Picture: North West Division Judge President, Ronald Hendricks presiding over the swearing-in of the newly appointed Acting Premier, Nono Maloyi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The ANC in North West has welcomed the sworn-in of ANC provincial chairperson and North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi as the acting North West Premier. The ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo said the move was as per request by the North West Premier, Bushy Maape who is currently recuperating well from a knee surgery.
“The ANC has succinctly committed itself that, acceleration of service delivery remains the order of the day and its manifestos remains the guiding booklet.
“The People’s movement wishes Maloyi all the best in this added responsibility and mandates government at all levels to reduce meetings and hit the ground running with implementation in particular on infrastructure,” Diremelo said.
Meanwhile, Maape spokesperson, Sello Tatai said: “Following a successful orthopedic procedure, Maape has been advised by doctors to take some time off during his recuperation.
“As a result, Maape has appointed Maloyi to act on his behalf in line with Chapter 6, Section 131(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic.”
Picture: One of the residents draws water from a well in Takaneng village/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Water continues to be a challenge at Takaneng village, near Taung. This comes after the borehole that supplies water to the community at large collapsed.
One of the community members, Kagiso Mapedi said, the dysfunction of the borehole impacted negatively to the persistence of water shortages in their area. Mapedi urges the municipality and Magalies Water to fix it.
“We cannot continue to live like this. Actually, this is a violation of human rights because is been a year since we could have access to clean and drinkable water. The borehole has collapsed and we cannot get water anywhere, except from the well.
“So, with the cholera outbreak in the country, we do not know if is safe to drink that water. More than 30 people have died from this disease, so this creates anxiety among us. We have informed the municipality to come and repair the damaged borehole,” he said.
The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje said: “I can attest that, we are aware of the water challenges the residents in Takaneng village are faced with. However, we had a consultative engagement with the Magalies Water to attend to them.”
The Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae said, they have been made aware of water supply challenges in the area. Magae further said the maintenance-related challenges were part of the challenge(s) that affected the residents.
“For some time, residents could not have access to potable water as a result of a collapsed borehole, which was rendered non-operational as a result. Work is currently underway in repairing the borehole, which will not immediately be recommissioned as it had been offline for a prolonged period.
“Furthermore, water quality tests will also be undertaken in order to ensure that, the water source is safe for human consumption before the borehole can be fully recommissioned for service to the community. Currently, the community is receiving water through tankering as an interim measure,” he said.
Magae added that having received a number of water complaints from municipalities within the district including the recently reported cholera outbreak, Magalies Water undertook numerous steps in debunking any suspicion about the quality of water that is supplied.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape said: “In our quest to address the water challenges in the province, we have established the provincial steering committee co-chaired by the Premier and the Minister of Water and Sanitation.
“The steering committee has finalised a provincial plan to address water challenges in the following identified “water hotspots areas”, which are Ditsobotla, Tswaing, Ramotshere Moiloa, Naledi, Mamusa, Maquasi Hills and Matlosana. We will soon be launching operation “Bulela Metsi” in these areas.”
A man who allegedly burned four people at Lower Majeakgoro village, near Pampierstad is set to undergo a mental evaluation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria. It is alleged that, Thapelo Modise (25) stabbed and burned four people in the house and two of them succumbed to their injuries.
According to a family member, Thandi Oliphant, her cousin who stays with the victims was on his way home, when he saw the smoke coming out of the house.
“He allegedly ran towards the house and found the doors locked. He said he forced entry by breaking the door with a spade and found four of our family members burning on the bed.
“The attacker also stabbed them with the knife and we only realised that after rushing them to the local clinic for medical attention. Even though we do not know what might be the cause of the attack, the suspect is a neighbour who is known to the victims,” she said.
Ward 19 councillor, Michael Makwati said: “The atrocity left us dejected and we condemn it. We also urge the police to ensure that, the victims get justice. The Greater Taung Local Municipality officials visited the bereaved family.”
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said the atrocity occurred on 23 May 2023 at around 1:30pm. Kock further said the man allegedly entered the house and stabbed four persons with a knife, while robbing them of a cell phone.
“He then locked the female victims up in a room and set the place alight. An elderly woman (71) and a girl (3) died on the scene, while two victims aged 28 and 62 respectively, were transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The suspect is allegedly a known neighbour to the victims and was arrested hours later,” he said.
Kock said the police are investigating a double murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property and robbery case.
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola is saddened by the tragic and heinous incident and reiterated that GBVF remains a priority to the SAPS and cases of this nature will be dealt with harshly.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “The accused abandoned his bail application and the matter was postponed for 30 days for accommodation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.”
A case against the beleaguered prosecutor at Taung Magistrates’ Court postponed to 2 August 2023. Lebogang George Mashigo (51), who is out on R1000 bail, was arrested for being in possession of an unlawful firearm. It is alleged that, on 8 September 2022, Mashigo entered the Taung Magistrate’s Court building and proceeded to fetch a bag.
Upon departure, he allegedly fired shots at the entrance of the court building and subsequently left.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “It is alleged that earlier during the day, Mashigo had an argument with his supervisor, where he is employed as a district court prosecutor, but the motive for his shooting is still under investigation.
“The police investigations have revealed that Mashigo has no license or permit to possess the firearm as its license expired in 2019. Meanwhile, the NPA has served Mashigo with a notice of a precautionary suspension, pending the completion of internal disciplinary proceedings.”
Mamothame further said, Mashigo was charged with negligently discharging a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. He added that the court ordered Mashigo not to interfere with investigations, as well as state witnesses.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari has expressed disappointment with the behaviour of the prosecutor, who is bestowed with the responsibility to always uphold and defend the law. Makhari has assigned a senior state prosecutor to oversee the case, owing to its serious nature.
The Guardian 