BY REGINALD KANYANE
NORTH West police encouraged communities to take measure steps and be cautious while swimming. This came about after a child drowned at local swimming pool in Potchefstroom.

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said the divers were called to the scene amid drowning.

“Police divers retrieved a body of a child at Boskop dam Game Reserve near Potchefstroom. The incident took place in the afternoon on November 20. We appeal to communities to be cautious at all times. Make sure your children are on sight and play where they can be monitored,” Ramaloko said.
-TDN
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THE ANC in the province said the preparations for the party’s anniversary were underway. The province will host the ruling party’s anniversary in 2016. ANC will be turning 104 years in existence.

The provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said the event will be held in Rustenburg.

“We are expecting close to 100 000 supporters globally. The party will be celebrating its 104^th anniversary. Preparations are underway and this coming Friday, we will be having carnival in the area. The event will be hosted at Royal Bafokeng Sport Palace. The event will boost the economy of the province. We will also use it to gather more voters ahead of local government elections in 2016. Rustenburg and Potchefstroom are two sturdy municipalities we targeting.

“We know that Rustenburg is a battlefield for all political parties. However we are very adamant that ANC will emerge winners. We are celebrating 104 years of the existence of the party. We are the descendants of many warriors who fought against colonialism. The vision of the movement needs to be executed further. It is our task as torchbearers to take forward the vision forward,” Legoete said.

According to Legoete, the build-up to the event will commence on December 15. He further added that build-up will commence until next year.

“We are aware that the party experienced unsatisfactory behaviour from some of our members. We hope the anniversary will bring peace and remind every member his/her role within the party. Our people entrusted us overwhelmingly. They believe we can give effect to the will of the electorate. We must do so according to the mandate upon which we were elected. Therefore, let us give meaning to service to the people and serve them with humility and dignity,” he said.

-TDN

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ACTING North West police commissioner, Major General Jacob Tsumane said they were concern about the hit list linked to the death of the late businessman, Wandile Bozwana. Tsumane said they noted with concern media reports and comments regarding that hit list.

“We urge those who are making serious allegations through media to refrain from that. As the police, we are grateful to those who are coming forward with the information. But we want to encourage anyone with information to go through proper channels,” Tsumane said.

He said the police in the province were ready to deal with any acts of intimidation.

“Anyone with any information regarding the hit list must report it. There is information regarding the hit list rumoured to be making rounds within the province. The information pertaining to the murder of Wandile Bozwana can be reported to Gauteng Investigating Team led by Major General Leshabane,” he said.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo welcomed the arrest of two suspects on the killing of Wandile Bozwana. He urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies on the matter.

Mahumapelo said: “We call upon anyone with credible information that could assist law enforcement agencies to approach them. We believe with such information, the perpetrators could be brought to book. We congratulates the SAPS for their swiftness in the arrest of the two suspects as this may shed light in uncovering the truth on the brutal killing of Wandile Bozwana,” Mahumapelo said.

-TDN

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In an effort to cushion small scale farmers from the effects of the drought, the provincial government donated fodder to 21000 farmers on Wednesday.

The fodder was purchased by the provincial department of rural, environment and agricultural development (Read).

Premier Supra Mahumapelo and MEC Manketsi Tlhape distributed the fodder in Gopane village near Zeerust as part of the ongoing Setsokotsane programme.

“We started in Gopane today and its neighbouring areas. From Gopane, we will be in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district. The roll-out programme will be spread across the province. We have the manpower to distribute the fodder as soon as we can to all our people. We have reprioritised our budget. North West has already spent its 97% of its budget and we are only left with 3% which equally to R25m. We also waiting for the grant from national treasury after North West province was declared as drought disaster area,” Tlhape said.

Mahumapelo said: “We would like to advise macro farmers to sell-off some their livestock to counter the effects of drought. By doing so, they will at least manage to buy more livestock after the drought has passed.

“The provincial government has decided to provide fodder to livestock farmers in an effort to mitigate the drought gripping the province,” he said.

Further assistance will be available to the 21000 registered farmers from a R25m facility set aside for them.

North West is experiencing one of its worst droughts due to weather patterns associated with the El Nino effect.

Livestock is dying due to lack of food and water in areas across the province.

One of the beneficiaries, Paulinah Bootse said: “We highly-appreciate the help we receive from the government. We have been hit harder by the drought but hope for the better. Our livestock is dying and that affects us financially.”

Agri-North West CEO, Boeta du Toit said the current situation was so bad that rains were needed urgently.

“Cattle farmers have started reducing their stork, they sell heifer and even those in breeding are selling the animals to cut on costs. This is because there is no profit in the sector due to drought.

“However, the consumer will start to suffer once good rains come because that would mean less meat on the market and prices may go up,”

Du Toit said.

He also bemoaned the absence of a functional drought relief scheme to bail out commercial farmers at times like this.

“This year, we have 21000 small holder farmers in North West who have applied for relief already. The government has availed R220m for this but the money has to be shared among provinces and it will amount to almost nothing,” Du Toit said.

He said there was a need for billions of rand to make sure that animals do not die in drought situations.

“If we get good rains soon, the situation will be fine but our worry is that weather predictions are not positive. The situation has become particularly bad in communal areas where rivers and other water sources are drying up,” Du Toit said.

-TDN

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The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in North West said it would conduct a door-to-door campaign ahead of the official launch of 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children across Mahikeng today.

The league’s provincial secretary, Bridgette Mogakwe, said the aim was to teach women and children about their rights.

“We will be visiting taverns, taxi ranks and malls in a quest to teach children and women
about abuse. We will also engage with men and make them sign a pledge to fight abuse.

“The statistics show that the reported cases of abuse have declined, however, we still want to encourage them to come forward. Abuse is a societal issue, so we need everyone to take part.

