Picture: The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje

By REGINALD KANYANE

The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Sense Maje said, there are strategic measures in place in quest of addressing water challenges across the district. This comes after some residents in Longaneng village, near Taung alleged that they have been suffering a water crisis for almost three months.

“We are the first to admit that, there is water scarcity in the district. However, there are strategic measures in place to address the matter. You will remember that, some time ago, there was some unrest here in Vryburg due to water challenges.

“But, we can confirm as the district that, we have ensured there is provision of water to our people in Huhudi Township and other areas. We have also embarked on a campaign of appointing various service providers across our district to ensure there is a provision of water in those areas,” Maje said.

He further said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District is one of the municipalities that were put under administration. However, Maje added that, there were many challenges they inherited when they took over back in 2021.

“Actually, the decision to put the municipality under review took place in 2018. But, as the new municipal council, we have noted that and we will work together with EXCO representatives in quest of improving our finances.

“The aim is to ensure that, we provide services to our people accordingly. What triggered the situation in our municipality, is a debt from Sedibeng Water. There is a debt of R650 million that Sedibeng Water alleges that the municipality owes them,” said Maje.

However, he said there is a disparity on how much exactly the municipality owes Sedibeng Water. Maje said they will work together with Sedibeng Water and ensure that the debt is removed and the municipality pays what is due. 

The North West Premier, Bushy Maape said the Taung Dam project is almost completed. Maape said he had an oversight visit at the water augmentation plant in Taung.

“The project is at 98% to be completed and this will assist in ensuring areas like Cokonyane village receive water. However, at the moment, the majority of areas receive water. We are also looking at the pipeline from Bloemhof to Schweizer Reneke.

“Again, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has just signed a contract with service providers for Bona Bona Water Project. The project will provide water to Ganyesa and Morokweng villages,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Constituency Head in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and Member of Parliament (MP), Sello Seitlholo said: “Longaneng residents informed us that water supply was interrupted on 25 February 2023, but that all water supply was suspended three days later. Since then, residents have not had a drop of water in their taps.

“The water issues in Longaneng started after the Sedibeng Water Board was incorporated into the Magalies Water Board, which signed a contract with Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality as the bulk water service provider.”

Seitlholo said, it is alleged that Eskom suspended the electricity supply to water pump stations in the area due to the non-payment by Sedibeng Water. He alleged that Magalies Water has also failed to make payments to Eskom.

“The Greater Taung Local Municipality made a borehole available on the municipal property called Cover Grounds, but some community members must walk more than 3km to fill buckets from a borehole that frequently runs dry due to over-demand, and the area is closed on weekends.

“The ward committee members and residents requested temporary JoJo tanks to alleviate the water shortage closer to where they live, but the Greater Taung Local Municipality informed them that, this would be too expensive at an estimated cost of R400 000,” he said.

Seitlholo said this is quite plainly unacceptable because residents have a right to access clean and reliable water supply and the municipality has an obligation to deliver water.

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Picture: The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje

By REGINALD KANYANE

The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Sense Maje said, there are strategic measures in place in quest of addressing water challenges across the district. This comes after some residents in Longaneng village, near Taung alleged that they have been suffering a water crisis for almost three months.

“We are the first to admit that, there is water scarcity in the district. However, there are strategic measures in place to address the matter. You will remember that, some time ago, there was some unrest here in Vryburg due to water challenges.

“But, we can confirm as the district that, we have ensured there is provision of water to our people in Huhudi Township and other areas. We have also embarked on a campaign of appointing various service providers across our district to ensure there is a provision of water in those areas,” Maje said.

He further said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District is one of the municipalities that were put under administration. However, Maje added that, there were many challenges they inherited when they took over back in 2021.

“Actually, the decision to put the municipality under review took place in 2018. But, as the new municipal council, we have noted that and we will work together with EXCO representatives in quest of improving our finances.

“The aim is to ensure that, we provide services to our people accordingly. What triggered the situation in our municipality, is a debt from Sedibeng Water. There is a debt of R650 million that Sedibeng Water alleges that the municipality owes them,” said Maje.

