Former ANC ward 5 councillor at the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Letlhogonolo Molefi (39), briefly appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court today, on charges of intimidation, extortion and obstruction at the construction site. Molefi was arrested on 23 July 2024, during an undercover operation by the Provincial Organised Crime and Crime Intelligence working together with Klerksdorp Tactical Response Team (TRT).
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the Provincial Organised Crime allegedly received information on 18 July 2024, from a contractor who was installing fibre on the N12 road between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad, as well as between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom, about community members who were intimidating them.
‘The contractor was on 15 July 2024, allegedly approached by two men who introduced themselves as representatives of the Klerksdorp community and demanded jobs. Furthermore, the suspects demanded immediate payment of R50 000 protection fee.
“The victim was also instructed to leave the site and to come back when they have money to pay the suspects. It is alleged that the victims abandoned the site for five days, but the suspects kept on calling him about the payment,” she said.
Funani further said Molefe was eventually arrested in Klerksdorp during an undercover operation and found in possession of the state money. She added that Molefi was remanded in custody until 27 August 2024, for formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all members involved in the operation and said the arrest will serve as an indication that crime does not pay. Kwena said that no disruptions will be tolerated at construction sites.
Without the help of a particular enzyme, HIV/Aids cannot replicate itself and take over the body’s cells. Dr Andrew Motsilanyane, a recent PhD graduate from the North West University (NWU), has been targeting this enzyme, HIV-1 protease, in research that could open up new possibilities for drug development.
Motsilanyane’s work focuses on the critical role of HIV-1 protease in the virus’ lifecycle and emphasises the importance of targeting this enzyme in the development of integrase inhibitors.
He further said integrase inhibitors are one of several classes of antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV as part of antiretroviral therapy.
“HIV needs integrase to replicate, but for this to happen, it needs the help of the HIV-1 protease enzyme. Without this enzyme, HIV cannot make integrase and take over CD4 cells to copy itself, which means the virus’s cycle is interrupted.
“My study provides a comprehensive view of HIV drug targets and recent advancements in antiviral therapeutics. Specifically, it highlights the significance of integrase inhibitors and developments in HIV-1 protease inhibitors,” said Motsilanyane.
He added that through meticulous analysis of computer-aided drug design studies, the research offers insights into the molecular mechanisms of HIV-1 protease inhibition. Motsilanyane said the study employed various methodologies of computer aided drug design.
“It also used molecular dynamics simulations to explore potential inhibitors of HIV-1 protease, contributing to the drug discovery process. A significant finding is the identification of one of the compounds as a promising candidate for further research.
“When applying these computer-aided drug design tools, we were able to analyse them further and some of them passed toxicity tests, indicating its suitability for oral administration,” he said.
Motsilanyane said additionally, their molecular weight and other characteristics align with Lipinski’s rule of five (which sets out the rules for oral drugs), suggesting its potential for therapeutic development. He said this research offers valuable insights and has implications for developing innovative HIV inhibitors.
“It also lays a solid foundation for future research in this critical area,” said Motsilanyane.
More about Dr Andrew Motsilanyane
Motsilanyane enrolled for a BSc degree at the NWU in 2001. He pursued a postgraduate degree in education in 2007, followed by studies in psychology in 2008 and 2009.
He obtained an honours degree in chemistry in 2011 and an MSc degree in chemistry in 2018, also at the NWU. Motsilanyane worked as a teacher from 2006 to 2019 and was temporarily employed as a junior lecturer at the NWU’s Faculty of Education in 2019 and 2020.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi will on 25 July 2024, deliver his maiden address during the official opening of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). In his address, Mokgosi is expected to outline the 7th Administration’s service delivery plans and priorities that are aimed at addressing the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequalities.
Mokgosi spokesperson, Sello Tatai said, the Premier will articulate the provincial government’s investment initiatives in an endeavour to boost the province’s economy.
“Themed: “The Year of Unity, Socio-Economic Renewal and Nation Building”, the opening of the 7th Provincial Legislature ceremony will be attended by guests and stakeholders, including Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), members of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, religious leaders, ambassadors, private sector representatives, community members and the media.
“The Premier’s Inaugural Address will be delivered at Mmabatho Stadium Parking Lot at 9am,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “The Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) made up of various government departments and security forces, led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), is ready to ensure a safe and secure Official Opening of North West Legislature and Premier’s Inauguration Address.
“The law enforcement officers will be deployed in and around the parking area to ensure general safety in Mmabatho and Mahikeng. While daily activities will not necessarily be affected by security arrangements, it is significant for the public to take note of the closure with regulated or restricted access of certain roads and thoroughfares around the precinct between 5am and 3pm, as that will affect the flow of traffic.”
