BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West provincial legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Roads, Transport and Community Safety will meet with MEC for public works, Madoda Sambatha.

This came about after the committee’s findings over road inspections between Tlapeng and Manthe village in Taung.

Chairperson for portfolio committee, Wendy Matsemela said: “The committee went on an oversight visit to inspect the road as part of “O re bone re go bone” programme on Tuesday.

The committee discovered that the road was full of potholes. Matsemela said the road was not conducive for motorists to drive on. She said the motorists opted to drive on the unpaved side of the road to avoid potholes.

“We want to take the legislature to the people. We also strengthened oversight and public participation. We want to promote accountability and transparency in government.

“The road does not comply with road regulations. There is no road signage.

We have to engage with MEC Madoda Sambatha regarding the findings. We want to know whether the department is doing oversight into their projects or not,” she said.

Matsemela further added that they will investigate whether the contractor also followed the specifics of the tender.

“Lives have been lost on this road and these problems have to be taken seriously. We will arrange an urgent meeting with MEC Sambatha and his department to engage on the findings,”she said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

PROVINCIAL MEC for rural, environment and agricultural development department, Manketsi Tlhape said they will continue to empower women and youth. Tlhape visited women and youth various food projects in Dr Ruth Mompati region this week.

“It is a befitting honour and gesture from our department as we commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the Women’s march and 40^th anniversary of the Class of 1976. It is our belief that all their efforts were not in vain. We will continue to recognise the gallant contribution made by these groups.

“We are aware that women and youth specifically on agriculture and rural development are making an effort to establish them. We have lot of cooperatives in the names of these groups so far. It is our role as government to keep on encouraging them,” Tlhape said.

She added that women and youth from these projects remain exemplary to others. She further added that their contribution towards economic growth of the province was immensely.

Tlhape also added that the visit was to assess all projects. She said they wanted to ensure that agriculture remains the key provincial economic driver.

“We want to see your businesses being sustainable. We will act upon and ensure that inclusion of women and youth in mainstream economy takes place. We will continue to visit other projects in various districts,” she said.

Tlhape also visited Matshediso Mooketsi and Thandeka Moseki farms. They were the previous winners of Female Entrepreneur Awards.

Both women have grown their farming since their winnings. They have both used the funds to expand on their infrastructure, livestock and inputs for their produce.

Moseki said despite challenging market distance from her Driekiesrus farm which is 40km away from Stella, she is still in business.

“I am not deterred by distance. I continue to look for other markets for my produce. I sell spinach, cabbage and carrots and potatoes and fruits. I am currently using my 3,6 hectares and looking forward to expand,” Moseki said.

Mooketsi said: “I have employed six employees permanently. I envisage that my business will flourish and will employ more people. My business has received support from government and grown in bounds. I also have 121 Nguni cattle and 30 Bonsmara breeding cows. We have another 61 Boer and Kalahari Red Goats and 1500 Layer Hens. I have also started with vegetable production.”

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MORE than 35 000 small business across North West has benefited from small business development department thus far. The spokesperson, Cornelius Monama said they will continue to support SMMEs.

“The department will continue to work with various stakeholders to support small businesses. We have also pumped more than R8m to assist. We know that small businesses contribute immensely to the main stream economy.

“We have other entities that we working with. We have SEDA and others. So we urge our small business owners to visit those areas for any assistance,” Monama said.

The department of Small Business Development has been allocated R1.3 billion for the 2016/17 financial year. Monama said of this allocation, 17 percent goes to administration and personnel.

He said the remainder, which is 83 percent goes to the core business of the department, strengthening small businesses and cooperatives.

“The Black Business Supplier Development is allocated R245 million. Cooperatives incentive scheme have been allocated R75 million. For National Informal Business Upliftment Scheme the allocation is R96 million and the Enterprise Incubation Programme is allocated R46 million. For the craft sector, the department has allocated R10 million.

“The department has allocated R634 million to the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) of which R140 million will go to Technology Support Programme. A R13 million will capacitate in building for small businesses. The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) has been allocated a budget of R213 million for the current financial year,” he said.

