Daily Archives: October 14, 2024

Portfolio Committee conducts oversight visit to Koeberg Nuclear Power Station

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Picture: Koeberg Nuclear Power Station

By BAKANG MOKOTO

15 October 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy conducted an oversight visit to the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (KNPS), recently to assess its operations, safety measures, and future plans. The committee said the aim of the visit was to gain a deeper understanding of the plant’s performance and its role in South Africa’s energy landscape, as well as to identify any challenges it faces in providing safe and reliable electricity.

During the visit, the committee raised concerns about the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) and the recent performance of Unit 1 since its last outage. The management addressed these concerns by highlighting the need for ongoing improvements and strategic planning to enhance reliability.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Nonkosi Mvana said the aging workforce was a significant part of discussions, with many employees nearing retirement. Mvana further said the committee noted the risk of skilled personnel being recruited by other countries, which could impact Koeberg’s operations.

“In response, management outlined plans for a robust recruitment strategy and training programmes to ensure a steady supply of skilled personnel in critical roles. They highlighted the importance of knowledge retention and initiatives aimed at developing skills within the workforce.

“Safety within the plant was a primary focus of the discussions. The committee sought clarification on the safety protocols in place to protect employees and the surrounding community from potential radiation exposure,” she said.

Mvana added that Koeberg officials reaffirmed their commitment to stringent safety standards and the importance of transparent communication regarding risks. She said the committee also expressed interest in Koeberg’s efforts to inspire young people to pursue careers in the nuclear energy sector.

“The management shared ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering interest in nuclear science and technology among youth, including partnerships with local schools and universities to cultivate the next generation of nuclear professionals.

“The committee commended Koeberg for its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, particularly noting the appointment of a female manager at the plant,” said Mvana.

She said this reflects the ongoing efforts to create a more balanced workforce and empower women in the nuclear industry. Mvana implored the management of Eskom to communicate the success stories and empowerment initiatives that the entity has.

“The committee appreciated the hard work and dedication of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station team. The committee said their commitment to safety, operational excellence, and community engagement is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring a sustainable future for nuclear energy in South Africa,” she said.

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DA calls on COGHSTA to help Phokwane rectify decade-old accounts

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Picture: The embattled Phokwane Local Municipality

By STAFF REPORTER

14 October 2024- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it has requested the Northern Cape MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Bentley Vass, to help resolve Phokwane Local Municipality’s decade long rates stalemate that continues to be extremely disadvantageous to farmers and the municipality alike.

The DA councillor in Phokwane Local Municipality, Annette van Wyk said since 2013, the municipality failed to rectify inflated property valuations and erroneous municipal accounts in relation to 36 000 hectares of farmland and 362 farmers in the area. Van Wyk said farmers are desperate to settle the outstanding debt, ranging from between R15 million to R90 million, but refuse to pay until the accounts are rectified.

“In November 2023, the mayor of Phokwane Local Municipality, conceded to the National Portfolio Committee on COGTA that there have been inaccuracies in the municipality’s billing system since 2013.

“He also claimed that the municipality’s revenue manager was working on resolving the issue. To date the situation remains unchanged. Phokwane is now demanding payment from farmers,” she said.

Van Wyk further said this is despite multiple attempts by the DA to also get the accounts corrected and finalized, through liaison with a string of former managers. She added that efforts have been particularly hampered by instability in the institution, which has gone through five Municipal Managers and three Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) in the last four years.

“The Union is the biggest contributor in terms of Phokwane’s property rates. Effectively, Phokwane’s debt collection remains below the accepted norm, having a ripple effect on the municipality’s ability to repay its long list of creditors.

“After 10 years of accounts dysfunction, Phokwane is also rated as one of the most dysfunctional municipalities in the country. Unresolved accounts are not only bankrupting Phokwane, but also delaying the transfer of properties onto the names of current property owners,” said van Wyk.

She said the situation must not be allowed to fester and COGHSTA must step in to help rectify the accounts. Van Wyk said they hope that communication between COGHSTA spokesperson, Gizella Opperman and Vass’s office last week, will finally be the beginning of the end of Phokwane’s accounting catastrophe.