Myburgh said civil servants and neighbouring government buildings will still be allowed to access their offices. She said the streets/roads that will be affected are Sekame Road and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road, Dr James Moroka Drive and Ngaka Modiri Molema Road, Sekame Road, Kemonosi Street and Mmabatho Stadium Parking.
“The PROVJOINTS is making an appeal to members of the public, civil servants, learners and all those who normally use roads, streets, thoroughfares and other public offices in and around the aforementioned roads to work closely with and cooperate with law enforcement officials, who will be manning and working in the area.
“The deployment of law enforcement officials is intended to ensure that normal day today activities are not unduly affected or obstructed, and the cooperation of everyone is important in this regard,” said Myburgh.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Tebogo Letsie has expressed concern over a recent statement that an amount of R580 million was surrendered to the National Treasury by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Letsie said the committee is deeply concerned that such misleading statements could provoke students to act irresponsibly under the false impression that crucial financial support was forfeited without due care. He further said when a Minister has information about underspending, they must table it in parliament and not on social media platforms.
Letsie added that a significant portion of the underspent funds was allocated for compensation of employees, unfilled vacancies and for goods and services.
“Challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic were another contributing factor. Many students have not yet received their allowances and might mistakenly believe that funds which could alleviate their financial difficulties, were surrendered to the National Treasury.
“This misconception could lead to heightened tensions and possible disruptive actions by the affected students. The committee cautions the ministry to refrain from going to the media with reckless statements and would appreciate a briefing on this matter from the Department of Higher Education and Training, given that the committee approves the appropriation of funds for the sector,” he said.
Picture: The NWU researchers at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences in London, UK/Supplied
By STEVE MAPHAKATHE
In their pursuit of driving innovation and expanding the North-West University’s (NWU’s) global research, a delegation of nine researchers recently embarked on a fruitful international visit to the United Kingdom (UK).
The researchers visited two prestigious institutions, the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE) and the University of Lincoln, and were cordially received by their UK counterparts.
The primary goal of the visit was to foster international collaboration and potential partnerships aimed at research, teaching and programme development, with special emphasis on the Africa Trade Platforms project.
The NWU’s researchers included Prof Steve Dunga, Prof Zandri Dickason-Koekemoer, Prof Suné Ferreira-Schenk, Prof Ireen Choga, Ermie Steenkamp, Prof Carli Bezuidenhout, Dr Jabulile Makhalima, Dr Jacques de Jongh, and Dr Lorainne Ferreira.
They are affiliated with the research focus area Trade, which specialises in the fields of development economics, international trade, supply chain management and transport, applied economics and econometrics, and financial markets.
Laying the groundwork with the LSE
During their visit to the LSE, the researchers engaged in a series of meetings with notable individuals including Prof Tim Allen, director of the Firoz Laljii Institute for Africa. Other notable individuals from the Firoz Lalji Institute included Fadil Elobeid, Africa engagement project manager, Dr Martha Geiger Mwenitete, chair of strategic development and institute manager, Dr Marta Soprana; research fellow in the Department of International Relations, and Richard Alexander from the School of Oriental and African Studies.
The delegation also met with Prof Abigail McKnight, director of the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE), and Dr Kitty Stewart, associate director of the CASE, respectively.
The meetings resulted in potential joint research initiatives and the sharing of data and resources with Prof David Luke, strategic director at the Firoz Lalji Institute. Prof Luke is set to be appointed as an extraordinary research professor at the NWU and this will complement the ongoing collaboration on research articles meant for publication.
Dr de Jongh highlighted the NWU’s capabilities and encouraged research discussion during his lecture titled “Global forces and local realities: Economic development in South African Customs Union (SACU) amidst ‘slobalisation’”.
The meeting with Prof McKnight and Prof Stewart from the CASE was also fruitful, with common interests in poverty research being identified and workshops being planned to align research interests and future projects.
Dr Alexander and Dr Soprana showed interest in serving as external examiners for examining postgraduate NWU dissertations in their fields of study. Dr Soprana also agreed to provide a guest lecture in applied international macro-economics.
Paving the way with the UL
The NWU delegation’s visit to the University of Lincoln (UL) aimed to build on a signed memorandum of understanding between the institutions to formalise various areas of collaboration. Prof Dunga, Prof Choga and Dr De Jongh were met by the economics team at the UL, led by Prof David Gray, economic programme development manager. They exchanged ideas for joint research projects – particularly in development economics – and the potential co-hosting of the fLincoln Conference on Development Economics in South Africa.
Opportunities for staff exchanges, guest lectures and team teaching were explored, following a recent guest lecture by the UL’s Dr Abbas Ali Gilani for NWU honours students in econometrics.
The delegation further reviewed programmes from both universities to assess the feasibility of joint offerings and expressed interest in joint supervision of postgraduate students. Colleagues from both institutions committed to participating in weekly seminars where research ideas and current research projects will be shared to further promote collaboration.
