Picture: The police clamp down on drugs worth R280 000/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The police in Springbok intercepted a courier service van with drugs in Springbok on 14 February 2024 . The Public Order Police members that were busy with routine crime prevention duties received a tip-off about drugs destined to Port Nolloth via a courier service in Springbok.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the police operationalised the information and intercepted the courier service van at the Springbok depot. He said on searching the said vehicle, they allegedly found dagga with a street value of approximately R282 000.
“The police confiscated the dagga and an investigation enquiry case was opened to trace the source, which is the sender and recipient of the consignment. The proliferation of drugs remains a priority for the police in the province and drug trafficking and dealing will not be tolerated.
Picture: A man nabbed for being in possession of dagga worth R45 000
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (45) has been arrested in Pampierstad for being in possession of dagga worth R45 000. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Ehlers said, crime intelligence driven-operation in the area, led to the seizure of dagga.
Ehlers said the suspect was arrested at his premises in Pampierstad by the members from the Kimberley Task Team, Kimberley Public Order Police, Kimberley Tactical Response Team and the SANDF after a search.
“The police recovered and seized dagga to the estimated value of R45 000 and steel buckets, approximately 30 litres, filled with coins. A man was arrested on charges of illegal possession of dagga and illegal dealing in dagga,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the police for their vigilant conduct and assured the community that the fight against drugs will continue unabated.
Picture: Police divers searching for a drowned person in the river/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Due to the excruciating temperatures being experienced during the current heatwave in the Northern Cape with temperature soaring to approximately 40 degrees , the police are urging the public to adhere to safety hints. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said people should avoid sleeping with open doors as this makes them a target.
Kock said people should ensure that, windows are fitted with burglar proofing when left open for cool air in your dwelling. He further said people should not leave children or pets unattended in hot vehicles, even when they go for a quick stop at the shops.
“Stay out of direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm and postpone outdoor activities. Keep a wet cold cloth on your wrists, head and neck to ward off some of the heat. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water and fluids. Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages, which will dehydrate you.
“Canals and even sewage plants are also very dangerous attraction areas for children, especially during the hot summer months. So, parents should always know the whereabouts of their children. The public must be careful when visiting or fishing at the riverbanks and refrain from entering water to retrieve fish or to cool off,” said Kock.
He added that, also, people should be extra careful and alert when fishing, especially on row- boats and rocks. Kock said individuals should stay away from pool drains, water holes, rivers and dams.
“Empty water buckets, especially when you have toddlers in your home. Never swim when under the influence of alcohol, strong medication or drugs. Report alleged drownings to the police as rivers and dams are currently very dangerous. Therefore, refrain from attempting to enter to try and save a friend or a loved one.
“The police emergency number 08600 10111, must be contacted immediately or contact your nearest police station and remember to provide precise location details to ensure that, help can be sent as soon as possible,” he said.
I have just returned from the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the worsening effects of climate change on the continent were raised prominently. African leaders have been advocating for urgent, practical and stepped up climate action given the continent’s extreme vulnerability to the effects of global warming.
We have seen a rapid increase in climate-related disasters worldwide as extreme weather events become more frequent. In our own country, we have had wildfires in the Western Cape, heatwaves in the Northern Cape, continuing drought conditions in the Eastern Cape and intense storms in Gauteng.
Even before we could properly recover and rebuild after the 2022 floods in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and North West, we were hit again this year with more flooding, further loss of life and damage to livelihoods, property and the local economy.
The insurance industry is warning about the increasing costs of disaster risk finance, and even talking about the prospect of highly vulnerable regions eventually becoming uninsurable.
As noted during the AU Summit, African climate action is constrained by inadequate and unpredictable climate finance. It has long been the continental position that those most responsible for climate change and its impacts, namely developed countries, bear a responsibility to assist developing countries to build climate resilience.
We therefore welcomed the historic agreement at the UN Climate Conference in the United Arab Emirates in December last year to operationalise a Loss and Damage Fund to provide financial support for developing countries that are vulnerable to the impact of climate change. South Africa and the African Group were key to securing this agreement.
At the same time, African countries are forging ahead with plans to mobilise resources in support of climate action across the continent, and the AU Commission has recently established a Climate Finance Unit to ensure this is done in a coordinated manner.
For our part, South Africa has established a Climate Change Response Fund that will bring together all spheres of government and the private sector. By coordinating financial mobilisation from both government and the private sector our country will have collaborative effort to build resilience and respond to climate change.
This includes climate-proofing existing essential infrastructure and facilities such as water and food systems, roads, rail and ports, human settlements and health care.
The fund will also collaborate with a variety of partners to respond to immediate needs in communities following climate change related disasters.
The fund forms an important part of South Africa’s comprehensive response to climate change which includes both adaptation and measures to mitigate green house gas emissions. As I said in the State of the Nation Address, we will undertake our just transition to reach our ambitious emission reduction targets at a pace, scale and cost that our country can afford. At the same, our just transition will be undertaken in a manner that ensures energy security and that supports our developmental objectives.
As a country we cannot be complacent about climate change because its impacts are already with us. We will continue to contribute our fair share to the global climate change effort.
Our country will remain vocal in calling for developed countries to meet their obligations for financing and technology transfer support. We will continue to campaign for transformation of the international financial architecture and reform of multilateral development banks and international financial institutions so that developing countries can access the resources needed for climate action and the implementation of the sustainable development goals.
We will also continue to campaign against the implementation of climate and environment based unilateral actions, policies and taxes and their potential impacts on African exports and trade.
