Do you remember this? We recall 2013’s news highlights

It has been an eventful year in terms of news in the Lowveld. From floods to accidents; intense court cases on human trafficking and wars in the region’s forests – we have seen it all transpire in 2013. We bring you a brief outline of the headlines of 2013

• January 2013 The new year heralded a time of mourning for the many friends and family of well-known local, Dan Peoples, who died tragically while on holiday in Mozambique. The month also started with a terrible toll in road accidents. Read about these and other news highlights for the month.

• February 2013 The lives of chimp Nina and her baby, Thabu, were still being closely followed by local and internationaly fans. On a more serious note, February saw the death by drowning of a young boy in Sabie during a tubing excursion with friends. The large-scale destruction of the road from Plaston to White River leads to a spontaneous road closure by residents.

• March 2013 The month kicked off with a bang when a shootout occurred between robbers and security guards. Young Thriston Lawrence makes golfing history and a trip to Mafunyane water park end badly for a local woman.

• April 2013 Some of this month’s news highlights included a helicopter crash in the Kruger National Park, life imprisonment for the masterminds behind mafia-style taxi killings and a controversial trip to Indonesia for cash-strapped Mbombela muncipality.

• May 2013 A national bus strike affected the Lowveld region and the so-called Valencia bomber was found guilty of murder.

• June 2013 Young mother, Melinda Lee Bam was murdered while a well-known Malalane businessman saved his wife’s life during an attack, and in Schoemanskloof, farmers apprehended suspected farm attackers.  The Springboks beat Scotland at Mbombela stadium.

• July 2013 From the highs of Innibos to the tragic death of a young mother – remember the top news stories for July 2013.

• August 2013 Andrew Desmet, section ranger in the Kruger National Park shared his ordeal after being shot during a skirmish with poachers. Also in August, the arrest of a school principal for the possession of child pornography shocked the community.

• September 2013 It was an eventful month in terms of news, with attacks on citizens by the infamous TRT unit of the police to a death at one of the Lowveld’s tourist attractions.

• October 2013 The crime situation in Hazyview took centre stage after a school group from Pretoria were attacked here. After this followed more attacks, including the rape of two guests at a lodge. On a lighter note, Leon Kluge brought home the gold medal from the Gardening World Cup held in Japan.

• November 2013 Video footage of the behaviour of members of the SAPS’ Tactical Response Team made the headlines nationally after a riad in Matsulu. In Mozambique, a young boy was tortured and killed by his abductors in one of several kidnapping cases here.  Closer to home, a young man lost half his nose after an attack by security personnel in a bar.

• December 2013 This will forever be remembered as the month in which Nelson Mandeal died, and the world mourned the loss of a great leader. Local businesses united in an effort to raise money to assist te Lowveld SPCA through the month of December after media reports that Mbombela owed the organisation R400 000.