Monthly Archives: September 2014

Prof takes action on pothole claim

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Johannesburg – A university professor is taking steps to attach North West government assets after it failed to compensate him for missing his mother’s funeral when his car hit a pothole, Beeld reported on Sunday.

On June 10 the premier’s office agreed to pay Prof Wannie Carstens R115 000 for emotional suffering, a day before the matter was to have been heard in a Mahikeng court.

Two tyres on his Mercedes-Benz burst when he hit a pothole near Ottosdal while on the way to his mother Dot’s funeral in Upington, Northern Cape, two years ago. He and his wife Wilma were unhurt, but missed the funeral.

Carstens, who is director at the North West University’s language school, was meant to have received the money on June 30 this year, but it was not paid. His lawyer Cerneels Lourens said he would begin proceedings to attach movable assets belonging to the premier’s office.

Acting spokesman for the premier’s office, Bonolo Maohlakoana, said payment had been approved and was expected to be made in the coming week.

Carstens said he did not pursue the matter for the money, but to hold government to account. – Sapa

Task team deployed to help N West municipalities


Mahikeng- As part of broader intervention programme, a team of officials from the North West Department of Finance will be deployed to 12 local municipalities in four districts to assist them to recover debt owed to them by both provincial and national departments as well as resolving disputed debts.

The prioritized municipalities include Madibeng, Rustenburg, Kgetleng-Rivier, Madibeng, Ditsobotla, Ramotshere Moiloa, Naledi, Lekwa-Teemane, Ventersdorp, Tlokwe, Matlosana and Maquassi Hills.

“Technical support provided to the municipalities will include amongst others obtaining a list of outstanding government debt from municipality, unpacking, classifying according to departments and attach supporting document to validate the debt. The officials will also reconcile debtor account where necessary, engage municipal management on the recommendations for buy-in, compile weekly progress report, arrange and coordinate meeting with the affected stakeholders for decision and resolution regarding payment of the debt and hand over to the municipality to implement the resolution” departmental spokesperson Kesaolopa Gill said.

The Department of Finance is committed to work with all spheres of government to ensure the repositioning of municipalities as part of the broader Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal of the North West Province strategy.

Presenting the 2014/14 Departmental Budget Speech in the legislature recently, the MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development Wendy Nelson outlined intervention programme to assist municipalities to collect long outstanding government debt as well as assisting them to resolve the disputed debt.

“The Provincial Government is worried about the government debt owed to municipalities which was standing at R410 million as at end of 30 June 2014,” said MEC Wendy Nelson.

Nelson further called upon the identified municipalities to support the initiative and provide necessary supporting documentation as and when required by the team. Municipalities are further urged to verify and certify correct amounts owed to them and once this process has been concluded the affected departments will be directly engaged by the department.

She said for the programme to be effective, it is necessary for the departments of Local Government and Human Settlement, Health, Public Works and Roads and Education and Sport Development also partake in this programme by deploying officials within their Chief Financial Officer’s for facilitation of speedy processing of payments as and when the reconciliation is done.

It is envisaged that the programme will in future also deal with long outstanding accounts of Eskom, Water Boards as well as Auditor General and it will include facilitation of payment agreements and plans to service the debt accordingly and most importantly honour payment agreements by municipalities.

“It is vital that the provincial government embark on consultative engagements with water boards and Eskom to work on solutions to clear debts owed by municipalities. This process will commence in the next 30 days. This programme is also consistent with the fifth administration objective of reducing consultancy costs and heavy reliance on consultants,” she concluded.
-TDN
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One killed, four injured Klerksdorp crash


By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp- One man was killed and four others critically injured last night when a vehicle rolled on the N12 15 kilometres outside of Klerksdorp, North West Province.

When ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene, they found the wrecked bakkie lying on its roof, 50 metres away from the road.

“It appeared that the five occupants of the bakkie had been ejected after the vehicle rolled multiple times.
On assessment of the patients, paramedics found that one of the men, a male in his 30s, had already succumbed to his severe injuries” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

The four other patients lay around the bakkie and were in a critical condition.

