A team from the Department of Public Service and Administration is in the North West Province to monitor citizens’ access to information in line with Batho Pele Revitalisation Strategy. The team started its work on the first day of its three days monitoring exercise with visits to the Mahikeng Thusong Hospital, Lichtenburg State Veterinary Office and Mahikeng Provincial Hospital this morning.

The objective of the monitoring site visits that is targeting over 21 sites is to verify public and visible display of service delivery charters and standards at service sites across the province.

“The monitoring exercise will assist evaluate how far we have gone towards providing quality access to integrated service delivery with citizen’s engagement and participation and is a follow up to 

 deployment of Executive Authorities, Senior and Middle Managers to assess, monitor and follow-up on service delivery challenges towards a better life for All,” says Premier Thandi Modise.

Complaints management mechanisms, public and visible display of service delivery charter and service standards including statement of the citizen’s rights and statement of the citizen’s obligations in the dominant language in the area are some of the aspects that the team will be monitoring at more than 21 sites to be visited across the province.

Intervention programmes are to be instituted where there is non-compliance or where there is a need for improvement at the sites to be visited.

Similar visits were conducted in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape and Gauteng and will be followed up by unannounced site visits by the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Dr. Lindiwe Sisulu.

The father of a 19-year-old being treated for a minor concussion and severe bruising says he is determined to find out what caused her mother’s Jaguar to veer off the road and crash into the rocks at Bakoven near Camps Bay.
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Swellendam – A Swellendam pastor is to appear in the Swellendam Magistrate’s Court on Monday charged with trying to smuggle drugs into a prison.

The man was among a group of clergymen granted access to Buffeljags Correctional Centre in Swellendam to perform spiritual rehabilitation of prisoners on Saturday. Correctional Services spokesman Simphiwe Xako said when the pastor was searched at the gate, prison officials alerted police who arrested him.
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The IPID will probe an incident in which police came under fire while en route to a crime scene at thBrigadier Thulani Ngubane said on Sunday Marikana police were called to a murder scene at Nkaneng, North West on Saturday evening.

“According to the members there were a lot of people gathered there and some started shooting at police and police responded [by firing live ammunition].”

He said the crowd dispersed and they proceeded to the scene.

“We have not received any reports of casualties.”

Ngubane said the matter was also reported to Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

When police arrived at the crime scene they found that two brothers were killed and two women were injured in a shooting.

Looking for information
A group of armed men wrapped in blankets and wearing balaclavas allegedly stormed into a shack on Saturday night.

They apparently asked the two brothers – who were twins – about the whereabouts of another man.

Ngubane said when the brothers said they did not know the man, they were shot.

“The one brother who was shot two times died on the scene, while the other brother died on arrival at the Andrew Saffy hospital.”

Two women who were in the shack at the time of the shooting were wounded.

One was shot in the thigh while the other was hit with a panga. They were taken to hospital and discharged on Sunday.

A North West regional organiser of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) trade union was also shot an killed in the same area on Saturday evening.

Another man killed
Ngubane said four men, who on Saturday came to Billy’s Tavern near Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine shaft two in Rustenburg and shot and killed the 46-year-old man, remained on the run.

North West premier Thandi Modise condemned the murders.

“Though nothing suggest that the two incidents that occurred near Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine and Nkaneng informal settlement near Marikana are connected, we wish to reiterate our earlier appeal for calm and call on police not to rest until those responsible for the callous murders are behind bars.”

She appealed to members of the public to come forward with information that might assist police in their investigations.

Ngubane said the murders were being investigated and it was be too early to say if they were linked.

“That is still the subject of an investigation at this point. We do not want to pre-empt any of the outcomes.”

Victim due to testify at Marikana commission
E.News Channel Africa reported that the Amcu official had been expected to testify before the Farlam Marikana commission of inquiry.

The commission is investigating the deaths of 44 people killed in violence related to a strike at Lonmin’s Marikana mine in August last year.

In April this year, Dali Mpofu – who is representing miners involved in last year’s police shootings in Marikana at the commission of inquiry – was robbed and stabbed while walking on the beach in East London.

Previously in March, a sangoma, Alton “Ndzabe” Joja, who was meant to testify at the commission was shot and killed outside his home in the Ludeke Holt village in Mbizana.

At Joja’s funeral in April, Uncedo service taxi association president Ntsikelelo Gaehler claimed his murder was a result of taxi wars.

