Daily Archives: January 9, 2020

ANC in the North West condemns femicide killings

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The ANC in the North West said is saddened by the continuous gruesome killings of women and children in the province. The ANC provincial spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said the ruling party is gravely perturbed by the deaths of Thato Lesetedi (24) from Mafikeng and Zanele Biya (15) in Rustenburg recently.

The suspect (40) briefly appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on Wednesday for the alleged kidnapping and murder of Biya. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, the alleged suspect was seen leaving a local tavern in Chaneng village outside Phokeng in the company of the victim and her friend (18) on 24 December 2019.

“He allegedly went to his place where he raped the pair. Subsequent to the incident, a case of rape was opened for investigation. The suspect evaded the arrest until he met Biya at the same tavern again on 31 December 2019. They left the tavern and were both seen entering the nearby bushes between midnight and 1am.

“Since then, the victim was never seen and as a result, the victim’s parents opened a case of kidnapping on 3 January 2020. At that point, the suspect was already in detention after being arrested on 1 January 2020 through information received from members of the community for the initial rape allegedly committed on 24 December 2019,” said Mokgwabone.

He further said the suspect appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court on two separate cases of rape. Mokgwabone added that further investigation into the matter led to the discovery of the 15-year-old victim’s decomposed body in the bushes at about 11:00 on Sunday near Chaneng village in Rustenburg.

The North West Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms and said that the police will have no mercy in dealing with those who commit gender based violence. He expressed his gratitude to members of the community for coming forth with information that led to the arrest of the suspect.

Furthermore, Kwena urged the public to collaborate with the police in protecting women and children as well as to ensure that perpetrators are brought to book as it happened in this incident. Meanwhile, the ANC Provincial Convenor, Basetsana Dantjie visited the Biya’s family to express the ANC’s heartfelt condolences.

Meanwhile, the ANC Provincial Convenor, Basetsana Dantjie visited the Biya’s family to express the ANC’s heartfelt condolences.

Morolong said: “These heartrending incidents represent a painful reminder that women and children continue to endure suffering in the hands of barbaric monsters that should be isolated from society. We urge our communities to work with our law enforcement agencies to ensure that culprits of these hideous acts are brought to book.

“We further direct that members of the ANC should actively support all affected families. The ANC-led government is called upon to ensure that it is available to the affected families by providing requisite professional support. We wish all affected families and communities’ strength during these dark hours,” he said.

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ANC stalwart, Bantjies passes on

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(Picture Supplied) : ANC stalwart, Hans Bantjies

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The ANC in the North West mourns the death of its stalwart, Hans Bantjies (50) who passed away on new year’s eve at Schweizer Reneke Provincial Hospital after short illness.

The North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) Chief Whip, Paul Sebegoe described Bantjies as a selfless combatant who was passionately in love with Africa’s oldest liberation movement.
Sebegoe delivered a eulogy during the memorial service held at Ipelegeng Community Hall in Schweizer Reneke on Tuesday.

Sebegoe said: “This humble cadre and energetic community builder lived for and dedicated his entire life to serving the ANC with every modicum of energy that he could muster. Though he had lost limb from gunshot of the apartheid police during the Mamusa unrests in 1986, he valued life and cherished freedom and equality more.

“Bantjies’ passion for community development saw him establishing the Ipelegeng People with Disabilities Forum that pioneered the development of a Telecentre in the impoverished Township.”
He further said that the ANC Caucus dips its revolutionary banners in appreciation of the service that Bantjies had rendered the ANC and salutes him as a loyal and dedicated cadre.
“Comrade HB and his generation did not betray their mission hence he leaves behind a proud legacy of patriotism, lifelong activism and serving the ANC with pride and dignity.

“His laughter, humour and positive attitude will be sorely missed. We are poorer without him because of the indelible mark he has made and the gigantic footprints he has left in the sands of time, ” said Sebegoe.

