A 52-years-old man briefly appeared at the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court for fraud on Friday. Francois Jacobus Delport (52) was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Wednesday for alleged fraud.
According to the Hawks’ spokesperson in the North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso, Delport who is employed by the Maquassi Hills Municipality as a Technician allegedly approached a client who’s municipal account was in arrears of approximately R1 million and offered to cancel the debt in exchange for a payment of R112 000.
“The matter was reported to the Hawks and the suspect was arrested during an operation after he was found in possession of the R112 000 which was paid to him by the client.
“He was granted a R3000 bail and the case was postponed until 1 December 2020 for further investigations,” Rikhotso said.
A 33-year-old man was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Mankwe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FSC) for kidnapping, rape and contravention of a protection order.
North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said Mpho Mkhibane Nkwe kidnapped, assaulted and raped his former girlfriend on numerous occasions from 2017 to 2018. Botma added that the former girlfriend obtained a protection order against Nkwe, but he still continued abusing her.
“He ultimately kidnapped her and took her to a mountain where he raped and hanged her. The woman sustained injuries on her face, neck, bruised leg and head caused by a knife and broken bottle. The suspect was arrested in May 2018.
“Nkwe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” she said.
In another separate incident, a 57-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for rape. Botma said Jacob Shimane Mokgatle raped a 12-year-old girl on 5 February 2019.
She said the accused was caught red-handed by the mother of the victim.
“The complainant who is the mother to the victim came home looking for her daughter, but she couldn’t find her. She then went to the next-door neighbour, accompanied by a friend. When they entered the house, they found the accused busy raping her.
“The incident was immediately reported to the police who arrested the suspect. The North West police commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the life imprisonment sentence and another 18 years sentence handed down to two accused by the Madikwe Regional Court,” she said.
Kwena applauded the detective, Sgt Taolo Makgotlho of Madikwe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) for a sterling job which ensured that merciless rapists were given hefty sentences.
(Picture Supplied: Tswaing Local Municipality office)
By REGINALD KANYANE
South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) came out gun-blazing and says it refuses to be silenced by corrupt municipalities in North West. SAMWU Secretary-General, Dumisane Magagula said they are enraged following attempts by a clique in the province to silence the union from blowing the whistle on rampant cronyism, corruption, maladministration and theft of municipal resources with impunity.
“We cannot allow the last line of defence for workers and communities to be silenced and turn a blind eye when the much-needed municipal resources are dried up by individuals who have no interest in service delivery, but rather the filling of their pockets and those of their friends and families.
“Recently, the union exposed evil intentions of the Tswaing Local Municipality to illegally sneak 127 individuals into its payroll. Instead of addressing these issues, the municipality responded by suspending 24 workers and ultimately dismissing the union’s Provincial Secretary, Vincent Diphoko and another member, Mogale Morwe,” Magagula said.
He further said the sins of those suspended were nothing but a ploy to threaten and intimidate workers from exposing the rot that is in the North West Municipalities.
However, Magagula said they maintain that the intention by the municipality to sneak 127 individuals into its payroll is because those who are in charge are not motivated by strengthening service delivery, but rather extending patronage and securing employment for their friends and families before the next local government elections.
“The municipality simply does not have the money to pay these people. These vacancies have not been approved anywhere and not budgeted for. Most importantly, the municipality is bleeding resources and it cannot pay workers their overtimes, third parties such as medical aids and pension funds have not been paid in over two years.
“This is the same municipality that is failing to honour its payment arrangement with Eskom, leading to constant power interruptions at great inconvenience to residents and businesses,” he said.
Magagula said the cowardice act of the municipality and the clique operating in the province is nothing but a provocation of workers and union-bashing. He added that they will not allow their members to be used as sacrificial lambs for executing their union and civil duties by exposing the rampant corruption in municipalities.
“Corruption has resulted in the collapse of the province’s municipalities as stated by consecutive Auditor General reports. Recently, we have seen the Hawks working overtime, crisscrossing the province’s municipalities raiding offices and arresting thieves.
“Surely people think that by silencing workers who are vocal and against the rot in municipalities, that they will not get their opportunity to be given a lift in the now-famous Golf 7 GTI,” said Magagula.
He calls on all workers, particularly in municipalities in the North West to continue blowing the lid on corruption. Magagula said the union will explore all legal avenues at its disposal to ensure that two dismissed and 24 suspended workers are re-instated and protected.
