Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi along with PSC delegates during engagement session/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
16 September 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, participated in a crucial engagement session with the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Mahikeng on Friday, 13 September 2024, aimed at strengthening governance, accountability, and procedural compliance across public service institutions. Motsumi said this engagement also reinforced the application of constitutional values and principles, which remain the cornerstone of public sector governance.
“The session, led by National Commissioner Professor Mandla Makhanya, include roadshows with Executive Authorities and Heads of Departments from the 7th administration, focused on the importance of adhering to policy frameworks, governance procedures, and accountability mechanisms that align with the constitutional values and principles governing public service.
“We welcome the PSC’s initiative, emphasising the importance of such interactions to streamline the department’s operations and improve service delivery. This engagement with the PSC is both timely and necessary,” she said.
Motsumi further said it provided them with an opportunity to assess and strengthen the frameworks that govern how they operate. She added that the North West Department of Education is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in all their processes and this collaboration will undoubtedly enhance their capacity to deliver quality education services to our communities.
“The department remains committed to adhering to the highest standards of public service, ensuring that every policy and procedure aligns with constitutional principles.
“Through continuous collaboration with bodies such as the PSC, the department will further refine its approaches to governance and accountability, ultimately improving educational outcomes for all learners in the North West,” said Motsumi.
Picture: The police officer implicated in rape scandal suspended/Generic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
16 September 2024 – The alleged rape incident against a Lieutenant Colonel attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad in De Aar on 12 August 2024, was reported to the police on 26 August 2024. It is alleged that the incident was immediately reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) in order to investigate and arrest.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Mashay Gamieldien said internal disciplinary processes in terms of SAPS Disciplinary Regulations of 2016, were instituted against the officer, who has since been suspended. Gamieldien said all enquiries relating to the criminal case will be responded to by IPID.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, reaffirmed that no preferential treatment within the ranks of the organisation will be permitted when members are implicated in criminal activities or gross misconduct.
16 September 2024 – The South African Police Service (SAPS) management in North West said it is perturbed by escalating fraud cases in places like Rustenburg, Hartbeespoort Dam, Lichtenburg and Klerksdorp, among others.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said despite regular warnings and tips by the police and financial institutions, it is apparent that fraudsters continue to defraud unsuspecting members of the community.
“It is vital that caution is exercised when one conducts transactions with companies or individuals. In Hartbeespoort Dam, bank account holders received calls from a person claiming to be a bank employee responsible for the Fraud Department.
“The caller requested the account holders to urgently log on to their bank App in order to stop fraudulent transactions. Consequent to accessing the details, the suspect withdrew monies from the victim’s accounts,” said Mokgwabone.
He further said still in Hartbeespoort Dam, a victim got a message that he was a beneficiary on the estate of a relative who passed away in a foreign country. Mokgwabone added that the victim was persuaded to pay a certain amount for taxes and clearance of the inheritance.
“Since then, nothing was heard from the suspect. In some instances, potential car buyers responded to incredibly below the market vehicles sales advertisements on WhatsApp, Facebook and other online platforms. Moreover, the vehicles’ pictures would be shared to entice clients.
“The alleged fraudster/s would further inform potential buyers that the vehicle will be auctioned unless they secure it with a deposit. The fraudster/s would also share fraudulent documents to convince the potential buyers that the deal is legitimate and to pay the balance and delivery fees. However, no vehicle will be delivered,” he said.
Mokgwabone said members of the community are requested to apply safety tips. He said if unsuspecting clients receive suspicious calls, they should hang up immediately and if they feel pressured and call their banks fraud lines.
“A bank employee will never ask you to give them a One Time Pin (OTP). Never give a person your OTP and should at no time supply the requested information to the caller. If you do not know a “family member” who lives in another country, then chances are that there is no person who has left an inheritance for you.
“Do not pay any money for taxes or clearance. Do not pay for a car if you have not viewed it physically. Cars due for auction will be available for viewing at a given physical address and genuine auctioneers will never refuse you access to view the vehicle during business hours,” said Mokgwabone.
He also urged unsuspecting clients to avoid replying to letters / emails / SMSes that fraudsters send to them. Mokgwabone said they should never disclose their ID, Password or Pin to anyone.
“Put sensible transaction limits on your accounts. Be careful of something that looks too good to be true, it usually is,” said Mokgwabone.
Picture: North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha together with Agnes Thibelang/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
16 September 2024- In a bold move to uplift the economic status of farmers and enhance the productivity and value of their livestock, North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, handed over 24 Nguni Bulls to farmers in a ceremony held in Potchefstroom on 13 September 2024. Sambatha said this strategic intervention underscores the department’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture and driving the prosperity of rural communities across the province.
