Daily Archives: March 27, 2025

No Outbreak of Tumbu Fly Infestation

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Picture: Tumu fly hatching larvae/Generic 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

27 March 2025- The North West Department dismissed allegations that there might be an outbreak of Tumbu Fly Infestation. This comes after community members across the province alleged that they have seen some flies dropping their eggs on their clothes or table cloths. 

Last week, a video that has since gone viral, a fly was seen hatching larvae (maggots) on a cloth in one of schools in Mahikeng.  

However, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tshegofatso Mothibedi said the matter was thoroughly investigated on the same day, when the department was made aware. Mothibedi said they have concluded that it was an isolated incident. 

“The department was made aware of the matter and on the same day, we sent the Departmental Environmental Health officials, who went to the school on Saturday. Officials did not discover a swarm of flies as initially reported by resident(s). 

“It was one isolated fly and upon investigation, our data suggested that there was no widespread health risk. There was no swarm of flies as earlier suggested, but one isolated fly which we recommended should be taken for tests,” he said. 

Mothibedi further said in an unrelated case, there were unconfirmed reports of worms coming out of wounds of a certain individual, to date such a case has not been officially registered with them. He added that, however, they recommend any individual to visit their nearest facility so that a thorough assessment and determination could be conducted for treatment. 

“The department also calls for calm and wishes to caution everyone not to cause panic as this matter has already been dealt with, with all pupils safely attending classes at the said school,” said Mothibed. 

Meanwhile, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa (NICD) said it was consulted back in 2018, about numerous cutaneous maggot infestations (furuncular myiasis) in humans in North West, as well as increased sporadic cases in Gauteng Province. The body said its laboratory has confirmed that the maggots are those of the tumbu fly (also known as the ‘mango’ or ‘putsi’ fly). 

“The increase in the number of cases is most likely related to the recent marked increase in seasonal rainfall, leading to the expansion of the fly’s normal range, namely the warmer northern and eastern parts of the country. 

“The adult female tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) deposits eggs usually on urine- or faeces-contaminated sand, soil or clothing. The larvae (maggots) hatch and on contact with skin, penetrate and cause enlarging boil-like skin lesions, each with a small opening at the apex through which the larva breathes (furuncular myiasis),” it said.

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R112m road project marred with challenges  

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Picture: The D206 road construction project

By OBAKENG MAJE 

27 March 2025- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in North West has expressed frustration over a protracted delay in the R112 million construction of a tar road in Taung. The 10km road runs from Matsheng to Molelema village.  

In 2020, the Botong Construction and JV Nkolele Projects were appointed in a joint venture to the tune of R65 018 991.18 (VAT incl), but the budget was increased after court fiasco.

SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said the project has been under construction for almost five years. Jam said these shenanigans being done by these people, dent the image and integrity of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG). He said these kinds of arrangements between the contractors and MECs are the reason for the failure of most of the projects. 

“We have tried to engage the Office of the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua in quest of getting answers, but to no avail. However, taxpayers’ money has been used to pay the contractor, but nothing is happening.

“So, to us, it does not matter who is involved in this corruption scandal, but we are going to beat the dog until the owner comes out. We are not going to fold our arms, while the taxpayers’ money is being flushed down the drain by those who do not care and serve no interest,” he said. 

Jam further said it is excruciating to see that this is not the only road construction project being stalled. He added that the same thing is happening in other areas across the province. 

“You will find unfinished projects belonging to the department. Sadly, when we engaged Mokua, she blamed the previous MEC. However, these projects belong to her portfolio whether she likes it or not. 

“Inherently, we have made a call that she will respond as soon as possible. However, what we have realised is that, if one wants to talk to these people, we must do it through Chapter 9 institutions because their arrogance does not allow them to talk to ordinary citizens like us,” said Jam. 

He alleged that those in power are so high and mighty, forgetting that they were placed there by the masses. Jam said as SANCO, they have declared 2025, a year of accountability and they only care about nothing else, but service delivery. 

Meanwhile, the North West Public Works and Roads spokesperson, Mmakgori Tong said: “The revised contractual agreement between the contractor and the department end date was March 2024, which has lapsed. Currently, the contractor is not on site.

“This project was stalled due to contractual complexities. The catchup plan has not been submitted to the department, and it is in this regard that the department has called a meeting with the agent by the end of this week to address the matter and prevent further delays.”
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Baagi ba kwa Tamasikwa ba ikepetse sediba  

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Setshwantsho: Baagi ba epile sediba sa metsi kwa Tamasikwa  

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

27 Mopitlwe 2025- Baagi ba motse wa Tamasikwa, gaufi le Taung, ba re ba itumeletse go bona metsi a kgale ba a labalabela morago ga dikgwedi kgwedi. Se, se tla morago ga gore baagi ba, ba tseye tshwetso ya go katolola sediba sa bo rrabone mogolo se ba ne ba ga metsi mo go sone ka nako ya puso ya tlhaolele. 

Baagi ba tlhalositse fa tlhokego ya metsi mo motseng wa bone, ele yone e ba tlhotlheleditseng go tsaya tshwetso e. Baagi ba tlhalosistse fa go le lobaka ba ntse ba tlhoka metsi mo motseng wa bone, fela masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati o tsweletse go itshela moriti o tsididi. 

Mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Thabo Sekonyane are metsi ke tlhoba boroko kwa motseng wa bone.  Sekonyane are ba bone fa go le botlhokwa go epa sediba, gonne ba godile ba nwa metsi mo go sone. 

“Re godisitswe ke sediba se, mme madutelo a re nang le one mo motseng, re ne ra a direlwa ke puso ya Bophuthatswana. Porejeke ya metsi e tlile ka ngwaga wa 1995, mo motseng wa rona. Ene ele porojeke go tswa kwa Lefapheng la Water Supply pele ga e tla sitlhamololelwa mo pusong ya ga jaana. 

“Seo se shupa gore ene entse ele projeke e e neng e tshwanetswe ke go tlisiwa mo Tamasikwa. Go bua nnete, metsi a mantsi thata mo motseng wa rona wa Tamasikwa. Metsi a re nang le one, baagi ba Taung ba ka nwa ba be ba siela ba bangwe. Re ka fepa metse yotlhe ya Taung ele 106. Ke fela gore madutelo a rona a metsi ga a dirwa sentle,” Sekonyane wa tlhalosa.       

Sekonyane are fa madutelo a bone a ne a epilwe kwa godimo, go ka be go sena tlhokego ya metsi kwa motseng wa bone. Sekonyane are ba na le dingwaga ngwaga ba tlhoka metsi, mme masepala ga o tsiboge ka nako. 

Kgabagare, majoro wa masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae Maje are, jaaka masepala, ba amogela gore go na le kgwetlho ya metsi mo sedikeng. Maje are ba bone pegelo go tswa kwa setheong sa Magalies e ba laelang gore madutelo a tshwanelwang ke go neela baagi metsi kwa Tamasikwa a imelwa. 

“Re itsisitswe gore madutelo ga tlhole a kgona go neela baagi botlhe ka kakaretso metsi, mme ba tsitsintse gore go agiwe madutelo a mangwe. Jaanaong, re sentse re seka-seka kakanyo eo gore baagi ba kgone go bona metsi. 

“Re ikuela go baagi gore ba letle gore go dirwe diteko mo metsing a ba epileng, pele ga ba ka anwa,” Maje wa tlhalosa. 

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