By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Health has launched an investigation against the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) employee, who was in the company of an alleged prostitute, while driving an official branded state vehicle. This was captured on a video that went viral on various social media platforms. 

It is alleged that the EMS officer, who was using a state vehicle for his own personal reasons, was stopped by the law enforcement officers. According to the department, the incident took place during the festive season.

The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “The incident happened during the festive season when the department needed all its available resources to respond to medical emergencies. It is for this reason that the department applauds the law enforcement officers for their vigilance in monitoring the use of state vehicles.

“The normal procedures of dealing with this matter will be followed and it includes first suspending the official in question to allow investigations to proceed unhindered, then the investigation team will be appointed. The outcome of the investigation will determine the disciplinary processes.”

Lekgethwane further said, while members of the public and specifically social media users may have their own opinions about what transpired and what actions need to be taken, the department is pleading for space to proceed with the investigation and bring this matter to finality.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The smooth running operation at the embattled Ditsobotla Local Municipality in Lichtenburg, North West was affected on Wednesday (4 January 2023). This comes after disgruntled contract workers whose contracts were terminated in November 2022, allegedly went on a rampage and trashed official documents, which they collected from municipal offices in the streets.

On Wednesday (4 January 2023), the official documents could be seen strewn on the streets in Lichtenburg town. According to the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) chairperson in Ditsobotla, Makebe Kgotlhabeng, the contract workers stormed into municipal offices and demand their December salaries.

However, Kgotlhabeng said even though they condemn the actions of the contract workers, the municipality should also take full responsibility of what happened.

“These workers continued to report for duty during December month without any written or verbal communication from the municipality regarding their contracts. 

“However, they were told that their contracts were terminated when they demand December salaries. There were also allegations that, some contract workers were paid their December salaries, so that has sparked this action,” he said.     

The municipality spokesperson, Pius Batsile said, they have probed allegations and investigations are underway.  

“There are people who continue to spread wrong information that, there are some contract workers who were paid their December month salaries. Those rumours caused some contract workers to storm into the municipal offices and demand their December salaries from the municipality.

“However, as the municipality, we want to put it on record that no contract workers were paid December salaries. We have launched investigations into the matter to get to the bottom of it. So, if there is any truth to it, the municipality will pay those contract workers who have not received their December salaries,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms an incident in Ditsobotla, in which documents belonging to the municipality were destroyed and disposed of on the streets of Lichtenburg.

“It is unfortunate that the workers reacted in that manner and has called for stricter security measures to be put in place in all municipal buildings. We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour, be it from officials, councillors nor members of the

public.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the death of South African National Civic Association (SANCO) Provincial Organising Secretary, Pasture Maremo.

Maremo was involved in a tragic accident on R556 and R511 road (Rosslyn-Brits intersection) outside Brits on Wednesday around 11pm. The SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said Maremo, who was driving a Mercedes Benz SUV, collided with a truck.

He said Maremo was reportedly driving from a SANCO Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting that was held in Rustenburg on Wednesday on route home in Damonsville when he was involved in the fatal collision.

“We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Maremo family, his friends, comrades and communities that he served. We are deeply saddened by the untimely death of Maremo.

“He was a courageous leader of the civic movement as well as revolutionary alliance who served with loyalty and dedication to the very end. Maremo leaves behind a proud legacy of selfless community service as a unifier, true patriot as well as a visionary leader,” said Sebegoe.

He further emphasised that Maremo was steadfast in his conviction to reposition SANCO as the centre of influence that represents the aspirations of communities for a people centered and community driven development. Sebegoe added that Maremo, who was also elected councillor and appointed Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health at Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, left an indelible mark.

“Maremo, who cut his political teeth through trade union activism in the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), will be remembered for his principled leadership and unwavering commitment to collectivism. He was neither a populist nor a factional opportunist.

“A fitting tribute to this revolutionary cadre who led the vanguard of our communities with passion as well as integrity would be to unite SANCO, defend the unity of the revolutionary alliance, accelerate service delivery for the benefit of our communities and end the carnage on our public roads,” underscored Sebegoe.

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