THE Rustenburg local municipality has ordered political parties that did not comply with outdoor advertising to remove their posters in the city.

Municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said that affected parties have been informed to adhere to regulations.

“The consequences of contravening the Outdoor Advertising By-Law, Section 3(1), were fully explained to all parties in attendance by the municipality’s legal and valuation unit. Transgressors were told to remove their illegal posters affixed and displayed on the municipal buildings, transformers, bridges and walls within five working days.

“Failure to do so will result is a party getting fined R30 per poster as according to the rules and regulations. It was also explained to them that all posters must be removed within fourteen (14) days after the elections date and failing which they shall be guilty of an offence,” Matebesi said.

He added subsequent to this meeting, the ANC heeded the call and removed their posters.

Matebesi said the municipality is currently in the process of pursuing and charging political parties that to date failed.

-TDN

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THOSE operating illegal initiation schools in North West have been warned that government would have them arrested and send to jail if they continue to defy regulations.

This comes after the provincial department of culture, art and traditional affairs closed an unregistered initiation school that had been reopened in Madibogo village, outside Mahikeng on Monday evening.

The school was initially closed at the beginning of the winter season but was reopened and had 15 initiates.

CATA MEC, Ontlametse Mochware said that while initiation schools are part of customs and tradition they need to be run in a way that does not compromise the health and life of boys.

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“It is procedural for those who want to hold initiation school to follow process prior to that. We have initiation task team that outreaches all the districts to inform the people about the procedure. The process is initiated at tribal authorities, but where there is no Dikgosi like townships, the applications must be made at local municipalities.

“The application will be forwarded to the office of the MEC. We will do thorough observations and if we are content enough about the compliance, the application will be authorised,” Mochware said.

Two deaths have been recorded so far while about 140 initiates have been rescued from 13 bogus initiation schools.

The province has approved 16 schools that operate mainly in the Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts.

“If ever come across illegal school, we will close it. We also encourage our communities to come forward with any information regarding illegal initiation schools in their areas. They can do this by calling the national hotline number 0800111166.

“We are also working with health department to keep the initiates at various clinics and hospitals after we have demolished the illegal initiation schools. Parents are being advised that forceful taking of young children or anyone to initiation school is not allowed. Parents are urged to pledge that they allow their kids to go to initiation schools,” she said.

Chairperson of Tradition Customs and Culture, Kgosi Thari Maotwe expressed concern on the behaviour of those running the initiation school in Madibogo.

“I can say the owner of the initiation school is too young. We are looking for the owner who escaped and major legal actions will be taken. We did open a case against him, but we are not too sure if he is on bail or what happened.

“He is undermining the law and the constitution of the country. We condemn those who operate initiation schools while they are under age. We only found 8 initiates after others allegedly escaped. According to the information, the school has about 15 initiates,” he said.

A 40 year-old man died at illegal initiation school at Dihatshwane village near Rooigrond in Mahikeng more than two weeks ago.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects aged 15 and 19 respectively were arrested at Huhudi Township in Vryburg for house breaking and theft. Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said the police received a tip-off about two suspects who were seen carrying furniture.

“Police then immediately went to investigate and recovered a Plasma TV Samsung, black Samsung remote, Microwave, Hair clipper, Binoculars and stolen cell phones valued at R20 000. The suspects were arrested on Monday and a 19 year-old man is expected to appear in Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The 15 year- old suspect was released under his parents’ guidance,” Funani said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FIVE suspects aged between 27 and 40 respectively were arrested for theft at Delareyville on Wednesday. North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said the police in Delareyville received a complainant about people who were busy stealing tower batteries.

“The police found five suspects sitting inside a quantum minibus taxi. They conducted a search in the taxi and found four batteries at estimated value of R96 000. The suspects were arrested and the goods were allegedly stolen from a phone stores in Ganalaagte and Mareetsane,” Funani said.

