Daily Archives: August 12, 2015

Electronic Performance Management System to be put in place to avoid unauthorised expenditure

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Pic: (North West MEC Matsemela welcomes newly-elected SGB members)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

SCOPA held a Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) Public Hearings with Dr. Ruth Mompati District and Great Taung Local Municipalities in Taung on Wednesday.

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) held public hearings on the Municipal Finance Management Act audit outcomes of the financial year 2013/14 for Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Greater Taung Local Municipality.

The meeting was held at Greater Taung Municipal Chamber and those who were in attendance were Portfolio committee, Jeannett Dibetso-Nyathi, Gordon Kegakilwe, Mayors, Municipal Managers including senior management of municipalities, Municipal Public Account Committees, representatives from the Department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development; Department of  Local Government and Human Settlements and the Auditor General’s office.

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district municipal manager, Zebo Tshetlho answered questions from the Scopa after they found there were discrepancies in a financial reports for 2013/2014.

Tshetlho explained that the council comply with section 127 and 129 to 132 of the Municipality Financial Management Act.

“The executive mayor of a municipality complied with Section 127(2) and has within seven months after the end of a financial year tabled in the municipal council,” Tshetlho said.

According to the reports presented to Scopa, more than R50m was unauthorised expenditure.

However municipal manager said proper channels are put in place to correct the wrongs and they using all mechanism like providing workshops to their staff and senior managers.

“The district municipality is currently training officials in the use of the Collaborator (Electronic Records Management System). Ignite System has been procured for the handling of Performance Management Records,” he said.

North West Portfolio Committee Chair of Chairs, Gordon Kegakilwe said the municipality must make sure their are emergence system regarding water and sanitation challenge in Kagisano-Molopo and Lekwa Teemane municipalities.

“The district must make sure there are emergence plan system in place that could reduce water and sanitation problem it experience at both municipalities.

“The communities need to be provided with alternatives because that is basic to them. Water and Sanitation are what they experience daily,” Kegakilwe said.

-TDN

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Water and Sanitation department encourages pupils to live healthy lives

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE department of Water and Sanitation together with Sedibeng Water Board and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality spent a day fixing leakages and broken toilets at Boingotlo Secondary School.

This was in an effort to curb water wastage and ensure that the school has proper sanitation services.

The departtment spokesperson Rudzani Tshigemane said the initiative forms part of government’s call on all South Africans to contribute to the social and economic security of Africans.

“This could be achieved only by living the values of the constitution that provides for the rights of all people living in our country and affirms democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom for all,” he said.

During the four days, the Department of Water and Sanitation together with Sedibeng Water Board, Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality and the school teachers and learners at Boingotlo Secondary fixed leaking and broken toilets and also cleaned the school yard.

In ddressing the learners at the school, Selby Matsheka from the Department of Water and Sanitation reiterated the significance of having a healthy learning environment.

“Cleanliness in and around the school yard including in the toilets should be your responsibility. Today we are going to help you clean and repair the leaking and broken toilets but what happens to them afterwards is your daily responsibility”, he said.

Experts in the water and sanitation field made presentations focusing on topical issues like sanitation and hygiene, as well as water conservation and demand management.

The department said this was part of Mandela Month initiative that provided the department and partners an opportunity to raise awareness to the learners at Boingotlo Secondary School to recognise their individual power to make an imprint and change the world around them.

During his keynote address to the learners, Tiro Mahlakoleng from Sedibeng Water Board added that positive change begins with small actions.

He said if one person acts, they fuel momentum toward positive change.

“You need to take care of the facilities that we have just installed for you at the school toilets. Moreover, cleanliness will have to be your top priority because you are the ones who are using these toilets on a daily basis”, he said.

Mahlakoleng called on nation to work together for the continuous development of humanity through the attainment of basic freedom.

-TDN

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Learners equipped in a fight against satanism

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BY PHEMELO MOHUTSIWA

The Young Adults League (YAL) of the Lutheran Church in the Western Diocese distributed Bibles to 96 learners from Tshedimosetso Secondary School in Jouberton on Sunday.

