By BAKANG MOKOTO

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) said it is concerned regarding continuous personal attacks on the Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

This comes after some Facebook posts depicting Dlamini-Zuma as a monkey and some videos insulting her circulated on social media platforms. ANCWL Secretary-General, Meokgo Matuba said hate speech and verbal attacks against Dlamini-Zuma are unwarranted.

“Whilst, everyone has the right to communicate his or her opinions and ideas and share information in whatever form, the freedom of speech has limitations. Section 16 (2) of the constitution of South Africa states that the freedom of expression does not extend to propaganda for war, incitement of imminent violence, or advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender, or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm.

“It is our view that those who post distasteful Facebook messages and videos about Dlamini-Zuma are mostly influenced by their hatred of her race and gender. Patriachists and racists have no place in our country. They are toxic elements that will reverse the gains of our democracy that the likes of Dlamini-Zuma sacrificed their lives for,” Matuba.

She added that South Africans, who believe in non-sexist, non-racial democratic and prosperous South Africa must hold hands, expose and decisively deal with these misogynist and racist elements. Matuba said the ANCWL also calls on the South African Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Gender Equality to also investigate the matter.

“ANCWL calls on its members, supporters, and society in general to support Minister Dlamini-Zuma and all the members of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The law must take its course against these racists and patriarchists. If the law delays, the peace-loving South Africans might run out of patience and opt to visit these perpetrators for face-to-face chat which might not be a friendly chat,” she said.

Matuba said they will accompany Dlamini-Zuma will accompany her to the police station to lay charges against her attackers. Dlamini-Zuma received excessive criticisms from the ‘segment of individuals’ as they believe that she is behind the continuous ban on the sales of cigarettes during the national lockdown period in South Africa due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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Picture: http://www.enca.co.za 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West calls on the mining magnate, Patrice Motsepe to ‘shut down’ KalGold mine near Kraaipan indefinitely. This comes after allegations that two mineworkers have tested positive for COVID-19 at KalGold mine which is a subsidiary of Harmony Gold where Motsepe is the owner.

EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Bauile said all mineworkers at KalGold mine should be subjected to mandatory screening and testing. Babuile said they equally call on the North West Department of Health (NWDoH) to also intervene in this matter.

“On Tuesday, we woke up to the sad news that two mineworkers at KalGold mine which is owned by Harmony Gold have registered two cases of COVID-19. According to mineworkers who wished to remain anonymous, the results of mineworkers who tested positive were known since Monday, but no precautionary measures have been taken to protect other mineworkers.

“It is business as usual as the production department and other related departments at the mine are 100% operational. We specifically called on mining houses to stop prioritizing profits at the expense of human life,” he said.

Babuile said just last month, the EFF released a statement cautioning against the re-opening of mines amidst the escalating cases of COVID-19 in the province. He said they have even opened criminal cases against some mining houses in the province.

“We call on Motsepe to close the mine and ensure that all mineworkers are subjected to mandatory screening and testing, but failure to do so, will result in the EFF to visit the mine,” said Babuile.

He added that they have lost hope in the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMR) as they have long taken the decision to favour mining houses instead of workers. Meanwhile, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) has come out calling for universal testing of all mineworkers following the rapid spread of the virus in the mining sector.

AMCU president, Joseph Mathunjwa said: “The union is adamant that this is the only way to curb a possible crisis in the sector. Over the past weekend it came to light that a record number of 19 new infections have been found at Impala’s Marula mine in Limpopo. This brings the total number of infections in mining to 32, with one mineworker who has died of the pandemic as of 17 May 2020.

“We have consistently called for proper testing before mineworkers go underground. Screening is not sufficient as it fails to detect those workers who don’t display the known symptoms like high temperatures. We’ve been saying this all along, but the Department of Mineral Resources and the Chamber of Mines [now known as the Minerals Council] would not listen to us.”

