Pretoria – Suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega changed a statement prepared by police shortly before addressing media about the 34 strikers killed in Marikana on August 16, 2012.

She removed reference to the number of people killed and added that police were forced to use “maximum force” to defend themselves, Lindela Mashigo, a brigadier at the time and responsible for the police’s communications department, told the inquiry into Phiyega’s fitness to hold office.

On August 17, Phiyega dictated to him the changes in the statement to be read to journalists about the previous day’s events.

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THREE suspects from Lesotho aged between 21 and 30 will appear in Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on business robbery. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were arrested by the Klerksdorp Cluster Crime Prevention Team on Tuesday.

“The suspects were allegedly arrested in Orkney and Khuma respectively. They allegedly committed a business robbery in Khuma location, near Stilfontein on Sunday. The suspects allegedly robbed a local tavern of an undisclosed amount of cash at gunpoint,” he said.

Meanwhile a 52 year-old man was expected to appear in Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court this week for being in possession of illegal firearm and ammunition. Mokgwabone said the police received a tip-off from one of the community members.

“The suspect was allegedly walking in the streets while the police pounced on him. He was allegedly stopped and searched. A revolver firearm and five live ammunitions were found in his possession. He was arrested after he failed to produce legal documents of the firearm,” he said.

-TDN

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FOUR suspects aged between 26 and 35 were arrested for alleged hijack in Rustenburg on Wednesday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were nabbed along Lindleyspoort.

“They allegedly hijacked a Clover delivery truck on the Phokeng-Sun City road at about 11:30am. The police reacted swiftly after the incident was reported to them. Two of the suspects were found inside the truck and the other two were found inside silver BMW with North West registration number.

“The BMW was used in the commission of the crime. The suspects were found in possession of a firearm. They will appear in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court soon. They were charged for hijacking and for being in possession of unlicensed firearm,” he said.

-TDN

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Sundowns players celebrate winning the league title during the 2015/16 Absa Premiership football match between University of Pretoria and Mamelodi Sundowns at Tuks Stadium, Pretoria on 04 May 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says the club 100 percent deserved to win the Absa Premiership this season.

The Brazilians clinched the title in style with a 3-0 thumping of University of Pretoria on Wednesday evening, with Anthony Laffor getting a hat-trick.

Mosimane was obviously a happy man after the game and praised his players for the work they put in throughout the season.

‘When you score 53 goals in 28 games and you lose only three matches, when you go 20 games unbeaten, I think then you deserve to win the title,” he told SuperSport afterwards.

“We have worked very hard, doing lots of match analysis both individually and as a group. If you do that, you should be able to lift the trophy.”

The title was Sundowns’ seventh since the PSL was formed in 1996/97. Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are next closest with four titles apiece.

Source: Kick Off Magazine

THE education and sport development department in North West has promised to continue monitoring security at schools to curb bullying.

Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said that a risk assessment was done to all 32 special schools, 8 mega farm schools and 120 public schools recently.

“We do intervention to hot spot police station schools. In assessment was performed at Marikana and Kanana last year. We will also spread our initiative to Christiana and Jouberton areas. The department also has provincial school safety forums. We engage with all stakeholders in a joint visit to schools.

“We will then address learners about bullying at schools. The department conducts anti-bullying campaigns quarterly to 40 schools. Our partnership with South African Police Services makes it possible for searches n seizures for drugs, weapons and dangerous weapons,” Malindi said.

A 15 year-old girl was allegedly attacked, assaulted and choked by a fellow pupil using stun grenade. The incident allegedly took place at Seiphemelo Secondary School in Kanana location, near Potchefstroom on Friday last week.

Ikageng police station spokesperson, Constable Kelebogile Trom said a case of assault with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) was opened but no one has been arrested yet.

“We can confirm that we are investigating a case of GBH assault after a 15 year-old learner was allegedly attacked with stun gun at school premises. According to the victim, the fellow learner forced her into a classroom and choked her. She also alleged that she was assaulted. The victim was allegedly choked on the stomach and knees,” Trom said.

Trom said the police condemned the behaviour and urged pupils to stop carrying dangerous weapons to school.

Courtesy- The NewAge Newspaper

-TDN

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CULTURE, arts and traditional affairs (CATA) and the tourism departments have partnered the Mahikeng local municipality in the ‘Hit Song’ music competition.

The competition involves talent search for those gifted in singing so that they are put in the limelight and helped to realise their dreams.

CATA head of department, Nono Bapela said the “Do You Wanna Be a Music Superstar talent search” competition has reached its final stage.

“We will be announcing the winner of the competition at Mmabatho Convention Complex on May 21. We have shortlisted five finalists. The main objective of the project was to unearthed and harness future legends from the province.

