The family of Pudieng from Mogopela A village in Taung said they are confident that they will find Omolemo Yvonne Pudieng (17) alive and sound. This comes after she went missing on Sunday.
North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said Pudieng allegedly left her village at around 7:40am to go and collect speakers from a family member around the village, but she never returned.
“She is 1.5m long and she was wearing a black track top with pink decorations in front and grey skirt with black stripes, navy blue doek on her head and wearing pumps. Anyone with information that can assist police in finding Omelemo can contact the investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer OP Phirichwane or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” Botma said.
Growing concerns over the ANC councillor candidate list divide the party members. The disgruntled ANC members in Ward 14 disrupted the councillor candidates’ introduction ceremony held at Taung Depot Hall on Sunday.
The disruptive ANC members accused one of the leaders, Crespo Menyatso of manipulating the councillor candidate list. They alleged that their preferred councillor candidate, Goitsemodimo Lekaota was unduly removed from the candidate list to accommodate the ‘unknown’ candidate, Mothusiotsile Mojanaga.
Keamogetse Phutiyagae said they will not vote during Local Government Elections (LGE) on 1 November 2021 unless the ANC corrects the list.
“On 16 June 2021, we as the community of ward 14 elected Lekaota as our ward councillor candidate. We were surprised to see the name of Mojanaga emerged as the councillor candidate. We had never voted for him and even the communities in that ward do not know him.
“We only know him as the Interim Branch Committee coordinator. Now, he has been catapulted as the councillor candidate? We have written a petition and launched a dispute, but Menyatso and his cronies chose to ignore our plea,” said Phutiyagae.
She added: “Mojanaga was the Interim Branch Committee co-ordinator and we have petitioned him. As the members of the ANC in that ward, we handed over a petition to Sylvia Lucas. There is a disparity during the councillor candidate list processes and we blame Menyatso.”
Another ANC member, Kebarileng Letswalo shared the same sentiments. Letswalo said she is a loyal member of the ANC and she was surprised to hear Menyatso saying that she had never voted for the ANC.
“Menyatso is the one causing corruption in the councillor candidate. This dispute you see in ward 14 is caused by him. No one will vote on 1 November 2021. We would rather lose that ward than to see Menyatso and his cronies pushing their own interests.
“He must also tell me which political party I belong to. I want to know how he knows that I did not vote for the ANC in the previous elections because I was alone in the voting booth,” she said.
However, Menyatso refuted allegations and labelled them as ludicrous. He said he was never part of the councillor candidate list selection process.
“First and foremost, I will give you the assurance that I was not part of the list processes. If you remember, from the guidelines of the ANC, in terms of the selection of candidates, the IRC appointed IRBPC for vetting and screening processes of candidates.
“From there, that process escalated to the level of the IPC. Now, the extended IPC is the structure that makes decisions. So, I was not part of the decision-taking processes or sit in the IRBPC, extended IPC or extended NEC meeting,” he said.
Menyatso said he is just a loyal, disciplined and an ordinary member of the ANC. He further said only three candidates were proposed in ward 14 and Lekaota’s name was not part of them.
“The three candidates that were proposed were Tumelo Maboitshege, Nosipho Mokoto and Mothusiotsile Mojanaga. The ANC took a decision out of these three names. You know these comrades who are disgruntled, refused to attend the official BGM meeting. They said they cannot attend any meeting convened by Mojanaga who happened to be the IBC coordinator,” said Menyatso.
ANC deployee in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Sello Lehari said all disputes will be addressed after 1 November 2021.
Picture: ANC members at Taung Depot Hall during the manifesto launch on Sunday
By OBAKENG MAJE
It is only three weeks left before South Africans go to the polls to vote for the political party of their choice. Even though the African National Congress (ANC) is marred with challenges such as political infightings and factionalism, it’s deployee in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Sello Lehari said, he is confident that ANC will perform well in the next coming Local Government Elections on 1 November 2021.
On Sunday, buoyant Lehari visited Taung to launch the ruling party’s election manifesto and introduced ANC councillor candidates.