However, he said there is a disparity on how much exactly the municipality owes Sedibeng Water. Maje said they will work together with Sedibeng Water and ensure that the debt is removed and the municipality pays what is due. 

The North West Premier, Bushy Maape said the Taung Dam project is almost completed. Maape said he had an oversight visit at the water augmentation plant in Taung.

“The project is at 98% to be completed and this will assist in ensuring areas like Cokonyane village receive water. However, at the moment, the majority of areas receive water. We are also looking at the pipeline from Bloemhof to Schweizer Reneke.

“Again, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has just signed a contract with service providers for Bona Bona Water Project. The project will provide water to Ganyesa and Morokweng villages,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Constituency Head in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and Member of Parliament (MP), Sello Seitlholo said: “Longaneng residents informed us that water supply was interrupted on 25 February 2023, but that all water supply was suspended three days later. Since then, residents have not had a drop of water in their taps.

“The water issues in Longaneng started after the Sedibeng Water Board was incorporated into the Magalies Water Board, which signed a contract with Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality as the bulk water service provider.”

Seitlholo said, it is alleged that Eskom suspended the electricity supply to water pump stations in the area due to the non-payment by Sedibeng Water. He alleged that Magalies Water has also failed to make payments to Eskom.

“The Greater Taung Local Municipality made a borehole available on the municipal property called Cover Grounds, but some community members must walk more than 3km to fill buckets from a borehole that frequently runs dry due to over-demand, and the area is closed on weekends.

“The ward committee members and residents requested temporary JoJo tanks to alleviate the water shortage closer to where they live, but the Greater Taung Local Municipality informed them that, this would be too expensive at an estimated cost of R400 000,” he said.

Seitlholo said this is quite plainly unacceptable because residents have a right to access clean and reliable water supply and the municipality has an obligation to deliver water.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: CWP participants embarked on a peaceful protest in Vryburg

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) calls on the department to ensure that its internal processes do not negatively affect Community Workers Programme (CWP) workers embarked on strike across the country demanding salaries of April 2023.  

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, Faith Ndenze said this problem has arisen on several previous occasions, whereupon the committee engaged with the Department of Cooperative Governance to understand the underlying challenge.

“For many of these workers, the stipend is their only means of putting food on the table. The department must be cognizant of this and act accordingly. The committee was made to understand that the current CWP operating model is undergoing revision with a view to addressing the underlying challenges.

“One of the key challenges related to outsourcing the program’s implementation to non-profit organisations (NPOs) who were unfamiliar with public sector accounting processes and practices. The department has recently indicated that, as of March 2023, it has temporarily terminated these NPO contracts and has assumed full responsibility for the CWP’s administration and implementation, including payment of stipends,” Ndenze said.

She further said, the department is therefore fully responsible and must account for the alleged non-payment of April 2023 stipends. Ndenze added that, the committee is aware that, the department is still in the process of transitioning to a new political executive and that, there are also new critical changes at the administrative leadership level.

“After having allowed sufficient time for the transition to be finalised, the committee will follow up with the department on commitments previously made to the effect that identified problems will be resolved, including timely payment of CWP stipends,” she said.

Meanwhile, the CWP participants threatened not to vote come 2024 General Elections, if the government does not improve their salaries and working conditions. The CWP participants in North West embarked on a peaceful march and submitted their memorandum of grievances to the ANC regional offices in Vryburg on 1 May 2023.

The CPW shop steward in North West and Maanda Ashu Workers Union (MAWUSA) member, Thandeka Mchunu alleged that the government is using CWP as a form of exploitation against the marginalised.

“We, the CWP participants who are all voters in our respective provinces and wards, demand that the ANC give a political directive to the Minister of Labour to speedily transform the CWP policies. This will allow the realisation of the living wage of the participants as per the memorandum sent to the Department of Labour on 3 February 2023.

“It cannot be accepted anymore for government workers to earn R800 per month in this high-cost economy status of the country. We also want the government to release the Maanda Ashu Workers Union of South Africa (MAWUSA)’s registration certificate, which was declined with no grounds,” Mchunu said.

