Picture: The Hawks arrested four senior officials from Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism
By STAFF REPORTER
Four senior officials aged 47 and 66 from the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, The Hawks for fraud, contravening the diamonds Act and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) on Wednesday.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Philani Nkwalase said the department received funding surpassing R6.7 million from the European Union during the 2010/2011 financial year.
“The funds were intended for training students in cutting and polishing uncut (unpolished) diamonds. The diamonds were bought in March 2011 from a private entity without the necessary licenses to buy rough diamonds.
“However, consequently, these diamonds were stored at the premises of the same private entity. Forty students were enrolled in the same year, to undergo a mining qualification course in cutting and polishing of diamonds facilitated by Kimberley Diamonds International Jewellery Academy (KIDJA),” said Nkwalase.
However, he said it was established that the diamonds were missing and unaccounted for in July 2012. Nkwalase said this was discovered during the random inspection by the Auditor General (AG).
“We launched an investigation into the matter and this resulted in the arrest of these senior officials. The team executed (J50) warrants of arrest early on Wednesday morning. The suspects are expected to appear at the Kimberly Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
A naked body of a girl was discovered in an open veld in Mokassa 2 village near Taung on Monday. North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the police identified the deceased as Botlhale Maruping (14).
“We can confirm that a murder case was registered. This comes after the police were called on 20 September 2021 at around 8am where a naked body of a girl was discovered in the forest.
“The paramedics were also summoned to the scene and certified her dead. No suspect has been arrested and the motive of the killing is still unknown. However, investigation continues,” he said.
Tselanyane refused to comment further on whether the deceased was raped, stabbed or strangled to death.
Picture: Refuse bags blocked the Phokwane Local Municipality entrance/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Service delivery at Phokwane continues to be affected after municipal workers embark on a week-long unprotected strike. This comes after the embattled Phokwane Local Municipality failed to pay their September salaries.
Now, residents in the area call for the Northern Cape Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA)’s intervention.
One source said: “We urge the COGHSTA department to disband the municipality. The infights between the mayor, Chief Whip and the acting Municipal Manager continue to affect service delivery and plague the municipality in disarray.
“Nothing has changed since the new leadership ascended to the helm hence we call for an overhaul. These people do not care about service delivery, but instead, they put their own interests at the forefront.”
It is alleged that mayor, Olebogeng Tumodi and the Chief Whip, Remaketse Selogilwe forcefully took the key of the acting Municipal Manager, Kealeboga Gaborone’s office. This allegedly caused her not to pay the salaries of the municipal workers.
Now, municipal workers allegedly poured faeces at the reception and blocked the entrance of the municipality with refuse bags.
The Democratic Alliances (DA) councillor at the municipality, Annette van Wyk said they are concerned about the lack of service delivery.
“The DA will now make good on our threat to lay criminal charges against the municipality in respect of NEMA 107 of 1998 Section 49A (1) in an effort to enforce some kind of accountability.
“No amount of criminal charges, however, will make up for the inherent inefficiency within Phokwane, where ANC-infighting continues to thwart service delivery. This has already been demonstrated by numerous failed government-driven interventions in Phokwane,” van Wyk said.
She further said the failure of the municipality to fix an affordable and easy to repair sewerage spill that is wreaking devastation on homes, schools and businesses in Jan Kempdorp, has again raised concerns about the ANC-run local government’s internal instability and poor financial state.
“The sewerage situation at the silos remains intolerable. Sewage continues to seep into boreholes, with at least two already contaminated with E. coli. Sewage in the road is already pushing up into houses in Andalusia Park and in a house at the “Lande”.
“Businesses, school and a creche in the industrial area are also badly affected. The DA further previously reported that two bodies have been found in the sewage that has dammed up at the silos,” said van Wyk.
Meanwhile, Tumodi said: “We have noted in dismay the ongoing unlawful demonstration by employees from the beginning of the week. As much as we are disappointed by the actions of our employees, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to timeously resolve the impulse.
“There is ongoing engagements between the employer and recognised stakeholders to expedite the resolve (sic). We wish to confirm that salaries of employees will be paid on time, other outstanding payments will be facilitated as a matter of urgency.”
Tumodi added: “We wish to implore our employees to desist from engaging on unlawful strike and afford the leadership of the institution to resolve all concerns. We wish to express our utmost apology for any inconvenience caused, together we shall build a better society.”
The Guardian 