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Check FAQAbout Buks
Buks Viljoen is a journalist based in Nelspruit, South Africa. I have being involved in journalism since 1984 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. At the time I did general news coverage which included taking photographs. In 1989 I relocated to Nelspruit, the capital of Mpumalanga. I worked as a senior journalist at the Lowvelder as well as The Citizen from 1989 untill 2005. During this period I specialised in crime, court, local government as wel as investigative journalism. In 2005 I was Caxtons Journalist of the Year. Duting my career at Caxton I won the category as Investigative Journalist of the Year numerous times. In 2004 I won the Nat Nakasa Award for Courageous Journalism. In 2005 I was appointed as the regional reporter for Naspers/Media24 covering all news in the Mpumalanga province. In March 2018 I went on early retirement. Currently I focus on Human interest, environmental issues, major crime and court cases involving poaching in Krugerpark as well as investigative reporting.
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Portfolio
D-Day for objections to split Barberton away from City of Mbombela looms
Barberton residents, who previously opposed the amalgamation with the City of Mbombela, are now facing a potential 'divorce' as the Municipal Demarcation Board considers splitting the two towns. The deadline for objections is May 5. Residents claim the amalgamation brought little benefit to Barberton, with deteriorating services and tourism income. The ANC is rumored to be behind the split, aiming to regain lost power. Internal party factions are already vying for future positions. The DA supports the split in principle but raises concerns about the political motives and financial implications. The split, if approved, would be implemented in 2026, potentially reducing salaries and councillor remunerations due to a lower municipal grade.
Mpumalanga farmers win illegal tax case against municipality
Farmers in Lydenburg, represented by the Thaba Chweu Rural Forum, won a legal battle against the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality when the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that taxes levied on their agricultural land from 2009 to 2018 were illegal. The municipality had charged rates exceeding the legal limit of 25% of residential property rates. The SCA ordered the municipality to credit the accounts of the affected farmers and criticized the municipality for using taxpayer money to fight a clearly unwinnable case, potentially costing millions of rands.
Mpumalanga farmers win illegal tax case against municipality
Farmers in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, represented by the Thaba Chweu Rural Forum, won a legal battle against the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality when the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that property taxes levied on their agricultural land from 2009 to 2018 were illegal. The municipality had charged rates exceeding the legal limit of 25% of the rate for residential properties. The Supreme Court ordered the municipality to credit the accounts of the affected farmers. The case, which could have cost millions, was criticized for its use of taxpayer money in a 'clearly unwinnable case'.
A Limpopo man appears to have been murdered, after being chosen at random, by a gang playing a 'game'
In Limpopo, a murder case revealed a dangerous 'game' where young men randomly assault elderly people. Hannes van Dyk, 59, died last Saturday, and his alleged attacker, Eugene Mulder, was arrested and appeared in court, with the case postponed to Thursday.
Crocodile attacks anglers in Mpumalanga
A peaceful fishing trip turned into a nightmare when a crocodile attacked Fanie Fourie in Barberton, Mpumalanga, potentially resulting in the loss of his right arm. His friend, Jerry Visagie, intervened heroically, saving Fourie from probable death. Despite previous awareness of a small crocodile in the dam, it had never troubled them before. Fourie was stabilized at Barberton Hospital and then transferred to Rob Ferreira Hospital for emergency surgery. Chris Nobela of the Mpumalanga Department of Health confirmed Fourie's serious but stable condition.
The story behind Mbombela Electricity & Water Information's name change
A Facebook group known as Mbombela Electricity & Water Information, popular for sharing municipal service delivery information in Mbombela, changed its name to Community Information due to infighting among municipal councillors on a WhatsApp group. The group was established by Thea Rix, a Democratic Alliance councillor, about a decade ago. The name change caused a social media uproar, with some members posting derogatory and racist comments, which led to the intervention of the executive mayor, Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko. The internal squabble among councillors also involved arguments about the use of the name 'Mbombela' on the community Facebook group, leading to the name change.
Lions eat poacher
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