Monthly Archives: January 2014

Premier Modise did not buy one BMW, but two- report


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng-During a meeting of the North West Public Accounts Committee yesterday, it was revealed that Premier Thandi Modise had in fact purchased at least two cars during her time in office and not just one.

The MEC for Transport in North West, Raymond Elisha, indicated that premier Thandi Modise had utilised  another car over and above the R1.3 million BMW she ordered in November and the R1,1m BMW she took over from former premier Maureen Modiselle.

“This car was apparently bought earlier, but the MEC was vague as to why it was purchased, where it is now and why the premier needed another new car” said Chris Hattingh.

DA Chris Hattingh said he raised a number of questions about the cost of the second car, when was purchased where it was purchased and where it is now. Unfortunately MEC Elisha refused to answer any further questions on the matter.

“I will therefore submit a number of questions to premier Modise in writing” said DA Hattingh.

 Questions set for premier Thandi Modise to answer.

1) How many cars for utilisation by the Premier have been purchased since the premier took office?

2) What was the make, type and cost of each car purchased for the Premier?

3) What was the rationale for purchasing the car in each instance?

4) Why has this information not been disclosed earlier?

5) Why did Premier Modise defy Minister Gordhan’s new belt-tightening measures?

These new questions arise after it has come to the fore that the Premier’s Office had lied about ordering her new BMW before Minister Gordhan’s commitment to belt-tightening.

“It was in fact ordered after Minister Gordhan’s announcement in blatant defiance of the new policy” said Hattingh.

Premier Modise has a lot to account for.-TDN
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Four armed robbers arrested in robbery


By Obakeng Maje
Springbok-Four armed men have been arrested and charged for business robbery in Springbok, Northern Cape police said.

“It is alleged that at about 19:00 yesterday evening, the suspects stormed into a local Supermarket store on Toll Road in Springbok and tied up the owner and his employees with cable ties” lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said.

Police said victims were held at gunpoint and were robbed undisclosed amount of cash, airtime worth more than R25000 and cartons of cigarettes worth R15000.

“After the incident the suspects fled the crime scene in a black Mercedes Benz and immediately all our police counterparts on the exit roads N7 and N14 were activated and blocked the roads” said Tawana.

Police said at approximately 22:00, the suspects were arrested on N14 by the Rosedale police.

“Cash, airtime and cigarettes were also recovered from the suspects during the arrest. They are due to appear before the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on Monday, on charges of business robbery” he said.-TDN
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Road death study needed- DA


Johannesburg – The DA has called for a special parliamentary investigation and debate on the high death toll on South Africa’s roads during the festive season.

“The investigation and debate should result in the recommendation of programmes that will reduce the unnecessary loss of lives on our roads, as well as a review of the manner in which these deaths are reported by the department of transport,” Democratic Alliance transport spokesperson Ian Ollis said on Thursday.

There were 1376 deaths on the country’s roads between 1 December  and 7 January, according to figures released by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters on Thursday.

“A major shift is needed to drastically reduce the number of lives lost on our roads,” Ollis said.

He said the figures did not take into account the coming weekend, which would be one of the busiest on the road as holidaymakers returned home in time for the new school year.

Ollis said the figures were also under-reported, as the department used police reports to measure road deaths, and not data from forensic mortuaries.

“Minister Peters has a responsibility to report on the matter fairly. She has not done so,” Ollis said.

SAPA

North West probes Modise’s car purchase


The North West legislature has set up a sub-committee to probe the procurement processes followed in purchasing a R1.3m car for premier Thandi Modise, it said on Thursday.

The legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (Scopa) condemned the amount spent on the 750i BMW, acknowledging that the economy was under pressure, legislature spokesperson Namhla Luhabe said.

“We are aware that there is still a need to standardise the cost containment prescribed in the Ministerial Handbook, but that should not constitute for the reckless spending used by the executive,” she said.

Talks

Scopa held talks on Thursday with public works MEC Raymond Elisha. Afterwards, it asked for a formal written document to ensure transparency and accountability.

It also resolved to investigate the matter to ensure it played its oversight role effectively.

Reacting to reports earlier this week about the purchase of the car, the Democratic Alliance said it was in conflict with austerity plans announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his mid-term budget speech.

Modise’s spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said on Monday that the car was already on order at the time the measures were announced.

“The decision to purchase the BMW 750i… was taken by the provincial department of public works, roads and transport and was below the 70% limit prescribed by the ministerial handbook,” he said.

The value of the car may not exceed 70% of the value of the premier’s annual salary.

Kgwele said the official car used by Modise’s predecessor had exceeded the maximum mileage of 120 000km and had constant mechanical breakdowns, compromising Modise’s security.