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in North East Regional Secretary, Phillip Mankge said the COVID-19 is a killer virus and the government has directed mines to resume operations at 50% capacity and issued clear guidelines to the mines to adhere to the regulations. Mankge said the NUM is extremely disturbed by the number of cases already confirmed since the mines were allowed to resume operation.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The North West Dingaka Association (NWDA) said they are adamant that the fight against COVID-19 pandemic will be won soon. This comes after they had an interactive session with other stakeholders such as the North West Department of Health (NWDoH), North West Traditional Healers Practitioners (NWTHP), and the North West Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation (ACSR) recently.

The NWDA chairperson, Anna Rabotapi said the interactive session was informative and featured an update on the National Command Council’s work on Covid-19 and guidelines for traditional practitioners in dealing with the virus and the lockdown.  She also expressed her gratitude to the two departments for taking the initiative.

“This is the kind of engagement we have been longing for. Today’s session was very informative and useful for us as traditional practitioners. We are so grateful to have had held a joint meeting with MECs’ both portfolios to discuss the role of traditional practitioners in the fight against Covid-19,” Rabotapi said.

The MEC for ACSR, Virginia Tlhapi said: “We work closely and support the work of the Dingaka Association in the province. The traditional healers and members of the Dingaka Association came from across the province and raised their concerns over the lockdown restrictions.

“They explained how the lockdown has impacted on their work. We informed them that we were serious about the engagements with the traditional medicine sector and we will continue meeting and consulting with them on an on-going basis in the fight against Covid-19.

North West MEC for DoH, Madoda Sambatha also shared the same sentiments. Sambatha encouraged the traditional health practitioners to work together with his department in helping the local population to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We call on traditional practitioners and dingaka to observe the regulations as stipulated by the government. Please, you should not chase money but safe lives as you are called to do so,” said Sambatha.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 infections continue to soar. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province is 72, an increase of two from previously reported cases.

“All two new cases in the province are in Ngaka Modiri Molema District. Ratlou Local Municipality has registered its first case, while Mahikeng Local municipality increases its numbers to 5. The Ditsobotla Local Municipality has one registered case and this brings all registered COVID-19 cases to seven in the district, says Sambatha.

He said there is no new case that was recorded in Bojanala Platinum district in the past three days. Sambatha added that the province contributes 0.4% of South Africa’s burden of disease.

“Bojanala contributes 56% to the provincial burden of disease. The total number of screenings in the province is 1 965 869 and 1 945 people screened showed COVID-19 symptoms. They were referred for testing and a total of 984 contacts of the 72 confirmed cases were identified and 94% (925) were successfully traced.

“We thank our tracing teams, nurses, doctors, paramedics, and all healthcare workers who continue to serve with pride during these difficult times,” said Sambatha.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The Phokwane Local Municipality has been dissolved after being marred with a series of alleged corruption, fraud, and mismanagement for the past four years. Northern Cape Provincial government said in a statement that it implemented Section 139(1) (c) given all the above governance and administrative challenges.

Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul said: “The beleaguered municipal council failed to fulfill its executive obligations. The council failed to hold critical council meetings to appoint senior managers, failing to consider the section 106 report, failing to approve the 2019/20 financial year budget, the mid-year budget and performance assessment report, and the 2019/20 adjustments budget.

“The proliferation of litigation matters has ultimately resulted in the municipality having two mayors and two speakers. This confusion permeated into the administration and resulted in the dual convening of municipal council meetings, giving of conflicting instructions to the administrator and officials.”

Saul added that the manifestation of political dynamics within the council further circumvented the implementation of the Section 106 report which investigated the serious malpractice at the municipality. He said the municipality having two speakers and mayors resulting in financial and legal constraints.

“The unfortunate sequence of events at Phokwane Local Municipality has unfortunately been unfolding at the expense of the people, robbing communities of basic service delivery. It is in this context that after numerous interventions and for the benefit of the people of Phokwane, the municipal council is hereby dissolved with immediate effect.

