Monthly Archives: May 2015

Ventersdorp and Tswaing local municipalities stripped off executive functions

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Ventersdorp- Two local municipalities in Bokone Bophirima have had their part of their executive functions (excluding the passing of Integrated Development Plans (IDP), budget, policies and by-laws) taken over by the provincial government in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. 

The Administrators, supported by a team of experts, will implement the interventions in both Ventersdorp and Tswaing local municipalities with effect from Monday (18 May 2015), on behalf of the Provincial Executive for a period of minimum period of six months. They are: Mike Mokgwamme (Ventersdorp local municipality) and Kingsley Sehularo (Tswaing local municipality) who have been introduced to both municipal councils by MEC Collen Maine on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Both Mokgwamme and Sehularo posses’ extensive experience in the public service having occupied senior positions in provincial government departments.

Ventersdorp local municipality has since its inception been characterized by : infighting and divisions in council, poor oversight and political leadership, lack of public participation, polarization, lack of commitment and dedication to council matters and lack of capacity to deal with council agenda.

MEC Collen Maine told a special council meeting that the intervention came as a result of the failure by council to provide leadership and exercise oversight, not taking ownership and not acting on the irregularities in the administration of the municipality. He added that these issues have had a direct impact on administration and service delivery.

“The municipality is now in a serious financial distress, which contributes to poor delivery of services. There has been a number of service delivery protests by the communities for the past ten years as a result of lack of proper services rendered. The municipality is now faced with high service backlogs, non operations and maintenance of existing infrastructure, lack of technical capacity to plan, implement and monitor projects high illegal connections, poor financial management, inability to service bulk service accounts, low revenue collection, lack of enforcement of credit control and debt collection policies as well as outdated policies’’, mentioned MEC Maine.

In Tswaing, the reasons for municipality to get intervention are:

∙Most of services are not adequately provided due to lack of resources, inadequate staff, institutional misalignment, lack of proper equipment, poor maintenance of services, aged infrastructure, poor cost recovery and credit control measures.
∙Council has not been able to provide adequate oversight and leadership to the municipal administration.
∙Allegations of fraud and nepotism leveled against the municipality by members of the community and some councilors.
∙State of service delivery is poor and the municipality not being able to collect revenue to fund service delivery projects. 

MEC Maine has appealed to both municipal council and managers to co-operate with the administrators to turn the municipalities around. He concluded that he is confident that after the intervention, the two municipality should be able to perform own their own and render service as expected.
-TDN
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Life sentences fitting for nun’s rapists and murderers-Pastors

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Mahikeng Ministers Fellowship(MMF) in the North West Province has welcomed the two life term sentences and 18 years imprisonment given to two men for the robbery,rape and murder of an 84-year-old nun.The pair was convicted in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.
 
“The befitting sentences should serve as a deterrent as they have reasserted that there is not place in society for perpetrators of horrendous sexual violence and those who violate, defile vulnerable elderly women,” Chairperson of MMF(an interdenominational pastors fellowship), Apostle Zandisile Reginald Mpame said. 
 
In applauding the criminal justice system for the successful prosecution, Apostle Mpame called on churches to be at the forefront of united action against the scourge of gender based violence.
 
“We should join the nuns at the convent in praying for the repentance and salvation of the convicted perpetrators,” Mpame urged.
 
Sbongiseni Phungula, 25, and Mondli Michael Shozi, 26, had entered a guilty plea for the slaying of Roman Catholic missionary sister Gertrud Tiefenbacher at the Sacred Heart Convent in April.
 
Cries of “Thank you Jesus” reportedly erupted from the public gallery as the sentence was passed.
 
The life sentences were for the rape and murder, and the 18 years for robbery.
 
Judge Nompumelelo Radebe had scathing remarks for the two, whom she described as more embarrassed than contrite.
 
“Judging from the demeanour of the accused, this court finds that they have not displayed any remorse. They kept on hiding beneath the dock and the court has had to make them rise and sit up. They are simply embarrassed and I am sure they hate their deeds,” she said. 
 
