The partially decomposed body of a missing Oratile Mangwekea (23) was found in the veld in Myra village, near Pudimoe. North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said Mangwekea’s lifeless body was found at about 11:30 on Thursday.
“At that stage, a family member could not positively identify him. It was only late yesterday that a number of family members were taken to the mortuary and they physically identified him among others, through a pair of takkies he was wearing and his cellphone.
“We are currently investigating an inquest docket. Mangwekea who was residing at house no 397, in Matlhako II village near Pudimoe, went missing 26 December 2020,” Mokgwabone said.
Mangwekea was last seen near Randos tavern in Pudimoe wearing a dusty pink t-shirt, with light blue jeans, a black cap, and Puma takkies.
Picture: Former North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Johanna Mmule Maluleleke dies
By OBAKENG MAJE
Heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour into the Maluleke’s family after the passing of the former North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Johanna Mmule Maluleke.
Maluleke died today at her home in Mathibestad village near Rustenburg after a long illness. North West Provincial Legislature (NWPG) speaker, Sussana Dantjie said she is saddened by the sudden and untimely death of Maluleke.
Dantjie who spoke to Maluleke telephonically two days ago, said she was convinced that Maluleke was fully recovered especially that she presented no sign of illness whatsoever.
“This is a tragic loss to the legislature and to the nation as a whole. Death has robbed the people of the North West and South Africa at large, one of a dedicated servant of the people who selflessly served her nation with distinction and loyalty.
“Maluleke met her untimely death whilst serving as the Media Liaison Officer (MLO) in the office of the Speaker. She previously worked as the Member of the National Assembly (MP), MEC for Public Works in the North West Province and was at some stage the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Public Works,” she said.
Dantjie further said it is, therefore, the sincerest wish of her to express that in these entire mentioned portfolios. She added that Maluleke never disappointed as she served the public service with distinction.
“She was an accomplished, committed, and dedicated servant of the people with a high level of a very sharp mind who was ever ready to serve the people and her country.
“So, as the legislature, we are poorer without her. Maluleleke was a humble leader in her own right, imboqo, malibongwe, and a woman of note. She died on the day of the burial of one of the dedicated servants of the people, the late Victor Tsie,” said Dantjie.
Political background
According to the People’s Assembly website, Maluleke became involved in politics at primary school in Soshanguve, near Pretoria. She said then, she was quite unaware that she was gradually getting involved. In high school, she was actively involved in boycotts against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of learning.
“Student politics in 1984 were influenced by movements like the Black Power Movement. I was denied permission to enter Mathibestad in former Bophuthatswana homeland, where my parents lived, due to my political activity and told to return to Pretoria.
“Upon my return to Pretoria, I discovered that the programs we had been involved in at school had been driven by the mass democratic movement as our meetings had been held at the Roman Catholic Church in F section, Soshanguve where Pastor Smangaliso Mkhatshwa was the patron of the United Democratic Front (UDF),” she told the website.
After matriculating in 1992, Maluleleke returned to Mathibestad where she officially joined a branch of the ANC – underground of course. In 1993, when a recognised structure of the ANC was allowed to operate in Bophuthatswana, she was elected branch secretary.
“When the new municipal demarcations came in 2000, I then fell under ward 12 of Moretele Local Municipality where I was again elected branch secretary until 2002. From 2002 until the end of 2003 I was elected branch chairperson of the ANC Moretele branch and stayed there until 2008.
“In 2008, I relocated to ward 18 in the same municipality and was elected ward secretary for the third time. I have been a Regional Executive Committee Member of the ANC in the Bojanala Region since 2005 to date,” said Maluleke.
NB: To read more about Maluleke’s biography, kindly go to www.pa.org.za for more details
Picture: Pudimoe man, Oratile Mangwekea (23) went missing
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West police request the public to assist them in locating Oratile Mangwekea (23) of house no. 397 Matlhako II village near Pudimoe. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, Mangwekea went missing on 26 December 2020.