“As the ANC, we have embarked upon a path of renewal, rebuilding and revitalisation of our party and society. This includes the turnaround of local government. We have resolved to face our problems, together, honestly, openly, and boldly.
“We will be more courageous, more innovative, and more ambitious in our actions and programmes to renew and rebuild our country. Together, in partnership, we shall re-dedicate our energy to forge social cohesion, build strong institutions of participatory democracy, revitalise our economy and build a strong, united, non-sexist, non-racial, and prosperous South Africa,” he said.
Lehari further said in the democratic era, the ANC has been unwavering in its commitment to improve the lives of the people of the country, especially the poor. He said no one joins the ANC to be poor forever.
“We must urgently finalise the social compact between the social partners to achieve our country’s fundamental social transformation to reduce and eradicate the plague of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
“We remain committed to making local government and society a better place to work, play and live in and continue to create a better life for all in our beloved South Africa. We will ensure that programme of infrastructure development, basic services, housing and local economic development address the specific needs of women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and children,” said Lehari.
He said the ruling party will move with speed to implement the three pieces of Gender-Based Violence Legislation and International Labour Organisation’s Convention 190 on sexual harassment in the workplace.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Provincial Secretary, Packett Seaketso shared the same sentiments. Seaketso urged tolerance between ANC members after some disgruntled members from ward 14 disrupted the event.
They accused some local leaders of manipulating the councillor candidates list processes and replaced their choice with an ‘unknown’ candidate.
“We need to put our difference aside and ensure that we campaign for the ANC. We admit that there are challenges regarding the councillor candidates list, but we want to assure you that will be rectified.
“We have confidence in the ANC and those who were unduly elected will be removed from the list and will be replaced by the correct candidates. We need to work together and ensure that ANC gets victory on 1 November 2021,” said Seaketso.
COSATU representative, Boitumelo Motimeng said: “We are here as COSATU to deliver the message of support. To all new councillor candidates, it is now the time to work hard. We also urge you to ensure that your attitude and behaviour represent the ANC.
“We cannot have councillors who go to social media platforms and write unholy things. As COSATU, we have noted with concern that there is also another challenge that our youths are not visible enough. We urge the ruling party to utilise the youths and address, poverty and inequality.”
SACP representative, Alfred Dikole said councillor candidates must ensure that they deal decisively with corruption, mismanagement, waste, and underperformance. Dikole further said new councillor candidates must ensure that the ANC-led municipalities are run by ethical leaders, managers, and workers.
Picture: EFF leader, Julius Malema handing over pamphlets to potential voters
By OBAKENG MAJE
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema said he is confident that his party will win the Greater Taung Local Municipality during Local Government Elections on 1 November 2021.
Malema, who received a massive following, did a walkabout at Taung Mall on Sunday. This was part of his election campaign trail in the North West.
“Today, I’m not here for a speech, but to do pamphleteering to our potential voters. We are here to remind them that on 1 November 2021, we need to dethrone these ANC thieves from the government.
“If we are voted into power, we will ensure that our people receive good basic services like water, sanitation, electricity and create job opportunities. EFF will ensure that our youths receive bursaries,” he said.
Malema further accused ANC leaders of nepotism and said they spare job opportunities only for their girlfriends.
“Let’s go and vote for the EFF on 1 November 2021. We want our people in Taung to have decent RDP houses and we will increase social grants. We will also ensure that social grants beneficiaries do not have to pay for water and electricity because they are indigents.
“So, today I’ll be addressing our people in Mamusa, and let’s go and embark on door-to-door. If we do door-to-door, let’s approach everyone including ANC members. ANC is dead and when you see a person wearing an ANC t-shirt, just remind him/her that the ANC is dead and the t-shirt is just a t-shirt with no meaning,” said Malema.
Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha will embark on a VOOMA vaccination campaign in Tlakgameng and Ganyesa villages near Vryburg on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Sambatha said as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Vooma Vaccination Weekends campaign aims to encourage South Africans to get vaccinated.
