Picture: ANCYL PEC member, Sebang Motlhabi who is suspended

AFRICAN National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in North West has suspended its two members and charged them with misconduct.

The youth league announced that during media briefing that was held at ANC provincial office, Mpekwa House in Mahikeng on Thursday.

ANCYL provincial secretary, Sipho Dial said: “The Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) wants to put it on public record that after lengthy disciplinary hearing process, the organisation is hereby officially communicating its decision to suspend a member of the ANCYL PEC, Sebang Motlhabi and ANCYL regional secretary in Ngaka Modiri Molema district, Wessel Morweng.

“The two suspended members were charged for identical misconducts. This includes putting the organisation into disrepute. Motlhabi’s membership has been suspended for the period of two years, while Morweng was suspended for two years and half respectively.”

Dial said the decision has been formally communicated to the two cadres and they have subsequently been made aware of their right to appeal to the higher structure if they deemed it necessary.

The league said the two cadres failed to appear before Disciplinary Committee (DC) after numerous attempts. Dial added that the law allows them to suspend the members in absentia.

“Effectively, the two cadres, Sebang Motlhabi and Wessel Morweng are no longer in provincial leadership structure of the ANCYL.

“Nthabiseng Shuping is now an acting regional secretary of the ANCYL in Ngaka Modiri Molema district until the region fills the vacancy,” he said.

However, Morweng and Motlhabi refused to comment, but highlighted that they have already launched an appeal regarding their suspensions.

“I have already launched an appeal to the matter and I cannot comment until formal processes take place,” Morweng said. – Newsnote

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed that their winger, George Lebese, has been sold to Mamelodi Sundowns.

Lebese’s move has been on the cards for a while now, and the Siya crew reported earlier this week that the two clubs were in negotiations regarding a move for the 28-year-old.

The Amakhosi then later explained that they were indeed in talks over the player’s transfer, with the crew also reporting that he had been sent away from first team training at the club and asked to train with the youth team.

Now, however, it appears that the move has been finalised as ‘Geeza’ heads home to Mamelodi, and he will be wearing the Brazilians colours in 2017/18.

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

Picture: A body of Phemelo Modirwa carried after being retrieved from a quarry

It is alleged that Phemelo was visiting his friend, but failed to return home. His body was found floating in the quarry by a passer-by. Modirwa’s family said their son’s death left them hopeless. 

Molelema residents held a memorial service for Phemelo on Wednesday at a local community hall and described him as a good child.

Phemelo’s uncle, Joseph Modirwa, had this to say:  “We are very touched by my nephew’s death. We hoped that Phemelo would come home alive but now this. We however believe that police investigations will reveal if there is any foul play in his death.”

Molelema Men Against Crime chairperson, Ofentse Senokwane, said Phemelo’s death is a surprise because they have been frequently searching the quarry where he was found without finding anything.

“We have been visiting the area in search of Phemelo, but his body was found floating in the water. However, we will wait for forensic investigations to understand what exactly killed him. He had no visible marks and that is a little bit surprising because it doesn’t tell whether he drowned or not,” Senokwane said. 

Taung Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sergeant Tebogo Thebe, said: “We have opened an inquest case and at this stage investigations are underway. We are expecting post-mortem results during the course of this week. The outcome will reveal exactly what happened to Phemelo.”

SANCO regional secretary in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, Mika Moeti, urged parents to monitor their children’s movements.

“We urge parents to ensure that they keep their children safe at all times. Children always like to experiment and cannot afford to be left unmonitored. We are losing our future leaders through untimely deaths and that is unacceptable,” Moeti said.

One of the residents, Mothibi Makoro, said the community is in mourning. “As we mourn the tragic death of young boy Phemelo, I cannot help but put this out. I personally feel we have failed him and his family. I believe that we have failed the innocent soul as the community of Molelema.

“I am saying this because Phemelo is the third person to go missing in the past two years and the second person to be found dead,” Makoro said. 

He said the first person who went missing was a man in his late 30s or mid-40s and his body was found decomposed on a farm along the Hartswater route.

 “The second person who went missing was a mentally-ill cousin of mine. Fortunately, they were found weeks after they went missing. There were however no searches conducted in both cases. As a community, we need to do a thorough introspection.

“Many young children visit taverns frequently, but we hardly do anything about that. So many things could happen to those kids and what are we going to do? I am sorry if I am being insensitive, but this attitude is nauseating. I am not excluded as I am part to this ignorance,” he said.

Phemelo Modirwa will be laid to rest on Saturday.- Newsnote 

BY REGINALD KANYANE
RUSTENBURG- TWENTY One people are expected to appear at Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court after they were arrested for public violence on Tuesday. 
One person was shot dead by a stray bullet in the process.
Tlhabane Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sgt Ofentse Mokgadi said the incident took place after community members embarked on protest.
“They will appear at Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The police also opened a case of murder after Letlhogonolo Mathews was shot dead during protest.
 “However, we cannot confirm nor deny that whether Mathews was shot dead by security guard or not. Investigations are underway and will reveal how many shots were fired,” Mokgadi said. 

