Go 18 February 2021

8 GOT A NEWS STORY? Call our news desk on (043) 702 2125 or (043) 702 2046. Find us on Facebook 18 February 2021 GO & EXPRESS
Protect and
preserve our
wetlands
DWS calls for communities to get involved
MATTHEW FIELD
The department of water
and sanitation (DWS) is
urging residents to work
together in order to protect the
country’s many precious
wetlands.
According to DWS
communications officer Lameki
Jumba, wetlands provide
important benefits to the
environment, water security and
local communities.
“Wetlands need to be
protected from all sorts of angles
including fencing and pollution,
because many streams are
v u l n e ra b l e ,” Jumba said.
“Wetlands are used to store
water and slowly release it,
which helps deal with dry
seasons when there is little
rainfall. Apart from their role in
water security, wetlands also
provide habitats for animals and
plants and many contain a wide
diversity of life, supporting
plants and animals that are
found nowhere else.”
Jumba also pointed out how
wetlands play an important role
in removing toxic substances
and sediment from the water,
while improving downstream
water quality.
However, he noted that
wetlands were under increasing
threat.
“The manner in which
communities [use] water
resources leaves a lot to be
desired and it is high time that
people start valuing resources
such as wetlands and
understand the role they play in
our livelihoods,” he said.
“The protection of water
resources begins with an
individual understanding of
what water is to us and how we
cannot survive without it.
Without water, there is no life,
the world will perish.
“Water is a source of life and
we need to start valuing it and
conserving at all times.”
25 years for cigarette truck robbery
SIPHOSIHLE DYONASE
The Mdantsane Regional Court
sentenced Ndibulele Siqu to 15
years in prison for robbery, five
years imprisonment for
possession of an unlicensed
firearm, including a five year
imprisonment for possession of
ammunition on Friday.
His total sentence comes
to 25 years.
Siqu's sentencing comes
after he helped rob a British
American Tobacco
(BAT) vehicle in October 2015.
“The driver parked the
vehicle to get a quick bite at a
service station in Mdantsane
when he was confronted by five
unknown armed men who
hijacked and drove to a
secluded area near Crave
butchery where they offloaded
all the boxes of tobacco worth
more than R500,000,” said
❝ It begins with an
individual
understanding of
what water is to us
and how we cannot
survive without it
CRIME DOESN’T PAY:
Ndibulele Siqu will serve 25
years for his part in the
robbery of a BAT truck
Picture: PIXABAY
p r ov i n c i a l
H aw k s s p o k e s p e r s o n C a p t a i n
Yolisa Mgolodela.
She said two suspects,
Sinqu and Sibongiseni Mbele,
were identified and arrested.
Mbele later escaped from police
custody and he is still being
s o u g h t - a f t e r.
The national head, for the
directorate for priority crimes
investigation Lt Gen Lebeya
applauded the investigation and
prosecuting teams for
outstanding display of
collaborative skills in ensuring
that these suspects are
c o nv i c t e d .
He also encouraged the
teams to utilize all resources
available to them to ensure that
the remaining suspect is brought
to book.” said Mgolodela
The Eastern Cape provincial
head of directorate for priority
crime investigation Maj Gen
Obed Ngwenya commended
the Serious Organised Crime
Investigation team for a series of
successes in their cases, stating
that this is an indication of great
dedication and commitment to
their work.
STAY IN YOURSELF: Self-love is also important during the Month of Love Picture: PIXABAY
Looking for love?
Start by loving you
STAFF REPORTER
February is the Month of Love,
so why not start with loving
yo u r s e l f ?
This can be achieved by
saying affirmations. These are
positive statements that can help
you to challenge and overcome
self-sabotaging and negative
thoughts.
When you repeat
affirmations often, and believe
in them, you can start to make
positive changes.
‘SELF LOVE’
(From Getting Good at Being
Yo u by J. Jampolsky)
When you love yourself
You know who you are and why
you are here
You know that you are valuable
and worthwhile
You respect yourself
You are aware of your gifts and
cultivate them.
You do not have to compete or
compare yourself with anyone.
You discipline yourself knowing
that life is not easy.
You expect the best for yourself
REFLECT: Start with repeating affirmations Picture: SUPPLIED
You are free to forgive yourself
You accept responsibility for
your actions.
Your conversations are positive,
uplifting and enhancing.
You do not criticize – you know
that all people are human and
make mistakes.
You help others know that they
too are worthy of love.
You need praise less and less.
You are humble.
Loving is wanting the best for
everyone and that includes you.
Some more affirmations:
● Love always find me, I
embrace it
● I use kind words when I
speak about myself.
● I have lots of good to offer the
wo r l d
Remember that only when
you truly love and accept
yourself, can another person
love and accept you.
- Masithethe Counselling
Services (formerly LifeLine East
London) has been offering
confidential and free counselling
to residents of the Buffalo City
Metropolitan Municipality since
1985 (35 years). Contact
number: 043 7222 000 or
whattsapp 084 091 5410