“He was last seen near Randos tavern in Pudimoe wearing a dusty pink t-shirt, with light blue jeans, black cap, and Puma takkies. Police are appealing to anyone who may have information about Mangwekea’s whereabouts to contact D/Sergeant Nombulelo Segosapelo on 082 416 2133 or call South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number: 08600 10111,” Mokgwabone said.
Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Mmoloki Cwaile
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Community of Ntswanahatshe village and its neighbouring areas such as Moretele and Maganeng said it is fed up with the lack of water. Now, the community members threatened to barricade N18 road that links Vryburg and Kimberley in protest.
One of the community leaders, Mothusi Dikwelane said it has been months without water. Dikwelane further said they have tried to engage with the North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), North West Office of the Premier and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, but their plea fell on deaf ears.
“We will engage in a consultative meeting with community members to map a way forward. All these villages are affected by lack of water and it’s been months. What is very surprising is that our reservoir is full, but we continue to experience water scarcity.
“We have been trying to engage with Sedibeng Water as the service provider for years, but we do not get any lasting solution. We have also engaged with various government departments since last year, but we only get a temporary solution,” he said.
Dikwelane added that around April 2020, the government introduced the tinkering system to try and resolve water shortage water, but only two tanks were allocated for the whole area and it is not enough. He said the government also failed to ensure that those tanks are always filled with water.
“It’s been months since they filled those tanks with water. What is worse, our area was allocated only two tanks which are not enough to cater for the whole village.
“How come our government encourages people to constantly wash their hands in a fight against COVID-19, but they failed to ensure that there is a provision of water?” he asked.
Another resident in Tlapeng village near Pampierstad shared the same sentiments.
Emmanuel Tong said: “What we need from the Coghsta department is only bulk water for those pipes at the Pampierstad reservoir. The Coghsta department promised us the bulk water since 2010 and last year at Mankuroane council meeting, they said our bulk water project has been approved.
“They were supposed to deal with that issue last year, maybe that could have delayed the increase of COVID-19 cases in our area. So, in the meantime, we need Jojo tanks while they are still busy processing this bulk water issue.”
However, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Mmoloki Cwaile said they are working around the clock to redress the water scarcity across the province.
Cwaile said he had engaged in a consultative meeting with all municipalities, Department of Water and Sanitation, Water Boards, Salga, and many other various role players to come up with a lasting solution to the water challenges.
“Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District continues to experience challenges on and around the issues of provision of water. However, we can assure you that the Department of Water and Sanitation has committed that the Bona Bona Water project would find expression in their next financial year plans.
“The Greater Taung Water Treatment Plant is being completed and it is on and around 90%. However, the project was delayed due to tribal leadership and also disruptions by the local businesspersons for almost the period of two years,” said Cwaile.
He further said they will ensure that they provide water for human consumption, industrial use and for food security. Cwaile added that they already have irrigation system in place around Ga-Maraga and Taung that just need to be connected to supply water for the purpose of irrigations and the water will be available for consumption.
“We have the project that relates to Bloemhof water scheme and it is planned for the medium-term expenditure framework period and we are in an agreement that should be implemented on a multiple-year period.
“Mamusa Bulk Line, there were plans in place but they were not able to be implemented due to the unavailability of funds. The provincial department had used its own provincial Infrastructure Grant (PIG) at some extent to refurbish water treatment plant,” he said.
Cwaile said they have also taken into consideration that in other areas there is no underground water hence they implemented a tinkering system as other means. He also applauded the efforts made by the Department of Agriculture after drilling on and around 16 boreholes in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region for purposes of livestock.
“This will serve a positive purpose as they provide a form of relief. The water will be available for animal use and plantation. The challenge surrounding the leaking of pipes for the supply of Naledi, are being redressed by Sedibeng Water even though there is an issue around payments between Sedibeng Water and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.
