North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to denounce violence and commit themselves to peaceful coexistence at Lonmin and other mines around Rustenburg.

“We condemn in the strongest terms possible the violence that has claimed the life of an NUM shop steward and left another injured after a shooting incident at Wonderkop hostel earlier today. There is no place for strong arm tactics and the use of violence in our labour relation regime that allows freedom of association,” stressed Premier Modise on Monday.

Modise called on workers to remain calm and assist police in their investigations in order to unmask those behind the recent spate of violence.

“Those stoking the violence have lost sight of the need for workers to act in unison to address the challenges facing the mining sector. Acts of intolerance and violence can only serve to weaken them when taking up genuine issues against their employers,” she highlighted.

According to police, one of the two men died at the scene and one was taken to hospital after the shots were fired between 11am and noon.
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By Obakeng Maje
The Bureau for the Prevention of Blindness, SA National Council for the Blind’s Eye Care Services Division, has just celebrated 60 years of mobile outreach service to South Africa.
To mark this, Council and our Bureau are launching a dedicated eye care facility in the North West.
Due to the need for eye care services in this province, a special Parkhome is earmarked to become a permanent eye care facility in the North-West Province at Mafikeng Provincial Hospital. This is where pre and postoperative care will be provided” MEC Magome Masike said.
The department said The facility will be opened by the SA National Council for the Blind in association with the North West Provincial Department of Health and funded by the Allergan Foundation.
“The launch will be held by North West Provincial Department of Health and the SA National Council for the Blind at the Mafikeng Provincial Hospital Complex.
80% of blindness is avoidable either through prevention or through treatment – we hope that this dedicated facility helps to meet the challenges of urgent eye care treatment for those in need” said Masike.
The event starts at 2pm on 5 June 2013 at the Bophelong Mafikeng Provincial Hospital Complex Recreational Hall and will be attended by the MEC.
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By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom-The DA has received confirmation from Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that she will investigate Tlokwe Mayor Maphetle Maphetle. This is in addition to an investigation by the Hawks after the DA formally laid charges at the SAPS concerning the Tlokwe Council adminstration and Mapethle Mapethle.
The DA commissioned the forensic audit as part of the party’s campaign against corruption during our short time in charge of the Tlokwe municipality.
Fraudulent transactions involving more than R3,2million tax payers funds relating to shares in the Mooiriver Mall is included in the investigation
“In addition, the report found Mayor Maphetle to be involved in fraudulently siphoning R300 000 from the municipality’s Poverty Relief Fund to sponsor a jazz festival” DA Tiaan Kotze said.
“Further abuse of the Disaster Management Fund by Mayor Maphetle are also documented by forensic auditors” said Kotze.
These findings indicate that Mayor Maphetle appeared to have been led by personal gain to abuse funds meant to assist impoverished residents with disasters such as shack fires said DA.
Democratic Alliance said The ANC’s Tlokwe leadership has already showed that it is not serious about fighting corruption as they have dismissed the forensic report’s findings outright. This is despite the report being handled by a reputable firm – Nexus forensic services.
“The DA trusts that the Public Protector will come to a fair conclusion about the suitability of Mr Maphetle to hold office and the ANC’s overall mismanagement of Tlokwe municipal funds” said DA.
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The North West recorded a marked increase in the number of participants at this year’s Comrades Marathon, with the tally of medals equally on the rise.
Compared to last year, when only one out of the 15 participants did not finish the race, the number at this year’s 88th edition of the world-famous Marathon was more than 80 participants with an impressive tally of medals up to more than 26.
There were three Silvers, 15 Bill Rowans, 25 Bronze and nine Vic Claphams.
“The medals at the Comrades are classified as follows: Gold for first ten men and women, Wally Hayward medal for position 11 to sub 6 hours, Silver is for 6 hours to sub 7 hours 30 minutes; Bill Rowan medal for 7 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours; Bronze is for 9 hours to sub 11 hours; and the Vic Clapham for 11 hours to sub 12 hours” Department of Sports, Art and Culture in the province said.
This year the marathon was run by more than 18 000 athletes from around the world with the official distance being 86,863 km.
The race started at 05:30 am on Sunday June 2 at the Durban City Hall and finished at 17:30 at the Cricket Oval in Pietermaritzburg. It alternates in terms of start and finish between the two cities, meaning next year will be the “down-run”, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
“Eighty four of the runners from the North West were sponsored by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their trip to the race and accommodation. Of the North West athletes who finished nine were female’s athletes and 49 males” said Vusi Kama.
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Tebogo Modise was ecstatic about the Province’s performance.
“What we need now is to build on the success of these athletes,” she said. “We commit ourselves to supporting our athletes so that the pool becomes even bigger” MEC Tebogo Modise said.
David Gatebe of Impala Plats was the first North West runner to cross the finish line, coming in at number 24 with a time of 06:19 minutes and earned himself Silver.
The Two Oceans champion said he was slightly disappointed with his position although he ran a fairly good race.
“I was expecting to do much better, but the race was fast,” he said. “I will continue to work hard” David Gatebe said.
Gatebe said the North West had great potential in athletics and that he was encouraged by the spirit shown by the young athletes he trained in Zeerust and Lichtenburg.
The other Silver medalists were Tshidiso Karaka (7:21:18) and Festis Mokgabisi (7:22:15), both of Ottosdal’s Diamond Marathon Club.
Nomvula Molaba of Tlokwe Athletics Club was the first North West lady to finish the race winning a bronze with a time of 10:23:55.
She was followed by Matshidiso Mochobo of Bert’s Bricks in Potchefstroom, also with a bronze at a time of 10:39:45.
“The first Comrades Marathon was run on May 24, 1921 when 34 runners lined up before the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to commence a race to Durban to commemorate the spirit and camaraderie of the soldiers who fought in the Great War.
(Edited by Obakeng Maje)
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Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has trimmed his squad down to 21 players following the fitness and assessment tests that took place in Johannesburg over the past four days.

