Basic Education Ministry spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi says the ministry only put the most basic draft on how schools should look  deliberately. He says this is to give the country the space to communicate how they want their schools to look and not for the department to be seen as prescribing the final product.
He says the final draft will take into consideration all views.
“What we are saying is that ‘South Africans, this is your laager, this is your state, express your views’. On the basis of the views that have been expressed by South Africans we will be in a position to consolidate and present a document that we believe will be acceptable for all South Africans, but to accuse the state of being minimum with information is unfair and unfortunate. Anyone who is contributing their views, their views will be taken into consideration.”
A number of learners have decried the Minister of Basic Education’s recent draft on school infrastructure. The learners, brought together by non-governmental organisation Equal Education, have called the draft shoddy.

Most of the learners attending have expressed the same reservations, saying the minister was not specific on what a typical South African school should look like

Equal Education is holding public hearings on the draft. Most of the  learners attending have expressed the same reservations, saying the  minister was not specific on what a typical South African school should  look like.
Pretty Mvelase is one such learner, “55 in one class, we don’t have textbooks, 6 kids have to share one textbook and each one wants to take the book home. Last year, they didn’t deliver maths  textbook. We had to share textbooks from other classes now. I am history student. We don’t have textbooks.”

North West Parliamentary committee on Public Safety says it will call the provincial police executive and the Independent Police Investigation Directorate, to appear before them next week. This, after a policeman allegedly dragged and injured a civilian at Setlopo Village in Mahikeng on Wednesday.
The committee’s chairperson, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng says they also want to know how the police management dealt with two cases of police brutality, where it was alleged that two civilians died in Klerksdorp and Mahikeng last year as a result of police action.
“We are very disappointed by what is alleged to be the brutality by SAPS in that you would be aware that there has been a matter relating to the police brutality in the Daveyton area and this, we think, cannot be tolerated.”
The Independent Police Investigations Directorate has confirmed that a case of police brutality has been opened.
IPID spokesperson Moses Dlamini says, “We’ve received the case. Investigations are still on-going. We’ve arrested the suspect. He’s appearing at the Mmabatho Magistrate Court today.”

That’s basic management principles… (you) cannot be Station Commander and manage a station from a laptop at home

The Department of Police says Station commissioners should demonstrate  leadership at police stations.  Police Department spokesperson, Zweli  Mnisi, says station commissioners are empowered to provide guidance on  the ground.
“Police officers must accede to the code of conduct  and how do you ensure that day to that. You cannot send an e-mail from  Pretoria to stations and say these are the rules. A Station Commander  must be at the station every morning, command a parade, check if systems are place, check whether members have their firearms intact and so  forth. That’s basic management principles… (you) cannot be Station  Commander and manage a station from a laptop at home.”
North West Premier, Thandi Modise, says police officers who undermine the rights  of ordinary citizens should be reminded that they have no place in the  South African Police Service.
The premier’s spokesperson, Lesiba Kgwele says, “The premier calls on police officials who are still true  to upholding the rights of citizens and the pledge to serve and protect  the community to blow the whistle on the few rotten potatoes, who are  giving the police service a bad name.”

For more details go to www.sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – A Zion Christian Church member accused of raping a woman during a prayer session at the church’s headquarters in Moria could be charged with attempted murder.

Molefe Moatshe, initially thought to be a prophet at the church, dropped a bombshell in the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, announcing he was HIV-positive.

This comes a month after Limpopo police vowed to charge all HIV-positive rape accused with attempted murder.

The 35-year-old revealed his status while requesting the court to release him from custody on Monday next week so that he could go to apply for a disability grant.

“He feels that he needs to go on Monday, and he is HIV-positive, so he also needs his medication,” said his lawyer, who is only known as Ms Makhomisa.

For more details go to www.iol.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Letlhabile-North West police are investigating a case of concealment of birth after a foetus was discovered.

“The incident happened yesterday where a minor was playing in the street and discovered unusual box” Nkwalase said.

Police vehicle patrolling around Letlhabile responded to a scene where a partially burnt body of a stillborn was discovered.

“The incident happened yesterday afternoon at about 15: 10. 