Earlier this year, the Farlam commission heard that Joja was believed to have performed rituals on protesting Lonmin mineworkers before the police shooting on August 16. – Sapa

Although Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has downplayed the standoff with her deputy, she emphasised the ultimate rule of her office lies wiPublic Protector Thuli Madonsela on Sunday downplayed the standoff with her deputy but again defended her office’s right to decide what they investigate and the ultimate rule of her office.
For more http://www.mg.co.za

A positive attitude throughout the entire squad has lifted Orlando Pirates to the group stages of the African Champions League, according to head coach Roger de Sa, as the Buccaneers target their second title in the continental competition.

Pirates, who won the Champions League in 1995, progressed to the group stages with a 3-2 aggregate victory over TP Mazembe, despite trying circumstances in the final away leg in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

“It’s been a massive group effort,” De Sa said.

“We’ve had all the injuries that everybody has spoken about and we’ve had a lot of players missing that we dearly miss.

“Because of that, I think the rest of them really united and pulled together. That to me has been the key factor.

“It’s how the guys have fought in every stage of the competition.”

Pirates would wait to see which teams they drew, on Tuesday, before they began their planning in earnest.

“Right now we’re in the group stages, let’s see who we draw,” he said.

“We’ll probably analyse and see what we can do in forthcoming games and weeks, and who we’re up against, and also how far we have to travel.”

Pirates lost 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday, ending their chances of clinching a third straight Premiership crown.

After the match, the Brazilians’ coach, Pitso Mosimane, gave credit to the Soweto giants for their performance in the Champions League, insisting more acclaim should be given to Premier Soccer League teams that perform well in continental competitions.

“That [away] game against Mazembe for me was big, and they went through,” Mosimane said.

“That for me is why Pirates have a star above their emblem.

“I think South Africans should look at football differently. That’s important for Bafana players, for our country.”

De Sa said Pirates could bolster their squad with a few new signings as they aim to book their place in the final.

“We do have a window period to be able to sign a couple of new players and add them to our group,” he said.

“If we can do that successfully I think we have as good a chance as anybody.

“I always said if we beat TP Mazembe, I think we’ve a got a real opportunity to have a go [at the title].”

Playing elsewhere in Africa offered plenty of challenges, according the De Sa, which made it difficult to succeed.

“We are spoilt in South Africa. We live in a beautiful country and our lifestyles are pretty easy.

“When you go to Africa you realise how tough it is. You see how difficult it is to get good hotels, good transport, good stadiums, good fields. These are the difficulties we face all the time.”

-Sapa

Russell Domingo (Gallo Images)
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Cape Town – New Proteas coach Russell Domingo says there’s no point in him even thinking about the 2015 Cricket World Cup just yet.

According to the Cape Times, the “World Cup” question was thrown at Domingo after he was appointed as new head coach of the Proteas on Saturday. He will replace Gary Kirsten on August 1, after Kirsten surprisingly resigned on Friday, citing family reasons.
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Klerksdorp – A Klerksdorp police officer was arrested for corruption on Thursday, North West police said.

The officer allegedly withdrew traffic offenders’ tickets and cancelled their arrest warrants in exchange for money, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

A sting operation was conducted by police, the Hawks, and members of the crime intelligence unit on Wednesday.

A police officer presented the officer with a R2000 fine for an unroadworthy vehicle.

“He told the police agent that he was prepared to withdraw the traffic fine and cancel the warrant of arrest if an amount of R1500 was paid to him.”

Ngubane said the officer agreed and handed over the fine. The men arranged to exchange the money on Thursday outside the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court.

“It is alleged that the marked money was handed over to the officer and proof that a traffic fine was paid and withdrawn was given to the police agent.”

The officer was arrested and found in possession of state money.

“A further investigation is continuing to establish if other court officials are involved in the corruption.”

The arrested officer would appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court soon. – Sapa

Brits – The trial of a doctor accused of defrauding a medical scheme and the labour department’s Compensation Fund was postponed until October 2 by the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Friday, the department said.

Magistrate Louise Matthee postponed the case for plea and trial, spokesman Page Boikanyo said in a statement.

Dr Ganesh Anil Anirudhra faces 319 charges for allegedly submitting illegitimate claims to Bonitas medical scheme and the Compensation Fund between 2008 and 2012.

“He is alleged to have left a trail of fictitious claims against the fund, claiming to have treated ‘injured workers’ whom he did not treat,” Boikanyo said.

The doctor was also accused of practising as a gynaecologist while he was registered only as a general practitioner.

The Hawks arrested Anirudhra at George Mukhari Hospital, in GaRankuwa, in December, after years of living as a fugitive.

His bail of R20 000 was extended. – Sapa