By OBAKENG MAJE

Two families in Maganeng village near Taung is ’embroiled’ in a legal battle with Rekathusa Funeral Parlour in Vryburg. Tshibiti family spokesperson, Oupa Modisapudi said they are dejected after Rekathusa Funeral Parlour swapped the remains of their deceased.

It is alleged that Elizabeth Tshibiti (85) passed away on 14 August 2021 and she was taken to the Rekathusa Funeral Parlour. Modisapudi said they were surprised when they found their grandmother’s body missing after visiting the morgue on 20 August 2021 to prepare her for the funeral the following day.  

“The Rekathusa Funeral Parlour management made us wait for three hours before they could give us answers. They told us that there was amiss regarding our grandmother’s body.

“The body was erroneously given to another family. According to the records, there was another family having a funeral in Maganeng village and they were using Rekathusa’ services to prepare for the funeral. So, the funeral parlour handed them the wrong body, which was our grandmother,” Modisapudi said.

He further said the whole situation was traumatic and emotional. Modisapudi added that the funeral parlour needs to be held accountable.

Tshibiti’s body was buried by Hularang’s family, but it was exhumed on 24 August 2021 after Rekathusa Funeral Parlour followed all the processes for the re-interment of the remains at the new cemetery.

“We have finally buried our grandmother, but even though Rekathusa has refunded us and took responsibilities for the funeral costs, we still believe that there should be a recourse for what has happened. So, we will have a consultative engagement after the funeral,” he said.    

Rekathusa Funeral Parlour manager, Johannes Hoffin said they have apologised to both families and had paid for legal costs for the disinterring of the body. Hoffin added that they have also paid for the costs of the funerals for both families and added a tombstone for free to the Tshibiti family’s package to show remorse.  

He said the company was also fined R10 000 by the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority.

Meanwhile, the family of Lenah Hularang (91) said they were informed that she had COVID-19, hence they were no thorough identification.  

Hularang family spokesperson, Kagiso Mocumi said: “We are so disappointed by Rekathusa Funeral Parlour. I received a call from them informing me that the body of our grandmother was still languishing at the morgue after a week of burial.  

“We would be engaging with them to discuss a way forward on the matter. We would like to receive compensation because what happened is inhumane. Even though they agreed to pay for the funeral costs, it will be wiser for them to compensate us after what they have put us through.”

Hularang was buried on 27 August 2021.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The security guards contracted to Gubis85 Security Solution stationed at Pudimoe Community Health Centre (CHC) down tools over non-payments. According to some of the security guards who refused to be named for fear of victimization, they have not received their salaries for two months.

“It’s been two months since we received our salaries and the company keeps changing the pole posts. The management alleges that they have not received their payments from the North West Health Department, so they won’t pay us.

“However, they expect us to come to work even though we have not received our salaries. The worst part, they even threatened to fire us if we are absent and that is so unfair. We cannot continue to come to work hungry,” our source said.

Meanwhile, the North West Health Department admitted that there was a glitch regarding payments to some of the service providers. However, the departmental spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said they have engaged with affected companies to come up with a lasting solution.

“We can confirm that the security guards in a number of our facilities had embarked on protest due to non-payment of their salaries. The affected facilities include Pudimoe CHC in Taung, Potchefstroom Hospital, and Klerksdorp- Tshepong Hospital Complex.

“We are unable to give a combined total figure at the moment, but there are outstanding invoices for 3 months that we have started paying. There have been several interruptions of the network in the provincial government system over the past few months and that has affected payments of many service providers,” Lekgethwane said. 

He further said the department is trying its level best to resolve the crisis by the end of this week and many companies are going to be paid.

“Already, the matter has been communicated to the Security Directorate who indicated that they have processed the 3 months’ invoices for the security companies affected, but the invoices were delayed by the system. However, a late run has been done to pay the invoices.

“We have also spoken to the service provider who promised to use their own reserves to pay the outstanding one month of the two months they owe the security guards, while payments of invoices are in process,” said Lekgethwane.

It is alleged that the department has appointed the majority of security companies from outside while depriving local companies’ tenders. The North West Gatvol Business Forum chairperson, James Gadinabokao said: “We have raised questions about security tenders especially at the North West Department of Health, where out of 27 companies that received tenders, only three are from North West.

“We want tranquility in the province and all that we have raised should be adhered to. We initiated this process because we demand that the tenders and provincial government budget must benefit the people of the province.” 

Gadinabokao further said they have engaged the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) coordinator, Hlomani Chauke to raise their concerns. Chauke said they were willing to find a way forward with any resident or group of businesspeople who have a concern that they do not get any businesses from the provincial government.

