Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi engages with Grade 12 learners/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

It is all systems go as only 30 days left before Grade 12 learners sit for their 2023 National Final Examinations. The North West Department of Education said it has launched the Last Push campaign at a spring camp of Onkabetse Thuto High School in Setlagole village, near Mahikeng on 30 September 2023.

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said a total of 383 learners from neighbouring schools across Ratlou, are lodged at the school with subject specialists, and teachers, who are going to help them with gaps in their different subjects.

Motsumi said amongst other supporters of the last push launch, was the Ratlou Local Municipality mayor, Motlhomola Jafta, who encouraged school support from a local community level.

“I am pleased by the success of the launch and stakeholders who came out in numbers. This is what we mean by community involvement and I wish to see this in all districts as l will continue to visit all camps.

“We are pleased with the success of the launch and encourage more stakeholders throughout the province to support learners. The department is conducting 92 camps across the province and is expected to end on 10 October 2023,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ratlou Local Municipality mayor, Motlhomola Jafta said: “We have joined the school community to pledge solidarity from the local municipality level by organising parents, local businesses, and faith-based organisations to support schools by keeping children off house chores and concentrating on school work during this important time of the year.

“We work closely with the Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) to ensure service delivery concerns are met in schools. So, we are happy to work with schools until this time of the examinations.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The most wanted suspect linked to a spate of crimes committed around Freedom Park in Phokeng, outside Rustenburg was arrested. It is alleged that Victor Kefuoe Tsoloane AKA Kajibane (34) was arrested during a multi-disciplinary search operation.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said the operation was conducted by police from the Rustenburg Tactical Response Team (TRT), Phokeng Crime Prevention and Detectives.

He said the police received a tip-off regarding the whereabouts of the most wanted suspect.

“On 26 September 2023, the police swoop on the suspect. It is alleged that he was relocating from Freedom Park to Kanana in an apparent attempt to evade arrest for the crimes he allegedly committed in the area. Thus, an observation was kept on the relocation process and the suspect was eventually cornered and apprehended at a certain yard in Kanana.

“In the process, the police searched and confiscated a 9mm firearm loaded with eight ammunition hidden in the luggage. Further search led to the discovery of 18 different ammunition. This resulted in Tsoloane’s arrest and being charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition,” said Tselanyane.

He said the accused briefly appeared before the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on 29 September 2023. Tselanyane said, Tsoloane was remanded in custody.

“Tsoloane is facing two counts of murder, which were allegedly committed in February 2023. His case was postponed to 2 October 2023 for further investigations,” said Tselanyane.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police and members of the community, who came forward with the information that led to these arrests. Kwena reiterated that police will be relentless when conducting their duties to ensure that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are brought to book.

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Picture: The recycling process in Vryburg/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Naledi Local Municipality in Vryburg said it is on the cusp of a transformative moment of reducing environmental pollution and promoting responsible waste management. The municipality’s acting spokesperson, Portia Kopano Maphike said they are working in collaboration with various stakeholders such as Mmula Group and Polyco.

“The municipality is gearing up to launch a groundbreaking initiative called the Packa-Ching Mobile Recycling Unit. This initiative is poised to revolutionize waste management, empower the community and drive environmental sustainability in Vryburg.

“The initiative aims to turn trash into treasure for a Greener Vryburg. This is the sustainable approach to recycling. At the heart of the Packa-Ching programme, lies the commitment to create a cleaner and more sustainable environment,” said Maphike.

She further said the innovative mobile recycling unit is designed to incentivize recycling by allowing community members to exchange recyclable materials for valuable rewards. Maphike added that they are grateful that some entities like Shoprite and Sasol have come on board as sponsors.

“This is how the initiative will work. The Packa-Ching mobile units will be strategically stationed at various locations throughout Vryburg, making it convenient for residents to drop off recyclable materials.

“Trained personnel will be on-site to assist in sorting and weighing the materials. The recyclables will be categorized to ensure efficient recycling. Participants will also be rewarded for their recycling efforts,” she said.

She said these rewards can include vouchers, discounts, or other incentives provided by sponsors like Shoprite and Sasol. Maphike said the success of the Packa-Ching programme hinges on community involvement.

“So, community members can be part of this recycling revolution by starting to separate recyclable materials from non-recyclables in their households. Items like paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminium can be recycled.

