Taung- Opposition political party Congress of the People (Cope) has demanded that finance minister Nhlanhla Nene and Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Pravin Gordhan react to a story in the Sunday Times about the mayor of Taung in North West province‚ Kaone Lobelo‚ buying a one million rand BMW out of public funds.

“As the Sunday Times points out‚ this decision by the mayor flies in the face of cabinet’s decision to cut spending on vehicles. It is also ‘morally wrong’ as Michael Sass of the National treasury observes. We concur with that view‚” Cope spokesman Dennis Bloem said in a statement.

“The fact that Lobelo is mayor of one of the poorest towns in the country does not seem to have registered on him. Neither does the suffering of the people matter a jot to him. Not even the fact that the Local Government Election is looming around the corner bothered him at all. He went ahead with the purchase.

“COPE waits to see what action the Ministers will take against Lobelo and how swiftly and decisively they will act. Furthermore‚ we want the ruling party to apologise on bended knees to the poor and neglected people of Taung‚” Bloem added.

The Sunday Times reported that Lobelo had taken possession this week of a white BMW X5 in contravention of a government instruction that all public office-bearers cut spending on expensive cars.

According to the article‚ some residents of the town do not have running water or sanitation.

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

Durban – There was a mixture of sour grapes and gloating on Thursday following the release of the Mtubatuba by-election results – depending on the party affiliation.

According to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), the voter turnout in Wednesday’s by-elections varied between 60.65% and 25.91%, with an average of 48.04%.

For more http://www.news24.com

Sterkstroom – Residents of the small Eastern Cape town of Sterkstroom have been without power since a transformer in the town exploded on Monday morning.

This has left approximately 1 000 households, government institutions, farmers and businesses in the area without electricity for four days and residents are now at their wits end.

For more http://www.news24.com

Polokwane – The investigating officer in the bail application of a Limpopo businessman who is accused of killing his wife collapsed in court on Thursday.

Constable David Nkuna told the court at the bail application hearing in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court that he was not psychologically and emotionally fit to proceed with his cross-examination.

For more http://www.news24.com

Rustenburg – A man has been arrested for possession of chrome stones in Damonsville near Brits, North West police said on Tuesday.

Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the man was arrested on Monday, during operation fiyela in the cluster Brits.

“This is after chrome stones were found inside his home in Damonsville when the police conducted a search. He is expected to appear in the Brits Magistrates’ Court soon.”

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

Picture By Obakeg Maje: (North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono)

The North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono will on Thursday 07 May 2015 welcome a team of cyclists and philanthropists lead by the provincial tourism ambassador who is also a renowned television presenter and hip-hop artist Tshepo Stoan Seate in Mafikeng. The team has been cycling from Johannesburg since Sunday and has thus far completed over 350 kilometers.

The Team passed through small dorpies of Rustenburg, Swartruggens and Zeerust, identifying disadvantaged schools, which they committed to assist. The gesture by the team, is mainly to celebrate Seate’s 40^th birth day and celebrate his 20th year in the music industry. The programme is called Ikgate Motlhala phenomenon, celebrated under the theme “Lets build the legacy”.

MEC Desbo Mohono will welcome the team which includes actors and well known personalities into the capital city Mafikeng around lunch time.

All media houses are urged to attend the event that will be held as follows:

Date   : 07 May 2015

Venue: Mmabatho Hotel School

Time   : 12:30

-TDN

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Rustenburg – The South African Police Service’s crime intelligence offices in Mahikeng, in the North West have burnt down, police said on Thursday.

“The police registered an inquiry after a building occupied by South African Police Service crime intelligence caught fire today [Wednesday] at approximately 1:45pm.

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

In efforts to strengthen the fight against crime in the Mahikeng CBD and sorounding villages, the Bokone Bophirima Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi will introduce the appointed contractor for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras and handover the site for the project.

The installation of CCTV cameras is part of the Premier Mahumapelo’s call on Rebranding, Renewal and Repositioning the Province’s Capital City.

The project is anticipated to create jobs for the local unemployed young men and women.

Further the building of the control room for the CCTV Cameras will be handed over to the appointed service provider to commence with the project which will unfold in three phases.

Cameras would be installed in areas and villages regarded as crime hotsports within Mahikeng.

The event will unfold as follows:

Date           :        08 May 2015

Time           :        15 H00

Venue        :        Mahikeng Fire Station next to Mahikeng License Department

-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley police are investigating a case of rape after two unknown men took turns raping a 17-year-old woman on 2014 September 09. The victim was allegedly raped at the West End grave yard while she visited her mother’s grave, at approximately 18:00.

“One suspect was wearing a white T-shirt and pink pants, held a knife against her throat and threatened to kill her. The suspect was tattooed a lion on the left side of his arm . The other suspect was wearing a red-T-shirt and a pocket brown pants, had sores and scars, and also sores on his arms. They are believed to be African- coloured male persons” Northern Cape police spokesperson lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Anyone with the information that may assist with the investigation of this case can contact Kimberley police detective branch on 053 8385 575 or Sergeant Antonie at 0823020 468

-TDN

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