“To place additional pressure on the municipality and COGHSTA, Opperman has sent an update to the national COGTA parliamentary committee,” she said.

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MRM condemns road rage incident that resulted in two deaths in Mahikeng    

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

14 October 2024- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West on Monday condemned the violence that resulted in the death of taxi owner (34) and driver (32). This followed an alleged road rage incident and stabbing of the two over a parking lot along Martin Street in the Mahikeng Central Business District (CBD) over the weekend.

The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said they convey their heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and appealed for calm, calling on police to investigate whether there had been simmering tensions, as well as unresolved issues which could have sparked the violent incident. 

“This barbaric shocking incident undermines the progress that the taxi industry under the leadership of SANTACO had registered in restoring calm and establishing an image of a peaceful and non-violent sector.

“Commuters cannot be ferried by industry players that are exhibiting high levels of violence and intolerance. The industry must therefore redouble effort to rid it of the culture of violence,” he said.

Kgwele further said the industry should restore public confidence in its ability to uphold the rule of law, as well as maintain zero-tolerance to crime and senseless violence across its operations and affiliate members. He added that the October Transport Month must be used to promote safer, reliable and efficient public as well as scholar transport.

“We will therefore avail ourselves to partner with SANTACO to jointly lead a cleansing ceremony at the crime scene, prayer against the demonic spirit of violence as well as the signing of a pledge committing to peaceful co-existence and non-violence among industry players,” said Kgwele.

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Illegal mining prevalent in North West and Gauteng

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Picture: Illegal miners nabbed during raid/Generic  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

14 October 2024– The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has applauded a temporarily arranged joint operation that dispelled approximately 6 500 people, who participate in illegal mining and illicit business activities at Van Ryan illegal mining site in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.

The joint operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and MI7 National Group Private Security, was set up for the committee’s visit. As part of its week-long oversight visit to North West and Gauteng, the committee conducted a walk-about at Van Ryan illegal mining site to gain an appreciation of the extent of illegal activities taking place there.

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Mikateko Mahlaule said the committee was deeply shocked to witness what looked like a fully-flagged settlement, with holes to access underground shafts, as well as shelters under which illegally mined ore is processed and where illegal shebeens and restaurants operate.

“Furthermore, the committee was dismayed to learn that since the core business of the area is illegal mining, those people operating secondary businesses, such as catering, shebeens and sex work, pay rent to unknown kingpins. Another secondary business is security.

“In October 2023, illegal miners were cleared from the site on the orders of President Cyril Ramaphosa after the SANDF were deployed there in “Operation Prosper”. Full-scale illegal activities resumed after six months at the end of the SANDF’s deployment period in April this year,” he said.

Mahlaule further said on Friday, a joint operation between the SANDF, SAPS and MI7 National Group Security, moved into the area and dispelled everyone again. He added that against this backdrop, the committee calls for sustainable measures to be put in place to prevent illegal activities permanently.

“Such measures have been put in place before at other sites, such as the Benoni Driving Range Racetrack, which used to be a hotspot for illegal mining.

“The committee will develop an oversight report with recommendations for adoption by the National Assembly,” said Mahlaule.

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Scholar honoured with prestigious Jan H Marais Prize

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Picture: The North West University (NWU) Afrikaans Scholar, Prof Wannie Carstens/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE  

14 October 2024- The North West University (NWU) Afrikaans Scholar, Prof Wannie Carstens, has been honoured with the Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns (the South African Academy of Science and Arts) Jan H Marais Prize for his outstanding academic work in Afrikaans.

The prestigious prize ceremony took place at Webersburg farm in Stellenbosch. During the event, Carstens delivered a thought-provoking talk on the infrastructure of Afrikaans and proposed the continuation of Afrikaans as a scientific language. He further envisaged a Centre for the Study of Afrikaans to aid in this regard.

Carstens said the presence of his children and their spouses added a personal touch to the memorable occasion.

“I missed out on a lot while I was busy with Afrikaans at various levels, even after my retirement. I have been involved in writing and co-editing five books since my formal retirement. So, I am glad that my family could be there.