Paramedics treated the patients, providing them with advanced life support where they were thereafter transported to nearby hospitals, including Mediclinic Potchefstroom hospital, for further treatment.

The cause of the collision is not yet known but local authorities were on scene for further information.
-TDN
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ille, Mbeki two peas in a pod on Aids


Helen Zille is the DA’s Thabo Mbeki when it comes to HIV/Aids, writes Eusebius McKaiser.

Fancy a public health nightmare? Simply imagine DA leader Helen Zille becoming the next minister of health. She would immediately set out to complement former president Thabo Mbeki’s early scepticism about the effectiveness of ARVs with her own list of evidence-blind non-solutions for fighting the HIV/Aids infections.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Thuli a CIA spy, says deputy minister


Johannesburg – A Cabinet minister has accused Public Protector Thuli Madonsela of being a CIA plant and of undermining the ANC and the government to create a puppet regime for the US.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Thuli a CIA spy, says deputy minister


Johannesburg – A Cabinet minister has accused Public Protector Thuli Madonsela of being a CIA plant and of undermining the ANC and the government to create a puppet regime for the US.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

I want to restore Bafana Bafana pride – Mashaba


Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba said part of his reconstruction process is to bring pride back to the Senior Men’s National Team which he said had been dented of late.

South Africa walloped Sudan 3-0 in their opening CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers raising the nation’s hopes again after years of below par performances by the national team.

Friday’s win comes in the backdrop of the U20 qualifying for the CAF Youth championships which will be played in Senegal next year after beating African powerhouse Cameroon 2-1 in Polokwane to complete a 3-2 aggregate win.

Mashaba said for an absolute change of culture, Bafana Bafana as the torchbearers had to lead the way.

“Of late, Bafana Bafana had become a laughing stock and had lost credit within the football standing and we need to restore that acclaim. We must bring back the pride to our national team and I am glad with the 3-0 win away from home. It is a beginning of that rebuilding process,” said Mashaba.

The Bafana Bafana mentor who left the U20 position to concentrate on the Senior Team said the 3-0 win over Sudan was a great platform to build good things.

“Once we weathered the storm in the opening minutes in which they pumped long balls upfront, I knew we would achieve our goal of coming away with three points. And the boys stuck to the script.

“In the second half, we completely dominated the game and with clinical finishing, the scoreline could have been 6, 7 or 8. But the 3-0 win is quite encouraging and we need to maintain the momentum.”

Although Dean Furman and Andile Jali controlled the midfield with aplomb, while upfront Sibusiso Vilakazi who came in a second half substitute for Tokelo Rantie scored two important goals, Mashaba refused to single out any individuals for praise.

“I think the entire team played well and it will be unfair to single out individuals. It was a great team effort and I think all players deserve praise.”

Bafana Bafana arrived back in the country on Saturday morning and proceeded straight to Cape Town to start preparing for the game against Nigeria scheduled for Wednesday at Cape Town Stadium.

“We are meeting our nemesis but my gut feel is that all that (losing against African champions) is about to change. Wednesday should be a defining moment,” he said.
-TDN
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Unity is a recipe for success – Vilakazi


Cape Town- Two-goal hero in the Bafana Bafana versus Sudan game last Friday, Sibusiso Vilakazi has praised the new-look squad as a group of youngsters hungry for success and who work as a collective.

Talking after Bafana Bafana had beaten Santos 3-1 in a practice match at Athlone Stadium on Sunday afternoon in which he contributed with a thunderous second goal, the Bidvest Wits captain said the current crop of players would go places if they keep their feet on the ground.

Other scorers during the practice game were Themba Zwane and Keagan Dolly.

“We just need to keep our feet grounded and the rest will follow. The players know what it means to represent one’s country; they know that behind their backs that they are carrying the hopes of 52 million people.

