BY REGINALD KANYANE

CLOSE to 349 students will be graduating from the five faculties. North West University spokesperson in Mahikeng campus, Phenyo Mokgothu said the graduates were from Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Faculty of Commerce and Administration, Faculty of Education and Training, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences and Faculty of Law.

“The university will have the spring graduations from 15 – 16 October at the Great Hall on the Campus.  During the two-day ceremonies, a total of 349 students will form part of the traditional Spring Graduations. A total of 23 doctoral degrees, 51 master’s and 26 honours degrees will be conferred over the two day graduation ceremony.” Mokgothu said.

He said that almost a 100 of the degrees will be awarded to postgraduates.  “This number provides ample evidence of the university and staff’s commitment in growing its research, developing students and contributing to the national economic development of the country.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE husband of the missing Democratic Alliance deputy leader in North West, Petrol Nel flew to Nepal along with his two sons on Wednesday. DA leader in North West, Joe McGluwa said that JC Nel flew to Nepal where his wife disappeared.

DA leader in North West Joe McGluwa said: “JC Nel and his two sons, John-Jay and Jean will be flying to Nepal on Wednesday morning. It is very emotional moment for them and we still hope God will make a plan. We want to thank the broader communities and public for heeding to the call. We managed to raise about 5000 US dollar which amount to (R66 000).”

Petro Nel served as DA ward councillor in the Matlosana municipality in Klerksdorp and earlier this year, and received the special Paul Harris Rotary Award for her dedication towards community work and upliftment.

McGluwa said Nel was a dedicated cadre who was always up to the task. He said Nel planned to launch Democratic Alliance Women’s League (DAWL) soon.

The light flight she boarded went missing in Nepal after they were on an oversight-seeing flight over a mountainous area.

“The rescue team needed to be paid to continue with the search, so that is why we had to raise that amount. We will keep our fingers crossed and hope for the better.” McGluwa said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West premier Supra Mahumapelo vows to stir the economy of the province to make sure that it benefits the people of Bokone Bophirima. Mahumapelo highlighted this during the exco committee meeting that was held in Tswaing municipality on Wednesday.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said: “The North West premier Supra Mahumapelo established the FEED department team that will be led by MEC Wendy Nelson. The team will visit all local municipalities in the province and register all those who want to have their own co-operatives. He said the initiative will create jobs and reduce immigration.”

Setswambung said the quest was brought forward by Mahumapelo because according to research, many people migrate to towns and cities.

“The decision that was taken was that the traffic college will be established in the province. We decided to choose one of the unused schools and turn it into a college rather than wasting money in building the college from the scratch. The public servants will also be given workshops and training to improve their service to the public. The Ikatisong School will be opened soon and will serve as a government school for public servants.

Setswambung said the issue of underperforming municipalities was also touched on, and premier promised to look into the matter. He said that disciplinary actions will be taken against those who wronged.

According AG reports, close to R700m was not used by municipalities.

“Mahumapelo also highlighted that the challenges that were experienced at municipalities will be looked into including financial mismanagement issue. He will establish investigations in tender processes and other unfinished work done by contractors before any reactions. The issue of roads construction was discussed and Mahumapelo said those contractors were paid, especially the one from Ganyesa. They will resume their duty soon.” Setswambung said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Police Tape)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

FIVE suspects were arrested by Letlhabile police for armed robbery of cigarettes from a British American Tobacco van on Wednesday, says North West police.

Provincial spokesperson, Sergeant Kealeboga Molale said: “A group of heavily armed men who drove in two vehicles allegedly stopped the delivery van. They threatened the driver and loaded cigarettes into their vehicle and drove-off afterwards.

“The suspects were traced by Pretoria Flying Squad in conjunction with Silverton police. They were apprehended after cigarettes worth thousands and a hand gun were found in their possession.” Molale said.

They will appear in the Brits Magistrates’ Court soon for robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm and investigation continues.

-TDN

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JOHANNESBURG – Correctional services has confirmed Oscar Pistorius will be released under correctional supervision on Tuesday, one day short of serving exactly a year in prison.

The parole board met today to consider his application to be released under correctional supervision.

For more http://www.ewn.co.za

-TDN

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Durban – President of the National Teachers Union [Natu], Sthe Ngema, said on Wednesday Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga played the union “like a yoyo”.

Speaking at a media briefing in Durban, the union addressed the controversial writing of the Annual National Assessments (ANAs), which will be administered between December 1 and 4.

Ngcobo said, “We objected to the minister for openly going to the media and announcing that the ANAs would be written this year because we felt that she was playing us like a yoyo”.

He said proper consultative processes had not been followed.

Picture: (Police Tape)

Port Elizabeth – Despite a passer-by’s efforts to save a taxi driver, who was shot several times at a Northern Areas taxi rank in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday afternoon, the 21-year-old driver died on his way to hospital.

The Good Samaritan, witnessing the shooting, jumped into the taxi Donly Sayers was in and rushed him to hospital, Nelson Mandela Bay police spokesperson Sandra Janse van Rensburg said.

For more http://www.news24.com

Rustenburg – Former residents of Zwaarvirdiend, outside Rustenburg in the North West, who were forcibly moved off their land, received financial compensation amounting to R7 million on Tuesday.

“Take care of this money, it will take care of you,” said North West Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development MEC Manketse Tlhape.

The community was dispossessed of their land rights in 1939 and did not receive just and equitable compensation at the time.

The financial compensation awarded to eight families amounted to a total of R917 926.02 each.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Johannesburg – Police commissioner General Riah Phiyega has been suspended while an inquiry into her fitness to hold office is conducted, the Presidency announced on Wednesday afternoon.

“The suspension is to endure pending any decision that is made following upon the recommendations of the Board of Inquiry into allegations of misconduct, her fitness to hold office and her capacity to execute official duties efficiently,” a statement reads.

President Jacob Zuma decided to show Phiyega the door following her giving him reasons why she should stay in office.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 31 year-old man was arrested by police in a sting operation in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg. James Mohatle appeared before Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

North West police spokesperson, Captain Paul Ramaloko said that Mohatle was arrested for robbery and being in possession of unlicensed firearm.

“He was arrested during a joint intelligence driven operation by Ganyesa Detectives, Vryburg Dog Unit and Crime Intelligence.  Mohatle’s arrest came after he robbed a business at Papsani village in Ganyesa and took a security guard’s firearm.” Ramaloko said.

He said that the team arrested Mohatle at his residential area and confiscated a hand gun which was found hidden on top of the stationary vehicle.

The case against Mohatle was postponed until Monday, and he will remain in custody.

Mohatle was jailed to 23 years in prison and was recently released on parole.

-TDN

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