E-tolls not affected by evacuation

Johannesburg – The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) system was not affected by the evacuation of its operations centre in Centurion on Friday, it said.

“Another incident has occurred at the Central Operations Centre this afternoon. It should be noted that the system is fully operational and that only the call centre services are affected,” Sanral said in a statement.

Electronic Toll Collection, whose staff occupy the building, would issue a statement later.

Gauteng police said two people had to be quarantined after another anthrax scare at the operations centre.

“The Sanral offices were evacuated after an anthrax scare and we have specialists on the scene to see if the white powder found was anthrax,” said police spokesperson Katlego Mogale.

“Two people have been quarantined and taken to hospital.”

Mogale said more details were not available.

On Tuesday, Sanral said the Gauteng highway tolling system was disrupted when Sanral’s operations centre in Pretoria had to be evacuated.

Spokesperson Vusi Mona could not say how the system was disrupted.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety of the people who work at the central operations centre,” he said at the time.

The Tshwane hazardous material unit was called to the centre on Monday afternoon after a “suspicious envelope containing a white substance” was found on the premises.

This resulted in the shutdown of electricity and the evacuation of the building.

Mona said Sanral took the matter seriously and condemned this type of action because it was “tantamount to sabotage and borders on a very serious crime”.

On Wednesday, Sanral said the substance found in the envelope was not dangerous.

Thirty-seven people were decontaminated and hospitalised as a precaution. All of them had been discharged by Wednesday morning.

At the time, CEO Nazir Alli said the evacuation did not compromise the toll collection process and that the toll gantries remained operational.

SAPA

E-tolls not affected by evacuation

Johannesburg – The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) system was not affected by the evacuation of its operations centre in Centurion on Friday, it said.

“Another incident has occurred at the Central Operations Centre this afternoon. It should be noted that the system is fully operational and that only the call centre services are affected,” Sanral said in a statement.

Electronic Toll Collection, whose staff occupy the building, would issue a statement later.

Gauteng police said two people had to be quarantined after another anthrax scare at the operations centre.

“The Sanral offices were evacuated after an anthrax scare and we have specialists on the scene to see if the white powder found was anthrax,” said police spokesperson Katlego Mogale.

“Two people have been quarantined and taken to hospital.”

Mogale said more details were not available.

On Tuesday, Sanral said the Gauteng highway tolling system was disrupted when Sanral’s operations centre in Pretoria had to be evacuated.

Spokesperson Vusi Mona could not say how the system was disrupted.

“Our priority is to ensure the safety of the people who work at the central operations centre,” he said at the time.

The Tshwane hazardous material unit was called to the centre on Monday afternoon after a “suspicious envelope containing a white substance” was found on the premises.

This resulted in the shutdown of electricity and the evacuation of the building.

Mona said Sanral took the matter seriously and condemned this type of action because it was “tantamount to sabotage and borders on a very serious crime”.

On Wednesday, Sanral said the substance found in the envelope was not dangerous.

Thirty-seven people were decontaminated and hospitalised as a precaution. All of them had been discharged by Wednesday morning.

At the time, CEO Nazir Alli said the evacuation did not compromise the toll collection process and that the toll gantries remained operational.

SAPA

Seabo High To Become Agricultural School

By Obakeng Maje
Kokomeng-The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC mme Desbo Mohono handed over a food gardening to the school of Seabo high school in Kokomeng village, near Taung.

Seabo high school applied to become an Agricultural school and their approval is still under scrutiny.

The school still waiting for their approval from the relevant authority and MEC Mohono came to hand-over a food gardening and donated some tools to be used like water pipes, wheelbarrow and other items.

North West premier Thandi Modise was part of the celebration and the principal of the school said they are so grateful and crossing fingers for approval.

“We’re so grateful to see MEC Desbo Mohono and premier Modise visiting our school. This really shows that the provincially government cares and we hope our school will be turned into an Agricultural school. We were encouraged by rre Kgopodimetsi to turn our school into an agricultural school as he said we have potential to do so”. Jacqueline Moroke said.

“We are so grateful and as a grade 12 student, I hope this will benefit our school well and we will manage to produce good results. To us agriculture is our future, so this augurs well as we will produce good students in agriculture sector who will take our province forward” Keletso said.

The Head of Department in Agriculture rre Pontsho Mokaila said his department will monitor the school from now on.

“We have inspectors who will visit the school oftenly and we also elected five students and will be trained to make sure the school is in line with the departmnet’s policy” Mokaila said.

The councillor of ward 15 Mogoje Ditshakane also outlines that they are willing to extend the food gardening and will make sure it produces food.