“That is one philosophy coach Shakes Mashaba has been drumming home now and again and I am seeing the attitude of players has tremendously changed. They are prepared to die for a just cause, work for each other and want to bring pride and happiness to the country. That is the type of task any responsible citizen needs to carry to make a difference in society,” emphasised Vilakazi whose teammates call him Vila.

He said the match against the Super Eagles,, who were stunned 3-2 by Congo on Saturday was a defining encounter.

“We know our history against Nigeria but we are determined to change all that. History is always there to be rewritten and I am confident that come Wednesday, we will put smiles on most South Africans,” he added.

Captain Senzo Meyiwa said with the type of vibe currently being exuded in the Bafana Bafana camp, the Super Eagles will face a Herculean task to come here and steal maximum points.

“Yes, they say in soccer certain teams have their hoodoo side but we are ready for the Nigeria match. We are all determined to change the course of history and everyone cannot wait for Wednesday,” he said.

The Orlando Pirates goal-minder said they were not worried about Nigeria’s internal strife and the fact that they are still smarting from a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Central Africans.

“The fact that they lost to Congo has not affected our preparations and determination; we are just concentrating on our task at hand and that is to beat them at Cape Town stadium on Wednesday.

“My only appeal to Capetonians is to buy tickets and provide an electric atmosphere. Cape Town people have never disappointed and I know they will provide that extra motivation when we trot into the pitch on Wednesday,” said Meyiwa.

Wednesday’s match kicks off at 20h00.
-TDN
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MEC Molapisi and Maine intervened at Boikhutso location


North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management Gaoage Molapisi together with Local Government and Human Settlements MEC Collin Maine urgently intervened in Boikhutso following the killings of two young people informed by gangsterism acts that were terrorising the community.

Both MEC’s called an urgent meeting with the stakeholders of Boikhutso and SAPS at Lichtenburg Police Station. The meeting was also attended by the Ditsobotla Executive Mayor Lesego Holele and some the councillors.

The urgent intervention was prompted by the killings of two people and the disruption of schools by a mob of young people in Boikhutso who also barricaded the roads on Friday morning. The community of Boikhutso refused to support their march and that frustrated the group.

On Friday, 05 September morning, the mob marched to the schools in Ward 2 and 3, while learners were busy writing the mock examinations.

 Upon their arrival they found the school gates locked. Some jumped the fence and others broke down the gates forcing entry into the school. They then ordered school managers to release the scholars to join them on an illegal march and proceeded to classes to terrorise the scholars, and some were even beaten up.

For some time Boikhutso was turned into a Hollywood, with action on the streets of around thirty young people. It is alleged that these young people use drugs which makes them to lose their senses and live in their dream world. The meeting raised a number of issues with regard to gangstarism in the community and that they demand to be hired at the Municipality. Further they want the contractors in their wards to employ only people who are members of the gang. Both MEC’S agreed that the law enforcement agencies should deal harshly with lawlessness in the area.

MEC Molapisi emphasised that all the cases opened against the gangsters and of the killings should be investigated without any hesitation. Heavy police security is deployed at Boikhutso and arrests have been made.

He urged members of the community to actively participate in Community Safety Forums (CPFs) and should not be reactive.

Molapisi said that the community cannot be held hostage by a group of young people who does not have respect for anybody. “Community must stand up and defend their freedom, Boikhutso which means peace must be peaceful and stable. Safety is everybody’s business and thugs must not set the agenda for them,” he said.

A broader meeting which is inviting all the communities in Ward 2 and 3 will be held at Ward 3 sports ground on Monday, 8

th September 2014 at 14H00. The meeting will seek to find a lasting solution for the problems in Boikhutso and will again be attended by MEC Molapisi and Maine.
-TDN
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Body of girl, 5, found in the veld


Johannesburg – The body of a five-year-old girl was found in the veld in Phomolong, Tembisa on Friday, Gauteng police said.

“It is suspected that she had been strangled and sexually assaulted,” said police spokesperson Lungelo Dlamini.

The girl went missing in the area on Sunday.

SAPA