BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE DEMOCRATIC Alliance said they will force the minister of water and sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane to release the 2014 Blue and Green Drop reports.

DA deputy shadow minister of water and sanitation, Leon Basson said Nomvula’s reluctance shows the lack of transparency. “Mokonyane’s actions show the government’s unwillingness to own up and confront South Africa’s water crisis. She promised to release the reports in September 2015, but she missed the deadline without an explanation.

“Mokonyane’s inaction in this regard raises serious concerns. She is not committed to solve the country’s water problems.  Her department’s poor management of water infrastructure has already compounded the effects of the drought currently facing South Africa. Earlier this week, during an oral reply in parliament, she refused to give a date for release of the reports.” Basson said.

Basson said the Blue Drop programme measures water treatment plants and the quality of drinking water. He said that the programme assesses the quality of wastewater treatment.

“These reports are crucial for identifying systems that fail to provide communities with clean and safe water. The DWS clearly has something to hide regarding the state of our water infrastructure. The DA urgently calls on Mokonyane to stop stalling and table the 2014 Blue and Green Drop Reports in Parliament within the next seven days. Failing to do so, the DA will request the reports through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2 of 2000.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO men were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder on Thursday. Papiki Motabogi (27) and Maiuane Paulino Romao (44) were arrested for the murder of Ronel Van Ek. They appeared before North West High Court in Potchefstroom on Thursday.

Motabogi and Ramao killed a 49 year-old farmer in Hartbeesfontein in August 2012. Van Ek was entering her farm when she was attacked. The suspects pointed her with a firearm and robbed her hand bag and undisclosed amount of money, two cellphones and a hand gun.

 North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “Motabogi and Romao attempted to steal Van Ek’s vehicle, but the police found it few meters away from the crime scene. The police followed the lead that assisted in tracking the suspects. On August 19 last year, Motabogi was arrested in Wolmaransstad for a separate case he committed. Police’s preliminary investigations linked him to the Hartbeesfontein farm murder,”

Ramaloko said a Mozambique man, who was a second accused in the matter, fled to Gauteng. He was subsequently arrested on December 15 last year.

“They were both charged with murder and robbery. Motabogi was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery. Romao was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for robbery, four years for possession of firearm and one year for possession of ammunitions. All the years will run concurrently.” he said.

The acting provincial commissioner, Major General Job Tsumane welcomed the sentencing. He said the sentencing will send a clear message to criminals.

“We have no doubt that the sentence will send a clear message that police will deal effectively with those who commit crime. We commend the team of dedicated members who made it possible to secure the conviction. Together with other role players, we will continue to ensure that those who transgress the law are dealt with accordingly.” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Right2Know Campaign said they strongly condemn the action by the University of Johannesburg’s management and the SAPS’s conduct in dealing with the protesting students and workers.

About 138 students and 13 workers were arrested during a #FeesMustFall protest and are currently held at Brixton Police Station. According to the students, the University called in private security that has been very violent when dealing with the protesting students and workers. Further reports states that police who were called in used excessive force against protesters.

Busi Mtabane said: “We believe five students including the SRC president were suspended for allegedly inciting violence during protests at the institution, an accusation they strongly deny. The university claims that the workers were arrested for being in violation of a court interdict.

“The court interdicts which have been brought into play on campuses across the country are hugely problematic and have restricted students’ and workers’ rights to engage in protests, including those which are non-violent but disruptive of normal campus activities.

“We demand the release of the arrested protesters; we also call on the University to reinstate with immediate effect the suspended students.”

Mtabane said they call on UJ not to silence the students’ voices and respect their right to protest. She said the right to organise, protest and speak out is central to all community struggles for social justice.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Treasury and Enterprise Development grilled the Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development department, North West Development Corporation (NWDC) and Dirapeng (PTY) LTD company on the acquisition of Christiana Hotel School.

The committee found some discrepancies regarding the purchasing of the hotel school Committee chairperson, Raymond Elisha requested the NWDC to submit latest documents on the transaction of the property. He said the information like the deeds of sale; auction report and record of negotiations during the auction were missing.

Elisha also requested the copy of the provincial government’s resolution on NWDC’s acquisition of the entity. The salary of the acting CEO, Lemogang Moletsane which is R300 000 was in question. According to the reports, Moletsane’ salary is above the one of the suspended CEO, Mojalefa Nale.