“In their plea explanation each said that they were deeply remorseful for their actions, and besides that sentence that they have not done anything to show this. They have never taken the opportunity to face the nuns seated in the gallery and ask for forgiveness. They never once turned around and took the opportunity to apologise,” she said.
 
Tiefenbacher was strangled to death in her room, after Shozi and Phungula had raped her.
 
The two, who both had previous convictions, maintained that they had been drunk and had broken into the convent to steal food when they were disturbed by Tiefenbacher.
 
Radebe dismissed the assertion that fact that the two were orphans as a mitigating factor in determining what term they should serve.
 
“Both of them were assisted by their grandmothers when they were growing up and showed ingratitude to them by raping a grandmother. There are a lot of orphans in our society, but these orphans do not go around committing crimes.”
 
“I wonder what is going through the minds of accused one’s [Shozi] grandparents as he sits here in the dock today,” Radebe added.
 
She said the long term of imprisonment for the two would give them ample opportunity to rehabilitate themselves.
 
“The accused will be removed from society for a long period of time, deterring them from killing, raping or robbing anyone else.
 
“If would-be offenders have ears, use them and be deterred from committing such heinous crimes,” she added.
 
Sister Gerald Frye, speaking on behalf the nuns that packed the public gallery, welcomed the judgment, saying that she and others would continue to pray for the two men.
-TDN
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Operation Fiela bear fruits in Kimberly

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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley police held an integrated operation in the CBD area and various stakeholders formed part of the operation (Dept of Home Affairs, Sol Plaatjie Traffic Dept, Sol Plaatjie Law Enforcement officers and Other Tobacco Product officials). The operation focused on unlicensed businesses, illicit drug trafficking and contraband articles.

 

Street vendor stalls were inspected and various shops in the CBD were visited.  

Successes of the operation are as follows :

11 vendors were fined in terms of the municipal by laws for trading without a valid permit.

Counterfeit goods (sunglasses, clothing, bags etc) was confiscated.

 

“During the visits to the shops in the CBD, police also confiscated illicit molasses products worth R50 000.  The owner of the shop was arrested and detained on a charge of possession of suspected stolen property. Six laptops were found in his shop. He could not account for the possession thereof. He is expected to appear in court soon” colonel Priscilla Naidu said.

 

The ‘clean up’ operation was welcomed by the public who also assisted by providing information about crime and criminals in the area.

-TDN

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Community forum of Riverside hand over memorandum to MEC Collen Maine

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Mahikeng – MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Collen Maine, has vowed to engage with all the relevant departments, including Mahikeng local municipality to address service delivery issues raised by the residents of Riverside near Makhubung village in Mahikeng.

 

About 30 residents of Riverside presented a memorandum of demands which included the following : Access to electricity, water, sanitation, refuse removal and internal roads , RDP houses, Lack of electricity connection, water supply problem, poor access road, lack of a bridge to allow them to cross-over to other near villages, high mast lights and lack of schools in the area.

 

 “We are denied the right to clean drinkable water, when it rains our only road becomes flooded and becomes difficult for our children to attend school” said Mareledi Lekoma who is also a resident of Riverside. They also wanted that a full investigation on the RDP houses and that unemployed and senior citizens be prioritized when RDP houses are issued.

 

 

MEC Maine applauded them for not engaging in violent protests. “It is not often that communities present their grievances in a peaceful manner as they always resort to destroy the very amenities that are supposed to benefit them.  We will definitely look into issues presented and engage with all relevant department and provide you with feedback in two weeks time”, he said.

-TDN

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Security measures on Mafikeng Campus after robbery incident

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Mafikeng – The North-West University, Mafikeng Campus confirms that the Mmabatho Police station is investigating two cases of house robbery after students were robbed in a residence on campus.  The incidents took place in the early hours of the morning on 13 May. 

 

All residences on campus are fenced with a palisade fence and have a 24 hour security guard at the turnstiles at the entrances of the residences.  The university immediately took action by increasing the number of security guards from one to two.  They will be patrolling in and around the residences.  Students affected received counselling and were also relocated to other residences while repairs to their affected rooms are on-going.  The campus rector has also personally contacted the parents of the students informing them of what has happened and also on the measures that were taken.  For the interim and while the investigation is on-going, the rector also offered the students desktop computers as to not disrupt their studies.  All aspects relating to this incident are currently being discussed between management and the relevant departments and structures.