He further said they call for tranquillity and urge community members to allow police to do their duty without any inteference.
Rustenburg Local Municipality mayor, Mpho Khunou said he was shocked by the death of Letlhogonolo Mathews who was shot dead on Tuesday. 
Khunou said the incident took place at Tlhabane Mall construction site.
“We have learnt with shock and disappointment of the fatal shooting of the late Letlhogonolo Mathews. He was shot dead during the uproar caused by some of community members. 
“They were protesting against the alleged irregular and unfair hiring of casual workers and Small Medium Micro Enterprise (SMME) development at the Tlhabane Mall which is under construction,” Khunou said.
The protest was allegedly executed after the Project Manager failed to table a fair report to the community regarding hiring and SMME development. 
It is alleged that the deceased was killed by a stray bullet after a security guard at the construction site pulled a trigger. 
“We support peaceful protest, however, we condemn violence,” he said.
Khunou further said he believe that the law will take its course and deal with perpetrators. He added that some of community members were arrested in the process.
“We also want to send our heartfelt condolences to Mathews family and friends. As Rustenburg Local Municipality leadership and management, we are working together with police in an endeavour to find an amicable solution towards the matter. This will assist us to avert further unrests in the community. 
“We have already visited the family of the deceased and we will assist where possible. We strongly condemn this unfortunate use of live ammunition that led to the death of Mathews. The Municipality will work together with the police to ensure that justice is done and perpetrators are brought to book,” he said.
South African National Civic Organisation also condemned the use of live ammunition during protest. Sanco provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso said police must swiftly arrest all perpetrators. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

LOCAL Scouts will benefit from the ‘exchange’ programme from their counterparts in the United Kingdom. The International Scouts Expedition Program is currently underway at Polokwane, in Limpopo province. 

North West Scouts Development Officer and Project Coordinator, Tshimane Mogotsi said the initiative commenced on July 28 in Mahikeng.

Mogotsi said they are currently in Polokwane until August 19.  

“Mahikeng resemble the birth home of the scouting idea and concept. We have international scouts who visited our shores. There have always been some particular frequent expeditions by both national and international scouts.

“So, it was imperative to pay homage and some kind of pilgrimage to the historical heritage home of scouting in Mahikeng. Thus, the community of Mahikeng in general should take pride in such rich history. The area tend to be our still actively existing heritage and need to be kept alive, relevant and mobilising patriotism within today’s youth in particular,” Mogotsi said. 

He further said they have hosted a contingent number of 120 United Kingdom Explorer and Network Scouts. Mogotsi said scouts from Suffolk County visited Mahikeng together with their leaders.

“This is part of the MahikengScouts City International Scouts Expedition Camp. This program comes after a long time established friendship between these organisations (Mahikeng and Suffolks). We had previous expeditions back in 2009 in Lesotho and Swaziland in 2011.

“The expedition camp was hosted by North West University Rovers Scouts in 2014. The expedition is informed by the formal partnership of Suffolk and Mahikeng scouts, which is part of the greater plan for Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal of Mahikeng as “Scouts City,” he said.

Mogotsi added that the expedition program was sectioned according to local scouting experience which consists of camps and socialising with local scouts. He said they also explored local cultural and historical experience by visiting heritage sites, game reserves, art centres.

“We also visited few schools through our outreach programmes. The organisation embarked on community empowerment and skill development projects. The main aim was to bring the spirit of togetherness within communities. Our scouts painted some of Early Childhood Centres.

“We also have most effective ECD programmes that provide direct learning experiences to children and families. Our programmes target toward younger and disadvantaged children. The programmes are of longer duration, high quality, high intensity and are integrated with family support, health, nutrition or educational systems and services,” he said.

Mogotsi added that despite convincing evidence, programme coverage is low. He further said to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of reducing poverty and ensuring primary school completion for both girls and boys, governments and civil society should consider expanding high quality, cost-effective early child development programmes.

Mogotsi said local scouts will visit United Kingdom in exchange programme. Some of scouts said the initiative was educational. Lesego Selone, 26, from Ganyesa said: “The programmes ensure that there is a spirit of selflessness within our society. We are always encouraged to assist others who are less-fortunate. Our communities continue to live in abject poverty.

“The youth is faced with various socio-economic challenges like crime, teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, unemployment and HIV and AIDS pandemic. We also educate them on exercising and live a healthy lifestyle at all times.”

Another scout, Ntsikelelo Ncanci from Klerksdorp shared the same sentiments. Ncanci said the programmes in place contribute in child development, character shaping process and promote teamwork.

“I am currently unemployed, but that does not deter my ambitions. I am a disciplined, dedicated and determined cadre because of the training I received. The programmes educate us to be ready and face trials and tribulations head-on.

“I have also learnt that there is no short-cuts to success. We need to start investing in our future and encourage the current generation to work hard. There are also skill development programmes where entrepreneurship is been promoted,” he said. –Newsnote