Elisha said he was concerned about the latest transfer costs of R43m to purchase the hotel. The amount was augmented from the initial agreement which was R40m.

“I am not happy with the explanation on the breakdown of costs presented to us. We need a thorough written report on the costs incurred. The report should include all renovations to rooms classified as suites and all costs of removable assets,”

“The record of the deeds of sale and record of negotiations during the auctions was not available. We also need clarity on the number and types of wild animal species the game farm had when it was purchased. We have identified that the number of species presented on the pre-auction report stating assets of the hotel, versus the number of the post auction report and the evaluation report by the NWDC differs.

“We need to establish the value for money on purchasing the game farm as it only comprises of the less expensive wild species of animals as opposed to the animals such as the African Lion and the White rhinos which were once available in the farm,” he said.

The committee also demanded the previous owner’s detailed report submitted when selling the game farm.

“We want the full detailed report submitted by the previous owner. A detailed chronology of events that took place starting at the EXCO resolutions in the acquisition of NWDC entities with supporting documentation will be perfect. The costs incurred of employees from the Cookes Lake as discussed in the previous meeting and the PriceWaterHouseCoopers report. Also the assets that were on the farm during the time the owner sold it will be needed.

“We will need that report within 14 working days. The report should also include a copy of provincial government’s resolution on NWDC’s acquisition of the entity; a detailed information as to why the salary of the Acting CEO, Lemogang Moletsane is R300 000 above the one of the suspended CEO, Mojalefa Nale. A detailed information on whether any of the NWDC employees are doing business (any service whatsoever) with the entity and also information on the whereabouts of the species, the number and types of wild animal species the game farm had when it was purchased.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

SOCIAL development MEC, Fenny Gaolaolwe said the North West government was working hard to make sure lives of disabled persons improve. Gaolaolwe said this in line with November declared an official disability month.

She said that all efforts were being made to give dignity to all disabled people.
“We met with Minister Bathabile Dlamini last week to discuss way forward. We also met with disability persons’ forum. They highlighted their concerns, so as government we will make sure we listen to. We will be launching a computer laboratory for disabled persons in Itsoseng village, North West on November 25.

“We also went to old persons’ parliament in Kimberley the whole last week. The elders also raised their concerns, and their grievances were noted. Some said they were concerned about unauthorised deductions they always experienced from their grants. That issue is still a challenge. However, we requested that to come forward. There are some cases that we dealt with, and we managed to help most of them,” she said.

Gaolaolwe also warned elderly people not to sign any documents that they do not understand and desist from giving their Sassa cards to loan sharks.

“Some of the parents go on and take credit from either local shops or individuals. They end up leaving their Sassa cards as assurance. No one must leave her/his cards or share the pin number with anyone. We will harshly deal with those who found to be wrong-doing. People must come forward and let us know what’s going on. You are the eye and ears for government, so bring any information that can be helpful. We want to root out corruption within the system.

“We have fired three people from my department so far, and laid criminal charges against them. So our message is crystal clear, we will not tolerate any corruption. If we find any undeserving person earning government grant, we will deal with that person harshly. No one is allowed to loot government coffers,” Gaolaolwe said.
She also mentioned that North West has 383 wards and each ward has a responsible social worker. However, there were issues like transport that impede on the movement of social workers to communities.

“We are dealing with that challenge. We can confirm that most social workers have encountered transportation problem. That alone was a setback because they cannot do their work efficiently. We are now in discussing to see how we could help in that problem. Most of our social workers qualify for transport allowance. We will see how to deal with it. We’re also working together with department of education and sport development.

“The department will make sure that those children who are from disadvantaged background receive attention. Some of the kids end up not concentrated in class, only to find out that the challenges are from home. So we have assigned each social worker per school. It is so bad sometimes you find an older person left with more than six children to take care of. Our plea to the youth is that, this is a societal issue so we need their help,” she said.
Plans are also underway to have bursaries for social worker training.
“We have social workers bursaries. We need more social workers to curb challenges we facing as a nation. We are aware that we did not hire as many graduates as we can. So far we have absorbed 60 graduates. Another issue was older persons old age home based cares. The government cannot support all old age persons home based cares across the province. Most of them do not meet the requirements. We will regulate them because we’ve realised that some people use them as a way of absorbing money from the department,” Gaolaolwe said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE ANC provincial executive in North West has disbanded its embattled Ngaka Modiri Molema regional executive.

