NORTH West MEC for education and sport development, Sello Lehari applauded the provincial department for successful hosting of both developmental and professional boxing bout. The boxing competition was recently held at James Motlatsi Indoor Centre in partnership with Sports and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), Boxing South Africa (BSA) and SABC.

Lehari said the success of hosting an event of this magnitude is dedicated to the unwavering support shown by Bokone Bophirima residents.

“We are extremely elated by the incident free event. We are now becoming a household brand in hosting mega events successfully in the province. The boxers from the province had a chance to showcase their talent at the professional boxing stage.

“Events like this envisaged inspiration to many young people from far flung areas.  Over thousand boxing fans came to support their favourite boxers whilst millions watched the fights on television,” he said.

Amongst those who graced the events were MEC for community safety department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane, newly appointed CEO for Boxing South Africa, Tsholofelo Lejaka and Head of Department at education and sport development, Dr Itumeleng Molale.

Free State province boxer, France Ramabolu outpointed Congolese Chris Mugisho over 12 rounds for a vacant WBF Africa Junior Middleweight belt.

Another boxer from Free State, Doctor Ntsele won against Khayalethu Mbedje from Eastern Cape.

Gauteng province boxer, Walter Dlamini and Xolani Mvubu from Kwazulu-Natal were in a stalemate after six rounds. Boxer Ronald Malindi from Gauteng defeated Percy Mkhize also from Gauteng on point results. Sihle Jelwane from Free State outpointed Letus Mbele in their six rounds. Congolese Stanis Apanu defeated Siyamcela Mntwana from North West on the sixth round. Main bout of the day was Koos Sibiya from Mpumalanga and defeated Samuel Kapapu from Namibia.

-TDN

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POLICE are looking for suspects involved in a case of attempted armed robbery as well as an attempted murder that occurred along the N4 road near Brits in the early hours of Wednesday.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said an unconfirmed number of suspects fired shots at two Fidelity Security vehicles that were travelling along the N4 road towards Brits.

“It is alleged that the security officers returned fire. Three of security officers them were wounded in the process. A passing motorist was allegedly caught in the crossfire and got injured as a result.

“He was ferried to the nearest hospital along with security officers for medical attention. The suspects allegedly burnt one of their vehicles during the incident,” Mokgwabone said.

The suspects fled the scene empty-handed using another vehicle. There is no arrest at this stage.

Mokgwabone said the police urge anyone with information that can assist in the arrest of the suspects to contact Lieutenant Colonel Nkgodi Tjale on 082 546 0382.

-TDN

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FOUR suspects were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen goods in Bodibe near Itsoseng on Wednesday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the police in conjunction with Itsoseng Community Police Forum (CPF) arrested four men.

Mokgwabone said they were found to be in possession of suspected stolen livestock.

“The police received a tip-off and arrested the suspects aged between 15 and 31. They were allegedly in possession of six cattle worth R72 000. Further investigation revealed that the cattle were stolen in Lichtenburg where a case of stock theft was opened. The suspects are expected to appear in the Ditsobotla Magistrates’ Court on Thursday,” Mokgwabone said.

-TDN

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THE Labour department in North West expressed concern on Moses Kotane local municipality’s municipal manager who allegedly failed to uphold safety regulations for employees.

Regional Labour spokesperson, Orpa Mathabe said that the department had to take the municipal manager to court to compel him to adhere to occupational and safety rules.

“We want to urge all government departments to make sure the interests of the employees are taken seriously. We have realised that most government institutions are not conducive.

“The Mogwase Magistrate Court issued a warrant of arrest for the Moses Kotane municipal manager pending his failure to appear on the next court date. However we are still waiting for the correct date from court, but the matter will be heard in July,” she said.

The municipal manager failed to appear before the magistrate at a court session between the department of labour and the Moses Kotane local municipality two weeks ago.

Mathabe said the reason there are not even more accidents and diseases caused by work is because systems of prevention are in place which have been built up over generations.

“Safety does not come about by accident. Most accidents happen because they have not been prevented. Yet despite all the precautions some employers decided to ignore that.