Meanwhile, the ANC Interim Provincial Committee chairperson, Hlomani Chauke has written to the IEC to deregister the municipal mayor, Lydia Malwane, speaker, Phemelo Lobele and Whip, Thabo Morei.
Democratic Alliance MP, Carìn Visser said: “The DA in North West noted the ANC Interim Provincial Committee’s (IPC) declaration of vacancies on their Proportional Representation (PR) list after a decision was taken to replace the Tswaing Local Municipality’s Mayor, Lydia Malwane, Speaker, Phemelo Lobelo and Whip, Thabo Morei.
It is however interesting to note that the letter was issued to councillors on 2 November but is dated 27 October. According to the letter, the decision to replace the Troika was already taken on 12 October.”
Visser said it is disappointing that the ANC would be aware of the total collapse of service delivery for years, but only take action after the DA wrote to President Ramaphosa last week.
“The fact that the Municipal Manager, Isaac Moruti, has not resigned yet, is a display of his shameless refusal to take responsibility for the collapse of service delivery that left residents without access to water, waste removal and sanitation services for the past six weeks.
“The DA will proceed to table a motion that seeks his suspension and removal, as we can no longer stand by while public servants are failing their mandate of serving communities,” said Visser.
Picture: The Hawks arrest the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality employee
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The 52-years-old suspect was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Wednesday for alleged fraud. The Hawks’ spokesperson in the North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said the suspect who is employed by the Maquassi Hills Municipality as a Technician allegedly approached a client who’s municipal account was in arrears of approximately R1 million and offered to cancel the debt in exchange for a payment of R112 000.
“Then the matter was reported to the Hawks and the suspect was arrested during an operation after he was found in possession of the R112 000 which was paid to him by the client,” Rikhotso said.
She said the suspect will appear at the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Picture: Greater Taung Local Municipality speaker, Ebusang Tladi
By STAFF REPORTER
The Greater Taung Local Municipality speaker, Ebusang Tladi said he fears for his life. This comes after Tladi received a WhatsApp messages insinuating that he was scheming with the municipality’s Chief Whip, Joyce Malepe to oust the Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi, and some Directors those who disobey their orders.
However, defiant Tladi denied sending those disparaging messages to anyone. He confirmed to Taung DailyNews that he also received death threats a few days after the leaked bogus messages making rounds on social media platforms.
“On Friday, I was from the North West Provincial Taxi Lekgotlha in Rustenburg and on my way out of Koster, I received a call from the ANC Chief Whip in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Joyce Malepe asking me about the string of messages that I have sent out.
“I asked her which messages is she referring to and she promised to send those messages through WhatsApp. Shockingly, those messages depict and insinuate that I had a conversation with her where we ploy against other members,” he said.
Tladi further said some of the messages imply that they are also planning to re-shuffle the exco. He added he also received death threats messages a few days after.
“This prompted me to open defamation of character and intimidation case at Taung Police Station. Many people believed that it was me who sent out those messages. I received many calls from various people including the ANC leadership.
“I normally do not respond to anything that is said about me, but these damning messages affect my reputation. I am a leader and a man of integrity, so I cannot allow disgruntled individuals to tarnish my character just like that,” said Tladi.
He believed that there are some individuals who want to hijack the municipality and use it for self-enrichment. Tladi said his detractors labelled him as a ‘stumbling block’ at the municipality hence he is targeted.
“Some of my detractors have done this before back in 2016. This is not the only story because on Thursday last week, I received a SMS where a person asked me why I am talking bad about them.
“I called that person, but he/she did not pick up the phone. He/she said bad things about me through the messages and I did not know who that was. I believe that people want me dead simply because I defeated them,” he said.
Tladi added that he was also allegedly attacked on Wednesday at the North West Provincial Legislature when the municipality appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA).
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “We can confirm that the case in question has been opened. No one has been arrested at this stage and investigation into the matter continues.”
More than one million learners will be sitting for their National Senior Certificate final examinations across the country on Thursday. The combined examination for National Senior Certificate (NSC) candidates makes this the largest cohort with 1 058 699 candidates.
North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro described the year 2020 calendar which came with the COVID-19 pandemic as a true character test for learners especially the matriculants. However, Mokgoro believes that learners will prevail and come out victorious from their final year examinations.
“The character of the learners has never ever been tested like the Class of 2020 due to coronavirus. They had to endure what no other generation of learners has ever endured.
“They went into a lockdown with uncertainty, losing learning time as well as the re-opening of schools under difficult conditions with new measures of wearing masks, sanitizing and keeping social distance,” he said.
