Daily Archives: August 30, 2020

North West MEC, Mosenogi under fire over Mojaki’s controversial appointment

NEWS Leave a comment

76726996_157350355630521_4359924407154507776_n

Facebook: North West MEC for DEDECT, Kenetswe Mosenogi 

 

By STAFF REPORTER

North West MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT), Kenetswe Mosenogi is ‘under fire’ for allegedly appointing the former Ngaka Modiri Molema municipal manager, Mokgele Mojaki as the accounting officer at the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) subsidiary, Signal Developments.

According to the Democratic Alliance (DA), the controversial Mojaki’s appointment was irregular. DA provincial spokesperson on Economic Development, Jacqueline Theologo said Mosenogi allegedly appointed Mojaki in March 2020, even after obtaining legal advice that substantiated this irregularity in April 2020.

“Mosenogi only withdrew the appointment of Mojaki in August 2020 after they pushed for answers. As per the guidelines provided in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Mosenogi is designated to appoint the board members and accounting officers of subsidiaries such as Signal Developments, which falls under the NWDC.

“Mosenogi seemingly abused her powers for political gain. We will lodge a case with the Public Protector to investigate the irregular appointment, the salary Mojaki received during his appointment, and also the details surrounding the withdrawal of the appointment,” Theologo said.

However, the DEDECT spokesperson, Dumisa Seshabela said: “The North West Development Corporation Limited Act, 9 of 1995 (the act) is silent of the appointment of anyone in subsidiaries.

“Section (14) (2) of the act states that the Board may of its own motion submit to the responsible member any matter for decision. Section 1 of the act states that a responsible member means the Member of the Executive Council responsible for Economic Affairs.”

She said Mosenogi received a request from the Board to approve the appointment of the Accounting Authority of Signal Development in line with the above provision in the act. Seshabela added that the Board has since rescinded its decision to appoint Mojaki, and Mosenogi has set aside the appointment accordingly.

Mojaki was earning around R54 000 per month during his stay at Signal Developments.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

North West Health department administrator, Jeannette Hunter ‘hunted’ by R900 million tender irregularities   

NEWS Leave a comment

download (3)

By STAFF REPORTER

North West Health Department continues to be marred with corruption, fraud, maladministration, and tender irregularities allegations. This comes after four service providers that render security services accused the department of tender irregularities worth R900 million.

Ka-Mayaluza (PTY) Limited, Hotline Security CC, Idas Security Guard CC t/a Sidas Security and Phiriphiri Security Services (PTY) Limited took the matter to the North West High Court in Mahikeng after accusing the department of tampering with the bid documents in order to disqualify them from the process.

According to their court application, the department officials allegedly tampered with the bid adjudication proceedings by tearing out some of the pages from the bid documents in order to disqualify them from the process.

Now, the Democratic Alliance provincial spokesperson on Health, Gavin Edwards said they will write to the chairperson of Health Portfolio committee in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Priscilla Williams and Chair of Chairs, Mmoloki Cwaile requesting them to urgently call the Administrator for Department of Health, Jeanette Hunter and MEC Madoda Sambatha to account for the irregular awarding of security tenders totalling R900 million before the committee.

“The Administrator, MEC, Head of Department and Director of Supply Chain Management must answer for the irregular awarding, present a breakdown of how the amount of R900 million was arrived at and also indicate the consequence management measures that will ensure accountability.

“Any person guilty of interfering with the bidding process must face disciplinary action and as the Accounting Officer, the Administrator must be formally investigated,” Edwards said.

He said it earlier this year, the department was in the news for irregularly awarding a coal tender to the chairperson of the bid adjudication committee, William Kaipa who was formerly employed by Sibusisiwe Contractors, which was among the companies that won a tender of supplying coal to hospitals.

Edwards added that tender irregularities, medication shortages, irregular suspension of staff members that speak out against mismanagement, and poor services by healthcare facilities are but a drop in the ocean of maladministration under the watch of Hunter and substantiates their previous calls for her to step down.

“The longer Hunter remains in her position, the more damage she causes to an already distressed department. The judgment by Justice Djaje is a clear indicator that the department continues to ignore proper processes in the awarding of tenders.

“The DA will keep a close eye on developments to ensure that individuals account for the evident corruption within this department. The judgment handed down by the North West High Court in Mahikeng has ordered that a fresh invitation for bids be issued within six months and that the tender be awarded to the successful bidder in accordance with the Procurement Policies and Processes,” said Edwards.