“The winner will receive a professional recording contract. The contract amount to R350 000 and this is in line with North premier, Supra Mahumapelo’s vision of rebranding, renewal and repositioning,” Bapela said.

She said they working in conjunction with Education Alive.

“The National Lotteries Commission funded Education Alive, which is part of a worldwide non-profit educational organisation. The aim of the project is to stage an artist skills and talent development project. The project was launch in the province through a “Hit song,” Bapela said.

“This also carries forward the government’s objective and mandate of implementing the five concretes, amongst them to rebrand, reposition and renewal the province through agriculture, culture and tourism (ACT). Eighty artists were chosen out of 500 demos received.

“The chosen artists attended a five day workshop valued at R20 000 per entrant. They received workshop from highly skilled executives in the music industry. Five best songs were identified through a selection process,” she said.

Bapela said the selected songs were played on Motsweding FM. She further added that listeners were requested to vote for their best song through short message service (sms). Bapela further added that the top 5 finalists were Tsietso Letlojane, Edwin Phiri, Zamani Manqayi and Obakeng Mapoe.

Education Alive representative, Phil Hows said they have chosen the best top five songs. He said the aim was to unleash the raw talents across the province. “I can say the province has abundance of talents. Many artists need assistance to become complete product. We believe those who are selected will continue to fly the North West province flag high.

“We will also continue to work and monitor those who received training to nurture them. The department has created mini-Mmabanas across the districts so other artists will be given attention through those projects,” Hows said.

Courtesy- The NewAge Newspaper

-TDN

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NORTH West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, presents his office’s budget at the provincial legislature today (Thursday).

Mahumapelo said he is looking forward to the proceeding and said the provincial government’s fifth administration has managed to eliminate corruption, fraud and maladministration.

“We are very adamant that we are working towards our goal. We want to appeal to our community members to adhere and uphold the constitution of this country. What happened at Marikana where people occupied RDP houses illegal was uncalled for. Rustenburg local municipality works in partnership with our local and human settlements department and has built beautiful houses to curb overcrowding in Marikana.

“There was a committee elected to lead the project, so we want to make a call to our people to refrain from occupying RDP houses illegally. We are working tirelessly to curb corruption. We are very grateful that our attempts have paid dividends,” Mahumapelo said.

The premier added that his administration has been working closely with The Hawks and the office of the auditor-general focusing on nine municipalities like Ramotshere-Moiloa, Madibeng, Matlosana, Tswaing, Naledi, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Ratlou, Ditsobotla and Ventersdorp municipalities.

“You will remember that we sent the Hawks at Madibeng municipality to curb corruption within the municipality. We have deployed an administrator at Ngaka Modiri-Molema municipality and we are happy about the outcome. We will extend their stay until after national local elections.

“We also sped-up the issue of ferrying patients to various hospitals. The initiative has been implemented at Ventersdorp hospital. And we also saw improvements from all departments those were put under administration,” he said.

Courtesy- The NewAge Newspaper

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

DEELPAN- North West Province, Supra Mahumapelo visited the bereaved family in Deelpan after a razing fire killed seven family members on Sunday. The family members were asleep when their shack caught fire.

Mahumapelo was accompanied by MEC for social development; Fenny Gaolaolwe.

A three year-old toddler has become the latest victim to succumb to injuries suffered after six other family members died. The toddler died on Tuesday at Tshepong Hospital where he had been admitted since Sunday.

THE South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) and the ANC in North West sent their heartfelt condolences to the Mogale family.

Sanco provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe described the deaths as shocking and heart-rending incident.  He pleaded with local government and human settlements department to assist in building houses and eradicate informal settlements across the country.

“The informal settlement eradication and rural electrification programmes have to be accelerated to reduce such harrowing incidents. So we urge the local government and human settlements department to speed-up the process of eradicating informal settlements. Many lives continued to be lost because of poor living conditions our people found themselves in. We hope proper houses could reduce the atrocity.

“Many people who live in informal settlements use candle because their shacks are not electrified. We also urge relevant authorities to educate people living in informal settlements how to deal with fire. The residents in these areas need to be endorsed with firefighting training skills. We believe that could help while waiting for assistance from emergency services,” he said.

Michael Mogale‚ 23‚ Mokatse Mogale‚ 22‚ Shepang Mogale‚10‚ and their two cousins‚ Bokamoso Mogale‚ 8‚ and Lerato Mogale, 5‚ died in the fire while asleep after their shack caught fire in the early hours of Sunday. A three year–old toddler‚ Olebogeng Mogale‚ was admitted at Gelukspan hospital but later died.