Ngaka Modiri Molema is the second region to be disbanded after the Dr Ruth Mompati regional executive was also dissolved a couple of months ago.

The major reason cited was that the structure had become paralysed due to internal factional fights at the expense of carrying out party business.

ANC provincial secretary Dakota Legoete said that they decided to disband Ngaka Modiri Molema because of serious indiscipline among some of the officials.

“We took this drastic step because of the untenable situation in the region and we have to stop the rot as some of the officials were in open defiance of the party,” he said.

A decision would be taken at the weekend on what new arrangement would be made for the region.

ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) spokesperson, Bridgette Seokamo said: “The Ngaka Modiri Molema regional executive was no longer sitting. Some of the leaders had become leaders of disruptions at all party gatherings. What we have since gathered is that some of those leading this were people who wanted to contest for the PEC positions last year but failed to reach the requisite threshold.”

The party has also suspended about 14 party officials including Ngaka Modiri Molema regional secretary Priscilla Williams.

Seokamo said: “A number of officials were suspended and disciplinary steps will be taken against them. In the case of Williams, she was an ex-officio member of the PEC by virtue of her position but has not been coming to meetings since leading a parallel regional general council.

“The provincial secretary and chairperson tried to reach out to her on numerous occasions to no avail. Instead she has made it her business to attack the party leadership on social media platforms like Facebook,” Seokamo said.

She added that while Williams did not attend the provincial general council, she led a group of people to the party’s national general council and wanted to raise issues on behalf of the province.

“Williams had become a leader of parallel structures and was at the forefront of disruptions we have seen of late. We even served her suspension letter through a sheriff because of the level of non-cooperation she has been displaying,” Seokamo added.

Other notable suspensions are those of Ramotshere Moiloa mayor, Africa Thale, Thabo Molamu, Basie Moepeng.

Asked if the suspension would not affect the ANC’s charge towards the 2016 local government elections, Seokamo said the party was left with no option.

“We were worried at first but if ANC members openly collude with opposition parties like the EFF to denigrate and even call for the removal of the leadership, we no longer know whether they are really ANC or not. We do not want people to go but at times, actions like these are necessary,” she said.

On her side, Williams dismissed her suspension as a non-event.

“The PEC cannot suspend me and besides, I only received an sms and that is not party procedure. I have been barred from attending party meeting on the basis that I was suspended. As it is, I remain a member of the ANC in regular and good standing and would appeal any move to suspend me to the national executive,” she said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

TWENTY FIVE unemployed youth received their MICT-SETA accredited certificate in further education and training in Ganyesa on Tuesday. The youth received intensive training in Information and Communication Technology for 12 months.The training was aimed at addressing skills shortages and job creation within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Independent Development Trust, spokesperson, Phasha Mokgolane said: “Through this partnership, 149 unemployed youth were trained in Information Technology Technical Support. The graduates were recruited from different provinces in South Africa and underwent a 12 month intensive training programme. At the end of this training programme the learners received an MICT-SETA accredited certificate in Further Education and Training, Information Technology, Technical Support (Networking Support and A+ PC Support), National Information Support as well as in entrepreneurship,”

“The fifth group of graduates received their certificates in a graduation ceremony held at the Kagisano Molopo local municipality Chamber in Ganyesa village. The graduation ceremony recognised and rewards the best performing students in the programme. The learners get recognized both in terms of theory and practical application in ICT technical support.” Mokgolane said.

She said they are in partnership with one of leading network in South Africa.

Vodacom Chief Officer in Corporate Affairs, Maya Makanjee said: “This is Vodacom’s contribution towards the creation of skills development and job creation opportunities for unemployed youth. It is premised on the concept that the more skilled the youth are the greater their opportunity for employment.

“Besides our core business, we are also committed to stimulating skills development and job creation within the ICT sector. Through the ICT skills training, we are now able to fulfil this commitment and also play an active role in the creation of job opportunities for young people.”

The Kagisano Molopo municipal mayor, Veronica Keketsi said: “Young people are the bedrock of our country. Any programme that empowers them, invariably contribute to a better tomorrow. The municipality is proud to be part of the ceremony. The contribution of IDT organisation resonates with our strategic plan of focus on youth development and empowerment. The graduates in this programme contribute towards alleviation of skills shortages in the ICT sector and the knowledge economy in South Africa.”

