North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha urges entities to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. This comes after he ordered the closure of the Wolmaranstad Post Office and the Home Affairs offices respectively because of their persistent failure to comply with COVID-19 regulations.
“The two institutions have been found to be consistent with non-compliance with COVID-19 regulations regarding social distancing, wearing of masks in public and sanitizing.
“In January, we also closed a supermarket in Zeerust near Lehurutshe and another store in Tlokwe. We have been visiting all regions across the province to raise awareness on COVID-19 and encourage public compliance to prevention measures and checking businesses for compliance to the regulations,” he said.
Sambatha further said they will continue to enforce compliance with COVID-19 regulations to prevent the further spread of the virus. He added that they will not hesitate to order the closure of any business or facility where there is a complete disregard to COVID-19 prevention measures.
“We have also committed to continuing with the compliance and awareness campaign drives to ensure to protect the community and individuals people from infection. Even though we are about to roll out the vaccine, it does not mean other prevention measures like social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing are to be abandoned.
“COVID-19 adherence remains key to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccination should be considered one method of prevention. The wearing of masks in public is still mandatory and so is social distancing and sanitizing,” said Sambatha.
He said all residents are requested to comply with the regulations and South Africans must not expect the government to use the security cluster to remind them of their own personal care and health responsibility. Sambatha further said there is a need for all members of the community to continue to comply with the regulations to minimize the impact and spread of this contagious enemy.
Picture: North West Provincial Legislature speaker, Sussana Dantjie
By REGINALD KANYANE
In an unprecedented move, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has tabled a motion of no confidence against the North West Provincial Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie, and her Deputy, Viola Motsumi.
According to the DA’s provincial Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile, the Legislature has been dwindling with ‘crisis after crisis’ under Dantjie’ stewardship.
“The DA has been speaking out against the allegations of misconduct of the Speaker and the Senior Management of the legislature and laid charges with the Hawks and Public Protector – all at advanced investigation stages – in an attempt to bring them to account.
“Now, as per previous media statements released on the subject, the DA has decided to take up the fight to restore the integrity of the Legislature as an oversight body. The Speaker, in terms of legislation and in particular the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (FMPPLA), is the Executive Authority and is responsible for the sound financial management of the Legislature – a duty she has been failing at dismally,” said Sonakile.
He further said Dantjie responded to the crises that the institution finds itself in by blatantly refusing to account when summoned to appear before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). Sonakile added that Dantjie’s actions show nothing, but contempt for the hard-earned democracy, the Constitution, the Legislature, and the people of North West.
“The recent resignation of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Oversight of the NWPL, De Wet Nel, who is responsible to oversee the work of the Speaker, is the last straw. His reasons for resigning are centred on the Speaker’s disregard for law and order.
“The office of the Deputy Speaker has been non-existent. Viola Motsumi has been a missing link in occupying space that her title carries. She turned a blind eye to the ongoing allegations of misconduct, rendering her office redundant and only active at the beck and call of the Speaker,” he said.
Sonakile said Motsumi also chairs two sub-committees called Members Interest and Disciplinary Committee, but it has been nothing but a talk shop while Disciplinary Committee has not sat once since 2019, despite numerous incidents (be it during sittings or Committees) that warranted disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, North West Provincial Legislature spokesperson in the Office of the Speaker, Tebogo Chaane said he will respond to the media later on as he still has to gather facts.
One person was killed when their light aircraft crashed on a farm outside of Koster on Thursday. ER24 spokesperson, Russel Meiring said the paramedics and the Provincial Fire Services arrived on the scene at 11:52am to find the aircraft’s smoldering wreckage in a field.
“Medics and Fire personnel searched the area for any patients. After some time, medics found the body of a man under a part of the plane. Unfortunately, the man had already succumbed to his injuries.
“Nothing could be done for him, and he was declared dead. The details surrounding this incident are unknown, but local authorities were on the scene for further investigations,” Meiring said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “According to reports, farmworkers alerted the farmer about the incident. The farmer ultimately informed the police who upon arrival at the scene, found only one person who burnt beyond recognition in the light aircraft.
“The victim’s identity is still unknown. The scene is currently secured by police for investigation by Civil Aviation.”
