BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West health department MEC, Dr Magome Masike said they will introduce new electronic filing system at hospitals and clinics. Dr Masike said this after many losses of files occurred recently. He said the plan to improve the availability of medical supplies and medical depot was in a full swing too.

“The poor accessibility of pharmaceutical and medical related items at health facilities was some of challenges. However we came up with a strategic plan to address that. We have engaged with our suppliers to reduce the challenges. Poor availability of medical stock from them hindered our stock levels. This affects our medical depot and the availability of medication at health facilities.

“Efforts are also being made to reduce the challenges encountered with supplier performance. A close bid for procurement of pharmaceutical and medical related items that are not on contract or not available from contracted suppliers has been arranged,” Masike said.

He further added that an open bid will be advertised for a provincial database for pharmaceutical and surgical. He said they have also appointed two distributors to ferry medications from depot to hospitals and clinics.

“The appointment resolves transportation challenges that we encountered before. We have also appointed contract workers to strengthen depot operations, particularly at the dispatch unit since February.

“We will also monitor our sub-district managers quarterly. We want to check if they make sure medication is available at hospitals and clinics. We will also engage with our nurses to make sure we bring back the dignity within nursing profession. We want a good working relationship between them and the patients,” Masike said.

He also added that they will host another nursing summit later this year.

“We have realised that the loss of files at our hospital facilities is high. We have experienced many lawsuits and paid large sum of money. However new electronic filing system will help us to reduce that. We believe there is a third force that is working with lawyers to guzzle-up from health department coffer.

“We want to make sure that community service in the medical field is meeting its objectives. We will also increase intake of nurses. Our nurses will receive training to be reminded of their primary healthcare duties,” Masike said.

He said lack of resources affects the day-to-day process at many hospitals. However Dr Masike added that they will come up with intervention. He said putting the needs of the patients at the frontiers is important.

DENOSA representative, Modise Letsatsi: “We welcome the improved changes the department introduced. We believe more nurses are needed to improve the service delivery. Our nurses will also receive training to deal with their attitude towards patients.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects aged 27 and 33 are expected to appear in Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for being in possession of suspected stolen goods. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the police in Mothutlong and Mmakau acted on a tip-off.

“Two suspects were allegedly found to be in possession of a Ford Ranger vehicle, a plasma TV and four cellphones. The police received a tip-off and nabbed them at Mothutlong Extension 2. The undisclosed amount of money was also found in their possession. They allegedly robbed a house at Tsunami Section in  Ga-rankuwa,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in North West reiterated its call to mining houses to uphold the culture of zero harm. The plea follows the death of a miner who died during a rockfall at the Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg last week Tuesday.

Provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “We wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one in the tragic incident. Our communities share their grief as well as the hope and anxiety of the family of the miner who is still unaccounted for.”

SANCO national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said they calling for an investigation into the cause of the rockfall to be sped up.

He added that higher penalties will lead to strict adherence to set occupational health and safety standards and reduce injuries and fatalities.

“Every mining incident reminds us that the Nkambule, Nyarende and Mnisi families are after 105 days still anxiously waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be recovered at Lilly Mine in Mpumalanga for them to find closure,” he said.

Mahlangu said the delay in recovering the bodies of the three miners is traumatic for families that have not buried their loved ones in dignity.

“It is equally tragic that an investigation into that incident has not commenced for corrective action to be taken to prevent similar incidents at other mines. SANCO’s concern is that the tragedy in Impala Platinum Mine is the second to occur in a short space of time.

“Management says there’s been no communication with the second miner and teams fear the worst. Four miners were killed in an underground fire at the same mine earlier this year,” Mahlangu said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West Film Commission said they want to formalise the filming industry in the province. NWFC spokesperson, Vusi Moyakhe said they call on all those who are interested in filming to come forward. Moyakhe said his organisation develops, promotes and coordinates the film and television industry.

According to Moyakhe, they are working in partnership with culture, art, and traditional affairs department (CATA). He said they were tasked with positioning the province as World class destination in film-making as well as to attract local and international investors in filming industry.

Moyakhe said: “We want to assist all filmmakers and value change around North West. Many films have been shot in the province, but there is nothing to show for. Ga Re Dumele sitcom is shot at Jouberton Location in North West however no one from that area is part it.

“We also noted that many films from Leon Shuster were shot in North West. However no one from the province was part of it. The revenue from Shuster’s films was paid to Gauteng Film Commission. However from now on he will have to approach us to get permission to shoot films in the province. This will boost the province’s economy and its people.”

He also added that there were many films shot in Sun City resort in the past. He said the film called Blended was shot in Sun City resort by American company.

“No one from North West was part of that film. No one benefited from that. So NWFC organization will provides with licensing permission to all filmmakers in North West from now on. We had no commission before and all films received their permits from Gauteng Film Commission.

