By OBAKENG MAJE

The aggrieved ANC members in North West, who took the ruling party to court over alleged blemished processes displayed during the provincial elective conference, that was held in Rustenburg a few months ago, are adamant that, the court will rule in their favour.

One of the applicants, Letlhogonolo Moloko from Matlosana said they were allegedly denied access into the vicinity, where the elective conference was held, even though they were voting delegates.  

The case was listened to by the North West High Court in Mahikeng on Friday and postponed until Tuesday for judgement. The ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Kenny Morolong lashed out at the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and called it fraudulent.

“We came here today to confirm what we already know that, this PEC is fraudulent and fictitious. We would not accept any wrongdoings within the ANC. We grew up in the ANC and we are more senior than many people who are in that PEC.

“So, we are not going to be afraid to confront injustice and we do not need any court of law to do that. The provincial elective conference was fictitious by all measure and we are not going to be intimidated by anybody,” he said.

Morolong further said they do not care whether the PEC charges them or not because there is nothing that the PEC can do that they have already not done to the ANC. He added that, the ANC PEC members have harmed and divided the ANC because they are assisted by ‘criminals’.

“Some of them are members of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC). However, we are not afraid of them and we will even tell them at the ANC national elective conference that, they have divided this province even further.

“We will not even be surprised if some of them were bought to do that, because we know those characters. They are very dodgy and corrupt, however, comrades, some of us are undeterred,” said Morolong.

He also called for unity and lauded those who took ‘gigantic’ steps to go to court. Morolong said the unity of the ANC is synchronised and there were some attempts to bribe applicants. 

“There is an audio clip that is circulating on social media platforms, where some of them tried to buy the applicants. If they think the elections were credible, why would they attempt to buy and intimidate the applicants? I can almost guarantee you that, victory is certain on 6 December 2022,” said Morolong.

However, ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said they are unshaken by these allegations. 

“Look, as the ANC PEC, we are still confident that the verdict will be in our favour. We have presented our case, but without getting into its merit, we will wait for the verdict on 6 December 2022 and respond accordingly.

“We will not dwell too much on the allegations making rounds on various social media platforms because we do not know where they originate.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The patrons were screaming for more during the historical #FillUp event that was held at Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng, North West. The music superstar, Refiloe “Cassper Nyovest” Phoolo brought his A-game and let revellers eat out of the palm of his hand.

The much-anticipated #FillUp event lived up to its expectations as people came out in numbers. Many revellers were happy to see Morafe group members performing together. They also sang along when their beloved prodigal son, Motswako rapper, Kabelo “Notshi” Oageng dished out his lyrics.

This was Cassper Nyovest’s first #FillUp event since the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the country. One of Morafe Group members, Lerothodi Moagi popularly known as Towdee Mac, who is also a music producer, songwriter and composer applauded Cassper Nyovest for bringing #FillUp to his hometown.

“This was Morafe coming back home and it was amazing to perform in front of our die-hard supporters. This was more than just entertainment, so big up to Cassper Nyovest. Remember, this is where it all started and it is great to be back here. 

“It was always the idea to bring the world to us as we never really embraced the idea of leaving our hometown and living elsewhere. So, bringing this event home will also boost the economy. We want to see this happening on a monthly basis not annually,” Moagi said.

He further said Morafe is working on various projects not only music. Moagi added that they want to see more musicians coming up and building the industry.

“We are more interested in bringing more workshops and induction programmes because we do not just need musicians in the industry, but various skills especially in North West,” he said.

The South African Idols judge and choreographer, Somizi Mhlongo shared a video on his Instagram applauding Cassper Nyovest for organising such an amazing event.  

“I want to dedicate this moment and give Cassper Nyovest his flowers. Cassper did the most amazing thing to witness with your naked eye.  What he did last night was Godly and nothing less of a miracle.  

“The young man is gifted, blessed and creative. Cassper Nyovest is the chosen one and the production was top notch including the sound. The performance was also great and the level of unity that was displayed was remarkable,” Mhlongo said.

He also encouraged artists to continue to support each other as that will grow the industry.