She said the suspects were expected to appear in the Delareyville Magistrate’s Court for two counts of business burglary and being in possession of suspected stolen property on Wednesday.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A MURDER case against a man, who allegedly killed Cynthia January, 28 was postponed by Taung Magistrate’s Court. The suspect was arrested after he allegedly killed his girlfriend at Rooiwal village in Taung on Wednesday last week.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said a body of a woman was allegedly found at a river with stabbing wounds. Mokgwabone said the suspect was arrested after intensive search.

The court was forced to postpone the case until July 19 because there was no interpreter for Shona language.

-TDN

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THE North West electoral commission (IEC) is confident that it will significantly reduce the number of voters without addresses in Tlokwe before the August 3 elections.

The commission was out in full force at the weekend trying to capture addresses for part of the over 9 000 voters who had to verify their status on the voters’ roll in line with the Constitutional Court judgment.

IEC provincial chairperson, Dr Tumelontle Thiba said that despite the low turn-out, they made considerable progress was made.

“We embarked on a targeted communication and registered campaign. We received more than 1200 voters who came through. This was the last attempt after we agreed as commission to give Tlokwe people another chance to bring their addresses.

“We were hard at work and our field workers were out trying to trace voters without addresses. We will wait for a full report on Wednesday to see if we managed to reduce 9 900 voters without addresses,” Thiba said.

All 76 voting stations were open for residents to register their addresses.

“We were loud hailing on Friday in the entire Tlokwe and approach those who share the same surnames with addresses to check if they know others without addresses. In most cases we found out that others without addresses reside with those who have. So that assisted a lot in getting addresses from those registered voters,” she said.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Des van Rooyen was in Tlokwe on Saturday, encouraging people to register.

The Constitutional Court ordered amongst other things that 2016 local government elections may proceed on August 3 using the current satisfied voters roll with exception of Tlokwe.

The Tlokwe independent candidates’ spokesperson, David Kham said they were not happy with the way the IEC was conducting the exercise.

He alleged that IEC representatives were doing door-to-door campaign with ANC members.

“We are unhappy at all and we believe IEC is so incompetent. They employed field workers without field orientation. If 350 field workers could not get addresses from registered voters, then the IEC has a problem.

“We are ready as independent candidates. We have also seen improvements. We also encouraged people to come out in numbers to update their addresses even though it was not easy,” Kham said.

ANC also unleashed its bigwigs to Tlokwe two weeks ago. The likes of Naledi Pandor, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, ANC Chief Whip, Jackson Mthembu and Bheki Cele were all in town on a campaign trail.

PEC spokesperson, Gerald Modise said the people were grateful to meet with their leaders. He said they raised few concerns regarding basic service delivery.

“We visited Tlokwe and Matlosana this weekend. We also introduced our ward councillor candidates to the broader community. The people are happy and adamant that they will vote for the ANC on August 3. We visited few churches on Sunday too,” Modise said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Bophelong Psychiatric hospital)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

A BOPHELONG Psychiatric hospital will finally open its doors on Mandela Day on July 18. A R478 million state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital is set to improve the province’s mental health services for many people who previously had limited access.

Health department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said they will open the doors of the hospital after the construction of road entered the hospital was completed.

“This will definitely increase access to mental health care services. It will also boost chances of psychiatric patients to respond to treatment as they will be treated and cared for next to home.

“A total of R478 million was set aside for the construction of the psychiatric hospital. The department had initially planned to construct a 648-bed hospital, but following extensive consultation with mental health experts and recommendations by World Health Organisation (WHO), we decided to downsize psychiatric hospital in favour of community based psychiatric health care facilities,” he said.

Lekgethwane said the hospital will have 384 beds. He added that however the department will instead meet its 648-bed target by building facilities throughout the province.

Lekgethwane said each community based facility will make provision for residential needs.

“These include a day care center, a workshop for occupational activities and industrial therapy. It is envisaged that each of these facilities will function independently in terms of staff structures and will be located near health facilities to promote easy outreach of health professionals.