Picture: N18 road that links Taung and Vryburg flooded
By REGINALD KANYANE
North West Provincial Disaster Management Head, Jacky Rikhotso has encouraged motorists to avoid using the N18 road that links Taung and Vryburg because of flooding. This comes after the province has experienced torrential rains across all regions and covered most sections of the road.
“Tigerkloof and Brussels area on the N18 is reported to be flooded. Members of the Disaster Management Team in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has been dispatched to all affected areas to provide the necessary assistance.
“Due to the continuing rainfall, flooding is expected in many areas across the province for the next few days. Motorists and pedestrians should avoid crossing flooded streams and rivers,” he said.
Rikhotso added that motorists are also requested to use alternative routes or cancel their trips until it is safe to travel. He further appealed to motorists to cooperate with our law enforcement authorities especially at the points of road closures.
A 58-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to six years imprisonment by the Kuruman Regional Court for sexual assault. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lt Colonel Dimakatso Mooi said Allan Charles Reed who was a teacher, was found guilty for assaulting a learner (12) back in 2015.
“The assault happened on 15 February 2015 in a classroom when the victim went to Reed for assistance as her teacher. Reed put his arm around the victim, kissed her, and put his hand inside the girl’s panty. The victim cried and ran away to report the matter to another teacher.
“The matter was reported to the Police on 20 February 2020 and Reed was arrested on 23 February 2015. The accused was granted bail, although the state opposed it. On 3 February 2021, Reed was sentenced to six years direct imprisonment, two years suspended for five years,” Mooi said.
She further said the accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and his name will also be entered on the National Register of Sexual offenders.
Meanwhile, the FCS Provincial Head in Northern Cape, Brigadier Nicky Mills commended the Kuruman FCS commander, Captain Caren Nel for her commitment and hard work which led to the incarceration of the perpetrator.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North West calls for the disbandment of the North West Provincial Legislature. COSATU provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said they have been disturbed by the inaction of the ANC to resolve the problems facing the provincial administration.
“There was a protracted battle between the ANC and its deployees on the filling of the vacancy of the MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) following the death of Gordon Kegakilwe.
“The post was filled by the current incumbent, MEC Mmoloki Cwaile without the blessing of the party in the province and national. The alliance and the deployment committee of the ANC in the province were never consulted,” Konopi said.
He added that they have also learned with disappointment that the ANC MPLs in the NWPL have voted with the members of the opposition parties in electing the Chair of Chairs. Konopi said this conduct is the highest form of ill-discipline and drastic steps should be taken to correct the situation.
“It is clear the mandate of the ANC and voters has been abandoned. The federation is calling for fresh elections in the province because leaders are no longer willing to represent the party, but they represent their own jackets.
“COSATU wants to remind all the members of the ANC in the NWPL that they are all deployees of the movement. The ANC National Executive Committee needs to intervene before the situation gets out of hand,” he said.
However, many ANC branches across the province came out gun blazing and accused the ANC IPC of factionalism. Mamusa Sub Region Branches representative, Papa Jood said their branches were disgusted by the apparent temporary suspension of Aaron Mocwana and others on the basis of undisclosed allegations by the so-called unconstitutional IPC.
“The branches view this as a publicity stunt and a display of political anarchy by those who want to clinch unelected positions. We have long noted attempts by the IPC to remove those who do not dance to their tune nor crouch for crumbs of tenders.
“The IPC has failed to remove mayors and municipal managers for the past twelve months and now they have turned their sight to attempting a coup in the NWPL and the caucus,” Jood said.
He further said the IPC cannot proclaim the dishonest prophecy of evidence that voting has taken place through secret ballot, unless it says it was present in those voting booths inside the Legislature. Jood further accused the IPC of double standards.
“The IPC once instructed councillors to work with the opposition to remove the troikas in different municipalities. So, it cannot be them who now today want to accuse members of the ANC for colluding with opposition because honestly, this is exactly their style.
“The same people who are now MECs worked with opposition to remove Chairman, Supra Mahumapelo. The same so-called IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke was ready to vote with the opposition to remove President Jacob Zuma in National Parliament. Today he acts like an angel and a perfect comrade, so we cannot be fooled,” he said.