She further said, the review of the ministerial determination for a lowest-earning beneficiary to be remunerated in line upper bound poverty line of R1800 per month. Mchunu added that, they also want immediate access to the minimum wage of R3500, migration of EPWP/CWP from ministerial determination to sectoral determination, and in-sourcing of CWP participants to full-time employment.

“Participants should work five days per week and 20 days per month. We further demand that, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and CWP national management engage with workers through our union to make inputs on any matter affecting the CWP and or workers.

“We call for the release of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and tool of trade (Occupational Health Safety), consistent payment day and monitoring of sites by COGTA and Department of Labour,” she said.

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Picture: Former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The sentencing on the rape case against the former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane was postponed until 20 June 2023. Shoarane was found guilty of rape by the Vryburg Regional Court few months ago and was expected to be sentenced on Tuesday.

However, that could not happen due to unforeseen circumstances. Shoarane, who was working as Assistant Manager in the security department at the municipality, raped a ‘prostitute’ in Vryburg a few years ago.

According to information, the ‘prostitute’ was hitchhiking to go to Huhudi Township when she met Shoarane. Shoarane promised to take her safely to Huhudi, but instead, he headed to a dilapidated building, where he raped her.

After the ordeal, Shoarane dumped the woman in the streets and left. The woman went to the Vryburg Police Station, where she opened a rape case against him.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Three men were sentenced to 17 years imprisonment by the Tlhabane Regional Court in Rustenburg for copper cable theft on 2 May 2023. Ngangile Singatha (35), Phindile Mbokole (41), and Isaac Obisse (25) were subsequently arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation on 5 October 2022 at Impala Platinum Mine after they were spotted by mine security on the security cameras.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said: “The trio reportedly struggled to walk, and upon searching the accused, the police discovered that they had each wrapped copper cable around their bodies with a combined weight of 180kg. Bail was successfully opposed during their first appearance and they made a series of court appearances until they were convicted.

“Mbokole was sentenced to six years’ direct imprisonment, while Singatha and Obisse were each sentenced to five years direct imprisonment. Obisse was further sentenced to an additional twelve months’ direct imprisonment.”

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Picture: The Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management, Mmoloki Cwaile/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

Factionalism, infighting, gate-keeping, and slate politics continue to rattle the ANC’s sinking ship in North West. In the latest shenanigans, the ANC Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Lazarus Mokgosi, wrote a letter to the ANC deployee and Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management, Mmoloki Cwaile to clarify his utterances during a public hearing on Division of Revenue Bill (DORB) at Boskuil in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District.

On 18 April 2023, Cwaile made critical remarks, where he ruffled a few feathers of individuals such as ANC provincial chairperson and North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi, North West Premier, Bushy Maape and the former North West MEC for Social Development and ANC Youth League president, Collen Maine by accusing them of corruption and incompetence.

This allegedly forced the ANC in North West to write a letter to Cwaile. In the letter that was seen by Taung DailyNews, Mokgosi said they view Cwaile’s remarks as an attack on the ANC and its leaders.

“On 18 April 2023, you were part of a team of members of the Legislature doing the public hearing on the Division of Revenue Bill at Boskuil Community Hall in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. In that public hearing, statements were made by your good self, which is viewed to have been an attack on ANC and its leaders.

“The Chief Whip’s Office is requesting a report from yourself on the said observation. We will appreciate it, if the report can be sent on or before 2 May 2023,” Mokgosi.

Meanwhile, the buoyed Cwaile said he is willing to produce the evidentiary proof supporting his utterances. He further said, he had not spoken nor acted against the ANC but spoke in response to the concerns raised by attendees who were part of the public hearing with regard to service delivery.

“I also wish to confirm that, the venue at which the public hearing was held, was declared a site for the work of the Legislature in terms of Section 2 (2) of the Powers, privileges, and Immunities Act no 4 of 2004. I acted as a public representative whose allegiance is first and foremost to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.

