Daily Archives: August 20, 2020

Tavern owner in hot water for breaking lockdown regulations

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Police-tape.jpg

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Klerksdorp-based tavern owner (54) is expected to appear at Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 28 September 2020. This comes after patrons without wearing masks were seen on a video that went viral on social media dancing and jamming at the owner’s tavern.

According to information, the incident took place at Jourberton Township in Klerksdorp on Wednesday. Now, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said police in Jouberton acted swiftly on the matter and subsequently issued a notice to appear in court for contravening Regulation 14(6) read with 5(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002).

“He may also elect to pay an admission of guilt fine of R2000.00 payable on or before 7 September 2020. Members of the public and business owners are urged to ensure strict compliance with the general measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 as stipulated in the lockdown regulations, including mandatory wearing of cloth face masks and keeping of social distancing,” Mokgwabone said.

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SANCO in North West calls for lifestyle audits on govt officials 

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SANCO

By REGINALD KANYANE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West calls on the Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to conduct a lifestyle audit on public representatives and government officials as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance ethical, accountable and transparent leadership.

SANCO provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso said there are numerous allegations of large scale corruption and looting that is continuously taking place in the province. He said the North West Provincial Government cannot look the other way, but instead has to act swiftly.

“To this end, the asset forfeiture unit should be activated with immediate effect. The Auditor-General (AG) has made adverse findings on almost all the municipalities in the province. Instances of fruitless, unauthorised and irregular expenditure are on the rise and consequence management is to be implemented as a matter of urgency on all the affected municipalities.

“SANCO has never made any pronouncement to support any municipality in the face of looting and maladministration that characterise municipalities. Communities require services from municipalities and not corruption. We have also noted with grade concern the recycling of administrators in municipalities when section 139 of the constitution is implemented,” he said.

Seaketso added that despite this recycling, there is no improvement in the affected municipalities. He said service delivery remains a challenge to the communities and the provincial government should have to seriously review these interventions and consider measures that will bring about visible service delivery improvements.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West shared the same sentiments. DA provincial ChiefWhip, Freddy Sonakile said they challenge Mokgoro to snap out of his “great embarrassment” over allegations of corruption among Members of the Executive (MECs) and call for lifestyle audits by a credible service provider.

“The recent media reports on MECs’ failure to account to the North West Provincial Legislature’s respective portfolio committees on the overall misappropriation of funds and tender fraud, is a crying shame, but being “embarrassed” about it, will not suffice.

“It is common knowledge that the factionalism within the ANC compels Mokgoro to wait on the go-ahead of his political party – who has been responsible for 26 years of looting state coffers – to reshuffle his cabinet,” he said.

Sonakile said the least that the Professor can do, is to order a lifestyle audit to save what is left of his stature.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said Mokgoro must act decisively as he always ‘preaches’ for good governance. Botswe added that in light of rampant corruption and consistent poor audit outcomes, the audit should be extended to all senior departmental officials and municipal accounting officers.

“We hope that Mokgoro will do the right thing and the lifestyle audit should be carried out on all senior staff in a bid to tackle corruption in government. No doubt that the lifestyle audits will contribute significantly in defeating corruption and the abuse of public resources for private gain,” he said.

Botswe also said that hundreds of millions of rands looted from government coffers would be recovered, and the future tender processes should be open to public scrutiny.

However, Mokgoro said: “I will apply my mind and will provide an opportunity for further consultation before a final decision is reached. There are many components to consider before implementation. So, I will give an update on the decision soon.”

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ANC in North West mourns the death of Maine

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Sophie Maine

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in for the bereaved after the passing of the ANC stalwart, Sophie Maine. Maine who was a member of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the North West died on Wednesday after a short illness.

The ANC Interim Provincial Committee spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said MaSoph as Maine was affectionately known belonged to a generation of outstanding revolutionaries whose lives were committed to the destruction of the evil system of apartheid. Morolong added that MaSoph’s generation created a free, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.

“MaSoph played a critical role in mobilizing women in the then Western Transvaal behind the banner of ANC. She distinguished herself through her service to the movement, serving in many capacities including as the first Branch Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in Ipelegeng, Schweizer Reneke in 1990, and Regional Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in the Western Transvaal.

“She has also served as Provincial Deputy Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in the North West. Following the democratic breakthrough in 1994,  MaSoph was deployed to represent the ANC as one of its first Members of Parliament and served two terms in the National Assembly,” he said.

Morolong further said the ANC in the North West has lost a matriarch, a disciplinarian, and embodiment of the true values of the movement. He said MaSoph was selfless and disciplined.

“The ANC IPC will remember MaSoph for her frankness during discussions. She was an unwavering commitment to the work of the movement. She was so dearly loved and cherished.

“So, we will forever be indebted to the selfless dedication of her to the cause of complete liberation of our people. We, the leadership of the ANC in the province, dedicate ourselves to working towards realizing her yearning desire to rebuild the structures of the ANC in the province and fostering unity among our membership,” said Morolong.

