Daily Archives: July 25, 2024

Ramaphosa appoints Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice 

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Picture: The incoming Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, appointed current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 1 September 2024. 

Maya’s appointment follows Ramaphosa’s consultation, in accordance with constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on 22 February 2024, Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service Commission of his intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of office of Zondo on 31 August 2024. 

The President spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa invited the Judicial Service Commission to provide its views on the suitability of Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice. Magwenya further said discharging its consultative mandate set out in Section 174(3) of the Constitution, the Commission interviewed Maya on 21 May 2024, to ascertain her suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic. 

“The Commission subsequently assured the President of Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview, Maya’s qualifications and judicial record. 

“This includes her leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President,” he said. 

Magwenya added that the Commissioners also advised that Maya’s appointment would be a significant milestone for the country as she would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice. He said Ramaphosa appreciated the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw inspiration and support from the confidence expressed in her. 

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Teachers expelled over cheating scandal at Reivilo High School have five days to appeal 

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Picture: Reivilo High School in Taung 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West Department of Education said two teachers from Reivilo High School in Taung who were implicated in a cheating scandal, were fired on Friday. It is alleged that six Grade 12 learners were found to have cheated during the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations and colluded with some teachers, who demanded R3000 in return. 

This led to the North West Department of Education to withhold their results. Some of the affected learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, cited that even though they cheated during the final examinations, these teachers aided them. 

“The question paper was leaked by certain teachers and we had to fork out 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 examination once the sanction period has expired,” she said.

She further said this has affected her livelihoods because she does not know what the future holds for her anymore. 

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said the national department in conjunction with the provincial department conducted an extensive investigation of all learners and teachers, who were alleged to be implicated in the irregular practice.

“Yes, the department is aware of this matter. There are two teachers who were dismissed after the disciplinary process. The outcome of the disciplinary process found the two educators guilty. 

“At the end they were eventually dismissed from the department. However, they have five days to make an appeal against their dismissal to the MEC,” he said.

Malindi said the decision against affected learners once the department has concluded the disciplinary process against all those implicated on the matter. He said the national department will provide direction and guidance on the situation of the learners.

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24 foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining 

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Picture: Some of foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE 

As part of intensifying the fight against illegal mining, 24 suspects aged between 19 and 47, briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 24 July 2024, on charges of contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002, and illegal mining.  Of the 24 accused persons, 12 were remanded in custody until 25 July and 13 August 2024, for legal aid, plea and interpreter. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said moreover, 11 accused were found guilty and fined R2000 respectively. Funani said the suspects were arrested by Vala Umgodi deployment that included various South African Police Service (SAPS) Units and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Skeerpoort Farm illegal mining site near Hartbeespoortdam on 22 July 2024.

“The preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are from Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe foreign nationals. The police seized illegal mining equipment that included the phenduka machine, generators, hammers, jack hammers, water pumps and many others,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary team members for the successful operation that led to the arrests and confiscation of illegal mining equipment.

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Majority of businesses in Stilfontein sell expired goods

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Picture: Some of expired food confiscated during the raid

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The City of Matlosana embarked on another Clean Up Campaign in partnership with various government departments and stakeholders such as South African Revenue Services (SARS), South African Police Services (SAPS) and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in Stilfontein on 19 July 2024. During the campaign, it was discovered that the majority of businesses around the Civic Centre Shopping Complex in Stilfontein, were non-compliant and were operating without business certificates of compatibility from relevant authorities. 

The City of Matlosana spokesperson, Ntswaki Makgetha said health inspectors discovered that the products packaging from various stores were not barcoded. Makgetha said the majority of the businesses were selling expired and unauthorised goods to the public. 

“The non-compliant products were immediately confiscated. Most businesses were found to be operating without fire distinguishers for safety measures. Therefore, the Disaster Risk Management personnel issued notices to the business owners, in order to install fire distinguisher bottles in their businesses according to guidelines. 

“Six businesses that were not compliant were temporarily closed for risks identified. During the campaign, the City’s Finance Department officials found that some of the businesses were not paying the municipal services and encouraged them to pay for their services,” she said.  

Makgetha further said the tourism unit, managed to visit Bed and Breakfast lounges and Guest Houses to check compliance and were pleased to find that most of them were compliant.