On Thursday, the legislature said the sub-committee’s investigation would focus on the date the order for purchasing the vehicle was issued, when the vehicle was delivered, how many vehicles had been allocated to the premier’s office since 2009 and their status.

The MEC and all staff involved in the procurement process would be interviewed.

It would have to report back to Scopa within two weeks.

Oversight

On Tuesday, the Association of Public Accounts Committees (Apac) said it found disturbing the disregard shown for the measures announced by Gordhan.

“We call upon law enforcement agencies in provinces to exercise effective oversight and investigate recent media allegations of political leaders buying lavish cars with state funds,” said Apac secretary Hlomane Chauke.

Chauke said all ministers, premiers, MECs, mayors and government departments should heed Gordhan’s call to exercise prudence when spending public funds.

“Apac further calls upon on public accounts committees and municipal public accounts committees to leave no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure that public entities comply with minister Gordhan’s prescripts.”

SAPA

Premier Modise’ spin-doctor lambasts Tabane


Mahikeng-The spiteful article published by Daily Maverick that is supposed to be addressed to North West Premier Thandi Modise titled “Dear Premier Thandi Modise, let’s talk frankly ” dated 8 January 2014 authored by Onkgopotse JJ Tabane has not only exposed his ignorance but should also be an embarrassment to those he sought to ingratiate himself to, says premier Thandi Modise’ spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele.

Kgwele said the ludicrous article reminds him of the wise words of the 1925 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature and Irish Playwright, George Bernard Shaw:”Beware of false Knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”

“In his quest to join the bandwagon of populism orchestrated by Premier Modise’s detractors who are growing increasingly desperate to tarnish her image ahead of elections, JJ forgot that for his article to be credible, it had to be factually correct, juxtapose the remarkable progress made on many fronts to the hopeless picture he was trying to paint and put blame where it rightfully belongs” said Kgwele.

The article supposedly premised on JJ’s concern about the purchase of an official vehicle for use by Premier Modise and underdevelopment in Hebron village had to recognise that projects delivered include the tarred road running through the village, installation of high mast lights, electrification of Moagi and Midas Sections, construction of Hebron Technical High School, state of the art Mmanotshe Moduane Doubled Storey High School, Extension of Tlhasedi Primary School, construction of a clinic, close to 200 houses have been constructed through the People Housing Development and a new Police Station has also been delivered by the democratic government in the village, says Kgwele.

The premier Office said a reservoir for water supply for Hebron, Rabokala and Kgabalatsane is nearing completion and new pipelines are being installed to replace old illegal water connections.

Kgwele further said besides improving the quality of the lives of the villagers these projects provided income for locals during construction.

“Contractors are on site for construction of a new library and waste transfer stations to commence by the end of this month while installation of new electrical connection has commenced in block E and Rockville”.

“Although the former government communicator and parliamentary advisor to the leader of Congress of the People (Cope) should knows that internal roads in Hebron are the responsibility of the local sphere of government, does not mention that one has recently been paved and also absolves all elected public representatives within the Bojanala Platinum District and Madibeng Local Municipalities from this responsibility and unfairly singled out Premier Modise for personal attack” he said.

He said somebody needs to urgently remind JJ that Babelegi and Ga-Rankuwa were re-demarcated from the North West Province thirteen years ago and have since then been part of the City of Tshwane in the Gauteng Province that he is resident of.

According to Lesiba Kgwele, life has not stopped since JJ left his birthplace affectionately called Mmanotshe Moduane village by Bakwena Ba- Mogopa,as thousands of teachers and the likes of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng to whom Hebron Training College was our Alma mater.

“If JJ had kept abreast with development in his home village and governance issues related to the North West Province, he would not have misled readers of the publication that he is a columnist for into believing that Mr.China Dodovu, MPL is still MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs. He would have known that Dodovu was relieved of the responsibility on the 23 June 2013” he said.

He said false knowledge is indeed more dangerous than ignorance.

“Mr. Tabane would also not have misled readers that the proposed name change for the province was an initiative of Premier Modise and her Executive Council as it was a resolution of the ANC PEC”.

“In her Departmental Policy Statement and Budget Speech, Premier Modise did assure communities in the province that they will determine whether to proceed with the proposed name change when the consultation processes ensue” he said.

Kgwele said had the respectable Mr. Tabane done his research and not based it on political opportunism, he would have come across a statement which the NEC felt had misrepresented the position of the ANC and not government with regard to participation at the Marikana tragedy 1st annual commemoration service.

