By OBAKENG MAJE

A mother of a learner at St Paul High School in Taung called on the North West Department of Education to take appropriate steps against teachers, who use corporal punishment as chastisement when disciplining learners.

Nthabiseng Portia Mate from Lokaleng village near Taung said her son, Otlotleng (13) who is doing Grade 8, was allegedly severely beaten by a teacher, Tiri Maroke and needed medical attention.

“My son came home with fresh wounds on his buttocks. I asked him what happened, and said a teacher had beaten him because there was a commotion between him and other two learners in class.

“So, I visited the school to get more information on what has transpired. I spoke with the teacher and he apologised. He also offered to pay for my son’s medical expenses. However, I will not lay any criminal charge against him,” she said.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “We have launched investigations against the teacher. If the allegations are true, then necessary steps will be taken against him. The department has so far registered 15 assault cases across the province for the 2022 calendar.”    

Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in North West said it condemns the use of corporal punishment in schools. The COSAS president, Thabang Mokoena said corporal punishment has long-term negative effects on learners.

“As COSAS, we are not happy to see that these cases are not resolved, while in most schools corporal punishment is still being practised. This is happening and the department is turning a blind eye. Remember, corporal punishment has been abolished long time ago.

“So, we are saying to the department, we are also fed up. Learners are being beaten in schools and nothing has been done. There are safety summits, which are held year in and year out to discuss such issues, but nothing has changed,” Mokoena said.

He further said what the department is doing is only ‘pep-talk’ with no implementation. Mokoena added that the documents from previous safety summits are archived and continue to gather dust, while learners continue to be subjected to corporal punishment.

“We want to tell the department that we are fed up and enough is enough. There is another burning issue, which is bullying in schools. We have been calling for the implementation of adopt-a-cop policy when speaking about quality learning and teaching.

“We also urged the department to ensure that there are social workers and psychologists in schools to ensure that learners who have issues such as behavioural challenge, involved in gangsterism and bullying other learners get help,” said Mokoena.

He said it is sad to see this happening because violence has a damaging effect on children’s neurological development and may compromise cognitive development.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West is set to appear before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on 24 March 2022. This comes after teaching and learning was affected in more than 40 schools across the province due to poor infrastructure.    

One of the schools that were affected was Setshwarapelo Primary School in Mokgareng village near Taung. The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education. The Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West, Freddy Sonakile said they have visited the school as the committee and were appalled by its conditions.

“I submitted questions to the North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela, but there was no response. I then elevated the matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

“In 2020, one of our MPLs, Gavin Edwards also did the same after conducting an oversight at the Promosa Secondary School in Potchefstroom. We followed the same route with Boitumelo Primary School in Bethel village near Mahikeng, which still has an asbestos building,” Sonakile said.

He further said, following their complaints to the SAHRC, the department was requested to provide answers, but they failed dismally. Sonakile added that he was happy when the SAHRC informed him that it had summoned the department to appear before it.

Meanwhile, the SAHRC Office Manager in the North West, Osmond Mngomezulu said they started investigations on school infrastructure after receiving complaints relating to six schools. Mngomezulu said, however, the scope was widened when they identified more schools during their assessment and monitoring.

“In particular, the complaints raise allegations concerning deteriorating buildings, cracked walls, cracked floor, broken window, falling ceilings, exposed electricity wires, shortage of classrooms, overcrowding in classrooms, asbestos roofing and structures, lack of access to sufficient water and basic sanitation.

“We therefore consolidated the complaints and handled the matter as a systemic violation of human rights. During the enquiry, the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) drew our attention to 40 more schools,” Mngomezulu said.

He said the Naptosa, which is a teachers’ labour union, presented additional schools including those in Madibeng that still use pit latrines. Mngomezulu said at this stage, they are still mapping out the additional schools, but they are looking at more than 60 schools in the province.

“The department has requested a postponement to 15 March 2022 to provide written submissions and is expected to appear before the SAHRC on 24 March 2022,” said Mngomezulu.

The departmental spokesperson, Elias Malindi refused to comment further on the matter and said they will only respond to the media after their interaction with the SAHRC. In 2019, R150 million infrastructure grant allocated to the department was returned to the national treasury’s coffer after it was unused.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Taxi Council (NWTC) said they were shocked to learn that R86 million allocated to the North West Public Works department was unused and forced to be returned.

This follows the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula’s startling revelation at the Presidential Imbizo held a week ago in Mahikeng, North West. The NWTC chairperson, Ebusang Tladi said it is embarrassing to see the roads across the province in bad condition, whereas there is money allocated.

“There is a constant demand for good quality infrastructure, transportation and services in the province. However, the province is lagging behind as the bad condition of the roads issue is not addressed. 

“We are adversely affected by the bad condition of the roads. However, as the taxi industry, we directly contribute to the economic growth of this country and we need to have accessible roads,” he said.

Tladi said, in December 2021, they had an engagement with the department over the condition of the road between Schweizer Reneke and Wolmarastad because of potholes found in that route.  

He said inaccessible roads contribute to the increase of taxi fares because our minibus taxis are damaged by the roads.

“There is a road between Matsheng and Molelema villages in Taung, which is a D221. The contractor downed tools there after he was allegedly not paid by the department. You go to the Brits CBD, the roads there are in bad condition.

