BY REGINALD KANYANE
FIVE people perished in a terrible accident between Dryharts village and Taung on Friday. A truck and a light vehicle were involved in a collision resulted in five people to losing their lives.
North West police were not immediately available before going to press. The cause of the accident was yet unknown and investigations were underway.
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A NEW farmers’ market has been opened for smallholder farmers in the Mogwase area.
The new market helps farmers showcase their produce and sell directly to clients.
It comes after similar markets were established in other parts of the province to give farmers exposure to the business side of their enterprises.
Rural, environment and agricultural development (READ) department head Dr Poncho Mokaila said that the initiative came about as a support system for small farmers.
He said this was the third one in the province after two were launched recently in Mahikeng and Taung respectively.
He pointed out that the department partnered with the North West Development Corporation and the North West University Mafikeng campus in rolling out the farmers’ markets.
“The establishment of the farmers’ market is vital. This will assist in existence of the small hold producers. The initiative will benefit largely as the farmers will bring their products direct to the public. Consequently this would further reduce and eliminate middlemen as the produce will directly be sold to the consumers. The consumers will also safe money from travelling expenses,” he said.
Mokaila added that the occasion accentuated the North West provincial government’s agriculture, culture and tourism (ACT) strategy. He said the agriculture is at the apex of the province economic drive.
“Agriculture has been elevated to such status. So it is equally important that the department assist farmers create avenues. Farmers’ market also put farmers in a pole position as they will benefit from profound sustainable incomes,” he said.
The head of department pointed out that the department offered training and workshops for small farmers to be made sure sustainability prevails. He said that small farmers contributed significantly to the economy of the province.
A local farmer, Kerotse Lekabe from Phela village said: “On behalf of farmers here in Mogwase, we want to applaud the department of READ for their effort. This will ease the challenges we come across as farmers. It has been difficult year for us and we believe this will help. The transportation was always an issue for us. Now it will be easy for consumers to access our products.”
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
INCIDENTS of road rage have often led to loss of life and North West police want an end to the problem this festive season.
North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said that there was need for patience and tolerance so that people do not lose their lives unnecessarily.
This came after a number of incidents were recorded in the province since the launch of Arrive Alive last week.
Moleko said: “Two drivers were ferried to a local hospital after a head on collision. It is alleged that a consignment truck collided with an oncoming truck. The driver of a consignment truck found vehicles at stop and go sign. He did not stop, but opted to overtake all vehicles that were at the stop sign.
“He collided with an oncoming truck and that caused the delay. We want to urge our road users to have patience at all times. They need to follow the rules and regulations of the roads. A case of reckless driving was opened at Coligny police station and investigations are underway. We encourage road disambiguation to avoid road rage at all times,” she said.
Moleko added that angry behaviour on the roads will not be tolerated. She said police will make sure anyone who uses rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or make threats will be arrested.
“Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults, and collision that result in injuries and even deaths. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving. We will be observant and on high visibility across all roads in the province. We will be working hand-in-hand with the community safety and traffic department in the province.
“We have also realised that some people tend to take chances by driving while under the influence of alcohol. Those who will find themselves on the wrong side of the law will be locked up. Alcohol contributes in many deaths on the roads annually. We also urge pedestrians to make sure they wear visible clothes while walking in the streets. Those who will be driving road unworthy vehicles will also be arrested,” she said.
Two people also died on a separate accident between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad last week Thursday.
Another two died in an accident in Taung since the beginning of the month.
Community safety and transport management spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said: “Our roads will be full of vehicles from various spheres during festive season. We want to encourage our residents and road users to buckle-up. It is our paramount to make sure all road users are safe on the roads. We will make sure our law agencies are visible at all times.
“During this period, there are those who take advantage of busy roads. They tend to disobey road regulations and rules. Some of them drive unroadworthy vehicles. MEC Gaoage Molapisi rolled out the festive season plans. The department wants to send out a stern message to those who will find themselves on the wrong side of the law,” Sebolecwe said.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
LUCK ran out on five armed men who robbed a Chinese business in Wolmaransstad before police swooped on them.
The men were arrested after their gateway vehicle with Gauteng registration was cornered after a chase.
Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “The suspects allegedly pounced on a Chinese shop and robbed them. The police reacted swiftly after the suspects had no knowledge that the Operation Fiela was in the area.
“A chase ensued between the police and the suspects. The suspects allegedly started to shoot at the police randomly. The police retaliated and injured one suspect. They were later arrested and undisclosed amount of money was recovered from them. The police confiscated the vehicle with Gauteng registration numbers that was used during the crime,” he said.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE North West province has new number plates. The new securitised plates were unveiled in Mathibestad in Moretele yesterday.
Community safety and transport management MEC, Gaoage Molapisi said that North West was the first province to officially launched new security tight bar-coded number plate.
He said that the new number plates will contribute in reducing incidents of car theft and hijacking that were on the increase lately.
“Theft of prestigious, high-value vehicles is on the increase across the country. Highly-organised criminal gangs are using sophisticated technology to override the car security. The new number plates will come out with a bar-code. It will be easy for the police to verify the car information. With the bar codes, it would be impossible for number plate clowning,” he said.
Molapisi said that while criminals were always crafty, there is assurance that the new number plates will be fool-proof.
“Criminals are smarter, so we need to impede their criminal activities. The North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo has received his number plate already. Government departments’ fleet will receive their numbers soon,” he said.
The MEC also indicated that the processing of new number plates was officially open and motorists should be ready to take up the new plates.
“The system will be rolled out alphabetically. Those whom their number plates start with letter
A alphabet will be the first on the list. However no one will be penalised for not having new number plates,” Molapisi said.
-TDN
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