“The Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) has delegated the MEC of CoGHSTA to amongst others publish the powers and function of the administrator who will continue to be supported by the administration team of the financial expert and an engineer from the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA),” he said.

Saul said all necessary processes will be put in place to ensure that by-elections are held.

He said as a result of this intervention, the municipality will be in a better position to work with the Department of Health to deal with the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The total Covid-19 infections in South Africa now stands at 12 739, with 238 deaths.

The Western Cape, with a total of 7 235 confirmed infections, accounts for 56.8 percent of the confirmed cases in the country. The province is also responsible for 12 of the 19 Covid-19 related deaths recorded over the past 24 hours.

Gauteng has the second-highest number of confirmed cases with 2 135 infections, and the Eastern Cape was third at 1 569.

A total of 403 018 tests have been conducted for the novel coronavirus to date, with 16 666 tests done in the past 24 hours.

Here is a look at the breakdown per province:

“Close to 10 million people have been screened for symptoms of the virus and testing in the public and private sector has been ramped up exponentially, with 270 000 more tests being conducted in this period than initially planned for,” Mkhize said in a statement on Thursday.

“Government has also worked fervently to increase the number of beds in hospitals across the country in preparation for an influx of patients suffering from Covid-19 symptoms.”

Commenting on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that most of South Africa can expect to ease into a level 3 lockdown from the end of May, Mkhize said that levels 5 and 4 of the lockdown had allowed government time to strengthen the healthcare system, but he stressed that this had not been without its challenges.

“In some instances, data emerging on case numbers in some provinces has been misaligned and sometimes inaccurate. Covid-19 hot spots have emerged in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, with more than half the country’s cases emanating from the two provinces,” Mkhize said.

“Cluster outbreaks concentrated in and around Cape Town are driving the pandemic in these regions and require targeted efforts to track and trace contacts in Western Cape and Eastern Cape.”

• For the latest on the Covid-19 outbreak, visit IOL’s special #Coronavirus page.

** If you think you have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, call the 24-hour hotline on 0800 029 999 or visit sacoronavirus.co.za

Source: IOL

By STAFF REPORTER

A Taung man is expected to appear at Kathu Magistrate’s Court for Cash-in-Transit heist ON Wednesday. The suspect was subsequently arrested by the Hawks on Monday after intensive investigations.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Nomthandazo Mnisi said even though the incident took place in January 2020 at Kathu Mall in Kuruman, where heavily armed suspects allegedly attacked and robbed a security guard a trolley bag containing an undisclosed amount of money, they are grateful to make a breakthrough in this case.

“Police responded to the scene, resulting in a high-speed chase which ended in one suspect, Karabo Moshweshwe (37) being apprehended. The rest of the group managed to getaway. However, in the latest turn of event, another suspect was arrested following months of investigations.

“The intensive investigation was effected during a tracing operation in Taung in the North West province by a  team consist of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence and Tactical Response Team on Monday,” said Mnisi.

Meanwhile, Moshweshwe has already made several court appearances and his bail application attempt has been unsuccessful thus far. Mnisi said the remaining suspects are still at large and being pursued.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Health continues to be marred with corruption, fraud, and maladministration. This comes after four senior officials were suspended for tender irregularities recently.

Two Directors attached to Infrastructure Development Technical Support Chief Directorate unit were suspended on 23 April 2020 for the alleged asymmetrical payments worth over R10 million to the service provider arising from a bid for additions and alterations to existing Mmabatho Nursing College including all related site works.

North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “It is alleged that the said officials within the Infrastructure Development and Technical Support (IDTS) facilitated irregular insertion of the “Contract Price Adjustment Provision”, which resulted in the contractor undue enrichment in payments.

“The principal building agreement for construction works at Mmabatho Nursing College commenced on 2 November 2015. The value estimated on this matter is amounting to R10 959 472-35 excluding VAT of adjustment/escalation was paid illegally.”