“Therefore, I represented the Legislature as the ANC deployee to the Legislature and acted for and on behalf of the Legislature. Importantly, for the interest of the public as per constitutional mandate for the Legislature,” he said.

Cwaile added that, assuming that Mokgosi holds intellectual appreciation of the role of ANC deployees in the Legislature, he has not spoken nor acted against ANC, but spoke in response to the concerns raised by the public hearing attendees with regard to service delivery.

He said he is convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt that, he was most correct and truthful and had no mandate to lie, but to speak about those either affected given their role in public service space band or implicated.

“It is also not true that it was a complaint against ANC, but individuals who happen to be in the positions of leadership of ANC and importantly occupying public positions.

“Simply because they are in positions of the ANC leadership, they are not necessarily enjoying any immunity from being the subject of discussions or engagements in the public discourse as they are occupying public positions.

I am able to make available evidentiary proof and work in progress as being executed by the Legislature Committees and its individual members as public representatives with regard to my submissions to the public hearing,” said Cwaile.

He said, nevertheless, he wishes to request any specifications on what could be concerns of the Chief Whip on his engagements with the public on the occasion of the public hearing dated 18 April 2023.

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Picture: Three accused, Bakang Katong, Katlego Mosimege and Phenyo Katong facing a murder case/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against an alleged drug lord and his co-accused has been postponed to 10 May 2023 by Taung Regional Court for a pre-trial conference. Bakang Katong (32), Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34) were arrested a year ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.

“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused for medical attention, however, he was declared dead upon arrival. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Tselanyane said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. Seven people have been arrested regarding the incident and charged with arson and looting.

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players during training session/SAFA

By SAFA

Banyana Banyana has assembled in a camp for local-based players in Johannesburg this week as coach Desiree Ellis continues with her preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July.

Ellis said the camp will give all the players an opportunity to put their hands up and show what they can do in the coming days.

“The last camp we had, when we had that extra week, it really, really helped us. It helped us in terms of getting our defensive structure better. Obviously, this is another opportunity now to work on maybe our set pieces as well because this is sometimes a challenge for us, you know. A week might not seem a lot but it’s a lot in terms of what we can achieve, considering how we grew in the last camp a week before the FIFA date,” she told www.safa.net.

Ellis said the camp is a huge opportunity for the players in camp to impress and stake their claim to places in the World Cup-bound final team.

“It is a big opportunity for players that are in camp because obviously, they have a foot in, but the door is never closed to anyone and it can only be closed once the final squad has been announced. It has been proven over the last couple of years when players came in just before the WAFCON squad was selected and made the final team. So everybody needs to put in their best performances and best effort because that is what we’re looking for.

Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship Nozipho Mbatha expressed her excitement about the Banyana Banyana selection camp and wished the team well.

“We would like to wish all the players who have been chosen to be a part of the Banyana Banyana selection camp the best of luck.  We believe that every player is excited to bring their A-Game as this may open a world of opportunities, and they could potentially be selected to represent South Africa at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“As Sasol we would like to encourage all the players to put their best foot forward during this period and gain much intelligence from the coaching staff as they pursue to live the impossible.”

Banyana Banyana Training Camp Squad

Goalkeepers

• Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
• Regirl Ngobeni (UWC FC)
• Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM FC)

Defenders

• Asanda Hadebe (Sunflower FC)
• Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Fikile Magama (UWC FC)
• Cimone Sauls (JVW FC)
• Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Lonathemba Mhlongo (UWC FC)
• Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Bongeka Gamede (UWC FC)

Midfielders

• Thubelihle Shamase (UJ FC)
• Thalea Smidt (Tuks FC)
• Nomfundo Buthelezi (Durban Ladies)
• Sibulele Holweni (UWC FC)
• Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy FC)
• Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC)
• Amogelang Motau (UWC FC)

Forwards

• Nicole Michael (TS Galaxy FC)
• Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC)
• Sphumelele Shamase (UJ FC)
• Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond Ladies FC)
• Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
• Wendy Shongwe (Tuks FC)

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