Picture: Some of residents burning tyres in protest over water scarcity/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke said the water challenge in their area affects their livelihoods. This week, residents embarked on a protest and demanded water. One of the residents, Tshepo Mosielle said they have been experiencing a water crisis for the longest time.

“The severe water shortage in our area affects our lives. We do not think our local and district municipalities take us seriously anymore. They always promise to ensure that there is water, however, that remains an empty promise.

“We need water and nothing can be done without water. In most cases, they switch off municipal water supplies so that water tinkering can kick in. We are sick and tired of corruption taking place in our municipalities. When water tinkering was implemented, it was envisioned to be a temporary measure,” he said.

The Mamusa Local Municipality said some of the boreholes were vandalised. The municipal manager, Rantsho Gincane said in a statement that, boreholes that supply water to Extensions 6,7,8,9, and 14 were once again damaged.

“This happened on Monday and worsened on Tuesday. The damage caused to the property is huge and has been reported to Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. Mamusa Local Municipality has dedicated water tankers to the affected areas, whilst waiting for the district’s intervention.

“Theft and vandalism to community properties sabotage basic service delivery and this is completely unacceptable. We appeal to residents to assist us with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects,” Gincane said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu said: “In continuous efforts to ensure a water-secure South Africa, we will converge leading water experts in the country in a National Ministerial Water Sector Sustainability Symposium on 25 May 2023 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

“The selected team of experts identified by the department are expected to take stock of the current state of the water sector and offer expert advice that will form future policy positions of the department. The symposium is not a consultative meeting with all stakeholders, but a focused and directed engagement with limited topics dealt by specialised experts.”

Mchunu further said, these experts will assist his department with proposals on policy directions and reforms to achieve its visions for the sustainability of the water sector. He added that, the National Ministerial Water Sector Sustainability Symposium will mainly focus on key areas such as water resource security, financial sustainability, service delivery sustainability, pricing and tariffs, and regulation of water services.

“Identified water experts will form different commissions on the outlined key areas and make presentations and advise Minister Mchunu on areas to improve on. The participation of key water experts in the field to obtain their recommendations will assist the department to develop proposals for achieving sustainability in the water sector, prior to engaging wider interest groups and stakeholders regarding the proposals.

“This is part of the consultative and collaborative process we have undertaken since I took over the water and sanitation portfolio in addressing the myriad of challenges facing the water sector and finding sustainable solutions,” said Mchunu.

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Picture: The Potchefstroom Police Station/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African Police Service (SAPS) management noted with concern a video circulating on social media platforms, particularly on TikTok wherein a police officer can be seen holding a feather duster to reprimand a man.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “The incident occurred at Potchefstroom Police Station on 2 May 2023 at around 7pm. The man was apparently queuing to be served by the police in the Community Service Centre (CSC), where he suddenly shouted and banged the counter with his fists. 

“He was reprimanded to wait for his turn to be served. A while later, he banged and jumped over the counter. The police officers had to warn him to behave. At that point, one of the police officers was carrying a feather duster as they reprimanded the man who was ultimately contained.”

Myburgh said the management has instituted an investigation into the incident.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The situation was volatile at the North West Social Development offices in Mahikeng on Friday. This comes after the suspended Director of Supply Chain Management, Job Mnguni allegedly tried to force his way into the building. 

According to information, Mnguni arrived at work with over ten heavily armed bodyguards.

Mnguni is one of three suspended officials by the North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa on Thursday over the ‘irregular’ awarding of R133 million security tender.

National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) in Mahikeng, instructed its members to return home due to the scuffle that ensued. NEHAWU regional deputy chairperson in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Godfrey Manduba said their members are not safe at work.

“What transpired today cannot be allowed. Imagine, the Director of Supply Chain Management (SCM) arrived at work with ten heavily armed bodyguards in the public service offices. This is actually a transgression of public service regulations.

“Live ammunition is not permitted in the workplace, but this Director comes to work with such heavily armed men. What about the safety of the workers and the community that utilises the services of these offices? It means their safety is at risk because these men are unknown,” Manduba said.

He further said, the department has security guards on site, but someone brings extra ten security guards with live ammunition to the workplace. Manduba added that their members cannot be part of such.

“So, it is on that basis that we instructed our members to go home because they are not safe. They will stay home until the department guarantees their safety,” he said.

The North West Department of Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “We assure that everything will return to normalcy on Monday. We will make sure that there is stability in the department. The employees will be able to execute their duties without any hindrance.”

Meanwhile, Moiloa said in a statement that, she placed these officials under precautionary suspension due to numerous complaints she received regarding irregularities in awarding of a security tender. She said her department has established prima-face information that led to the suspension of the officials.

“These officials have been placed on a 30-day immediate precautionary suspension due to the seriousness of the allegations levelled against them. In dealing with this matter expeditiously and efficiently, the department intends to adhere strictly to the prescribed time frames to bring the investigations to finality.

“These precautionary suspensions should serve as a deterrent to other officials in the department, who may be involved in any corrupt activities. We are serious about zero tolerance for corruption in the department. We want clean governance,” said Moiloa.

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Picture: The former Chief Financial Officer at North West Provincial Legislature, Thabo Lehuco, and NEHAWU leader in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Zanele Lawu  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The former Chief Financial Officer at North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Thabo Lehuco and National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) leader in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Zanele Lawu who also worked at a Finance department, briefly appeared at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng on Friday.

According to information, Lehuco and Lawu were arrested for the alleged irregular disposal of vehicles of institutions. It is alleged that, those vehicles were sold to themselves at the lowest prices ranging from R10 0000, but failed to pay a cent even though the vehicles’ ownerships were changed to their names.

Lawu was allegedly arrested on Thursday night, while Lehuco was nabbed on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The bail for the duo was fixed at R2000 each and the matter was postponed to 20 June 2023. The case will be transferred to the Regional Court.”

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