“We believe that anything that is happening should benefit the people of the province. We are aware that there are concerns that businesses are going outside the province. We will make sure from our side that we definitely support businesspersons in the province.

“However, as the leadership, we are not involved in the tender system and dictate which tender must be awarded to whom,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Motorists are urged to be warier and vigilant as car hijackings become more prevalent. This comes after four suspects allegedly entered a Global garage in Pudimoe Township in Taung with handguns and demanded money from the owner before they fled.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “A case of armed robbery and hijacking was registered after the suspects allegedly entered the convenient shop with handguns, demanded money and the owner’s car keys.

“They fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and a white polo Vivo. No injuries were suffered and investigations are still under way. The car was found abandoned near Matolong farm in Taung and there are no arrests yet,” Mokgwabone said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele tabled the crime statistics 1^st Quarter of 2021/22 financial year. Cele said the 1^st Quarter of the 2020/21 financial year coincided with level 5 lockdown that kept almost everyone indoors and most businesses closed including taverns, liquor outlets, night clubs, sporting activities and places of entertainment, which are generally attributors to causative factors of crime.

“The never seen before pleasant picture of last year was compared to a normal period of 2019 and hence the comparison was distorted and very skewed. While more lives were saved during the ‘Crime Holiday’ the police did not claim easy victories.

“The double figure eye popping increase in most crime categories is informed by the same reasons stated above of adjusted lockdown levels and distorted crime trends. It is important for us to give this particular context and adequate explanation upfront, to mitigate the shock and fears that may arise at this juncture,” he said.

Cele further said in the first quarter, the sub-categories of crimes such as contact crimes, sexual offences, aggravated robberies, contact-related and property-related crimes have recorded a never seen before double digit increases.

He said the trio crimes also increased compared to the distorted reporting period on 2020/2021 period.

“Aggravated robberies such as Carjacking increased by 92.2% compared to the previous corresponding period. This figure would have increased by 13.1% if compared to the same period in 2019/2020.

“There were 1 340 more residential robberies in the month of April to June 2020, compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year. Compared to the 2019/2020 financial year, there are 132 more cases recorded,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Learners in Manokwane village near Taung are forced to jump over exposed Eskom electricity cables to get to school. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and a social activist, Eddie Mogorwe said the cable poses danger to the pupils.

“It’s been four months since I reported this matter to Eskom, including to our own Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). However, nothing has been done thus far to correct the problem. Our ward councillor, Oageng Seleke and municipal speaker, Ebusang Tladi are also aware of this cable hanging low in our village, but our plea has fallen in deaf ears.

“I think our leadership wants to see someone dead before they can react. This project was rolled-out a few months ago and this clearly shows that the contractor delivered shoddy work. However, one could only conclude that there was no oversight and monitoring from the municipality and Eskom,” he said.   

Seleke said: “We are aware of this challenge and we have already started engagements with Eskom. I think the contractor did shoddy work and this matter is not only being experienced in Manokwane. There are a number of villages that have the same challenges.

“This might have been caused by rocky areas and prompted the contractor not to dig deeper holes when erecting electricity poles.”

Meanwhile, Eskom provincial spokesperson, Khaya Mnyandu said the arrangement was made to disconnect the air deck and place it in a proper way.

According to Science Direct website, injuries from contact with connecting wires are known to occur but are scarcely described.

“All children presenting with a history of an electrical injury were admitted. 103 cases were included in the study. 91% were low-voltage injuries with no mortalities, and 9% were high-voltage injuries with a 67% mortality rate.

“Mean age at presentation was 4.5 years. 81% of injuries were caused by outside wires and other illegal installations. There was a decreased frequency of injuries during the winter months. 73% had biochemistry derangements. Total body surface area affected ranged from 0% to 76%.”

The website states that the incidence of electrical injuries in this study was 7% of all burns related admissions. It says injuries sustained carried significant morbidity and mortality.

“The dominant mechanism of injury in this study can be targeted in primary prevention strategies. In South Africa 10% of inhabitants live in informal dwellings with no running water or electricity. Access to electricity may be improvised by redirecting current from existing fixtures.

“To describe the epidemiology, presentation and management of electrical burn injuries experienced by Soweto children presenting at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. A retrospective review of records for children with a diagnosis of an electrical injury between September 2013 and August 2016 was performed.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

OBAKENG MAJE

Baagi ba kwa kgorwaneng ya borataro kwa motseng wa Myra gaufi le Taung, ba ne ba tsenetse kopano ya go ka atlha-atlha seemo se ba iphitlhelang ba le mo go sone morago ga tsamaiso e tshokameng ya boeteledipele jwa lekoko la ANC kwa motseng wa bone.