Overall, the visit to the UK was prosperous, creating the foundation for robust international partnerships and collaborative research projects.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said in the 2024/2025 financial year, his office will increase the monitoring for strict compliance with the directives and other intervention measures aimed at reaching the 3% target as directed by cabinet to progressively realize the 7% target by 2030.
Mokgosi, who tabled Office of the Premier’s Budget for 2024/24 financial year said, the province will also coordinate the Disability Rights Month Programme, including commemoration of International Disability Rights Day, with different social partners to measure the level of commitment in the provision of services to the sector.
He further said they are happy with the work done by the senior citizens in championing a number of programmes of elderly people under the guidance and leadership of the North West Older Persons Forum. Mokgosi added that the senior citizens participated in the National Anti-ageing Programme at Mpumalanga, where they obtained position one.
“We will be hosting the 2024 National Anti-ageing Activities Programme (NAAP) and for this, preparations have already been initiated. We are saddened by the deaths of three elderly people, who lived at an old age home in Jericho village, near Brits.
“We urge the police to investigate circumstances relating to these unfortunate incidents and bring closure to families, friends and loved ones. I also wish to urge our Non-Governmental and Non-Profit Organisations to comply with the law when operating these facilities and to always seek the guidance of the North West Department of Social Development under the stewardship of Sussana Dantjie,” he said.
Mokgosi said they wish to report to this house that they are making progress in the implementation of interventions to uplift our veterans. He said in the last financial year through collaboration with the National Department of Human Settlement and Military Veterans, they have approved the construction of 112 houses for the veterans across the four districts of the province.
“Thirteen units covering Ganyesa, Tlakgameng, Mabela aa Podi and Bapong, are nearing completion and will be handed over to beneficiaries once completed. The Provincial Council on Aids is up and running and considered one of the best, if not the leading PCA compared to other provinces.
“We have been able to coordinate and bring together various stakeholders in our collective response to HIV, TB and STIs. Our efforts are yielding desired results as for the past three years, we have recorded a downward spiral in HIV-AIDS infections, with a decline of 1.7 percent in the last financial year,” said Mokgosi.
He said North West is leading in the End-term Review of the 2017/2022, giving impetus to the development of the 2023/28 Provincial Implementation Plan (PIP) on HIV and AIDS, STIs and TB. Mokgosi said they will ensure that this plan trickles down to all four districts of the province.
“The Office of the Premier carries the policy and legislative mandate to lead the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the province. There is little or nothing that can be achieved if our planning is not sound and backed up by workable strategies to achieve our goals.
“The Office of the Premier will invest its energies on enhancing monitoring and evaluation processes to guarantee the effective implementation of both national and provincial priorities by various government departments and entities,” he said.
Mokgosi said a total of R1.5 million will be assigned to enhance provincial monitoring and evaluation systems to continue to assess Annual Performance Plans of departments thus ensuring that service delivery remains an integral part of government priorities.
He said the Office of the Premier is collaborating with the National Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) to ensure that all sector departments’ plans and budgets are aligned to the national and provincial policy priorities of the government.
The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said the late Dr Nelson Mandela’s solution oriented leadership qualities must encourage all of them to fight the scourge of poverty and inequity bedeviling the developmental trajectory. Mokgosi, who tabled the Office of the Premier’s 2024/2025 budget said, poverty as Nelson Mandela once remarked, is manmade and “can be overcome by the actions of human beings.”
“Our province suffers from high unemployment and poverty levels, which have an adverse impact in many parts of our communities. The Fourth Quarter Labour Survey of 2023/4 Financial Year paints a grim picture about unemployment in our province, which currently hovers around 52.2 % as per the expanded definition.
“Women and the youth continue to be at the receiving end of this conundrum. The indignity of unemployment and poverty can arguably be blamed for the multi-layered social challenges of crime, drug, and substance abuse as well as Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) among others,” he said.
Mokgosi further said they are happy to inform the house that they have appointed members of the Premier’s Economic & Investment Advisory Council. He added that the council comprises Members of the Executive Council (MECs), Labour, and the private sector.
“The inaugural meeting of the council will be convened by me in August. The full plan of action for the council and its economic focus areas will be outlined in the opening address this week. The Office of the Premier is responsible for coordination of interventions for all designated groups, youth, women, and people with disabilities.
“Our focus for this financial year is to scale up and massify all interventions aimed at alleviating youth unemployment as well as advancing initiatives aimed at empowerment of women and people with disabilities.
The Office has entered into several strategic partnerships which will be implemented in the current financial year with partners in the Skills Development sector (SETA’s), private sector bodies to expand our services in bursaries, internships, learnerships, work integrated learning and other formal skills development programmes,” said Mokgosi.