“As the ANCWL in the province, we believe more can be done. The abuse leaves a void and tears families apart. In most cases, the victims know the perpetrators.

“Children must be encouraged to talk as they sometimes tend to be traumatised and decide to hide it. To all women, please let’s not accept the actions of perpetrators simply because they might be sole bread winners,” Mogakwe said.

She also applauded the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court for convicting a 36-year-old man after raping his daughter. A man was jailed for 30 years for raping and impregnating his 13-year-old daughter.

He appeared in the Atamelang Regional Court on Friday. The incident took place on November 10, 2010.

North West police spokesperson Kelebogile Moleko said: “The mother of the victim took her to the clinic after she did not have a period for three months. The doctor informed her that the daughter was pregnant.

The girl refused to tell who the father was, but confessed later.“The daughter aborted her unborn baby and the foetus was used as evidence. The rape case was reported at Sannieshof police station.

The suspect was arrested and later released on bail, while waiting for the DNA results.

“The accused failed to appear in court and a warrant of arrest was issued. He was re-arrested on February 27, 2013. He received 25 years for rape and five years for incest.”

-TDN

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President Jacob Zuma will launch 16 days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children in Mahikeng, Naauwpoort on Wednesday.

Today marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

“The 2015 event is marked under the theme, “Count Me In: Together Moving a Non-Violent South Africa Forward,” said spokesperson in the Presidency Bongani Majola.

The period, runs from 25 November until 10 December, is aimed at raising awareness about taking action and fighting against the violence and abuse of women, children and all other vulnerable groups in society.

Department of Women kicked off its campaign for 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children with a candle light ceremony at Rhodes Park on Monday.

-TDN

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The North West provincial government says it has submitted reasons why it feels the Tlokwe by-elections should not be set aside.

This was in compliance with a directive by the Constitutional Court before it gave its judgment on the disputed 2013 by-elections.

The Constitutional Court ordered the provincial department of local government and the IEC to furnish reasons why new by-elections should not be held in Tlokwe.

Some of the arguments before the court are that a number of voters were ferried from various areas to vote in wards where they did not live.

A total of 1040 voters were found to be illegal and the issue of the voters roll was also at stake.

Speaking to The New Age, Premier Supra Mahumapelo said: “The Constitutional Court has requested the North West provincial government to respond to certain specific matters. They were asking us to provide reasons why the by-elections must not be held. We made a comprehensive submission.

“Our view was that it would not make sense to have by-elections in the same year where we will have general local elections across the country.

“Another reason is the Tlokwe municipality will malfunction as happened before.

“There were problems after the councillors did not attend council meetings so decisions could not be taken and that affected service

delivery.

“Those who launched complaints are the same people who transported the people from various wards to go to vote.

“The ANC is ready and if the court decides otherwise, we know our people will vote for the ANC again,” he

said.

DA provincial leader Joe McGluwa said they looked forward to the court nullifying the disputed polls.

“I’m strongly of the view that the Constitutional Court will compel the IEC to hold the by-elections by no later than November 28 this year. Hence the ANC will try every single rule in the book not to have by-elections. I will not be surprised if they ask all councillors to resign to drag their feet on the by-elections.

“However, this will leave us with an administrator. Tlokwe municipality must be the starting point in a benchmark for the DA to commence its growth in the North West.

“The by-elections will confirm that the DA is growing in leaps and bounds,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE local government and human settlements in North West has spent R1.3m to assist those who were misplaced after torrential rains. The province experienced torrential rains during the weekend.

The department of local government and human settlements spokesperson, Ben Bole said the province co-ordinate humanitarian relief for families whose houses and belongings got destroyed by torrential rains and hail storm in Ngaka Modiri Molema district which has worst hit.

“The department is working with different stakeholders in the province. We have engaged The South African Red Cross Society, South African Social Security (SASSA), Social Development department, Ngaka Modiri Molema district and affected local municipalities to address the situation. The South African Red Cross Society and SASSA have already started to distribute food parcels, blankets and provide social relief distress grant to affected families,” Bole said.

He said number of incidents have been reported throughout the district in Mahikeng, Ditsobotla and Tswaing local municipalities where shacks have been blown away. Bole said formal structures’ like roofs damaged and window panes damaged. 

He said through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PMDC), the department spent R1.3m so far. “We have received assistance from other relevant stakeholders including Community Development Workers. We will continue to attend to cases reported and make the necessary arrangements to make the lives of those affected less unbearable.

“Whilst the PMDC is currently sourcing temporary shelter. We made arrangements for the repair of damaged shacks. We also donated 80 shacks to the victims. We would like to urge those who can afford to rebuild their houses. We will also put more effort on those that have been adversely affected,” Bole said.

He said other incidents took place in Bojanala platinum district in Kgetleng, Moretele, Madibeng local municipalities. Bole said a house has collapsed and others experienced broken window panes. According to him, also an early learning centre has been destroyed by strong winds.

“Bojanala platinum district municipality has been able to co-ordinate the provision of the necessary humanitarian relief for the affected families and will continue to monitor the situation,” Bole said.

One of the victims, Kesenogile Galebodiwe from Atamelang village near Delareyville said: “I lost a house after the strong rains washed it away. The strong winds and rains broke my windows. Now I do not know where to go. I hope the municipality and government will assist. It will be difficult to build another house because I am unemployed. As a single parent and a mother of three, the rains left a void.”

No incidents have been reported in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipalities.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

STILFONTEIN- A 55 year-old man found murdered at old Harties in Extension 10 in Stilfontein. Police said a man had a stabbing wound to his head.

North West police said: “The incident took place on Monday. The lifeless body of Phillip Ntimbane was discovered by one of community members and called the police. No one has been arrested and police investigations continue,” provincial police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko.
-TDN