The Sasol-sponsored senior women’s national team underwent rigours tests to enable the coach and his technical team to select the 21 players that will travel to Mpumalanga today, Monday, 3 June. The squad is currently preparing for their international friendly match against Mozambique to be played at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday (kick-off: 15h00).

The coach said after careful assessment of all the players, he had tried out new combinations and was impressed by the quality that each player possessed. Unfortunately he could not take all the players and had to trim down the squad for this camp.

“After assessing all the players called up, we had to leave behind three players and move on with the other 21. It is always hard to cut players from camp but they should not be discouraged as we will call them up in future. The 21 players that are left in camp will be put through their paces before they come up against tough opposition in the friendly against Mozambique,” said Mkhonza.

Mkhonza said they were looking for certain qualities in the selected players. He will want the players to play a brand of football that will become synonymous with Banyana Banyana, one that will leave a lasting legacy in women’s football.

“I have however warned some of the older players to guard against complacency as nobody’s position is guaranteed. Everyone is required to put in an equal amount of effort as we look to take this team to greater heights,” said Mkhonza.

A squad of 18 Banyana Banyana players will travel back to Johannesburg on Monday (10 June 2013) for the next friendly encounter against Zimbabwe on Saturday, 15 June at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.

Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk said the spirit in camp was at an all-time high and has encouraged players who did not make the cut to work hard and not give up on their dreams.

“I am appreciative of the spirit in camp. Everybody has been putting in their best and we further understand that not everyone will travel to Mpumalanga but I have encouraged them not to give up on their dreams and work towards making the team a success,” said van Wyk

Banyana Banyana team manager and former national team player, Lydia Monyepao shared her experience about becoming a Banyana Banyana player. She encouraged those who did not make the team to not give up on their dreams but to go back to their clubs and work on improving their talent.