The Gusheshe hitmaker, Cassper Nyovest lauded all those who came out to support him. He said he was overwhelmed and humbled at the same time.

“This event had so many issues that I cannot even start to explain. The fact that it even happened was a miracle. Thank you so much for your support. I am nothing, but grateful.

“I am humbled and overwhelmed. I wanna come back next year. Are you all coming back to the #FillUpMmabathoStadium event? He asked.

Meanwhile, North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation (ACSR), Keneetswe Mosenogi said: “We are happy with the turnout as the province. At last, since the COVID-19 pandemic, our economy is going to be boosted. We have people travelling from various provinces like Gauteng, Limpopo, and Free State. This includes others from our neighbouring country, Botswana.

“This is also a great move for upcoming artists. They will be inspired by what Cassper Nyovest is doing and we are happy that he is tagging them along. This will advance and expose them to various stages, which will boost their careers.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 36-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection with the alleged murder of his brother. The North West police said the suspect allegedly strangled his younger brother (34) at their home in Lerome village near Moruleng, outside Rustenburg.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said, the suspect and the victim allegedly had a quarrel prior to the atrocity. Funani further said, the police were called to the scene and found the victim dead. 

“The suspect was immediately arrested and charged with murder. Investigations into the matter continue,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said: “We would like to condemn the incident and urge family members to solve their differences in an amicable way. We would like to applaud the Mogwase police for the swift arrest of the suspect.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

The aspirant community television station, TV North West (TVNW) is set to host its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday at the City of Life Community Centre, the City of Life Estate in Letlhabile near Brits.

The chairperson of TV North West, Lesiba Kgwele said, this will also form part of public consultation processes as TV North West wraps its community television license application. Kgwele further said, they are vying for one of the three licenses that the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has earmarked for the North West.

“The board will also use the AGM to be hosted from 9am to 12pm at the City of Life Community Centre, City of Life Estate Letlhabile K along the Brits-Letlhabile Road to introduce additional board members and its professional team with the extensive broadcast experience to stakeholders and members of the public.

“After giving an update of progress that the board has registered, we will, beyond the AGM, intensify our effort to clean up our application for full compliance and work tirelessly to meet the 12 January 2023 closing date,” he said.

Kgwele added that, their focus henceforth will be to ensure that their bid is flawless and competitive. He said, they have now overcome the major stumbling block, which was the two years of existence requirement that saw them and 41 other applicants being disqualified in the previous round.

“The ICASA Public Provincial workshop in respect of licensing for Community Television Broadcasting Services held on 15 November 2022 has greatly empowered us to address objections from our previous application, which were pointed to us during the informative session.

“The TV North West board is humbled by the overwhelming support and endorsement it has received from various stakeholders across the province. We are confident that, we have attracted the requisite leadership skills with dynamic expertise coupled with broadcast technical experience,” said Kgwele.

He said this will be necessary for TV North West to live up to its commitment to enrich and empower the province and its citizens. Kgwele said this will be done through compelling programming, powered by an authentic drive to engage, educate, entertain, inform and inspire.

“The Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) will offer the licensed station the ability to reach historically marginalised rural communities, as it broadcasts across the province, throughout the country, and with a spillage into neighbouring countries,” he concluded.

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it will oppose the bail of three men, who were arrested for kidnapping and killing a Bangladeshi national businessman, Pierre Ahmed Mujunder. 

It is alleged that on 22 November 2022, Aobakwe Ntsomane (32), Modisa Ralokwakweng, (31), and Kabelo Badimo (32) kidnapped Mujunder (40), who owned a supermarket at Hartswater and drove him to Magogoe village, near Mahikeng.

According to police, the deceased was kidnapped, while opening the gate at his home. The accused allegedly demanded ransom money of R1 million from his family. Mujunder was allegedly rescued by the police two days after he was kidnapped.

The deceased was allegedly found tied into a chair at the house, where one of the accused stays. The police allegedly untied him and he collapsed. Mujunder was certified dead at the scene.