“The garden will produce food and we will extend it so that more space can be used. We would like the community at large to take part and make sure they protect the legacy. This new garden is not only for the school, but each member of the community must take part and make sure the food gardening become successful” he said.

The premier also encouraged everyone to make sure the initiative is implemented wisely.

Modise said: “Taung is one of the best agricultural areas in the province. So let’s make sure we support those who are in charge as the food gardening will produce food not only for pupils in Seabo, but also within the community. I appeal to all business people in Taung to support education and make sure every kid in Taung attend school. With education, nothing can stop you from achieving, so to all parents please take a full responsibility of you child”.

The ceremony was graced by most dignitaries.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Seabo High To Become Agricultural School

By Obakeng Maje
Kokomeng-The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC mme Desbo Mohono handed over a food gardening to the school of Seabo high school in Kokomeng village, near Taung.

Seabo high school applied to become an Agricultural school and their approval is still under scrutiny.

The school still waiting for their approval from the relevant authority and MEC Mohono came to hand-over a food gardening and donated some tools to be used like water pipes, wheelbarrow and other items.

North West premier Thandi Modise was part of the celebration and the principal of the school said they are so grateful and crossing fingers for approval.

“We’re so grateful to see MEC Desbo Mohono and premier Modise visiting our school. This really shows that the provincially government cares and we hope our school will be turned into an Agricultural school. We were encouraged by rre Kgopodimetsi to turn our school into an agricultural school as he said we have potential to do so”. Jacqueline Moroke said.

“We are so grateful and as a grade 12 student, I hope this will benefit our school well and we will manage to produce good results. To us agriculture is our future, so this augurs well as we will produce good students in agriculture sector who will take our province forward” Keletso said.

The Head of Department in Agriculture rre Pontsho Mokaila said his department will monitor the school from now on.

“We have inspectors who will visit the school oftenly and we also elected five students and will be trained to make sure the school is in line with the departmnet’s policy” Mokaila said.

The councillor of ward 15 Mogoje Ditshakane also outlines that they are willing to extend the food gardening and will make sure it produces food.

“The garden will produce food and we will extend it so that more space can be used. We would like the community at large to take part and make sure they protect the legacy. This new garden is not only for the school, but each member of the community must take part and make sure the food gardening become successful” he said.

The premier also encouraged everyone to make sure the initiative is implemented wisely.

Modise said: “Taung is one of the best agricultural areas in the province. So let’s make sure we support those who are in charge as the food gardening will produce food not only for pupils in Seabo, but also within the community. I appeal to all business people in Taung to support education and make sure every kid in Taung attend school. With education, nothing can stop you from achieving, so to all parents please take a full responsibility of you child”.

The ceremony was graced by most dignitaries.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Seabo High To Become Agricultural School

By Obakeng Maje
Kokomeng-The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC mme Desbo Mohono handed over a food gardening to the school of Seabo high school in Kokomeng village, near Taung.

Seabo high school applied to become an Agricultural school and their approval is still under scrutiny.

The school still waiting for their approval from the relevant authority and MEC Mohono came to hand-over a food gardening and donated some tools to be used like water pipes, wheelbarrow and other items.

North West premier Thandi Modise was part of the celebration and the principal of the school said they are so grateful and crossing fingers for approval.

“We’re so grateful to see MEC Desbo Mohono and premier Modise visiting our school. This really shows that the provincially government cares and we hope our school will be turned into an Agricultural school. We were encouraged by rre Kgopodimetsi to turn our school into an agricultural school as he said we have potential to do so”. Jacqueline Moroke said.

“We are so grateful and as a grade 12 student, I hope this will benefit our school well and we will manage to produce good results. To us agriculture is our future, so this augurs well as we will produce good students in agriculture sector who will take our province forward” Keletso said.

The Head of Department in Agriculture rre Pontsho Mokaila said his department will monitor the school from now on.

“We have inspectors who will visit the school oftenly and we also elected five students and will be trained to make sure the school is in line with the departmnet’s policy” Mokaila said.

The councillor of ward 15 Mogoje Ditshakane also outlines that they are willing to extend the food gardening and will make sure it produces food.

“The garden will produce food and we will extend it so that more space can be used. We would like the community at large to take part and make sure they protect the legacy. This new garden is not only for the school, but each member of the community must take part and make sure the food gardening become successful” he said.

The premier also encouraged everyone to make sure the initiative is implemented wisely.

Modise said: “Taung is one of the best agricultural areas in the province. So let’s make sure we support those who are in charge as the food gardening will produce food not only for pupils in Seabo, but also within the community. I appeal to all business people in Taung to support education and make sure every kid in Taung attend school. With education, nothing can stop you from achieving, so to all parents please take a full responsibility of you child”.

