Daily Archives: January 15, 2021

The Greater Taung Local Municipality respond to EFF’s demand

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Greater Taung Local Municipality has responded to the demands of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region. This comes after the EFF embarked on a peaceful march to the municipality three months ago demanding improved service delivery among other things. 

EFF regional secretary, Justice Dabampe said then they marched against collapsed service delivery. Dabampe said they have submitted the memorandum of demand to the municipality demanding that all vacant posts be filled with immediate effect.

“We also demand that preference be given to local people who qualify. As EFF, we also demand that all security guards are sourced-in by the end of October 2020 and all security guards whose contracts are said to be terminated be hired without failure by the end of October 2020.

“All security guards must be paid a minimum of R7 500 effective from 1 November 2020. We further demand that Tsholofelo Moepeng who is employed by the municipality and who is also the Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Vaaltar FM be investigated for non-disclosure of getting 20% commission,” he said.

Dabampe added that they demand that all sports facilities be handed over to the communities by the end of October 2020 too. He said all informal settlements in Taung must be formalised without failure by the end of October 2020.

“As EFF, we demand that all high mast lights in Taung be switched on and maintained by the end of October 2020. We call on the municipality that all internal roads be paved and named by the end of October 2020.

“Every household in Taung must have piped water by the end of October 2020 and all municipal vehicles should be used only for official municipal work. All villages must have high mast lights by the end of November 2020 and all community parks must be secured.

“There must be a satellite offices in all clusters in Taung by the end of November 2020 and all houses be electrified by the end of November 2020. The municipality must ensure that all unoccupied built houses must have beneficiaries with immediate effect and all patrollers are sourced-in by the end of November 2020,” he said.

Dabampe said they also demand that all municipal economic Hubs built to be handed over to their respective communities by the end of October 2020. He added that the Dryharts Community Hall also be demolished because it is not safe for public use.

Now, the municipal mayor, Charles Motlhabane has responded. Motlhabane said vacant positions are filled as and when required, based on whether posts are budgeted for and on any review of the organogram or strategy.

“There is a disclaimer on GTLM adverts that local, disabled, women, and HDI’s will be prioritized. However, positions to be filled are based on qualification required and also ensuring that the Recruitment policy is followed.

“The municipality has contracted a security company and has no influence on the sourcing of security guards. However, has a clear SLA in place that ensures that all facilities are secured,” he said.

Motlhabane added that the municipality’s contracted a security company and has no influence on the sourcing or termination of security guards. He said it is entirely the prerogative of the security company and its own policies.

“The aggrieved should consult the Labour Department. The municipality’s contracted a security company in line with the legislation e.g: the PSIRA which guides with regard to remunerations.

“We would lie to refer the issue regarding Mr Tsholofelo Moepeng be investigated for non-disclosure of getting 20% commission at Vaaltar FM to the station,” said Motlhabane.

He further said the council has resolved to demolish and re-build the Dryharts Community Hall in 2020/2021financial year. Motlhabane said they envisage that to happen in the third quarter of the year.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Torrential rains left many people homeless, cause fatalities

NEWS Leave a comment

(Picture Supplied): The deceased, Olebogeng Mokwa (36)

By REGINALD KANYANE

North West police have urged community members to be on a high alert as the province experiences continuous torrential rains. This comes after a lifeless body of Olebogeng Mokwa was found in a furrow at Lokaleng village near Taung on Wednesday.

Pudimoe cluster police spokesperson, Warrant Officer, Tebogo Thebe said: “The person has been declared missing around December 2020. Yes, it is true that he was found dead and Taung police are investigating an inquest case.

“The deceased was identified by the family, but the post-mortem results are expected to aid the investigations to determine the identification and the cause of his death,” Thebe said.

According to information, Mokwa (36) who was residing at Manokwane village, in Taung, allegedly left his home in the early hours of the morning wearing only boxer shorts.  

Thebe also urged individuals to be vigilant after the increase in levels of dams, streams, lakes, and rivers. He further said people should practice patience and be careful when crossing bridges.

“We urge parents to also be monitoring their kids as some of them will use this opportunity to go swimming. They must continue to observe Level 3 lockdown regulations by keeping their children indoors.

Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Mmoloki Cwaile

“Together, we can avoid unnecessary deaths which unfortunately occur yearly around this time. Do not cross rivers and swollen streams and if your car gets stuck in a flood, get out and climb to higher ground. Also, move valuables to safe buildings which are above flood level,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance and Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs COGHSTA, Mmoloki Cwaile visited various areas to assess the extent of the damage caused by recent heavy rains.

Cwaile visited the municipalities that were worst affected, with most of the roads closed due to flooding. He said the province continues to experience heavy rains which have caused flooding in most parts of the province especially in areas such as Matlosana, Lekwa-Teemane,  Mahikeng, Tswaing, Greater Taung, KagisanoMolopo and Ratlou.

“Officials from the Disaster Management units in the affected municipalities have been on the ground, since the start of the rainy season to conduct impact assessments to determine the extent of the damages in these areas as well as to coordinate intervention from various stakeholders such as South African Red Cross Society, SASSA, and other government departments.

“The worst affected areas are in Greater Taung Local Municipality. A total of 13 houses were flooded in Mokgareng village, three mud houses collapsed, one in Tlapeng village and two in Lower Majeakgoro. Most internal roads were inaccessible and flooding in Majeakgoro is mainly as a result of the blocked culvert and lack of maintenance thereof,” he said.

Cwaile added that there is no water drainage system to channel water away from the residential area. He said the Disaster Management team from the municipality is working around the clock to provide disaster relief material and temporary emergency shelters to the affected families, including in Sekhing and Losasane.

“In Tlakgameng and Khudunkgwane in the Kagisano Molopo, seven houses were destroyed by the floods and efforts are underway to assist the affected families with temporary structures and food parcels. In Bloemhof, 47 houses were also affected by floods mainly as a result of a poor water drainage system which gave rise to the water level. 

“Ten houses in Letsopa and the road infrastructure were damaged and the affected families provided with food parcels, salvage sheets by Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Tswaing Local Municipality, SASSA and the Department of Social Development, respectively,” said Cwaile.

He said ten houses collapsed in Thutloane in Ratlou Local Municipality and one fatality reported. Cwaile said the municipality will provide the affected families with temporary structures.

“In Matlosana, 254 hostel units in Khuma Location near Stilfontein were flooded and SASSA provided the affected families with food parcels, blankets, and vanity packs. A total of 15 houses were affected in Mahikeng and the families will be provided with social relief of distress and temporary structures where necessary. 

“As more rains are expected throughout the province, we call on communities especially in low lying areas to take extra care and to seek refuge in much safer places during this season,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com