The North West Provincial Government has established a Joint Water Crises Task Team tasked with the responsibility of developing integrated solutions to respond to the water supply challenges in Mahikeng and neighbouring towns.

The task team established on the directive of Premier Thandi Modise stems from her concern about the recent water interruptions which have seen government buildings and the general community without water for the past two weeks.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the cause of the water interruption in Mahikeng and surrounding areas stems from various reasons including but not limited to depleted water resources such as dams, boreholes and springs, drought, declining dam levels, aging infrastructure as well as high water consumption patterns. The situated is exacerbated by the fact that during this time of the year the level of consumption of water by consumers increases due to various activities such as gardening, ingestion and agricultural.

The task team comprising of the senior and technical officials from the Office of Premier, Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, Department of Water Affairs, Botshelo Water, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Mafikeng, Ditsobotla,Ramotshere Moiloa and Tswaing Local Municipalities is set to investigate and implement short-term to long-term plans for resolving water challenges in Mahikeng and adjacent towns.

The Task Team led by the Acting Director General for the Provincial Administration, Johannes Rantete has already identified quick wins to bringing a relief to the water challenges and is expecting to see improvement in the next week or two.

The relevant authorities owning the infrastructure supplying water are also developing long-term solutions aimed at bringing permanent solutions to the water problem. Furthermore, as part of way of ensuring equitable access to potable water, local municipalities have started with the process of restricting water usage during non-peak hours.

Members of the Mafikeng community, government departments and businesses are therefore strongly urged to use water sparingly to ensure continuous supply of water and refrain from watering their gardens until the water supply improves. -TDN
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The arrest of the suspect believed to be the man who terrorised communities in and around Mafikeng by raping and killing women with a hammer should bring much relief to communities and give hope that the war against the scourge of violence against women and children is winnable, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in calling for a no bail and harsher sentence on Tuesday.

“Enough is enough. We call for activism to expose perpetrators of sexual violence against women and children. We cannot afford to have our communities living in fear while we are looking away. Working together we can do more to ensure that those who have no regard for the rights of women are removed from society to rot in jail,” said Premier Modise.

The suspect believed to be the infamous hammer-man, as the monster is widely dubbed around Mafikeng, appeared in court yesterday and was reminded in custody.

He was arrested last week Friday.

About ten women have been attacked, raped and battered with a hammer over the past few months.

Modise congratulated the police on the arrest, adding that she hopes communities in and around Mahikeng will now be able to sleep at nights.

“Although it took a long time to catch the suspect, we congratulate the police for this breakthrough. It shows that the arm of the law is very long. Our people can now go on with their lives knowing that they are safe. We will be following the case very closely as the safety our residents is our priority,” said Modise..

Police spokesperson Sergeant Kea Molale has confirmed that the suspect will appear again in court on December 2.

Meanwhile, the Premier Modise has expressed confidence the hosting the National launch of the 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children by President Jacob Zuma in the province will heighten activism and contribute towards reducing incidents of rape of women and children which been on the increase in recent months.

The launch event is to be held at the Mmabatho Stadium Parking Lot in Mahikeng as from 9:00 on Sunday.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kuruman- The Office of the Premier, the South African Police Service in the Northern Cape and the Progressive Men’s Movement of South Africa (POMESA) as well as other government departments in the Northern Cape will be holding the 5th International Men’s Day at the SIVOS stadium in Kathu on the 24 November 2013.

“Men from all walks of life are expected to participate during this prestigious event. The objective is to focus mainly on strengthening family values, to create awareness as well as educate men on the social skills and to remind them about their roles as leaders of families, in communities and nationwide” said colonel Priscilla Naidu.

On the same day, the SAPS in the Northern Cape will be launching the Festive Season Operation, Duty Calls as well as the Northern Cape Mine Crime Combating Forum.

DATE : Sunday,24 November 2013
TIME : 06:00 : Joint march with all stakeholders
08:30: Formal programme at stadium
VENUE : SIVOS Stadium Kathu
Media Briefing: 13:00 to 13:30 at the stadiu-TDN
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The South African U17 Women’s National team (Bantwana) were given the morning off to write exams but will resume training this afternoon.

Bantwana will play a practice match against the Wits Ladies side in preparation for the second leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia scheduled for Sunday, 24 November.

The return-leg qualifier will be played at the Bidvest Wits Stadium. Kick-off is at 15h00.

The SA U17 squad had their second training session at the Edenvale Football Grounds on Monday (18 November). Bantwana mentor, Sheryl Botes said preparations were on track and that the afternoon training session would give an indication of what still needed to be done ahead of this all-important qualifier.

“We had a couple of disruptions due the girls writing exams but that should not derail our plans because we know the importance this qualifier,” said Botes.

Two spots are up for grabs on the continent and the South Africans know what is at stake. Bantwana players will be working towards making their second appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup that will be staged in Costa Rica from 15 March to 5 April next year.

“We should not focus too much on the results of the first match but look at scoring enough goals in Sunday’s match to see us through to the World Cup next year. It is also important that we do not concede,” added Botes.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
The DA in the North West Provincial Legislature opposed the adoption of North West Appropriation Bill on Tuesday.

The DA raised its concerns about an amount of R176 million appropriated for the employment of 20 000 people in the months preceding the still to be announce 2014 General Elections.

“The MEC, obviously not knowing when the elections will take place indicated that the temporary employment will continue in the new financial year and that it may cost more than a half billion. (R528million)” DA Chris Hattingh said.

The MEC failed to indicate what the associated cost in managing 20 000 people will be.

“Indications of the pre-election desperation that has set in in the NW Provincial Government as the elections are approaching were already filtering through during the past week where NGOs were reporting that they have been told to accommodate temporary workers for at least the next 6 months” Hatingh said.