Monama further added that consistent with the undertaking made by Minister Lindiwe Zulu last year, Sefa will approve a further R3.4 billion of loan financing facilities to SMMEs and Co-operatives over the next three years.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo said they will continue to support small, medium and micro enterprises especially in rural areas. Mahumapelo said they targeted the SMMEs sector as an economic empowerment vehicle for previously disadvantaged people.

“SMMEs will receive significant attention and investment. This will range from establishment of state-initiated projects. We will provide necessary skills to village business owners. We have already implemented village developmental programme,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects sentenced to a combined 28 years imprisonment by Klerksdorp Regional Court on separate charges of rape on Tuesday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the first accused, 22 was incarcerated to 18 years after raping a 14-year-old minor.

“This incident occurred in January 2011 in Jouberton Township near Klerksdorp. The minor was sent to the shops by her mother when she came across the accused who raped her. In another separate incident, a 43-year-old accused was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a seven year-old minor,” he said.

Mokgwabone said the incident took place in September 2015 in Khuma Location near Klerksdorp.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed the sentences. She said that the sentences will serve as an indication that the law will not hesitate to deal with heartless criminals.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 29 YEAR-OLD man was arrested for dealing in drugs in Vryburg on Wednesday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said a Nigerian man was arrested by Crime Intelligence together with Traffic Officials.

“The police approached a suspicious vehicle along the gravel road just outside Vryburg. The driver allegedly ran into the bushes after realising the police were behind him. The police chased and arrested him.

“He was found to be in possession of drugs after he was searched. The police found various types of drugs such as KAT, rock-cocaine, and heroine hidden along the road. The drugs estimated to the value of R327 000 were confiscated,” Mokgwabone said.

He said the suspect will appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

-TDN

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Picture: (North West health department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MANY patients across North West will now access their medication in various pharmacies. This was part of Central Chronic Dispensing and Distribution programme. MEC of health Dr Magome Masike said the programme was piloted in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district and will be implemented across.

“We have an agreement with some pharmacies around the province. The aim of this initiative was to reduce backlog and queues in our hospitals. We have already piloted this project in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district. The department experienced queues on daily basis at various hospitals.

“This is part of speeding up basic service delivery. We will inform our patients how the process works. We have patients who fetch ARVs, diabetes and TB medications at the hospitals. The process will make collection of medication easy and accessible,” Masike said.

He said patients will have unique code and will be provided with their medication at their nearest pharmacies. Masike further added that the patients will collect their medication for six months then they will be referred to hospitals afterwards for check-ups.

“We have also bought bicycles for our community healthcare workers in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district. Many patients will wake up at around 3am in the morning just because they want to avoid queues. So we believe together with community healthcare workers we can win the fight,” he said.

Masike said if the programme is successful in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district it will be rolled out to various municipalities. However he said it was also implemented at Ratlou local municipality. He said patients collected their medication at local clinic because there is no pharmacy in the area.

-TDN

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JUSTICE and constitutional development department in North West said they were ready to rub shoulders with their counterparts across the country. The department honoured their provincial employees. The department will also host National Service Excellence Awards soon.

Acting regional head of justice and constitutional development department, Joseph Makutle said they hosted regional awards to honour employees who dedicated themselves to their work. The second edition of Service Excellence Awards in the region was hosted recently. (Friday last week) in Mahikeng.

“This is our second annual service excellence awards. We want to honour those employees who showed dedication and selflessness. They played a pivotal role towards service delivery.

“The awards will inspire greatness within their performance. We also believe they will uplift the morality at work place. We also want to applaud all nominees and also want to encourage all staff to participate in the future,” Makutle said.

He also urged all employees to continue to practice Batho Pele principles at all time. Makutle further added that the employees were at the cutting edge while dealing with clients.

Justice and constitutional development department national chief-director for programme support, Mosalanyana Mosala was part of the proceeding. Mosala commended those who were nominated too.

“We want to applaud you for your unwavering dedication towards your duty. You form the integral part of this institution. I also want to encourage you to work harder. Just bear in mind that your participation is noticeable. To all those who have been awarded must continue to work hard too,” he said.