“Also the revenues were paid to that commission and North West province did not get even a cent. We have a partnership with CATA and have a 5 year strategic plan. We discussed our plan with MEC for Finance, economy and enterprise development department (FEED), Wendy Nelson,” Moyakhe said.

He also added that each district across the province must have a by-law on how to deal with film. Moyakhe said there was another film called Reconnected that was shot in Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom.

“We have actors like Presley Chweneyagae who come from the province. We want them to come and showcase their talents in the province rather than in Gauteng. We need to change that mindset. You know one film can creates close to 250 jobs. So this will boost job opportunities.

“We are also looking for producers and script writers. The critical part of the film is through office box. We need to make sure our people go watch homemade films and that will enable us to compete against other films for the awards.

“All production companies in the province must come and register on our database. Actors will be nurtured through production companies. We have also met with Platinum TV to advance our interest. We will take people to do practical work at Platinum TV after all training. They will also learn on how to protect their intellectual properties,” Moyakhe said.

Award-winning actor, Presley Chweneyagae said: “Films have a uniquely powerful ubiquity within human culture. The convergent nature of film creates consumption across a number of channels. The effect to the wider economy is significant. The film industry helps to let people tell their stories and backgrounds.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West premier Supra Mahumapelo detractors resurfaced again. The latest accusations came forth that Mahumapelo was planning to close down all funeral parlours across the province. This sent shivers down some businesspersons, but Mahumapelo was quick to dismiss this.

Mahumapelo dismissed the allegations as malicious and preposterous. He said the circulating rumours that he was planning to close funeral parlours in the province was absurd and unfounded.

“This is part of an on-going political agenda. All manner of rumours are spread about me from time to time and the intention is to discredit me politically. In February 2016 they told people that I have died as a result of a heart attack.” Mahumapelo said.

“It has come to the attention of the provincial government that there are people spreading malicious statements that I own a huge funeral parlour and that I plan to close others that operate in the province. There were rumours that I also died in a car accident previously.

“The allegations are baseless and seek to tarnish my good image. There are no plans to close funeral parlours. Instead the provincial government would like to engage with owners of funeral parlours with a view to understanding some of the challenges they experience in their business,” Mahumapelo said.

He said the engagement will be done as part of the Setsokotsane approach. He said the programme seeks to accelerate service delivery to all citizens of North West.

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 form the integral part of our economy. So 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.

Mahumapelo also urged those who spread rumours about him to refrain from that. He said the provincial government came up with a Reconciliation, Renewal and Healing programme to unite the people across North West.

“We want to continue to bring peace and unity within the communities of the province. You will remember that the Freedom Charter mentioned that factionalism and division must not have any place within the organisation, so our mission is just that.

“Since the dawn of this programme, we have experienced reduce infightings. We want to bring reconciliation, healing and renewal after the province previously experienced spate of unrest,” he said.

Mahumapelo said manifested division within the province is not needed.

“We want to rebuild a relationship between the government and its citizens. The situation needs to be improved so to all pastors and reverends, please pray for the province and harmonies will prevails,”he said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

RESIDENTS of Modderspruit, near Brits, marched to the Madibeng local municipality office on Friday demanding that uncompleted projects  in their area be finished.

  Community members alleged that there was lack of service delivery in their area.

EFF member and community leader for ward 31 in the area, Mpotokeng Bodigelo said there are many projects that were left incomplete.

  He said that residents want the municipality to deliver on its mandate and speed-up the process on incomplete projects.

  “The municipality promised to improve the lives of the community. However they came with empty promises. We were promised a sport field facility worth R2.6m. When you look at that project, it was abandoned and now the area has been vandalised. We were also promised a community hall, road paving and 500 unit RDP houses.

  “We just need transparency to all projects taking place within our community. The municipality itself is in shambles. We want the municipality to account and improve the lives of our people. When you look at our roads, they are marred with potholes and there is no water and sanitation in the area,” Bodigelo said.

 Another resident said they have three trust accounts belonging to the community. However when they inquire about them they get no reply.

 “We have a trust fund from Lonmin mine, IFM and another one from the complex. We have tried to enquire about these accounts, however to our dissatisfaction, we are told all three accounts balance is zero,” she said.

 Another resident shared his views and said: “There is high rate of unemployment in the area. There is no high school in this area. We were promised library, but we are still waiting until now.”

 However ANC ward councillor in Modderspruit, Petrus Makgabo said the municipality was hard at work to finish delayed projects. He further added that some of the projects were vandalised by community members.

 “The municipality implemented sport field which was in good condition during 2014-15 financial year. And the community park was built before my term. The community started to vandalise it and we approached the mine to fence it.

 “Now as we speak the park is fenced and regarding RDP houses, we approached the local government and human settlements department to check if there was any allocation for housing project. Unfortunately there was no such project,” Makgabo said.

