Picture: Police seized generators during Operation Vala Umgodi/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Ten Zimbabwean foreign nationals were arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002) during separate operations conducted in Tlhatlhaganyane village, outside Rustenburg and Klerksdorp. It is alleged that seven suspects aged between 24 and 41, briefly appeared in the Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on 3 June 2024, following their arrests in Tlhatlhaganyane village on Saturday afternoon, 01 June 2024, during an illegal mining operation.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were arrested after failing to prove their legal status in the country.
“During the operation, the police found abandoned equipment such as two generators, five water pumps, two jack hammers, shovels, three spades and wheelbarrows. The case was postponed to 6 June 2024, for plea.
“In Klerksdorp, three suspects aged between 23 and 27, were also arrested for contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), by the Vala Umgodi team on 3 June 2024, during a disruptive operation conducted at Wolwerand illegal mining site, near Klerksdorp,” he said.
Mokgwabone further said the police also discovered a production site and summoned an explosives unit to destroy the chemical. He added that the police found various equipment used during illegal mining activities.
“The equipment included jack hammers, six generators, two phendukas, two gas bottles, two phenduka motors, a welding machine, eight electrical cables, 10 steel rods, a water pump, a grinder and many others. The suspects are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today,” said Mokgwabone.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their efforts in the fight against illegal mining.
The ANC said the results of National General Elections indicate that, the South Africans want all parties to work together, because no party received an absolute majority to form a government alone at national level, in Gauteng and in KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC has taken the position that they must all act in the interest of the country and its people.
Bhengu-Motsiri, who addressed the media on the outcomes of ANC National Working Committee meeting said, they will work to build national consensus on the form of government that is best suited to move South Africa forward. She further said the ANC is keen and determined to engage all parties and unite the broadest range of sectors of their population behind the urgent need to move the country out of the current potential electoral
stalemate.
“The ANC is driven by the imperative to maintain national unity, stability and to put in place a government that will move with speed to tackle all the pressing socio-economic challenges our nation faces.
“We believe that despite any differences we may have, working together as South Africans, we can seize this moment to usher our country into a new era of hope,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She added that informed by these imperatives, the ANC has started engagements with political parties in the country. Bhengu-Motsiri said they have been meeting with all parties that are keen to contribute ideas on how they can collectively move the country forward to form a government that ensures national unity and stability, continues the transformation of South Africa, and safeguards the constitutional democracy.
“The NWC met on 4 June 2024, two days after the announcements of the results by the IEC, to receive a report from the national officials on the meetings held thus far with various political parties.
“These include meetings with delegations from the IFP, EFF, DA, NFP and PA. The ANC has also had engagements with its alliance partners, SACP, COSATU and SANCO, as part of the consultation process,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the national officials reported to the NWC that the ANC has repeatedly reached out to the MKP for an engagement meeting, with no positive response. She said their door remains open as they continue to reach out to every party that is keen to contribute positively to moving the country forward.
“The ANC NWC discussed the three options as set out by Mbalula on 2 June 2024, which have been further elaborated, including the inherent risks of each option. The NWC held a robust and constructive discussion on the perspective and report from national officials.
“The discussions enriched the ANC perspective and further probed the implications of each option for South Africa and the ANC’s historic mission to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa for all,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
She said based on the consensus reached, the NWC will take its detailed perspectives on forming government in South Africa to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled to take place on 6 June 2024.
Appointment of Premiers
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC in line with its Electoral Rules on Monday 3 June 2024, a day after the announcements of results, convened extended sessions of its Provincial Executive Committees (PEC) to nominate candidates for Premiers in the provinces, where the ANC gained a majority or is likely to lead a coalition government.
She said the extended PECs, that included representatives from its alliance partners, were overseen by presiding officers from the ANC Electoral Committee led by Kgalema Motlanthe.
“Each PEC was required to nominate three Premier candidates of which two candidates are women. All candidates will be interviewed in the coming few days by ANC national officials. The final ANC Premiers and Premier candidates will be unveiled early next week.
“The Provincial Legislatures are due to sit on 17 and 18 June 2024, to elect Speakers, Deputy Speakers and Premiers,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
Conclusion
She said the ANC welcomed the robust debates in society and amongst its members on the way forward, following the outcomes of the 2024 elections results. Bhengu-Motsiri said they have noted documents purporting to be official documents of the ANC being distributed on digital platforms.
“We once again reiterate that any official communication will be published on our official communications platforms and call on persons engaged in misinformation to desist from doing so.
“The current situation has created some uncertainties and risks, but also opportunities to move the country forward, more determined to tackle the problems its people face, more determined to unite and face the future together,” she said.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC is committed to ensure that they unite the people of South Africa to move the country forward
and form a government that reflects the message from the electorate. She said they must work together and many other democracies, who face similar challenges of forming a government often take months of uncertainty to reach a conclusion.
“The ANC remains committed to ensure that we build a national consensus to avoid any uncertainty that can lead to instability.
The ANC NEC will come with a clear determination of the way forward and will engage alliance, civil society and all South Africans on our view about the immediate next steps and the
future.