Baagi ba latofatsa boeteledipele jo bone bo tsamaisa ditlhopo tsa go ka tlhopa ntlhopeng wa bone go ka nna mokhanselara mo ditlhopong tse di tlang tsa dipuso selegae, ka go gobelela.

Go kaiwa fa Daddy Mmokwa yo o ne a gaisanela ditlhopo tseo kgatlhanong le Boikanyo Pulatso, ene ele mmamoratwa go ka fenya ditlhopo tseo. Fela, boeteledipele bo latofadiwa ka go ka fetola leina la gagwe, le go ka tsenya Pulatso jaaka ntlhopeng ntle le tumalano ya baagi.  

Jaanong, go begwa fa Mmokwa a kubogetswe ke lwetsi jwa tlhaloganyo morago ga go utlwa fa leina la gagwe le seo mo lenaneng la bontlhopeng.  

Mongwe wa baagi, Oupa Tidikwe a re baagi ba neetswe motho o ba sa mo tlhopang, mme ba ikaeletse go ka nna kgatlhanong le ditlhopo fa dikeletso tsa bone di sa diragadiwe.

“Ka Labotlhano se se fitileng, kene ka leletsa ko dikantorong tsa sedika tsa ANC, mme ke ba itsise ka seemo sa boitekanelo sa ntlhopeng wa kgorwana ya rona o o neng a itlhomile kwa pele gore o na le bothata jwa pobolo.

“Mme, re utlwane le boeteledipele kwa sedikeng gore Mmokwa o tshwanetswe ke fiwe nakonyana. Nna jaaka ke eme fa, ga ke itse gore bothata jwa gagwe ene ele eng, fela ke tsaya gore jaaka re itse gore fa ene ele gore gongwe a ka tswa a amilwe ke bolwetsi jwa COVID-19, molao o mo letla gore a neelwe matsatsi a le masome le bone gore a boele mo semong se se siameng,” Tidikwe wa tlhalosa.

Tidikwe o tsweletse ka la gore, lekoko le le busang la ANC, le ne la tlhalosa fa baagi ele bone fela ba ba nang le lentswe la bofelo go ka tlhopa ntlhopeng. Fela are ga jaana, tsamaiso ya batho ba ba neng ba tsamaisa ditlhopo, ene e tshokame mme e ikabile ka letlhakuri.

“Tsamaiso e re e itemogetseng e ne e sa siama mo ebileng e gobelela. Boeteledipele ga bo a naya metse e mengwe e e welang mo kgorwaneng ya rona tshono ya go ka tlhopa. Seo se raya gore, ditshwanelo tsa bone digatakilwe.

“Go ya ka menyenyetsi, pegelo e e isitsweng kwa sedikeng, e tsamaisitswe ntle le katlenegiso ya komiti e e neng e tsamaisa ditlhopo. Mme jaaka re le baagi, re ipotsa gore motho o ba mo tlhopileng o tlile go emela bo mang gonne ga se tshwetso ya rona jaaka baagi,” Tidikwe wa letologa.

Kgabagare, Siski Dilitsotlhe yo o ne a gaisanela bontlhopeng le ene o latofatsa keteledipele ya lekoko ka go gobelela.

“Se se diragetseng ke gore, Mmokwa o fentse Pulatso ka dipalo tse di kwa godimo. Nna jaaka ke ne ke le ntlhopeng, gotlhe-gotlhe ga ke a itumedisiwa ke tsamaiso gonne go tshwanetswe gore go tlhopiwe mo metseng yotlhe, fela ga gwa nna jalo.

Fela, lekoko la ANC le amogetse fa go nnile le matsapa mo go kwadisiweng bontlhopeng ba lekoko. Motlatsa mokwaledi wa bosetshaba wa lekoko, Jessie Duarte, o boleletse Taung DailyNewsfa ba tlile go ka leba kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya ditlhopo go ka ikuela gore tsamaiso ya ikwadiso e Bulelwa gape gonne lekoko la gagabo ke batla go fetola maina a bontlhopeng le go dira paakanyo ya ikwadiso.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

Taung community-based radio station, Vaaltar FM Board of Directors deputy chairperson, Omphemetse Leshobo said he is grateful that he is still alive. This comes after Leshobo tested positive for COVID-19 recently.

He said it was a deplorable moment for him after he received his results.

“I recently tested positive for COVID-19 and it was shocking. I saw my life flashing before my eyes. However, the unwavering support I received from my family and friends was amazing. I still remember vividly that it was in the morning of 9 August 2021 when I started to experience short breaths and felt dizzy.

