JUSTICE and constitutional development department in North West said they were ready to rub shoulders with their counterparts across the country. The department honoured their provincial employees. The department will also host National Service Excellence Awards soon.

Acting regional head of justice and constitutional development department, Joseph Makutle said they hosted regional awards to honour employees who dedicated themselves to their work. The second edition of Service Excellence Awards in the region was hosted recently. (Friday last week) in Mahikeng.

“This is our second annual service excellence awards. We want to honour those employees who showed dedication and selflessness. They played a pivotal role towards service delivery.

“The awards will inspire greatness within their performance. We also believe they will uplift the morality at work place. We also want to applaud all nominees and also want to encourage all staff to participate in the future,” Makutle said.

He also urged all employees to continue to practice Batho Pele principles at all time. Makutle further added that the employees were at the cutting edge while dealing with clients.

Justice and constitutional development department national chief-director for programme support, Mosalanyana Mosala was part of the proceeding. Mosala commended those who were nominated too.

“We want to applaud you for your unwavering dedication towards your duty. You form the integral part of this institution. I also want to encourage you to work harder. Just bear in mind that your participation is noticeable. To all those who have been awarded must continue to work hard too,” he said.

One of the recipients, Seledu Moloko said: “I have learnt a lot from you guys over the years. And I believe our contribution will continue to inspire others. We learn new things daily.”

Manager for Language Practice, Billy Molele commended Moloko for his dedication.

“He is very profound, dedicated and eloquent in most languages. He had a unique quality for interpretation services. The department pride itself by having you. We hope upcoming and young interpreters have learnt from you,” Molele said.

Madikwe Magistrate Court scooped the best model award and Taung Magistrate Court was honoured as the best model sub cluster court. Other individuals were also recognised.

-TDN

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NALEDI local municipality mayor, Langa Modise was instructed to take firm action against municipal manager. This came about after municipal manager, Modisenyane Segapo walked out of the meeting on Wednesday at legislature. The municipality appeared before North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts to account on the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) outcomes of the 2014-15 financial year.

Chairperson for the committee, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said Segapo’s behaviour was uncalled for.

“Segapo appeared before the committee without having the MFMA documentations. When I asked him about it he took exception. We requested the mayor to speak to ask him to come back, but he still refused. We cannot have officials who refuse to account. This is taxpayers’ money.

“In terms of the Constitution, Sec 114(2)(a)states that a provincial Legislature must provide for mechanisms to ensure that all provincial Executive Organs of the state in the province are accountable to it. Furthermore provisions of the North West Provincial Legislature Standing Rules, Rule 239, provides that Segapo is in contempt of the Legislature as he had actually interfered with the ability of the Legislature to perform its function, more so by failing to report to the Committee when required to do so and by failing to obey any ruling, order or resolution of the Legislature,” Mahlakeng said.

He said they rescheduled the meeting until Wednesday.

According to the provincial Auditor General’s office, the Naledi local municipality is struggling to pay their debtors including Eskom. It was also discovered that most of the officials owe the municipality a lot of money for rates and services. Some of officials and councillors are doing business with the municipality too.

-TDN

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NORTH West premier Supra Mahumapelo will form part of a five week long youth entrepreneurship services (YES) programme. The director of the programme, Thapelo Sekawana said the tour commence today.

“The tour starts today at Kagiso-Molopo, Moretele and Matlosana local municipalities. Setsokotsane activities will be implemented in these areas and will be followed by Mamusa, Lekwa-Teemane, Kgetleng, Moses Kotane and Tlokwe-Ventersdorp local municipalities on May 26-27. This programme is viewed as a focused platform that seeks to connect unemployed young people of the North West province.

“The aim is to connect them with the public and private institutions. We want to expose them to entrepreneurship, employment, skills development and youth empowerment opportunities available in their respective sectors,” he said.

Acting provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the rolling out of this initiative will be aligned to Setsokotsane activities that are currently being implemented in various local municipalities.

He said this will serve as a build-up to the provincial Youth Day commemoration on June 16. Setswambung said the commemoration day will be held at Ramotshere-Moiloa local municipality on June 18.

“Subsequent to the engagements the provincial government will have with the youth during this tour, premier Mahumapelo will sign an accord with the youth on June 18. He will commit the provincial government to address issues raised during the provincial tour,” Setswambung said.

He added that the youth tour will be taken to other local municipalities during the first two weeks of June.

“We will be heightened to roll out Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) Provincial Action Tour in these five weeks. MECs and mayors will also be part of it. YES Provincial Action Tour is also geared towards encouraging young people to lead a healthy lifestyle. This will also give a government to listen to the challenges young people are faced with in daily basis,” he said.

-TDN

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THE contractor will be appointed soon to build Kanana Police Station. The residents will now finally have the police station in their area. The sod-turning was performed more than 10 years ago, but the police station was never been built.

Minister for public works Thulas Nxesi said the police station was supposed to be built back in 2004.

“Kanana Police Station in Orkney was a priority in 2004 financial year. However SAPS changed its approach after the appointment of Commissioner General Bheki Cele. They focused in deep rural areas. However we can now confirm that the Kanana Police Station is planned for its construction in this financial year.