“The team has come far in its 20 years of featuring in international football. Banyana Banyana made history by going to the Olympic Games in London last year. We need to look at the bigger picture and aim for greater heights such as building towards winning the 2014 African Women’s Championship. That will be our ticket to qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and look even further to participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Don’t give up on your dreams and work harder because your efforts will be recognised,” said Monyepao.

Banyana Banyana squad that will travel to Mpumalanga:

NAME

CLUB

1. Andile Dlamini

Mamelodi Sundowns

2. Nkosingiphile Zungu

Remax Shooting Stars

3. Mahlatsi Mogola

TUT PTA

4. Primrose Ndlozi

TK Stars (Mpumalanga)

5. Gabisile Hlumbane

Kovsies Ladies

6. Nothando Vilakazi

Super Falcons

7. Nelisiwe Mchunu

Moroka Swallows

8. Lebogang Mabatle

Zebra Force

9. Janine Van Wyk

Mondeor Meteors Ladies

10. Charlotte Mshengu

Durban Ladies

11. Nwabisa Kolisi

City Lads

12. Amanda Dlamini

Durban Ladies

13. Nocawe Skiti

Cape Town Roses

14. Nomathemba Ntsibande

Springs Home Sweepers

15. Nomawethu Nyusani

Coastal United Ladies

16. Memory Makhanya

Durban Ladies

17. Noko Matlou

MaIndies

18. Zingawe Phakathi

United Ladies

19. Silindile Ngubane

Durban Ladies

20. Shiwe Nogwanya

Celtics

21. Zamandosi Cele

Durban Ladies
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By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp- Police are investigating a Culpable Homicide case after two vehicles collided head-on the N12 Klerksdorp/Wolmaransstad road on Sunday at about 15:51.
“The driver of a white Bantam Bakkie with nine passengers on board collided head-on with a maroon Ford Bantam Bakkie with three passengers on board” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
Two passengers of the White Bantam Bakkie, a 29-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl died on the scene.
Police said all the other victims were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
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By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police are investigating a culpable homicide case after a teenager was knocked down by a taxi in Modutong village, near Taung.
“A minibus taxi was travelling along the Modutung road when he allegedly saw two boys walking on the left side of the road.The driver of the Minibus Taxi was about to pass them when the 19 year-old boy crossed the road without observing” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
The accident took place on Saturday at around 13:15.
He collided with the victim, and he was rushed to a local hospital.
“The victim later died at a hospital from injuries sustained” said Mokgwabone.
A culpable homicide case is being investigated by the police.
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By Obakeng Maje
Wolmaransstad- Police are investigating a culpable homicide case after they were called to attend an accident at Wolmaransstad/Makwasie road near Reabona School.
“A vehicle with six occupants overturned. All victims were transported to the Local Hospital. Three men aged between 26 and 35 allegedly later died in the Hospital and the other two are still in hospital with serious injuries” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
A Culpable Homicide case is being investigated by the Police.
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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-During a NW MPAC Imbizo in Rustenburg, in which methods and procedures to handle their oversight role in public accounts were discussed, a number of NW ANC Councillors complained about ANC interference in MPAC activities DA NW said in a statement.   

“Councillors indicated that interference from ANC structures are impeding their work when they need to address issues of fraud and corruption involving other ANC members” DA Chris Hattingh said. 

DA said although the Chairperson of the North West Public Accounts Committee, Patrick Chauke, provided clear guidance about the apolitical and non-partisan approach that Public Accounts committees should adopt, it was clear that NW Municipal Public Accounts Committee  are still being held hostage by ANC structures.

“These ANC utterances give impetus to persistent speculation that some ANC structures may be beneficiaries to the proceeds of fraud and corruption and that NW municipal finances have become the target of organised political crime” said Hattingh.

Democratic Alliance vows continue to be vigilant on efforts to block the scrutiny of suspect transactions and will train its MPAC members in fulfilling their MPAC oversight role said Hattingh.

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