Climate change is a global problem and as such requires collective global action that is sustainable, that takes the differing circumstances and capabilities of countries into account, and that above all, leaves no-one behind.
Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
North MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi sworn in as acting North West Premier by the North West Division Judge President, Ronald Hendricks at the North West High Court in Mahikeng today.
According to the Office of the Premier official Facebook page, the North West Premier, Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has invoked Chapter 6, Section 131(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic South Africa, to appoint Maloyi as the acting Premier, effective from 19 Feb 2024 to 10 March 2024.
As an acting Premier, Maloyi will execute all responsibilities entrusted on him in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
The Department of Small Business Development and its agencies (SEDA and SEFA) will conduct TREP Application workshops across all local municipalities under Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. According to the information, these workshops will assist SMMEs in applying for TREP Funding online and manually. The department is set to visit the Town Library in Naledi Local Municipality (Vryburg) at 9am on 19 February 2024, Lekwa-Teemane Local Municipality (20 February 2024), venue: Bloemhof Coverdale Hall at 10am.
Utlwanang Hall, Christiana at 2pm and Depot Hall in the Greater Taung Local Municipality on 21 February 2024 at 10am. The department will also be at Ganyesa Community Hall in Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality on 22 February 2024
9am, while the visit to the Multipurpose Centre in Mamusa Local Municipality will be on 23 February 2024 at 9am.
Picture: The dagga found in a vehicle confiscated/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
In a bid to rid communities of drugs, police in Schweizer-Reneke working together with Crime Intelligence, nabbed two suspects on 15 February 2024. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the reports suggest that, the police received a tip-off about a Nissan vehicle, which was transporting drugs on the N12 road between Klerksdorp and Schweizer-Reneke.
“The police operationalised the intelligence and the suspects’ vehicle was spotted and stopped. Subsequent to the search, a total of 25kg of compressed dagga with an estimated street value of R100 000 was found inside the vehicle and that lead to the arrest of the duo.
“Thabang George Molefe (24) and Thandazile Ndlovu (24), briefly appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 16 February 2024 on charges of possession of dagga.
“Molefe was granted R1000 bail, whilst Ndlovu was remanded in custody. Their case was postponed to 19 February 2024,” she said.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it has noted with concern reports claiming that, Bafana Bafana may not be paid their bonuses after finishing third at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
SAFA president, Danny Jordaan said they wish to confirm that a contract was signed between the association and the senior players, representing the team. Jordaan further said the payments and bonuses were agreed upon, depending on the team’s performance in the tournament.
“Details of which remain confidential. This agreement was confirmed before the team departed for AFCON and all the parties was happy. We further highlight that, the payments and bonuses as agreed with the players will be paid when the prize monies are received from the Confederations of African Football (CAF).
“The remaining funds will be utilised in the further development of football. As previously stated, our junior national teams are not sponsored and rely heavily on the senior national teams for funding to help with access to more preparation camps and competitive fixtures,” he said.
Jordaan added that, the funds are not intended for members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the association or any SAFA staff. He said, they account to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the money that is awarded by the continental body.
“The SAFA CFO will be responsible for effecting payments to the players’ bank accounts on receipt of funds from CAF. The SAFA CEO, who is the accounting officer of the association, will ensure and confirm that payment is made to the players as agreed upon. Both the CEO and CFO will account to CAF on the use of the funds received,” said Jordaan.
The Grade 12 learners from Reivilo High School in Reivilo, who were allegedly found guilty of engaging in irregular practices to obtain an unfair advantage during the writing of the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, have been sanctioned for two years.
It is alleged that, accounting learners cheated and the North West Department of Education withheld their results. However, one of the affected learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, alleged that even though they cheated during the final examinations, teachers were also involved.
“The question paper was leaked by certain teachers and we had to fork R3000 per learner. So, I’m still sitting at home without knowing my fate. It is true that, our results were withheld and the department said, we will only be eligible to write the accounting question paper in November 2025.
“We are prohibited from writing the subject for two years. They said we will only be allowed to write the November 2024 examination, once the sanction period has expired,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane who refuted allegations when they first surfaced on 18 January 2024 said, the matter has been reported to the Provincial Examination Integrity Commission (PEIC) which is regulating examination in the province.
“Then the matter has also escalated to National Examinations Integrity Commission (NEIC). Umalusi has made recommendations that, the matter to be resolved within 6 months. We humbly request parents of affected learners to be patient as the matter is attended to.
“As the department, we believe that this matter is still sensitive and we would not be able to comment further, since there are some investigation and interrogations going on. When the matter is concluded, we will update on what transpired and what was found,” he said.
Molokwane further said there is a bit they can highlight on the letters that have been issued to those learners, who are believed they copied in the 2023 matric final examinations, to come forward and explain what has transpired on the day of examinations or prior that.
The police from Mothibistad Visible Policing unit accompanied by the Department of Health and Social Development, embarked on a campaign educating learners about social-economic challenges such as substance and alcohol abuse, crime, domestic violence lack of parental guidance and meaningful youth participation.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Nomvuyo Makoloi said they started a week of communicating across their policing area.
“We were addressing learners at different schools about adolescent pregnancy, child abuse and neglect, crime, domestic violence,drug use, ethnic conflict.
“The police continued with their activities at legal and illegal liquor outlets addressing the patrons and general public about lack of parental guidance, substance abuse, crime, domestic violence, lack of meaningful youth participation, stop and search,” she said.
Makoloi further said they also executed raiding in various sheens. She added that, owners of the establishments were sensitized on the importance of adhering to the law when wanting to pursue liquor trading.
“The initiative was appreciated by managers of the participating departments,” said Makoloi.
The Guardian 