Ntsomane, Ralekwakweng, and Badimo were arrested and charged with kidnapping and murder after the police traced the vehicle that they were driving. The vehicle was also found in Magogoe village.

The NPA spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The accused made their first court appearance at Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 28 November 2022. The case was postponed to 9 December 2022 for formal bail application, which the state intends to oppose.

“The investigations are still underway to uncover the real facts in this case.” 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A R400 million tender corruption case against four accused was postponed by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court to 30 March 2023. Tebogo Van Wyk (40), Nothando Dube (44), Sipho Levy Phiri (39) Thabang Mohlokoleng (54) were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in North West.

The accused are facing 34 counts, including fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, The Hawks report revealed that the accused were arrested in Gauteng and Mahikeng, respectively on 29 September 2022.

“The report further indicates that in 2014, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) embarked on the process to reintroduce commercial aircraft to the province’s two airports, Mahikeng and Pilanesberg on a subsidy estimated at R400 million.

“The amount of R183 million was then paid to SA Express between 2015 and 2017 for the services rendered by the ground management companies, which Van Wyk, Dube and Phiri are linked to. The state alleges that off the R83 million, an amount of R51 million was channelled irregularly through the charged companies,” Mamothame said.

He further said, the North West government allegedly appointed S.A Express as a service provider to render the service, but this was done without following the proper supply chain management processes. Mamothame added that, the irregularly secured agreement is said to have been signed by the four accused.

“All three companies, Batsamai Investment Holdings, Sevilex Investment Holdings and Lavao, Estevao (PTY) LTD were appointed to do the ground handling services and were indirectly owned by Dube and Phiri.

“The irregularities prejudiced the North West government of millions of rands that could have been directed to service delivery. The case was recommended for investigation by the Zondo Commission, and the DPCI will continue the investigations as recommended,” said Mamothame.

It is alleged that, Mohlokoleng signed on behalf of the North West Community Safety and Transport Management, as the then accounting officer in his capacity as the Head of Department (HoD). Mamothame said the deal was allegedly riddled with procurement irregularities and monies were paid for the services not rendered.

“This will be conducted in phases, with a possibility of more charges and arrests being effected. The case was postponed to await the outcome of the application that was made to the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, for more charges of racketeering to be added and for the matter to be centralised, as some offences were commissioned in the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Local Division.

“Further particulars relating to the case have been shared with the defence attorneys and the state has committed to share the remaining documents before the matter resumes in March 2023,” he said.

Van Wyk was granted R500 000 bail, R35 000 for Dube, R150 000 for Phiri and R50 000 for Mohlokoleng. Their bail conditions are that, they should not evade court on the next appearance, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and inform the investigating officer should they wish to leave their area of jurisdiction.

Mamothame said the court granted Mohlokoleng five days to submit his passport after he indicated that his passport was missing. He said Mohlokoleng was also ordered to report to his nearest police station every day between 06h00 and 18h00 until the passport is surrendered.

“The state will in this period provide the defence attorneys with the indictment and other necessary documents in preparation for trial,” said Mamothame.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 170 000 jobs were saved through the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) dispute resolution initiatives since 2016, said CCMA Executive Director, adv Sello Morojane.

According to Morajane, one job loss is one too many in the current challenging economic climate. He said the CCMA’s posture is to remain a dispute resolution agent and everything else will be about support services.

“On the eve of COVID-19, the CCMA was in the throes of embarking on a number of innovations and these had to be shelved. Now that the COVID-19 pandemic risk has subsided, it is time the organisation does things differently.

“All of us must adjust, adapt and evolve with time without going backward. COVID-19 has changed the course of time and how we do things. So, does our attitude towards work and how we tackle cases. There were things that, we had for the future, but the future came to us,” he said.

Morajane emphasised that the CCMA users will continue to remain a top priority. He also appeals to commissioners to avoid postponing cases unnecessarily and always engage with clients.

“We are an institution of statutory creation – born out of the belly of South Africa’s constitution led by the values of the constitution – and we live those values. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions closed down. However, the CCMA stepped up.