“The statement that JJ referred to in his article was not issued by Premier Modise as alleged by JJ and equally the reprimand that followed as per media statement dated 16 August 2013 issued by Cde Jackson Mthembu was not directed at her either”.

“The untruths and inaccuracies running through the article are defamatory and unless retracted could put JJ in hot water and or even discredit his reputation as a communicator and a member of the ANC if he is still one”.

He said readers of his column whom he has encouraged to share his misleading article on facebook, twitter, email, google. linken and other platforms should have picked it up that JJ seem to be under the impression that Premier Modise chairs the provincial structure in the province.

False knowledge is more dangerous than ignorance.

“The majority of the people of North West Province and the country are acutely aware that Premier Modise’s deployment to ensure that there is clean governance in the province has earned her many enemies from those who benefitted and those who seek to benefit from greed and corruption” he said.

Recent independent assessments on performance in education, health and housing attest that though there are challenges, the North West Province could objectively be the best performing province and does not represent “the worst of us”

“It would seem Ben Okri was warning us of JJ’ when he wrote: “To poison a nation, poison its stories. A demoralized nation tells demoralized stories to itself. Beware of the storyteller who are not fully conscious of the importance of their gifts, and who are irresponsible in the application of their art” Kgwele concludes.-TDN
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Cape Town Mayor visits Bafana Bafana at training


The Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Cllr Patricia de Lille visited Bafana Bafana at their training camp where she gave them words of wisdom and assured them of the nation’s unqualified support.

 

Cllr De Lille took time to shake hands of each and every player as well as the coaching staff before embarking on their training session at Clyde Pinelands on Thursday, 9 January 2014.

 

Coach Gordon Igesund accompanied by captain Itumeleng Khune handed the Mayor a Bafana Bafana jersey, which she proudly displayed to the media.

 

“Ït is always great and an honour to meet our sports stars because they represent you and me. It is even greater that, for the first time ever, we are hosting Bafana Bafana for an international tournament.

“I want to wish you the best of luck in the CHAN competition. The whole nation is behind you; so go out there and do the nation proud,” said the Mayor.

 

”I would also like to remind football fans around the country, in particular Capetonians, to go get their tickets and come support not just Bafana Bafana but the whole tournament.”

 

Bafana Bafana take on Mozambique in their opening match of the Orange CAF African Nations Championship (South Africa CHAN 2014).

 

The match takes place on Saturday, 11 January 2014 at the Cape Town Stadium and will be preceded by the opening ceremony.

 

Kick-off for the clash is 18h00.-TDN
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Cokonyane murder accused remanded in custody


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-A case of Cokonyane-born man was postponed by Taung Magistrate Court on Thursday.

Gaopalelwe Sedimo subsequently appeared before Taung Magistrate Court after he was arrested in connection of rape and murder.

The incident took place last year November where a 17 year-old girl was allegedly raped and her grand-father was killed in the process.

Tsholofelo Kobi,17, was allegedly raped after she wasd kidnapped.

Police said Sedimo forcefully entered a shanty were Tsholofelo was sleeping and kidnapped her.

He allegedly took her to his home where the alleged rape took place.

Tsholofelo said she was in her room and she heard someone on top of the roof trying to remove the corrugated iron. She allegedly screamed for help and her grandfather,Joseph Kobi came to observe.

She heard Kobi speaking to someone outside, but couldn’t confirm whose the person as she was afraid to go outside.

Tsholofelo however confirmed that the person who climbed the roof of the shanty was Gaopalelwe Sedimo.

Sedimo allegedly forcefully opened the door of the shanty and kidnapped Tsholofelo.

According to her, Sedimo raped her and she managed to escape the ordeal after he left her in the room alone.

Sedimo’s father allegedly help her to get home after she explained what happened to her.

Kobi was taken home by the suspect’s father and allegedly found people gathered at her house.

To the shock of her life, Joseph Kobi was stabbed to death and could not belief her eyes.

The case of murder and rape was registered and Sedimo was the prime suspect.

The case was postponed to 20 February 2014 and Sedimo was remanded in custody. The court denied him bail after they said Sedimo’s father is one of key witnesses.

Sedimo has two pending cases against him. He was arrested in March 2013 for attempted rape and was given bail. Again he was arrested in connection of rape back in August 2013.

Sedimo is facing rape and murder charges, but according to his lawyer Loeto Ikanyeng, Sedimo will plead not guilty in both charges.

Ikanyeng said Sedimo confirmed that he never raped nor killed anyone and he had a consensual sex as they had a serious relationship.

The case will be back in court on 20 February 2014 and police investigations continue.-TDN
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Hilton-Smith achieves another accolade


SAFA Technical Director, Fran Hilton-Smith has been selected to the newly-formed FIFA Women’s Football Task Force whose duties will be to identify and harness global women football development.