The to be employed people were not allocated to programs or projects linked to the different NW Departments, but were allocated on a pro rata basis to the four North West Districts with no criteria available on how these allocations were made, says Hattingh.

He said the funds to pay for this project mainly come from the lack on performance on NW infrastructure projects – something the NW has become notorious for.

“In view of the recent deployment of 180 people – 20 for each vacant ward in the Tlokwe Municipality by the Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini, in the run-up to the Tlokwe by-elections and the blatant abuse of state resources for ANC campaigning purposes, the DA has no expectations that the employment of the 20 000 people in the run-up to the elections, will not be abused for ANC electioneering purposes” Hattingh said.

The DA will closely monitor this scheme and will not hesitate to report evidence of abuse to relevant authorities.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-Yesterday was the third day without fuel to conduct services in Matlosana.

DA said the council has again not paid the service provider to deliver fuel and this resulted in important and essential services coming to a complete standstill.

“Taxpayers are paying more for services but after every three months of paying new tariffs, service delivery is not improving” DA Tiaan Kotze said.

According to reports, the ANC led council has approved a budget for its Mayor to purchase a new official vehicle worth R800 000 whilst service providers cannot be paid.

“Taxpayers are tired of the shoddy state of affairs. The problem lies with the political and administrative heads of council consisting of the mayor, executive council and the municipal manager, but the real killer is entitlement and ignorance” Kotze outlines.

DA said there is no excuse for this blatant and careless default in paying essential service providers – repeated adverse Auditor General findings, sound advice and recommendations from the Municipal Public Accounts Committee and even the North West Public Accounts Committee were simply ignored.

“In a DA led council, service delivery would be a prioritised and service providers will be paid on time while unnecessary and luxury expenses will not even be considered” DA Kotze concludes.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje

Roodepoort-A kwaito sensation Sipho Charles Ndlovu briefly appeared before Roodepoort Magistrate Court today. The kwaito muso who is affectionately known as Brickz was denied bail on Tuesday Roodepoort Magistrate Court.

Brickz and his supporters could not believed their ears when magistrate Piet Kotze denied him bail after consideration.

City Press reported that Brickz was denied bail after he spent almost three weeks in holding cells.

The kwaito star was frequently arrested after he allegedly raped his niece who is a minor.

A 16 year-old girl was residing with Brickz and his enstranged wife in Ramsig, according to reports.

The ordeal allegedly took place back in March this year and was only reported a month ago allegedly by Brickz’s wife Nqobile.

Muso’s lawyer, Mokgopi confirmed that he will appeal court decision.

“We are shocked by the verdict and we are appealing against the judgment. We believe the magistrate erred and the appeal court will arrive at a different conclusion,” he told City Press.

U’underpant fame singer was not happy about the decision when he was led back to the holding cells.

Tears were flowing uncontrollably within Brickz supporters when leaving court room with a fear hovering over their heads.

Brickz might spend christmas in jail if his representatives fail to overturn court decision.

Kotze said the singer might interfer with the case and might intimidates State witnesses.

The case was postponed until 05 December 2013.-TDN

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North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for no bail to be granted to the 44-year old teacher accused of raping a 13 –year old learner. Japhta Ngcuka from Dinokana village near Zeerust is scheduled to appear in the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court for a bail application today.

“Though the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the allegations leveled against him are not only serious but despicable as they suggest that he might have betrayed the loco parentis trust. Teachers are supposed to protect learners under their charge not be involved with them in any improper relationships or bring them to harm,” stressed Premier Modise.

The Premier reiterated her call for real men to support the moral regeneration by taking a stand against adolescent pregnancy and the scourge of rape. 

The accused appeared in court last week Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

According to police, it is alleged that on 6 November 2013 at about 14:30, the accused who is a teacher at a local school requested the victim to remain behind after school and took her victim to the school toilets where he allegedly raped her.

It is alleged that on arrival at home the victim informed her mother of the alleged ordeal. The victim was taken to hospital where rape was confirmed

Spokesperson for the North West Police Captain Pelonomi Makau said that the Principal of the school at which the accused is employed took the accused to the Lehurutshe police station the next day as he was earlier wanted by the police at his school.

Captain Makau says that at the police station the accused was told that a case of rape was registered against him and was later arrested on charges of rape.  

Makau says that investigations are continuing.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje
Mmabatho- A man appeared before Kagisano-Molopo Magistrate Court for allegedly raping and killing a Mahikeng teenager, North West police said.

A man who used to mesmerize Mahikeng residents, young and old alike was frequently arrested by North West police.

Bigboy “Hammer-man” Moleko briefly appeared at Kagisano-Molopo Magistrate Court for rape and Murder. Moleko allegedly raped and killed Sassa Manye, 15, of Mahikeng Extention 39 and threw her naked body in the veld.

More than 10 cases of a man with a hammer who persecutes Mahikeng residents were reported. Police managed to arrest Moleko and his case was postponed for next week Monday where he will apply for bail.
Manye’s naked body was found in the open veld by passerby who in turn informed the police. A man-hunt was launched by police and that yields the results after months.

MEC Nono Maloyi and North West Premier Thandi Modise pleaded with the residents to work together with police to arrest the monster.
A cleansing ceremony was held by delegates and residents at the scene where Manye was allegedly killed.-TDN
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Johannesburg – A man has been arrested for fatally stabbing another man at a party in Meadowlands, Soweto police said on Monday.

Constable Sibusiso Chauke said a 19-year-old man was believed to have approached a 23-year-old man on his way to the toilet at a party on Sunday.

The older man was stabbed in the upper body and died on the scene.

The other man ran away, but later handed himself over to the police and was expected appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Sapa