“Before that, I had terrible flu for the whole week. I did not inform my wife about my situation because I did not want her to panic. So, I woke up and tried to take a bath on that day, but I was so dizzy and weak,” he said.

Leshobo (35) who was recently elected as a member of the Board of Directors at Taung District Hospital said what surprised him was that his symptoms were slightly different.

“Even though I was weak, I could eat normally without any hindrances. My taste sense was also still intact. I had a little bit of discomfort when coughing and I decided to call one of the nurses, Boitumelo Motimeng who is the Head of the COVID-19 unit at the hospital.

“Unfortunately, Motimeng informed me that they were not testing for COVID-19 on weekends and public holidays, however, I explained my situation to him and he eventually advised me to go to the hospital because my case was an emergency. So, when I arrived there, the nurses were very supportive and I went through all necessary processes before being tested,” Leshobo said.

He said he waited for his results for about 15 minutes and the shockwave went down his spine when the results came out positive. Leshobo further said his wife was also tested, but he was happy when her results came out negative.

“Fortunately, my wife tested negative and those nurses that were assisting me counselled me before giving me my medication. There are many challenges that one comes across after testing positive.

“I was in disbelief while I was still in the hospital unit when a woman wearing a mask requested another mask after she heard that I tested positive. She wore the second mask on top of the other one,” he said.

Leshobo added that in most cases, people stigmatize those who tested positive, and that needs to stop. He said the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted his living arrangements because he sometimes felt lonely while in quarantine.

“I sometimes felt lonely because I’m used to spending much time with people. However, during quarantine, that was not the case. I tried so hard to be calm during the process, but there were moments where I wanted to give up.

“I sometimes felt dejected and afraid that I might succumb to the pandemic. However, God gave me a second opportunity to live. So, I would like to encourage others to adhere to COVID-19 regulations and be safe,” said Leshobo.

 He said COVID-19 has robbed the world of many people who mattered in life and people must do the right thing to honour those who departed. Leshobo said some people believe that the COVID-19 is a myth, whereas others believe that it is a deathtrap, but that should not be the case.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The family of Palesa Maruping (29) in Khuma Township in Stilfontein said her death left a void in their hearts. Maruping was found hanged in the bedroom of a rented house that she was sharing with her boyfriend last week.

Family spokesperson, William Molapo said Palesa’s death was horrific and urged community members to work together with the law  enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to combat the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“it is hard to believe that she was killed in such a gruesome manner. Just bear in mind that it is Women’s month and it is not the first time we have experienced this kind of atrocity in Khuma.  

“For the past four years, we have been experiencing this kind of incident, but we never thought it would happen to our family. We are having sleepless nights after experiencing this and no one deserves to be killed in this inhumane manner,” he said.

Molapo applauded the police for their swift arrest of the suspects. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botman, two suspects were arrested after being linked to Palesa’s death.  

“Tebogo Mokgomo (45) and Matevane Mokatsanyane (42) appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder. They will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 30 August 2021 for a formal bail application.

“With cooperation of members of the community, police questioned Mokatsanyane who is the owner of the house where the victim stayed and Mokgomo who is the victim’s boyfriend. It was consequently established that the pair allegedly stole the victim’s two cellphones and locked her inside the house.

“They allegedly came back later and hanged her. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Botma said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident and pointed that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring that the accused are convicted.

Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West welcomed the arrest of the suspects. SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “The tip-off by community members has greatly assisted police investigation into the despicable act and contents strongly with SANCO’s view that there is no place in our society for perpetrators of such atrocious and heinous crimes against women who happen to be the most vulnerable in our communities.

“It is when there is united action and a strong partnership with crime prevention structures and law enforcement that the fight against GBV and femicide will be won. women like Maruping are lured into abusive dead-end relationships by heartless monsters who are perverts and weaklings that seek to entrench control and male domination through violence.”

Sebegoe said the criminal justice system must show intolerance to such horrific acts by issuing harshest sentences possible to serve as a deterrent.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

It is not raining but pouring for the disgraced former North West Public Works and Roads’ head of department, Pakiso Mothupi. This comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been granted a preservation order by the Special Tribunal to freeze Mothupi’s pension benefits of over R3.4 million pending the institution of an action against him.

SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said: “The ongoing investigations revealed that, while working as the HOD, Mothupi committed the department into unlawful contracts with private entities.

“He authorised payments to Ayamah Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd in circumstances, where there were no services rendered to justify the payment, resulting in financial losses of R 166 290 625, 77.”