Jood said they will stop at nothing to expose this blatant factionalism and the hypocrisy that is done by this ‘monster structure’ that is busy eating the unity of the ANC in this province. He added that the IPC does not have powers to take such decisions of suspending the membership of any ANC members even expelling them because they serve at the behest of the NEC and the sooner they are disbanded the better.
“Their meeting with the EFF plotting to remove North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro through a motion is known, and will be exposed even before it starts. It is our responsibility as the membership of the ANC as custodians of its constitution to protect and make sure that every rule is adhered to,” he said.
The ANCYL regional spokesperson in Ngaka Modri Molema, Wessel Morweng shared the same sentiments. Morweng said these excruciating developments are not only unfortunate, but they have a serious negative impact on the image of the glorious movement.
“The North West ANC IPC does not only possess a high level of insanity, but they have opted to turn our glorious organization into a circus of note. Their thoughtless conduct continues to reflect the type of leadership we have in the ANC North West continues to lead us into a serious political abyss.
“The harsh reality is that Chauke’s one-man show called the ANC North West IPC continues to cause more harm than good to the livelihood of the organisation in the province. It is evident enough that Chauke’s IPC is self-serving and has no regard for the ANC principle and constitution,” Morweng said.
He alleged that the ANC IPC structure lacks a serious organisational understanding as they are guided by personal feelings as opposed to the political understanding of running a big organization like the ANC. Morweng said as the ANCYL in Ngaka Modiri Molema region call on Mokgoro to continue doing his work diligently as he has been doing.
Meanwhile, suspended MPLs representative, Aaron Mocwana said they are challenging their suspension. Mocwana said the rule 25.4.3 of the ANC constitution gives the powers to any member of the ruling party who is facing any disciplinary hearing over allegations of misconduct to appeal, especially when such a member holds any public office.
“We have lodged an appeal to the ANC National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal (NDCA). That is how we have exercised that particular right through the constitution of the ANC for 2017 as amended.
“Now, we have made an appeal and we have denied all allegations levelled against us. We have also requested that the ANC IPC in the North West furnish us with proof of what they are saying because the voting was agreed on the 27 January 2021 in a virtually sitting,” said Mocwana.
He further said the NWPL Speaker, Sussana Dantjie could not conduct its business, but she utilised the rule 6 of the Standing Rules of the NWPL. Mocwana added that Dantjie adjourned the sitting, so that it could take place on 28 January 2021 through physical attendance and allow secret voting to take place.
“Now, when coming to the issue of who voted who and so on, it is highly impossible for us to the to be charged on that particular matter because voting was secret. Now, we require the IPC to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said.
Picture: North West MEC, Wendy Matsemela along with some officials visiting various schools
By BAKANG MOKOTO
North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela visited various schools in rural areas in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District to monitor schools readiness ahead of reopening on the 15 February 2021.
On Tuesday, Matsemela visited Phenyo Botlhe Secondary School near Groot Marico and a mega farm school, Nietverdiend Combined.
“The visit was to ensure that schools are compliant towards Covid-19 protocols. Today, I am doing unannounced visits to schools to monitor the conditions of our schools.
“Whenever I visit at any school, I want to make sure that the necessary health and safety protocols of COVID-19 are being followed. We have trained the Compliance Officers on COVID–19 protocols and I am monitoring them if they are aware of their responsibilities,” she said.
Matsemela added that she does not want her department to be found unprepared when schools resume. She further said she has informed the district directors to ensure that learner admission is concluded when learners resume school too.
“I want teaching and learning to start immediately on the first day. I have concluded my monitoring of school readiness at Mathews Mangope Secondary School at Shupingstad village near the Gaborone Border.
“I have decided to visit this agricultural focused school and I am very happy that learners are given a chance to do the practical work at the garden. This is one of the schools which are able to give us 100% pass in the matric results even though they are in the rural area,” said Matsemela.
This year, I want the agricultural focused schools to emphasise on exposing learners to practical work, said Matsemela. She further said the country needs individuals who will be able to produce food for the millions of people.
“During my unannounced visits to schools, I emphasised that I am responsible for all schools in the province and I will not be selective to any area. So, I want to emphasise that I will visit any school in this province no matter whether the school is in a rural or urban area.