“We are distraught by the heartbreaking losses. We wish to convey our condolences to the Mogale family, relatives, friends as well as the entire Deelpan community. No one deserves to die such frightful and painful deaths,” Sebegoe said.

The bereaved family spokesperson, Florence Ntshangisa said the loss was painful.

“We are really dejected after losing family members in this manner. We are grieving and hope that we could ever find closure to the matter,” she said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo had also sent his heartfelt condolences to the family.

He said the provincial government’s thoughts were with the Mogale family during this difficult time.

“May they be comforted as they come to terms with this tragic loss. We can confirm that the Provincial Disaster Management Teams from Local Government and Human Settlements Department and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality visited the scene to make an assessment in order to intervene as the fire has completely destroyed the shack and its contents.

“Furthermore, MEC for social development visited the bereaved family on Wednesday to see if any assistance could be needed. Leader of Government Business, MEC Manketsi Tlhape and Ngaka Modiri Molema district mayor, Justice Makolomakwe also visited the family this week,” Mahumapelo said.

-TDN

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Generations: The Legacy actor Rapulana Seiphemo has finally broken his silence after being involved in a deadly car accident earlier this year telling fans that the experience could have “destroyed” him.

Taking to Instagram for the first time since the accident which left three people dead and the soap star in intensive care‚ Rapulana thanked fans for their prayers and support.

“As you all know by now; I went through a traumatic incident a number of months ago. I am well on my way to recovery; a recovery that would not have been possible without the thoughts and prayers of so many of you: my supporters‚ family and friends.”

Rapulana revealed that the experience has left him shaken and credits the prayers and support of friends and fans for helping him pull through.

“I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It was something that could have destroyed me‚ but (for the) hope and inspiration from all of you. I am blessed and grateful to be surrounded by all of you.”

According to Generations: The Legacy publicist Gaaratwe Mokhethi‚ the actor is expected to return to the set of popular SABC 1 soapie in the next few weeks‚ once he has fully recovered from his injuries.

Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

ACTING MEC for culture, art and traditional affairs (CATA), Manketsi Tlhape said action needs to be done to implement the department’s R659.6m budget presented recently.

The department has a mandate to make issues of culture central to economic development after Premier Supra Mahumapelo singled out the component together with agriculture and tourism as the key economic pillars for the province.

Tabling the budget, Tlhape said: “We have managed to obtain funding for Library Practice Learnership to the tune of R1.2m from the PSETA during last financial year. The department also contributed R326 000 to augment for of learners stipend. Most of the learners were recruited from the areas where Libraries are located. They have completed formal training in January and are awaiting finalisation of their assessments.

“Another grant to the tune of R135 030 was sourced from CATHSSETA for skills development. The exercise was completed in January and workers are at Klein Marico Hospitality Facility on Food Service Aid. The same SETA has approved a grant to an amount of R336 000 for the intake of eight interns for Performing Arts, Crafts and Visual Arts advertised through the entire province,” she said.

The MEC added that ten interns were also placed on a PSETA programme. She said the amount of R576 000 grant was received.

The internship programme will end at end of December this year. She further added 20 learners benefited from R720 000 grants until next year.

“Two hundred artists and arts and culture practitioners benefited from skill development progamme called Ikatisong. We will forge an agreement with the education department to place at least 30 practitioners in schools,” she said.

Tlhape pointed out that they will help art centres across communities. Six applications received for upgrading and refurbishment of underutilised as CACs.

She said they will host 85 festivals throughout the province and that these will be organised by their service points and districts in collaboration with traditional leaders and local municipalities.

The MEC indicated that these festivals will promote Mahika Mahikeng Festival as the year end bash.

Tlhape said priorities for traditional affairs will be taken into considerations. She said the construction and renovation of traditional council offices cost R27 million. Tlhape said a support for traditional council in the form of grants was R19m.

“Tools of trade for Dikgosi like cell phones cost the department R700 000. Maintenance of fleet like vehicles allocated to traditional councils was R2m, and Induction and training of newly elected members of traditional councils cost R1.5m. The finalisation of the North West Initiation Schools Matters Draft Bill was R300 000.

“We will continue to rebrand, reposition and renew our province. We will continue to increase the number of village-based recording studios. The department will spend R1.5m on this project in the four districts,” Tlhape said.

“During this financial year R24 685m will be transferred to municipalities for smooth operations and service delivery to our people. We will be handing over libraries to communities during this financial year namely; Tlokweng, Lomanyaneng, Ganalaagte, Khunwana, Tlakgameng, Ipelegeng and Boikhutso,” she said.

-TDN

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