Monthly Archives: May 2014

Premier Mahumapelo welcomes life sentences for cop killers  


Klerksdorp- North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has welcomed the life sentences that the murderers of the late Warrant Officer Othusitse Ganenang of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks) were given by the North West High Court.

“The stiff sentences that Ronney Mashi(28) and Donald Khuma(25) were given should allow the Ganenang family to find closure now that justice has been served and also sent a strong message to criminals that the long arm of the law will hold them accountable for their involvement in crime,” Premier Mahumapelo said in applauding the investigating team and the prosecution for the conviction.

Mahumapelo said that to that those who attack and kill police officers are attacking the authority of the state and should be removed from society.

According to Hawks Spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko, Ganenang was shot and killed on 4 September 2011 at his home in Mocoseng village, outside Mahikeng. His girlfriend was also shot and admitted at a local hospital due to serious injuries she sustained during the incident

“After this gruesome attack, Mashi and Khuma took two laptops, Gananeng’s service pistol, cash and cellular phones,” Captain Ramoloko said. 

“The accused were arrested a day after the attack, on 5 and 9 September 2011 respectively. The Hawks investigating team managed to recover the member’s service pistol, two other firearms, stolen cellular phones and laptops during the arrests.” Ramaloko said.

Khuma was also sentenced to another 95 years imprisonment for 4 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and discharge of a firearm in a public place.  

Mashi was also sentenced to another 75 years imprisonment for 4 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder and discharge of a firearm in a public place.

All sentences for both accused will run concurrently.-TDN
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Bafana coach sends his heartfelt condolences to Kungwane’s family


Auckland- Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund said while New Zealand are an exciting young team, full of promising players, he had done his homework and Friday’s match should provide lots of excitement.

South Africa take on the All Whites on Friday, 30 May 2014 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19h30 (09h30 SA time).

“It is going to be an exciting game, make no mistake about it. The pitch is in perfect condition and that is ideal for an electrifying game of football,” said Igesund.

The national team mentor said regardless of the outcome tomorrow, the Australasia tour had achieved its main objectives.

“The most important purpose of the trip was to identify the core of the starting line up going into the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches which commence a month after the end of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“And I am not going ahead of time by saying 80 percent of the players here will form that team.”

Although dependable defender Thabo Nthethe is a doubtful starter, Igesund said he had enough cover to take care of the setback.

There will be a minute of silence before kick off in honour of former All Whites player, Duncan Cole who passed away at the beginning of this week and former Bafana Bafana midfielder Isaac ‘Shakes’ Kungoane who also passed away on Tuesday after a short illness.

“That is a good gesture from the New Zealanders to also observe a minute of silence for our beloved Shakes Kungoane. On behalf of the Bafana Bafana team, we all said a prayer for him and for his family. We want to send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, wife and children. May his soul rest in peace,” added Igesund.

Meanwhile, interim All Whites coach Neil Emblen said his side will attack from the word go and has named an offensive starting line up, a day before the game on Friday.Emblen has made two changes from the team which was beaten 4-2 by Japan in March with Vfb Stuttgart striker Marco Rojas and midfielder Chris James replacing Chris Wood and Kosta Barbarouses. The attack will be led by Ryan Thomas who plays his club football in the Dutch league.

“A big focus of ours will be demonstrating we have moved forward from our experience in Japan,” said Emblen.

“We need to eliminate the early mistakes we made in that match and at the same time continue to develop our comfort and composure in possession.”

Once those items are ticked off the checklist, Emblen has challenged his exciting young group to play with the energy and purpose which reflects the occasion.  

“We haven’t always had regular chances to play at home in front of our fans and our mindset will be to attack and play at a quick tempo but without taking undue risks with the ball. We have a great amount of pace in attacking positions and we want to take advantage of that but not at all costs.”

New Zealand starting line-up: 1-Glen Moss (GK), 6-Bill Tuiloma, 7-Tyler Boyd, 8-Michael McGlinchey, 11-Marco Rojas, 13-Chris James, 14-Ryan Thomas, 15-Storm Roux, 18-Tim Payne, 19-Michael Boxall, 22- Andrew Durante.

Substitutes: 12-Tamati Williams (GK), 16-Jeremy Brockie, 21-Cameron Howieson, 23-Matt Ridenton, 24-Luke Adams, 25-Jason Hicks, 26-James Musa.

Coach: Neil EmblenReferee: Jarred Gillett (AUS)
-TDN
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EFF: Mahumapelo pioneers factionalism in the North West


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- It is a disgrace but not surprising that Ontlametse Reginah Mochwari, the former mayor of Kagisano-Molopo local municipality resigned from her post as Social Development MEC and also as a member of the provincial legislature on Tuesday, says Economic Freedom Fighters in North West.

