Picture: The chairperson of SCOPA in North West, Job Dliso visiting Modimong Water Infrastructure Upgrade in the Taung during oversight/Facebook    

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents at Kolong village said they are happy that, the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) in North West has intervened in their water crisis. One of the community members, Rebaone Madia said it has been four years since they cannot access clean and drinkable water in their area due to a broken borehole.

“We are grateful that finally, there is somebody who understands our hardships. It has been very difficult for us to have portable water in our area. We had numerous consultative engagements with the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) including the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, however, nothing has changed.

“Our borehole is broken and that makes it difficult for us to have water timeously. This is alarming because water is a basic need for our health and basic hygiene. Our area has grown over the years and that has shown the growing need for water,” said Madia.

He further said water scarcity has become a cause of concern, but some government officials from both municipalities take it as a joke. Madia added that they hope the SCOPA intervention will bring a lasting solution to their problem.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of SCOPA in North West, Job Dliso said: “We conducted an oversight visit at Modimong Water Infrastructure Upgrade in the Taung. The visit forms part of the Oversight Week that the North West Provincial Legislature has embarked on in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati from 29 August to 1 September 2023.

“Rural Water projects was appointed in October 2022 for the contraction of four boreholes. In fact, one borehole had to be refurbished, whilst the other three had to be re-constructed from scratch. The budget for the project is R24 million and 93% of the work is done to the satisfaction of all parties involved.”

Dliso said the contractor confirmed to them that, by 6 September 2023, the project will be 100% complete. He said they are only left with fixing leakages and small things to do.

“We are happy with the work completed, but we requested the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality to involve Taung Local Municipality in all its dealings with Magalies Water, which the district said will be handling operational maintenance.

“A lot of people including municipalities have been raising concerns about Magalies Water, therefore the district municipality must share its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Magalies Water with the committee and the GTLM, a maintenance plan and schedule of engagements with all parties involved by 6 September 2023,” said Dliso.

He said they also went to Kolong village to check on the water challenges that the community had written to the committee about. Dliso said some village representatives told them that, the village has four years without water.

“They said this happened because their only source, which is a borehole whose mechanism that including a windmill, was vandalised. We gave the two municipalities one week to resolve the matter.

“I want a report detailing how they have resolved this water challenge by Friday. Failing, I will be forced to escalate the matter to the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi who is also the acting North West Premier,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 800 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela across North West. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said the arrests were effected through the execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others.  

“Operation Shanela to prevent and combat crime has proved to be gaining momentum with the arrest of 849 suspects on various crimes including among others, dealing in drugs, business robberies, murder, attempted murder, and rape.

“This includes crimes such as sexual assault, assaults, fraud, and burglaries. This was executed between Thursday and Sunday. The arrest included 119 undocumented persons and eight wanted persons,” he said.

According to Tselanyane, during the operations, police confiscated 467 litres of liquor, four firearms 13 ammunition, 14 cellular phones, copper cables, and drugs. He added that all the arrested suspects are expected to make their court appearances in different courts after they have been charged.

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Picture: Incomplete RDP houses in the Dr Ruth Segomotsai Mompati District/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Backlog in the construction of RDP houses continues to be a challenge in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. It is alleged that the government has spent millions of rands on contractors, who were appointed to build RDP houses but never did.

The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana said they conducted oversight visits at Amalia, Schweizer Reneke, and Glaudina, where they engaged with various beneficiaries.  

“This forms part of the Legislature’s oversight week in various municipalities under the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. The program is aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government.

“During the program, Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) interact with different provincial departments and their MECs, mayors, Accounting Officers, and members of the Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC),” said Motswana.

He further said the blocked housing projects are part of the first RDP houses that were supposed to be built in 2000 when the then Department of Local Government and Housing sent financial trenches to municipalities for the construction of RDP houses. Motswana added that, however, some of the RDP houses were never built as stipulated.

“The Department of Human Settlements should engage municipalities in resolving the challenges faced by the beneficiaries. Although money was sent to the municipalities for the construction of these RDP houses, unfortunately, they were never built.

