Government had done very well in the past nineteen years in improving the lives of South Africans, the Executive Mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality,Councillor  Choganyetso Tladinyane asserted at the Provincial Public Service Outreach Programme held at Rekgaratlhile Settlement in Stella, North West Province on Friday.

“We believe that we have done a commendable job as the ANC-led government in the 19 years that we have been in government. We have introduced laws that safeguard the interest of all South Africans, Black and White. We have introduced programmes such as Batho Pele to accelerate service delivery,” highlighted Councillor Tladinyane who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Premier Thandi Modise.

In reiterating Premier Modise’s commitment to efficient, effective and transparent service delivery Tladinyane appealed to the youth to register for election so that they are able to vote for the government of their choice.  He called on communities to work with government in improving the lives of all South Africans, saying that government is fully committed, transparent and accountable to the public.  

“We have Chapter 9 institutions such as the Office of the Public Protector to ensure that government is held accountable. It is not necessary to destroy public property anymore as there a processes that you can follow should you feel the need to do so. We know that there are opportunists who often incite people to destroy public property without any justifiable reason,” he said.

The out-reach which was hailed by the Acting Head of Department in the Office of the Premier, Oageng Mosiane as a resounding success, was attended by among others, local councillors and senior government officials.

“We are satisfied that this Outreach has lived to our expectations and epitomised its designated theme, said Mosiane who facilitated the programme, referring to the Outreach’s theme dubbed “Leading the Public Service to Higher Productivity.

Close to 1500 residents from in and around Stella received a range of services including health services, motor vehicle registration and licences information, career information, consumer rights education, identity document applications, social grants applications and information on housing and agriculture.

The Department of Home Affairs was able to process 24 registration of birth certificates, 20 Identity document application, 2 change of surname applications and over 15 general enquiries.

Marta Pelele (57) of Madibogo said she was happy because she was able to apply for a grant on the basis of her illness.

Nga Potlaki, 21, Galaletsang Keoepile (24), Mimi Metlope (23) and Kgomotso Mosepedi (15) said they came to celebrate the achievement of government.

“With government coming to our community with all these services, it makes us feel proud to live in a country where government cares about the people. We are certain that we will see more improvements in our area,” said Mimi Metlope.

Seventy-seven year old Five Serima from the neighbouring farm of Piet Stale said it was one of the exciting days.

 “I grew up working in a farm and received nothing when I was discharged two months ago. I am glad now that I have received information on how to proceed with this matter,” said Serima.

Residents also received information on small business development, the provincial bursary scheme, tertiary studies, employment opportunities and a host of other government services.

 Acting Deputy Director General in the Premier’s Office, Keipelege Moseki said the aim of the Bathopele revitalisation strategy is to bring service closer to the people to fast-track service delivery and better people’s lives.

“Ours is the government that cares about people and want them to access the services available from government without any difficulties,” said Moseki.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Obakeng Maje

Johannesburg-A funeral of two toddlers who were allegedly raped and killed is underway at Diepsloot, near Johannesburg.

Yoneliswa Mali,2, and her cousin Zandile were allegedly abducted by five men in the area a week ago and their bodies were found in a toilet cubical in the early hours of Tuesday.

The discovery of the bodies cause the community of Diepsloot to go beserk as they say the killings of kids must stop.

Five men were apparently arrested in connection of rape and murder.

Mourners say two kids were robbed their future by senseless monsters who wanted to satisfy their sexual needs.

The pastors will hold a “divine prayer” later today.

Four men will appear in court soon and the prime suspect who was arrested later Friday will appear at Pretoria Magistrate Court on Monday.

The community of Diepsloot say it is not for the first time the atrocity took place in the area.

They also commend police for their swift respond and arrested suspects who allegedly committed this frightful act.-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Johannesburg – The Right2Know Campaign (R2K) will organise a protest at the SABC’s Johannesburg offices over the cancelling of current affairs talk show “The Big Debate”, it said on Friday.

“In protest at the continuing censorship and lack of editorial independence at the SABC, as well as the canning of The Big Debate, we are issuing a public call to protest…,” national co-ordinator Mark Weinberg said.

He said R2K was outraged that the show was being cancelled before its second season could be aired, and called on the public to participate in its protest in Auckland Park on Thursday.

“The SABC’s canning of the Big Debate smacks of political censorship and an abuse of the public broadcaster to protect certain individuals’ political interests.”

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago could not immediately be reached for comment.

He was quoted by the Mail & Guardian online as saying: “The Big Debate… was incorrectly commissioned by SABC2 and in so doing, the editorial oversight, which is the responsibility of the newsroom, was compromised.”

According to the report he said it was against the public broadcaster’s policies to outsource news and current affairs.

“Editorial responsibility for all news and current affairs content is vested in the newsroom.”

Weinberg said R2K questioned the timing of the decision to cancel the show.

“It would appear that the SABC wants to insource current affairs because the programme producers are too independently-minded for the broadcaster, and they have developed cold feet with a national election looming.”

The Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) also condemned the SABC’s decision.

“Having participated in one of the sittings of the Big Debate, the FXI is displeased at the censorship of what it deems to have been a valuable programme that fostered the realisation of many aspects of the right to freedom of expression.”