The ceremony was graced by most dignitaries.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Mothutlung residents to march with Malema

Brits – Mothutlung residents were boarding a bus to Brits in the North West to march with EFF leader Julius Malema to the local municipality’s offices on Friday morning.

People wearing red berets and Economic Freedom Fighters T-shirts were singing in the bus as they waited for more residents to arrive.

Mothutlung residents staged protests against water shortages last week. Four people were killed during the protests, allegedly at the hands of the police.

Malema was expected to lead the march to the Madibeng local municipality.

Meanwhile North West premier Thandi Modise on Friday asked residents to give its R2 billion water project a chance before staging violent protests.

“There is no need for communities to be misled to participate in illegal marches, burn properties or allow themselves to be used by those who seek to exploit their genuine concerns to create an environment for chaos,” she said in a statement.

The plan includes bulk infrastructure upgrades and borehole refurbishments to meet the basic demand of 60 litres of water per person per day.

The project also includes the development of a groundwater scheme in Mankwe and Madikwe, and the replacement of old asbestos cement pipes.

The plan, with delivery time-frames, was part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Modise last weekend.

Modise said the project would be rolled out across the North West soon.

Water problems had been experienced in several parts of the province, including Jericho and Mothutlung.

In nearby Hebron, residents had been complaining about service delivery and called for the resignation of their ward councillor. They claimed the councillor neither listened to them nor addressed their grievances.

Madibeng mayor Poppy Mangongwa and two other officials – chief whip Solly Malete and speaker Buti Makhongela – resigned on Tuesday. No reason was given for their resignations.

On Thursday, a new pipe was installed in Madibeng to address the water shortage in the area.

Water affairs department spokesman Mava Scott said a 600mm diameter pipe had been installed to enable an increased flow of water into the system. It would accommodate about 200 cubic metres of water an hour.

Scott said the department had identified other areas which also needed attention. – Sapa

Mothutlung residents to march with Malema

Brits – Mothutlung residents were boarding a bus to Brits in the North West to march with EFF leader Julius Malema to the local municipality’s offices on Friday morning.

People wearing red berets and Economic Freedom Fighters T-shirts were singing in the bus as they waited for more residents to arrive.

Mothutlung residents staged protests against water shortages last week. Four people were killed during the protests, allegedly at the hands of the police.

Malema was expected to lead the march to the Madibeng local municipality.

Meanwhile North West premier Thandi Modise on Friday asked residents to give its R2 billion water project a chance before staging violent protests.

“There is no need for communities to be misled to participate in illegal marches, burn properties or allow themselves to be used by those who seek to exploit their genuine concerns to create an environment for chaos,” she said in a statement.

The plan includes bulk infrastructure upgrades and borehole refurbishments to meet the basic demand of 60 litres of water per person per day.

The project also includes the development of a groundwater scheme in Mankwe and Madikwe, and the replacement of old asbestos cement pipes.

The plan, with delivery time-frames, was part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Modise last weekend.

Modise said the project would be rolled out across the North West soon.

Water problems had been experienced in several parts of the province, including Jericho and Mothutlung.

In nearby Hebron, residents had been complaining about service delivery and called for the resignation of their ward councillor. They claimed the councillor neither listened to them nor addressed their grievances.

Madibeng mayor Poppy Mangongwa and two other officials – chief whip Solly Malete and speaker Buti Makhongela – resigned on Tuesday. No reason was given for their resignations.

On Thursday, a new pipe was installed in Madibeng to address the water shortage in the area.

Water affairs department spokesman Mava Scott said a 600mm diameter pipe had been installed to enable an increased flow of water into the system. It would accommodate about 200 cubic metres of water an hour.

Scott said the department had identified other areas which also needed attention. – Sapa

Mothutlung residents to march with Malema

Brits – Mothutlung residents were boarding a bus to Brits in the North West to march with EFF leader Julius Malema to the local municipality’s offices on Friday morning.

People wearing red berets and Economic Freedom Fighters T-shirts were singing in the bus as they waited for more residents to arrive.

Mothutlung residents staged protests against water shortages last week. Four people were killed during the protests, allegedly at the hands of the police.

Malema was expected to lead the march to the Madibeng local municipality.

Meanwhile North West premier Thandi Modise on Friday asked residents to give its R2 billion water project a chance before staging violent protests.

“There is no need for communities to be misled to participate in illegal marches, burn properties or allow themselves to be used by those who seek to exploit their genuine concerns to create an environment for chaos,” she said in a statement.

The plan includes bulk infrastructure upgrades and borehole refurbishments to meet the basic demand of 60 litres of water per person per day.