He said they are committed to the implementation of the call they made earlier this year to open the public sector for work opportunities for the youth. Mokgosi said in the current financial year, the Office of the Premier will introduce targeted centralized recruitment for identified entry level posts earmarked for the youth, unemployed graduates and certain critical skills and specializations.
“We have a budget of R 13,954,250 for procurement of goods and services from small businesses led by women, youth and people living with disabilities. We will also increase our monitoring to ensure that all provincial departments and state-owned entities do business with companies owned and led by people from designated groups.
“The province is not doing very well in terms of achieving the employment target of 2% for persons with disabilities.
By the end of financial year 2023/24, the average disability employment equity percentage was sitting at 0.5% when compared to the national target of 3%,” he said.
Picture: The former Director of the School of Languages at the North West University (NWU), Prof Wannie Carstens/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The former Director of the School of Languages at the North West University (NWU), Prof Wannie Carstens, has been awarded the prestigious Jan H Marais Prize for his exceptional contributions to Afrikaans as a scientific language by the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts).
This is in recognition of his high level and high quality of work, as well as his expert contribution to Afrikaans linguistics. The prize money to the value of R750 000 will be presented to Carstens (72) in Stellenbosch later this year.
The announcement was made by the chairperson of the selection committee, Dr Johan van Zyl, a former rector of the University of Pretoria and former CEO of Sanlam. Carstens has had an academic career bar none and his list of accomplishments includes serving as chairperson of the Afrikaanse Taalraad, chairperson of the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie van Kuns en Kultuur and chairperson of the Nasionale Taalligaam vir Afrikaans, and he has also served on a variety of boards.
In addition to the multitude of articles he has published, he oversaw the publication of independent books such as Norme vir Afrikaans and Afrikaanse Tekslinguistiek. Two books, Teksredaksie and Text editing, were written in collaboration with Prof Kris van de Poel from the University of Antwerp, and the latter also with John Linnegar, and have been translated into two African languages.
A father of three and husband to wife Wilma is still actively involved at the NWU through his work in the Unit for Languages and Literature in the South African Context.
With just days to go before Bloemfontein comes to a complete standstill, legends of the Kaizer Chiefs squad set to compete with Bloemfontein Celtic legends have officially been unveiled.
Ahead of Sunday’s highly anticipated 2024 Toyota Cup showdown between Kaizer Chiefs FC and Young Africans SC at 3pm, the tournament will honour the late Ntate Petrus Molemela and football loving fans of Mangaung with a trip down memory lane when legends of Amakhosi face off with those of Siwelele at 12h30 at the Toyota Stadium.
Amakhosi legends, who will have the legendary Thabo “Tsiki Tsiki” Mooki as their head coach, will comprise of a number of Amakhosi’s fan-favourites who have contributed to the rich 54-year-old history of the club. In goals, Brian “Spider-Man” Baloyi will be the legends’ last line of defence, while Cyril Nzama, Bevin Fransman, Morgan Gould and Fabian McCarthy will be in defence.
The midfield creativity will be orchestrated by the likes of Simphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane and Jabu “Shuffle” Mahlangu, who will be joined by other skilful Amakhosi legends that have won the hearts of South African football followers over the years. In attack, Amakhosi will be led by one of their most prolific goal scorers of all time, Collins Mbesuma who will be joined by the recently retired sharp-shooter Bernard Parker as well as David Radebe as the trio of attackers.
Tickets to the Toyota Cup are still available for fans to secure their seats to witness a memorable afternoon of football in Mangaung from as little as R40 across all TicketPro outlets.
Picture: The equipment confiscated by police/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
Five suspects aged between 36 and 51 were arrested by the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit for business and house-breaking incidents in Fauresmith in the Free State. The suspects were allegedly on their way from Postmasburg/Danielskuil enroute to Kimberley.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the vigilant and swift response by the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigation Unit led to the arrest of the suspects in Barkly West during the early hours of Monday morning.
“The members of Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime Investigation team on 23 July 2024 at 00:10, received a tip-off from the E2 Security Service about a white Mazda Bakkie that is suspected to be involved in business and house breaking incidents in Fauresmith in the Free State.
“The occupants were allegedly on their way from Postmasburg/Danielskuil enroute to Kimberley. The team of detectives operationalised the information and spotted the vehicle. They tactically approached the vehicle and searched it close to the Barkly West Police Station,” he said.
Shemane further said the police allegedly found the suspects inside the bakkie with house-breaking implements, including grinders, electric extension, a bolt cutter, zinc cutter, crowbar, grinder blades and pliers.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaboration between the private security company and the police in the fight against crime and effecting the arrest. Otola added that the police in the Northern Cape will not allow criminals from outside the province to operate in our territory.
The Guardian 