Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated by police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A driver (35) has been arrested for illegal dealing in drugs in Warrenton. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said the police were conducting a Vehicle Check Point (VCP) shortly before midnight on 3 January 2024 when they stopped and searched a vehicle.
“A bag containing 907 mandrax tablets with an estimated street value of R45 250 and 1kg of Crystal Meth with an estimated street value of R12 500 was recovered and confiscated.
The vehicle was also seized and the suspect will appear in court soon,” said Ehlers.
Meanwhile, the Frances Baard District Commissioner, Major General Johan Bean, applauded the arrest of the alleged drug dealer and the confiscation of drugs by the police.
Picture: Home Affairs employee arrested for corruption/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A Home Affairs employee (37) in Upington was arrested on Wednesday for corruption after she allegedly processed illegal Identification Documents (ID) for undocumented nationals in Upington for a fee. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, the suspect was arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit(ACIU).
‘The ACIU followed up on information that the official allegedly processed illegal IDs for undocumented foreign nationals in Upington for a fee. The police executed a successful action and arrested the suspect red-handed at her office.
“She was charged with corruption and will appear in the Upington Magistrate’s Court soon,” said Kock.
Meanwhile, the ZF Mgcawu District Police Commissioner, Maj Gen Thabo Mphuthi, lauded the police for a job well done and reiterated that no stone will be left unturned. Mphuthi said the police will continue unabatedly to root out all corruption and bring the perpetrators thereof to justice.
Picture: The Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg
By OBAKENG MAJE
A theft case against three nurses who were accused of stealing a sofa at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg has been withdrawn. This comes after the eyewitness allegedly refused to come forward and make a statement to the police out of fear.
It is alleged that, the security guards discovered an absolute sofa outside the hospital premises on 25 December 2023. The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said they have made contact with the hospital, which confirmed that a case of theft was opened at the Vryburg Police Station.
“This comes after the contracted hospital security guards, discovered absolute sofa outside the hospital premises. Any matter relating to arrests and progress of investigations should be directed to the police.
“This matter will also be dealt with internally, guided by the hospital protocols and policies. The hospital continuously reviews its security measures to ensure that, personnel, patients and hospital assets are safe guarded,” he said.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The said case was opened by a security officer on the basis of information received from an eyewitness.
“However, the witness refused to give statement. Thus, the complainant decided to withdraw the case.”
Most Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in North West are grappling with financial challenges. Now, the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the province, calls for prioritization of SMMEs and Cooperative empowerment.
SANCO provincial spokesperson, Palesa Zizi said the SMMEs and Cooperatives are acknowledged worldwide for their pivotal role in promoting inclusive socio-economic development, however, they are faced with significant challenges in the province.
Zizi said despite being recognised as the backbone of the economy, contributing to reducing unemployment, alleviating poverty and bridging socio-economic inequalities, they also act as catalysts for innovation, technology and trade, driving the demand for goods and services.
“Access to funding and markets remains a considerable challenge aggravated by stringent criteria imposed by corporate banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). Regrettably, government institutions such as the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation, and Tourism (DEDECT) along with municipalities, do not accord these entities the priority they deserve.
“SANCO in its own assessment of the support programmes for SMMEs and Cooperatives, notes with serious concern that the province is not prioritising these enterprises. The Empowerment Fund, as one of the support programmes aimed at supporting the North West- based enterprises with machinery and equipment from DEDECT is falling short of its objectives,” she said.
Zizi further said the last advertisement or a call for Empowerment Fund applications made by DEDECT was in 2021. She added that, according to the DEDECT’s annual report for 2021/22, the department’s actual achievement for the number of businesses provided with production equipment is 15 out of a target of 50 and an allocation of R15 000 000 set aside for this support programme in the budget speech.
“According to the DEDECT budget speech and annual report 2022/23, the department funded a mere 39 enterprises with production equipment out of 115 approved applications from a total of 750 applications received. This means that, in the 2 previous financial years, the department has only managed to assist 54 enterprises with production equipment.
“We wonder what is difficult about buying this much-needed production equipment because the department has an allocated budget for this programme. This very department in its budget speech for 2023/24 has budgeted R15 000 000 for the procurement of equipment for start-up as well as growth and expansion of small business enterprises to contribute to job creation and poverty alleviation,” said Zizi.
She said they wonder how many they have funded thus far and will be able to fund at the end of this financial year. Zizi said analysis in terms of the DEDECT empowerment fund is that, each financial year, a budget of about R15 000 000 is set aside, but the number of enterprises assisted cannot even amount to a quarter of the budget allocation, meaning the chunk of this money goes back to the Treasury Department.
“Notably, the national Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has demonstrated to be more serious about small business development, procuring and handing over business equipment and machinery to 68 informal traders in the Moretele and 59 in Mahikeng.
“This is a total of 127, thus far for the North West this year, thereby contrasting with DEDECT’s limited impact. What is more surprising is that, the DSBD has not only procured and handed over this equipment to traders in the North West, but also reached out to all nine provinces,” she said.