“We see many inaccessible roads across the province and on the other hand, there is money that is unused. What does that say about the people in leadership positions? We cannot afford to pay expensive petrol and also cater for our minibus taxis damaged by bad conditions on various roads,” said Tladi.

He said it is so unfortunate that they will get a fine from traffic officers because of a damaged light or windscreen, but when they explain that has happened because of bad road conditions, they get no answers.

Tladi said one day they will protest against the bad condition of the roads.

Meanwhile, Mbalula said SANRAL has taken back some of the national roads. He said what has happened in the Wolmaranstad, where the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality allegedly dug the national road, was because of bad governance and corruption.

“The problem here is mismanagement and corruption. This is a national road and it was supposed to be maintained by SANRAL.  The then provincial government took a decision to maintain this road. However, this is what has happened and this is the only national road that looks like this.

“The money allocated to the province to fix roads had rolled-over because people wanted to take control, so that they could pass the javelin without thinking for the masses. How can the government take that policy?” he said.

“When you look at this place, these are not even potholes, but Kimberley Hole. This is a mess and the Premier understands that we must take over this road and maintain it. You will never see a scandal like in this administration,” he said.

The North West Public Works and Roads departmental spokesperson, Matshube Mfoloe failed to respond to our inquiry before going to print.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A grim picture of corruption and funds misappropriation continues to show its ugly head in the North West Provincial Government (NWPG). This comes after the Public Service Commission (PSC) highlighted that most employees are either doing business with the state or sit on various bid committees to award tenders to their cronies.

The PSC Commissioner in the North West, Dr Moeletsi Leballo said this during a joint meeting with the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on oversight of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) together with the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA), where the PSC appeared to account on progress registered on cases reported for financial misconduct during the 2020/21 financial year at various departments in the province on Wednesday in Mahikeng, North West.           

“We decided to cover the three financial years, which is 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21. Every government employee is expected to fill the financial disclosure form to be scrutinized.

“As the PSC, we have realised that there are many employees, who are doing business with the government or sit in bid committees that award tenders. If they do so, this constitutes conflict of interest,” Leballo said.

He further said this has led many departments to have incurred irregular, unauthorized, wasteful and fruitless expenditure in consecutive years. According to Leballo, more than R76 million (R76 629 940.07) has been frivolously spent during the 2020/21 financial year.

“Also, R1 957 615.20 was squandered during the 2017/2018 financial year and has not been recovered yet. However, only four departments reported financial misconduct cases against their employees.

“The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported one employee, while the North West Education also reported one employee. The Office of the Premier reported two employees. These four financial misconduct cases were concluded, but no disciplinary actions were taken against those involved,” he said.  

Leballo added that it is a concerning factor to see departments under-reporting financial misconduct cases in the province. He said he is of the view that the accounting officers responsible should be held accountable for non-compliance.

Meanwhile, chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on oversight of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Jacqueline Theologo said: “We will write a letter to the North West Premier, Bushy Maape to submit a report to the committee within seven days replying to all financial misconduct cases.

“This will assist us to get a complete reflection of what is actually happening. There is discrepancy in the process because not everything is forwarded to the PSC and recommendations are not fully implemented.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West, Papiki Babuile said, corruption is dire in the province and all those who are in power are not there to serve the people, but to execute their own interests.

North West Premier, Bushy Maape said during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) that he had set up a forensic unit that will assist his government to fight malfeasance, corruption and fraud.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The South African National Supporters (SANASU) President, Saddam Maake has warned malcontents who speak on behalf of football fans to stop their mischief or risk facing harsh consequences.

Maake said SANASU is the only legitimate supporters group in the country and has applied to be officially affiliated to the association, a request that will be tabled at the forthcoming SAFA Congress this month.

Together with Secretary-General, Joy Chauke, SANASU has hit the ground running setting up supporters’ structures around the country.

“Supporters had long worked in a disorganised manner, hence we had decided to formalise SANASU as a true representative of all fans in the country. We have formalised the supporters structure and we are going around the country mobilising fans to rally behind our national teams and clubs representing South Africa in CAF and FIFA competitions.

“It is under this background that SANASU has warned fake groups that purport to speak on behalf of South African football fans because only SANASU is obligated to do so. To all football fans around the country and those whom we have not spoken to yet, we will soon reach out to you and incorporate you into SANASU,” said Maake.

He urged supporters not be hoodwinked by anyone who purports to speak on behalf of South African football fans. Maake said only SANASU has the legal standing to do so.

“Next week, we will be attending the SAFA Congress where we will present our formal application for affiliation. SANASU will be working hand-in-hand with vendors whose only livelihood has been badly affected by the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.

‘’We are going to work together with vendors who sell their wares at the stadiums, as well as taxi drivers who transport fans to the matches. We need to bring that form of business back to life.

‘’We have started conversations with fans around the country and are busy forming regional and provincial structures. We believe that as representatives of supporters that we should be in the communities mobilising fans unlike the fake groups who want to work from offices and wear ties and suits,” he said.

Maake further said their job is to sing and cheer players. He added that they have a huge role to play and football fans should watch the space.

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