 

The campus has a high reputation as a safe campus and regrets the incident.  Safety is and will always be a very high priority for the North-West University and all efforts will be taken to prevent crime on the campus.  In this regard, the university is working together with the local police station to inform our on and off campus students about safety measures, crime and criminal activities.

 

The campus management strongly condemns the incident and the way in which they have handled the recent incident, is once again proof of their commitment to ensure a stable and secure environment for students. The accusations being made that management is to be blamed for these incidents, are completely unfounded.

 

An appeal is once again made to all stakeholders to actively work together with management to ensure that no such incidents happen on campus again.

_TDN

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North West proud to host the Cosafa Cup

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MAHIKENG – The Department of Tourism in North West province is proud that the Province will play host yet again to another major event in a form of the 15th Confederation of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup, an international football competition consisting of national teams of member nations of the COSAFA.

 

North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono said that this goes to show that the province is capable of hosting major events. “All matches of this competition will be played in the North West province and we are particularly proud that they will take place at Moruleng Stadium which is a village. This affirms that as the province we have the capacity and the necessary infrastructure to host major events and if well developed, our villages, townships and small dorpies can do wonders”, she said.

 

“Events such as these create the necessary and much needed tourism traffic in the province which means hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and other small, micro and medium businesses will benefit a great deal. This will assist us in overhauling the socio-economic standing of the province and propel it forward”, she added.

 

Mohono went on to encourage communities to go out in their numbers to support this tournament by attending games and ensuring that they give the necessary support to their respective countries. “We know the country has just recovered from atrocities of xenophobic attacks. These games should also serve as platform to show the rest of the world that we are united as Southern African Countries”, Mohono concluded

 

The opening match of this tournament will be between Namibia and Seychelles on Sunday, 17 May 2014 at the Moruleng Stadium in Moruleng at 15:00 PM. This match will then be followed by a clash between Zimbabwe and Mauritius at the same venue at 17:30.

-TDN

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ANCYL in Dr Ruth Mompati District mourns the death of stalwart

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Vryburg- ANC Youth League appreciates the contribution of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati to the struggle that brought the democracy South Africa enjoys today.

The League call on all the citizens of this country, particularly those residing in district – the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region, to treasure the legacy of Mama Ruth and continue the sterling work she has done.

The regional secretary of the ANC Youth League Lekgotla Crespo Menyatso says this region must be proud to have produced a fierce revolutionary like Mama Ruth.

“Although our hearts are heavy upon learning about the death of this gallant fighter, we should look back at her glittering deeds and rejoice,”

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“Mama Ruth has left us nothing but a solid foundation on building this country going forward,”

The ANC Youth League vows to lead any struggle that is facing young people and hampering their success.  

Ruth Mompati was at the forefront leading campaigns against the then apartheid regime that segregated black South Africans and prevented them from exercising their basic human rights.

Menyatso was among the ANC and Provincial Government leaders who received the remains of Mama Ruth at the Vryburg Light Aircraft Landing Zone yesterday.

He says the struggle today is different “Just at nineteen years old Mama Ruth was a teacher by profession, the qualification she achieved under the apartheid rule. If she could do that under difficult circumstances what will prevent a young person from doing it today. More and more young people are swallowed by social illness and sins of entertainment, something that rob this country off future leaders like Mama Ruth.

“It is the duty of this ANC League to champion the interests of young people and make sure that their dreams are realised while ensuring that they have a ripe and sober political understanding.

Mama Ruth joined the ANC while still in her youth age and she was politically properly prepared to lead. That is why she excelled! ” said Menyatso.

Ruth Mompati was among those women who made August 9th day happen.

She was involved in the Defiance Campaign and went on to be a founding member of the Federation of SA Women. She has fought apartheid in and outside the country and was also at the fore when the ANC ushered us democracy in 1994.

