Monthly Archives: January 2020

Public Protector removal: Speaker Thandi Modise approves motion to begin proceedings

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The office of National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise has approved a motion to initiate proceedings for the removal of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

Three days after Parliament adopted formal rules for the removal of a head of a Chapter 9 institution in December last year, DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone put in a request to Modise.

“The DA, from the onset, opposed the appointment of Mkhwebane as Public Protector and we consider her removal a matter of great urgency,” Mazzone said at the time.

“She has, time and again, proven that she is unfit to hold office, has consistently demonstrated an inability to conduct her work independently and has illustrated a poor understanding both of the law as well as of her mandate as Public Protector. Worse, Mkhwebane’s actions have caused immeasurable damage to the once-respected reputation of the Office of the Public Protector.”

In a statement on Friday, parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the new rules expanded on the broad parameters in Section 194 of the Constitution – which provide for the removal of heads of Chapter 9 institutions – and previous National Assembly rules.

“The Democratic Alliance’s draft substantive motion for the removal of Advocate Mkhwebane will thus be considered in terms of these new rules,” read the statement.

“The new rules provide for any member of the National Assembly to initiate, through a substantive motion, proceedings for a Section 194 inquiry.”

If the Speaker is satisfied that the motion meets all the requirements, she must refer the motion and any supporting documents for a preliminary assessment to an independent panel. She must also, without delay, inform the National Assembly and the president of this referral.

“Having approved the motion, the Speaker has thus written to political parties to put forward proposed nominees to serve on the panel, made up of fit and proper South African citizens,” Mothapo said.

“The rules stipulate that the panel must collectively have the necessary legal and other competencies and experience to conduct the assessment. A judge may be appointed to the panel, but the Speaker must make such an appointment in consultation with the chief justice.”

Parties have until February 7 to submit their recommended nominees.

Within 30 days of its appointment, the panel must conduct and finalise a preliminary assessment on the motion proposing a Section 194 inquiry and make a recommendation to the Speaker.

Source: http://www.news24.com

Jacques Nienaber appointed the new Springbok coach

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The defence guru’s elevation wasn’t exactly a surprise as Rassie Erasmus opts for continuity.

‌It wasn’t a particularly well-kept secret, but SA Rugby on Friday confirmed Jacques Nienaber as the new Springbok coach.

The national team’s defence guru takes over from Rassie Erasmus, who is now more focused on his original role of director of rugby after agreeing in 2018 to double up as the interim head coach.

He had indicated previously that he didn’t want to continue in that capacity even before South Africa won the World Cup.

47-year-old Nienaber, a qualified physiotherapist who gradually expanded his professional horizons and is now regarded as one of the leading minds on specialist defensive coaching, has never previously held a role of this nature but is intimately familiar with the Springboks structure.

As a confidante of Erasmus, it’s thought that Nienaber will readily continue to implement his line manager’s vision for the team.

He’ll be assisted by former Kings mentor Deon Davids, while Bulls scrum specialist Daan Human has been roped in to fill the void left by Matt Proudfoot, who has joined England.

Mzwandile Stick stays on as assistant coach, while Irishman Felix Jones’ temporary gig at the World Cup becomes a permanent one.

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

EFF: “Chauke promotes corruption in municipalities”

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EFF flag

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it was shocked to learn that a senior African National Congress (ANC) official in the province, Hlomane Chauke who serves as its Interim Provincial Coordinator (IPC) is deliberately promoting corruption in government.

This comes after Chauke allegedly instructed the Chief Whips of Districts and municipalities in the province to use taxpayers’ money for accommodation and traveling for ANC functionaries who will be attending an ANC Lekgotla from the 25th – 26th January 2020 in Rustenburg.

The EFF provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said he was disappointed that Chauke who also serves as a Member of Parliament (MP) can issue such a reckless instruction, which borders on the promotion of corruption in government. Botswe further said municipalities, both local and districts are an integral part of the state.

“The EFF rejects the ANC’s deliberate conflation of the state and the party.  We also reject the deliberate act of blurring the line that separates the party from the state. The ANC is not the state and the state is not the ANC. We further call upon the ANC especially its national structures to take drastic steps against Chauke for promoting corruption.

“Corruption is cancer that is eating at the fabric of the South African society and the ANC government is still battling on how to deal with it. Presently, the local government sphere of government in the province has collapsed because of corruption. Not even a single municipality has received a clean audit from the Auditor General,” he said.

