COMMUNITY safety and transport management head of department (HOD), Bailey Mahlakoleng has been suspended.

Department MEC, Gaoage Molapisi confirmed the development and indicated that investigations would soon commence on Mahlakoleng’s conduct.

“”We have put our head of department, Bailey Matlhakoleng on precautionary suspension. We are investigating a case of mismanagement against him,” Molapisi said.
He added: “We are hopeful that all will go well. However, I want to put it on record that we are not investigating any corrupt deeds, but there was some things that were not run properly. Investigations will reveal if there was any wrong doing,” the MEC said.

Attempts to get a comment from Mahlakoleng proved fruitless at the time of going to press.

Courtesy: http://www.thenewage.co.za

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters in North West lambasted South African Police Service (SAPS) and Botselo Mills over a three weeks strike that took place at Botshelo Mills along N14 road between Delareyville and Vryburg.

EFF regional secretary in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Neo Moroeng said Botselo Mills and SAPS have not only violated rights of the workers. He said they have also put the lives of Skirlek people in danger.

“Several innocent people have been shot at with rubber bullets by the
police. One person was shot with a rubber bullet in the head. Another elderly man was also been reported to
have been shot while in his yard.

“Employees of Botshelo Mills have been engaged in a three week long
strike demanding better living wages. Tension and violence has erupted
after Botshelo Mills sort a court interdict to stop the strike and
informed striking workers that they have been dismissed,” he said.

Moroeng said the police allegedly refused to open cases for the injured.

“The South African Constitution guarantees the right to assemble,
demonstration and picketing. However the rights of protesters were violated.

“Peaceful and unarmed protesters were shot at while for no apparent reasons. Botshelo Mills management fired workers on spot without due labour
processes which amounts to gross violation of workers rights,” he said.

“We call on community members to stand in solidarity with the workers on
their struggle for a better living wages.

“We also call on community members to boycott all products of Botshelo
Mills. We also call on injured protesters to lodge cases with Independent
Police Investigative Directorate,” Moroeng said.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone saud a truck was set alight yesterday on the N14 road in Delareyville.

He said that the truck was allegedly torched by striking workers of Botselo Mills.

“The situation is now controllable after Public Order Police (POP) were reinforcement. Police will continue to monitor the situation,” he said.

Protesters barricaded N14 with burning tyres after demanding better living wages from the company.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi said the 2020 Decade of Action for Road Safety which aims at reducing the rate of accidents and fatalities by 50% is realistic.

“Our recent performance of 71% reduction on fatalities is a clear indication that we can live our dream of reducing accidents by 50% in 2020. One day South Africa will be a better country,” says Molapisi.

This follows a massive recorded success on the reduction of road fatalities during Easter holiday, where North West is rated the number one province with 71% compared to last year’s same period fatalities.

“Last year we recorded 28 fatalities and our plan for this year was to reduce by at least 50%. What happened now is that we could say we have outwitted ourselves,” he said.

More than 59 people were arrested during 24hour operations that were conducted around the province on different offenses mostly for drunken driving and excessive speeding.

One driver was arrested and released on R1000 bail after been caught driving 122km/h on an 80km zone on the N4 road between Zeerust and Swarttrugens.

“We still have those rotten potatoes that we need to work on them. Those are people who rejects themselves from being part of success. We will keep acting harsh on them. Our vision is to reach the 2020 Decade of Action on Road Safety and we will do whatever it takes to reach this goal,” said Molapisi.

He further added that his heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their beloved ones on the roads.

“The death of 8 people in the province is still more. On behalf of the provincial government, we would like to convey our sincere condolences to the bereaved families.

“We will be grateful if one day we would not record any death. May the souls of those who perished rest in eternal peace. We also wish speedy recovery to those who were admitted in different hospitals,” concluded Molapisi.

 Motorists and road users are advised to report any hazard on the road by calling the departmental toll free number: 0800 204 992.
-TDN
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-END-

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo is officially off the market after marrying his sweetheart Dimakastos Mareme in a traditional wedding held in Mabopane, Tshwane on Saturday.

The wedding, which will be further celebrated in Protea Glen on Sunday, was attended by Mhlongo’s teammates Oupa Manyisa, Menzi Masuku and Patrick Phungwayo to name a few.

According to a close friend, Mhlongo is excited about the big step he has taken in his life.

“He is a responsible man,” says the source.

“This is the greatest step taken by the young man. His teammates were in Block C in Mabopane yesterday to support him.”
For more http://www.kickoff .com

Top police detectives have confirmed that they are about to arrest a suspect in the killing of Orlando Pirates captain Senzo Meyiwa.

He was shot and killed at the house of the mother of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in Vosloorus, Gauteng in 2014.

Two weeks ago, the Hawks and their team of experts descended on the house.

They met Khumalo, her sister Zandi and people who were in the house on the night of the killing.

It was reported that Meyiwa was shot and killed during a robbery.

Despite police saying there were several leads, there have been no arrests since then.

Meyiwa was the goalkeeper and captain of the Orlando Pirates soccer team, and he was also the captain for the national team.

-SABC

The man is accused of trying to scam convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius out of a R250,000.

