The Hendler commission of enquiry that was investigating the management of the royalties and or income derived from mining companies and alleged activities of corruption and maladministration of the funds of the Rakotea community near Brits is to resume with public hearings as from tomorrow Monday 6 May to Friday 10 May 2013, the Office of Premier of the North West confirmed on Sunday.

The continuation of the commission of enquiry with its original terms of reference was approved by Premier Thandi Modise recently. The commission was initially appointed in 2008 by then Premier Edna Molewa  in terms of the North West Commissions Act, 1994 (Act No. 18 of 1994) 

The commission had adjourned in 2010 because the leader of evidence Adv. Senne resigned from the commission on the grounds that he had joined government from the private sector and could not proceed in his role as leader of evidence, without his impartiality being an issue. 

The work of the commission was also interrupted because its chairperson Judge Hendler had to go for a medical procedure overseas and the Office of the Premier had to wait for his return and full recovery. The appointment of another chairperson to replace Judge Hendler would have meant that the commission had to start the hearings afresh.

Family members of the joint co-owners, the family representatives and the residents of Rankotea are invited to the inquiry. The persons who previously gave testimony during the hearings are requested to be in attendance. The commission further invites any person who wishes to give testimony at the commission to be in attendance during its sittings to be held at the Madibeng Local Municipality Offices in Brits.

Among its terms of reference, the commission was also appointed to investigate:

∙ the functionality of the Executive Committee if any and other committees or subcommittees entrusted with the general management of the affairs of the community.∙         To collect and examine information relating to the administration and management of the financial affairs of the community.∙ the cause of continuous battles between all committees that were ever elected or appointed and recommend scenarios to be considered to ensure non-recurrence of such problems. 

Upon completing its investigations, the commission has to make recommendations to the Premier Modise on any proposed actions and/ or steps to be taken to prevent the mismanagement of the funds of the community including the appropriate financial and management structures that must be put in place for future management of the funds and general administration thereof.

Phokeng- North West police arrested a 28-year-old man after he allegedly stoned his friend to death.

The gruesome incident took place Wednesday at Boshoek, in Rustenburg.

Police said a suspect was coming from a local tavern at around 22:00 along with his friends.

“It is alleged that a 36 year-old man proposed a woman in their company and this left a suspect crestfallen” captain Adele Myburgh said.

An argument ensued between to men and precipitated to a fight. A suspect allegedly grab a stone and hit Lekheto Nteso,36 several times on his head said police.

“They woman tried to mediate between the two, but her attempt was futile. The suspect allegedly went home, leaving Nteso in a prosprate position” Myburgh said.

The body of Nteso was discovered the following day, and he allegedly died from head injuries. A suspect was arrested.

“A 28 year-old man will appear before Rustenburg Magistrate Court on Monday in connection of murder” she said.

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Johannesburg – South Africa faces massive problems in its economy, despite achieving democracy 19 years ago, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Friday.

“While we have made huge gains since 1994… on the economic front workers’ lives have not been fundamentally transformed. We still face massive problems in our economy,” the Congress of SA Trade Unions leader said in a speech prepared for delivery.

“In the longer term, the only way we can create sustainable jobs, eradicate poverty and build a more prosperous and equal society is through a radical restructuring of our economy.”

Vavi was speaking at a Workers’ Day celebration at the University of Cape Town.

He said it was crucial to give South African youth the opportunity to work and to have a secure future.

“If we fail, the outcome will be disastrous, not just for the young people themselves, but for all South Africans, who will lose the massive contribution that those young workers have the potential to make if given the opportunity to work and earn a living.”

Corruption

Vavi lamented the “appalling tolerance” of corruption in the country.

“In our view such [corrupt] people should not even wait to be disciplined, but offer their resignation,” he said.

“All [of] this is wreaking untold damage on the moral fibre of the country. We are moving towards a society in which the morality of our revolutionary movement… is being swept away [by] a culture of individual self-enrichment and ‘me-first’.”

