Monthly Archives: August 2015

Taung Business Forum concern over foreign businessmen killings in Taung

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE plan to beef up security in various foreign shops has been discussed amidst the killings that recently escalated in across Taung. According to Taung Foreign Business Forum (TFBF) more than 10 business owners had been killed in Taung so far. This results in them planning to close down their businesses.

Hasan Al Zaid, 34, who is a secretary for Taung Foreign Business Forum (TFBF) said it seems their safety has been compromised. “We no more feel safe in the area. Almost 10 foreign-businessmen had been killed so far, and that leaves us vulnerable because you end up asking yourself who is next. We need an intervention and also the police need to act swiftly,” Zaid said.

Three weeks ago a Bangladesh businessman was killed in Matsheng village, Taung in his shop while he was asleep. North West police managed to arrest four suspects whom they were linked positively to the crime.

A week ago, another Bangladesh was a victim in Mothanthanyane village, after the suspects entered his shop and bludgeoned to death. The suspects allegedly set his shop ablaze afterwards and no one has been arrested so far.

Taung Business Forum chairperson, Lesego Lencwe said they met with foreign businessmen including police to come up with strategic plan of how to combat this criminal behaviour. He said they will beef-up security and another plan is to have patrollers around different areas.

“We met with our fellow foreign brothers to discuss plans how to stop this carnage. We decided to come up with strategic plan like to have patrollers and also to work hand-in-hand with police. The killings of business owners are a serious concern,” Lencwe said.

However North West police spokesperson, col Sabata Mokgwabone said: “It is not true that we are dragging our feet to deal with crime. We are committed to ensure a safe and secure environment for all the citizens. Visible patrols are conducted on a daily basis not only in Taung, but in other parts of the province.

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“In Taung, regular meetings are held with communities including foreign nationals who own shops as part of proactive measures of curbing crime are discussed. However, it is imperative that the community work together,” he said.

According to Mokgwabone six suspects have been arrested relating to two cases in which foreign nationals were attacked in Matsheng.

He said in the first case, four accused are expected to appear in court on Monday, (24 August 2015).

“In the second case, two accused appeared in court on Friday, (21 August 2015). We are still investigating a case in which a foreign national was killed in Mothanthanyaneng village,” he concludes.

-TDN

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‘Four to appear in court after public violence’

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Pic: (Prisoner's cell)

Pic: (Prisoner’s cell)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Four accused suspects aged between 19 and 36 will be appearing in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday (24 August 2015) where they will be facing charges of public violence.

Makgetla, 36, Godfrey Malepe, 19, and Daniel Mokgosi (26) were arrested on Wednesday, (19 August 2015) following a spate of public violence incidents. They appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Friday, (21 August 2015) and were remanded in custody.

North West police spokesperson, col Sabata Mokgwabone said the trio will appear together with Tshegofatso Mangole, 32, who was apprehended on Saturday (16 August 2015) for public violence in Dikhibidung. “He appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (19 August 2015) and he was remanded in custody until Monday (24 August 2015).

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“The community allegedly burnt and damaged properties belonging t the municipality two weeks ago in Dikhibidung Informal Settlement near Sunrise Park in Rustenburg.  The violence erupted after community and local municipality representatives failed to reach consensus on service delivery issues,” he said.

It is alleged that the community demanded to be employed at the local sewerage plant. The properties that were damaged include burning of two municipal trucks, a park home, an ambulance and pelting of municipal car with stones. The situation is calm currently and police are monitoring it to ensure stability.

-TDN

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ANC in North West embark on qualifications verification process

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE African National Congress in North West is taking a huge measure by verifying all academic qualifications of their senior managers across all municipalities. The initiative was unveiled by the ruling party on Friday at Orkney during Setsokotsane visit.

ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said the ruling party is planning to curb discrepancies and transparency is needed. “We want to make sure every manager has valid qualifications that fit his job descriptions. We will make sure we achieve this through a system of performance management and effective internal controls intended to enhance a conducive environment that is fair, equitable, competitive and cost effective,” he said.

He said the processes and procedures implemented by departments to verify qualifications is an area of concern that needs to be monitored on a regular basis. Every MEC will make sure he or she verifies qualifications of its staff. “To do this work effectively, though, we depend on the support and commitment of all the departments within the South African Public Service. This guide should assist departments and is intended to provide direction on the process for auditing the qualifications of officials. Verifying qualifications should be seen as a means to manage and control corruption and fraud within the human resource area,” he said.

