Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

By OBAKENG MAJE

It seems the wheel is off on the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality’s wagon, if what Forum 4 Service Delivery said is anything to go by. The buoyed F4SD councillor, Mika Moeti, who is also the Chairperson of Finance at the municipality, alleged that the R101 million equitable share that was deposited into the municipal account is reported to be finished.

Moeti said, that on 4 July 2023, the Treasury deposited R101 million equitable share into the municipality’s Investment Account, but it was allegedly reported to be finished within weeks.  

“That money was deposited into the municipality’s Investment Account to avoid interest. However, two weeks before September 2023, there were allegations that the money had been depleted and there was no accountability.

“I still maintain that all this is happening because we have an incompetent mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. There is a challenge regarding the lack of oversight by him. We understand that the mayor was supposed to get monthly reports, but he does not request them,” he said.

Moeti further said the incompetent Gaoraelwe is failing in terms of conducting oversight. He added that the issue regarding the recent resignation of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mphiwa Chwene, and the depleted R101 million equitable share cannot be separated.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Whip at the municipality, Amogelang Matuane shared the same sentiments. Matuane said it is disheartening to see the municipality in this quagmire.  

“The municipality is having service delivery issues, including many backlogs. Recently, there was an issue over the lack of service delivery in Itireleng and Kolong villages.

“Community members took to the streets to demand services, which include roads and water. Therefore, not having an accounting officer will fuel the very same challenges that the municipality is faced with,” she said.

The Treasury said: “The constitution provides that each sphere of government – national, provincial, and local – is entitled to an equitable share of revenue raised nationally to enable it to provide basic services and perform the functions allocated to it.

“The equitable division of revenue takes into account the functions assigned to each sphere and the capacity of each government to pay for these functions through its own receipts and revenues. The equitable share is an unconditional allocation.”

It says the provincial and local governments, being distinct spheres of government, determine the priorities for these funds and are directly accountable for how they are spent. Treasury said, however, that provincial and local government spending is largely assigned to functions in which national legislation sets norms and standards.

Meanwhile, the incompetent Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to the media inquiry sent to him.

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Picture: A piece of land in the heart of Jan Kempdorp/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls for an audit on the sale of the municipal land in Jan Kempdorp. DA councillor at Phokwane Local Municipality, Annette van Wyk, alleged that almost a decade ago, the municipality sold the park made up of between six and eight stands in total.

Van Wyk alleged that, now there is an illegal development on a green zone in the middle of Jan Kempdorp that looks set to expand. She further said, that despite the land requiring rezoning, no public participation ever took place.

“There is also no proper record of the sale, other than a cheque book leaf for an amount of R110 000. The property was not serviced at the time of the sale and the purchase was made on the condition that the owner would be fully responsible for servicing it.

“The owner would also be responsible for developing entrances to the property. However, a year and a half ago, a house was built on the piece of land that is still not serviced,” said van Wyk.

She added that, while it is unknown what type of sanitation is being utilized, a ditch was dug across the tar road, to provide an electricity connection. Van Wyk said there is no proof that the land was rezoned for residential purposes or that the electricity connection is legal.

“Recently, three truckloads of bricks were offloaded on the premises, raising concern that further illegal developments are about to mushroom on the property, which remains to be serviced.

“The community members have been seeking answers for almost a decade and have since initiated legal action. The issues regarding the property in question are not isolated. In another incident, a property measuring 1000 hectares, that was bought for R76 000, was recently returned to the municipality after the owner could not keep up with the rates and taxes payments,” she said.

Van Wyk said the DA has submitted their concerns to the municipal speaker and requested that an audit into all sales of municipal land, dating back over a decade, be urgently conducted. She said proper processes need to be followed throughout, otherwise the irregular sale of land may translate into corruption.

Meanwhile, the Phokwane Local Municipality spokesperson, Kgalalelo Letshabo said she would respond after gathering facts.

“I am in Kimberly for a meeting. The municipality will issue a statement responding to this and a media statement released by the DA regarding this matter after consultation with relevant officials,”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Director of Risva Logistics, Sumeshan Krishnasamy pleaded guilty to 10 charges of fraud and contravention of Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. In March 2020, the Northern Cape Department of Education awarded a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender to for the supply of face masks to Krishnasamy’s company.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, Krishnasamy (30) with the intent to defraud, failed to submit an Income Tax return to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for the period of 2021.