“They can now visit the Packa-Ching mobile units at designated locations to drop off their recyclables. We urge them to be part of the effort to keep Vryburg clean and green. They should also encourage their friends, family and neighbours to join the recycling movement,” said Maphike.

She said the more people get involved, the greater the positive impact. Maphike said all stakeholders’ involvement is pivotal in making this initiative a reality.

“The initiative was launched at Huys Park opposite the municipality offices on Market Street on 27 September 2023. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey toward a cleaner, more environmentally responsible future for our beloved community.

“So, we urge community members to join us as we embark on this eco-friendly adventure, one recyclable at a time. Together, we can make Vryburg a model of sustainability and ensure that waste is no longer a problem but an opportunity. Let’s Packa-Ching for a brighter, greener tomorrow,” she said.

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Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi received an award for initiating school sports/Supplied   

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi received an award for initiating school sports. The award was bestowed to Motsumi during the glitz and glamorous gala dinner ceremony hosted by the South African Football Association (SAFA) in North West at Mmabatho Palms on 28 September 2023.

In her acceptance speech, Motsumi said she acknowledged the work done by all stakeholders to bring the vision to pass.

“I wish to thank all stakeholders and vision bearers who embraced the vision to bring back school sports. We cannot sit and watch our children perish in illegal substances when we can also develop them outside classroom walls by nurturing their talents through school sports.

“As the department, we are open to engaging in further talks with SAFA North West in establishing competitive leagues such as Sasol leagues in schools,” she said.

The gala event was graced by Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos and SAFA North West president, David Molwantwa among others to honour the North West sportsmen and women for their tireless work in contributing to the sports fraternity.

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Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Virginia Tlhapi during compliance inspections in Sekhing village/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Sekhing village and its surrounding areas near Taung said they were happy to see North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi conducting compliance inspections on various business outlets, including local taverns.

According to one of the residents, Modiakgotlha Selemo said, there is a trend in their village, where young people indulge in alcohol. Selemo further said, that most tavern owners do not follow their license trading regulations as they continue to sell alcohol to young people.

“It is a disgrace to constantly see young people carrying alcohol in public. We just wonder what kind of society we are raising. Some tavern owners do not comply with the rules and regulations of their licenses.

“If one raises those issues, he becomes enemy number one. So, we are happy with the attempts from the government to impose a stern warning in an attempt to whip them in the right direction. Tavern owners sometimes operate beyond their trading hours and that also becomes a problem,” he said.

Selemo further said the government should ensure there is compliance with tuckshop owners, especially those owned by foreigners. He added that, most foreign-owned tuckshops sell expired goods.

“Most of these tuckshops sell expired goods. They also sell drugs to young people. When we complain as a consumer, they just ignore us. So, Let the operation be carried out beyond this event,” said Selemo.

Meanwhile, Tlhapi said as part of the Accelerated Service Delivery Programme – Thuntsha Lerole, they embarked on this initiative to ensure that, businesses in the region uphold trade regulations. She said the aim is also to create a safer environment for customers and safeguard their rights.

“Apart from the department, we had officials from the Environmental Health Inspectors in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and the South African Police Service (SAPS). The team, amongst other things, focused more on tuck-shops in Sekhing.

“All tuckshops inspected were found to be non-compliant in terms of Sections 23 & 26 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2006. The transgression included a failure to disclose the price of goods, and to provide sales records. Additionally, the shops were found to be selling condemned food items and lacked certificates of acceptability.

“Pest control issues involving cats were also observed and seven foreign national shopkeepers were detained for document verification. The joint efforts also seek to ensure that, district businesses adhered to the regulations outlined in the Consumer Act and the Liquor Regulations Act of 1989,” she said.

Tlhapi said during the inspection, three establishments were closed.

“One establishment was non-compliant with Sec 38(1) by allowing an unauthorized person to oversee the business. Furthermore, fines amounting to R3000 were issued to the leaseholder for leasing liquor outlets without the approval of the liquor authority.

“During these inspections, two illegal gambling machines were also confiscated from local stores by the North West Gambling Board following the Gambling Inspection Compliance Act of Section 56 of 2001. The presence of illegal gambling and underage gambling remains a pressing concern within our communities,” she said.

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