A fraud case against Thinus Becker (61) was postponed by the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 21 September 2022. It is alleged that, Becker defrauded farmers’ cattle worth R4 million.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said the accused was summoned to appear in court following the finalisation of investigations by the Hawks’ Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
“It is alleged that Becker, who was a representative of Vleissentraal Auction in Klerksdorp, allegedly took cattle from farmers and gave the farmers false invoices.
“He allegedly sold the cattle at an auction under his name, where he allegedly made approximately R4 million, however he never paid the farmers for their cattle,” she said.
Rikhotso said the accused was charged with ten counts of fraud and the matter was postponed to 23 November 2022.
Picture: The Sekhing Community Health Centre in Taung
By OBAKENG MAJE
Heads are expected to roll at the North West Department of Health after delays that affected the completion of the R130 million Sekhing Community Health Centre project in Sekhing village near Taung.
The project was advertised in 2012, but was marred by challenges after the previous contractor declared insolvency. Now, the department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said they were forced to remove another contractor after he failed dismally to complete the project.
This left residents with no choice but to seek medical attention at the nearest healthcare facilities, which are more than 15km away.
“As the department, we will institute an in-depth investigation to find the culprits that held up the project and heads will roll accordingly. So, without any reservations, we are disappointed with ourselves in terms of how this project has gone.
“Of course, part of the disappointment will be directed to the contractors that we appointed. You’ll remember that, since the time the project started, we have been changing contractors,” he said.
Lekgethewane further said, some of the contractors could not continue with the project and requested to relinquish the responsibility because of their financial constraints. He said they have visited the project recently in order to get a sense of whether the resolutions that were made in July 2022 are being implemented.
“It is disappointing to find out that there are now legal issues marring the project. These legal issues are impeding the department and the legal advice we have received warned us that, if we go ahead and appoint another contractor to complete the project, which will take only two months, we will be sued.
“However, there are processes already in place to remove the contractor who has failed dismally to deliver the project. There are immediate challenges that are not only facing the department, but the community,” Lekgethwane said.
He added that one of these critical issues is access to healthcare. Lekgethwane said they have taken a cautious decision with the risk of being sued by allowing some of the services to be rendered at the facility.
“You will remember that we had to open some part of the facility to create a vaccination site because of COVID-19. So, we think that the community of Sekhing has been patient enough with us and we cannot continue to come up with the same story over and over again.
“We decided that primary healthcare services should be rendered at the facility. What the management has decided after getting a report was to bring a mobile station to the vicinity of Sekhing to be used. Secondly, we will bring a doctor to operate from there,” said Lekgethwane.
Meanwhile, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said: “The right to have access to health care services is a basic human right guaranteed by the constitution. Section 27 of the constitution provides that everyone has the right to have access to health care services, including reproductive health care services and no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.
“The constitution and the National Health Act 61 of 2003 (as amended) envisage a single health system for South Africa. However, in addition to public healthcare, a number of private healthcare service providers exist in the country.”
The Guardian 