Picture: The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi to intervene at Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). This comes after the embattled municipality continues to be marred with widespread corruption and maladministration allegations.

The DA councillor in Greater Taung Local Municipality, Sam Nape said, they have written a letter to Maloyi, requesting his immediate intervention.

“The Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe in defiance of a council resolution, refuses to sign the monthly contract extension for acting Municipal Manager, Motlhaletsimang Andrew Makuapane. The municipality has not had an accounting officer since 21 October 2023.

“We engaged Gaoraelwe on the appointment of the acting Municipal Manager, but our engagements have been ignored. We then approached the Greater Taung Speaker, Grace Moipolai to call a special council meeting to resolve the issue of the temporary appointment of the acting Municipal Manager, but she has blatantly refused to consider our request,” he said.

Nape further said, it appears that both Gaoraelwe and Moipolai are deliberately obstructing the legal requirements of the council to ensure that an acting Municipal Manager is appointed until a permanent appointment is finalised.

He added that the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) also remains vacant.

“Not only do we have a political leadership vacuum, but also an administrative one in the municipality. There is no political or administrative leadership and as a result, the little bit of service delivery has come to a complete halt because of this impasse.

“Gaoraelwe is in breach of a council resolution and under normal circumstances, a complaint for disciplinary investigation would have been sent to Moipolai to refer it for investigation. However, Moipolai herself, is guilty of dereliction of duty and in breach of the Code of Conduct for councillors,” said Nape.

He said the DA therefore calls on Maloyi to intervene to resolve this dispute in the interests of THE Greater Taung residents and to initiate the required disciplinary processes against both the Mayor and the Speaker.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Whip at the municipality, Amogelang Matuane said: “They condemn the wrong approach used to appoint the Municipal Manager. The council took a resolution on 5 January 2023, on which procedure should be followed in appointing the Municipal Manager.

“The council took a resolution that a panel consisting of five individuals should be assembled according to MFMA Schedule 12 of Appointment of the Section Panel for the Appointment of the Municipal Manager and that is Resolution 175/2022-2023.”

Matuane said the council also took a resolution on the advertisement of the Municipal Manager position and the members of the panel. She said those who were appointed, were the mayor as the Chairperson, Member of the Executive Council responsible for Recruitment as designated by the council.

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Picture: CPF members receive reflector jackets from Vodacom/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said they welcome the donation of reflector jackets donated by Vodacom to the Community Policing Forum in Kimberly. Sam said Vodacom s one of the integral role players in the Provincial Non-Ferrous Metals Crime Combatting Forum.

“These jackets will be utilised by the provincial CPF Board for easy identification by the public when executing their functions. The jackets were well received by the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Koliswa Otola who was joined by the executive mayor of Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, Kagisho Sonyoni, the CPF Board Chairperson, Tebogo Molapo and the Provincial Head for Proactive Policing, Brigadier Irene Kopeledi.

“Vodacom representative, Hadley Goliath handed over the jackets and wide brim sun hats. Goliath said that, Vodacom supports the efforts by SAPS and community structures in their fight against crime,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Koliswa Otola, thanked Vodacom for the gesture. Otola said this collaborative gesture maintains public safety and fosters trust, communication and shared responsibility among all partners in the fight against crime.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

The Galeshewe police are appealing to the public to assist them to locate Kedibone Schalk Wyk (7), who resides at 13148 Moledi Street, Bloemanda in Galeshewe, Kimberley.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, it is reported that Schalk Wyk left in the morning of Tuesday, 31 October 2023 to school at Venus Primary School in Roodepan, but never returned home where she was placed in foster care.

Sam said the social worker visited her biological mother, aunt and neighbours, but could not trace her. He further said Schalk Wyk was dressed in grey trousers, white shirt and a black jacket with pink flowers.

“The police are requesting anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of little Kedibone to contact FCS Galeshewe, Detective Lt Colonel Marli Strydom at 082 495 0618 or 08600 10111 or either SMS anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS app.

“The public is once again reminded that there is no waiting period to report a child missing. All information received will be treated confidentially,” he said.

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Picture: The missing Major Okedutse Itumeleng/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Vryburg request the community to assist them to locate Major Okedutse Itumeleng (47). The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said, Itumeleng was last seen after work on 27 October 2023 and indicated that, he will be hiking from Vryburg to Johannesburg.

“A search was conducted around Vryburg and surrounding areas without any success. At the time of his disappearance, it is unknown what Itumeleng was wearing. He is light in complexion, 1.5 in height with dark brown eyes and a medium built body.

“Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Detectives Commander at Vryburg, Lieutenant Colonel Reuben Masire on 060 987 7589. Alternatively, they can call Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111 and anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from your smart phone,” said Funani.

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