Pic:  (Bokone Bophirima Premier, Supra Mahumapelo) 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

BOKONE Bophirima provincial government Director-General, Dr Lydia Sebego has assured the people of the province that government work would proceed as normal amid reported pickets planned for Wednesday.

Sebego reacted to media reports that claims that a newly formed forum called Anti State Capture Forum in North West has organised the picket. According to Sebego, the forum call for Premier, Supra Mahumapelo to resign.

“It is sad that in this day when democratic processes are communicated almost on a daily basis, we still find people forming alliances of convenience and making unfounded allegations to try and mislead our people. Mahumapelo and the provincial government were democratically elected and anyone who is unhappy with his presence should use the democratic route, which is only through the ballot.

“It is clear that a media campaign was being waged to tarnish Mahumapelo’s name with unfounded allegations. The reason this small group of people has chosen to do this through a media campaign is because they know there’s a very little chance that they would be asked to present evidence,” Sebego said.

Sebego further said they were also disappointed that this new forum is exploiting the pain that the province and the country at large felt with the 2012 Marikana tragedy.

“Taking such unfounded allegations to Marikana is equal to playing on our people’s emotions and exploiting the same poor people this group claims to represent. Our government respect everyone’s constitutional right to protest or march, as long as they do that peacefully.

“We respect the democratic right to protest or picket, as long as in the process the protesters also remember their responsibility to respect other people’s rights,” she said.

Mahumapelo once again reiterated that anyone who alleges corruption to approach the relevant law enforcement agencies with evidence.

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Job losses may continue for some time in Bokone Bophirima’s mining sector as big mining companies sell off their assets and new players coming into the sector opting to use machines.

This was the warning from mining analyst, Mmamokgethi Molopyane, who was speaking to Semphete following the release of Statistics South Africa’s (StatsSA) report on the mining industry in 2015.

According to the report, the total number of people employed in the mining industry as at the end of June 2015 was 490 146.

“The mining of platinum group metal ore division employed the largest number of persons (198 952 or 40,6%), followed by mining of gold and uranium ore with (104 369 or 21,3%) and mining of coal and lignite (97 952 or 20,0%),” the report stated.

“Employment in the mining industry declined from 538 144 in 2012 to 490 146 in 2015 (a loss of 47 998 jobs). The biggest losses in jobs were recorded in mining of gold and uranium ore (a loss of 39 715 jobs), followed by mining of platinum group metal ore (a loss of 7 812 jobs) and other stone quarrying, including stone crushing and clay and sandpits (a loss of 4 512 jobs),” the report continued.

“As companies sell off some of their assets, especially in the North West; some are laying off people. Some of the new companies coming in prefer to use machines and that does not help with job creation,” Molopyane said.

In terms of mine employees, Bokone Bophirima was the largest contributor with 133 428 (37,8%) persons working in the industry, followed by Mpumalanga (78 518 or 22,2%), Gauteng  (53 764 or 15,2%) and Limpopo (37 005 or 10,5%).

The report further revealed that the total income for the mining industry in 2015 was R419,5 billion.

“The total income represents an increase of 2,2% per annum over the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2012 (R393,4 billion). Comparing 2012 and 2015, large increases were reported for mining of coal and lignite (+R21,9 billion), mining of manganese (+R6,8 billion) and mining of diamonds (including alluvial diamonds) (+R6,4 billion). However, large decreases were reported for mining of platinum group metal ore (-R15,5 billion), mining of iron ore (-R7,4 billion) and mining of gold and uranium ore (-R3,3 billion),” the report stated.

Between 2012 and 2015, the mining of coal and lignite group gained the biggest percentage share of income (3,7 percentage points) (from a percentage contribution of 24,4% in 2012 to 28,1% in 2015). The mining of platinum group metal ore lost the biggest percentage share (5,4 percentage points) in the same period (from 27,1% in 2012 to 21,7% in 2015).

Mpumalanga was the province with the largest income from sales of goods in the mining industry in 2015 with R114,4 billion.

“The province with the second largest income from sales of goods was North West (R84,7 billion or 21,3%), followed by Northern Cape (R69,5 billion or 17,5%) and Limpopo (R45,3 billion or 11,4%),” the report stated.

Source: http://www.semphete.co.za 

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African National Congress (ANC) MP, Makhosi Khoza has defended her comments regarding the state of the ANC.

Khoza has received widespread criticism after writing on her Facebook page that politics of patronage have finally claimed the sanity of the ANC leadership.

In sharing her thoughts, Khoza describes the leadership of the ANC as ill-advised and harmful to the relevance and lifespan of the party.

Speaking on AM Live, Khoza says no matter how ANC MPs will vote on the motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma on the 18th of April; the ANC has lost its moral ground.

“Whether the ANC votes for or against, equally the ANC is going to lose. I honestly don’t believe that we have taken into account the fact that we’re not just voted by our members of the ANC. Last election we got over 11 million, 10 million of those people they’re not card carrying members of the ANC and we need to be listening to that. Hence I was saying that we’re a leader of society and I really don’t see anything wrong with what I said.”Source: http://www.sabc.co.za

Fans will be rubbing their hands in anticipation as this encounter will be a reunion of sorts for United coach Stuart Baxter and several of his players after he led them to several trophies while still in Chiefs colours.

The PSL will announce the venues‚ the dates and kick off times of all the matches at a later stage.