He further said this latest donation of 24 bulls follows closely on the heels of a similar initiative by the department last month, which specifically targeted female-led farms across the Province. Sambatha added that by increasing access to fertile, productive bulls, the department is taking a crucial step towards improving livestock quality and supporting the long-term economic viability of farmers in the province.
“The donation of resilient Nguni bulls by the department, represents a major effort to boost agricultural productivity and support community-driven farming. Beyond livestock distribution, the initiative underscores the department’s commitment to empowering farmers, strengthening the livestock sector, and promoting sustainable practices for future generations.
“Agriculture plays a critical role in driving economic growth and ensuring food security. The bulls donated today are of high standards. Bulls play a major role in determining the future performance of the herd, and that is why we encourage our farmers to take good care of these bulls, so they can, in turn, take care of them,” he said.
Sambatha highlighted how the Bulls Sire programme is poised to strengthen the red meat commodity in the North West. He further said the handover of the Nguni bulls offers farmers improved livestock genetics, reducing the need for supplementary feeding and veterinary care while boosting milk production, growth rates, and overall livestock productivity.
“The initiative also aligns with the department’s broader goals of promoting rural development and ensuring the sustainability of the livestock sector. The Nguni bulls, beyond their agricultural benefits, serve as symbols of cultural heritage.
“The department is dedicated to enhancing agricultural practices, promoting rural development, and ensuring these contributions have a lasting impact on farming communities throughout the province,” he added.
Meanwhile, one of the beneficiaries, Agnes Thibelang, who is a farmer from Ganyesa, expressed her gratitude for the department’s contribution to the economic development of the province.
“The Nguni breed is well-suited to my dry region due to its adaptability and low maintenance. These bulls are of exceptional quality and will enhance the overall value of my herd,” she said.
16 September 2024- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she would like to thank all parents and legal guardians who have already applied for early learner registration for the 2025 academic year. Motsumi said early registration is crucial in reducing the burden on schools in January and ensuring that the placement process is smooth and timely.
“The department urges parents and guardians who have not yet applied to do so before the final registration deadline on 30 September 2024, to avoid disruptions to your teaching and learning. The department will begin the placement process for all learners on the waiting list following the registration deadline.
“The learner placement plans are in place and urges schools to talk to parents for application outcomes. I take time then to thank parents who have heeded the call to apply in the past months and urge parents to do so before the end of September,” she said.
Motsumi further said schools are also required to communicate the outcomes of applications to parents and guardians promptly, ensuring that learners are placed in schools registered with the North West Department of Education. She added that it is important to register learners with accredited schools within their local communities.
“We encourage all parents and guardians to register their children with our public ordinary schools within their radius. This helps parents to avoid falling victim to bogus institutions. Early registration helps us plan more effectively and ensures that no child is left behind.
“The department remains committed to ensuring that all learners have access to quality education in properly accredited institutions,” said Motsumi.
16 September 2024– A triple murder case against man (62), who is accused of killing his three family members over insurance claims, has been postponed by the Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court until 30 September 2024. David Mokwai, who was arrested for allegedly poisoning his three family members over the years in order for him to make insurance claims, has been denied bail.
Initially, three family members, who died over a period of three years, were buried and considered to have died due to natural causes.
The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said in all three cases, Mokwai successfully claimed from his insurance policies. Myburgh said, however, family members reported him to the police after becoming suspicious that he murdered their relatives by allegedly buying all three of them pies.
“They would then get sick after eating the pie and eventually die. The bodies of all three deceased were exhumed and pathology reports confirmed that they were poisoned, leading to the murder investigations.
“In the first incident reported on 5 December 2020, a boy (16), died at midday between Phuduhudu and Gopane, near Bloemhof. The boy was the relative of Mokwai’s wife,” she said.
Myburgh further said the second deceased (17), who was also the relative of the wife of the accused, died on Wednesday night,1 December 2021, in Boitumelong Township, outside Bloemhof. She added that the last victim, Mothibi Alpheos Mokwai (31), was the accused’ son.
“He died on Sunday afternoon, 9 October 2022, at his house in Mathyse Street in Bloemhof. Through prosecution led investigations, police identified Mokwai as a suspect and obtained a warrant of arrest that was effected on 26 August 2024,” said Myburgh.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, said it is unacceptable that young children were murdered by someone they trusted. Kwena reiterated that the police will continue to work hard to remove criminals such as this one from society.