He said South Africa’s “political life” was not exempt from corruption.

“Some corrupt politicians and officials build political support by bribing people to back their factions, which are not based on ideological differences, but on who has the biggest treasure chest to dole out favours.”

Cape Town – Investigations into the illegal landing of a private jet at the Waterkloof Air Force Base could include looking into the role the Gupta family played in the saga, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe said on Friday.

For more wwww.iol.co.za

On a Tuesday afternoon in June 2004, Gavin and Wanda Cocks found their 16-year-old son, Edwin, dead in his bedroom with a dog leash around his neck. Edwin had not committed suicide, they said. He had been the victim of a deadly game gone wrong – a game that is played by teenagers in many countries, including South Africa.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Two suspects who appeared in court at Taung for police impersonification, were denied bail.

Taung Magistrate Court remanded a case against two men who were arrested for allegedly impersonified as soldiers in Kgatleng village.

“Two men were arrested by North West police after a tip-off from community members” police said in a statement.

Two suspects were allegedly found in possession of SANDF and uniform.

“They allegedly blocked the road and tried to hijack a car” police said.

They were subsequently arrested and charged for Attempted hijacking and Police Impersonification. The case will resume on the 27 May 2013 for formal bail application.

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Yesterday Taung Magistrate Court postponed a case of Tshepo Mompati who is accused of stealing three cows at Longaneng village, near Taung last year.

Mompati appeared before court and his case was postponed until 15 May 2013.

The case drew so much attention and was attended by livestock owners in Taung.

“It is alleged that Tshepo Mompati stole three cows at Longaneng village and auctioned them in Hartswater” police said.

Livestock stealing is rife in Taung and its surroundings and this forced livestock owners to form a n anti-crime organisation called Kgomo Modimo wa Gae.

Secretary-General of newly formed organisation Gobusamang Makwati told sabc radio that a scourge of livestock theft in Taung and its surroundings is rife.

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By Obakeng Maje

Wolmaranstad-North West police are looking for a 31 year-old missing man.

Mr Jonker,31 lives at the Omega Shelter in Bloemfontein, and went missing three weeks back.  

“He left the shelter and never came home. Please assist this office by urgently contacting our police station” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.

His mother is living in Wolmaranstad said police.

The investigating officer in this case is Captain Madito of Wolmaransstad Detective Service and he can be contacted on the following numbers:  

018-596 9412 /082 373 9470. 

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By Obakeng Maje

Mogwase-The North West Democratic Alliance is concerned about the extent of the involvement of North West SAPS and Provincial Traffic members and vehicles in the Gupta saga. 

A number of NW vehicles, including vehicles from local authorities were seen escorting the Gupta cavalcade with blue lights flashing and controlling traffic at intersections. Some of these vehicles were also seen and photographed at Sun City.

“The DA will ask questions in the Legislature about the abuse of state resources during  the Gupta extravaganza” DA leader Chris Hattingh said.

“In what appears to be quid pro quo gesture (for services to be rendered) a parcel, apparently containing an invitation to the Gupta wedding addressed to the NW SAPS Commissioner, left at the  NW SAPS Headquarters entrance, was regarded as suspicious” He said. 

After engaging sniffer dogs the parcel was destroyed in a controlled explosion.

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The South African Football Association (SAFA) will meet the Premier Soccer League (PSL) next week to discuss the availability and release of players for the forthcoming COSAFA Cup which is scheduled to run from 6 – 21 July 2013 in Zambia.

The SAFA/PSL planned meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday, 10 May 2013.

“We would like to participate in the COSAFA Cup but we want to do so with our strongest squad. Since the tournament takes place outside the FIFA calendar, we need to have a meeting with the professional league to see which players we can get since the tournament clashes with pre-season training of various clubs,” said SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble.

“Hopefully, the meeting will give us direction going forward and end speculation as to whether we are going to participate in this tournament or not. We will be able to comment further on this matter after the meeting.”