Cape Town – With a deaf younger sister, it was especially meaningful for Western Cape premier Helen Zille to open South Africa’s first deaf-run coffee shop on Tuesday.

After eyeing a tower of macaroons on the counter of “i love coffee” in Claremont, housed in a gym, it was not long before Zille had learnt how to ask for a cappuccino in sign language.

“So when you’ve eaten all the pastries, you can work it off here,” she said to laughs.

The shop’s founder, Gary Hopkins, said he wanted to break down communication barriers between the hearing and deaf communities.

It was not about sympathy and pity. The shop was a celebration of entrepreneurship and big ideas.

He was grateful and overwhelmed by interest in their shop from around the world.

Source: http://www.news24.com

 BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 26 year-old man was arrested for an armed robbery. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Sergio Kock said the incident took place on the weekend.

“The incident took place on Saturday at about 4pm. Two men allegedly entered a shop in Old De Beers Road and threatened the owner with screw drivers.

“The men fled with an undisclosed amount of cash and two cell phones. One of the suspects was arrested on Monday at approximately 8am. The police received a tip-off from community members,” Kock said.

He further added that the second suspect is still at large. Kock said they request anyone with information regarding the incident to call D/WO Marcus Mafaro on 082 302 0407.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A former police officer and accounting clerk were found guilty of fraud and theft. Captain Santa Pakalitha, 31, and Hillary Arries, 36 appeared in De Aar Regional Court on Monday.

The Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase said the accused were both working for the South African Police Service (SAPS) and stationed at Colesburg finance office before their dismissal.

“They were charged for 118 incidents of fraud and theft combined, worth a total of over R293 000. Investigation revealed that false application requesting cash advances and claim were made. These claims varied from meals, accommodation costs as well as renewal of license disks. Personal particulars of fellow colleagues were used including senior management at the station,” Nkwalase said.

According to Nkwalase, they were arrested in August 2010 for defrauding the SAPS from November 2009 until July 2010. He said these irregularities were uncovered when a senior manager found that there was a pending claim R131 000 on her name.

“She knew nothing about that and Arries had since repaid R131 000 to the State. They were both sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. They were also suspended for 5 years on condition that they do not commit similar offences. They were additionally placed under correctional supervision and community service both for a period of 2 years,” Nkwalase said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 30-YEAR-OLD man appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with murder. Oagile Boul Boitsi allegedly stabbed Thabiso Mohotlheng at a local tavern in Mokgareng village, near Taung on Sunday morning.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said a fight ensued between the suspect and the deceased.

“The suspect and the victim were engaged in an argument at a local tavern. The suspect allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife twice in the chest. The deceased was rushed to a local clinic where he unfortunately died,” Funani said.

The murder case against Boitsi was postponed until June 13 for bail application. He will be remanded in custody.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

RUSTENBURG mayor, Mpho Khunou applauded the 2016 Comrades Marathon winner, David Gatebe and other athletes from the municipality who participated in this year’s run.

Khunou hosted a mini ceremony to honour the athletes, encouraging them to mentor others so that more champions can be produced from the province.

“We have 2015 comrade marathon winner, Gift Kelehe who works as a policeman in Rustenburg. We also have David Gatebe from Sun Rise Park in Rustenburg. These achievements augur well for our city. We want to put Rustenburg against the best cities in Africa and this is a testimony.

“We now want to formally congratulate David Gatebe as the municipality. He conquered the gruelling 89 kilometer down run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban on May 29 to win the title,” Khunou said.

He added that Rustenburg and the North West at large is now on the map owing to the exploits of Kelehe and Gatebe.

“You have not only put Rustenburg on the world map, but made us proud once again after Gift Kelehe did the same last year by winning the 2015 comrade marathon. You continue to inspire the youth of Rustenburg in particular, North West province and the rest of South Africa in general.

“Congratulations and keep it up as you will be defending the championship next year. The municipality will support your efforts at all times. We are in the process of availing Olympia Park stadium to yourself and club mates, Gift Kelehe, Peter Gaebetse and Gordon Lesetedi. We want the stadium to be your official training venue,” he said.

Gatebe appreciated the support shown by the municipality and promised to continue inspiring young people.

“I am grateful to God for granting me such strength to break a stunning world record. I also broke the record set by Russian Leonid Shvestsov in 2007. I am happy to celebrate the rare moment with the people of Rustenburg in general and Sunrise Park in particular. I dedicate this win to them,” Gatebe said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Mmabana employees barricade entrance at Mmabana Head Office in Mahikeng)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

STAFF at Mmabana Foundation said they will continue to embark on a strike if the institution does not commit itself in writing while addressing their grievances.

The workers downed tools at all the parastatals offices across the province on Friday.

Provincial coordinator for striking workers, Portia Phadi addressed the workers on Monday at Mmabana Foundation Head Offices in Mahikeng.

She alleged that the Mmabana Foundation exploited them and downgraded their salaries without engaging with the workers first.

Phadi said they embarked on a protest because the management ignored their call. She said they urged Mmabana Foundation to engage with their union (NEHAWU) before they could downgrade their salaries.

“We were guaranteed the certificate to embark on a strike by CCMA hence we shut down all entries leading to Mmabana Foundation Head Offices. As employees, we are paid meagre salaries. Employees were also not part of the decisions taken by the institution.

“They alleged that the institution does not have enough money in their account. We want to know where the money went to because we are aware that the culture, art and traditional affairs department (CATA) is injecting money into the institution,” Phadi said.

She added that the institution receive budget from the department of CATA however they could not even get salary increment as employees.

Phadi added that CATA department requested a meeting with NEHAWU.

“NEHAWU will be engaged in a meeting with CATA. However we stand firmly on our ground and need our grievances to be addressed. If there is no agreement, then we will continue to embark on a strike,” she said.

NEHAWU provincial spokesperson, Cassper Nanto said some employees alleged that the CEO and management get exorbitant salaries while they living in poverty.

“How relevant it is for the CEO to get R1.4m salary while workers are starving? It is the time now for the provincial government to enter into the fray and investigate exactly what is happening at Mmabana Foundation,” Nanto said.

However CEO for Mmabana Foundation, Sipho Nkese disputes the allegations levelled against him. He said the employees embarked on illegal strike.

“It is not true that the management is paying themselves exorbitant salaries. The union has salaries of everybody in the organisation. Our salaries are in line with what the government is paying its employees. So there is no one earning R1.4m at Mmabana Foundation,” Nkese said.

CATA head of department, Nono Bapela said interventions were put in place to assist the beleaguered institution. She said the portfolio committee also urged them to monitor Mmabana Foundation.

“We have engaged with the Mmabana Foundation management. We met with the acting CEO Sipho Nkese and newly appointed CFO. We are in the process of appointing the substantive CEO. We also believe that the situation can be turned around.

“There has not been a good collaboration between Mmabana Foundation and our department over the past few years. However we will continue to engage with senior management. The collaboration needs to take place particularly through art and culture component,” Bapela said.

“Drastic measures will be taken against those who mismanaged of resources at the institution after the completion of the investigations. We will make sure that we leave no stone unturned,” she said.

Bapela said the establishment of Mmabana Foundation was to promotes and unearthened art and culture within the province. She said even though the institution still does that however more can be done.

It is alleged that the CATA department reduced the Mmabana Foundation’s budget by R10m.

-TDN

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