The distribution of Bibles to learners is part of a campaign led by YAL in partnership with the Department of Education to fight Satanism in schools.
The Director of YAL in the Western Diocese, Richard Montsho, explained that the campaign was launched last year to respond to the reported incidents of Satanism in schools which showed to be mushrooming.

“As the league of the church, we could not fold our arms and hope that our will kids fend-off this devastating phenomenon alone. Our resolve was to go back to basics – teach and encourage the kids to read the Bible and pray daily,” said Montsho.

He said the plan is to collect and distribute 10 000 Bibles to schools throughout the North West province.

The representative of the Department of Education, Simon Mogotsi welcomed and appreciated the initiative as an investment in learners’ future. He indicated that Satanism is alive and the schools do not have the capacity to deal with that plague adequately.

More stakeholders are urged to join in the fight against Satanism to ensure that learners stay focused on their studies without any menace.

Officiating at the event, the Presiding Bishop of ELCSA, Reverend Bishop Marcus Molefe Ditlhale encouraged the members of the church to become active change agents who respond to the needs of the communities that they live in.

“The role of the church is within the communities because these are people who need our help, not only spiritually but also to deal with the harsh realities of poverty and unemployment”, Bishop Ditlhale said.

The Bishop encouraged YAL members to do more in addition to this Bible initiative and the community outreach activity which the league embarked on, on Saturday to mark the end of Mandela month celebrations.

Fourteen needy families and the Centre for the disabled (We can Care Centre) benefited groceries, schools uniforms and cleaning materials to the tune of R45 000.00.

-TDN

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Three died in a blazing fire in Klerksdorp

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
A man, woman and child were killed on Monday after a fire engulfed their home on Muranti Street in Doringkruin, Klerksdorp.

ER24 paramedics were called by SAPS on scene for further assistance.

When paramedics arrived, they found that Fire services had already extinguished the blaze that had ravaged most of the house.

ER24 spokesperson, Russel Meiring said “Three bodies of a man, woman and child were found inside the living room of the house. Unfortunately all three patients had sustained fatal injuries and had been burned beyond recognition.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known but local authorities were on scene for further investigations.

-TDN

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Ganyesa man enjoy welding

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

GANYESA-born man said welding is a calling to him and it helps him to survive. Itumeleng Nkoe (40) said he has been working as a welder almost 10 years. He said even though he does not make more money, what he is making is enough to survive.

“I am a father of four children and I also have a girlfriend whom I take care of. I love welding with all my heart and I decided to open a welding company. I do many things including window, door and burglar bars.

“I realised that we cannot sit around and expect government to spoon-feed us. I just wish I could get support so that my business can grow. I want to have a warehouse in the future, but through hard work I believe everything is possible,” Nkoe said.

Nkoe is based in Kagisano-Molopo municipality in Ganyesa village, 70km from Vryburg and encouraged the residents to register businesses so that they can keep the wolf away from the door.

“With the money I make, my children afford to go to school but I would like to hire more people so that I also contribute in job-creation,” he concludes.

-TDN

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Dikwena on talent search

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Trials @Stars

BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG-based premier soccer league club, Platinum Stars held soccer trials on Saturday at Rustenburg. The Head of Academy at the club, Adrew Mokgatlhe said the aim was to unearthed talents within the province.

“We can proudly say North West has abundance of talents and we will make sure that upcoming players get exposed. We recently held trials and we picked up 18 players.

“Even though the players we selected are at preliminary phase, we hope to select most of them because we have two feeding teams. One is contesting in ABC Motsepe league, while other one plies its trade in Multi-choice,” Mokgatlhe said.

He said they wish all stakeholders to come on board and help in developing players.

Mokgatlhe said they looking at players those are between 1995-1997.

“We want younger players so that they could be well-developed. Those players will be evaluated and monitored will plying their trade in various leagues and will be promoted if they are ready,” he said.

North West mostly consists of rural areas, and he encourages development coaches to attend workshops and clinics to know what strategies and techniques to use while develop players.

