit Control, backed by Public Safety officials, clamped down on high-value defaulters. 'A block of flats at the corner of Luipaard and Market Street was disconnected for owing over R1m, while an estate in Ruimsig was cut off due to a debt of around R1.7m. Businesses such as a hotel and spa [ owing nearly R3m] and an investment company [owing over R1.4m] were also cut off.' Refilwe said the MMC for Finance, Victor Molefe, stated that while the aim is not to be punitive, Mogale City must instil a culture of accountability to safeguard future service delivery. 'Mogale City is now urging all customers who are struggling to settle their accounts to engage proactively with the city to avoid enforcement action. Flexible payment plans are available, and customers who settle their debt in full within 12 months will qualify for a 100% interest write-off, an incentive aimed at encouraging financial responsibility while easing the burden on residents and businesses,' Molefe said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