“We call upon insurance companies and members of the public to report cases, where they suspect foul play or criminal activity when they process insurance claims,” he said.
Meanwhile, the family spokesperson of the deceased persons, Moses Moses Tsikane said: “As family, we welcome the postponement. Remember, we want this trial to be fair. So, in order for that to happen, everyone involved needs the necessary time to prepare for this case.
“So, we welcome the decision of keeping him incarcerated because that will give us the space that we need as family, also to prepare ourselves emotionally and psychologically.”
Tsikane said they are confident that at the end, justice will prevail. He said based on how long the case took to be unravelled and the tireless efforts put in by the police, he is adamant that this case will receive the attention it deserves.
“South Africa is one of the countries with the best law practices, so we are confident. We have seen how the police dealt with previous cases of a similar nature across the country, including North West,” he said.
Picture: The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille conducted site visits to two tourism establishments that are beneficiaries of the Department of Tourism’s Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP). De Lille said her visit to the Timosha Guest House and The View Guest House in Ekurhuleni was part of outreach activities.
She further said they inspected the solar PV installations at these establishments, which were funded by the Department’s GTIP. De Lille added that the GTIP was developed by the Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to respond to the escalation of electricity prices, coupled with energy supply challenges, load shedding and general water scarcity which pose a significant risk to the future growth potential and sustainability of the tourism sector.
“The GTIP offers partial grant funding on the cost of retrofitting tourism facilities with energy and water efficiency equipment and systems based on the outcome of a resource efficiency audit. Phase 1 of the application process involves a resource efficiency audit, the cost of which is fully covered under the programme.
“This is followed by Phase 2, where an applicant can apply for funding support (50% to 90% grant funding up to R1 million) on the cost of installing relevant technologies and equipment recommended during Phase 1. The IDC, as the Department’s implementation partner for the GTIP receives all GTIP applications and administers the programme on behalf of the Department,” she said.
De Lille said efficiency solutions supported under the GTIP may include, the renewable energy generating systems e.g. solar, wind, etc. She said including energy efficient equipment and lighting e.g. solar water heaters, gas stoves, Heating, Ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, Light-emitting diode (LED) lights, etc.
“Water efficient appliances and systems e.g. washing machines, low-flow/ aerated taps, etc.; and water sourcing systems e.g. rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling. The department has opened nine application windows between the inception of the GTIP in November 2017 and June 2024. A 10th application window was recently opened on 2 September 2024, and will remain open for applications until 28 February 2025.
“Eligible tourism businesses are encouraged to apply for funding from the GTIP to install energy and water saving technologies at their establishments. Since the start of the GTIP, 216 applications have been approved at a total grant value of over R140 million,” said de Lille.
She said provincial distribution of the 216 GTIP approvals shows domination by the Eastern Cape (53), Western Cape (48) and Gauteng (34) followed by Limpopo (22), KwaZulu-Natal (20) and North West (15), while Mpumalanga (12), Northern Cape and Free State represent 8 and 4 approvals respectively. De Lille visited two of the sites, where GTIP projects have been completed.
“The Timosha Guest House is a three-star graded establishment located in Kempton Park in Gauteng. The establishment is 100% black woman-owned. Following the application assessment for GTIP funding, the programme covered the full costs of the energy and water audit to determine the appropriate energy and water saving opportunities at the establishment while at the same time highlighting carbon footprint reduction and financial viability of this project.
“The Timosha Guest House qualified for grant funding of 90% of the implementation cost (equivalent to R730 323) to implement the proposed energy and water saving interventions. In line with the GTIP’s mandate of promoting energy efficiency within the tourism sector, GTIP funding is also expected to assist the establishment in reducing its energy consumption as well as its associated cost,” she said.
De Lille said the installation was completed in February 2024 and a savings verification will be conducted to determine the impact of the installations over time. She said it is however expected that the establishment will make significant savings due to the solar PV installations which were made possible through the GTIP funding.
“The second property was the View Guest House, located in Thembisa in Gauteng. The establishment is also 100% black woman-owned and is classified as a level one contributor according to the tourism B-BBEE scorecard. The GTIP covered the full costs of the energy and water audit to determine the appropriate energy and water saving opportunities at the establishment while at the same time highlighting carbon footprint reduction and financial viability of this project,” said de Lille.
16 September 2024- The Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 13 September 2024, postponed the tax and fraud case involving Maphoko Hudson Kgomoeswana to 24 February 2025, for trial. Kgomoeswana is facing charges of fraud and tax evasion valued at approximately R18 million.