The objective of implementing such a verification process is to enhance the ethical infrastructure of departments. Legoete said the party want to make the province a custodian of good governance. “The Heads of Department and line functionaries have a major role to ensure that personnel understand their collective responsibility to fight corruption and prevent fraud. The verification of qualifications project is one element to assist in this process,” he said.

-TDN

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‘Rape suspect due in court’

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 22 year-old suspect is due to appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday (24 August 2015) for allegedly raping a 12-year-old minor, says North West police.

North West police spokesperson, maj Pelonomi Makau said the suspect who is employed at one of the local farms in Lichtenburg, allegedly raped the minor and afterwards injected her with medication meant for cattle to prevent her from falling pregnant.

“The matter was reported to the police and the suspect was traced and apprehended. The minor was admitted at the hospital for medical treatment and police investigation into the matter continues,” maj Pelonomi Makau said.

-TDN

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‘A man arrested after killing his girlfriend’

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 26-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday on a charge of murder.

 

The suspect was allegedly found with the naked body of his 22-year-old girlfriend beside his vehicle on Saturday along the Zeerust – Lichtenburg road.

North West police spokesperson maj Pelonomi Makau said the motorists allegedly discovered the body of a woman lying next to the suspect’s vehicle after he (suspect) stopped them for assistance after his vehicle broke down.

 

“According to the information available at this stage, the woman only had her underwear on, and it was suspected that she was allegedly strangled to death. Preliminary investigation revealed the woman’s body had bruises on her neck,” Makau.

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The suspect was arrested after the police were called to the scene. It is not known at this stage if the woman was raped, and investigation into the matter continues.

-TDN

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Department of Education in North West refute DA claims

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE NORTH West Education and Sport Development refute the claims from Democratic Alliance that they refused to appear before NCOP committee. In response to the statement issued by the Democratic Alliance on two weeks, about the National Council of Provinces Select Committee on Education and Recreation summoning MEC Maphefo Matsemela to explain the current administration of the department.

The North West Education and Sport Development department said they view the reaction of the DA as unnecessary and regard it as sensational more than anything, because it is normal for any government department or parastatal to be invited to the NCOP to explain its operation.

“At the moment the department has not received any formal invitation by NCOP, however the department will comply with any call to explain its operation and also to report on its achievements. In the 2014/2015 financial year under the tutelage of MEC Matsemela, the department obtained a clean audit due to the hard work shown by all officials of the department,” departmental spokesperson, Elias Malindi said.

“Since the visit of the NCOP last week to the province, his department has honoured all the engagements that were requested from them and therefore MEC Matsemela will avail herself and the management of the department anytime should there be a formal invitation to do so,” he said.

-TDN

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‘Situation calm at Lekwa Teemane schools after intervention’

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BY  REGINALD KANYANE

It took the provincial intervention from the North West Education and Sport Development MEC, Maphefo Matsemela and Superintendent General, Dr Itumeleng Molale at the Lerona Secondary School in Christiana Township and Thuto Lore in Bloemhof for learners to agree to suspend the class disruption and go back to school today, Friday.

This follows after 3 days of class disruption by learners at Lerona Secondary School and Thuto Lore Secondary School demanding that MEC Matsemela and Dr Molale should come down and address them before they could go back to their classes. Some of the demands from learners at Lerona were that, they did not want their current principal TF Jantjies and that they want new text books. The learners at Thuto Lore Secondary marched to the police station complaining that, they want cases opened for burglary from their school to be resolved urgently and those teachers who bunk classes to be disciplined by the department.

The North West Education and Sport Development departmental spokesperson, Elias Malindi said, Thuto Lore Secodary School learners went out from their school and disrupted lessons at Gaopalelwe Primary School, Thamagane Primary School and further went to Vaaloewer Primary School were they broke the gate of the school.

“In both towns the learners wanted Congress of the South African Students (COSAS) organisation to be given the equal recognition with the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) in all their schools.

MEC Matsemela and Dr Molale put everything aside and called meetings with the Principal, COSAS representatives, RCL representative, Young Communist League representatives, School Governing Bodies members and school senior managers from both schools respectively to jointly come up with a peaceful resolution to the debacle.