The FXI felt cancelling the show was opposed to the ideals of press freedom.

SAPA

Former Orlando Pirates striker Andries ‘Local is Lekker’ Sebola says the Buccaneers need to attack Esperance from the first whistle if they are to beat them and progress to the CAF Champions League Final.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

The Siya crew can reveal that Boebie Solomons’ appointment as Polokwane City’s new head coach is imminent.

The former Santos coach, who was allowed to hold talks with the PSL newcomers by his employers at Bloemfontein Celtic, where he is currently an assistant coach, is set to take charge of City’s bench from next Wednesday when they resume their league duties with an away fixture against Wits.

According to the Soccer-Laduma sources close to the club, Solomons has agreed terms with Polokwane City, but the finer details still need to be ironed out.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa has revealed his expected line up ahead of their CAF Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Esperance on Saturday night.

The Sea Robbers travel to Tunisia after a goalless draw in the first-leg at the Orlando Stadium – meaning a score draw will be enough for them to book their place in the final.

Discussing his selection on Robert Marawa’s radio show, De Sa has opted to have Ayanda Gcaba partner Rooi Mahamutsa in the centre of defence for the crucial encounter.

Oupa Manyisa and Andile Jali will be looking to control the middle of the park while Tlou Segolela, Daine Klate and Sifiso Myeni will pour forward trying to score or set up striker Lennox Bacela.

The winner will go on to face either Egyptian giants Al Ahly or Cameroonian side Coton Sport in the final of the continental competition.

This is the expected line up:

Pirates: Senzo Meyiwa, Happy Jele, Rooi Mahamutsa, Ayanda Gcaba, Thabo Matlaba, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Tlou Segolela, Daine Klate, Sifiso Myeni, Lennox Bacela.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Pretoria – One of four men arrested for the murder of Johannesburg cluster commander Maj-Gen Tirhani Maswanganyi pleaded with a sangoma “to make his case go away”, the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.

Provincial investigating unit commander Colonel Abednego Shibiri said Nditsheni Daniel Nefolovhodwe sought the services of a sangoma prior to his arrest on June 25.

“We have the transcripts of the phone records. He called the sangoma on the 24th and told him that accused number one 1/8Ndaedzo Isaac Vele 3/8 had been arrested and wanted the case to go away,” Shibiri said during the four men’s bail application.

He told the court that Nefolovhodwe had spoken to the sangoma in Venda.

Nefolovhodwe’s lawyer disputed Shibiri’s claims and said the police should have brought the transcript to court.

Shibiri said the evidence was not before the court because the transcription process had not been concluded.

Earlier, the court heard that Vele did not have money and would not abscond if released on bail.

Johann Engelbrecht SC, for Vele, cross-examined Shibiri about the police evidence against his client.

“I have a problem in this matter. You come here to oppose bail in this matter on the basis of the expectation that further evidence will reveal A, B, or C. Where are the cellphones and the iPad (of Maswanganyi)?”

Shibiri said ongoing investigations would disclose the people who took the murdered policeman’s property.

Engelbrecht was not convinced: “Oh please, you don’t know that the further investigation will recover the cellphones and the iPad. You hope that, possibly.”

Shibiri said his hopes were pinned on the investigations currently underway. However, Engelbrecht contended there was no evidence placing his client at the scene of the crime.

Vele, Nefolovhodwe, Tshepo Mosai, and Roger Godfrey Moseki are accused of killing the senior policeman.

Maswanganyi was found dead in a field near Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, near the R101, in June.

His hands and feet were bound. A police patrol found Maswanganyi’s abandoned Isuzu bakkie next to the road.

A police uniform and police identification card were in the bakkie, which prompted a search.

Three of the four accused, including Vele and Nefolovhodwe, were members of the SA National Defence Force.

Engelbrecht said Shibiri’s team had found that Vele could not escape and start afresh in another country.

“His financial position is virtually zero. No money is in the possession of the accused which would enable him to leave and stay out of the country.

“You also confirmed his residential address and found that he has a pregnant girlfriend whom he is planning to marry.”

Shibiri disagreed.

“I am a police officer and in my experience people have left countries without a cent. People also come into countries without a cent,” he said.

“We confirmed about the girlfriend, but I cannot say anything about him wanting to marry her. He 1/8Vele 3/8 is the one who knows that.”

Shibiri told the court the evidence linking Vele to the crime was his own confession, admissible in court.

Engelbrecht said Vele would surrender his passport to the police in an attempt to increase his chances for bail.

Shibiri said investigations so far had revealed that Vele had been out of South Africa 16 times.

The bail applications were postponed to November 6 and 7.

Sapa

Pietermaritzburg – A Pietermaritzburg policeman shot and critically injured his wife and then turned the gun on himself after an argument on Thursday.

Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker confirmed the 31-year-old woman, identified as Nana Sibisi, was in a serious condition in hospital.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Durban – The former head of geographic information and policy at the eThekwini Municipality, Jacqui Subban, would swear at staff and “act like a thug” during staff meetings to get her way.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Durban – A bully who almost paralysed a Shallcross teenager with a dangerous wrestling manoeuvre has been suspended from school – for the second time – after he was involved in an assault on the cousin of his previous victim.
For more http://www.iol.co.za