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By STAFF REPORTER

ANC Interim Provincial Committee in North West said it will take harsh steps against leaders who interfered with candidate lists. This comes after many communities across the province embarked on protests amid allegations that some leaders removed the names of those elected by communities and replaced them with their favourties.

Disgruntled ANC members from Klerksdorp, Taung, Moretele, Mahikeng and Rustenburg including other areas, took to the streets while others marched straight to the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House in Johannesburg urging the party’s national leadership to intervene.

However, ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke said: “There were challenges on only 16 wards out of 403 where candidates were not filled up before the IEC deadline. Except that challenge, we have already filled all other wards with the names coming from our communities at a level of ward councillors.

“The bigger challenge we are experiencing is at a level of PR councillors. However, we are currently addressing that and we are grateful that IEC has extended the registration of candidate lists. So, we will use this opportunity to correct were there were wrongdoings.”

He further said as ANC, they acknowledge that there are challenges, but they are addressing them accordingly. Chauke added that they anticipate that the outcome will be desirable and bring the happy ending to many community members.

“This new process that the ANC has embarked on supposed to be a corruption-free process, but we still have those elements who want to take chances and distort the outcome of the communities.

“We are severely dealing with them and they will be hauled before the disciplinary hearing for misrepresenting the views of the communities. We have compiled a list of those comrades and we are on course,” said Chauke.

He said they will visit these affected communities and clarify the matter. Chauke also said they are still learning the new system and added that there have been challenges within the IEC itself.

Meanwhile, the IEC announced that the voters’ registration will take place between 18 and 19 September 2021. This comes after the apex court ruled that Local Government Elections should take place between 31 October and 1 November 2021.

However, this left mixed reactions amongst political parties. Some believe that elections will not be transparent and fair because they did not have enough time to campaign due to COVID-19 regulations posed by the government, while others believe that elections should forge ahead as scheduled.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The family of Kodisang in Rooiwal village near Taung was left dejected after the drowning of their son, Thabang Kodisang. According to information, Kodisang (15) and his peers were swimming at Modisa Lodge on Saturday afternoon when the atrocity happened.

The father of the deceased, Thabiso “The Bull” Keameditse said: “We are crestfallen about what has happened. Thabang was still young and very bright, so as a family we are sad about the whole incident.

“We will be meeting with the lodge management to map the way forward. Thabang had a very bright future ahead of him. Funeral preparations are underway and we highly appreciate unwavering support we have received from friends as the bereaved family,” Keameditse said.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani urged people to apply cautious measures when swimming. Funani said supervision is the very best way to help prevent kids from getting injured.

“I can confirm that we are investigating a case of inquest after a boy drowned while swimming with other kids on Saturday afternoon,” she said.

According to the www.arrivealive.co.za website, drowning ranked second as the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children. It says children less than a year old are most likely to drown in bathtubs, buckets, or toilets.

“Children need to be monitored at all times no matter the size of the pool or location where they encounter water. It is up to the parents to do everything possible not only to exercise parental supervision.

“Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, and it does not only occur during times of flooding or rough seas but in our swimming pools,” said the website.

It added that anyone can have a water-related accident and be at risk of drowning— even children who know how to swim. It says it is not only small children who are at risk, but males are much more likely to become victims of drowning.

“Risk-taking, overconfidence in swimming ability, and alcohol use may play a significant role in water deaths by drowning. Your health and the risk of drowning and the swimmer should be aware of how his body reacts to the temperature of the water. When the body gets cold blood shunts to the core, weakening arms and legs, which then lose the strength of power.

“A swimmer, who feels tired or bloated should rather rest and stay out of the water. We need to supervise as actively as possible. Parents should avoid distractions when children are near water and give them all of their attention. Even strong swimmers need adult supervision. Insist on life jackets for children who can’t swim.”

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