“We hope this matter will be resolved and there will be alternative means for the reservoirs in Naledi to be filled with water. This includes the new developmental areas and we are making a difference there,” said Cwaile.
He said they will continue to speed up the process of implementing other interventions including how they will mitigate against the water losses due to leaks or poor workmanship, the aging of pipes, and vandalism.
Cwaile further said they have also realised that there is unaccounted water because of un-metered water supply to new extension areas due to expanding communities. He added that there is also another issue of dysfunctional meters that needs to be recalibrated.
“We are working on a process of utilising the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). Support agency has deployed its capacity in more than 19 municipalities and they are assisting us in various areas including water, roads, electricity and maintenance of plants.
“On water, they are dealing with leaks as a short term and equality of water in medium-term, while they intending to increase the availability of water in a long term process. They have also developed 40 frameworks that can be used by the municipality to support the Supply Chain Management processes,” said Cwaile.
He outlined that one of their challenges was planning and implementation of projects and the usage of cash flow. Cwaile said the usage of cash flow does not necessary supporting the basic services but they are making a redress and establish their own understanding in making this intervention work.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation is having its own internal infrastructure directorate that we are hoping that they are working on increasing their capacity. Salga has also presented a progressive program on how we can intervene on non-revenue water and we are in agreement.
“We will have them available for our purpose. We will continue to use the tinkering system even if we discourage it and we believe it should not be permanent. Vandalism indicates that there is a syndicate, but we hope to bring interventions to resolve those challenges,” he said.
COVID-19 infection cases continue to soar in the North West as the province surpasses 40 000. According to statistics, the province has a total number of 40 185 confirmed cases and recorded 664 cases in the last 24 hours.
However, the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro who is also the chairperson of the North West Provincial Coronavirus Command Council (NWPCCC) said they have met recently to reflect on the provincial approach to managing the spread of the virus, including how the provincial government will coordinate the return to work in January.
Mokgoro said the NWPCCC also discussed how the province will respond swiftly to disasters that could emanate from the above-average rainfalls expected during this period.
“In welcoming reports from various departments including Social Development, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Community Safety and Transport Management, Agriculture and Rural Development, Education and Health, the Command Council agreed to locate all government activities responding to the surge within the District Development Model, and ensure that structures such as Community Policing Forum, Community Health Workers and Community Development Workers continue to play an essential role in curbing the spread.
“The Command Council raised a concern about the continuing non-adherence to health protocols particularly at various post offices where Covid-19 social relief of distress grants are collected and directed the law enforcement and compliance officers to closely monitor these areas during this period, and enforce compliance,” he said.
Mokgoro added that as all types of social gatherings are during alert level 3 prohibited, the law enforcement and compliance officers were also directed to monitor community behaviour and adherence to the set regulations, including the number of people attending funerals and adherence to the curfew hours.
He said with the number of hospital cases steadily increasing in Bojanala Platinum District which is now a hotspot, the Command Council received a report on the department of Health’s state of readiness to respond to the surge, including the continuous monitoring of hospitals’ capacity to admit patients.
“I would like to emphasise the need for communities to adhere to the set alert level 3 regulations. The pressure that health workers are going through can be reduced, if we could all stay home, respect all health protocols, and observe the rules of the road when traveling during this holiday period.
“The Command Council welcomed a report by the Department of Social Development on the appointment of additional Social Workers and Community Development Practitioners for COVID-19 related interventions, and Gender-Based Violence and Femicide activists for department’s 365 programs,” said Mokgoro.
He further said the department also reported on its readiness in so far as social relief of distress is concerned, saying additional food parcels have been arranged for distribution where needed across the four districts of the province.
Mokgoro said the Command Council also stressed the importance of public communication and awareness, saying reminding people that COVID-19 is upon us remains critical.
“More than ever before, we have to maintain our vigilance and prevention behaviours. The prevention measures include the wearing of masks when in public spaces, washing of hands regularly or using an alcohol-based sanitizer and maintaining social distance, remain as critical now as they have ever been.