“Rustenburg in Bojanala district has many schools and the results of these schools are able to boost the results of the province. Therefore, I will continue to support all schools irrespective of their location in this province,” she said.
Matsemela encapsulated that her department has employed Education Assistants and General Assistants to support teaching and learning at school.
Picture: NWU’s Centre for Health and Human Performance director, Prof Pieter Kruger
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West University (NWU) has partnered with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to support Team South Africa as a preferred provider in its preparation for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games.
According to the NWU’s Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) director, Prof Pieter Kruger, some of the services that will be offered include assistance with the understanding of the mechanics of anxiety and why the brain struggles with uncertainty.
Kruger said the centre has grown from strength to strength since its recent inception.
“The focus of the CHHP is on rendering comprehensive, quality, evidence-based services in the field of health and human performance, underpinned by neuroscience and cutting-edge technology.
“We will also help the athletes in exploring psychological challenges to Covid-19 that may affect their well-being and subsequently their performance. The principles we will be discussing are very much relevant to well-being, and to performance under pressure,” he said.
Kruger added that the latest achievement confirms the fact that they are a dynamic centre with serious intent and operating at the highest level. He said the CHHP will offer mental health screening and advisory services to all athletes, with a focus on improving well-being and performance.
“The process will commence during the first week in February and will allow all athletes the opportunity to attend the programme over the following two months. The CHHP was created at the NWU after combining the expertise of the Institute of Psychology and Wellbeing, the Institute for Sport Science and Development and the Institute for Biokinetics.
“Although the main aim would initially be to provide the athletes with evidence-based tools and techniques specifically for dealing with anxiety and uncertainty, the skills are equally applicable in a high-performance competition environment,” said Kruger.
He further said they will also be discussing the application of specific functional behaviours to support the athletes during difficult times. Kruger said the athletes will undergo a brief psychometric assessment prior to the commencement of the programme.
“This will allow the CHHP clinicians to adjust the programme content to the specific needs of the athlete. The CHHP will host nine workshop programmes to ensure that the entire 219-strong Olympic and Paralympic group gets an opportunity to undergo the training.
“The athletes will also be supplied with additional resources and referral pathways for those individuals who feel that they need more support after the programme. We look forward to collaborating with SASCOC and to supporting our Olympic and Paralympic squads to maximise their performance at the Games later in the year,” he said.
Kruger highlighted that the CHHP has an exceptional team of practitioners across the spectrum of health and human performance and he trust that they will be able to make a meaningful difference to the athletes.
The forthcoming Olympic Games are scheduled to take place in July of this year in Tokyo, Japan.
Tavern owners and revellers breathe ‘a sigh of relief’ after President Cyril Ramaphosa relaxed the adjusted lockdown regulations. Ramaphosa announced that the sale of alcohol will be allowed from Monday to Thursday during a ‘family meeting’ address last night.
“We have recorded our lowest daily increase in infections since the beginning of December last year. In fact, the average rate of new infections has been steadily coming down over the last three weeks, indicating that we have now passed the peak of the second wave.
“In the past seven days, the daily average of new infections was around 5,500, compared to just over 10,000 infections in the previous seven days. In other words, the average number of daily new infections has come down to almost half of what it was,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said the number of hospital admissions has also been falling. He said at the peak of the second wave, the country has recorded over 2,300 hospital admissions in a day.
“This had fallen to 295 hospital admissions by the 29th of January. While all the indicators are heading in the right direction, we are still experiencing relatively high rates of transmission.
“We are pleased that across the country, most people are adhering to the restrictions we have had to impose and are diligently observing the basic health measures needed to prevent infection,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they are acutely aware that these restrictions have negatively affected businesses and threatened jobs in the hospitality, tourism, and related industries.
Ramaphosa added that they are determined that such restrictions should not continue any longer than is absolutely necessary to contain the pandemic and minimise the loss of life.
“It is for this reason that we will continue to work with business and labour in these sectors to revive businesses and restore jobs both in the immediate and longer-term. Over the last few days, we have assessed the state of the pandemic.
“We have sought the advice of experts and consulted with representatives of provincial and local government and traditional leaders. With the clear decline in new infections, hospital admissions, and deaths, Cabinet has decided to steadily ease a number of restrictions under adjusted Level 3,” he said.