Dipuo Amogelang scooped the most outstanding performance award in 2015. Amogelang said: “We are the torchbearers and role-models in their communities. We are encouraged by the good results that we have achieved, and we hope that doors are going to be opened for us.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 36 YEAR-OLD MAN is sought after he allegedly raped his girlfriend. Orapeleng Mothibi, from Maphoitsile village in Taung allegedly terrorizes the residents across Taung. The department of correctional services in Christiana said the man was released on parole on July 24 2012.

The correctional services regional spokesperson, Moses Hlongwani said the suspect contravened his parole condition.

“One of the conditions attached to his release was he must report to Christiana Correctional Centre every week. Mothibi has been properly following his conditions attached to his parole until December 2014. He was sentenced to 15 years after being convicted for house breaking and theft. He is not complying with his parole rules. Mothibi’ sentence runs until 2020 and he has absconded,” Hlongwani said.

Hlongwani said correctional officials are out in numbers looking for Mothibi. “A case of absconding has been opened against the parolee. The mother of the parolee submitted an affidavit indicating that the offender is nowhere to be found. She said that Mothibi has never been at home since December last year.”

North West police spokesperson Major Pelonomi Makau said the police in Taung are looking for the suspect. “The police opened a case of rape against a 36 year-old man from Maphoitsile village in Taung. It is alleged that the suspect raped his girlfriend and fled. Police urge community members to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.” Makau said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH WEST MEC for Community Safety, Oageng Molapisi said he was concern about the escalating number of stock theft in the province. Molapisi said the contact crime has increased by 2% while property crime increased by 3%. He said there were measures in place to reduce crime in the province.

The official crime statistics for 2014/15 were announced at Tshidilamolomo village, outside Mahikeng on Wednesday.

“The statistics showed that the province has recorded an alarming increase of 8% on stock theft for the financial year 2014/15. In 2013/14, about 2388 cases of stock theft were reported across the province. The number has increased to 2574 which becomes a problem.

“Livestock is the backbone of many rural communities in the province. Now the high levels of stock theft crimes have a negative impact on sustainability in rural development. The stock theft among under-resourced farmers in particular, has a crippled the food security, rural livelihoods and incomes,”

“Stock theft does not only threaten the sustainability of the province’s livestock industry. The department will take a lead in promoting co-operation and partnerships among different role players in implementing crime prevention initiatives.

“We have developed a strategic plan as part of intervention mechanism to deal with the high rise of crime. The finalisation of outstanding legislation and regulations will be put in place. We will tighten controls and law enforcement will be implemented. More visibility will help to ensure compliance by private institutions such as abattoirs and pound areas that deal with meat and stock,”

“We will resuscitate and strengthen Community Policing Forums (CPFs). The finalization of cases is imperative in rooting out criminals within the communities. So communities need to know that withdrawing cases is not ideal.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE Ramotshere Moiloa mayor, Afrika Thale was suspended with immediate effect by Mkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association in North West. The MKMWA said during press conference in Ventersdorp on Wednesday. Chairperson for the association, Leon Mkhabela said: “We are resolute in suspending comrade Afrika Thale with immediate effect. Thale failed to display the discipline expected from MKMVA members. He refused to take orders from the leadership of ANC after asked to step down from his position as mayor of Ramotshere Moiloa.

“We regard his action as distasteful thus bringing both the ANC and MKMVA to disrepute. He also resorted in using unemployed members of MKMVA as his protectors. We view that act as a physical fight and plot against the decision of the provincial leadership of the ANC. The association also noted with dismay towards Thale’s conduct in the media. He continued to embarrass and defy the ANC in the media and we view his conducts as anti-ANC.”

Meanwhile, the Provincial Executive Committee spokesperson, Bridgette Seokamo said Thale is amongst ANC members who were ordered to appear before the party’s disciplinary hearing.

“We can confirm that comrade Africa Thale is amongst 14 ANC members who are expected to appear before our disciplinary hearing,” Seokamo said.

However Thale said he has not received any suspension letter from both organizations. He said MKMVA provincial chairperson; Leon Mkhabela did not have any mandate to suspend any member.

“I have not received any suspension letter either from ANC or MKMVA. Mkhabela has no right to suspend any member. I am the treasurer for the MKMVA and he is the chairperson in the province. The decision was not collective as the secretary and deputy chairperson was not there. I will never allow to be bullied by opportunists like Mkhabela. We need to follow the rules and regulations of the organisation. How do you suspend a member without any disciplinary case?,”

-TDN

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