“The Provincial Command Council will continue to meet on weekly basis to receive progress reports from various departments, including those from the District Command Councils,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Command Council virtual meetings were attended by Ministers and Deputy Ministers deployed to the province as National District Champions, the MECs, Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Chairperson of SALGA, SAPS, Heads of Department, and Section 100 Administrators.
South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa has called on all entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities created amid COVID-19. In his statement, Ramaphosa said even though there is no corner of the earth, nor any part of the country that has been unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic, there are abundant opportunities out there.
“I call on entrepreneurs of our nation to seize the abundant opportunities that this historic development will present to explore new markets and build new partnerships.
“This is an opportunity to empower the women of Africa through special trade arrangements, financial inclusion, and preferential access to government and private sector procurement. This year will require our greatest effort and resilience,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the country enters a New Year ready to rebuild the economy, revive businesses and restore jobs. He further said they will continue their drive for new investment.
“Working together in partnership, we are undertaking an ambitious recovery plan to build new roads and water projects, human settlements, and power generation plants.
“We have made important progress in vital economic reforms to ensure we have a secure supply of affordable energy that we have cheaper, faster, and more accessible broadband, and that our ports and railways are more efficient and more competitive,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they are creating public employment opportunities that contribute to the betterment of people’s lives, and providing greater support to the small businesses that drive growth and create jobs.
Ramaphosa further said they are also accelerating the redistribution of land and improving the support provided to beneficiaries too.
“Through this work, we are transforming our economy, enabling more black people, women and young people to participate in, and benefit from, activities from which they had previously been excluded.
“Due to the disruption caused by the pandemic, we have had to learn to work, to learn, to trade, and to socialise in new and different ways. We have harnessed technology as never before to keep our economy working,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the country need to use the great advances it has made to shape a new world of work that is more productive, more efficient, and more focused on the needs of people. He also said the birth of the African Continental Free Trade Area will fundamentally change the economic fortunes of our continent.
“It is the start of a new era of trade between African countries, when the continent will produce the goods and services it needs when its economies will grow, industrialise and diversify, when it will realise the great potential of its abundant natural resources.
“The pandemic has demonstrated people’s great capacity for cooperation, solidarity, and shared endeavour. The country is facing the resurgence of COVID-19, which may be even worse than the first wave,” said Ramaphosa.
He said, while they are greatly encouraged by the progress made in developing an effective vaccine, they know that it will be some time before the pandemic ends.
“The past year has shown what we are capable of when we are united and when we work together for the good of all. It is this spirit that will carry us into the New Year, and which will enable us to prevail and to prosper.
“I wish you a happy and healthy 2021 and it will be challenging and difficult. The coronavirus has devastated lives and destroyed livelihoods, caused great pain, and left many people hungry and destitute,” said Ramaphosa.
He said at the same time, the pandemic has brought people together. Ramaphosa said globally, the countries of the world have worked together to share information and resources.
“Our continent, under the leadership of the African Union, came together to develop a common response to this pandemic, and found an innovative way to ensure all countries have access to essential medical supplies.
“We have gone out to the rest of the world to advocate for debt relief and to mobilise funds for Africa’s coronavirus response and for its economic recovery. In the face of this unprecedented crisis, South Africans have demonstrated the true meaning of ubuntu,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the people have taken responsibility for each other’s welfare, by donating their time, energies, and resources. He said South Africans have mobilised the nation’s resources under difficult conditions and in a very short space of time to support poor families, protect jobs, and keep businesses afloat.
AFASA president, Jacob Mthembu said: “If we are to enjoy the fruits of our harvest and the rewards of our toil, we need to be alive, we need this economy to function. We need the customer to be there to buy our produce. Government is not perfect.
“It has and continues to do its best and so should we. We call upon all of us to take our national duty and responsibility seriously. After all, we are our brother’s/sister’s keeper. We owe it to ourselves, to our kids, and succeeding generations.”
The Guardian 