Zizi said the DEDECT focusing only on the North West province and with a budget of R15 000 000, is unable to procure and hand over equipment to a mere 100 enterprises (25 per district) in the whole financial year.
She said the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) was designed to be the implementing agency of DEDECT and a leading development agency in the province, however, it has proven to be ineffective as it is struggling with basic property maintenance and payments of electricity and probably water.
“The agency is probably the weakest development agency in the country, for we are not even sure how it is progressing with its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) programme. North West Premier, Bushy Maape during Office of the Premier’s Provincial Budget Vote 2022/23, outlined plans which he said are at an advanced level to appoint various expert panels to conduct thorough assessments and alignment of national and provincial policy priorities in the critical performance areas.
“The assessment is supposed to review the performance, relevance, sustainability, retention and/or release of State-Owned Entities, the review of the Provincial Growth & Development Strategy and the design, planning and implementation of key strategic mega infrastructure projects,” said Zizi.
She said they are still eagerly awaiting the premier’s report with expectations that interventions will also revitalize the struggling NWDC, which we expect amongst other things to drive a radical tuck- shop revitalisation programme, aiming to ensure through the necessary support, the tuck-shop industry is being returned to South Africans.
Zizi said the challenges faced by SMMEs extend beyond financial support with exclusion from the planning and development of malls and shopping complexes exacerbating their struggle for market access and yet expected to grow and contribute towards job creation and poverty alleviation. She said SANCO emphasizes the need for authorities to impose conditions ensuring low-rent spaces for SMMEs in all economic developments and infrastructural projects like malls and shopping complexes.
“South Africa’s legislation, including the Immigration Act, the Business Act and municipal by-laws also disadvantage small businesses, the majority of which are run by black communities by allowing asylum seekers and refugees to participate in small economic spaces such as the spaza, tuck-shops and saloon, which in our view should be reserved for the citizens.
“SANCO calls for a reconsideration of these regulations, advocating for the prioritization of citizens in these small economic spaces as is the case with the Liquor Act. SANCO in North West strongly asserts that the growth and sustainability of small businesses are not receiving the attention they deserve and calls for urgent intervention, emphasizing the need for the government to fulfil its promises and prioritize the growth and sustainability of SMMEs and Cooperatives” she said.
Zizi said furthermore, SANCO calls for the establishment of an integrated database system to track funded enterprises, preventing multiple benefits and identifying collapsed ventures. She said organisation amongst other things believes that, implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) in the province must be reviewed to ensure it aligns with the intended outcomes of improved government planning and impactful service delivery.
Picture: The paramedics on the scene after a horrific accident/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said they have experienced a 10% reduction of road fatalities across the province. Lehari said just below 70 lives have been lost on the North West roads by 1 January 2024.
He further said this is all road fatalities recorded on the provincial roads, since the beginning of festive season. Lehari added that, culminatively, the N4, N12, N14, N18 and R503 between Mahikeng and Lichtenburg have recorded just below 30 of all the fatalities by New Year’s Day.
“No major crash, meaning an accident with more than four fatalities has been recorded as yet for this period. By New Year’s Day last year, 77 lives had been lost with just below 30 of them resulting from five major crashes.
“About 63% of all the fatalities had been recorded between 6pm and 00:00. So, we still pleading with all road users to respect all regulations and to be patient on the roads,” he said.
Lehari said with rains in many parts of the province, patience becomes essential. He said the pleas with motorists to drive to the conditions of the road, rather than speed limit.
“We can do more and must ensure people comply, if they are unable to do so on their own. We are requesting corporation of everyone on the road. The Eagles as other provincial traffic officers, have not taken their holidays.
“This is to ensure that, they are present on the roads. Kindly work with them to reduce crashes. Traffic is expected to peak from later this week as many will be travelling back to their respective work places,” said Lehari.
The Head of the Department (HOD), Dr Hans Kekana has directed that the Eagles Unit in particular, pay attention on all roads that are connecting with other provinces.
“Statistics indicate heighten traffic flow from 6pm in the evenings. So, we want our law enforcement presence to be felt at that time. For whatever reason, it appears people prefer to travel at night.
“It could be that they believe traffic is low then. But clearly, it peaks at that time and let’s focus on the problematic roads”, said Kekana.
Meanwhile, the Chief Director for Transport Regulations, Molefi Morule said he has been personally leading the operations. Module said he is concerned about the crashes in what is generally considered rural roads.
“The Ngaka Modiri Molema District is still high with about 38% of all recorded accidents, since the beginning of December 2023. We have begun to put more patrols on N18 road, especially in Taung, R49 between Mahikeng and Zeerust and on R503 between Mahikeng and Lichtenburg.
“We would like to convey our deepest condolences to the families of the departed and wishes speedy recovery to the injured. We also wish everyone a happy New Year and we must strive to arrive alive,” he said.
Module said the joint law enforcement operations will continue until the middle of January 2024 when learners will be preparing for new academic year.
The Guardian 