One of the recipients, Seledu Moloko said: “I have learnt a lot from you guys over the years. And I believe our contribution will continue to inspire others. We learn new things daily.”

Manager for Language Practice, Billy Molele commended Moloko for his dedication.

“He is very profound, dedicated and eloquent in most languages. He had a unique quality for interpretation services. The department pride itself by having you. We hope upcoming and young interpreters have learnt from you,” Molele said.

Madikwe Magistrate Court scooped the best model award and Taung Magistrate Court was honoured as the best model sub cluster court. Other individuals were also recognised.

-TDN

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NALEDI local municipality mayor, Langa Modise was instructed to take firm action against municipal manager. This came about after municipal manager, Modisenyane Segapo walked out of the meeting on Wednesday at legislature. The municipality appeared before North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts to account on the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) outcomes of the 2014-15 financial year.

Chairperson for the committee, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said Segapo’s behaviour was uncalled for.

“Segapo appeared before the committee without having the MFMA documentations. When I asked him about it he took exception. We requested the mayor to speak to ask him to come back, but he still refused. We cannot have officials who refuse to account. This is taxpayers’ money.

“In terms of the Constitution, Sec 114(2)(a)states that a provincial Legislature must provide for mechanisms to ensure that all provincial Executive Organs of the state in the province are accountable to it. Furthermore provisions of the North West Provincial Legislature Standing Rules, Rule 239, provides that Segapo is in contempt of the Legislature as he had actually interfered with the ability of the Legislature to perform its function, more so by failing to report to the Committee when required to do so and by failing to obey any ruling, order or resolution of the Legislature,” Mahlakeng said.

He said they rescheduled the meeting until Wednesday.

According to the provincial Auditor General’s office, the Naledi local municipality is struggling to pay their debtors including Eskom. It was also discovered that most of the officials owe the municipality a lot of money for rates and services. Some of officials and councillors are doing business with the municipality too.

-TDN

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NORTH West premier Supra Mahumapelo will form part of a five week long youth entrepreneurship services (YES) programme. The director of the programme, Thapelo Sekawana said the tour commence today.

“The tour starts today at Kagiso-Molopo, Moretele and Matlosana local municipalities. Setsokotsane activities will be implemented in these areas and will be followed by Mamusa, Lekwa-Teemane, Kgetleng, Moses Kotane and Tlokwe-Ventersdorp local municipalities on May 26-27. This programme is viewed as a focused platform that seeks to connect unemployed young people of the North West province.

“The aim is to connect them with the public and private institutions. We want to expose them to entrepreneurship, employment, skills development and youth empowerment opportunities available in their respective sectors,” he said.

Acting provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the rolling out of this initiative will be aligned to Setsokotsane activities that are currently being implemented in various local municipalities.

He said this will serve as a build-up to the provincial Youth Day commemoration on June 16. Setswambung said the commemoration day will be held at Ramotshere-Moiloa local municipality on June 18.

“Subsequent to the engagements the provincial government will have with the youth during this tour, premier Mahumapelo will sign an accord with the youth on June 18. He will commit the provincial government to address issues raised during the provincial tour,” Setswambung said.

He added that the youth tour will be taken to other local municipalities during the first two weeks of June.

“We will be heightened to roll out Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) Provincial Action Tour in these five weeks. MECs and mayors will also be part of it. YES Provincial Action Tour is also geared towards encouraging young people to lead a healthy lifestyle. This will also give a government to listen to the challenges young people are faced with in daily basis,” he said.

-TDN

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THE contractor will be appointed soon to build Kanana Police Station. The residents will now finally have the police station in their area. The sod-turning was performed more than 10 years ago, but the police station was never been built.

Minister for public works Thulas Nxesi said the police station was supposed to be built back in 2004.

“Kanana Police Station in Orkney was a priority in 2004 financial year. However SAPS changed its approach after the appointment of Commissioner General Bheki Cele. They focused in deep rural areas. However we can now confirm that the Kanana Police Station is planned for its construction in this financial year.

“The consultant was appointed by SAPS. And tender documents are at the final draft stage. The contractor will be appointed soon and the completion of the project is scheduled for next year,” Nxesi said.

-TDN

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