“We are continuing with this clarion call made by Ramaphosa to intensify our efforts to enable more of our communities to access the vaccine. Therefore, as the department, we are taking this campaign this weekend targeting areas of Tlakgameng and Ganyesa in the Kagisano-Molopo sub-district.
“I will also have an engagement session with the Tribal Authority of Barolong Boo Tlou le Tau. This session will be a key activity of the day as traditional leaders play an important part in mobilizing the community to ramp up vaccination in the targeted areas of Tlakgameng and Ganyesa,” he said.
The North West Premier, Bushy Maape is also expected to be part of the campaigns. Ramaphosa said the government aims to administer an additional 16 million vaccine doses this year, which amounts to around 250,000 first dose vaccinations every single workday of every week until mid-December.
He said the Vooma Vaccination Weekends are also an opportunity to acknowledge the immense contribution made by the frontline health workers and health service managers – from community health workers who have gone door-to-door encouraging people to go to vaccination sites to staff members at the sites and outreach vehicles and in health facilities across the country.
Date: 09 October 2021
Venue: Tlakgameng Tribal Hall, Tlakgameng
Time: 09:00
Date: 10 October 2021
Venue: Tlou Le Tau Tribal Hall, Ganyesa
Time: 09:00
Sambatha said apart from these two venues, there will be registration and vaccination
services at Ganyesa Shopping Complex, Ganyesa Methodist Church, Anglican Church-Vragas and UCCSA – Southey.
“Communities are therefore urged to take full advantage of the VOOMA Vaccination Weekend activities unfolding this weekend across the province to register and receive their jab,” said Sambatha.
Residents across Maphoitsile, Cokonyane, Buxton and other areas in Taung said they have lost hope in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. This comes after the embattled municipality allegedly failed to provide them with safe drinkable water.
One source who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “It’s been months since without a provision of water. However, you will see the so-called leaders telling us to go and vote for them. They are so incompetent and one only sees them when they need our votes. Otherwise, they do not care about service delivery.”
Another source said: “Factionalism at the municipality continues to affect service delivery. We are aware that some politicians are conniving with service providers and benefit from tankering system. Rural water supplies have traditionally been overshadowed by these evil leaders.
“There is no accountability at the municipality, however, that must change. We call on all voters to elect capable leaders who have the interests of the communities at heart. One of the sustainable development goals is the provision of water. Most of us do not have access to clean water and it is heart-breaking because we are forced to use alternative sources.”
It is alleged that the municipality owes Sedibeng Water millions of rands. On 30 September 2021, Sedibeng Water issued a notice informing all residents about scheduled water disruptions across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
However, the water supplier retracted its statement later on. Sedibeng Water acting CEO, Toto Molobye said: “As an organisation, we retracted the notice after an engagement with the municipality. The municipality has raised a concern that the notice was issued without their consent.
“However, it should be noted that Sedibeng Water has tried to contact the municipality to discuss the matter of the outstanding account since July 2021. However, we have been ignored by the municipality since then.”
Molobye added: “It is important to note that Sedibeng Water has held a meeting with the municipality on 15 July 2021 and discussed the outstanding payment and the expiry of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the municipality and us.
“The non-payment of services by the municipality has put us in a very unfortunate position of not being able to fulfill our obligations of rendering effective services to the municipality. Despite Sedibeng Water’s ongoing attempts to engage meaningfully with the municipality, our efforts yielded no positive results.”
He said in most instances, the municipality has actually frustrated all attempts to resolve this matter amicably. Furthermore, Molobye said other interventions and means afforded to the municipality to resolve the deadlock on non-payment (including the Intergovernmental Relations platform) have delivered little to no meaningful success.
“Therefore, based on the above-mentioned facts, Sedibeng Water was left with no other option except to issue the notice,” he said.
Meanwhile, the municipality failed dismally to respond to our media inquiry. On 1 October 2021, the municipality spokesperson, Joel Motlhasedi said: “Afternoon blar. Am on sick leave. Though I will it to the relevant people (sic).”
However, Taung DailyNews can categorically state that no formal response from the municipality except forwarded letters from Sedibeng Water.
The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) president, Dr Mbahare Kekana said his party aims to address interdependent socio-economic phenomena such as inequality, poverty, and unemployment during the 2021 Local Government Elections.
