By BAKANG MOKOTO
6 December 2924- Six illegal miners resurfaced at Shaft No 10 in Buffelsfontein, Stilfontein, in the early hours of Friday morning, 6 December 2024. The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said illegal miners are all Mozambican foreign nationals and are currently being processed.
Mokgwabone further said the Vala Umgodi operation continues.
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
6 December 2024 – Several South African Football Association (SAFA) Regions travelled to Johannesburg to offer their support to President Dr Danny Jordaan and send out a statement on Thursday. Umkhanyakude, Zululand, Ugu, Umgungundlovu and iLembe Regions were present at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the East of Johannesburg when Jordaan, Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo and Grit Communications Director, Trevor Neethling, appeared before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the East of Johannesburg on 5 December 2024.
Magistrate Shirley Soko postponed the matter to 10 December 2024, after only a few minutes of deliberations, but the regions said they would return to support the SAFA President next week.
Ilembe Region president, Nkokhelo Zulu said: “I think the whole country knows that there are allegations that have been leveled against our President, and we are here today to support him as the region.
“Till today, we believe that the things we are hearing and the allegations against our Jordaan are not true. We are here to show that all these things they are saying, we do not believe them.”
Umkhanyakude Region President said there would have been more people at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court today, but many of them stayed behind to attend the 2024 SALGA Games in Ethekwini from 5-8 December 2024.
“They will be here with us next week when we return to support our president. We are coming from Umkhanyakude and we are here for one thing, to support the president as the region. We will be back.”
Meanwhile, SAFA said it will remain unwavering in its commitment to the growth and development of football in the country and continues to prioritise the sport’s potential to unite, uplift and create opportunities for South Africa.
By REGINALD KANYANE
6 December 2024- The MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said they note concerns raised by The True Green Alliance Wildlife NGO on the starvation and death of elephants in Madikwe Game Reserve.
Lenkopane said the conservation unit in the department has indicated that the elephant population at Madikwe Game Reserve has been growing at a fast pace over the 30 years. She further said the elephant population expanded to more than 1600 in 2024.
“We have instructed conservation specialists in the department to consider all scientific methods of controlling elephant population growth at Madikwe Game Reserve in order to prevent the ongoing negative impact on biodiversity in the park.
“The team should explore options, which include but are not limited to non-lethal methods of population control such as translocations of elephants to other parks in the country.
“The translocations might include any of the SADC countries that have diplomatic relations and bilateral agreements with the government of South Africa on environment and conservation,” added Lenkopane.
By OBAKENG MAJE
6 December 2024- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said the government has adopted a comprehensive strategy to address the heightened risk of criminal activity due to increased movement of people, especially at the end of the year.
Morweng, who activated the provincial leg of safer festive season operations said, whilst many of the law-abiding citizens are planning festivities with their families away from their homes, criminals are similarly planning on how they will pounce and steal what does not belong to them.
He further said the activation is to ensure that they disrupt and obstruct those plans. Morweng added that the operation they activated in the province will run for 123 days beginning the first of this month to the end of January 2025.
“This will run in conjunction with Operation Shanela, which has been very successful. Criminals have declared war on the state and we are simply accepting the challenge. We are ready and all men and women in blue are hereby given a directive.
“The police must at all times fondly remember their oath. Among others, your guides that you will address the root causes of crime in the community. It also guides that you will prevent any action which may threaten the safety or security of any community member,” he said.
Morweng said as they do so, they should remember at all times to uphold the constitution and abide by the rule of law. He said they should ensure all law-abiding citizens are and feel safe and live in a secure environment.
“Carry out your responsibility with integrity and dignity and never dishonour and degrade the image of the police. Wear your uniform with pride and treat everyone courteously and respectfully, whilst ensuring laws of the Republic are obeyed.
“As you carry out your responsibilities, you will rile many people who will accuse you of all kinds of things. Remember that yours is not just a career, but a duty to the nation. As you weather the storm of the critics, take to heart the words of an ancient Chinese philosopher, Confucius, whose words still resonate today,” said Morweng.
He also reminded the police that while many will see and applaud their excellence, many others will criticize and accuse them of ineptness. Morweng said Confucius once said: “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it”.
“Don’t expect and wait for the applause because even the best performers are often not admired. Don’t wait for an ovation and expect praises because you will wait in perpetuity as no criminal will praise a police officer for work well done.
“It’s going to be a long four months, but we trust in your ability to ensure the citizens are safe. We trust in you to ensure that all criminals speak ill of you whilst holiday makers speak well of you. In you, we trust that your discipline will stand you in good stead in the face of provocation and vexation,” he said.
The Guardian 