“It was one of those times when our leadership skills were tested. Some of our officials died, while others were infected. Also, some have not healed because the COVID-19 pandemic is still in our midst. We served the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and stood the test of time,” said Morejane.

He further said when the National Minimum Wage (NMW) was introduced, it was not an Act, but a statement – about economic development. Morejane added that they must ensure that, it is enforced.

“The importance of language and culture – in dispute resolution especially during the conciliation stages. Parties understand the dispute better in their own language. Clients should be encouraged to speak in the language of their choice untranslated.

“The switch to English often goes with ego. We must unlock the use of 11 official languages, then we will see a radical change in dispute dissolution. I also want to caution commissioners against finalising an award and later walking away,” said Morejane.

He said commissioners must ensure that they enforce the execution in the name of social justice.

“The value of the award is in the execution. So, the idea is to complete and close the deal, then there will be true value in what we do. There is also a need to train commissioners on the rules and guidelines. Another project of concern to CCMA is the operation model and funding design.

“Since the CCMA opened its doors more than 25 years ago, it has handled more than 3.7 million cases. In the process, the CCMA issued more than 547 000 awards, and 130 00 of those awards were enforced. The enforcement of awards is a worry for us,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The opposition parties at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) have opened a fraud case against the beleaguered Dikagisho Mokoma, who is the municipal Director of Corporate Services.  

This comes after Mokoma was implicated in the findings of the investigative report tabled by the Matshego Ramagaga Attorneys. The independent law firm was appointed by the municipality to investigate allegations of misconduct against Mokoma.

She allegedly misled the previous council over danger allowance for the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in the municipality ‘illegally’ paying senior managers and directors a monthly R2500 as danger allowance, instead of a standard flat rate of R1500.

According to the investigative report, the municipality has lost R508 500 due to Mokoma’s alleged conduct. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) councillor in the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Mmoni Letele said, the council delegated the former Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi to commission investigations against Mokoma.

“So, during the council meeting, we discussed two important items that formed part of our agenda. Firstly, there was the implementation of a council resolution. You will remember that, on 9 October 2022 during a special council meeting, we took a resolution that the danger allowance policy be adjusted.  

“So, we expected the acting municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane to outline his plans on recouping those R1000s that were paid to senior managers and directors. There was also a representation of investigative report on danger allowance, including findings on the allegations that Mokoma has misled the previous council,” she said.

Letele further said, the investigative report findings suggest that, Mokoma has misled the council. She added that, the LLF and council resolved that each employee should get R1500 as the standard flat rate.

“The findings of the investigative report also suggest that the initial agreement was a draft, but Mokoma unilaterally amended it. When she was asked why did she ‘illegally’ amend the draft report, she gave an excuse that she did this in order to compensate senior managers and directors because they do not get overtime.

“So, she amended the LLF agreement fraudulently, hence we opened a criminal case. As usual, the ANC councillors used their majority and refused to implement the recommendations of the investigative report even though it was adopted and seconded. They suggested that the report be deferred for three weeks without any valid reasons,” said Letele.

According to Letele’s suspicions, the ANC councillors deferred the report for three weeks because they know that will mark the end of Mokoma’s suspension. Letele said, the ANC councillors want Mokoma’s three months suspension to lapse so that she can return to work without facing any disciplinary hearing.  

“Mokoma should be held accountable and pay back R508 500 that the municipality has lost due to her decisions. The fraudulent amendment executed by her has cost the municipality to lose R508 500 due to those extra R1000s paid to senior managers and directors.

“This money should have been allocated for service delivery. But the municipality has lost money because of Mokoma’s action and manipulation,” she said.

The African Independent Congress (AIC) councillor, Salvation De Kuker shared the same sentiments. De Kuker said they hope to find a lasting solution to this matter.

“It cannot be possible that the ANC councillors use their majority to go against what is right. So, we believe that the law enforcement authorities will assist us to ensure that justice prevails,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “A case of fraud was opened at the Taung Police Station against an employee of the Greater Taung Local Municipality on Tuesday.

“However, no arrest has been made at present and an investigation is underway by the Taung Detectives.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com