Pic: Greater Taung Municipal Mayor, Kaone Lobelo

Municipal officials in Bokone Bophirima who do not implement the signed agreement to honour the conditions set out by the National Treasury to address non-payment of creditors within stipulated period of 30 days, are likely to have disciplinary and or civil criminal proceedings instituted against them in terms of Section 172 and 173 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)

This follows National Treasury decision to withhold the transfer of equitable share of 15 municipalities after they failed to honour their financial commitments and to pay Eskom and other service delivery creditors in line with Section 65 of the MFMA, 2003 (Act no 56).

Early in March this year, National Treasury informed municipalities of its intention to invoke Section 216(2) of the Constitution, subject to municipalities entering into repayment arrangements with creditors and preparing a financial recovery plan.

Both the Provincial Departments of Local Government and Human Settlements, Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development, have since summoned municipalities to commit to:

• Ensuring that the current accounts of Eskom and water boards are settled by no later than 30 April 2015
• Submit proof of settlement of outstanding amounts to both Provincial and National Treasury within two days of settlement of the account
• In the event that municipalities owe either Eskom or Water Boards monies in excess of 30 days, the necessary repayment schedule will be determined and an agreement entered between the relevant parties.

MEC for Local Government and Human and Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine said municipalities will be expected to commit to addressing the non-payment of creditors for services rendered, as a matter of urgency.

MEC Wendy Nelson also urged municipalities to get their houses in order as their non-spending on allocated grants impacts negative on the future allocations by National Treasury. She further encouraged municipalities to submit their plans for next financial year by April 14.

15 municipalities whose equitable share has been withheld are : Lekwa Teemane, Tswaing, Ventersdorp, Kgetleng Rivier, Madibeng, Maquassie Hills, Ratlou, mamusa, Ditsobotla, Naledi, Moses kotane, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Matlosana, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Mahikeng.

-TDN

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Rustenburg- Moses Kotane Local Municipality will be launching its Youth Forum on Tuesday 14^th April 2015 at Mogwase Sports and Recreation Centre in Unit 1, 11h00.

This follows Council resolution which stated that each ward of the Municipality should choose five youth members to form the Ward-Based Youth Forums of all 31 wards.

“Two members, Chairperson and Secretary were chosen from these Ward-based Youth Forums to attend the launch of the Youth Forum.  These members, 62 in all, will constitute the Moses Kotane Local Municipality Youth Forum” Municipal spokesperson Beauty Makganye said.

All Ward-Based Youth Forum members and Councillors were invited to attend the launch.

The process is led by Special Projects Portfolio Committee in the Office of the Mayor.

-TDN

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North West Traffic Authorities cautions motorists travelling between Zeerust and Dinokana towards the boarder gate about the closure of the N4 road.

According to Authorities, hundreds of protesters have closed the road with stones and burning tyres. It is reported that the angry protesters are stoning vehicles passing on the road.

Motorists are urged to be more vigilant and cooperate when diverted to alternative routes by traffic authorities.

Those traveling from Zeerust towards Dinokana and the Skilpardhek boarder gate to Botswana are advised to take the B48 Swaartkop boarder gate road and those from the boarder gate to Zeerust are advised to go through Gopane, Motswedi and Borakalalo roads to join the B48 road.

The Bokone Bophirima Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi requests protesters to engage in a peaceful march and avoid any unlawful action.

“It is surprising that people wants water but then decide to burn tyres on the roads and stone private vehicles passing on the road. What does that has to do with lack of service delivery, why are they victimizing innocent people, why are they damaging the road because tomorrow they will protests again claiming that the road has potholes yet they are the ones responsible for.”

We need civilized people in this country who will do things in a civilized manner. Civilized people do not victimize people but in this case they will engage on a peaceful manner and march to the authorities responsible for water,” said the fuming Molapisi.

MEC said law enforcement officers will be on the watch out to ensure that situation is under control and warned those who would be found on the wrong side of the law that they would be arrested and face criminal charges.

-TDN

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Rustenburg – Municipal workers in Ventersdorp were on strike, demanding the suspension of council directors, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Monday.

Cosatu North West provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said workers embarked on an unprotected strike last week after they were allegedly provoked by councillors.

“The strike has been on since Tuesday (April 7) after the mayor and her council told workers that they are in political power and they have no business with unions, in particular the South African Municipal Workers Union,” Phetoe said.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Rustenburg – A five-year-old child burnt to death in a shack fire in Blydeville near Lichtenburg, North West police said on Monday.

Police said a man, 35, allegedly set the shack on fire on Saturday, after he had an argument with his girlfriend.

“It is alleged that the suspect had a quarrel with his 32-year-old pregnant girlfriend, when she ran away from their shack to ask for assistance the boyfriend burned their shack with their five-year-old inside. The child was burnt to death and it was later discovered that the dog was also inside the shack.”

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Rustenburg – A Standard Bank branch in Mahikeng was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money over the weekend, North West police said on Monday.