“We will make further announcements about the NEC meeting and opportunities for the media to engage in due course by way of media advisory. Let’s do more together,” Bhengu-Motsiri.
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 02: Hildah Magaia of South Africa celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s second goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between South Africa and Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
By REGINALD KANYANE
The South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) beat a 10 women Senegal 2-0 in the second international friendly played on Tuesday after in Thies, Senegal.
This after opening the scoring with a beautiful free kick by Amogelang Motau in the 13th minute of the match. Noxolo Cesane doubled the Sasol sponsored teams lead in the 43rd minutes.
Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis made changes at halftime as she brought in Linda Motlhalo for Kholosa Biyana and Sibulele Holweni for Amogelang Motau at halftime, while Senegal also made four changes to try and change the shape of the game.
Thubelihle Shamase came on for Noxolo Cesane in the 62nd minute of the match.
Banyana continued to dominate the attack and forced the Senegalese to go back to their physical ways, thus earning themselves a red card by Sylla Coumba in the 67th after injurying Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.
Swart was later substituted in the 72nd minute by Kebotseng Moletsane who earned her 4th official Banyana Banyana cap, as she could not continue with the match.
Ramalepe and Hadebe were also replaced by Dhlamini and Nokoane in the 75th minute of the match.
“We played to our strengths today after looking at our errors in the first match, and that is how we managed to dominate the entire match.
We are happy with the performance we saw today and will continue to build on it;” said Ellis.
Picture: The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo, joins peace loving people in the world in welcoming the order handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) yesterday ordering Israel, in conformity with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and in view of the worsening conditions of life faced by civilians in Rafah, to immediately halt its military operation.
The ICJ ordered, among other things, Israel to maintain open the Rafah crossing for unhindered provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance and to take effective measures to ensure the unimpeded access to the Gaza Strip of any commission of inquiry, fact-finding mission or other investigative body mandated by competent organs of the United Nations to investigate allegations of genocide.
Mahumapelo said the committee welcomes the order of the ICJ aimed at saving ordinary Palestinians in Gaza, who are now facing 7th month of suffering through collective punishment for something for which they have no individual responsibility.
He further said the ruling is made when at least 35,709 Palestinians had been killed and continue to die of starvation, many of them children, and hundreds of thousands are at imminent threat of death because a deliberate decision has been taken by Israel to starve Palestinians by denying them food.
“At least 80,000 Palestinians have been injured and 1.7 million displaced, often multiple times, with 900,000 displaced in the last two weeks alone. The court, whose powers are tied to the provisions of the Genocide Convention and cannot be exercised against “mere” war crimes or human rights violations, has done what it considers it can do to ensure the survival of the Palestinian people in Gaza as a group and their protection from further harm.
“The committee calls on all state parties to observe the prescripts of international law, which obliged them to reconsider their relations with Israel following the court findings,” said Mahumapelo.
He added that under international law, Israel is obliged to implement the court’s order, as well as the previous orders of 26 January (as reaffirmed by the Court on 16 February 2024) and 28 March.
Picture: The former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
By REGINALD KANYANE
A corruption case against the former Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has been postponed to 9 July 2024, for a high court date and provision of an indictment. Mapisa-Nqakula, who is facing corruption and money laundering case, briefly appeared in Pretoria Magistrate’s Court today.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the Investigating Directorate (ID), has provided her with a full disclosure of the docket and it was further confirmed that a list of state witnesses was provided to her on 8 April 2024, in order for her to comply with her bail condition of not having any direct or indirect contact with the state witnesses.
Picture: Ambulances parked at depot waiting for maintenance/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some of concerned residents across the province said they are afraid that the North West Department of Health might privatise the ambulance services tender. This comes after the department continues to outsource the services of private-owned ambulances.
One resident who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “It is not a national policy to outsource ambulance services. We expect the department to run them on its own, owing to the past experience. Remember, there was a controversy surrounding the Buthelezi EMS tender.
“Now, the department is allegedly planning to privatise ambulance services. We have seen Maponya EMS criss-cross the province recently and we suspect there might be another controversial tender on the card.”
Another resident said they experienced widespread complaints of poor service from Buthelezi EMS – a company that is currently the subject of both the Hawks and National Treasury investigations. He also said the investigation on a controversial contract the North West Department of Health allegedly entered into with Mediosa is underway.
According to a highly-placed source within the department, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, alleged that some officials opted to outsource the private ambulance services, so that they can get their ‘cut from the pie’.
However, the North West Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said, the department has opted to make use of private-owned ambulances due to lack of enough ambulances. Lekgethwane said the department has always maintained that the current ambulances procurement and maintenance model does not allow it to always have enough ambulances.
“Even though the department procures ambulances on a yearly basis, they get quickly worn out due to bad roads, while others spend more time in garages being serviced.
“Now, the department is in the process of finalising a full maintenance lease contract, which will work through leasing of ambulances and ensuring more availability and quicker response time,” he said.
Lekgethwane further said the department does use the services of private Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers per call arrangement, when there is a shortage of ambulances. He added that, there is no contractual agreement with Maponya EMS, and they utilise all private EMS service providers when there are no ambulances available.