Menyatso has thanked the Mompati family for allowing their daughter to be a servant of the people. “The Mompati family, ANC and South Africa as a whole has lost a towering giant and a mother to countless generations of activists. May her soul rest in everlasting peace knowing that her role in building our country’s future will never be forgotten. As people, we owe it to her and generations before that our vision of a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous society comes to pass.”

Mama Ruth passes on at the time when the League is preparing to hold a political lecture in her honour.

Menyatso said it would have been good to hold such lecture in her presence but they will proceed with preparations nonetheless.

-TDN
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Mama Ruta’s mortal remains arrive in Vryburg

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
THE African National Congress Provincial Executive Committee in the North West led by chairperson and premier, Supra Mahumapelo and another stalwart Sophie De Bryn welcomed the mortal remains of African National Congress struggle stalwart Dr Ruth Mompati at Vryburg on Friday.

Mompati’s remains were ferried to Vryburg from Cape Town where she passed on. A 89-year-old stalwart went to Cape Town on a regular check-up at Second Military Base hospital, but passed away on Tuesday.

ANC Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said the funeral preparations are underway and said PEC will hold a memorial service on Friday at Naledi municipality.

“We’re very confident that everything is going according to plan. We will honour Mama Ruta and give her a befitting sent-off. On Friday, Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) will host a memorial service at Naledi Municipality and all Sub-Regions in Dr Ruth Mompati will host a memorial service. Mama Ruta’s memorial service will be held at Colridge, Tlapeng village and also at Tigerkloof” Legoete said.
Legoete also said on Thursday, there will be special Legislature Sitting and the funeral will be held on Saturday next week.

The body of Mama Ruth arrived in a Military airplane number 401 and school children from various schools came to give her the guard of honour. Her body was loaded into a hearse before taken to her home and church in Vryburg.

According to Legoete, Mama Ruta’s body was ferried to Johannesburg from Cape Town before headed to Vryburg as a request from other struggle icons.

African National Congress Women’s League chairperson, Jane Manganye said The ANC Women’s League in the North West honours the life and dedication of a true heroine and icon of the liberation struggle, Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati affectionately known as “Mama Ruth” Seaparankoe, who will be laid to rest to join great revolutionary ancestry of the ANC.

“The loss of Mama Ruth is not a loss without course, in her peaceful rest, we solemnly declare our gratitude for having many opportunities to be captivated and infused by her endearing, resilient and selfless presence” Manganye said.

She said their leader, very own legend and queen mother of the struggle, Mama Ruth, was woman of great courage, a mother of peace, a fearless leader.

“A woman born of great ancestry who led with a spear, was born in 1925 from a small village of Tlapeng in Ganyesa. She reminds us that anything is possible despite where you come from or how previously disadvantaged you are” she said.
-TDN
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Blood spatter around as cop shoots wife, self at Taung Extension 6

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
A 31 year-old police officer shot his wife before turning the gun on himself at Taung Extension 6 on Tuesday night at around 22:30 at their matrimonial house.

Patrick Galodikwe(31) allegedly shot his wife who was also a police officer at Seven Police Station in Northern Cape after an argument.

Galodikwe was stationed at Pudimoe Police Station was allegedly found in a pool of blood at their house, North West police spokesperson sergeant Kealeboga Molale said.

“We can confirm that Constable Patrick Galodikwe(31) allegedly fired seven shots at his wife Lillian Galodikwe(30), who was also Constable at Seven Police Station in Northern Cape. We do not know what led to this atrocity and police investigations continue” Molale said.

North West Provincial Commissioner, Zukiswa Mbombo said “It is not known what could have led our member to this decision. We are truly saddened. We urge our members to use our Employee Wellness Section if they have personal challenges.  We have well qualified social worker who are always available to assist” said the Provincial Commissioner of the North West Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo.

Murder and inquest dockets are being investigated to determined circumstances surrounding this incident.
-TDN
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Premier Mahumapelo visits Mompati family

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Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo is visiting the family of the struggle stalwart Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati in Vryburg at 15HOO today to convey condolences on behalf of the North West Provincial Government.

Mama Ruta, as she was affectionately known, passed on in the early hours of Tuesday morning whilst in Cape Town to receive medical treatment after a short illness.

-TDN

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