Training for the first phase of the Rustenburg Rapid Transport North West Corridor project.

The rapid transport project is a pioneering infrastructure project of the Rustenburg local municipality for the province that is also committed to local skills development across all phases of its implementation.

The first phase of construction commenced in July 2012 and included two trunk routes on the R104 Swartruggens road from the main Rustenburg taxi rank to the R565 turn-off to Phokeng.

Starting at the rank, the construction is moving north in three sections over a 15-month period.

Since the start of construction, 15 workers have been trained in trades such as brick manhole construction, storm water pipe laying, block paving and kerb laying.

In commending the workers, Rustenburg mayor Mpho Khunou said: “The Rustenburg Rapid Transport is one of the biggest projects to have hit Rustenburg and through this training we are contributing towards the reduction of unemployment in the city.

“We consider training important to the sustainability of the local economy and one of the most important aspects of anyone’s career advancement. Hence we hope that these learners will be afforded further training so that by the end of this project, they will be fully skilled.

“We are seven months into construction work and are delighted that the public will start to see this project in a more physical form,” said Rustenburg Rapid Transport project director, Marks Rapoo.

“It is important that the workforce is recognised for the effort that they are putting into the project.”

For more details go to http://www.iol.co.za

r finance Johannes Mohlala requested Premier Thandi Modise to suspend the ongoing disciplinary process against the official, until investigations into the irregular appointment of a legal firm representing the department were finalised.

This comes after the provincial selected committee on public accounts (Scopa) instituted a multi-skilled task team probe against acting head of department Geo Paul, former and current finance MECs Louisa Mabe and Paul Sebogoe.

The three were cited as central to the questionable appointment and continued payment of Morake Incoporated, a legal firm that has been paid more than R13m in the department’s case against Mohlala and two other senior managers.

In a letter seen by The New Age, Lebea and Associates Attorneys gave Modise until 1pm yesterday to respond, and pointed out that they would approach the Labour Court on Monday to interdict the process if the premier failed to act.

Among other things, the lawyers said Modise should halt the process because the outcome of the investigations of Mabe, Sebegoe and Paul would directly impact on the hearing.

The lawyers further said that the disciplinary hearing being conducted against their client was unlawful because it did comply with the Public Finance Management Act of 1999, treasury regulations, Public Service Act and the Senior Management handbook.

The letter also questioned why 13 of the initial 32 charges against Mohlala were withdrawn “without explanation” last week.

Provincial government spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele confirmed that Modise had received the letter requesting the disciplinary suspension.

“The premier received the letter and is applying her mind into the matter. We will not be drawn to comment further because the matter is sub judice,” he said.

For more details go to http://www.thenewage.co.za

By Staff Reporter

Illegal sub-letting of state farms cause of conflicts among emerging farmers, Premier Modise told

Most conflicts among emerging farmers who are leasing state farms are caused by occupants who are illegally sub-letting, North West Premier Thandi Modise was told during a meeting held with representatives of the African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFSA) this week.

In welcoming 

the establishment of District Land Reform Committees, Premier Modise said that the committees would serve as representative and transparent mechanisms to assist the land reform beneficiary selection process, prevent corruption and looting of state resources. ”As an agriculture province that is positioning itself as the food basket for the country and the rest of the continent, we are excited that the recapitalisation and development programme will prioritise guidance and mentoring of emerging farmers and link them with strategic partners. The inclusion of representatives of farmers leasing state farms and other community groups will ensure that only deserving farmers benefit from the programme,” stressed Modise.Clarity provided during the meeting held with the Premier on Wednesday in Mahikeng was that allegations that state farms were being sold to some farmers while a moratorium on sale of state land declared in 2010 by the Minister of Land Affairs and Rural Development was still in place were ill-informed as only transactions that were signed off by previous Ministers were proceeded with.

Representatives from AFSA had requested the intervention of Premier Modise as they also alleged that officials from the Department of Land Affairs and Rural Development are exploiting the recapitalisation programme to evict tenants who had in some cases leased the state farms for decades in favour of their acquaintances.

The department confirmed that bush encroachment, fencing, water reticulation and basic infrastructure on state farms are to be improved during the recapitalisation.

One hundred and ninety seven thousand 

hectares farmsleased by139 farmers in Dr.Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District are to form part of the first phase of the programme to be implemented this year. AFASA President Gideon Morule welcomed 

 Premier Modise’s directive that the Department of Land Affairs and Rural Development should investigate complains of ill-treatment and rude officials who were identified by members of his organisation during the meeting and take appropriate action.

The Premier is planning engagements involving other farmers’ organisations as the provincial government is concerned about illegal game farms, unproductive and underutilised leased state farms and resale of land acquired by emerging farmers through the ELRAD programme.

Invitations will be extended to the Ministers of Land Affairs & Rural Development and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery to be part of the Land Reform Indaba that the province is planning to host later in the year.