He added that the ruling party conveys their heartfelt condolences to MaSophy’s family, relatives, friends, and comrades. Morolong said they owe MaSophy a debt that can never be paid for her contribution to the liberation struggle and in shaping the democracy.

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Newly-appointed mayor to bring stability at Ramotshere-Moiloa 

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Picture: Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality mayor, Lerato Selebogo 

   

By OBAKENG MAJE

Women continue to play pivotal roles within the society as they possess efficient skills and they are primarily recognised in various fields as they render their participation in an effectual manner.

It has long been correctly assumed that women’s feminine values would contribute positively in the masculine, hierarchical world of politics and this was proven to be true in 1956 when more than 20 000 women staged a march at the Union Building in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments that required African persons to carry the pass.

Fast-forward, the initiative inspired women such as the newly-appointed mayor of Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality, Lerato Selebogo. A 32-year-old politician showed her pedigree through the years in politics and brings values of fairness, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, persuasiveness, and empathy into a patriarchal political world.

“I am so grateful to be given such a big responsibility. I envisage more improvements in service delivery. Even though our municipality is rural and relied heavily on conditional grants, we will continue to serve our people with pride.

“We understand that there are some challenges at the municipality, but we cannot look away. The municipal council engaged in a meeting recently and resolved to implement Batho Pele principle. The municipality managed to resolve its non-payment of electricity with the power utility, Eskom.

“We understand the frustration our people were subjected to. However, we can assure them that what happened will never ever be repeated again. In 2016, when we ascended to the office as councillors, we realised that the municipality owes Eskom the amount of R95 million and we derived a plan as the council to pay off that debt,” she said.

Selebogo further said the municipality failed to pay Eskom recently because of some challenges, but that has since been resolved. She said they have engaged with the National Treasury and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in order to pay Eskom.

“We had a virtual meeting with Eskom and agreed to pay them R1.5 million which we did. They gave us a grace period until 29 July 2020. We approached the national treasury to get our equitable share because the municipality did not pay salaries of employees too. So, we prioritise Eskom and the money was paid after we interacted with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District municipality and the National Treasury.

“I am going to ensure that I receive the Section 17 report which comprises of the municipal budget. Consequence management will be applied if there is misappropriation of funds and ensure that we hold our officials accountable. We have more projects in the pipeline and we will be implementing them according to IDP even though the municipality has no money,” said Selebogo.

She said mostly communities complain about basic services like provision of water, sanitation, lack of accessible roads, and high-mask lights. Selebogo added that these were genuine issues and they will prioritise them.

 Selebogo’s political career and her upbringing

Selebogo said she did not enjoy her childhood because of some hardships in her upbringing. She said growing up from a poverty-stricken family was not easy.

“I was born and raised in Dinokana village in Zeerust. Even though my upbringing was like any other child, I experienced some difficulties and did not enjoy my childhood. My father was a miner at Impala in Rustenburg and that caused us to move from one place to another.  

“I was also subjected to abuse, but that will be a topic for another day. My parents separated when I was only 11 months old and I was raised by my grandmother from my father’s side,” said Selebogo.

She went to Rustenburg after finishing her matric to look for a job. However, fate forced her back home after a year to take care of her sick grandmother.

“I had to be there for her and my child including everybody else. However, I told myself that this is not the end of the world and I soldiered on. I remember I once received a scholarship in Johannesburg to further my studies, but I could not go because I had no money for transportation and accommodation.

“It was heartbreaking, but I never lost hope because God always has a plan for our lives. I went to register for an office administration course at Taletso TVET College in quest of furthering my studies. My sick grandmother was so happy after I was accepted, unfortunately she passed away a few days after that,” she said.

Selebogo was forced to drop out of college after a year because of politics and lack of funds. Buoyed Selebogo said she was sitting at home one day and decided to do introspection.

“I mulled about my future and realised that it was unnecessary to keep on complaining. The negative energy brings a bad omen. I told myself that I am going to be the change that I was looking for.

“I had a dream of registering a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) to assist those who are in needy. So, I approached a few of my friends and shared the idea. I was happy when my dream came into reality. We formed the Hope For The Need organisation and approached local businesses for assistance,” Selebogo said.

They started to donate foods and clothes to the deprived even though it was difficult. She said her team comprised of twelve unemployed youth who had the same vision.  

“I started to develop an interest in politics back in 2011 after I was introduced by my fellow comrade, Tshegofatso Mothupi. I was so grateful to meet remarkable women in my political journey such as Audrey Magagane and Thandi Modise. They showed pedigree and stewardship in politics, so I was inspired.

“To women, please do not limit yourselves and stop depending on men. There are so many opportunities available for you to explore and that will enable us to overcome many barriers. I have learned that when women are performing various types of roles, they ensure that they work effectively towards promoting the well-being of their family and community,” said Selebogo.

She also urges the society to continue a fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

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