The project also includes the development of a groundwater scheme in Mankwe and Madikwe, and the replacement of old asbestos cement pipes.

The plan, with delivery time-frames, was part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Modise last weekend.

Modise said the project would be rolled out across the North West soon.

Water problems had been experienced in several parts of the province, including Jericho and Mothutlung.

In nearby Hebron, residents had been complaining about service delivery and called for the resignation of their ward councillor. They claimed the councillor neither listened to them nor addressed their grievances.

Madibeng mayor Poppy Mangongwa and two other officials – chief whip Solly Malete and speaker Buti Makhongela – resigned on Tuesday. No reason was given for their resignations.

On Thursday, a new pipe was installed in Madibeng to address the water shortage in the area.

Water affairs department spokesman Mava Scott said a 600mm diameter pipe had been installed to enable an increased flow of water into the system. It would accommodate about 200 cubic metres of water an hour.

Scott said the department had identified other areas which also needed attention. – Sapa

Mothutlung residents to march with Malema

Brits – Mothutlung residents were boarding a bus to Brits in the North West to march with EFF leader Julius Malema to the local municipality’s offices on Friday morning.

People wearing red berets and Economic Freedom Fighters T-shirts were singing in the bus as they waited for more residents to arrive.

Mothutlung residents staged protests against water shortages last week. Four people were killed during the protests, allegedly at the hands of the police.

Malema was expected to lead the march to the Madibeng local municipality.

Meanwhile North West premier Thandi Modise on Friday asked residents to give its R2 billion water project a chance before staging violent protests.

“There is no need for communities to be misled to participate in illegal marches, burn properties or allow themselves to be used by those who seek to exploit their genuine concerns to create an environment for chaos,” she said in a statement.

The plan includes bulk infrastructure upgrades and borehole refurbishments to meet the basic demand of 60 litres of water per person per day.

The project also includes the development of a groundwater scheme in Mankwe and Madikwe, and the replacement of old asbestos cement pipes.

The plan, with delivery time-frames, was part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Modise last weekend.

Modise said the project would be rolled out across the North West soon.

Water problems had been experienced in several parts of the province, including Jericho and Mothutlung.

In nearby Hebron, residents had been complaining about service delivery and called for the resignation of their ward councillor. They claimed the councillor neither listened to them nor addressed their grievances.

Madibeng mayor Poppy Mangongwa and two other officials – chief whip Solly Malete and speaker Buti Makhongela – resigned on Tuesday. No reason was given for their resignations.

On Thursday, a new pipe was installed in Madibeng to address the water shortage in the area.

Water affairs department spokesman Mava Scott said a 600mm diameter pipe had been installed to enable an increased flow of water into the system. It would accommodate about 200 cubic metres of water an hour.

Scott said the department had identified other areas which also needed attention. – Sapa

Mothutlung residents to march with Malema

Brits – Mothutlung residents were boarding a bus to Brits in the North West to march with EFF leader Julius Malema to the local municipality’s offices on Friday morning.

People wearing red berets and Economic Freedom Fighters T-shirts were singing in the bus as they waited for more residents to arrive.

Mothutlung residents staged protests against water shortages last week. Four people were killed during the protests, allegedly at the hands of the police.

Malema was expected to lead the march to the Madibeng local municipality.

Meanwhile North West premier Thandi Modise on Friday asked residents to give its R2 billion water project a chance before staging violent protests.

“There is no need for communities to be misled to participate in illegal marches, burn properties or allow themselves to be used by those who seek to exploit their genuine concerns to create an environment for chaos,” she said in a statement.

The plan includes bulk infrastructure upgrades and borehole refurbishments to meet the basic demand of 60 litres of water per person per day.

The project also includes the development of a groundwater scheme in Mankwe and Madikwe, and the replacement of old asbestos cement pipes.

The plan, with delivery time-frames, was part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa and Modise last weekend.

Modise said the project would be rolled out across the North West soon.

Water problems had been experienced in several parts of the province, including Jericho and Mothutlung.

In nearby Hebron, residents had been complaining about service delivery and called for the resignation of their ward councillor. They claimed the councillor neither listened to them nor addressed their grievances.

Madibeng mayor Poppy Mangongwa and two other officials – chief whip Solly Malete and speaker Buti Makhongela – resigned on Tuesday. No reason was given for their resignations.

On Thursday, a new pipe was installed in Madibeng to address the water shortage in the area.

Water affairs department spokesman Mava Scott said a 600mm diameter pipe had been installed to enable an increased flow of water into the system. It would accommodate about 200 cubic metres of water an hour.

Scott said the department had identified other areas which also needed attention. – Sapa