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A man sentenced to seven years imprisonment for theft of ammunition 

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Picture: Ammunition confiscated by police/Generic 

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

A man (55) was convicted by the De Aar Regional Court for theft. This comes after Vuyo Eric Joe was convicted for four counts of theft. 

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said on 14 November 2022, the police in Philipstown, were conducting patrols in town and surrounding areas, when they spotted a suspicious bakkie with a trailer. Shemane said when Joe saw the police vehicle, he took a detour onto a gravel road, however, the police followed and stopped the vehicle. 

“A search ensued and police recovered ammunition cartridges in the bakkie and the trailer. The accused could not provide a satisfactory explanation as to how he obtained the ammunition cartridges and he did not have a valid permit in his possession to transport ammunition. 

“Joe was subsequently arrested and bail was successfully opposed by the investigating officer. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment for count one, six years imprisonment for count 2 and seven years imprisonment for count 3, while he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for count four,” he said. 

Shemane further said count 1, 2 and 4 were suspended for five years. He added that Joe was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for count 3. 

“Communities are encouraged to blow the whistle on stolen goods and report unscrupulous dealers, suspicious individuals and suspected stolen goods to the police,” said Shemane.

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R164 billion set aside for establishment of Special Economic Zone  

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Picture: The Special Economic Zone in Mogwase/Facebook

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said approximately 97% of the total platinum production occurs in Rustenburg, with the mining sector providing around 50% of all formal employment. Mokgosi said they should harness this potential, however, they must also invest in people. 

He further said they are collaborating with the North West University, the Departments of Higher Education and Minerals and Petroleum Resources to establish an Engineering Faculty in Rustenburg to respond to the demand for technical and engineering specialities needed to meet the demand in the mining and related fields.

Mokgosi added that the 7th administration has already started consultations with the Minister of Trade Industry and Competition to remove all hurdles preventing the cabinet from approving the issuance of the license for the formal proclamation of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mogwase.

“We have now appointed a full time CEO for the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), who will work with the Board to appoint the rest of the Executive Management Team. The NWDC will be restructured to be fit for purpose to drive our economic and industrialization programme.

“We are continuing with work in the SEZ to renovate existing structures and the construction of Phase 2 of the project. The main hub of the Platinum Valley SEZ will be housed in a 100-hectare site at the Bodirelo Industrial Park, located near the town of Mogwase,” he said.

Mokgosi said the site will be developed in three phases, comprising a logistics park, light manufacturing space and heavy industries manufacturing space. He said they have so far garnered investment commitments to the tune of R164 billion for the Special Economic Zone.

“Eleven of these are at an advanced stage with three having signed pre-lease agreements. These commitments are a culmination of the investment initiatives of the 6th administration to create over five thousand job opportunities for our people.

“Our province is home to Phelindaba, South Africa’s main nuclear research centre, and with the new Electricity and Energy Minister’s vision for a 2500MW nuclear plant, we have the potential to become an investment destination of a powerhouse in the energy generation sector,” said Mokgosi.

He said nuclear energy has a catalytic potential across sectors like nuclear medicine, energy and human resource development to develop new rare skills and specializations, which are in high demand. 

Mokgosi said all these priorities require coherent policy direction and coordination from the government to guide interventions and direct sector contributions towards a common goal. 

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24 foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining 

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Picture: Twenty four foreign-nationals nabbed for illegal mining

By REGINALD KANYANE 

As part of intensifying the fight against illegal mining, 24 suspects aged between 19 and 47, briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 24 July 2024, on charges of contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002, and illegal mining.  Of the 24 accused persons, 12 were remanded in custody until 25 July and 13 August 2024, for legal aid, plea and interpreter. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said moreover, 11 accused were found guilty and fined R2000 respectively. Funani said the suspects were arrested by Vala Umgodi deployment that included various South African Police Service (SAPS) Units and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Skeerpoort Farm illegal mining site near Hartbeespoortdam on 22 July 2024.

“The preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are from Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe foreign nationals. The police seized illegal mining equipment that included the phenduka machine, generators, hammers, jack hammers, water pumps and many others,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary team members for the successful operation that led to the arrests and confiscation of illegal mining equipment.

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Tug-of-war between SGB and Board of Directors at Tigerkloof Combined School in Vryburg 

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Picture: Tigerkloof Combined School in Vryburg

By OBAKENG MAJE 

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she will establish a committee that will investigate allegations that there are parallel structures at Tigerkloof Combined School in Vryburg. According to School Governing Body (SGB) members at the school, there are members of the Board of Directors who interfere with the role and functions of their duties. 