He said in the latest matter, the other two senior officials involve the department’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Director responsible for Supply Chain Management. Lekgethwane added that those officials have been suspended due to the allegations of Supply Chain Management irregularities.

“This arises from the security tender. The appointment letter of the successful bidders allegedly contained the prices which materially varied from what those bidders had bid for thus inflating prices and causing the department serious financial loss.

“The value of the financial loss is not yet known as investigations are to start after their suspension. The department wishes to state that the suspension of these officials is not a conclusion that they are guilty. The suspension intends to allow the department to investigate the above allegations as they are of a serious nature,” said Lekgethwane.

The officials will remain suspended until the investigations and disciplinary hearings against them are completed, says Lekgethwane.

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Picture: Daily Maverick 

By REGINALD KANYANE

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West on Monday urged the criminal justice system to ensure that the release of 19 000 low-risk offenders from the Department of Correctional Services is properly managed to eliminate blunders previously associated with the parole system.

This comes after the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa recommended the release of 19 000 low-risk offenders to avoid overcrowding in various correctional services facilities across the country amid COVID-19 pandemic.

SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe also calls on beneficiaries not to abuse humanitarian grounds that influenced the decision to grant them conditional parole to ease overcrowding including the internal and external threat posed by the spread of COVID-19 to the prison population.

“Mandatory Victim-Offender Dialogues that unfolded as part of the parole process have laid the foundation for reconciliation necessary for acceptance and community reintegration.

“We welcome the exclusion of inmates who are serving sentences for sexual offences, child abuse, murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, sedition, high treason, sabotage, terrorism, offenders declared as dangerous by the court in terms of Section 286 A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977 from the remission of sentence process,” he said.

Sebegoe added that communities should give those earmarked for release into community corrections that include inmates with underlying health problems, elderly (above 60 years) and female offenders with infants a second chance and support them. He insisted that early warning systems must be put in place to monitor on the case by case basis deviant behavior of parolees outside the confines of the correctional services environment.

However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it does not support the decision by Ramaphosa to authorise the parole of thousands of selected categories of sentenced offenders in order to reduce overcrowding in prisons in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.

DA’ Member of Parliament (MP) and Shadow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Glynnis Breytenbach said while South Africa’s overcrowded prisons create unique challenges for the Department of Correctional Services in the fight against Covid-19, they believe that the government has not adequately explored all of its options in this regard.

“This release of prisoners may lead to a greater humanitarian crisis than that which it is attempting to avoid. Many of the prisoners who stand to be released do not have families or homes to return to. Those who do may well return to a home where there is already little or no food. Finding employment, difficult enough under the best of circumstances for those with a criminal record, will be impossible in the current economy.

“So, all of these factors will increase the possibility of re-offending, contributing to South Africa’s high recidivism rate. It also adds a high social burden on already struggling families and communities,” Breytenbach said.

She said the government should have explored alternative means of reducing overpopulation in prisons, such as converting unused Department of Public Works properties into low-security correctional facilities for petty offenders and those nearing the end of their sentences.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Correctional Services and Justice, Raymond Lamola said: “The DCS has continually adopted a conscientious approach in implementing its Covid-19 Disaster Management Response Strategy across all its centres and offices. This strategy entails prevention, containment, treatment and recovery.

“We are confronted, however, with the glaring impossibility of maintaining physical distancing in our centres due to overcrowding. Those earmarked for release through the COVID-19 conditional parole must equally shoulder the responsibility that comes with the restorative justice system and demonstrate conduct that supports its intended objective to reassure victims and communities that a chance of them re-offending is remote.”

Lamola emphasizes that behind Correctional Centres walls, offenders are being rehabilitated. He further said there are programmes which are aimed at correcting offending behaviour, aide human development and promote social responsibility and positive social values.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Many teachers across the North West are ‘disinclined to return to work’ amid COVID-19 pandemic. One of the teachers in Mahikeng who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said they cannot go back to school, while the country is experiencing an increase in coronavirus disease infections.

