BY Obakeng Maje

Lack of complete and reliable information results in learners from historically disadvantaged communities overlooking the possibility of a career in aviation, North West Premier Thandi Modise said over the weekend.

In her keynote speech delivered at the International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) annual event held under the theme: “Aviation: Your reliable Connection to the World” at the Mahikeng Airport on Saturday, Premier Modise expressed appreciation that 3 120 learners and 200 educators from across the province were exposed to different careers available in aviation during the two days preceding the event.

Learners who participated in the Joint Aviation Awareness Programme (JAAP) were empowered by different by different aviation experts through presentations about various careers in the industry and also participated in flips courtesy of the South African Air Force and South African Police Service Air Wing. They were also granted an opportunity to build model aircrafts which they took home. 

Although acknowledging that for the first time in the history of ICAD, learners living with disabilities were involved in the JAAP, Modise said that there is a need to put more effort to improve the limited participation of previously disadvantaged individuals in the aviation industry.

“Aviation is a lucrative business that provides some 56, 6 million jobs worldwide and 2.2 trillion dollars of the global domestic product,

The industry should benefit everybody including those of our people from rural communities. Improving teaching in mathematics and science should start at Early Childhood Development Centre to prepare our young people to opt for careers in aviation for them to claim and dominate their skies,” The Premier emphasised.

She highlighted that aviation has its own unique virtue of bringing people closer together, promotes economic growth, facilitate trade and also plays a significant role in the wider economic development of society, within Africa and other continents.

“In South Africa, the industry has played an extremely essential role in the achievement of our sustainable growth, adding to the expansion of domestic and international air services and has become a prerequisite for the development and growth in our various sectors such as business, tourism and trade facilitation,” she added.

Acting Director of Civil Aviation at South African Civil Aviation Authority, Poppy Khoza in appreciating partners that participated in the programme said that South Africa’s scheduled flights have a proud record of many safe landings and that it is one of the authority’s most important goal to assist in keeping alive this reputation of reliable aviation transport.

The objective of the ICAD annual celebration is to establish and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation in the social and economic development of States. The celebrations rotate among the provinces.

Meanwhile, Modise outlined plans by the provincial government to pursue the license of Mahikeng Airport as regional goods and passenger airport that should serve as a gateway into Southern African Development Community and Africa.

In supporting the Premier, MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Raymond Elisha announced that his department will be spending R50 million to revamp the airport to bring it to the desired state of functionality.

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Losasaneng residents barricade road between Losasaneng and Pampierstad with burning tyres and stones after they alleged that the North West Provincial government ignores their plea.

According to their leader April Sethula,48 they have been requesting for the road to be tarred,but with no success.

“We urged the North West government to tar the road between Losasaneng and Pampierstad as the road is no go” April Sethula said.

“We protesting because our plea has fallen in deaf ears. The NW government promised that the road will be tarred after the World Cup 2010 as they claim lots of money has been injected in the event” He said.

The protesters were chanting and singing and hauling stones at passingby cars which makes it impossible for drivers to drive-through the area without any hassle.

There were no police visibility around the area to monitor the situation.

“We are not aware of any incident that is taking place and we will check on it” Sergeant Philani Nkwalase said.

This is not for the first this turn of event taking place as back then the residents launched a bid to be moved to Northern Cape province claiming North West government fails them.

By Obakeng Mje

Klerksdorp- North West police arrested a 39 year-old suspect at Extension 3 in Aabama location after he allegedly raped a 17 year-old girl.

According to the victim, a 39 year-old man asked her to company him to the nearest tarvern in the area to look for his friends.

“Our police had arrested a 39 year-old suspect after he allegedly rape a 17 year-old teen. According to the information received, the suspect asked her to accompany him to the nearest tavern to look for his friends” Colonel Metsi said.

“When they couldn’t find his friends,he allegedly took the teen to his house where the ordeal took place” He adds.

He allegedly rape the girl and only freed her the following day. The girl informed her mother and police were called.

A 39 year-old suspect was arrested.

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BY Obakeng Maje

Mmabatho- The police rescued a  25 year-old man accused of house breaking in Montshiwa, Mmabatho North West police said.

“According to the information received on Friday the victim was walking in Ext. 38 when members of the community assaulted him” Colonel Metsi said.

“He ran towards shopping centre in Montshiwa township where the police found him after they received a tip-off about the incident” He said.

“The police searched his house and found suspected stolen goods at his house in Ramosadi.The victim along with his 28 year-old friend was arrested and he also opened a case of assault against the community members” He adds.

There were no visible injuries sustained, however the victim was complain about body pains.

No arrest made on the case of assault awaiting further investigation.  

By Obakeng Maje

Lichtenburg- Police are investigating a case of stock theft that happened at about 17:00 North West police said.

“A 49 year-old Lichtenburg farmer alleges that he lost 30 merino sheep from the electric kraal. He further alleges that the suspects cut the wire and gained entrance to the kraal and stole the live stock worth R50 000” Sergeant Philani Nkwalase said. 

The suspects are unknown and no arrest has been made so far.

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg- the police are investigation a case of business robbery that happened on Saturday at about 19:45 in Rustenburg.

” A 42 year-old shop owner alleges that three unknown suspects entered his shop and threatened him with a fire-arm. He alleged that the suspects took his two cell phones and cigarettes with undisclosed amount of cash” Sergeant Nkwalase said.

“According to the information received, the suspects got away with a silver Opel Bakkie parked approximately 500 meters from the shop” He adds.

The suspects are still at large and investigations continue.

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By Obakeng Maje

Jouberton- On Saturday at about 15:30 police constable was patrolling Extension 1 in  Jouberton township when stopped by a 28 year-old victim who was unable to speak North West police said.

“According to the woman’s boyfriend who joined in later and translated the sign language to the police confirmed that the woman was allegedly raped at Jouberton Hostel while she was asleep” Sergeant Nkwalase said.”

The woman explains that his boyfriend’s friend came in the house and allegedly raped her. The victim was sent for medical examinations and a 36 year-old suspect was arrested” Nkwalase said.

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-A 36 year old male was found dead with a gunshot wound on his stomach.

“The body was recovered  at about 21:00 in Rustenburg near Marikana road”Sergeant Philani Nkwalase said.

The suspect is unknown and police are investigating a case of murder.

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg- The police are investigation a case of murder after the body of a 35 year-old male was found with two gunshot wounds on his right shoulder North West police said.

“The body was found in Photsaneng Village near Rustenburg at about 14:30” Sergeant Philani Nkwalase.

“The body was found partly decomposed by a member of the community who alerted the police and was taken to government  mortuary for further investigation.

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JOHANNESBURG – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Saturday said it had sent a senior delegation to address striking workers at the Mooiplaats coal mine – near Witbank – to persuade them to end an illegal strike.

Nearly 200 miners have been on an unprotected strike since Monday, when 178 employees were fired by Coal of Africa Ltd  management.

The dismissed employees were protesting against the suspension of four of their colleagues, who allegedly breached picketing rules and terms of a court interdict during a protected strike at the coal mine in October.

They were given a week to appeal their dismissal.

NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said: “We have sent a delegation to persuade those workers to return to work while we’re engaging management on the possibility of [rehiring] workers that were unfairly dismissed.”

The striking workers make up 48 percent of the mine’s total workforce.