Daily Archives: October 14, 2014

MEC Maine orders Lekwa Teemane local municipality to act on its damning report


 Bloemhof – The North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine has ordered the council of Lekwa Teemane local municipality in Bloemhof to act on the recommendations of the forensic report within 30 days, failing which his office will step in. This follows the presentation of the damning report on investigations into the affairs of the municipality.    

Early in the year, the community of Boitumelong township near Bloemhof in Lekwa Teemane local municipality leveled allegations of fraud, corruption, nepotism, and maladministration against the municipality and staged violent protests in demand for a full blown investigation. The forensic audit followed the issues raised by the community in a memorandum.

The forensic audit revealed that:

✓The appointment of one councilor was based on a reference letter despite the fact that the councilor was discharged from his job because of fraud

✓An employee of the municipality who is also the brother of the then Mayor, was involved in a car accident whilst on duty and never faced any disciplinary hearing for drunken driving. The same official was appointed to a management position despite the fact that he did not meet the requirements

✓Charges of fraud and corruption against the then Mayor, Municipal Manager and two other councilors were withdrawn due to lack of evidenceStandards were lowered during the appointment of certain officials who did not meet the requirements

✓Goods and services with a transaction values of below R200 000 were procured without obtaining the required price quotations as required by the supply chain management and treasury regulations

✓Goods and services with a transaction value above R200 000 were procured without inviting competitive bids as required by supply chain management regulations

✓Bids were not always evaluated by bid evaluations committees which were composed of officials from affected units nor supply chain management practitioner as required

✓Competences of middle managers were not assessed promptly in order to identify and address gaps and competency levels as required by the Municipal regulations on minimum competency levels regulation

✓All land that was sold in the last three years was sold at prices lower than valuation roll.The report recommends that a moratorium on disposal of land and that a disciplinary action be taken against officials who transgressed on disposal processes in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)
-TDN
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Water in Mahikeng is safe to drink


Mahikeng – The North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements wishes to assure the residents of Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality that to date, no traces of poison have been found in the drinking of water in the area.  However, the residents are still advised to take the precautionary measure of first boiling the water before drinking. 

This warning comes in the wake of rumours that have been spread in Mahikeng recently through social media networks that the water in Mahikeng, has allegedly been poisoned by officials of Ngaka Modiri Modiri Molema district municipality following the current impasse between the municipality and the Provincial Government.

The water samples are taken for testing on daily basis by specialists from Botshelo and the Department of Water and Sanitation to ensure that the water is safe for consumption and should the results be positive, the residents will be duly informed.

Members of the community are however; still advised to contact the Call Centre on 018-3883888 should they suspect any misdemeanour from the boreholes.-TDN
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2 die, 18 injured in massive N12 accident


JOHANNESBURG – Paramedics are treating several patients on a Gauteng highway after a fatal truck accident on the N12 near Alberton on Tuesday morning.

A tanker ploughed into several cars on the Voortrekker Road offramp during rush hour traffic resulting in the death of two people with 18 others injured.
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Mokgareng “witchcraft” case postponed

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By Obakeng Maje
Taung- A case against eight suspects who were arrested during a ‘witchcraft’ fiasco resumed on Monday in Taung Magistrate’s Court.

Eight people appeared before magistrate after they were arrested two months ago.

The suspects were arrested after Vinolia Sesing was beaten and injured during a scuffle against Mokassa 2 villagers.

Sesing was accused of killing and turning Boikie Nthutang,24, into a zombie and that forced the Mokgareng villagers to sent her packing.

She went to seek refugee at Mokassa 2 village, but that angered the locals too.

They allegedly attacked her and her family. They also threatened to burn her alive.

Sesing’s husband ploughed onto six residents with his car in an attempt to escape from enraged residents. Six people were injured and taken to local hospital for medical attention.

Police said the eight suspects are facing attempted murder, assault and malicious damage to property.

They were released on R300 bail each and the case will resume on 02 December 2014.

Police investigations continue.-TDN
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