Ramaphosa said the hours of the curfew will now be from 11pm to 4am and establishments will need to close by 10pm to allow their customers and staff to return home by curfew. He said Faith-based gatherings will be permitted, subject to health protocols.
“Such gatherings may not exceed 50 people for indoor venues and 100 persons for outdoor venues. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used.
“Public places such as beaches, dams, rivers, parks, and public swimming pools will be reopened subject to health protocols. Restrictions on the sale of alcohol will be eased. The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for off-site consumption will be permitted from Mondays to Thursdays, from 10am to 6pm,” said Ramaphosa.
He said duty-free shops, registered wineries, wine farms, micro-breweries and micro-distilleries will be able to sell alcohol for off-site consumption during their normal licensed operating hours.
Ramaphosa added that these changes have been made possible by the significant reduction in COVID-19 hospital admissions across all provinces, reducing the pressure on beds and hospital personnel. He urged people to drink responsibly so that they do not experience a spike in trauma cases or an increase in infections due to reckless behaviour.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country has begun a new chapter in the struggle against the coronavirus. This comes after the country received its first consignment of COVID-19 vaccines. Ramaphosa said the consignment consisting of one million doses of the Covishield vaccine produced by the Serum Institute in India.
This vaccine was developed by the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca together with the University of Oxford and South Africa was one of the countries where clinical trials were held to assess the drug’s efficacy.
“The arrival of these vaccines contains the promise that we can turn the tide on this disease that has caused so much devastation and hardship in our country and across the world.
“The speed and scale at which new vaccines have been developed is unprecedented in human history and represents the monumental progress that humanity can achieve in the face of a common threat,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that South Africa has been part of this incredible journey by the global community in search of a lasting solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. He further thanked all South Africans who participated in various vaccines trials on a voluntary basis and commend all the researchers who led these studies.
“Many of our researchers have participated in ground-breaking research in the field of genomics providing new information about the virus leading to the identification of the variant known as 501Y.V2.
“Now that the vaccines have arrived, they will be tested at the National Control Laboratory to confirm that their integrity has been maintained during transportation,” said Ramaphosa.
He said after testing, they will be distributed across the country to thousands of healthcare workers who every day put their own lives at risk to save others.
Ramaphosa said in accordance with a phased rollout strategy, all healthcare workers in the public and private sectors will be prioritised for vaccination.
“Provincial health departments have submitted their distribution plans and we have identified about 200 facilities to which the vaccines can be distributed.
“Once we have completed the vaccination of healthcare workers, we will move to Phase 2 of the national vaccine strategy, which will include essential workers, people over 60 years, people with co-morbidities as well as those living in places such as nursing homes and hostels,” he said.
Ramaphosa said in Phase 3, they will extend the vaccination programme to the rest of the adult population. He said they know many of South Africans will be asking the all-important question on how they will access the vaccine if they fall in the categories to which he has have referred,” he said.
“The Department of Health has developed an Electronic Vaccine Data System to streamline the vaccine registration and rollout process. This will allow us to capture all relevant data associated with the administration of the vaccine,” said Ramaphosa.
He said: “This system allows a person to make an appointment as soon as they qualify for a vaccination at the vaccine centre closest to them. The system will record vaccinations as they are administered.
“As I said during my previous address, we are sourcing our vaccines from a number of suppliers. In addition to the 1 million Covishield doses that we received today, we expect another 500,000 doses from the Serum Institute of India to arrive later in February.”
Ramaphosa said they have secured 12 million doses in total from the global COVAX facility, which has indicated that it will release approximately 2 million doses by March. He further said they have secured 9 million vaccine doses from Johnson & Johnson, commencing with delivery in the second quarter.
“Johnson & Johnson has contracted Aspen, one of our pharmaceutical companies, to manufacture these vaccines in South Africa. In addition, Pfizer has committed 20 million vaccine doses commencing with deliveries in the second quarter.
“We are in advanced negotiations with manufacturers to secure additional supplies. South Africa will also receive an allocation of vaccine doses through the African Union, which has been negotiating with manufacturers to secure vaccines for the entire continent on a pooled basis,” said Ramaphosa.
The Guardian 