Picture: Molelema community leader, Mothibi Makoro

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Seven accused from Molelema village, near Taung were granted bail by Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Gaorongwe Mooki, Kenny Letebele, Ompolokile Leeuw, Malefane Motswakae, Olebogeng Monchusi and Tebogo Makoloi were arrested during protest at Molelema two week ago.

Community embarked on a protest demanding tar road on D208 and D209 after the North West Public Works and Roads department failed to honour their promises to construct those roads on 1 April 2018. According to one of community leaders, Mothibi Makoro, the department agreed to construct those roads in 2018 financial year.

“We are grateful that our fellow soldiers are out on bail. They have received R500 bail each and we want to welcome them back. We met with the department last week Thursday as they requested us to give them seven working days before they could respond to our grievances.

“The department said they still have to engage with national treasury for R290m that could be used to construct some of these roads. So, they said this might take two months and we are content about it. All the roads in Baga-Maidi are inaccessible and we need them constructed,” Makoro said.

He further said they will continue to proscribe children from going to school until they see the contractor on site.

Those who were released on bail were instructed to report at Kokomeng Police Station every Friday between 6am and 6pm.

Molelema Primary School, Community Hall and shops were torched and ransacked during the protests. North West MEC of Education and Sport Development department, Sello Lehari condemned the arson after Molelema Primary School’s administration block and the National School Nutrition Programme kitchen were reduced to ashes.

“The destruction of schools was never a solution to challenges residents face in communities. On behalf of the department, I condemn in the strongest terms the burning of the two schools in the province. Last year pupils of GS Phoi Secondary School lost about three months of teaching and learning due to strikes.

“At the end of the year in the matric results, they were at the bottom of the district with results of 46%. I am pleading with our communities to desist from burning schools as this act creates a huge backlog in the infrastructure for schools,” he said.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has joined millions of South Africans and the world at large in sending the heartfelt condolences to the Madikizela and Mandela families. This follows the passing of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (81) at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday.

Mahumapelo has described Mama Winnie as a warrior of social justice.

“Mama Winnie is one of the greatest women to walk this part of the world. This struggle icon was not just a freedom fighter to most of us, but the Mother of the Nation. A true revolutionary that sacrificed her life in dismantling the apartheid regime to ensure that there is liberation in this country.

“Despite all the difficulties and dirty tactics employed on her struggle journey, she was never deterred. Her spirit was never broken and she remained fearless. Madikizela-Mandela’s contribution to the struggle is immeasurable. In Mama Winnie, the nation has lost a courageous and a gallant leader who dedicated her life in serving the people,” he said.

Mahumapelo further said his provincial government is deeply saddened by the passing of Madikizela-Mandela. He added that this is not only a loss to the Madikizela and Mandela families, but that of the world.

“She will be sadly missed and we would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the families. May the families have strength during this difficult time. Madikizela-Mandela held several government positions, served on the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) and also headed its Women’s League,” he said.

Nelson Mandela Foundation chairman, Prof Njabulo Ndebele said: “The death of Madikizela-Mandela is a hard blow for the foundation. She travelled a very long road together with our Founder, Nelson Mandela. She was a member of a generation of leaders which survived the most brutal period of state terror in apartheid South Africa.

“All South Africans are indebted to Mama Winnie, whether they acknowledge it or not. From the witness of her life, we knew we could stand tall. We knew also we could falter and stumble. Either condition was an affirmation of life. Her cry was our cry, and in 2018 we can say we did triumph.”

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