Mokgoro further said despite all the difficulties, learners reached this stage. He added that they have demonstrated that they will certainly put North West right at the number one position.
“We admire your courage, determination, and well-done in defeating the pandemic. We know you’re going to do even better in your examination. We also want to pay our gratitude to MEC Wendy Matsemela for her leadership and guidance during this period.
“We also thank educators who had to go through the unchartered territories as they navigated their way to assist learners to complete their curriculum by racing against time. Despite all these challenges, matriculants and educators remained focused and committed,” said Mokgoro.
He added that a true character can only be built from tough circumstances and that’s why he believes that the Matric Class of 2020 will do well. Mokgoro wished everyone all the best in this year’s final examinations.
“We also thanked the parents and communities at large for their support to learners through programs such as “Ngwana Sejo wa Tlhakanelwa”. We urge parents to assist learners to study hard, take deserving breaks, to eat and rest well as this is the good recipe for passing examinations,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee Chairperson on Basic Education,
Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba said: “We would like to wish all candidates the best of luck with the upcoming final examinations. We urge them to continue working hard and to keep their focus.
“These examinations are the culmination of the last 12 years of schooling. We know it has been a challenging academic year, but we support you no matter what. It was a very unusual academic year for this class.”
She added that the committee has been assured by both the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) that it is all systems go for the examinations.
Mbinqo-Gigaba said the sector has had to drastically increase its efforts to ensure that the Class of 2020 is fully-prepared to sit for the NSC examination, despite the disruptions of the academic year. She said the committee commends the DBE for providing additional support to learners because of the loss of academic time due to Covid-19.
“Supplementary material, holiday classes, after-school programs, teacher content training, placement of volunteer teachers, as well as alternative (differentiated) ways of grouping and teaching learners were provided to assist this cohort.”
“The sector has placed a strong emphasis on areas such as psycho-social support for learners and teachers, curriculum coverage monitoring, extra school-based tuition, such as morning, afternoon, and weekend classes, ICT utilisation on television, radio, and web-based platforms; and peer-led study groups,” she said.
The June examinations for both full and part-time candidates had to be cancelled due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Grade 12 learners are expected to sit for their examination from 5 November to 15 December 2020.
Residents of Huhudi in Vryburg welcomed the construction of an R80 million school project. North West Education department performed a sod-turning ceremony on Monday.
North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said the construction of the school will provide quality education and learning environment for the Huhudi Extension 25 learners in Vryburg.
“The new settlement in Vryburg informally called Colour Block did not have a school and learners were subjected to attend school in the old location by means of scholar transport. This is a sign of the department to give assurance to the Huhudi community of the much-awaited project.
“Today, we brought a massive school project for the community of Extension 25 to the value of R80 763 027.60. This project is going to change this community forever by planting a seed of knowledge to the learners of this place. The school project duration is only 18 months and we should work together to meet the deadline,” she said.
Matsemela urged the community to guard against any form of vandalism once the school is completed. She further said the school will constitute of 24 classrooms, administration block, school hall, dining and nutrition block, Grade R block, library and computer lab, change rooms, tuck shop, security house and security fence.
“The community expressed that this development will have a long-lasting positive influence on the children from Extension 25,” she said.
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha appointed two professors to strengthen the capacity at the Brits District Hospital. This comes after a public outcry by the community, which were sparked by a video clip posted on social media (Facebook) by a community member whose mother was admitted to the hospital on the 19th October 2020.
Sambatha said that the picture depicted in the video clips is indeed a true indication of the challenges faced by the hospital.
“Patients were not fairly treated and consequence management will be applied. I must say I find the treatment of the complainant’s mother and other persons that were lying on the floor inhumane, unprofessional unacceptable, and lacking empathy.
“For that, I must be upfront in saying that we apologise to the patients, the family, community and the rest of South Africa. A report given to me was that, the mother of the complainant was brought to the hospital on 19 October 2020 with history of an acute neurological event,” said Samabatha.
He added that there was up to 3 hours delay before she was attended to. Sambatha further said it was also revealed that the person who escorted the patient was forcefully removed from the casualty by security and denied access to the unit and the mother.
“The patient and others in the casualty unit sat on uncomfortable seats or slept on the floor for up to 16 hours. It was concluded that the care provided was sub-optimal and particularly a staff attitude towards patients and escorts was very poor. At this point, the complainant recorded the state of the casualty and posted it on social media.