He further said the SIU intends to launch an action in the Tribunal within 30 days to recover the amount. Kganyago added that the beleaguered Mothupi was dismissed on 4 June 2021.

According to Kganyago, on 7 November 2016, Mothupi wrote to Mbombela requesting

to participate in the contract between the municipality and Ayamah. He said after Mothupi sent the letter to Mbombela, the Department’s Bid Adjudication Committee

(BAC) met on 9 November 2016 to consider and recommend the participation.

“However, the BAC’s recommendation was not for participation in a contract for water and sanitation services but for roads. The recommendation was followed by the appointment of Ayamah embodied in a letter signed by Mothupi dated 11 November 2016.

“Curiously, on 18 November 2016, the Chief Directorate Transport Infrastructure prepared a

submission seeking approval for the appointment of an external program managers to

assist the department to achieve its goals,” said Kganyago.

He said unlike the contract with Mbombela, the appointment in the North West was for roads and management services. Kganyago said the Mbombela contract commenced in July 2014 and was terminated in July 2017, while the SLA with the department commenced in November 2016 and was terminated in May 2018.

“This had the effect of extending a contract that was coming to an end through an effluxion of time. The department agreed to pay a once-off set–up fee (equal to 10% of the annual fee) for the establishment of Ayamah’s offices in North West, together with relocation and

infrastructure costs,” he said.

Kganyago said part of the responsibilities assigned to Ayamah included the provision

of support to the department in procurement of professional services and contractors, but the SLA was allegedly riddled with a host of irregularities.

“There was no competitive bidding process followed and the department failed to consider locally based companies, resulting in set-up costs that are believed to be in excess of the actual costs.

“The set-up costs were not included in the participation request or letter of appointment.

Even though the investigation is ongoing, the SIU claims that the department incurred

fruitless and wasteful expenditure because Mothupi deliberately went out of his way to

violate the law and unlawfully appointed Ayamah,” said Kganyago.

In March 2017, the department made pre-payments of R103m to Ayamah in two tranches of R 8 540 587 and R 94 495 413 in the extension to the rehabilitating the flood-damaged road infrastructure.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

Dryharts-born beauty pageant, Akanyang Kalamore said, she is happy to be back and does what she loves the most. Kalamore (26) is one of the top ten Miss Heritage North West 2021 finalists and she is adamant that she will win the title come October.   

“I am happy to be back in the fold after taking some time off from modelling. I regard myself as a phenomenal woman who has gain confidence and came out remarkably well out of all challenges I came across.

“I took some time off modelling after having a baby. However, I believe that I still have what it takes to continue with my modelling career. I saw a pamphlet that says there was a Miss Heritage North West 2021 competition and I entered. Now, here I am in the top ten,” she said.

Kalamore said modelling is not all about wearing a tiara or hold a title, but it comes with responsibilities. She said there are many challenges that are facing women and children that need to be addressed.

“We have many factors that affect women and children in our society. Many women are still subjected to patriarchy, inequality and mostly continue to rely heavily on their male counterparts for survival.

“On the other side, many girls and women suffer in silence after being abused either physically, sexually and emotionally. So, it is our responsibility as beauty pageants to bring back that confidence and address those challenges head-on. For example, we are celebrating women’s month, but many women continue to be victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV),” she said.

Kalamore who is now based in Vryburg embarked on charitable work in partnership with Amogelang Insurance Brokers recently. She said this was part of her social responsibility per competition requirements.

“I was given a task as a Top 10 finalist to do charity work. I was so grateful after Amogelang Insurance Brokers came on board without any hesitations. I thought of going to schools and give out sanitary pads to needy female learners, however, I knew that almost every contestant will think of that.

“So, I came up with a different approach by initiating feeding street survivors. Many street survivors are going through a lot, but it seems no one care,” said Kalamore.

She also encouraged young aspiring models to be responsible at all times. Kalamore who was inspired by Boingotlo Magabe to take her model career seriously said, “Now, only the sky is the limit” for her.

“Even though I have not found my niche in the modelling space yet, but I still believe that my time will come. I would be so grateful if one day I see myself on one of those billboards across the country and beyond,” she said.

Meanwhile, the founder of Miss Heritage North West, Onalenna Kole said: “The competition targets to empower, inspire and encourage young females with the objective of achieving their goals.

“They should be good examples and create role models for an upcoming generation while providing glamour, entertainment through high motivation. I also want to achieve taking the girl child out of the street and restore most of their self-confidence and implement self-belief in them.

“I want to encourage young women to remember that unity and humanity are the only priceless gifts one can ever share with one another.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com