-TDN

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UDM leader woo Marikana women

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Picture: (Courtesy of www.mg.co.za

Picture: (Courtesy of http://www.mg.co.za)

BY PHEMELO MOHUTSIWA

THE United Democratic Movement leader, Bantu Holomisa celebrated Women’s Day with women in Marikana on Sunday. Holomisa said in his statement addressing his supporters that Marikana women cannot celebrate Women’s Day because most of them are widows.

He said the women in this part of the world were subjected to the most painful experience of losing their only source of hope for a meal at the end of the day.

Holomisa said the women were supposed to celebrate the bravery put out by 1956 women who marched to Union Building against use of dompass. “You were supposed to be celebrating the Women’s Day, but you cannot do that because you are now preparing to mourn the death of your loved ones at the hands of democratic government,” he said.

Holomisa was referring to the death of 42 miners who were shot death by police during unprotected strike back in 2012. 34 miners were killed during unrest at Lonmin wage-related strike and another 10 people were killed including two policemen and two security guards.

“I wrote to President Jacob Zuma requesting him for a compensation of the families of the dead mineworkers, to ensure they had food to eat and uniforms for their children to go to school. I also want to encourage you to vote for UDM during the next local elections that will take place next year,” he concludes.

More than 600 women gathered at Marikana to listen to the leader of UDM.

-TDN

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Rooival residents want action on alcohol

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE residents of Rooival village, in Taung are despondent after they experienced a high use of alcohol and drug abuse recently in their area.

The chief of the area, Kagiso Smous (33) called a meeting in quest to curb the plague within the community. He said the community will win a fight against drugs and alcohol abuse in Rooival if they stand together.

“We experiencing the use of drugs and alcohol abuse with in our community especially among the youth. We cannot live like this. Most of our youth quit school and that spells danger to our community as they are the leaders of tomorrow, but how would they deal with the challenges without educational background?” Smous said.

Another disturbed resident, Kgomotso Mpomolwana (36) said what is happening in their area is uncalled for. “I am also a concerned mother who has a child. My child quits school for no apparent reasons. I want to tell the youth that, please stay away from drugs before they destroy your future. Take charge of your life and make sure is for the betterment of it,” Mpomolwana said.

She also advised parents who might know that their kids have drugs problem to speak out before is too late. Mpomolwana said drugs are very addictive and that will lead the users to steal to fend the addiction.

“We need to stand together as mothers because the drugs and alcohol destroy our children’s precious lives. We cannot fold our arms while the youth flush their future down the drain,” she said.

North West Social Development spokesperson Petrus Siko said the community members can access their services related to drugs and substances at their service points.

“We would like to advise the members of community to visit our service points where they could access drugs and substances service points. Equally we have organisations that we funding as the department to provide rehabilitation services to addicts.

“That means community members can use the services for free and we can also add that the department has built a state-run drug treatment centre in Taung hospital at the tune of R2 million. The centre will be completed before the end of this financial year,” Siko said.

Positive Youth Of Taung chairperson, Phemelo Mohutsiwa said it is clear that the communities have an uphill to climb because more drug users are penetrating into the area.

“We have a mammoth task to do as residents of Taung. Every now and then you will find drug addicts roaming the streets, so I would like to advise the parents to visit various centres to get help for their kids before is too late. It is very difficult for the user to quit while the person is hooked, so we better deal with that while is still early. Most parents shy away to ask for help after experiencing that their kids are using drugs, but that is not an issue,” Mohutsiwa said.

-TDN

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Three murder cases postponed in North West

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Three murder accused were remanded in custody upon appearance in various courts on Tuesday, says North West police. A 30-year-old man from Madibogo-pan was apprehended for the alleged murder of an 18-year-old victim in Madibogo-pan on Sunday at about 23:00.

North West police spokesperson, col Sabata Mokgwabone said it is alleged that the victim was with his friends at the local tavern when the accused (Adam Phoi) entered the tavern and drew a knife. “The accused allegedly started stabbing people randomly inside the tavern and three people were seriously stabbed while one was transported to hospital where he died upon arrival,” Mokgwabone said.