“Poor clinical governance was identified as a key challenge for the hospital that has a big influence on the undesirable conditions at the hospital. In order to strengthen these areas, we have taken a decision to appoint Professor John Tumbu, Professor Benu Luke and the Clinical Manager of JST to oversee the strengthening of clinical governance prescripts and quality assurance,” he said.
Sambatha also said the department will appoint quality assurance officers and implement the Ideal Hospital Framework. He said a dysfunctional patient filling system will also be addressed through strengthening of patient management systems.
“This intervention will cover filling and archiving systems. The two, Professor Tumbu and Professor Luke have been elevated to Provincial status to support all the Districts. Their work will also cover the strengthening of the quality assurance unit and to ensure the implementation of standard clinical governance prescripts.
“There will be visible systems re-organisation in the service units to improve patient flow and records management. A decision was taken to strengthen a provincial representation in the intervention. As a result, a team led by the Administrator which comprises of labour representatives, representatives of staff members, hospital board, and district management will oversee implementation of all these resolutions,” said Sambatha.
In terms of leadership, it was revealed that there is a lack of substantive appointees in key leadership positions. However, Sambatha said the department has taken a decision to fast-track the appointment of senior managers at the hospital including the position of Clinical, Nursing, and Allied Managers as well as speeding up the disciplinary hearing of the substantive CEO.
More than a million candidates will sit for the examinations starting on Thursday. South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said congratulated the provincial and national departments of Basic Education for their sterling preparation to ensure things proceed smoothly.
Ramaphosa said these include the independent and public auditing of examination centres, finding extra venues to accommodate the large number of candidates, and the development of protocols to ensure compliance by candidates and officials with COVID-19 regulations.
“The Class of 2020 has had to endure conditions their predecessors never had to confront. They had to adapt in real time not just to finish the curriculum but to catch up with the learning hours lost. Though some had access to online learning platforms and other resources, many had to struggle with access to learning material and teaching.
“They had to endure the mental strain of social isolation, and for many months were cut off from friends and their teachers. They were not able to participate in sporting, recreational and leisure activities that are so essential to a well-rounded life and that relieve the stresses of prolonged study,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that, despite having the odds stacked against them, learners are determined to present for this exam that is the pinnacle of their schooling. He further said it has been equally difficult for educators.
“Despite the risk posed by the virus and resource challenges inside our schools, the majority of our teachers heeded the call to return to school to salvage what was left of the academic year. They presented for work every day to support our matriculants.
“They put in the extra hours to get our learners over the finish line, making the most of the resources they had to ensure learning continued. It is the culmination of twelve years of schooling and a gruelling final year of preparation. For many this is an exciting moment, but one that is also fraught with anxiety,” said Ramaphosa.
He said this year’s exam will be written under unprecedented conditions has the country is in the midst of a global pandemic. Ramaphosa added that the nationwide lockdown that had to be imposed in March to contain the spread of the coronavirus caused immense disruption to everyday life and cost valuable hours of learning and study.
“To accommodate the disruptions the June Senior Certificate exams were postponed and will now be written together with the National Senior Certificate. This makes this combined examination the largest public exam ever administered in South Africa.
“I salute our educators who have been there for their students when they were needed most. They have given so much, personally and professionally. They put our learners first and in doing so affirmed once more that our teachers are among our finest public servants,” said Ramaphosa.
He said this pandemic has brought the nation together in ways not experienced before, and this was demonstrated in the matriculation examination preparations. Ramphosa said many businesses played a supportive role, assisting with the provision of technology like tablets to schools and assisting to resource school multimedia centres.
“Mobile network operators established e-school platforms during the lockdown carrying free learning content, including subject content for matriculants. University graduates set up tutoring platforms online, making much needed supplementary learning support available for free.
“The SABC and other TV providers have carried catch-up lessons for matric learners through the Department of Basic Education’s Woza Matrics Programme, enabling learners to prepare for the examinations,” he said.
Ramphosa also applauded parents, families and communities for showing immensely support to young people’s path to the matric exam. He said despite all the challenges this year has brought, he call on the Class of 2020 to summon their great reserves of courage and strength in this, the final push.
“To the Class of 2020, I wish you the very best. You have overcome difficulties that would test the resolve of even the most experienced and hardened adults. At your tender age, there are so many demands upon you. There are the pressures of rigorous study, the pressure to excel and to achieve the results you need to study further. And yet you have come this far.
“When you enter the exam room in the days ahead, you will be carrying not just your own hopes for success and those of your families. You will also carry the hopes of us, the South African people. We are immensely proud of you and wish you the very best of luck,” he said.
The Guardian 
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