“We will construct community based psychiatric health care facilities in the four districts of the province namely Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr Kenneth Kaunda. We are also official opening Joe Morolong hospital in Vryburg on Wednesday,” Lekgethwane said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Miss Teen Africa, Palesa Koloane)

A NEWLY crowned Miss Teen Africa, Palesa Koloane from Setlagole village near Vryburg is expected to contest for Miss Teen Universe in Turkey in September. Koloane said she is excited to represent African continent at the fierce competition.

A 15 year-old model was crowned a winner of Miss Teen Africa recently (June 25, 2016) during the competition at Protea Hotel in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

“I am intense about modeling. However being a winner in the whole continent, that alone inspires me. My parents taught me to remain grounded. When you start valuing yourself based on other people’s accolades, it is a little dangerous.

“I have learnt a lot and believe me, nothing can substitute hard work. The win comes as a juggernaut in my career. However my concentration is to finish school first and further my studies,” Koloane said.

Palesa said she competed against 15 girls from across the continent. She added that she tried her luck back in 2014, but she came as 1^st princess.

“I love knitting, going to the cinema with my friends. And I also enjoy spending time with my family. This is the second time I tried to win the title. Back in 2014 I was crowned as 1st princess hence I say hard work is key,” she said.

Miss Teen Africa said she was also excited to fly African flag across the world. The competition is scheduled in September 24 until October 6.

“I was born in Setlagole village near Vryburg, but I now live in Dassierand in Potchefstroom with my parents. I also obtained other special awards for Best Interview and Best Ramp model at the same event. During the competition, contestants were judged on their casual ramps, formal ramps, interview skills as well as their grooming quality.

The owner of pageant SA, Carolyne Botha said the entrants were required to represent their ancient forefathers. Botha said as a result, families start looking into their heritage and culture.

“The winners in each category, together with their runner-ups, take part in charity and community work within their respective provinces. This will assist to empower those who are impoverished.

“Some of the charity work involves visiting the sick and elderly in hospital, AIDS hospices, orphanages and old age homes as well as attending fundraising events,” she said.

Botha added that Pageants SA has been in existence since 1998. She further said they decided establish Africa pageant in 2002.

“Pageants SA has gone from strength to strength. We have acquired the licenses to over 52 International pageants. Over the last two decades Pageants SA has had several International title holders.

“Our most recent international accomplishments is Miss Teen World, Little Miss World, Mr Teen World, Miss Teen Universe, Little Miss Universe, Miss 7 Continents, Little Miss Globe, Modelling & Talent Champions – USA, Miss Tourism World, Miss Tourism Queen International, Mini Model of the World, Miss Model of the World, Miss All Nations, Miss Globe Classic and etc,” Botha said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FIVE suspects aged between 30 and 51 appeared in the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court for contravention of Section 13 r/w Regulation 55(1) of Marine, Living Resources Act, 1988 (Act No. 18 of 1988) on Monday.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Leonard Hlathi said the suspects were apprehension after they were found to be in suspicious agricultural products at Skilpadshek Port of Entry on Friday.

“The police conducted a search on the trucks that were crossing the border to Botswana. Further investigation and confirmation with experts revealed that the products were lobsters and different types of fish. The suspects were arrested after failing to account for the products including transportation permits thereof,” Hlathi said.

He said the suspects were remanded in custody until July 18 for further investigation and also to get a Chinese interpreter. Hlathi said matter was handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.

-TDN

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Earlier this year, the SABC announced it was taking the decision to promote ‘responsible journalism’.

Icasa’s Rubben Mohlaloga says the SABC must reverse the editorial decision not to broadcast violent protest footage.

“The SABC is directed to withdraw its resolution as published in its statement of 26 May 2016, which states that the SABC will no longer broadcast footage of the destruction of public property during protests.”

The SABC board has now been given seven days to write to Icasa to confirm the reversal of the controversial editorial changes.

The fate of broadcaster’s suspended employees, who face disciplinary action for challenging the editorial changes, is still unclear at this stage.

Meanwhile, a briefing is due to start at the SABC’s offices in Auckland Park.

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

-TDN

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