Kekana who launched his party’s manifesto in Lichtenburg on Wednesday said many South Africans continue to live in squalor and that needs to change.
“We are very excited about the outcomes of the Constitutional Court’s decision as we managed to stop the long-term suffering of our people to allow them in their respective communities to vote for change on 1 November 2021.
“This shows that the justice system of South Africa is at times, objective and fair. However, through this victory, F4SD has shown that we are a party that cares about the livelihood of the South African citizens,” he said.
Kekana said their 2021 Manifesto launch themed: ‘Let’s End Poverty and Corruption’. He further said the F4SD was founded back in 2015 as a serious response to the failures of the current South African government with an aim to tackle grassroots issues such as water, immigration laws, Housing and Sanitation, Electoral Reform, Education and poverty.
“The party embodies its founding principles in four pillars such as Grassroots democracy, Economic and social justice, Non-violence and Environmental Sustainability. The F4SD is here to rescue the people of South Africa from poverty, lack of service delivery, high rate of unemployment, corruption, financial incompetency, high rate of crime, lack of focus or support to rural and township economy, environmental waste degradation.
“As when other political parties were quiet and willing to see you suffer longer due to non-service delivery, we are the party that stood up and was ready to stand for what we believed was right for the people on the ground,” said Kekana.
He said their victory against the IEC has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Forum 4 Service Delivery is a party that advocates for social cohesion and uplifts the basic human rights of all South Africans.
“The F4SD 2021 LGE Manifesto is based on the four pillars which will bring hope to the masses and which will usher in change. Change for a better tomorrow, change for a new future. We are ready to serve you as our people through the other four pillars which are housing and sanitation, environmental sustainability, progressive educational system, and economic and social justice.
“In 2016 Local Government Elections, the statistics have proven that our party became the 4th biggest political party in the North West province having amassed 55 202 votes and winning 29 proportional Representative (PR) Council seats,” he said.
Kekana said his party is also represented in municipalities in Mpumalanga and the Free State wherein they have one seat per province. He added that F4SD will contest seven provinces during the 2021 LGE.
“Since the establishment, F4SD has managed to spread across five provinces in South Africa. The motion of no confidence was filed as successful in the Lekwa-Teemane, Maqussi Hills, the Greater Taung, and Madibeng Local Municipalities respectively. We are a political party that has held Tswaing Local Municipality accountable for health hazards to the community with sewage spillages.
“We have also opened a case of corruption and maladministration against senior officials in the municipality and in 2021, we fought against all odds for our people’s voice to be heard by taking IEC head-on on attempts to postpone the 2021 Local Government Election,” he said.
Picture: (Deceased) Former Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Neo Schalk/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the untimely death of Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Neo Schalk. Schalk, who was affectionately known as China in the political arena, was involved in a head-on collision car accident on N14 outside Vryburg in the early hours of Sunday.
Both Schalk and the other driver from a separate car were certified dead on the scene. The ANC North West Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) coordinator, Hlomani Chauke described Schalk as the most disciplined and committed member.
“The ANC has lost an outstanding leader, a loyal and disciplined cadre whose commitment to the unity, rebuilding, and renewal of the ANC was sincere and unquestionable. His unwavering commitment to the noble cause of nation-building and community service earned him the respect of the people of Naledi whom he served as a mayor with the greatest of humility, honour, and dignity.
“At his untimely demise, Schalk was an ANC ward 7 candidate in the Naledi sub-region. His death marks a sad end to an illustrious political journey that spanned almost four decades. He cut his political teeth in 1983 as a student leader at Bopaganang High School, where he was instrumental in leading student protests,” he said.
Chauke further said Schalk was also a leading activist of Huhudi Student Organization, Huhudi Youth Organization, and Huhudi Civic Association, which were UDF affiliates. He added that Schalk was also a member of the Regional Executive of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the Northern Cape region.
“Schalk was also a preeminent unionist whose organizing skills earned him the admiration of workers. He was consequently appointed as organizer of the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) and served the ANC in many capacities including as a member of the Regional Executive Committee in the Dr. Ruth
Segomotsi Mompati region.