“I am still amazed at being recognised by my peers. To be the first former permanent staff member from the NWU to receive this honour is a privilege. It’s almost unimaginable to think that I am the first among so many people with expertise in Afrikaans in various disciplines at the university. I hope this helps to showcase the NWU as a university where excellence in Afrikaans is still valued,” said he said.

Since joining the NWU’s predecessor, the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education in 1991, Carstens has made significant contributions to Afrikaans linguistics by authoring and editing various books. After his retirement at the end of 2017, he continued on his academic journey and is still involved at the NWU as an extraordinary professor.

“My commitment to Afrikaans linguistics became evident when I started studying at Stellenbosch University, where I shifted my focus to Afrikaans as my primary area of study.

“My academic journey culminated in numerous accolades and milestones, including the completion of my DLitt degree and the publication of several impactful books that have significantly contributed to the field of Afrikaans linguistics,” he said.

Carstens played a pivotal role in academia by shaping the next generation of scholars and fostering excellence in the study of Afrikaans. His leadership and tenure have left an indelible mark on the academic landscape, inspiring countless scholars to pursue scholarly endeavours in Afrikaans.

“I have made significant contributions to Afrikaans linguistics as an author, co-author, editor, and co-editor of various books. I initiated and co-edited most of the books, recognising a need for more literature in the field.

“My own books have also filled significant gaps in certain sub-disciplines, introducing new and breakthrough ideas. This was evident when I co-published an extensive book on an aspect of the history of Afrikaans,” said Carstens.

He said he wants to be regarded as an academic entrepreneur, who is always willing to investigate new ways of looking at language from an Afrikaans perspective. As a first-year student in 1971, and now approximately 55 years later, it is extraordinary to see how Carstens’s life has revolved around this language.

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Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Molale e buseditswe morago

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Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Simon Molale/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

14 Diphalane 2024- Kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le lekawana la kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng, gaufi le Taung, e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka di 5 Ngwanatsele 2024. Simon Molale (22), o a latofadiwang ka go tlhaba le go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe, Tshepiso Medichane (19), o tla nama a letile kwa ntlo-lefitshwana morago ga go ganelwa ka beile ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung.

Go begwa fa Molale a ne a tlhabakaka Medichane le go mo bolaya, mme one a tshaba kwa lefelong la tiragalo fa a bona batho.

Fela, go begwa fa ba lelapa la gagwe ba ne ba mo tshwara le go mo isa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung di ura morago ga tiragalo e.  

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are Molale one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao ya ga Medichane.

“Ke nnete molatofadiwa mo kgetsing e ya polao o tshwerwe. Molatofadiwa one a isiwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi ke ba lelapa la gagwe.

“One a na le dikgobalo, mme o ile a amogelwa kwa bookelong jwa selegae. Molatofadiwa o lebagane le kgetsi ya polao, mme thipa e e dirisitsweng go bolaya moswi ene ya fitlhelwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo.”

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More than R11m of illicit cigarettes and counterfeit goods seized

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Picture: Some of items seized during raids/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

14 October 2024- The police in the Frances Baard District said they will continue to reinforce efforts to curb the sale of illicit and counterfeit goods. The Frances Baard District Crime-Intelligence unit embarked on   inter-departmental operations dubbed Operation Isolate in Kimberley and Operation Cape in Hartswater from 8 until 10 October 2024.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the Frances Baard District Crime-Intelligence unit, Hartswater Crime Intelligence, Provincial Organised Crime, Kimberley Public Order Police (POP), Kimberley K9 Unit, Provincial Corporate Communication and Liaison.

Shemane further said this includes external role-players including the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs National Rapid Response Team, Sol Plaatje Municipality Security Unit, Department of Home Affairs (Immigration) and the Intellectual Property Brands Attorneys and Counterfeit Investigations from Pretoria, executed the multi-disciplinary operation in Kimberley, Hartswater, Pampierstad and Barkly West.

“The Department of Home Affairs Immigration arrested 9 undocumented persons aged between 20 and 45, who shall be processed by the department.

“Section 22 search and seizure warrants were executed at identified targeted warehouses, business premises, and storage facilities, leading to the confiscation of illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of R7 851 796, counterfeit goods with an estimated value of R3 860, and expired medicines with an estimated value of R1,2 million,” he added.  