“The beneficiaries cannot apply for new RDP houses as the system of the department indicates that they benefitted although it is not the case on the ground. There is a need for urgent intention between the department and municipality on helping these beneficiaries, who have waited for houses for more than 23 years,” said Motswana.

He said the department must also submit a comprehensive report on how it will ensure that the RDP houses are built.

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Picture: The missing Selwyn Dennis Vry/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Vryburg request the community’s assistance in locating the missing Selwyn Dennis Vry (34), who is residing in Colridge near Vryburg. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said, according to information received, Vry was last seen by his family on 26 August 2023 at about 7pm.

Tselanyane further said Vry allegedly indicated that, he was going to his friends. He added that, Vry never returned home since he left.

“The family looked for him with no success and reported him missing on 29 August 2023. Vry was wearing a black t-shirt and blue denim jeans during his disappearance. He is very tall with black hair and brown eyes.

“Anyone with information regarding Vry’s whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Molefi Seothaeng of Vryburg Detective Services on 082 443 9017 or your nearest police station. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App from your smartphone,” he said.

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Picture: The president of Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Last Thursday, the 31st of August, we woke to the news that a building in downtown Johannesburg was on fire with many of its inhabitants still trapped inside.  

As emergency services worked at the scene, we heard harrowing accounts of people being forced to jump out of windows, of those who lost all their meagre possessions, and of mothers losing contact with their children as they tried to escape the inferno. Seventy-six lives have been lost. Twelve of the deceased were children. Scores were badly injured. 

There are few words that can convey the immensity of this tragedy. Our hearts are heavy.   

At such a time, we embrace our common humanity. 

It does not matter what the nationalities of the inhabitants were. It does not matter if they were or were not documented. What matters is that, as a people of empathy and compassion, we rally around the survivors who have lost everything, and who are struggling to come to terms with what has happened to them.  

I commend the firefighters who responded so swiftly to put out the fire. I further commend the relief organisations, municipal officials, national departments, embassies, civil society groups and members of the public who have come to the aid of those who lost loved ones and are supporting those left destitute. 

In the aftermath of this tragedy, serious questions must be asked about how some 200 people were occupying a building that was not built for housing, was unsafe and had no basic services. 

Serious questions must be asked about why by-laws are not being enforced across vast swathes of certain cities, resulting in them becoming run-down. These areas are attracting crime, further compounding the problem.

Serious questions must be asked about how the laws and regulations designed to protect tenants from arbitrary eviction have been used by unscrupulous and criminal ‘slumlords’ to prey on society’s most vulnerable. 

Serious questions must be asked about the responsibility of owners and landlords of inner-city buildings in Johannesburg and major cities around the country that have either been abandoned or fallen into ruin. These owners include private property developers and the state itself. 

South Africa has progressive laws and policies with respect to housing, including the Emergency Housing Programme. There are landmark court judgments on the rights of tenants and the responsibilities of the state to people facing eviction, regardless of their immigration status. We need to examine how our policies are being implemented and how they can be improved.

The victims of the Marshalltown fire weren’t only the poorest of the poor. Many were reportedly undocumented migrants, who were vulnerable to exploitation.

Dealing decisively with illegal immigration is a priority because regularising the immigration status of all those who have the legal right to be in our country helps to protect them from exploitation.

There are complaints about employers who flout the law and hire illegal immigrants so they can pay them less. There are also corrupt individuals in the state working with criminal syndicates to get fraudulent documents for those desperate to remain in the country.

This tragedy has brought to the fore the need to resolve the challenge of housing in our cities. Even though millions of houses have been built since the advent of democracy, providing decent homes for over 14 million people, the demand for housing continues to grow. The movement of large numbers of people into our major centres is fuelling the growth of informal settlements and placing further strain on infrastructure and services.   

As a starting point, municipal authorities across the country dealing with inner-city decay need to redouble their efforts to revitalise these areas, use regulatory and legislative provisions to safeguard human life, and hold landlords whose premises have become headquarters of criminal activity accountable.  