“We rotate ambulances between different service providers. So, there is no specific contract, but the department is in the middle of a Supply Chain Management (SCM) process to increase the number of ambulances.
Picture: The Moses Kotane Local Municipality mayor, Nketu Ntsokwe/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The Moses Kotane Local Municipality mayor, Nketu Nkotswe said she will ensure that the municipality performs its constitutional and statutory functions within the limits of its approved budget at all times and service delivery tops the agenda.
Nkotswe, who tabled R1 061 075 billion municipal budget for the 2024/2025 financial year said entities must ensure that the municipal budget caters for 107 villages, as well the implementation of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) programs.
She further said they anticipate an increase to R1 093 450 billion for 2025/2026 financial year. Nkotswe added that this is due to the increase in equitable share by 6%.
“We acknowledge that the municipality had prepared this compliant tabling of the budget and IDP during the eventful period when General Elections were being held across the country.
“The rural municipality continues to collect small revenue, but in the 2024/2025 financial year, there are some highlights,” she said.
According to Nkotswe, the total capital budget is projected at R252 554 million. She said a total operating expenditure for the 2024/2025 financial year has projected R1 346, 501 billion, which is an increase of R134 143 million, when compared to the 2023/24 adjustment budget.
“A bulk purchase of electricity amounting to R42 000 million. Water services amounting to R197 242 million is prioritised because the municipality is now experiencing a water problem that has to be resolved immediately. Also, we had sanitation amounting to R5 103 million and refuse removal amounting to R11 189 million just to mention a few,” said Nkotswe.
In conclusion, she said the municipality will continue to give priority to initiatives related to service delivery, with a total of R252 554 million in capital projects scheduled for 2024/2025 financial year.
Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Department of Human Settlements confirms it has partnered with the Rustenburg Local Municipality as part of intensifying the working relation between the two spheres of government on some of its housing functions.
The department together with the Rustenburg Local Municipality signed a Level Two Municipal Accreditation Implementation Protocol during the provincial government’s Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole recently.
Speaking during the signing of the agreement, the acting North West Premier and MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi said this partnership is intended to enhance the municipality’s capacity and enable them to implement development plans according to human settlements and housing.
“As per the agreement, the municipality is delegated to perform full programme management and administration of all housing instruments/programmes. The department has already appointed a service provider to assist the municipality with a support plan.
“The department will provide the municipality with all the necessary assistance for them to be able to carry out these tasks and ensure that Rustenburg residents receive efficient housing services,” he said.
Maloyi further said they have confidence that the municipality can execute the responsibility to deliver quality housing services and human settlements projects.
“The department and the municipality will identify and agree on human settlements projects that will be implemented by the municipality as per the agreement.
“This enables the municipality to package human settlements projects and ensure efficiency in the turnaround time on project delivery,” said Maloyi.
Picture: Current situation in Bloemfontein/Twitter
By BAKANG MOKOTO
As certain parts of the country are experiencing severe weather conditions, the police in the Northern Cape, is appealing to residents to implement the following safety measures during this period and also to be vigilant and alert during extreme cold and wet weather.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said people should ensure that all fires in fireplaces are extinguished and heaters are switched off before going to bed.
Kock further said they should never sleep with candles burning and refrain from using Umbolas inside their houses. He added that people should install smoke alarms and test whether they are in a working condition.
“Never smoke in bed, rather smoke outside and make sure cigarette butts are properly disposed of. Take extra care when cooking, especially with gas and open fires. Do not overload multi-plugs and wall sockets with heating appliances.
“Switch off electric blankets at night and rather opt for extra warm blankets during winter. Do not splash water on oil or grease that caught fire in your cooking pan as this can spread fire. Rather use a fire extinguisher,” said Kock.
He said people should keep matches, lighters, and other flammable liquids out of the reach of children. Kock said when cooking, people should keep flammable items like curtains, oven gloves, and paper towels far away from burners and stoves.
“Use portable air conditioners safely and with extra care. If your clothing catches fire, stop, drop, and roll. Plan your escape from fire and practice your fire drill at least twice a year. If your residence catches fire, get out, stay out, call for help, and never re-enter your burning house for pets or personal belongings,” he said.
Kock said people should display their local fire departments and other emergency telephone numbers in their houses. He said people should attempt to extinguish a fire only when it is safe, otherwise they should leave it to professional fire personnel, who have the necessary training.
A man (24) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Carnavon Regional Court for house breaking and attempted rape. Kerneels Maerman broke into a house and found a woman (47) in a farm in Loxton 16 July 2023.
Maerman repeatedly assaulted the victim and attempted to rape her in the process. The victim’s son who was hiding under the bed, managed to flee and seek assistance from the farmer, who reported the matter to the police.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said: “The accused was subsequently arrested. Maerman was found guilty on 31 May 2024. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“Detective Warrant Officer Floris Fritz from the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit led the investigation and State Prosecutor, Thakiso Thebane, secured the conviction and ensured that the is justice for the victim of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).”
Sam said the police encourage the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services.
The Guardian 