EFF said the resignation caused by Electoral contravention.

“Mochwari did not appear on the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) sanctioned ANC provincial list, a deliberate transgression of IEC regulation that can only be a page taken out of Supra Mahumapelo’s book of long dividing the ANC in the North West province” EFF provincial spokesperson Seitebogeng Nkitseng said.

Nkitseng said this transgression amounts to nothing but fraud and a beckon of Mahumapelo’s incapability to lead.

“While Mahumapelo calls for unity,
he has overlooked former Scopa chairperson Hlomane Chauke who was the rightful candidate for the provincial legislature instead of Mochwari. Mahumapelo has further engendered factionalism by appointing an incapable crony, Fenny Gaolaolwe as the MEC for Social Development” Nkitseng said.

While the ANC has been tongue-tied in trying to explain this debacle,
the deliberate transgression of IEC regulations is a disrespect for both the legislature and the intelligence of the people of the North
West.

EFF said Supra Mahumapelo is incapable of sterling leadership and he will fall on his own sword.

“Being questioned by members of the ANC is indicative that he will come under siege from his own legacy of pioneering factionalism in the North West.-TDN
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NWest Health department terminates Lorato Consultant contract


By Obakeng Maje
The North West Department of Health has terminated the contract of Lorato Consultant T/A Lorato Constructions to supply coal to hospitals within the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District with effect from 28 May 2014.

“The company was contracted to supply Grade A coal, but instead delivered coal of low or inferior quality to some of the hospitals. This is according to the test results in our possession” departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.-TDN
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A child died after contracting diarrhoea in Bloemhof


A child has died after contracting severe diarrhoea from water contamination in Bloemhof, the North West health department said on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, there has been one death reported. A child under the age of one [year],” spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

“He died on arrival at one of the clinics on Wednesday.”

Over 200 other people reported to local clinics with similar symptoms between Saturday and Tuesday.

By 5pm on Wednesday, another 30 people had sought medical help.

“Today the situation has stabilised. There are no huge numbers of people coming in,” he said.

He dismissed claims of a cholera outbreak, saying it had not yet been confirmed.

“Cholera can only be declared when there have been laboratory tests done. We have not declared it cholera. We took samples from the water to go test them. We have not received the results from the laboratory.”

What had been confirmed was that Bloemhof’s water source had been contaminated.

“The municipality was able to close the pipe which was the source for the contaminated water,” he said.

“The municipality also stopped water distribution to the community as it was clear the water was the source of contamination and that the water circulating was not safe.”

The pipe was closed on Tuesday.

“Since then there has been quite a considerable drop in diarrhoea cases.”

Water tankers had been deployed to the area, while schools had remained closed since Monday.

-Sapa

DA North West lambast ANC shenanigans over MEC


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- Ontlametse Reginah Mochware has had to resign as an MEC within hours of being sworn in. The DA warned that this would happen, since Mochware’s swearing-in was a blatant contravention of the Electoral Act.

DA said in order to make space for Mochware, the ANC illegally manipulated its party list after all legislature members, including the speaker were sworn in.

“This is highly ironic given that the entire legislature had just sworn to protect the constitution and the rule of law. It is sad that one of the first steps taken by the new legislature was in contravention of the Electoral Act” DA North West spokesperson Chris Hattingh said.

According to DA, this episode is indicative of the factionalism in the ANC within the North West.

The deployment of Mochware into the North West Executive, the most inexperienced executive team in the province since 1994, underlined the continuation of factional deployments with no regard to the capacity, expertise or executive experience of the deployed cadres, says DA.  

Hattingh said the interests of the people of the North West once again had been put second to the interests of a small band of people who control the current dominant North West ANC faction.

“This compromised the integrity and the status of the Legislature at the very start of its fifth term. The promise of a clean North West Government and the turning-around of the North West Province made by the newly elected North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, only days ago after being sworn in, can now be put into context” he said.

The DA said that is just as hollow as the promises made by the North West premiers in the previous terms, designed only to pacify the suffering North West community while pursuing personal political ends.-TDN
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Symptoms of cholera in Bloemhof


Over two hundred people in Bloemhof reported to local clinics with symptoms of cholera, the North West health department said on Wednesday.

“A hundred people on Monday reported to local clinics around Bloemhof with cases of severe diarrhoea and symptoms of cholera,” said health spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane.

On Tuesday another 100 people were attended to at clinics.

“The numbers started to drop on Wednesday where about 35 people were seen in local clinics,” said Lekgethwane.

He said the North West health department experienced a shortage of medicine since Monday in Boitumelong township. and two other clinics in Bloemhof.

“We store antibiotics and other medicine to a certain level, and our medicine store is in Mahikeng, but on Wednesday the medication issue was resolved,” he said.

Lekgethwane said running water in the area was cut off.