Police spokesman Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the bank was broken into between Saturday and Monday.

“It is alleged that unknown suspects gained entrance through the roof and used grinders to break open four Automatic Teller Machines (ATM’s) where they took undisclosed amount of cash.”

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Rustenburg – A Zimbabwean truck driver was arrested for smuggling illicit cigarettes with a street value of R7,3 million, North West police said on Monday.

Police spokesman Colonel Sababta Mokgwabone said the 42-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, at the Kopfontein port of entry.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Taung- The ANC Youth League in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati has welcomed with elation the unveiling of the ANC’s fine struggle stalwart Mama Ruth Segomotsi Mompati’s statuette on Friday.

Regional Secretary of ANCYL in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Crespo Menyatso said the unveiling of Mama Ruta statuette is a great symbol of commitment by the ANC government led by Comrade Supra Mahumapelo, to better the lives of the poor in the region.

“Mama Ruth was very instrumental during her tenure as the Naledi Local Municipality in dismantling the remnants of apartheid especially in Vryburg, the capital city of the former Stellalander – where white dominance used to reign even after democratic dispensation’s arrival” Menyatso said.

He said the move to erect such sculpture by provincial government symbolizes Mama Ruth’ uniting factor that must lead to prosperity which the ANC Youth League duty bound to uphold in the region.

Even though the ANCYL was in good mood regarding the unveiling, they outlined that they were disappointed by the absence of the ANC’s regional leadership at that momentous occasion.

“This shows the flagrant contempt of our movement, its leaders and the provincial leadership’s commitment to create stability and unity in our region. However, this character displayed by the regional leadership is not surprising to the Youth League, as they have recently resolved to embark on a defiance stance against any programme of the ANC” he said.

Menyatso said the League draws its strength and determination from icons like Mama Ruth, who have served the struggle with diligence to bring about the freedom we enjoy today.   

“The League would further like to congratulate the students of the University of Cape Town for their militancy in making sure that the statute of Cecil John Rhodes is removed from the UCT’s entrance. Apartheid and colonial symbols especially at learning institutions must be removed in order to start teaching our children the correct history of our country. But the League would also like to point out that it is not only symbols that show lack of transformation in our learning institutions, the segregated systems among the University of Northwest campuses” he said.

According to the league, they condemn with the contempt it deserves, the publicity seeking anarchic opportunism of non-entities that use these genuine students’ protests as political football. It is the League’s strong conviction that legal and normal processes should be followed through by anybody and everybody to remove any symbol of apartheid that demean our people.

“We’d like to encourage Progressive Youth Alliance to participate in the process outlined by the minister of arts and culture Comrade Nathi Mthethwa, of public hearings around the issue statues in the country” Menyatso conludes.

-TDN

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BY OBAKENG MAJE

A 57-year-old man appeared in Brits Magistrates Court on Monday for kidnapping, North West police said.

Leonard Brown was remanded in custody and will be back in court on Monday.

“The accused’s appearance in court came after apprehension on Sunday, at about 13:00. According to the information available at this stage, it appears that the accused went to his girlfriend’s place at around 03:00 on Sunday where he pointed a 21-year-old man with a firearm” North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

Ngubane said it is alleged that he forcefully took the man to Letlhabile Zone 1 and 2 and eventually to Block E in Centreville.

He said the victim allegedly managed to escape and related the ordeal to his uncle.

The matter was then reported to the police and a case was registered.

“During arrest, the accused was on warning and due to appear in Brits Magistrates’ Court on Friday after being arrested by Letlhabile Police on Tuesday, 31 March 2015 for assault and Contravention of Protection Order” he said.

He was released on warning on condition that he must not go nearer to the complainant’s residence or work place.

“It is alleged that by then, the accused went to the complainant’s house in Letlhabile where they had a quarrel, and the accused eventually assaulted the victim with a sharp object.  It was also reported to the police that the accused contravened the protection order that was served to him” Bgubane concludes.

The prohibitions of the protection order were that he must not threaten or assault the complainant.

-TDN

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Magalies Water will experience interruptions in the water purification process due to an emergency Plant 3 shut down at the Vaalkop Water Treatment Plant.  This is necessary to carry out emergency maintenance repairs on the 800DN raw water pipeline.

The work has been scheduled as follows:

Date: 14 April 2015

Duration: 08h00 to 12h00

The shutdown means the Vaalkop Water Treatment Plant will not be running at full capacity during this period.

The following consumers may experience water supply interruptions:

• Rustenburg Local Municipality areas
• Moses Kotane Local Municipality areas
• Thabazimbi Local Municipality areas
• Royal Bafokeng Administration
• Sun City
• Rand Water

Magalies Water apologizes for the inconvenience this may cause and will ensure that water supply will be restored as soon as possible

Consumers are requested to use water sparingly during this period in order to prevent prolonged water supply interruptions.

-TDN

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