The body was found wrapped with garments inside a box and placed in the water in a rut next to the road between block C and Block B, in Letlabile” Sergeant Philani Nkwalase said. 

Police said during the preliminary investigation on the scene, the officer noticed that the lower body of baby was burned beyond recognition. 

“However the upward body was still intact” police said. 

It is not known at this stage as to whom the baby belonged to and no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Acase of concealment of birth was registered and the police investigation continues. 

Police in Letlhabile are requesting for any assistance from the community to help speed up the investigation.      

Mamelodi Sundowns have been warned to expect a tough match when they welcome Golden Arrows in a Nedbank Cup encounter at Loftus Stadium tonight at 8pm.

Fresh from two defeats at the hands of Moroka Swallows and neighbours SuperSport United, Sundowns are well aware that the Nedbank Cup is their only hope of silverware this term.

Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi said that the cup is not a priority for his side but defender Musa Bilankulu said his side will not lie down and let the Tshwane team walk all over them.

“We are going there with the hope of making it to the next stage of the tournament. They have lost their last two matches and that is a clear indication that they can be beaten. We are hoping to make things difficult when we meet them,” Bilankulu said.

This year’s Nedbank Cup draw has not been kind to Sundowns. The Brazilians faced Ajax Cape Town in the round of 32 and now they have a date with another tough PSL team in the form of Arrows.

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

By Staff Reporter

North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on all traditional leaders to continue playing a key role as community advocates in articulating locally felt needs and expressing grievances and mobilizing support for particular causes in varies communities of the province.

Making a plea at the official opening of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders held at Lowe Building in Mahikeng on Thursday, Premier Modise said the role of traditional leaders must not be taken for granted because it is the most important feature of traditional communities.

“The task of building a democratic state requires that what is envisaged in the democratic dream is shared by all. The task of strengthening and consolidating democracy requires the participation of all leaders, including traditional leaders,” she said also adding that they must be part of the leadership that is leading South Africa towards a better life for all.

The ceremony which marked the 6

th term of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders was attended by amongst others, the National House of Traditional Leaders representatives, members of other Provincial House of Traditional leaders, MEC’s, Mayors, Councilors, Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Supra Mahumapelo and reprentatives of the House of the House of Chiefs 

 from

  neighbouring Botswana.

Modise announced that the forensic investigation into the D-Account instituted by the provincial government has commenced and appealed for conflicts within royal houses to be reduced as they destabilise and perpetuates conflicts within traditional councils.

Premier Modise also called on all traditional leaders to become increasing involved in the struggle against HIV and AIDS.

“You have the respect and authority to influence people’s views and practices on all issues. We trust in the battle against HIV and AIDS you will advocate in for change in the most personal behaviors, such as sexuality. Let us mobilize the communities to take HIV and AIDS test so that they know their status, the sooner the better medical intervention could be timeously and more lives could be saved,” she said.

Premier further noted the five year strategic plan incorporating the most important government priorities which are national building, rural development and preservation of indigenous heritage.

She asked the traditional leaders to work with relevant provincial department, municipalities and the private sector to look into reviving cultural heritage.

“Traditional leaders must organize and participate in festivals that celebrate our traditional songs and dances, the importance of our songs lies in the fact they contain a lot of history and stories dealing with values and morals,” she cited.

She encouraged traditional leaders to participate in local initiatives that are aimed at monitoring, reviewing or evaluating government programmes in our traditional communities.

Over the past years there has being concerns about illegal initiations schools in the North West Province.

The illegal initiations schools results in many cases around deaths, adductions and botched circumcision.

Premier Modise also called on the House of Traditional leaders to work on control measures that will help in regulating initiation schools across the province.

She said once the control measures are in place the hands of the justice system would be strengthened to deal with criminal behavior of those running initiation schools.

In expressing support for the Premier’s anti-rape million signature campaign against during his closing remarks, Provincial Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Professor Madoda Zibi said that traditional leaders as custodians of culture, values

  and traditions support the Premier’s

  visionary leadership and will give the campaign their maximum support.

He committed that traditional leaders in the province will support any initiatives by the provincial government that are meant for the development of communities.