MEC Matsemela stated that the department of education puts the interests of every learner at its heart, so they will do everything in their ability to ensure that those interests are protected at all the times.

“We must at all times respect the rule of law; we cannot dismiss or expel the principal if he has not transgressed any policy of the department. Teachers need to honour their contract of teaching at all times. We are not going to allow those teachers who bunk classes to continue to do that. We will task our departmental teams to investigate all the allegations highlighted by the learners in order to get to the bottom of the problem in both schools while teaching and learning is continuing unhindered”, she said.

MEC Matsemela concluded the meeting by assuring the learners and the school management at Lerona Secondary School that the shortage of teachers will be provided in the coming week.

She strongly discouraged the disruption of classes and the destruction of school properties. MEC Matsemela further pleaded with learners to honour their non-negotiable responsibilities of attending classes at all times without ceasing so that they can be the pride of the nation in future.

The department has submitted the order for the new text books.

-TDN

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Four perished in ‘head on’ collision near Ventersdorp

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Picture: (Police Tape)

Picture: (Police Tape)

BY REGINALD KANYANE
VENTERSDORP- Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after two vehicles, a Toyota Tazz and Volkswagen Polo collided head-on along N14 between Ventersdorp and Coligny in Thursday night. 

Major Pelonomi Makau said three people from the Toyota Tazz, two men, a woman and the driver of the Volkswagen Polo died on the scene.

“The cause of the accident is not yet known, and investigation into the matter continues,” she said.
-TDN
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Ethopian man shot dead in N West

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 30 year-old Ehiopian national was shot dead by four unknown suspects at Boikhutso location near Lichtenburg on Thursday, at about 21:45. 

According to North West police, the victim was inside his tuck-shop when suspects wearing balaclavas allegedly pounced and pointed him with a firearm. 

Maj Pelonomi Makau said: “The suspects allegedly shot the victim in his chest and fled the scene. The victim was with his shop assistant when the incident occurred. Nothing was taken from the shop and the suspects are still at large.”

The police request any person with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact the Investigating Officers; Major Makgwana Mokotedi on 082 416 1638 or Warrant Officer Jerry Letshoo on 072 952 0938.      
-TDN
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Mashaba announces squad to face Mauritania

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Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Mashaba has selected a 25-man squad for the 2017 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mauritania.

The Group M clash will take place on Saturday, 5 September 2015 at Stade Olympique in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Kick-off is 17h00 in Mauritania (19h00 SA Time).

Bafana Bafana drew 0-0 with Gambia in the opening match of the qualifiers at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

“Even though this match comes after a well-deserved rest, not just for the players but also for the technical team, due to the spacing in between, it has also killed the momentum of the team. But I have complete confidence in the players that we have selected and I believe they will deliver,” said Mashaba.

The Bafana Bafana mentor said he was confident of getting a good result in the West African country.

“Some of the players have been on a long break and only started playing recently, but I know we will get the result we want. If you look at the squad we have picked, it is based on the opposition. They recently lost by a narrow margin to Cameroon, which means we cannot take them lightly,” said Mashaba adding it was imperative to give total application.

“We need to drum into our players the fact that they should not look at the opposition and stop asking who Mauritania is. Let’s give them the respect they deserve. We need to score first and demoralise them because if they net first they might make it difficult for us to come back. In short we have to go there prepared so we can get a result.”

Mashaba said some people may look at the two teams’ rankings and think it will be a walk in the park for Bafana Bafana.

“Rankings don’t mean much on the field of play. Mauritania held Cameroon for the better part of their match in June, away in Cameroon so it clearly shows we need to be at our best to come back victorious,” added Mashaba.

Bafana Bafana will go into camp on Sunday, 30 August in Johannesburg.

They are expected to depart for Mauritania on Thursday, 3 September.

South Africa’s 2017 AFCON Fixtures:

South Africa 0 – 0 Gambia 13 June 2015 (Durban)

Mauritania vs South Africa 5 September 2015 (Nouakchott)

Cameroon vs South Africa 23,24, 25, 26 March 2016

South Africa vs Cameroon 26, 27, 28, 29 March 2016

Gambia vs South Africa 3, 4, 5 June 2016

South Africa vs Mauritania 2, 3, 4 September 2016
-TDN
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