Picture: (By Potchefstroom Herald)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for culture, art and traditional affairs department, Ontlametse Mochware says they will continue to fight bogus initiation schools. This comes after 17 intiates from Lehurutshe were allegedly ferried to hospital after botched circumcisions.

“We need to preserve our culture and fight against illegal initiation schools. We also encourage those who run initiation schools to follow proper procedures. They need to make sure that they apply for permission through our department,” Mochware said.

The DA provincial spokesperson on culture and traditional affairs, Dr Tutu Faleni said: “We are fretful by the reports. We have repeatedly called on CATA department to take preventative measures aimed at ensuring that initiation schools are registered and carry out their functions within the relevant legislative framework.

“It is alarming that there are no proper mechanisms in place to ensure that illegal initiation schools are reported by the community. The department seems not to have any plan in place to monitor initiation schools to prevent botched circumcisions,” Faleni said.

TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Premier Supra Mahumapelo will host a media networking session at Hartbeespoort next week on Wednesday.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the premier wants to share his vision and create a platform for media.

“Media serves a crucial platform. So we need to interact with all media houses across the province. We do have a common interest which is to community building. So we need to forge a strong working relationship. The premier wants to share his vision regarding the growth of the province,” Setswambung said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE Foundation recently engaged with various pupils across Maboloka village in Brits region. Oupa Matla Foundation founder, Oupa Matla said they will now assist Grade 12 pupils who are doing scarce subjects like Physical Science and Mathematics during the school recession.

He said they have officially opened two Funda Nathi Saturday and winter school centres in Maboloka and Mahikeng recently. Matla added that the centres will focus on Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Science.

“Pupils tend to quit school because they experience difficulties in their lives. So we have identified those who are deprived and assist them. We also had memorial lectures because we are celebrating Youth Month.

“It is imperative to teach the youths the importance of education. They need to change their circumstances around,” Matla said.

“We also hosted a successful football tournament for Under 21. It was a charity cup. We recognised and appreciated the role played by the class of’ 76 during the liberation struggle,” Matla said.

“We announced those students who stand a chance of getting a full bursary based on their year-end results (A+ or B+). We also donated sanitary towels to various schools in Madibeng. The schools were identified by our frontline volunteers,” he said.

Matla said sport was the only tool that can be used to communicate with the youths. He added that they addressed socio-economic issues through sport.

“We brought in motivational speakers to address the youths. By making donation, you actually giving people a chance to climb out of poverty.  We also reminded the youths about the history of South Africa.

“They need to know where the country comes from. Knowing our history is very imperative as we will know where we are going. The youths need to know why people were killed during apartheid era,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West police are looking for a suspect in connection of rape. Provincial police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the atrocity took place at Ventersdorp on May 1 this year at around 11pm.

“The victim was dragged to Ventersdorp Soccer Stadium and allegedly being raped. Anyone with any information that could lead to any arrest can contact the Investigating Officer, Sgt de Ruiter of Potchefstroom FCS. Or they can call this number on 018-29309200/073 948 9017,” Mokgwabone said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE North West provincial government has indicated no over expenditure in the current financial year. Premier Supra Mahumapelo addressed the executive committee members (EXCO) at Taung Hotel and Convention Centre in Taung on Wednesday.

Mahumapelo said they were happy regarding governance programme so far. He added that the provincial government is heading to the correct direction.

“We are glad that we have not experience any over or less expenditure in this new financial year. We have checked through all departments and there are improvements. The Setsokotsane programme continues to play a massive role in the lives of the masses. The implementation of the programme yields results.

“We have now reached an agreement to implement Setsokotsane in each district simultaneously. The impact that is made by it is stanch. I am also pleased about our standing pattern. Our disciplinary committee is doing fairly well in that regard,” Mahumapelo said.

According to Mahumapelo, the treasury began to point to the right direction too. He added that even though he will reveal full details next week during a press conference, the aspect on Village, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD) gathered all needed information.

“We will unpack how the state of affairs is our provincial government next week during media brief. However I can say all look good. We also touched on the qualifications verification.

“We requested all departments to verify the qualifications of all public servants. We wanted to check if they all qualify for the positions they occupied. By so doing, we want people who are very competent. Having skilled people will help us go forward,” Mahumapelo said.

He added that fair and effective governance is critical. Mahumapelo further said it is imperative ensuring that development benefits the people.