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, commended the collaborative efforts between the different departmental entities in the fight against crime and ensured communities that these operations will continue unabatedly.

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Fireworks are expected during Bafana Bafana game against Congo Brazzaville

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Picture: Bafana Bafana players during 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Congo Brazzaville 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

14 October 2024- Fireworks are expected during Bafana Bafana’s return match on Tuesday in Congo Brazzaville. This comes after Broos’ charges walloped Congo Brazzaville 5-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape on Friday night during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos said he was a happy man after his charges responded to his call and beat Congo Brazzaville 5-0. Broos said he is happy that Bafana Bafana moved a step closer to qualifying for the continental tournament, to be held in Morocco next year.

“A brace from Teboho Mokoena in the 12th and 27th minutes, Bathusi Aubaas (37th), Lyle Foster (52nd) and substitute Iqraam Rayners (78th) sealed the match for the home side. I think that it was amazing, the way we started the game, the way we played football.

“This was something that I always wanted to see from this team, and we did it also in the AFCON (in the beginning of the year in Côte d’Ivoire),” he said.

The Belgian mentor further said on Friday, it was really fantastic. He added that they experienced many goals, five goals, good football, modern football, forward football and high rhythm in the game.

“It shows again what a group of players I have. A group of players I’m very proud of. I have said it also already before, but those guys know when they have to perform.

“We had a little decompression in September, and we talked about it. And then you see the reaction today. Those guys wanted to make a statement, and they made a statement with good football. But it’s only three points and next Tuesday, we have another game,” said Broos.

He said those five goals don’t count, so they have to prepare themselves.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana travelled to Congo Brazzaville on Sunday ahead of the return match on 15 October 2024.

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More than 390 suspects nabbed for various crimes in Northern Cape

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Picture: Some of items confiscated by the police during raid/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

14 October 2024- More than 390 suspects were arrested for various offences across the Northern Cape during Operation Shanela. The actions and police activities executed during the operations included vehicle check points (VCPs), stop and searches, foot and vehicle patrols, compliance inspections, drugs and other commodities smuggling.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said several vehicle check points (VCPs) and roadblocks, were conducted across the province during which a total of 2013 vehicles and 4243 persons were stopped and searched.

Sam said numerous compliance inspections at second-hand dealers, scrapyards, recyclers, private security, firearm dealers, formal and informal businesses, as well as farms were executed. He further said operational successes achieved, included the arrest of 113 suspects for attempted murder, assault, burglary, illegal dealing in liquor, malicious damage to property, driving under the influence of alcohol, robbery, rape, possession of dangerous weapons, dealing in and possession of drugs, stock theft and other crimes.

“Operation Shanela remains steadfast in its objective to reduce contact and violent crimes, as well as all other categories of crime. The weekly multidisciplinary high density operation which commenced on 7 until 13 October 2024, executed in the five districts.

“This resulted in the arrest of 390 suspects and the confiscation of numerous items. The police in an endeavour to address the root causes of crime conducted awareness campaigns in Lime Acres, Marydale and Galeshewe, targeting learners at schools and commuters at roadblocks,” said Sam.

He added that 177 wanted suspects were traced and brought to book by detectives for evading court appearances and contravention of court orders. Sam said the police confiscated large volumes of alcoholic beverages, drugs, dangerous weapons, vehicles, copper and cash that is believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, expressed her gratitude to all law enforcement agencies for the collective efforts and actions executed during this period. Otola indicated that through robust community participation and support, the police’s actions and efforts will be strengthened and reinforced.

“We highly-appreciate their efforts in fighting crime together,” she said.

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Two people died in a car accident

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By REGINALD KANYANE

14 October 2024- Two people died in a car accident on the Okiep/Nababeep road on 12 October 2024. The police preliminary investigations indicate that, the driver of a Toyota Avanza vehicle that was ferrying four High School learners from a rugby match in Nababeep, lost control of the vehicle causing the death of one occupant on the scene.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the driver later succumbed to his injuries in the Springbok Hospital. Sam said the other three occupants are still in a critical, but stable condition in hospital.

“The police are investigating the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life. The culpable homicide investigations are continuing,” he said.

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