Having recognised the 25 years of women’s participation and involvement in football, FIFA created this new initiative whose main goal is to develop a universal strategy for women’s football.

The other goal is to prioritise women football and develop a distinctive FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. This according to FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke should form part of the Brazil 2014 Legacy.

“To be the sole African representative on the newly formed women’s Football Task Force is a huge honour.

“I promise to do my best especially in enhancing the development of the sport on the continent. We must develop the game in Africa and one of the components of activating this is by identifying programs that will uplift women’s football on the continent,” said Hilton-Smith.

Hilton-Smith will represent the CAF region at the FIFA Women’s Football Task Force chaired by Moya Dodd of Australia.

The world football governing body will hold the first ever women’s task force meeting in Zurich on Wednesday, 15 January 2014.

 

Members of the FIFA Women’s Football Task Force:

Moya Dodd/ Australia – Chair

Junko Imai/Japan – AFC

Fran Hilton-Smith/South Africa – CAF

April Heinrichs/USA – CONCAF

Juan Angel Napout/Paraguay- CONMEBOL

Nicola Dormaine/Newzealand- OFC

Vera Pauw/Holland- UEFA

Jean-Michel Aulas/France-UEFA
-TDN
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‬

First match is very important – Tshabalala


Bafana Bafana midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala believes the first match of the tournament is very important as it will set the tone going forward.

 

The dreadlocked left-footed player was speaking to the media shortly after the national team’s training session on Wednesday, 8 January 2014 in Pinelands, Cape Town.

 

Bafana Bafana are in camp in preparation for the upcoming Orange CAF African Nations (South Africa CHAN 2014) where they will face Mozambique in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday, 11 January.

 

The match takes place at the Cape Town Stadium – the venue for the opening and closing ceremony.

 

Kick-off is at 18h00.

 

“Every match we play is important but the first game is very crucial because it is always good to start the tournament on a high. A win sets a very nice tone for the rest of the competition. It is good for the team’s morale and for the fans,” said Tshabalala.

 

The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder is most capped player in the squad with 85 caps to his belt. He has played in the World Cup, the Confederations Cup as well as an Africa Cup of Nations. This will be his first CHAN tournament.

 

“The stakes and the expectations are high for us to do well. I believe we are ready after days of hard work and will continue doing so in the remaining two days. I am positive that the 11 players that will be selected to do the job on Saturday will succeed,” added Tshabalala.

 

“As for me, it is always an honour to wear the national team jersey. I am grateful that I have been given another chance to represent my country and I have always vowed that I will do my best whenever I am selected. This is a very important tournament and it would be nice to win it, but we have to take one game at a time.”

 

Striker, Katlego Mashego, echoed his sentiments.

 

“We want to do well in every game we play. We are raring to go. We know what we have to do and we are well aware how important the first match is. We have to start with a bang,” said Mashego.-TDN
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Cokonyane alleged serial rapist back in court for murder


By Obakeng Maje
Taung-A case of a 21 year-old man who was arrested for alleged rape and murder will be back at court today.

Gaopalelwe Sedimo,21 was subsequently arrested back in 2013 after he allegedly raped Tsholofelo Kobi and was implicated in Joseph Kobi’s murder.

Joseph Kobi was found murdered after his granddaughter screamed for help from her bedroom and Kobi went out to observe.

According to information, Tsholofelo left Kobi’s bedroom at around 00:00 and entered her shanty which she uses as a bedroom.

Few minutes later, Tsholofelo allegedly heard someone trying to force open the door of her shanty and with no success, the intruder climbed the shanty.

Tsholoferlo claims the alleged intruder was Sedimo as he removed a corrugated iron.

She screamed for help and Sedimo jumped off the roof and she heard someone talking to her grand-father outside.

After few minutes, Sedimo allegedly forced opened the door of her shanty.

He forcefully took her to his house where the monstrousness took place.

Tsholofelo said Sedimo stabbed her twice and raped her.

She said after the ordeal, she managed to escaped through the window after Sedimo left her alone in the room.

Sedimo’s father was the one who allegedly help Tsholofelo to get home after she explained what happened to him.

Tsholofelo received the shock of her life on her arrival at home when she saw people gathered at her house.

She found her grandfather dead with stabbing wounds.

Sedimo was arrested and charged with murder and rape. He claims that he never kill and rape anyone as he was in a relationship with Tsholofelo and they had consensual sex.

Sedimo’s lawyer, Loeto Ikanyeng was not available at court on Wednesday and the case was adjourned.

The court will hear Sedimo’s bail application today and he have other two cases pending against him.-TDN
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