Botswe added that all the disclaimers incurred by municipalities are as a result of corruption. He added that it is against this background that the EFF calls for disciplinary steps to be taken against Chauke.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province shared the same sentiments. DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they have written to the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to demand answers.

McGluwa said: “It is in the interest of the public that Mokgoro comes out clear and announce who will be footing the bill to this extravagance. As previously indicated, the DA will approach the High Court to interdict the Lekgotla, should this event continue with the costs carried by municipalities.

“Paying the accommodation and travel costs of ANC cadres using state funds is criminal and should be addressed urgently. To this end, we will be sending out letters to all municipalities indicating the dire consequences should they proceed to fund this Lekgotla.”

However, the ANC in the North West categorically denies any intention to use taxpayer’s money for its Provincial Lekgotla. The party’s provincial spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said that the ANC is committed to fiscal prudence and clean governance and the latter must inter-alia be realized by ensuring that taxpayers money is used for the purpose for which it is intended.

“The communique which invites ANC deployees to the Provincial Lekgotla states that the municipality must take full responsibility of traveling and accommodation arrangements of its delegates to the Provincial Lekgotla. The reference to the municipality with respect to our invite to the Provincial Lekgotla has always been interpreted by our structures and councillors as “deployees (councillors) representing a municipal council.”

“When we refer to a municipality in similar terms as stated in our invite we refer to a collective of ANC deployees who represent a particular municipality. We have consistently cautioned our public representatives against expenditure incurred by our institutions without provision having been made for such in the budget or without obtaining approval in terms of appropriate legislation,” said Morolong.

He said their deployees are acutely aware of the fact that they are personally liable for costs of their travel and accommodation to the Lekgotla as this is an established practice in the ANC. Morolong added that a deliberate confusion created around their communique by those with mischievous intentions is without basis.

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A man gets 25 years imprisonment for rape

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police-vest

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 38-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 25-year imprisonment for rape. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock, the man found his girlfriend asleep and demanded sex.

The incident took place at Delportshoop.

“On the 25 August, 2018 at about midnight, the victim (38) was sleeping in her shanty in Delportshoop when the accused, at that stage her boyfriend, arrived. He woke her up and demanded to have sex with her. The victim refused and was assaulted by the accused that forcefully removed her clothes and raped her twice.

“The accused was arrested and the police successfully opposed bail. The accused remained in custody until he was sentenced. On 21 January 2020, the accused was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment,” Kock said.

The Provincial Head for Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit in the Northern Cape, Brigadier Nicky Mills applauded the Investigating Officer, Constable Patience Fortuin for her hard work and meticulous investigation which led to this superb sentence.

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Hartswater needy pupils receive uniforms

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hartswater school visits

By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 20 underprivileged learners from ER Mocwaledi Intermediate School in Hartswater and CW Kies Primary School in Delportshoop received school uniforms. The donation was made by the Northern Cape police as part of a Back-2-School campaign.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said the campaign was part of social responsibility and to encourage a good relationship between the communities and the police.

“The Provincial SAPS members, the Community Policing Forum members and Safety Volunteers in collaboration with the Department of Education continued with a Back-To-School campaign by visiting the ER Mocwaledi Intermediate School and the CW Kies Primary School in Delportshoop yesterday.

“We handed out ten sets of uniforms to scholars at the schools. The police relayed basic safety tips to children and also advised them to be aware of the most prevalent issues currently raised at primary and high schools. The learners were informed about the criminal elements taking place at some schools such as drug usage, drug sales, carrying of dangerous weapons and theft,” Kock said.

He said the police will continue to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that together they turn the tide against crime. Kock further said their primary role is to maintain order and security on school grounds and provide a positive learning environment. 

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Taung Agricultural College to host irrigation revitalization summit

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

IT is all systems go for the highly-anticipated North West Irrigation Revitalization Summit scheduled for the 30th until 31st of January 2020 at Taung Agricultural College.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development acting Director, Prince Seokotsa said a two-day summit aims to bring together all the stakeholders involved in irrigation multi-disciplines including policy makers, experts, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and farmers.

“With a wide range of experts from various fields expected to attend, the summit will serve as a platform for the irrigation community and interested development professionals to find solutions to problems plaguing irrigation agriculture.

“As a leading department, we will provide situational analysis on the irrigated agriculture in the region focusing on institutional arrangements, infrastructure development, water efficiency and management,” Seokotsa said.

He said the summit will endeavor to develop the beneficiation model as well as to establish the sound viable and invested Public Private Partnership, (PPP).

