By OBAKENG MAJE

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the North West said it is concerned over allegations that Peermont, which owns the iconic Mmabatho Palms in Mahikeng, intends to relocate the casino licence to Rustenburg.

Mmabatho Palms Hotel and Casino was reduced to ashes last year during the North West Premier, Bushy Maape’s inauguration celebration. It is alleged that the fire that engulfed the hotel started in one of Maape’s rooms, where he hosted a party.    

COSATU provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said the removal of the casino license will kill the economy of Mahikeng.

“We view this as an intention to kill the economy of Mahikeng and render it a ghost town. Mahikeng economy relies mostly on government service and other service-related sectors. There are no industries in that area, so the closure and the removal of the casino will leave many workers without jobs. 

“The hotel has a rich history and it has been a tourist attraction for many before it burnt down. It is a known fact that tourism on its own is a creator of jobs and if this licence is moved, there will be little if no tourist activities in Mahikeng,” he said.

Konopi further said as COSATU, they also view the move of the casino to Rustenburg as duplication as there is a Mega casino situated about 40km from the town.

He calls on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to convene the provincial economic summit urgently.

“The summit must include all stakeholders in the province. The summit must develop an inclusive approach towards the transformation of the economy of the province, whereby the economic development will be spread across all four districts of the province and not to be centred in one area.

“COSATU calls on the government to reject the request by Peermont to move the license to Rustenburg but rather come up with a mechanism to rebuild the hotel as it was burnt down last year,” said Konopi.

He said if Peermont wants to move out of Mahikeng, they should do so, but leave the gambling license in Mahikeng so that it can be allocated to another operator.

The executive mayor of Mahikeng Local Municipality, Tshepiso Mphehlo shared the same sentiments. Mphehlo said they are against the closure of Mmabatho Palms Hotel and Casino.

“The planned move by Peermont to close the casino is not properly considered. Mmabatho Palms forms an integral part of the economy of Mahikeng.

“Guests from far and locally, use facilities of the hotel when visiting the city. We are currently engaged in extensive work to turnaround the poor state of service delivery in the city. This includes the engagement of stakeholders to forge relations that will deliver quality basic services to residents,” Mphehlo said.

He also calls on residents and all stakeholders to lodge objections to the closing of the casino with the North West Gambling Board.

Meanwhile, the Peermont Group, Marketing Operations Manager, Nikki Evans said: “Yes, Peermont has officially submitted an application to the North West Gambling Board for the relocation of the Mmabatho Palms Hotel Casino and Convention Resort gambling licence to the Waterfall Mall, in Rustenburg.

“There are a set of documents lodged with the board which are available for public view. Regarding the staffing, the document states that the staff employed at Mmabatho Palms, will have the first right of refusal to positions available at the Waterfall Hotel & Casino. 

“The staff members employed at Mmabatho Palms who do not wish to relocate to Rustenburg will be accommodated at the remaining operations at Mmabatho Palms as much as possible.”

Evans further said the majority of the additional vacant positions will first be recruited from within Peermont, Rustenburg and surrounding areas and will be aligned with transformation targets.  

She added that Peermont has committed to continue the conference, food and beverage operations at Mmabatho Palms should the relocation be approved.

Peermont also owns and operates Rio Casino in Klerksdorp, which its licence was relocated from Taung Sun Hotel and Casino in Taung to Klerksdorp a few years ago.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The issue of water shortages continues to be a challenge to many villages across Taung. The residents from Tamasikwa, Manokwane, Manthe, Maphoitsile and other surrounding villages in Taung said they have over six months without receiving proper drinkable water.

A social activist, Eddie Mogorwe from Manokwane village said, residents had to resort to alternative sources such as wells and furrows to get water. He said it is heart-breaking to find people still being subjected to this kind of abuse even after 27 years of democracy.

“Our taps run dry and not even a single drop of water comes out. Now, our reliability of water is from wells and furrows which are of poor quality. We urge our government to do away with the decentralization of water management as monitoring of both water supply and water use are essential measures.

“As we speak, we have Taung Dam but we still continue struggling with provision of water. I believe that there must be a tailor-made approach to each municipality for provision of safe and drinkable water in each village,” he said.

Another resident from Tamasikwa village who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We will highly-appreciate it, if we have access to basic drinkable water. We are now forced to share water with animals from the nearby river.

“Why is it so difficult for the government to do monitoring and evaluation of the water? Now, we are not sure who to talk to because our plea just falls in deaf ears. It seems our government officials forgot that water has now become a key element since we have COVID-19 in our midst.” 

Meanwhile, the North West Premier Bushy Maape who addressed the Exco Planning Lekgotla held at Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre in Taung on Tuesday said the Accelerated Service Delivery Plan is in full swing.

“Well, on Friday, we will be speaking about our plans for this year. What it is that we are going to do. Generally, we will take the cue from the Cabinet Lekgotlha and State of the National Address (SONA).  

“I think the State of the Province Address (SOPA) will address and indicate what we are going to deal with. The address will cover many service delivery issues and remember, the North West is a water scarce province,” he said.

Maape further said an inter-departmental committee on water challenges has been set up and continues to meet regularly. He added that the provincial government recently held a three-day session with the Department of Water and Sanitation and this is aimed at finding solutions to challenges of water provision in the province.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A GBH assault case against the ANC councillor in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Judy Lebogang Mothibi (32) has been struck off the roll pending investigations.

Mothibi alongside with other three accused, Thebe Templeton Khubyane (36), Khotso Ebenezer Mogapi (38) and Sherren Boitshoko Van Wyk (42) allegedly assaulted Aobakwe Tau during a commotion at Mothibi’s tavern in Lokaleng village near Taung back in 2021.

It is alleged that there was a misunderstanding between Tau and Mothibi at around 8pm and that led to a confrontation. Tau was assaulted to the pulp and sustained multiple injuries.

He was taken to a local clinic and transferred to Taung District Hospital.

According to information, Tau was later transferred to Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital due to injuries sustained. Those who were at the scene when the incident unfolded alleged that Mothibi who is also a member of the ANCYL Regional Conference Preparatory Committee in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, also urinated on Tau, while lying down after the beatings.

Now, the court struck the case off its roll and ordered the investigating officer to go and take additional statements from eyewitnesses and incorporate them as evidence before the case can be continued.

Meanwhile, at the 2017 Nasrec policy conference, ANC implemented a ‘Step-Aside-policy”.  The stepping aside rule would force any ANC member who is office bearer or occupies any political position and dealing with allegations of corruption or serious crime to step aside.

However, the ANC Interim Regional Committee (IRC) co-ordinator in the region, Walter Mabogola, said he was not aware of the matter, but he will inform the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in North West about the case. However, Mabogola did not respond to Taung DailyNews inquiry regarding any developments before going to print.

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