SGB chairperson, Dr George Balebe said: “Even though Tigerkloof Combined School is a public school, it was built on private land. So, this has led to a tug-of-war between two structures. We urge MEC to address the chaotic relationship that the SGB is having with these so-called Board of Directors members. 

“Truly, we do not know their role and where they report to. This includes what is guiding them. There is a grey area that needs to be addressed. Actually, we do not know most of these members who claim to be Board of Directors there.”

Motsumi said she is going to establish a committee that will specifically deal with this issue as a matter of urgency. She said the problem is that, the more they leave this matter without addressing it, the more it will affect the issues of curriculum and management in that particular school. 

“So, there will be a team that will go and investigate. We will see how best we can resolve this matter. Two months from now, we will be able to issue a final report on the findings and recommendations regarding that particular school,” said Motsumi.

Meanwhile, Taung DailyNews’ attempts to get a response from Board of Directors members were futile.  

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Baagi ba kwa Mothanthanyaneng ba itumeletse go agelwa ntlo-lehalahala 

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Setshwantsho: Mayara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe ga mmogo le batlotlegi bangwe 

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Baagi ba motse wa Mothanthanyaneng, gaufi le Taung ba kaile fa ba itumeletse go agewa ntlo-lehalahala kwa motseng wa bone. Se tla morago ga gore masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, o neele semmuso baagi ntlo-lehalahala e jetseng masepala R6 million mo letsatsing la maabane. 

Mayara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe o ikuetse go baagi go ka tlhokomela ntlo-lehalahala eo, le go netefatsa fa e sa thubiwe. Gaoraelwe are go agiwa ga ntlo-lehalahala, go tlile go tlisa ditlhabololo mo motseng. 

“Re bone go le botlhokwa jaaka masepala gore re dire pulo-semmuso ya ntlo-lehalahala le. Se, se tlile go re thusa thata gore re efoge kgang ya maloba mo masepala oneng o aga matlo-lehalahala, mme go be go sa nne le pulo-semmuso. 

“Jaanong, jaaka karolo ya thebolo ya ditirelo, re neele baagi semmuso ntlo-lehalahala e baneng ba ikopile. Rena le maikarabelo jaaka puso go ruta baagi gore ba se fise kgotsa go senya dilo dingwe tsa bone tse ba di agetsweng fa ba ipelaetsa,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa. 

Gaoraelwe are baagi ba tshwanetse gore ba itse fa dikago tse, ele tsa bone mme ba tshwanetswe gore ba di tlhokomele. Gaoraelwe are jaaka masepala, ba setse ba thapile batlhankela ba tshireletso go tlhokomela dikago tsa bone go efoga tshenyo ya dithoto. 

“Fa rakonteraka a neela masepala ntlo-lehalahala, masepala o tshwanelw ke go netefatsa fa go sa nne le bosinyi le tshenyo ya dithoto. Re dirisitse madi a kanang ka R6 million go aga ntlo-lehalahala e, mme madi ao a akaretsa sengwe le sengwe jaaka mogokaganyi (consultant). Gape, o se lebale gore seo se akaretsa 14% ya lekgetho,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa. 

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Tsheko mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le monna wa kwa Khibicwane ya tshimolola

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Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Kabelo Mogongwa o busediwa kwa ntlolefitshwana

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Tsheko mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa wa kwa motseng wa Khibicwane, gaufi le Taung, ya simolola mo letsatsing la gompieno. Go begwa fa Kabelo Mogongwa (47), a ile a tshwarwa morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse lekgarebe la gagwe, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile (38). 

Go begwa fa lekawana le le lekgarebe la gagwe, ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng wa Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung. Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Aaftje Botma, yo a rotseng tiro ga jaana, moagisani wa monna o, o ile a tlhalosetsa sepodisi fa baratani ba, ba gorogile ka ura ya bongwe mo mosong, mme go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano magareng ga bone.

“O kaile fa a utlwile modumo wa sethunya. Sepodisi se ile sa biletswa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme se ile sa fitlhela moswi a le mogare ga bophadiphadi jwa madi.

“Sepodisi se ile sa patelesega go shaga burglars, gore ba kgone go tsena mo ntlung. Molatofadiwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme one a ganelwa ka beile,” Botma wa tlhalosa.

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