“Millions of rands can be saved in avoiding risks and ignorance regarding safety measures at workplace. Our objective is to minimise injuries at workplace.  Attention to health and safety is not just about being socially responsible. It also makes good business sense and you should regard it as just as important as the achievement of any other key business objectives.

Statutory services officer at the department, Jeff Lethoko indicated that the municipality totally ignored almost all sections of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.

“The municipality ignores house-keeping issues to those of serious contraventions. They also even failed to provide workers with toilet paper and hand soaps as stipulated on the Facilities Regulation 2(3) (a and d) of the  Act.

“Labour inspectors established that workers working at sewage plants were not taken for medical surveillance. The municipality also did not have a risk assessment plan to follow in determining if any worker might have been exposed to Hazardous Biological Agents (HBA) as required by regulation clause 6 and 8 of the HBA. Male and female workers were found to be using the same changing rooms and that Health and Safety Reps were not trained,” Lehoko said.
However Moses Kotane local municipality spokesperson, Beauty Makganye said the municipal manager had sent an indication that he was not well.

“We are still waiting for the court date and we will update you regarding the court outcomes,” Makganye said.

-TDN

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MAKWASSIE Hills local municipality mayor, Gaamangwe Kgabi promised to address grievances raised by residents of Kgakala Township near Leeudoringstad.

The community is expected to embark again on a protest today (Thursday) over poor basic service delivery.

The residents submitted their memorandum of grievances last week and expected to get answers soon.

“I want to confirm that there are many projects that are underway in the area. We have also employed people from the Kgakala area. We are trying so hard as the municipality to eradicate unemployment, poverty and inequality. Most of our youth do not have matric certificates, but they want to form part of internships.

“There were projects that were ran before and we also encourage unemployed youth to come to our offices and fill up indigent forms. We also addressing issues of those who come from impoverished backgrounds,” Kgabi said.

Residents allege that the local municipality failed to create job opportunities for unemployed youth.

One of community leaders, Moyane Mohanoe said: “Most of our youth are unemployed. Municipality failed us and there are projects taking place in our area. Those who are employed on those projects are politically connected.

“So we want the municipality to eliminate nepotism and maladministration. Corruption is striving at the municipality. They expect us to pay for services like electricity and water.”

Another community leader, Papiki Makhobe said unemployment was caused by political patronage. He said only those who are related to politicians benefit from tenders and projects.

“Political interests are dominating in this area. Political affiliation is taken in to consideration in terms of employment. Only the selected few rise above these issues,” Makhobe said.

More than 20 people were arrested during a protest last week. They were charged with public violence after they looted foreign-owned tuckshops.

They appeared in Wolmaransstad Magistrate’s Court last week and only 15 suspects were granted R800 bail each. Others were remanded in custody after they have other pending cases against them.

-TDN

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THE North West tourism department said that service excellence is one of its major priorities going forward so that the province becomes a destination of choice to visitors.

Tourism department spokesperson, Dineo Lolokwane said that they want to ensure high standards and quality within the sector.

She said that the department recently convened a workshop with product owners in the Bojanala West region and they know what is expected of them.

“We had a robust engagement on issues such as quality assurance, service excellence and grading of various tourism and hospitality establishments. The department will further visit all other districts in the province. We will conduct workshops of such nature to ensure that thus critical factors highly prioritised and taken into considerations.

“All non-graded tourism products in this province are further urged to register for grading assessment in order to be exposed to the basket of benefits available to them through Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA),” Lolokwane said.

  Tourism Growth, Development and Transformation chief director, Sarah Manone said the workshop was to enlighten tourism product owners aware of avenues they could explore in enhancing the quality of their service and products.

“These workshops will enhance partnerships with product owners. We encourage service excellence and quality assurance. We will help them in making sure that they improve in how they run their tourism businesses.

“Our department will support the sector and create a conducive condition for a sustainable tourism growth in the province. However we will achieve that through tourism growth, development and transformation within the sector. Tourism plays an integral pillar of the province’s economic growth and sustainability,” Monone said.

She added: “We are doing this because most South Africans are not keen to complain about poor service. Therefore service providers often do not know that their services are not up to the expected standards. Product owners need to develop systems which will encourage clients to give feedback in order to improve the current customer service levels for the better.”

-TDN

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