“Following the first Local Government Elections, Cde Neo was elected to the position of councillor and the ANC Chief Whip in the Naledi Local Municipality. He also served as a Speaker of Dr Ruth District Municipality and as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Infrastructure and Maintenance,” said Chauke.
Schalk served in a number of parastatals including in the North West Operating Licensing Board, Botshelo Water Board, and Provincial Geographical Names Board. He also served the government in numerous capacities including as the Deputy Director for the Department of Transport, Roads and Public Safety.
Meanwhile, the South African National Civic Association (SANCO) in the North West described Schalk’s death as an epic loss.
SANCO Provincial Chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “His untimely departure has robbed our communities of a dedicated public representative who was among those who had laid a strong foundation for local government having served the Naledi municipality in various capacities.
“A fitting tribute to this revolutionary cadre and humble servant of our people who was an ardent campaigner and a patriot would be to ensure that the decisive victory that the ANC is targeting during Local Government Elections on 1 November 2021 is realised and that the councils to be installed thereafter are committed to people-centered and community-driven development.”
Sebegoe called for zero tolerance road traffic law enforcement in order to reduce crashes and fatalities on public roads.
North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has urged bidders to be wary of fraudsters. This comes after some bidders were allegedly contacted by fraudsters alleging that they have been sent to collect monies on behalf of chairpersons or directors for bids they have tendered for in order for them to get their appointment letters.
DARD spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako said the scam involves the fraudsters calling bidders and requesting money or using departmental letterheads or disguised as department’s representative to send out fake appointment letters to unsuspecting suppliers and service providers.
“All stakeholders that have received fraudulent letters are urged to report the matter to law enforcement agencies without hesitation and to inform the department of such activities. The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will never send e-mail asking service providers to supply equipment and goods/services without an official purchase order number,” Setlhako said.
Meanwhile, the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) said: “We’re a Non-Profit Organisation focused on fraud prevention and leading the fight against fraud and financial crime.
“We help to keep you safe from fraudsters by providing fraud prevention services.
Through collaboration between our citizens, the public, private sectors and like-minded organisations across the globe, SAFPS aims to reduce the impact of financial crime on society and the economy.”
The SAFPS said it is passionate about providing fraud prevention awareness relating to identity theft and impersonation, by publishing relevant and current information via multiple channels including social media.
“Since 2001, we have prevented billions of rand worth of fraud losses within the South African economy for both our members and consumers at large. SAFPS envisions increasing the savings value of our footprint across the SADC region in the next five years,” website said.
To report fraud at SAFPS kindly call (011) 867-2234
North West Premier, Bushy Maape is set to host a consultative session with leaders of religious and Faith-Based Organisations in Klerksdorp on Wednesday. According to Maape spokesperson, Sell Tatai in a statement, Maape will be accompanied by Members of the Executive Council (MECs) and mayors.
“The primary objective of the session is to find a lasting solution to challenges of service delivery bedeviling many municipalities across the province and to pray for strength in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These include praying for families who lost their loved ones as well as those suffering from Covid-19 related illnesses. The session is also aimed at establishing working relationships with leaders of faith-based organisations to promote ethical leadership and good governance in the province,” Tatai said.
He further said since Maape’s election as the Premier, he has been crisscrossing the province meeting with different stakeholders to share his vision. Tatai added that later in the afternoon, Maape will also hand over title deeds at Alabama Extension 4.
“Over four hundred families will benefit from this initiative. Over the years, the provincial government has been on a mission to confer title deeds to residents who were previously disadvantaged by unjust laws in relation to property ownership.
“Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) is hosting its EXCO Planning Lekgotla to assess the performance of the province in the last six months and prepare for the 2022/23 financial year,” he said.
Tatai said this also includes accelerating the delivery of services in the next six months of the current financial year. He said the first session will take place at Matlosana Local Municipality Ballroom Hall at 2pm, while the handing over title deeds session will take place at Extension 4 Alabama in Klerksdorp at 4:30pm.
The Guardian 