“Running water has been cut off as we suspect that there might be a case of contamination in the water. Water is being distributed in water tanks to residents.”

He said water samples were taken for tests to determine whether there was a cholera outbreak.

Lekgethwane said some private doctors told television journalists that there was a cholera outbreak.

“Some private doctors said on national television that there is a cholera outbreak in Bloemhof.

The patients show signs of cholera but one cannot come to that conclusion unless they have laboratory results.”

He said the contamination could be caused by a burst sewage pipe.

The Dr Ruth Mompati district municipality has dispatched a team of experts to Bloemhof.

The team includes engineers and environmental officers.

Raw sewage water from Bloemhof and Boitumelong township has been flowing into the Vaal river since last Friday.
      
-Sapa

Two non-striking miners’ houses bombed in Rustenburg


North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has condemned in the strongest terms possible the alleged petrol bombing of two houses belonging to miners in Sekile outside Rustenburg.

“Acts of violence and intimidation targeted at non-striking workers and destruction of private and public properties call for parties involved in the wage dispute to bring the protracted strike to an end,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
Mahumapelo appealed to communities in the platinum belt to exercise restraint and to assist police in their investigations to ensure that those behind the senseless violence are behind bars.According to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the houses belonging to their members were petrol bombed on Tuesday night.
Meanwhile, Premier Mahumapelo has welcomed the establishment of a mediation panel set up by new mining minster Ngoako Ramatlhodi to try and break the four-month deadlock between AMCU and platinum producers after the Labour Court process collapsed earlier in the week.
A panel from the mining, labour and finance ministries was set up after Minister Ramatlhodi’s met on Wednesday with labour and thereafter with executives of Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum an Lonmin.The renewed talks came as firms reported billions of dollars in lost revenue and wages due to the stoppages, contributing to a contraction in the country’s economy in the first quarter of the year.-TDN
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Gaolaolwe appointed as new MEC for NWest Social Development


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng – After a dramatic turn out of things in North West, the premier appointed Fenny Gaolaolwe as Mocwari’s replacement.

Former Kagisano-Molopo mayor Ontlametse Mochwari was appointed as new MEC for Social Development on Tuesday by premier Supra Mahumapelo.

Mocwari resigned due to some legal technicalities, the provincial legislature said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Mongezi Tsenca told Sapa that speaker Suzan Rebecca Dantjie confirmed receipt of her resignation on Tuesday.

Tsenca said Mochwari was also no longer a member of the provincial legislature (MPL).

Mocwari was initially not in the list that was submitted by ANC North West and her name was included to replace ousted premier Thandi Modise who was appointed as chairperson of NCOP.

Even though ANC North West spokesperson Oupa Matla did not return our e-mails and calls, Supra Mahumapelo confirmed that on sabc.

According to Electoral act, names cannot be replinish within a year, so to avoid any litigation against the party she opted to resign.

This leaves Mocwari in political wilderness as her position as mayor was already filled after she resigned.

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo announced the members of his executive committee on Tuesday.
-TDN
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Embattled Greater Taung municipality meets with its residents


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The Greater Taung Municipality took their last lap on Intergrated Development Plan visits to various areas that form part of Taung on Wednesday.

The belligerent municipality met with its residents in Mmabana Taung where residents tabled their suggestions and wishes. The visits actually started back in February and on Wednesday next week, the municipality will be mapping out its plan for how it will spend the money for the next five years, on what, and where.

Greater Taung is the fourth-largest local municipality in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district and consists of close to 106 villages.

“It is a plan to help us set our budget priorities and an agreement between local government and its residents” Executive Mayor Kaone Lobelo said at Lokgabeng village months ago.

Lobelo said thus a fine balance needs to be struck in allocating scarce resources.

Consultation with residents resulted in three top priorities being defined- poverty alleviation, job creation and service delivery.

Even though Taung at large is agricultural significant, it is poverty-stricken area.

Amid corruption and nepotism leveled against the municipality, the newly-appointed Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi is really getting his hands dirty and is planning to scrap corruption and maladministration allegedly experienced in the past.

According to our source, the audit is currently underway at municipality and if our mole’s information is anything to go by, close to R46 million has allegedly been misused.

According to Lobelo, Greater Taung is mostly consists of rural areas and only Pudumoe, Reivilo and Taung CBD are only areas that pay for service delivery and that affects the economy of Taung.

“Most areas in Taung does not pay for sanitation, water and refuse removal as they are rural areas, only Pudumoe, Taung CBD and Reivilo do” Lobelo outlines.

Most residents voiced their unhappiness regarding poor state of most roads in the area, electricity, houses and lack of job opportunities.

On 04 June 2014 at Taung Hotel School and Convention, the municipal manager will outlines his plans and what is given first priority regarding residents wishes.-TDN
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