Picture: The water levels at Bloemhof Dam on decline/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Department of Water and Sanitation said the water levels at Bloemhof Dam are on the decline with the dam level at 105%. The department spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said, the water discharge is being reduced gradually from 2800m3/s to 2400m3/s by this afternoon.
“The department’s Hydrological Monitoring and Forecasting System continues to closely monitor the water flow in these rivers and dams, as well as other water courses across the country.
“The Vaal Dam is also experiencing a continuous decrease in water capacity, currently sitting at 108%. As a result, another sluice gate is closed today, resulting in six gates remaining open,” Mavasa said.
He further said, in the Orange River, the Gariep Dam is also sitting at around 108.84%, and the releases into the Orange River are 1222.45m3/s. Mavasa added that, at the Vanderkloof Dam, water levels are at 108% and outflow releases are 1318m3/s.
“Water levels at the Lower Orange River and Lower Vaal River remain high and are expected to respond to the reduced flows from both the upstream Orange and Vaal rivers only later in the week,” he said.
Picture: A sassy You FM sports presenter, Karabo Mokgalagadi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The award-winning sports presenter, Karabo Mokgalagadi continues to be a ‘beacon of hope’ for aspiring sports presenters across the province. Mokgalagadi showed her pedigree when she won the Sports Journalist of the Year (electronic) during the prestigious North West Sports Awards (NWSAs) held at Sun City Super Bowl in Rustenburg on Saturday.
You FM’s sassy sports presenter, who engrossed the judges said, this achievement will encourage her to work hard. Ms K as Mokgalagadi is affectionately known in the sports fraternity, further said, she achieved this through discipline, dedication and determination.
“To be honest, this means a lot to me because is a provincial recognition. You know, just getting that nod from the province that says, Karabo, you doing great….it really put my heart at ease.
“This is a proper stamp of approval to say Karabo, your work is being recognised as a woman in sport. So, I am very humbled and I think we can still do more,” she said.
Mokgalagadi said, it is not an easy task, especially for women to claim their niche in the industry because it is still male-dominated. However, she encouraged aspiring sports presenters in the province to develop a thicker skin to survive.
“Firstly, my message to those aspiring sports presenters is that, be you and do you. This is a tough industry, which is still male-dominated. You really need to have a thicker skin and believe in yourself.
“Another thing, please take criticism constructively. Remember, there will be those who like or hate you. This is a great initiative to honour our athletes in the province,” said Mokgalagadi.
However, she added that there is a lot that needs to be done to improve sports in the province. Mokgalagadi said, there are development structures across the province, but the financial support is not enough.
“I think, what should be done to improve our sport is to give unwavering support, especially financially to these structures. There are development structures for various sporting codes, but they need to be financially backed.
“We have an abundance of talents in the province and once we get that proper push, our athletes will definitely shine. Every Tuesday, I talk sport development on my show and that’s where I realised that the talent is there, but there is a lack of support,” said Mokgalagadi.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi said: “I am delighted to present the prestigious North West Sport Recognition Awards, as we honour our athletes, sports teams and schools, who have excelled in their various sporting codes.
“The department and North West Provincial Sports Confederation have jointly embarked on this momentous initiative to ensure that excellence in sports, is duly recognised, rewarded and honoured.”
Mosenogi said the sport is one of the key contributors to the economy and social development as it plays a significant role in mitigating the well-known triple challenges in our society such as poverty, inequality and unemployment.
“We can never forget the ripple effect of COVID-19 on sports as for the past two years or so, athletes, whose livelihoods depend on sports were gravely affected as all sporting events across the globe were suspended.
“Therefore, we are pleased to have these men and women back at their various sporting platforms. These recognition awards also cast its eyes on sports administrators, who are responsible for the smooth operations of various sporting events and activities and enduring that they become a success,” she said.
Four suspects aged between 28 and 31 have been arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the suspects were nabbed by police during patrol.
“The police from Vryburg Community Service Centre (CSC) were performing patrol duties when they saw a driver of a vehicle pointing a firearm out of a vehicle. The police immediately stopped the vehicle and requested the license of the firearm.
“The driver of the vehicle was unable to provide a license and he was arrested along with other occupants after failing to could not provide reasons for being in possession of the firearm. A case of possession of a firearm without a license was opened against them,” van Rooyen said.
She said, the suspects will appear at Vryburg Magistrate’s Court today.
The acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng applauded the police for their vigilance and swift response that led to the arrest. Tlotleng said the police perform their duties with such commitment to ensuring that, the communities are safe.
Picture: Some of the drugs that were allegedly found in possession of the suspect/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A MAN (28) is expected to appear at Vryburg Magistrate’s Court for being in possession of drugs. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “On Friday, the police in Vryburg were busy with operation Vuthi Hawe and were patrolling in the suburb of Colridge.
“Whilst on patrol, they saw a man, who looked suspicious and requested to search him. Upon searching him, the police found 100 Methaqualone (Mandrax) tablets in his possession.
“The suspect was immediately arrested and a case of Possession of Dependence Producing Substance (Mandrax) was opened. The estimated street value of the tablets is R80 000.”
Meanwhile, the acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng applauded the police for their vigilance and swift response that led to the arrest. Tlotleng stated that the police are performing their duties with such commitment to ensuring that, the environment is safe for children.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema came out guns blazing and call on the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa to ‘step down’ with immediate effect.
This comes after South Africa was put on a ‘grey list’ by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for falling short of certain international standards for the combating of money laundering and other serious financial crimes.
The FATF is a global body that aims to tackle global money laundering and terrorist financing. Now, Malema alleged that Ramaphosa is indecisive and corrupt. He further said, South Africa is an ‘anchorage’ of money laundering.
“Ramaphosa is indecisive, corrupt, and a money launderer, who stuffs dollars in his mattress and sofas. Today, South Africa is grey-listed because we have become a haven for money laundering and terrorism funders.
“What if the money that was in the sofas of the president was going to finance terrorism, however, we would never know. We would have known the purpose of that money, if it was declared at the Reserve Bank, SARS, or being banked,” he said.
Malema further said, atleast the bank will ask, where the money come from and what was its purpose. He added, so only the funder of terrorism will stuff money in the couches and matrasses.
“We are grey-listed solely because of the president of South Africa, who must step down on 20 March 2023 when we shut down the country. Only when we stand up and occupy the streets, the people in government will start taking this matter seriously.
“We demand that the president must resign, we are in this mess because of him,” said Malema.
Meanwhile, Ramaphosa in his weekly newsletter said: “South Africa’s grey-listing is an opportunity to strengthen the fight against financial crimes. South Africa has been a member of FATF for the last 20 years due to our commitment to fight these criminal activities both at home and across the world.
“The grey-listing of South Africa has caused much concern about the state of our financial institutions, law enforcement agencies, and investment environment. The situation is concerning but less dire than some people suggest.”
Ramaphosa said they have gone through a rigorous process of addressing the issues that FATF has raised with them. He said the fundamentals are in place and they know what they need to do to get off the grey list.
“We are determined to do this as quickly as possible. This is important not only for our international standing but also for our own ability to fight these crimes in our country.
“Since the dawn of democracy in 1994 we have sought to build credible, independent institutions and implement effective laws to deal with complex financial crimes of this nature,” said Ramaphosa.
The Guardian 