We have heard about progress in some areas. It was reported that last year, for example, the City of Johannesburg managed to return some 47 ‘hijacked’ buildings to their lawful owners. Once rehabilitated, these buildings could provide safe and decent low-cost housing for the poor.

There needs to be greater cooperation between municipal officials and inner-city property owners and developers.

We need clean, safe, liveable and vibrant inner cities that attract people to live, work or study. We want our inner cities to attract businesses and investment. We cannot allow certain parts of our cities to suffer chronic neglect and become ‘no-go areas’ because of rampant criminal activity.  

As such, let us come together as government and the private sector, as individuals, as communities and as civil society organisations. 

We have to obey the law and observe regulations that exist for our safety and for the safety of others. We need to work with officials seeking to strike a balance between the rights of tenants and regard for their safety and well-being. Above all, we need to report acts of criminality and not be party to them. 

Like all of us, the people living in that building and in similar conditions elsewhere want a decent quality of life. They want a safe place to live close to work opportunities and services. 

We have a shared responsibility, as government, business and civil society, to do everything we can to provide support and protection. Let us work with, and not against, each other. 

Let this tragedy compel us to work much harder to give effect to the human dignity that is the right of us all. 

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Picture: The newly-appointed Head of Department for North West Community Safety and Transport Management/Dr Hans Kekana/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari has welcomed popular House DJ, Dr Hans Kekana as the new Head of Department. Lehari said the position became vacant when the contract of the former HOD, Botlhale Mofokeng came to an end in April 2022.

“The process led by the Office of the Premier was embarked upon and the position was duly advertised. After all the processes were gone through, it was HK as Kekana is popularly known, who emerged as the successful candidate. Kekana has 27 years’ experience cumulatively in both public and private sectors with eight of those at senior level in government.

“As a strategic thinker and a proponent for good governance, Kekana will be a perfect fit for the department. As a way of introducing Kekana, we did this on the sidelines of the department’s Thuntsha Lerole programme in Tswaing on Friday,” he said.

Lehari further said Kekana was conferred with a Doctorate by the North West University (Mafikeng campus) last year, his alma mater from which he also received a Master’s Degree several years earlier. 

Kekana said: “It is my singular honour and an absolute privilege to be given an opportunity to serve. Public service comes not only with pressure but also with an opportunity to change the lives of the citizens.

Our key performance area is to ensure deliverables as pronounced by Lehari in a policy speech,” he added.

However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile said they will submit the Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application on the appointment process of Kekana.

Sonakile said they are concerned by allegations of political manipulation in the appointment process Kekana.

“The HOD position has been vacant since April 2022. The position was only advertised in February 2023 and later re-advertised. Interviews were held early in July and an interview report with the results was sent to the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, who has since signed off on the appointment of Kekana.  

“According to information received by the DA, it is alleged that the ranking of the two candidates on the interview list has been switched to benefit a candidate who is allegedly closely aligned with Lehari,” said Sonakile.

He said it appears that, the results may not have favoured the candidate that Lehari preferred, and the process may have been manipulated to make provision for appointing an individual who will be more amenable to the ANC.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted the allegations and described them as ludicrous.

“The post was advertised both internally and externally in the North West Provincial Government Intranet, Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Circular 03 of 2022 and National Publications.

“The initial shortlisting session was held on 6 April 2023 in Rustenburg and the panel resolved that the post be re-advertised as it had the potential to exclude many competent potential candidates. The candidate that has been recommended and approved for appointment is expected to assume duty on 01 September 2023,” he said.

Setswambung said they are not aware of any manipulation of the process to favour the recommended candidate. He said all candidates were subjected to a fair selection process i.e. interview, competency assessment and pre-employment verification process.

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Picture: The chairperson of NWPL’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Most Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in North West alleged that the North West Social Development is failing in its fiduciary duties. This comes after many NPOs raised various challenges during the oversight visits conducted by the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development last week.

According to some NPO managers, they are struggling to get funding from the North West Social Development due to unnecessary delays caused by ‘certain’ officials within the department. The Silwer Jare Old Age Home Manager informed the committee that, they would not be allowed to repay the loan it borrowed from the bank through the subsidies that are often paid late by officials in the department.