He said Phoi appeared in Atamelang Magistrates’ Court and his case was postponed until 17 August 2015 for a legal representation.

Still in Madibogo, Edward Setsetse, 39, appeared in Atamelang Magistrates’ Court for allegedly killing a 43-year-old victim in Lenganeng section in Madibogo. The accused was remanded in custody until Monday, 17 August 2015 for a legal representation.

Mokgwabone said according to information at their disposal, the accused and the victim were at the local tavern when a quarrel ensued between them. “It is alleged that the accused drew a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest. He was transported to the local hospital, but was certified dead on arrival. The incident took place on Sunday,” he said.

In Brits, a 19-year-old accused, Thabiso Pailo appeared in Brits Magistrates’ Court for the alleged murder of a 19-year-old victim.  The incident took place in Phase 1 Oukasie, Brits at about 15:50 on Friday. The case was postponed until Thursday, 13 August 2015 for a formal bail application. 

North West police said the victim was allegedly on his way home when he had an argument with the suspect.  Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspect allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife in his chest and was also certified dead on arrival at the hospital. The suspect was arrested on the scene after police reacted swiftly to the incident.

-TDN

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Taung Mall bank cards skimming suspect nabbed

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Alleged Taung Bank Card Robber, Realeboga Diseko(28)

BY REGINALD KANYANE
TAUNG police recently experienced spate of crimes at Taung Mall where unsuspecting victims were robbed their bank cards and their money fraudulently stolen. Taung police arrested one of the suspects who masqueraded as good Samaritan.

Realeboga Diseko (28) was recently arrested and is expected to appear at Taung Magistrates Court this week.

Pudimoe cluster police station spokesperson, sgt Tebogo Thebe said the suspects have been preying on bank users and targeted those who withdraw social grant money.

“We have arrested a 28-year-old man at Taung Mall, where he and his accomplice were allegedly defrauding unsuspecting bank users. They will allegedly masquerade as good Samaritans and steal the users’ cards in the process.

“They will give the user different card and without realizing, leave the area. And suspects will use the card to withdraw the money. We still working on arresting other suspects because we suspect they working as a syndicate,” Thebe said.

According to Thebe, they found three bank cards from the suspect and R1500 in cash.

However the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) on behalf of banking industry has reported a decrease in associated robberies for 2015.

Commenting on the significant decrease, Kalyani Pillay, SABRIC CEO said, “The decrease is attributed to the collective collaborative efforts of not only the banking industry and law enforcement, but of the bank clients who have decided to heed the call to not carry large sums of cash and use alternate methods of banking.”

Last year the banking industry not only recorded a 30% increase in associated robberies, but sadly saw some bank clients lose their live as they were killed on their way from the bank after withdrawing large amounts of cash. Pillay said the 23% decrease currently see, is the largest recorded since 2006.

“This demonstrates that working together with strategic partners such as the South African Police Services, Crime Line, the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations; as well as the public is having the desired effect,” he said.

The biggest decrease has been recorded in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces where associated robberies showed a 40% and 46%decrease respectively.  However, the Mpumalanga Province showed an unfortunate 29% increase in associated robberies, which is a concern to the banking industry. Mitigation efforts between law enforcement and the industry are being implemented to address this scourge.

Pillay said they embarked on an intervention and stabilization programme in the Witbank area in Mpumalanga in partnership with the South African Police Service since April this year.

According to him, this is due to the increase in bank related crimes that they witnessed in that area and said SABRIC can confidently say that the interventions are beginning to show a decline in these crimes as arrests are being effected.
The SAPS in partnership with SABRIC, will be launching similar programmes of stabilization in other identified areas around the country, which will be announced in due course.
Modus operandi like the ones mentioned above reiterate the importance of awareness campaigns such as the Carrying Cash Safely campaign to warn bank customers of the dangers associated with carrying large amounts of cash. “To avoid these robberies and the risk of loss of life, we urge bank clients to rather consider using alternative banking methods, such as internet and cellphone banking” said Pillay.
-TDN

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