The full quarterfinal draw:

Golden Arrows vs Platinum Stars

Kaizer Chiefs vs Supersport United

Orlando Pirates vs Bloemfontein Celtic

Chippa United vs Jomo Cosmos –

Source: TMG Digital/ TMG Sport

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By BAKANG MOKOTO
Four people were killed and four sustained injuries after a car rolled on the N12 in Stilfontein on Monday.

Er24 spokesperson, Anine Dormehl said the paramedics found four people flung 10-15 meters from the vehicle after it rolled multiple times.

“Unfortunately there was nothing paramedics could do for the two women and two children and they were declared dead on the scene. It is estimated that the women were 35 and 60 years old and that the two children were 7 and 11 years old.

“It is believed that two men and two toddlers were lucky to escape with minor injuries. They were all treated  and transported to hospital by other emergency services on scene,” Dormehl said.

The white vehicle could not be identified and it is not clear what caused the car to roll.

Local authorities will be conducting an investigation into the matter.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Minister of Sports and Recreation, Thulas Nxesi will welcome a group of visiting Palestinian marathon runners and sports delegates at BDS South Africa offices in Braamfontein on Monday at 6pm. The Palestinian runners are in South Africa to participate in the upcoming Two Oceans Marathon.

BDS South Africa said the visiting Palestinian marathon runners are part of a Palestinian group called “Right 2 Movement” (RTM) that founded the annual Palestine Marathon.
“The Palestine Marathon, held since 2012, takes place in the Holy Town of Bethlehem in Palestine with over 6000 runners (including an over 50 percent female participation, more than 500 people with disabilities and with runners and teams from more than 65 countries across the world).

“The symbolic event is a 42km (26-mile) sports activity in protest against Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement. It kicks off at Manger Square by the Church of the Nativity in the old area of Bethlehem and runs the length of the city.”

The organization further said the route also includes running through two Palestinian refugee camps and along Israel’s 8 meter high Apartheid wall. Palestinians have explained how participation in the marathon is a non-violent demonstration and a way to show that “we are here, and this is our land, and we have right to move.

Last year RTM also carried out a remarkable event during Christmas in the Holy Town of Bethlehem. The event, titled “Mary Can’t Move”, saw 24 Palestinian runners dressed as Mary & Joseph, showcasing the same path Mary & Joseph took 2016 years ago but now with Israeli restrictions and obstacles.

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​By BAKANG MOKOTO
One person was injured after collided with a bridge at Kenilworth road in Kimberley on Saturday. 

Netcare 911 spokesperson, Chris Botha said paramedics responded to a collision along Kenilworth Road in the Kimberley industrial area.  

“Reports from the scene indicate that despite signs to say that the roadway is closed due to flooding, the vehicle tried to cross the flooded area when the car collided with the bridge.

“Paramedics arrived at the scene and found the crumpled remains of the car consistent with that of a high impact collision ramped onto a muddy embankment with the rear still in the water, the driver was still trapped in the wreckage,” Botha said.

He said while the firemen used the Jaws of Life, medics worked tirelessly to stabilise the 21 year old critically injured man. 

“After the patient was extricated they transported him to a local hospital under the constant care of an advanced life support paramedic,” he said.

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Picture: The area where Wolmaranstad car crash took place/Selloane Khakhau

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

NORTH West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo has conveyed a message of condolence to the bereaved families  following a fatal accident that occurred in the Wolmaranstad/Ottosdal R505 road last night.

Mahumapelo said the police are investigating a case of a culpable homicide after a fatal head-on collision occurred about 10km outside Wolmaranstad at about 20:45 on Saturday.

“A Quantum Taxi and a Toyota Land Cruize SUV vehicle collided head-on, after which the taxi caught fire on the scene and its occupants were burnt terribly. Reports reveal that 13 people including both the driver of the Quantum Taxi and the Toyota SUV died.

“Meanwhile the four survivors who were badly injured were rushed to the nearby Hospital to receive medical attention,” he said.

He said unconfirmed report indicates that people in the Quantum were members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) who were returning home to Wolmaranstad from a church service in Mahikeng when they met their untimely death.

Families of victims have been contacted. SAPS is conducting further investigation as to the actual cause of the accident.

 “This is extremely sad when we consider that this tragedy happens at a time when the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management recently initiated the  Easter Season Road Safety Campaign Activation in Rustenburg.” said Mahumapelo.

Mahumapelo has appealed to motorists to always drive safely, reduce speed, avoid reckless overtaking, share the roads wisely and ensure that vehicles are in good working conditions.

“Those travelling to various destinations must corporate with Law Enforcement Agents, Traffic Officials and operations along all major and minor roads as visible traffic control has been stepped-up during this festive season,” he said.

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MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe is adamant about improving service delivery and ensuring that the back to basics ten point plan is fully implemented.  
Gaolaolwe met with ward councillors of Matlosana local municipality in Orkney early in the week to discuss the challenges facing ward councillors in various wards.

She said:  “These engagement sessions with municipalities are necessary in order to narrow the gap between government and community as well as to cement issues of economic development in municipalities. 

“These engagements are necessary and beneficial in terms of building and strengthening the working relations amongst ward councillors’ and members of the community.” 

Gaolaolwe further said that they need to take local government to higher developmental level in pursuit of national priorities and realization of National Development Plan (NDP) goals.

She said continued support of Back to Basic (B2B) programme in municipalities is a building block of what the NDP defines as developmental local governance. 

“We urged the ward councillors to always engage with their communities of issues of service delivery in order to reduce the number of the community protests.

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Cape Town – The newly appointed police minister’s first order of business should include getting a new permanent national police commissioner, police committee chairperson Francois Beukman has said.