“It costs us R6 million a year to run operations at the centre. The centre houses 52 elderly patients, 22 are self-funded and 30 are subsided by the State,” she said.

The chairperson of NWPL’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards resolved to make a swift call to the North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi to intervene in assisting NPOs that are struggling to get funding due to unnecessary delays.

“The program is aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government. We have informed Mokgosi about all three old age centres that we visited.

“They posed similar challenges of having Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Business Plans that are not signed in time, which delays payment on their grants. The grants are paid late resulting in NPOs borrowing a lot of money from the bank just to keep the facility going.

“Most of the facilities house more state elderly patients than private elderly patients, who pay way more than the state to keep the NPOs running. This causes serious frustration for the old age homes, meant to work hand in hand with the department to solve the social ills of this province,” he said.

Edwards further said officials from the North West Social Development department have chosen to be bullies towards NPOs, instead of assisting and willingly aiding places meant to alleviate lives of many social ills and making their work easier, they have added more burden to the current existing dire situation.

He added that the committee was met with a similar exhausting situation at Ipopeng Old Age Home, where certain officials within the department demanded the Centre Manager, Esther Seleko to pay back R70 000 of the subsidy into an unknown separate account.

“We have resolved to call in a meeting with Mokgosi, stakeholders of NGOs and NPOs including officials of the department to resolve matters raised during the oversight visits,” he said.

Meanwhile, Seleko said: “Reasons for this were never clear and were only informed that they had to return the money back to Treasury, as it was not used in the financial year it was meant for. The centre was met with threats made to them if they refused to pay all monies requested back.

“We were threatened with the Hawks and Special Investigation Units (SIU) that would be sent to investigate us and arrest us for refusing to pay back the R70 000 allegedly owed to the department.”

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Picture: The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards during an oversight visit at Manthe Community Health Centre in Taung

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Manthe Community Health Centre (CHC) continues to operate under severe pressure. This glaring picture was painted by a professional nurse, Mosetsanagape Mongale during the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development’s oversight visit on Thursday.

Mongale said the CHC is operating under severe constraints with less space. She further said due to space constraints, the screening area is located in the patients’ waiting area demarcated by a simple linen partition, which compromises patients’ confidentiality and privacy.

“Besides the space challenge, we are also faced with a water crisis leading to the facility only attending to emergency cases and sending all admissions to Taung District Hospital. Maternity cases are also referred to Taung District Hospital due to the water crisis.

“We are also understaffed at the health centre, which puts excessive pressure on the current personnel. So, due to the challenges faced by the health centre, we have allocated different weekdays for different ailments like chronic diseases, unless there is an emergency,” she said.

Mongale added that the CHC is supposed to assist with baby deliveries, but they refer patients to Taung District Hospital because the facility does not have running water and can only assist during emergencies.

She said water is very critical in the operation of the CHC and it also reduces the chances of infections as the nurses need to wash their hands after attending to each and every patient.

The chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Gavin Edwards said: “We conducted oversight visits at Manthe Community Health Care Centre and Pudimoe Community Health Care Centre in Taung. The programme is aimed at strengthening oversight, public participation, accountability and transparency in government.

“We acknowledged challenges at the two CHCs and suggested a meeting with the North West Department of Health to check how they are going to mitigate the water crisis. The committee will engage with the department to check if there are any future plans of building proper health care facilities, which meet the norms and standards of health care facilities, adequately accommodating staff and community.”

In Pudimoe, the committee was welcomed by the Facility Manager, Victoria Tlharesengwe. She told the committee that the CHC is operating 365 days, despite daily challenges.

“We have space issues where we ended up dividing our consultation rooms into two using small mobile partitioned curtains. The privacy of the patients is compromised as the discussions between the sister and the patient can be heard by the person sitting in the other makeshift consultation room.

“Those consultation rooms are very narrow making patient observation and treatment a serious challenge. The administration staff does not have office space. Three data capturers are working from the facility manager’s office while the facility manager is working from the maternity room,” said Tlharesengwe.