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Scopa wants corrupt officials to be arrested   

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) says ‘heads will roll’ after series of corruption, mismanagement of funds and fraud. This comes after the committee received a shocking revelation on cases that were reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) last year.

This comes after the committee received a shocking revelation on cases that were reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) last year.

The Scopa provincial chairperson, Job Dliso said they held an oversight meeting with these law enforcement agencies to receive an update on cases opened by the Standing Committee including the 34 cases that were opened by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Section 100 Intervention’s Anti-Corruption Task Team led by the National Treasury investigated today.

“Those cases include a case into the R134 million which was erroneously transferred to Bojanala District municipality instead of Rustenburg Local Municipality for housing development from the North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

“We have also received a report on the Taung Hotel School project, where a fence and guardhouse was poorly constructed for under R8 million, while the North West Department of Tourism bought the Taung building for R5 million,” said Dliso.
He also said the irregular expenditure of R1.4 billion incurred in the North West Department of Education for several financial years including the irregular expenditure emanating from the R254.1 million stationery contracts that were issued in 2016/17 financial year for 3 years was part of the discussion.
“You will recall that we met with them last year around October where we started to look on the legacy report (Scopa Handover Report), where we highlighted matters that needed to be investigated. We also submitted new cases of alleged mismanagement of funds and we are happy so far that we are working hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies.

“We have an agreement that they will update us on a monthly basis regarding their investigations. Today, indeed we are happy to say there is progress on all matters that we referred, which I am not going to disclose their merits,” he said.

Dliso added that the progress shows that they are serious on combating corruption in the province and those who are implicated must face the might of the law.

Rustenburg Local Municipality is one of the corrupt municipalities in the province

North West Provincial Legislature’s Chair of Chairs, Mmoloki Cwaile shared the same sentiments. Cwaile said they will ensure that clean governance prevails in the province.

“We have just received a progress report from the senior Hawks officials and we are satisfied with the report that there is progress. However, we have taken note of a few challenges where you found that witnesses want to make statements in the presence of their lawyers, but we’ve also agreed that in the event where they are not complying, section 204 must be applied for, so that they must be forced to give that evidence.

“We have agreed that fourteen days should be sufficient for witnesses to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies. So, we are satisfied that there is serious progress, but we are concerned about the misleading of the Hawks by the government departments on the matter that relates to the R134 million that was allegedly erroneously transferred to the Bojanala District Municipality,” he said.

It was reported that the fraudulent account was allegedly opened by officials at Bojanala District Municipality after erroneously receiving the amount of R134 million from Cogta in the province. According to Cwaile, the Hawks were misled in the statements and closed the case.

“We have agreed the case must be re-opened because we have sufficient evidence that the money that was transferred to Bojanala District was stolen. You cannot have a scenario where you have a trip from Brits to Rustenburg that cost R3 million and a two-day accommodation for officials cost R3.9 million.

“We will continue to interact with the Hawks on Monday to give them further evidence on the matter. Furthermore, the Rustenburg Local Municipality is one of the most corrupt municipalities. The evidence at our disposal shows that the municipality is riddled with corruption and we assure you that those who are implicated will be harshly dealt with,” said Cwaile.

North West Provincial Legislature’s EFF Betty Diale said: “We have received the Hawks report but as the EFF we feel that there is not much progress, however, at least we have a way of making sure that the cases that are placed with the Hawks are investigated.

“We’ve realised that there is a tendency in the Hawks not to follow up the matters and properly investigate them timeously. However, this time around we called them to appear before the Scopa and they came. We highly-appreciate their cooperation in that regard,” Diale said.

DA Chief Whip in the province, Freddy Sonakile said: “We welcomed the brief that was presented by the Hawks. However, we still believe that there is a lot that still need to be done. For the first time in the history of the North West Provincial Legislature, we have seen such a move taking where law enforcers come and give us a feedback.

“Ever since the previous administrations, we have never seen the law enforcers coming in and give us a feedback. This is a milestone for this committee because we have received the feedback in two months.”

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Scopa in North West to meet with law enforcement over financial mismanagement at Taung Hotel, Bojanala

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By REGINALD KANYANE

North West Provincial Legislature’ Standing Committee On Public Accounts (SCOPA) is expected to meet law enforcement agencies for an update on criminal cases opened for financial misconduct in Bojanala District Municipality, Taung Hotel School, Departments and Municipalities on Wednesday at 12pm.