“The re-opening of schools is premature as that might put our lives in danger. I just wonder how we are going to manage level 4 of lockdown regulations while having learners all over the place. Bringing in Grade 12s and 7s only will not guarantee prevention from the spread of the virus.”

Another teacher from Taung shared the same sentiments.

“We have so many schools in the sub-district where we experience overcrowding and shortage of water. How will the department afford to deal with coronavirus disease, while it is difficult to address basic services?”

However, the North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said her department has an enormous plan to address all those challenges. Matsemela said they were supposed to re-open on Monday 11, but that did not materialize because of some challenges.

“We are still waiting for Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to arrive. Indeed, we all anticipated that we might be ready on 11 May 2020. However, by Thursday last week, a number of provinces highlighted that they were not ready. So, we informed our School Governing Bodies (SGBs) including our Senior Management Teams (SMTs).

“We are speaking about people who are less than seven at some stage and this number is favourable. If, we shall open today, we could have managed because we are dealing with a very sizeable number. The reason why we have not yet re-opened was that we have not received a consignment on the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) we have placed order upon,” she said.

Matsemela added they are expecting to receive those PPEs before the end of this week and that will allow some of senior management and teachers back at work. She said only Grade 12s and 7s learners will be allowed back at school.

“We are expecting that teachers and staff to come back on the 18 May 2020. And also, it cannot be the entire staff of the school. It means that only teachers who are supposed to teach those classes in line with the phase-in programme will be allowed.

“We have also agreed that all teachers who are between the age of 50 and 60 and having underlying conditions should not come back until the situation is eased. The department will also ensure that is in line with what the Department of Public Service has also prescribed,” said Matsemela.

She said her department will implement a non-negotiable approach and ensure that level 4 of lockdown regulations such as social distancing, PPEs, sanitizers, masks, and decontamination of offices and classrooms are applied.

“Our staff and learners will be screened and tested before resuming classes. The department will also ensure that our staff and management are orientated. We have collaborated with other stakeholders like mining companies in Bojanala where they committed to buy us PPEs.

“We have 38 000 Grade 12s and 68 000 Grade 7s across the province. The department will also take Grade 12s to camps to avoid moving in and out of their communities. Those learners will be screened and tested before being taken away to various camps,” said Matsemela.

She further said Grade 12s are expected to sit for a fully-fledged curriculum examination paper and they need to work hard to cover the syllabus.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 42-year-old man appeared at Moretele Magistrate’s Court on Friday for allegedly stealing steel palisades belonging to a primary school in Motlhabaneng Section in Makapanstad.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Seth Maroke was apprehended on Thursday after police conducted an intensive investigation. Myburgh said the police recovered suspected stolen property during the arrest.

“The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the detective for ensuring that the perpetrator is brought to book. Kwena also urged members of the community to report suspicious activities at schools by contacting their nearest police stations or calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” she said.

Maroke who was released on bail will be back in court on 15 September 2020. Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said more than 50 schools across the province were vandalized during the recess.

Matsemela said: “We were shocked by the increasing number of the vandalized schools in the province. Last week, the province reported 7 schools that were vandalized but currently, the number has exponentially increased to 55.

“Every day during this lockdown the department continues to receive reports of burglary from different schools.  In all four districts, numbers of vandalized schools have increased drastically.”

Matsemela recently visited Bonwakgogo Primary in Chaneng Village near Phokeng to view the extent of damages from the school. She said criminals should not be allowed to damage and destroys the future of the learners.

“This is totally unacceptable, I personally went to Bonwakgogo Primary school to see the extent of the damages and I became so emotional to witness the destruction that happened there. This poses a serious drawback to the department,” said Matsemela.

She said learners will not be having their resources due to criminality when they resume their studies. Matsemela said these schools belong to the communities and urged them to work together with the police to apprehend the suspects.

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