 The beleaguered municipality was put under administration by provincial government and is under investigation by The Hawks.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MORE than 600 suspects were arrested in North West during last week.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were nabbed for various offences through day to day routine and other operations.

“The operation commenced on Monday last week. We have arrested 156 suspects for contact crimes and 31 suspects were arrested for property related crimes. The police arrested 90 suspects for drug related including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We have also arrested 45 suspects for being in possession of suspected stolen property and many other crimes.  We have a total number of 358 fines issued for liquor, traffic and by-laws related offences,” Mokgwabone said.

He said police confiscated liquor including concoctions, various drugs, ten sheep, seven vehicles, nine firearms and various electrical appliances. Mokgwabone said most of suspects appeared in various courts on Monday.

North West police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Baile Motswenyane commended the police for their determination. She said the police together with other role players will continue with operations of this nature to ensure the safety of various communities.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE RESIDENTS in Itsoseng took to the street to demonstrate their frustration and anger over poor basic service delivery yesterday.

According to DA in North West, ANC councilor, Morutse Molefe allegedly promised the residents jobs through the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP).

DA member, Jacqueline Theologo said: “Molefe was unable to deliver on his promises. His failure to deliver prompted the residents to embark on a strike.

DA in Ditsobotla is deeply concerned to see Itsoseng burning in a protest over failed jobs promised by the ANC.”

“The ANC in Ditsobotla will not be able to deliver on job creation promises because the municipality is marred by maladministration, corruption and incompetence.

“There is not an enabling environment to conduct business as irregular electricity and water supply, poor service delivery and the maintenance of infrastructure are hindering economic growth here,” she said.

According to DA, over 8.9 million South Africans are jobless.

“The DA firmly believes that economic freedom under the ANC is a pipe dream. Where the DA governs, we ensure job creation and development through proper sustainable and long term solutions.

“Instead of making empty promises, we propose pledging an additional R1.2 billion to EPWP to create 181 818 more work opportunities in 2016/17,” Theologo said.

She said the DA will invest in infrastructure to create jobs. Theologo further added that they will improve education system and ensure that people learn the kind of skills that will enable them to get jobs.

“We will also create a nation of entrepreneurs and make it easy for people to start their own businesses,” she said.

The police are currently monitoring the situation.

*NB: Our attempts to reach ANC councilor, Morutse Molefe was futile

-TDN

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Fans make fun of Lerato Kganygo’s ‘photoshopped’ True Love cover, putting Julius Malema’s face on her body.

In the midst of a social media storm over Lerato Kganyago’s True Love cover some social media users thought it funny to take the mickey out of the situation, by photoshopping EFF leader Julius Malema’s head onto her body.

Hundreds of Twitter users took to the site on Monday to complain about Lerato Kganyago’s latest cover, saying that it had been photoshopped to the point where she was unrecognisable.

As messages of support from both fans and celebs, flooded in for Lerato, some decided to produce their own touched up cover replacing Lerato’s head with Julius Malema’s.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE
RESIDENTS of Modderspruit, near Brits, marched to the Madibeng local municipality office on Friday demanding that uncompleted projects  in their area be finished.

Community members alleged that there was lack of service delivery in their area.  

EFF member and community leader for ward 31 in the area, Mpotokeng Bodigelo said there are many projects that were left incomplete.

He said that residents want the municipality to deliver on its mandate and speed-up the process on incomplete projects.

“The municipality promised to improve the lives of the community. However they came with empty promises. We were promised a sport field facility worth R2.6m. When you look at that project, it was abandoned and now the area has been vandalised. We were also promised a community hall, road paving and 500 unit RDP houses.

“We just need transparency to all projects taking place within our community. The municipality itself is in shambles. We want the municipality to account and improve the lives of our people. When you look at our roads, they are marred with potholes and there is no water and sanitation in the area,” Bodigelo said.

Another resident said they have three trust accounts belonging to the community. However when they inquire about them they get no reply.

 “We have a trust fund from Lonmin mine, IFM and another one from the complex. We have tried to enquire about these accounts, however to our dissatisfaction, we are told all three accounts balance is zero,” she said.

Another resident shared his views and said: “There is high rate of unemployment in the area. There is no high school in this area. We were promised library, but we are still waiting until now.”

However ANC ward councillor in Modderspruit, Petrus Makgabo said the municipality was hard at work to finish delayed projects. He further added that some of the projects were vandalised by community members.

“The municipality implemented sport field which was in good condition during 2014-15 financial year. And the community park was built before my term. The community started to vandalise it and we approached the mine to fence it.

“Now as we speak the park is fenced and regarding RDP houses, we approached the local government and human settlements department to check if there was any allocation for housing project. Unfortunately there was no such project,” Makgabo said.

The beleaguered municipality was put under administration by provincial government and is under investigation by The Hawks.
-TDN
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