Meanwhile, Sambatha said they have noted the outcome of the court ruling pertaining to the physical security tender. He said the department acknowledges and accepts the instructions of the court to issue a fresh invitation for the bids for the rendering of the physical security services to the department.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

 

32 laptops, 159 tablets, two projectors stolen in N West schools

NEWS Leave a comment

IMG-20200827-WA0019

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela applauded the police for arresting four suspects who were found to be in possession of school items like laptops, tablets, projectors, and a set of kits for various sports in separate incidents.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said they have arrested two suspects aged between 25 and 27 who allegedly broke and stole school items at Maiketso Primary School in Morokweng village.

Mokgwabone said it is alleged that the principal realised on arrival at the school that the strong room was broken into.

“Upon inspection, he established that brand new laptops, tablets, a projector, and a camera all valued at R215 000 had been stolen. A case of burglary was registered for investigation.

“During the investigation, the team made a follow-up on information, leading to the arrest of the pair in Morokweng. Subsequently, 16 laptops, nine tablets, a projector, and the camera were recovered in Morokweng and Seweding village in Kuruman,” he said.

Mokgwabone said the police also recovered 10 suspected stolen sheep, which were kept in a makeshift kraal in the yard where the suspects were arrested. He added that the investigation revealed that the sheep were stolen in Ganyesa.

“They were all positively identified by the lawful owner. Both suspects will appear in the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for burglary business, possession of suspected stolen goods and stock theft,” said Mokgwabone.

In a separate incident regarding burglary committed at Mmoledi Secondary school in Phitsane village near Mahikeng, the police arrested two suspects that were found to be in a possession of school items such as 16 laptops, 150 tablets, 1 projector, 2 sets of netball kit, 3 sets of soccer kit and 2 sets of volleyball kit and damaged office doors, said Mokgwabone.

It is alleged that the suspects tore down the school fence in order to gain access to the school premises and broke into the laboratory. Mokgwabone added that the suspects gained entry through the roof of the staff room, where they used the grinder to open the school strong room.

Matsemela is delighted after the arrest and retrieval of goods. She said the police did a sterling job by apprehending these suspects.

“It is really disappointing for adults to be involved in destroying the future of our learners. I want justice to be done to the fullest and those responsible for this should be sentenced to jail for a long time.

“Such incidents are a drawback and are planned to disadvantage the future of the African child during the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),” said Matsemela.

She warned all those who continue to vandalise schools and urged them to desist from that act of criminality. Matsemela said the ‘wheels of the law’ will deal with them harshly.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the police for working tirelessly to ensure that the suspects are arrested and goods are recovered.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

 

Mahikeng is leading in the number of GBV in the province

NEWS Leave a comment

1598530758537

Picture: Deputy Minister of COGTA, Obed Bapela 

By REGINALD KANYANE

Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Obed Bapela said they will implement strategic measures to deal with Gender-Based Violence (GBV) once and for all in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.

Bapela said his visit to the Thuthuzela Centre at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital was as the result of the report by the Provincial Command Council which dictated that Mahikeng, in particular, is leading in the number of GBV in the whole province since the declaration of the State of Disaster on COVID-19.

“The visit has given impetus to the province and district’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus, whilst maintaining a delicate balance of saving lives and protecting livelihoods of communities.

“The initiative was part of building social compacts with clear developmental commitments and participation in the District Command Council meeting to leverage opportunities and mitigate challenges in district,” he said.

He said they interacted with those who are dealing with GBV at the centre. Bapela added that the government will partner with various NGOs and civil organizations in quest to bring the end to the GBV.

“Our women and children are very important in our lives, but they turn to be victims of GBV. The difficult question I’ll ask was what is the cause of all this. Why after COVID-19 the number of GBV in the country has risen?

“There are many factors that describe that couples not tolerating each other, unemployment was also another contributor. Men were no more able to provide for the family and the demand became unbearable,” he said.

Bapela further said men should engage in various forums to talk about their challenges. He said corruption also played a vital role in affecting the livelihoods of many.

“We declare that corruption is the enemy of the people. Corruption has also affected our healthcare workers because they were provided with inferior quality of PPEs, sanitisers that were not even above 75% of alcohol.

“We have seen a number of doctors and nurses being infected and dying from the coronavirus across the country because they were not highly protected. So, corruption has caused all those deaths, and those who cut corners sold those inferior materials with an overpriced set by the treasury,” said Bapela.

However, Bapela said they were happy that the treasury has called on all departments to give the lists of all companies that were appointed during the procurement of the goods.  He said the Premiers were also requested to submit the list of companies that were appointed during the procurement.

“The SIU has also received financial backing to ensure that their investigations run smoothly to ensure that there was no maladministration and corruption during the procurements of PPEs.

“If the wrongdoings are detected, the consequences management will be implemented despite your position in society. We are having the ANC National Executive Committee meeting this weekend and the president will announce major decisions,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com