“SARS suffered an actual prejudice of R38 146. The matter was investigated by Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation resulting in a summons being served to the accused on 7 August 2023.

“The case first appeared in court on 31 August 2023 and was postponed to 13 October 2023 for sentencing, owing to a guilty plea. The Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced the accused to a fine of R20 000 or 18 months imprisonment,” he said.

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Picture: A knife stuck near the spinal cord of a patient/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The family of Kagiso Itumeleng said they were disappointed after they received adverse treatment at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg on Sunday. This comes after Itumeleng (19) was allegedly stabbed with a knife near his spinal cord. One of the family members, who calls herself Ayra Starr on Facebook, raised her concerns. Starr said they arrived at the hospital at 10am on Sunday but received no help.

“Since we arrived here at 10am at the hospital after our son was stabbed with a knife. However, no one is willing to help us after we spent some hours, while the knife is still stuck on him. He was stabbed next to the spinal cord.

“This hospital is useless and its doctors are incompetent. People will just die, while medical doctors are loitering around without assisting them,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “The Management of Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital has swiftly acted on this matter by instituting an enquiry to establish what has transpired. To ensure utmost objectivity, the hospital will appoint an independent investigator to establish the facts.

“The concerned family were offered counselling and a meeting with the hospital management was held as part of the redress process. Currently, the hospital is constantly updating the family on the developments pertaining to the treatment process of the patient.”

Lekgethwane further said, the hospital is appealing to members of the public to report any mistreatment levelled against them from the staff members. He added that, in order to ensure that this process runs smoothly, there are portraits depicting “Know who is in charge”, strategically placed on various hospital premises, in order for members of the public to report any form of misconduct.

“Furthermore, staff members are requested to wear Hospital Identification Tags, for ease of reference when reporting. The hospital is committed to provision of quality healthcare services and condemns any mistreatment that compromises its values. The Quality Assurance Office is embedded with the responsibility of ensuring that patients’ complaints are addressed.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that the patient was attended to and assessed. The family was updated and we also learnt that some of the family members who were not yet updated took the issue to social media without full update,” said Lekgethwane.

He said the case needed to be approached diligently as rushing to remove the knife could have dire consequences. Lekgethwane said there was a potential of the patient being permanently disabled, if there was no thorough investigation of the extent of the damage on organs affected before the knife was removed.

“This caused the delay in removing the knife. In the end after consultations, second opinions and further examinations, the specialists decided to further refer the patient to Klerksdorp Tertiary Hospital,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The former chairperson at Rotarus Old Age Home in Mahikeng, Eugene Klinck (56) has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for theft. This comes after a meticulous investigation by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and National Prosecuting Authority that revealed that, Klinck misled the shareholders of Rotarus Old Age Home.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse said Klinck claimed that, he had paid for construction work done by KG building Consultants & Engineers, whereas he had transferred the funds from the Rotarus Old Age Home account into the business account of Simunye Funeral Service Pty Ltd, the company he co-directed with his wife.

“He was charged with seven counts of theft when he appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court alongside his wife, Elzaam Irm Klinck (50). The couple was arrested in April 2022 and was released on bail. They made a series of court appearances until their conviction and sentencing on 13 October 2023.

“The charges against Elzaan Irm Klinck were withdrawn, however, Eugene Klinck was sentenced to six years imprisonment wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not convicted of theft and fraud during the period of suspension,” she said.

Malwetse further said Klinck was ordered to pay the complainant an amount of R1 260 000 in instalments.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the investigation and prosecution team for their collaboration towards ensuring that the accused face full might of the law. 

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi with Dikgosi in Ganyesa/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi had a consultative engagement with Dikgosi and other educational stakeholders in Ganyesa. Motsumi said this was part of their role in the last push campaign.

In her engagements, she further requested the stakeholders to use their voices to rally behind the message of encouraging parents to give Grade 12 candidates time to study. Motsumi added that parents should put away domestic duties as the province is still aiming for the top 3 spot when exams results are released next year.

“We applaud communities for their unwavering support of schools by making meaningful contributions towards improving the learning and teaching environment in their respective local schools.

“Through this visit, we monitored the last push revision program in schools,” she said.

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