Picture: The players participating in a tournament/Facebook

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West Department of Education is hosting three provinces for the National Learners with Special Educational Needs Football Week held at Waterkloof – Hills Secondary School, near Rustenburg. The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said North West, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Gauteng attended the event to compete with other provinces.

“Football Week is an inclusive school sports programme aimed at involving U-19 boys and girls’ learners with Mildly Moderate Handicaps (MMH) to nurture and discipline through sports.

“We appreciate other MECs who made sure that this event is a success. On behalf of the department, I would like to welcome each and everyone who attended this football tournament. I am happy that our province is hosting this tournament for the second time and it shows that our hospitality is amazing,” she said.

Motsumi also wished good luck to all the teams that are going to compete in the tournament. She further said she is confident that the North West province will ensure that the trophies remain here at home.

“Let the games officially begin. The football tournament is expected to end on 5 October 2023,” added Motsumi.

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Picture: The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi officially opened a R37 million D414 road that links Makgobistad and Tshidilamolomo, outside Mahikeng on Tuesday. Molapisi said the project created 54 job opportunities and 11 sub-contractors benefitted R5 million from the 30% target set aside during project implementation.

“The official opening and handover is a build-up activity towards the Provincial Launch of the October Transport Month (OTM) 2023. The D414 road is among eight projects, which the department will showcase during the campaign.

“This year’s OTM is celebrated under the theme “Siyakha – We are Building Better Transport Infrastructure to Grow South Africa Together”. We believe that such projects will go a long way in connecting communities across various villages,” he said.

Molapisi said on behalf of the government, he wishes to express sincere gratitude to the community and stakeholders for supporting the project. He said they ensured that there were no delays caused by unnecessary disruptions.

“I am hopeful that other communities will learn; and continue to protect our infrastructure,” said Molapisi.

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Picture: Former Head of Department at North West Department of Health, Dr Thabo Lekalakala, and Director of Raliform Investment, Joseph Leshabane/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The former Head of Department at North West Department of Health, Dr Thabo Lekalaka (58) and Director of Raliform Investment, Joseph Leshabane (61) were arrested by the Hawks on Monday for fraud. Lekalakala and Leshabane briefly appeared at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court and their case was postponed to 31 January 2023.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Lekalakala is facing two charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and two of fraud. Mamothame said Lekalakala was granted R10 000 bail.

“Leshabane is charged with his company, Raliform Investment, on six counts of fraud amounting to over R49 million and he was granted R50 000 bail. The two were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Units on 2 October 2023, around Mahikeng.

“Their matter is linked to the case of Dr Lydia Keneilwe Sebego (63), the former Head of Department at the North West Department of Health, Vuyo Mbulawa (54), Chief Director at the North West Department of Health, and Roulgh Lotwane Mabe (69), a service provider, who appeared before court on 29 September 2023,” he said.

Mamothame said the court granted Sebego R10 000 bail, Mbulawa R20 000 and Mabe R100 000. He said Sebego is facing two charges of Contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Mbulawa is facing ten charges of fraud, and Mabe is charged with six counts of fraud.

“During 2008 and 2009, the North West sought to build two hospitals, Moses Kotane Hospital, Ledig Joe Morolong Hospital in Vryburg. A tender was subsequently awarded to MR Property (Pty)Ltd, a company belonging to Mabe.

“The charges against the two former heads of department relate to Service Level Agreements (SLA) that were signed between the two companies and their directors on services that needed to be rendered to the two hospitals,” SAID Mamothame.

However, he said services were not rendered, while these companies allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices, which were paid by the department after being authorised by Mbulawa. Mamothame said this allegedly led to a loss of over R86 million to the department, paid to Mabe’s company and over R49 million paid to Leshabane’s company.

“The state’s evidence further reveals that the two HoDs signed the SLAs while they knew that the two companies were not compliant and did not meet the requirements.

“Lekalala has a separate pending case, where he is charged with two counts of fraud and one of contravening the PFMA. He allegedly fraudulently awarded a contract for sourcing mobile clinics to Mediosa Health, a company linked to the Gupta family,” he said.

Mamothame said Lekalakala is out on R5000 bail and the matter is back in court on 12 February 2024 for further trial.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, welcome the arrest and court appearance of the remaining suspects.

They are hopeful of the completion of investigations in order for a trial to commence and for the accused to face the might of the law.

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Picture: Athletes who represented SA at the Special Olympics World Games in Germany

By OBAKENG MAJE

Athletes who represented South Africa at the Special Olympics World Games had lunch with present Cyril Ramaphosa at Union Buildings, Pretoria on Tuesday. Ramaphosa has commended the outstanding performance of South Africa’s national team, which excelled at this year’s Special Olympics World Games.

“Competing against 7000 athletes from over 180 countries at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany in June 2023, the national team returned with 22 gold, 20 silver and seven bronze medals.

“Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every person is welcome, regardless of ability or disability,” he said. 

Ramaphosa further said the success of the Special Olympics shows what happens when government and civil society – represented here by Special Olympics South Africa – work together to ensure that they leave no one behind.

He added that South Africa is honoured to be one of the first countries to support the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion, which reflects our commitment to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of our society.

“Having hosted a number of national teams at the Union Buildings as part of the government’s celebration for outstanding achievements by athletes in various sporting codes, we express pride in Team South Africa’s performance.

“We are proud that Team South Africa flew the flag for social inclusion and the advancement of human rights, which are a hallmark of the nation we have built during nearly 30 years of freedom,” said Ramaphosa.

He said Team South Africa are heroes that they can look up to and be inspired by in athletic arenas and in every walk of life in the country. Ramaphosa said may their commitment to inclusion as a nation shine as brightly as the achievements of our Special Olympics Team.

“The team’s dedication, perseverance and unwavering commitment to their sport has not only brought glory to the nation but it has also shattered the barriers that once confined them,” said Ramaphosa.

He said the team is being led by the Chairperson of Special Olympics South Africa, Dr Mathews Phosa, who was recently honoured at the 19th Special Olympics Africa Leadership Conference in Addis Ababa.

“With such a hard-working and distinguished captain at the helm of Special Olympics South Africa we can only expect even greater things from Team South Africa,” he said.

Meanwhile, Phosa spoke about the importance of the inclusion of people with an intellectual disability.

“Our athletes want to be heard and they demand inclusion, respect and equal opportunities. They declare that they are here to show the world their talents and abilities. They deserve nothing else but our unwavering support,” he said.

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