“Good governance should entail processes, decisions and outcomes that sustain natural resources to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life.  The fifth administration took a decision to improve the situation in VTSD areas.

“The EXCO meetings will now rotate across the province. We are here in Taung as part of local economy empowerment. We need to look into the future. That is why we have put agriculture at the apex of the triangle. Coming up with different ways of how we can improve the economy of North West,” he said.

Mahumapelo added that a governance lens offers a powerful impetus for promoting reforms in policies and programs for sustainable development.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for community safety and transport management, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said stray animals are one of contributing factors to road accidents and fatalities.

Motlhabane addressed farmers at Madikwe village on Tuesday. He also visited few police stations on unannounced visits.

“Stray animals on our roads remain a concern. They contribute with a high number particularly in the predominantly rural areas of the province. Cattle, horses and donkeys been the most common animals involved in collisions. This results in major damage to vehicles and sometimes even fatal injuries been experienced.

“Our ANC-led government has tried in several times to install fences on the areas of concern. We tried to keep these animals away from the road, but for some reasons there are people who continue to tear down the fences,” Motlhabane said.

He added that some torn the fence because they claim it restrict them to access the road. Motlhabane said however they were committed to educate livestock owners, traditional leaders and community members on the safety of their livestock.

“Livestock owners must know that allowing their animals to stray onto the roads is a by-law transgression. We will always make sure that all relevant stakeholders, road users and entities are enlightened through robust road safety awareness campaigns.

“We will also intensify law enforcement operations as well as empowering school-going children through road safety education,” he said.

Motlhabane handed over reflectors to livestock owners. He said this will assist in making their livestock visible during the night on the roads. He also requested livestock owners to tattoo or brand mark their livestock to reduce livestock theft.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A person died after he was allegedly assaulted by disgruntled community members in Moretele village near Taung. Two suspects aged 23 and 40 respectively allegedly stole 11 goats, slaughtered them and cooped them in their Toyota Tazz in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the police are investigating cases of stock theft, murder and assault.

“The angry community members allegedly assaulted two suspects after they accused them of stealing 11 goats. The members of the community allegedly saw the suspects and chased after them.

“They managed to corner the suspects near Vryburg on N18 road. The suspects were allegedly taken back to the village where they were assaulted. Their car was set alight with nine goats carcasses inside. The other two carcasses were outside,” Mokgwabone said.

He said the Vryburg stock theft unit police were informed and responded swiftly to the scene.

“The police managed to rescue two suspects from the claws of irate community members. The suspects were rushed to the local hospital with injuries. However one of them, aged 40 was certified dead on arrival at Huhudi clinic.

“The other suspect, 23 was treated for injuries and he is currently in detention for stock theft. The police are still investigating cases of assault and murder against members of the community,” he said.

Acting provincial commissioner, Major General Joyce Molale condemned the incident. She urged community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

“We urge the community to approach the police and report any criminal activities. Taking the law into your own hands is wrong and people can be arrested for that. We need to work together with the police to root out any criminal activities,” Molale said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 23 YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to fifteen years for raping a 56 year-old woman in Keimos. Marno Bok raped the victim in an open field next to Warmsand Informal Settlements last year.

Lieutenant Col Dimakatso Mooi said: “Bok was found guilty of rape and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Upington Regional Court. The cluster commander of ZF Mqcawu, Major General Matthys said the sentences will serve as a deterrent to offenders of sexual offence related crimes.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 23-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to fifteen years after rape. Kenneth Makaudi raped a 23 year-old woman at Valam Boerdery Omdraai farm near Kakamas in January 16 last year.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Dimakatso Mooi said: “The accused raped the victim and tied her with her own shoe lace after wards. He left her behind in the field.

“We commend Constable JC Mokgalagadi for securing 15 years imprisonment for the accused.”

-TDN

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Young people in Taung are demoralised by high unemployment numbers, among other issues, this is according to youth leaders.

As part of its town-to-town tour of South Africa in the build-up to the elections, Morning Live visited Taung in the North West.

Lebogang Mojanaga of Neolet Foundation says young people in the area lack skills.

His foundation works to assist them in skills and competence development.

Mojanaga says his foundation tries to bring hope to the area by putting young people through school and university.

He adds that the youth in Taung are not interested in voting as a they are continuously disappointed.

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

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