He said Bantijies has deeply enriched the activist legislature through his work as a political researcher and a cadre of a special type.
Sebegoe added that Bantjies’ contribution has throughout his employment by the North West Provincial Youth Commission to his current role in the ANC caucus Staff influenced oversight, monitoring, evaluation, youth empowerment and service delivery for the benefit of communities.
“He will forever be engraved in the monument of our hearts as a change agent and a humble patriot par excellent. His positive attitude and preparedness to learn distinguished him from the pack.

“He was not a populist nor a wedge driver that the esteemed ANC President Comrade OR Tambo had warned us during the Morogoro Conference but a unifier,” he underscored.
In paying tribute to Bantjies, Convenor of ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) deployee and Deputy Minister of Corporative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Obed Bapela urged the Mamusa community to deliver a decisive ANC elections victory to honour his memory during the 15 January 2020 municipal bi-elections.
Bapela was accompanied by a high-powered delegation that included his fellow NEC members, Minister of Tourism, Khensani Kubayi-Ngubane and former ANCYL President, Malusi Gigaba and members of the Interim Provincial Committee ANC MP, Kenny Morolong, Lenah Miga and Sophie Maine.
The emotional service was also graced by among others the NWPL Deputy Speaker, Viola Mocumi, Corporative Governance, Traditional Affairs & Human Settlements MEC Gordon Kegakilwe, Public Works MEC Saliva Molapisi, NWPL Chair of Chairs Mmoloki Cwaile, ANC MPs Tidimalo Legwase and Eric Landsman.

Bantijies graduated with BA in Political Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT) back in 1997.
Former anti-apartheid activist, Bantjies who had served as one of the political researchers for the NWPL ANC Caucus since 2014 is to be buried on Saturday at Ipelegeng Township.

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‘National Parliament speaker, Modise harasses nurses at Taung District Hospital’

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Picture: (Taung hospital staff embark on strike)

By OBAKENG MAJE

Patients were left unattended at the Taung District Hospital in Taung on Thursday after nurses downed tools. The striking nurses said they demand justice after one of their own was ‘ill-treated’ by the National Parliament speaker, Thandi Modise and the management did nothing.

One of the nurses who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “On 26 December 2019, the National Assembly speaker, Thandi Modise arrived at the hospital to come and check on her ailing brother who since passed away. Modise arrived at around 9am, which was out of visiting hours.

“Her brother was admitted to the hospital at ward F. When she arrived at the reception, we asked if we could assist her. However, she was rude to us and called us names. She also asked if we know who she was.”

One of the sources said Modise allegedly forced her was to the wards even though she was told to wait for visiting hours. It is alleged that Modise called the hospital CEO, Tumediso Setlhodi to come and ‘reprimand his dogs’.

According to our source, Setlhodi arrived at the hospital along with the hospital Board of Directors chairperson, James Gadinabokao. Setlhodi allegedly reprimanded one of the nurses who was in talks with Modise and threatened to fire him, while Gadinabokao hauled unprinted words to the on-duty nurses.

Picture: National Parliament speaker, Thandi Modise

Now, nurses said they demand to see the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha to address their challenges. They also want Gadinabokao to be removed as the chairperson of the Board of Directors at the hospital.

North West Health department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said the department is aware of the allegations leveled against Modise.

“Yes, the department is aware of this matter, however, Modise always calls on MECs whenever she visits government facilities to raise issues of service delivery nature. It was also the case in this instance and not about a hassle with any employee. She merely gave the MEC complaints that were raised by patients in the hospital and requested them to be attended to.

“The CEO has also denied making any threats to any employee, but demanded that employees do their work accordingly. Visiting hours of the hospital is between 12pm-1pm and 5pm-6pm daily. No prominent people/persons get special treatment while visiting the hospital,” Lekgethwane said.

He further said Gadinabokao as chairperson of the Board of Directors at the hospital has the responsibility to attend to complains raised by the community irrespective of their status. Lekgethwane added that Gadinabokao said he attended to a number of complaints during the month of December and in all of them he requested employees to assist patients where patients were complaining.

The National Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said Modise was affected by the treatment she received in the hands of nurses.