The Scopa Chairperson, Job Dliso will hold an oversight meeting with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Directorate for the Priority Crime Investigations (The Hawks) to receive an update on cases opened by the committee including the 34 cases that were opened by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team on Section 100 Intervention’s Anti-Corruption Task Team led by the National Treasury investigated.

“Those cases include R134 million, which was erroneously transferred to Bojanala District municipality instead of Rustenburg Local Municipality for housing development from the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs.

“Taung Hotel School project where a fence and guard house was poor constructed for under R8 million when the Department of Tourism bought the Taung building for R5 million,” Dliso said.

He said irregular expenditure of R1.4 billion incurred in the Department of Education for several financial years including the irregular expenditure emanating from the R254.1 million stationery contract that was issued in 2016/17 financial year for 3 years.

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Reverend dies while ‘conducting Godly duties’

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A MAN of God who died while conducting his Godly duties.”

This is how the majority of messages of condolence conveyed to the family of Reverend Basimane Obakeng Jackals on social media posts read yesterday.

Jackals died after he was rushed to the Kuruman Hospital after he collapsed while preaching during a church service on Sunday morning.

According to his aunt, Mpho Mabille, the family is still processing his death and are not certain what the cause was.

Mabille described Jackals as a dependable leader who had a passion for spreading the gospel.

“Basie, as he was affectionately known, started his career in ministry at the age of 20. After completing high school, he attended RR Wright Theological Seminary and started pastoring straight after completing his studies. He was the presiding-elder of the African Methodist Epicoscopal Church (AME) and the pastor of the AME church in Kathu. He has since that time been preaching in various places across the Province.

“Basimane was also a chaplain at Sol Plaatje Municipality. He was never shy to conduct his ministerial duties or getting people closer to God,” said Mabille.

She added that Jackals was also a very good singer. “He studied music at university. It was at university where he met his wife. He loved to sing and had a beautiful voice,” she smiled.

A friend and colleague of the deceased, Reverend Thapelo Mogashoa, said he will remember Jackals for his selflessness.

“Basie was a very vibrant and good preacher. He loved smart things. For as long as I had known him, I have never seen him angry. He was a great problem solver and good support to all. One of my fondest memories I will hold dear of him was during the time I was involved in a car accident in 2015 and Basie travelled from Klerksdorp to come and see me. He was a very considerate person,” said Mogashoa.

Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Sello Matsie, said that Jackals would be sorely missed.

“Reverend Jackals was a very active employee. He would on numerous times be requested to open the council meeting with a prayer. During these times he would selflessly pray not only for the well-being and guidance of the leaders in the municipality, but also that of the city. He was also very active in the municipal sporting codes. We will miss him for his hard work and dedication as he was not only a chaplain but also involved in the municipal call centre,” said Matsie.

“We want to extend our condolences to his family and friends as we have lost a very inspirational individual who was in the prime of his life. We will be having a memorial service for the deceased on Thursday.”

The Office of the Premier also joined those who sent a message of condolence to the family. The spokesperson for the premier, Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, described Jackals as a well-known public servant, religious and community leader.

“The Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, on behalf of the provincial government and the people of the Province, expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. The passing of this outstanding leader is a great loss to the people of the Northern Cape Province as a whole. His contribution to improving the lives of the communities he served will be remembered and will form part of the rich legacy he leaves behind,” said Thomas-Abrahams.

Jackals will be buried in Warrenton on Saturday.

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

North West learner stabbed to death

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Picture: (North West learner stabbed to death)

By OBAKENG MAJE
A 17-year-old girl was arrested today for the alleged murder of Katlego Lesagae (18) in Atamelang, near Delareyville.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the incident occurred this morning at about 6am outside Kopanelo Secondary School in Atamelang.

Myburgh said Lesagae allegedly just exited a school bus outside the school premises when he was approached by the suspect.

“The suspect allegedly stabbed the deceased with an unknown instrument. Lesagae was rushed to a local clinic, where he was certified dead on arrival.

“Moreover, police managed to trace the suspect and arrested her shortly after the incident. The minor will be processed in terms of the Child Justice Act (act no 75 of 2008) and her first court appearance for the alleged murder will be in the Atamelang Magistrates’ Court on Monday, ” she said.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena congratulated the police for their quick reaction, which led to the arrest of the alleged perpetrator.

Kwena condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and requested the community, especially parents, to monitor the behaviour of their children.

“Furthermore, we urged children to refrain from settling differences through violence,” said Kwena.

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