She said when there is a water outage, they are forced to go and get water from the Jojo tank outside even at night. Tlharesengwe said it is difficult for the facility manager to get at least 80% of her administrative tasks as she is often forced to relieve and assist nurses when required.

“We have allocated one of the nurses to work full time with the centre doctor in order to assist with translation, which has created a shortage of nurses,” she said.

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Picture: The deceased, Lefentse “Tsantsu” Mabilo/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West police said they have launched a probe into the death of a boy at Mooks Plaasie near Dryharts village, in Taung. This comes after Lefentse “Tsantsu” Mabilo (17) died in a swimming pool on Sunday morning.

According to allegations, Mabilo who attended the All White Picnic Party event at Mooks Plassie on Saturday night, was intoxicated and jumped into a pool, but landed with his head. He suffered fatal injuries to his skull.

Now, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said the investigations are underway.

“Yes, the police have opened an inquest case for further investigation. There is no foul play suspected in the matter,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Mooks Plaasie’s official Facebook Page said the incident took place on Sunday morning at around 9am.

“It is with great sadness that, we announce the death of our beloved patron, who sadly passed away this morning at around 9am. The patron died after a freaky accident in the pool and it is important to note that, our event was scheduled to end at 5am this morning.

“At the time of the sad incident, the official medical personnel have already vacated the venue. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of our patrons, but we can only do as much. Our event is a celebration of life,” the statement reads.

It says, as the host, it is in the new season which is spring that brings new beginnings and celebrates their wins of the year whether big or small. Mooks Plaasie said is looking forward to a prosperous festive season.

“Our heartfelt condolences are with the family and everyone affected by this unfortunate and sad tragedy. He will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. As this is an annual event, we will continue to celebrate his life.

“Let’s allow his family time to face loss and raise our glass to celebrate his colourful life. To his family, we are deeply sorry and we will be working closely with the police and take a painful lesson from this tragedy.”

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Picture: The police confiscated an illegal firearm during a search/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two foreigners were arrested for being in possession of an illegal firearm in Keimos. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said they have also arrested two suspects in Galeshewe and Roodepan respectively after the Kimberley K9 unit, Crime Prevention and Crime Intelligence received a tip-off.

Kock said the police confiscated Mandrax, Tik, and Dagga worth R18 000 and R15 000 at the two respective houses. He further said another man was arrested in Bothitong village, near Kuruman after police found him in possession of 26 litres of alleged stolen petrol and diesel, a laptop, and a flat-screen television.

“The disruptive actions were executed from 28 August until 3 September 2023. Operation Shanela comprised of stop and searches, vehicle checkpoints, cordons, and searches, high visibility patrols, compliance inspections at liquor outlets, tracing operations by detectives, and visits to businesses, and second-hand goods dealers.

“The police across the province also conducted routine visits at ATMs, business premises, National Key Points, Post Offices and tuckshops. Operation Shanela remains intentional in clamping down on crime in the province, which netted 244 arrests,” said Kock.

He added that, the police across the province conducted numerous actions, which included 11 roadblocks, 48 VCPs during which 3003 vehicles and 7281 persons were searched and numerous fines issued for contravention of the law.

Kock said these actions were also enhanced by 1474 high visibility blue light patrols and hundreds of foot patrols throughout the province.

“A multitude of disruptive actions included 448 stop and searches, cordon and searches at taxi ranks, visibility in shopping malls and complexes and other hotspot areas.

“In total, 20 844 actions were executed comprising of compliance inspections were conducted at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, shebeens, taverns, liquor outlets, firearm dealers, farms and informal businesses,” said Kock.

He said all the arrested suspects will appear in the respective courts soon.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola, reiterated that during this past week, several successful actions, including Operation Basadi was executed in the five districts.

Otola said the police also celebrated a multitude of positive convictions, especially connected to GBV&F in celebration of the closure of Women’s Month.

“The September month focuses on police safety and our police must ensure that they are operational ready at all times whether on or off duty,” she said.

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