“Honestly, we should be concerned by the horrendous and outrageous treatment patients and community members suffer at the hands of that hospital’s rude and indifferent staff, which makes mockery of our healthcare system, instead of being used by them to discredit victims.

“Just ask yourself, if they could treat an MP in this manner, who also has oversight powers under the law to inspect service delivery at that facility, what hope do we have for ordinary members of the public?”

Mothapo added that he was not going to bother Modise with the inquiry as she is grieving the death of her brother and certainly would not want to relive the trauma she and family suffered at the hands of that hospital staff.

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Mokgoro applauds the ‘Class of 2019’ for job well-done 

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro applauded the ‘Class of 2019’ for exceptional work in the National Senior Certificate Examinations. Mokgoro was a keynote speaker during the results announcement ceremony that was held at Fields College in Rustenburg on Wednesday.

The ceremony was attended by all education sector stakeholders who came to witness the fruits of the seeds planted since the beginning of 2019 academic year. The province has made a significant improvement and reached 86,8% matric pass rate.

“Education knows no social or economic standing. It knows no race, colour, gender, religion or creed. For, we all agree that every child has a right to quality basic education and today is a culmination of our effort towards achieving laying a basis for a bright future for these learners and the country.

“Thank you for putting this beautiful province in the limelight. An overall improvement of the NSC Examination results by 5.7% from 81.1% of 2018 is no mean feat. This despite all the odds stuck against you, you showed character and prevailed,” he said.

Mokgoro also commended MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela, the entire management, the SGB’s, principals, educators and most important learners for having done extremely well in ensuring that the North West province re-claims the rightful space amongst the best performing provinces in the country.

“You have managed to navigate a very difficult academic year that 2019 was. You also managed to achieve good results despite the challenges that many of our learners faced as a result of disruptions to normal schooling brought about as a result of community protests witnessed in the last year as well as damage to various schools infrastructure,” said Mokgoro.

However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West says the results are not a true reflection as so many learners dropped out before reaching matric. According the North West DA spokesperson on Education, Gavin Edwards said: “Although this is an improvement from 81.1% in 2018, celebrating the top three rankings is misplaced considering the high drop-out rate. From the 62 766 Grade 10 learners that enrolled in 2017, more than 20 000 dropped out before matriculating, leaving the North West with a real pass rate of only 37.1%.

According the North West DA spokesperson on Education, Gavin Edwards said: “Although this is an improvement from 81.1% in 2018, celebrating the top three rankings is misplaced considering the high drop-out rate. From the 62 766 Grade 10 learners that enrolled in 2017, more than 20 000 dropped out before matriculating, leaving the North West with a real pass rate of only 37.1%.

“The drop-out rate, combined with the poor quality of education, is a recipe for disaster. Many of these youth will struggle to find employment and if they do, it will be for menial labour, locking them in a cycle of hardship and poverty.”

Edwards added that the department of education is not doing the learners any favours by setting low standards in basic education simply to pursue improved statistical outputs. He said the conditions that learners are expected to perform under remain extremely poor.

“Ongoing school safety challenges, poor infrastructure, shortage of schools and unrealistic teacher/learner ratios continue to plague this province. We congratulate every matriculant that worked hard in the face of all these hardships and also thank those teachers who walked the extra mile to ensure those learners are equipped for the next phase of their lives.

“We further commend the 2019 matriculants at the 12 high schools around Klerksdorp who were affected by service delivery protests during their final exams. The fact that 9 out of these 12 schools did well is an achievement of note,” said Edwards.

He also singled out the 2019 matric class of Thuto Lore Secondary School in Bloemhof, who had to be moved overnight to safety after the community threatened to disrupt their examinations. Edwards said despite difficult circumstances, learners there still managed to achieve an 80% pass rate, showing true determination

Edwards said despite difficult circumstances, learners there still managed to achieve an 80% pass rate, showing true determination.

Meanwhile, the ANC in the North West welcomed with jubilation the results of the class of 2019 and congratulates all role players for achieving this milestone. The ANC provincial spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said the achievement of 86.7% with a recorded 5% improvement from the 2018 results call for celebrations across the province.

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