These charges relate to his personal and business tax involving his company, Babinatlou Business Services CC between the period 2016 – 2018. The offences were discovered during the investigations into the alleged corruption at the Kusile Power Station.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Kgomoeswana allegedly failed to submit personal tax returns and Babinatlou’s income tax returns and with such an omission, he caused the employees of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to believe and accept that the company was not earning an income that would compel him as the sole member to submit its income tax returns.
“He is out on a warning, and the court warned him to avail himself when trial commences,” he said.
16 September 2024- On Wednesday last week, the leaders of the parties that form the Government of National Unity (GNU), met to reflect on how the GNU is working. Three months have passed since 10 parties represented in Parliament signed a Statement of Intent committing themselves to work together in government and parliament to advance the country’s interests.
The parties agreed to certain fundamental principles, including to respect the constitution and the rule of law and to promote accountability, transparency, integrity and good governance. The parties also agreed on a common minimum programme that would form the basis of the work of the GNU.
At its first Cabinet Lekgotla in mid-July, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, drawn from the GNU partners, together with Directors-General and other officials, developed priority actions to give effect to the minimum programme. Since these priority actions were outlined in the Opening of Parliament Address on 18 July 2024, Ministers and Deputy Ministers have been hard at work to implement the tasks assigned to them.
For a few Ministers and Deputy Ministers, being in the executive is a new experience and for some it has been quite an adjustment. But with the support of their departments, they have all hit the ground running.
Across all parties, Ministers and Deputy Ministers are making headway in confronting the challenges the country faces. What is significant – and most welcome – is that the members of the executive have undertaken their work as part of a cabinet collective.
Although they are drawn from different parties, they have pursued the common GNU programme. They have worked in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration as Cabinet colleagues to serve the interests of the South African people.
They have each understood their role in advancing the three strategic priorities of the 7th democratic administration. The priorities are clear – a commitment to drive inclusive growth and job creation.
A clear focus to reduce poverty and to tackle the high cost of living. A resolve to build a capable, ethical and developmental state. Ministers and deputy ministers have been focused not on the interests of their respective parties, but on the common mandate they have received to build and develop the country.
There was general agreement among the party leaders last week that the GNU has made a good start. They believe that the GNU is working well and that everyone is playing a constructive role.
As party leaders, we nevertheless recognise that the parties in the GNU represent a range of political and ideological perspectives. There are issues on which we disagree and there will be times when differences between the parties will become more apparent.
A case in point has been the debate around the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, which I signed into law last week. Even as the leaders were meeting last week, some parties in the GNU were publicly urging me not to sign the Bill, while others were saying that I should sign the Bill.
The constitution is quite clear on the responsibilities of the President with respect to signing legislation. Once a Bill has been passed by parliament, the president must either assent to the Bill or, if they have reservations about its constitutionality, refer it back to parliament.
Since, after considering all the various submissions, I had no such reservations about the BELA Bill, the Constitution obliged me to assent to it.
However, even as I signed the Bill, I noted that some of the parties in the GNU said they wanted to engage each other on parts of the bill dealing with issues of school admissions and language. To give the parties time to discuss these issues, I said we would delay implementation of the Act in order for parties to engage and come up with proposals, if any, on the relevant clauses.
In taking this approach, we are seeking to establish a culture of openness and dialogue among the GNU parties. We are also drawing on a long history in South Africa of engagement among parties on matters on which they seem far apart.
As times, agreement can be reached when matters come to a head at the last minute enabling all parties to focus on finding solutions and discovering that there is more that unites them than what separates them. We cannot guarantee that the parties that have requested timeout to engage will reach agreement on every difficult issue.
But we need to make every effort to find common ground. Following the meeting of party leaders last week, I am even more convinced that the GNU is essential for the growth and development of the country.
I am convinced that the GNU will not only survive, but that it will thrive. South Africans expect the GNU to succeed, and we will not let them down.
16 Lwetse 2024- Monna wa kwa motseng wa Mokgareng, gaufi le Taung, Thatayone Monnahela, yo o ileng a tshwarwa mabapi le kgetsi ya bogodu jwa leruo, o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno.
Monnahela, one a ntshediwa lekwalo-tshwaro morago ga gore a bidiwe kwa kgotlha-tshekelo, mme a seo. Fela, lekwalo-tshwaro leo le ile la shutlhiwa morago ga gore a fitlhe thari. Go begwa fa Monnahela ga mmogo le molatofadiwa nae o a sentseng a tsene ka lenga la seloko, ba ile ba utswa leruo. Fela sepodisi se ile sa kgona go tshwara Monnahela, mme se sentse se le mo motlhaleng wa mmelaelwa o mongwe.
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