The measure of a journalist is‚ the country’s communications minister said on Friday‚ in “how ruthless their reporting can be about” the African National Congress (ANC) government.

Faith Muthambi’s comment came during the presentation of her department’s budget vote in the National Assembly‚ in which she also said “there is a huge disconnect between the expectations of both government and media on what exactly the role of the media should be”.

“To some media houses their main mission is simply to paint this government as corrupt‚ hapless and inept‚” said Muthambi‚ before adding that “it could also be argued that racist tendencies also play a role in the unrelenting attempts aimed at stigmatising a black government led by the ANC”.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

North West provincial legislature speaker, Sussana Dantjie will be hosting the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal Programme and Religious Sectoral Parliament at the Bakubung ba Ratheo Tribal Hall, in Ledig, Moses Kotane Local Municipality today.

The department spokesperson, Tebogo Chaane said: “The event theme of the sectoral parliament is “Moral regeneration; an imperative to economic, social and political transformation towards an integrated and united society.” 

Chaane said the aim was to promote social cohesion, transformation and an inclusive socio-economic development through the Religious Sectoral Parliament and the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme.

“It also seeks to challenge crisis of morality in the North West Province such as drugs and alcohol, high teenage pregnancy, high level of school dropouts, lawlessness, violence and corruption,” he said.

The Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme’s main purpose was to reconcile, heal and renew the people of the North West province through actively involving participation of the religious sector together with relevant government bodies towards strengthening oversight and public participation.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

HARTSWATER police are looking for two men who allegedly robbed a clothing store recently. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergio Kock said two armed men allegedly entered a clothing store and threatened four female workers.

“The incident took place on April 17 at around 08:45am. Two men armed with firearms allegedly entered a well-known clothing store in Hartswater Central Business District. They threatened the four female employees. They tied their hands and feet before shoving them into a cosmetics room.

“The suspects allegedly fled with a substantial amount of cellphones and cash. The victims were later untied by a walk–in customer. Police were contacted and we urge anyone with information in this regard the matter to call D/Constable Mosalanyane on 073 407 7631 or 053 471 0951,” Kock said.

He said all information will be treated with the strictest of confidence. Kock said investigation continues.

-TDN

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A NEW municipal manager has been appointed to run the troubled Ditsobotla local municipality in Lichtenburg.

Monde Juta, who was seconded to stabilise the municipality about a year ago, has been given the job on a substantive basis.

Ditsobotla municipality received disclaimer on audit-general report opinion for the past seven consecutive years. The municipality was put under administration in quest to revive it. However the situation remained unchanged.

The auditor-general reported that the situation at the municipality has not being transformed as expected.

“The predicament at the municipality is that they do not have any consequence report. The municipality’s consequence management is inactive. There is no report under that and they have been receiving detrimental audit report opinion outcomes since 2008-09.

“The municipality has also been sued in the last number of years. They had six different municipal managers for the past 13 months,” auditor-general said.

However Ditsobotla municipality representative, George Nkambule said they will work tirelessly to perk up the situation at the municipality. He said the state of affairs at the municipality affects service delivery.

“The municipality is drowning in debts and that alone affects service delivery. However we believe we can twirl the corner in these coming months. We can assure to our residents that we will be steadfast to make sure we resurrect the situation. We must make sure the municipality is viable,” he said.

EFF Member of legislature and member of Scopa, Betty Diale said: “The situation at Ditsobotla municipality was caused by factionalism. People are parachuted to positions and being deployed in positions because of their political affiliation. The situation is deteriorating because people are not hired because of their capabilities. Political infights also played an integral role in demising of the municipality.”

Scopa provincial chairperson, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said they mull opening a fraud, corruption and maladministration case against municipal officials.

“We cannot operate in this manner. There is lot of challenges at Ditsobotla municipality. We have realised that some of officials refused to attend meetings. And this guaranteed us the right to open criminal charges against them. However we believe the situation will be improved after the new temporary municipal manager, Monde Juta was roped in,” Mahlakeng said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE people of North West and South Africa at large mourn the death of former actress and radio presenter, Hilda Tlhapi Maithufi.

The illustrious former drama executive producer passed away on Saturday after long illness.

Tsholofelo Maithufi, described her mother as a pillar of strength. She said Hilda Tlhapi Maithufi touched many lives and taught them a lot.

“My mother was one of the best moms one could imagine. She was not only a mother to us. She nurtured and raised many children especially in our area. Many of us have heard the African proverb that says “It takes a village to raise a child. It is true reflection of what my mother stands for. She was very resilient to see other people succeed in life.

“She always encouraged the spirit of humanity. Many of us would also agree that certain key individuals take center stage in a child’s life at crucial times of development. We were the most fortunate and privileged kids to have her. It was really heartbreaking for us in the past three months. We shared her pain and the suffering, but she had eternal life now,” Tsholofelo said.

The daughter added that her mother suffered sugar diabetes which led to a heart failure.

Maithufi joined then Radio Setswana (Motsweding FM) back in 1986 as a presenter. She also displayed her acting skills on television drama like Letla Mpona. Maithufi was working as executive producer for drama at Motsweding FM. Her role was to do evaluation and commissioning of dramas as a senior producer.

Her childhood friend, Thabang Charlotte Mampane described her as a versatile. She regarded Maithufi as illustrious actor.

“Maithufi played a pivotal role in the landscape of entertainment industry. She assisted young and old. We can proudly say we have benefited from her presence and we believe what she left behind will be nurtured. I met her back in 1986 and she loved her work. She was very enthusiastic and always made sure she succeeds on what she was doing,” Mampane said.

Motsweding FM children programme producer, Boitumelo Moetsi told SABC that they have learnt a lot from Maithufi.

“I was nurtured by mme Hilda Tlhapi Maithufi. She always encouraged us to work hard and never give up. Maithufi also encouraged that we must have humour and wear a smile wherever you go. We will indeed miss her and her jokes,” Moeti said.

Maithufi will be buried on Saturday at Segakwaneng village in Moruleng.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A MAN, 37, briefly appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Thursday) after he allegedly stabbed his brother to death.

Two brothers from Mokgareng village, in Taung we allegedly engaged in a fight at a local shebeen on Tuesday night.

Bafentse Marwane and his brother, Goitsemodimo Marwane, 42 were allegedly drinking beer at local shebeen when a fight erupted. According to information, Bafentse went home leaving his brother behind.

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The suspect allegedly woke up after he realised that his brother was back. Bafentse allegedly attacked his brother with an umbrella. He allegedly stabbed him in the eye until he died.

“Goitsemodimo was certified dead at the scene. Bafentse allegedly handed himself over to the police,” he said.

Bafentse was remanded in custody for further investigations until May 12.

He was previously sentenced to 15 year for armed robbery and he was on parole.

-TDN

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