JOHANNESBURG – The extortion case against a Limpopo man accused of trying to scam convicted murderer Oscar Pistorius out of a R250,000 has been postponed until Thursday for a bail application.

The accused appeared briefly in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria today following his arrest on Friday.

Pistorius returns to court next month to be sentenced as a murderer, after his appeal to the Constitutional Court was rejected earlier this month.

The former athlete shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day three years ago.

The State alleges that the accused called Pistorius and told him he worked for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and was part of prosecutor Gerrie Nel’s team.

He allegedly offered to make Pistorius murder conviction “go away”.

It’s understood that Pistorius played along and tipped off the Hawks, who then set up a sting operation, which led to the man’s arrest on Friday.

The accused was allegedly paid R40,000 before he was arrested.

The matter has been postponed until Thursday.

For more http://www.ewn.co.za

Facebook: Bogosing Secondary school pupil, Zinzi Molema 

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West education and sport development department has intervened after an 18 year-old girl was prohibited from entering school yard at Bogosing Secondary School in Maphoitsile village near Taung for being lesbian.

Zinzi Manini Molema who confessed that she is a lesbian said she was banned from school by the principal.

“The principal sent me packing after I came to school wearing a trouser which was part of uniform. He said I must go back home and wear a skirt since I was a girl. I told him that I cannot wear a skirt because I’ve never worn any in my life. I had to stay home for three weeks without attending any classes.

“I stay with my grandmother and she is sick, so I had to ask our neighbour, Reynett Gaanabo to intervene. He tried to explain my situation to the principal, but his attempts were futile. I believe it is unfair for any educator to force a pupil to wear anything that they not feeling comfortable in,” Molema said.

Reynett Gaanabo, 42 said they knew Zinzi as lesbian within the community. He said everyone have accepted her for who she is. He said it was uncalled for the school to make her suffers because of dress code.

“She was wearing a school uniform, despite whether is a trouser or a skirt. How could they deny her time to attend classes just because she is lesbian? We want to put it out clear that we cannot allow our kids to be harassed because of their beliefs,” he said.

North West education and sport development spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “As department we have ordered the principal to take back the pupil. We also informed the principal to make some exceptional towards the learner. The school will also make sure they organise recovery plan for her to cover the syllabus. The SGB and the principal will convene a meet with the learner’s parents or guardian in quest to reach an amicably long term solution towards the matter.”

South African Civic Organisation (SANCO) regional secretary in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Mika Moeti condemned the decision taken by the principal. He said the pupil cannot be denied education simply because of her dress code.

“As the community, we need to be tolerant towards each other. We cannot afford to discriminate each other because of our dress code, gender and beliefs. We want to applaud the MEC of education and sport development, Wendy Matsemela for intervention. The freedom charter said education is a constitutional right for any kid. So denying the girl education because of her dress code and for being lesbian is uncalled for,” Moeti said.

-TDN

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North West Education and Sport Development MEC Wendy Matsemela is set to visit the three families of drowned learners on Tuesday as well as the school.

Three learners from Rustenburg Technical High school drowned during a school camp at Begheim near Rustenburg.

Matsemela said the school was on an approved trip by the department and the purpose of the trip was to give learners exposure of class.

“I am deeply shocked by the incident, as the department we going to institute an Independent investigation and wish to convey our deepest condolence to the bereaved families,’ Matsemela said.

The deceased learners are between the age of 15-17 years old.

Police Spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said the learners where rowing on a canoe which tipped over.

“Two of the learners were helped out of the water and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was conducted but it was too late, the third learner was found later,” Mokgwabone said.

“The department will work together with the school to support the families of the learners throughout these period,” Matsemela said.

Courtesy: http://www.thenewage.co.za

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
TWO bodies were found on a farm along Old Pretoria road in Rustenburg on Saturday.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said police in Rustenburg are investigating two murder cases.

“A farm worker discovered a body of a 24 year-old man. Police were called and on their arrival, they started with their investigations which led them to the discovering of a female trouser.

“Police continued with their investigations and discovered another body of a female with a gunshot wound. The body of a 24 year-old man was allegedly stabbed with a sharp object, ” he said.

He said the police are requesting anyone with information to contact Warrant Officer Casey Khumalo on 082 773 0590.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 35-YEAR-OLD MAN was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape by Brits Magistrate’s Court.

Oliver Martin raped a 19 year-old school girl on October 29 in 2012.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the victim was walking to school when Martin accosted on her.

“The case was investigated by the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Brits. The perpetrator grabbed the victim from behind and forcefully dragged her to the nearby bushes.

“He threatened her with a knife before he tightened her hands with a rope. Martin then raped her several times. After the ordeal, the perpetrator left her naked and helpless in the bushes. Martin also stole two cell phones and R30 from his victim.” he said.

Mokgwabone said the victim managed to crawl to the main road for help. He said the girl was helped by a passerby.

“Police were called and the victim was taken to the nearest clinic for medical treatment. A case of rape was opened and investigations continued,” he said.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the FCS unit.

She said Martin’ sentence will serve as deterrence to other rapists.

Martin was also sentenced to a further five years imprisonment for robbery and they will run concurrently.
-TDN
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