Picture: The Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement in Vryburg

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents at Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement in Vryburg said it is sad to see North West Provincial Government (NWPG) ‘returning’ over R1 billion to the national treasury, while they continue to live in squalor. 

One of the residents, Theo Diale said, the situation is bad at Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement because they are forced to go and relieve themselves at the nearest bushes when their toilet buckets are full.

Diale said they need flushing toilets as the ‘use of the bucket system’ is not good for their health. They also accused the Naledi Local Municipality of not collecting toilet buckets timeously, which is hazardous for their health.

“We are subjected to inhumane conditions, while our government fails to spend money allocated for service delivery. This clearly shows that those who are in power do not even care about us. We have inaccessible roads, especially during the rainy season, infrastructure is collapsing, and no clean and drinkable water too.

“However, every financial year, you would hear reports that our government has returned the unspent money. We cannot continue to live like that, while some individuals occupy offices and do nothing. I think is high time now we get rid of this ANC-led government,” he said.

Another resident from the Colour Block section shared the same sentiments. Abraham Tubatse said they have been experiencing severe water scarcity for the longest time in their area. Tubatse said, they cannot do anything without water, and that has negatively affected their livelihoods.

“I am really short of words because of the situation that we continue to find ourselves in. How can our leaders allow the situation to deteriorate to this level? It is clear that we have the wrong people in various positions. We have been complaining about the lack of water in Naledi for ages, but it seems our plea fell on deaf ears.

“Also, there are allegations that some government officials are conniving with service providers and closing reservoirs valves so that we cannot be able to get water. How can they deny us basic services like water? So, drastic changes are imminent and I am happy that national general elections are just around the corner,” he said.   

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Human Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said: “The aggregate preliminary expenditure of the province as at the end of March 2023 amounts to R49.870 billion or 96.42% of the R51.722 billion adjusted appropriations.

“All provincial departments recorded expenditure above 90% and eight recorded expenditures above 95%, which contributed to the departmental spending improvements compared to the same period last financial year.” 

Maloyi said, resultantly, the preliminary under expenditure as of the end of the 2022/23 financial year amounts to R1.852 billion. He further said, of the R1.852 billion, unspent conditional grants amount to R1.015 billion, and the equitable share accounts for the remainder of the under-expenditure, which is R849.390 million.

“The North West Department of Health has unspent conditional grant amounting to R302 million, Education has R383 million, Public Works and Roads has R227 million, Agriculture and Rural Development have R64 million, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation as R32 million and Human Settlements is sitting at R7.5 million.

“In line with Section 21 of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) No 5 of 2022, the R1.0015 unspent conditional grant funds would be subjected to the rollover processes. The above-mentioned provisions of the DoRA provide the departments with an opportunity to submit a request for rollover to committed identifiable projects,” said Maloyi.

He added that, the province has already commenced with this process and the departments are expected to submit such requests by the end of April 2023 for consideration by the transferring accounting officers of the national departments and national treasury prior to the adjustment budget processes, which is normally tabled in October/November each year.

Maloyi said, in terms of DoRA read together with the PFMA, approved rollover requests, which process is applicable in all Provinces including national departments, unspent conditional grant funds would only revert to the National Revenue Fund post finalisation of this critical process including but not limited to confirmation of expenditure numbers through the audit process.

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Picture: Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp/Google  

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said they condemn with the strongest terms possible, the armed robbery incident that took place at Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp on Wednesday. It is alleged that doctors at the hospital were having their normal early briefings when four armed men entered a boardroom they were in.

They pointed them with guns and demanded their phones, money, and any valuable possession. Sambatha, who visited the hospital for a Smile Week launch was immediately briefed about the incident on his arrival.

“I am questioning the security company and demanding an explanation on how these men were able to pass through the security gates with guns. The security company indicated that, all people who enter the hospital

premises are checked but failed to explain how these men entered the facility with guns.

“Fortunately, one of the men was apprehended still within the hospital premises. The police were called and he was arrested. The police have taken over the case for investigation,” he said.

Sambatha further said a debriefing session was held with the affected doctors with a view to providing counselling services. He added that Matlosana is known to be having a high rate of gangsterism, and health facilities are often confronted with such incidents.

“For this reason, we call on the law enforcement agencies to help stamp out gangsterism in the area and ensure the safety of health facilities,” said Sambatha.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “Yes, I can confirm that the police are aware of the matter. One person was handed over to the police by the security guards at the hospital. He is currently being questioned by the police.

“The initial investigation indicates that they were three suspects. No one was injured during the commotion.”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A body of a man was found in Kokomeng village, near Taung on Tuesday. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Seogomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, Goitsemodimo Godfrey Ntasi (30) who was allegedly bleeding, was found by his uncle.  

“On Tuesday, the police were called to attend to a scene, where an African male was found by his uncle to be unresponsive. Ntasi was found bleeding from his nose and mouth and was declared dead.

“An inquest was opened for further investigation. The cause of death still unknown, but there is no foul play suspected,” she said.

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