“The consultant was appointed by SAPS. And tender documents are at the final draft stage. The contractor will be appointed soon and the completion of the project is scheduled for next year,” Nxesi said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Marikana illegal housing occupants at North West High Court)

MARIKANA residents who illegal occupied RDP houses appeared in North West High Court yesterday (Thursday). The local government and human settlements department and Rustenburg local municipality ordered them to vacate the houses however their quest was futile. The department filed for eviction through court.

The court ordered residents to explain why they must not be evicted. The case was postponed until June 10 for hearing.

Local government and human settlements department spokesperson, Ben Bole said they welcomed the postponement.

“The case against Rustenburg local municipality versus the illegal occupants of the houses in Marikana was postponed in the North West High Court to June 10. This was to allow the respondents to file heads of arguments. The court ruled that all approved beneficiaries of the Marikana Extension 2 housing project allow the contractor space to complete the houses that they are presently occupying.

“The rest of the residents who have not been approved or are yet to be approved as beneficiaries must furnish their personal circumstances to the court on June 3. This is in accordance with the Land Act of 1998 – Section 4 of the Prevention of Illegal Occupation and Eviction,” Bole said.

Rustenburg local municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said the project was a collaborative effort between our department, Rustenburg local municipality and Lonmin. He said the project was underpinned by the presidential package to deal with housing backlog in the country.

“This resulted in the decision to yield 2 600 units in the Marikana area. Lonmin donated a 50ha portion of land with 860 serviced sites known as Marikana Ext. 2. The sector provincial department provided subsidies and appointed developers for the first phase that saw the construction of 292 Breaking New Ground units (BNG’s). Construction is under way and the completion date was suppose to be this month,” he said.

Matebesi said lawful beneficiaries where identified through extensive consultation with the community. He said however, the project had numerous challenges ranging from stoppages by sub-contractors and community. Matebesi said illegal occupation and pending threats of illegal occupation of the BNG Units also caused the delay.

The Marikana illegal housing occupants leader, Napoleon Webster said: “We will suffer the same gross injustices suffered by mine workers and their families. What they went through was one part of the enslavement of the indigenous dispossessed of South Africa.

“We will never budge, but remain resolute on our mission. The houses are used as ANC machinery to get voters. However the corruption marred this government will be dissolved on August 3. The ANC-led government killed 34 miners and now they are gearing up to kill Marikana residents for demanding decent houses for our people. The houses are official built for mine workers and their community as stipulated in the mining charter,” Webster said.

-TDN

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RUSTENBURG – One of the two mineworkers trapped underground at Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) mine in Rustenburg, North West was found dead on Thursday, the company said.

“The body was found in an area with extremely unstable ground conditions and has not yet been recovered. The search and rescue teams are continuing with their relentless efforts to find the second miner,” said company spokesperson Johan Theron.

“The families of the two miners have been informed of the latest developments and continue to receive support from the mine, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) and Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu). The families have requested that we withhold the names of both miners at this time.”

Implats chief executive Terence Goodlace said: “This is a tragic loss for everybody and our heart-felt condolences are with the families of our colleagues. We extend our sincere gratitude to the mine rescue teams for their diligent and professional efforts in leading the search and rescue operation, as well as senior officials from the DMR, Amcu and the industry for their unwavering support.”

The two mineworkers were trapped underground at 1 Shaft in Meriting near Rustenburg on Tuesday following a rock fall. Seven miners managed to escape unharmed.

– Africa News Agency

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for culture, arts and traditional affairs (CATA), Ontlametse Mochware sent her heartfelt condolences to Letlhogile’s family after the death of Kgosi Thuso Letlhogile. Mochware said Letlhogile’s presence will be highly missed.

“Our traditional authority mourns the death of disciplined, dedicated and determined leader, Kgosi Thuso Letlhogile. As the department we want to send the message of support to his family. We have worked with him and we believe his leadership was significant. We will continue to remember and celebrate his life,” Mochware said.

Provincial traditional leaders also sent their message of support. They said Kgosi Letlhogile played a pivotal role in transforming the institution. Ganyesa-born traditional leader passed away on Saturday. Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati municipality district mayor, Choganyetso Tladinyane said Letlhogile will be solely missed.

“We are disheartened and saddened by the untimely death of Kgosi Letlhogile. We want to convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Letlhogile was a husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He also served his people with diligence. Letlhogile was also part of the council at Dr Ruth Mompati municipality district.

“His death left an immeasurable void in our hearts. We urge everyone to take this opportunity and cast his/her vote during local government elections in Letlhogile’s memory. Letlhogile was a man of integrity and served the Barolong Boo – Tlou le Tau meticulously,” Tladinyane said.

He also urged the people to celebrate the lives of their heroes. Tladinyane encouraged the community leaders to learn from Letlhogile. He said they must serve their people with integrity and changes the lives of ordinary people.

According to Tladinyane, Letlhogile has been had stroke while taking sugar diabetes medication.

Kgosi Letlhogile will be buried on Saturday at Ganyesa.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG local municipality came up with strategic plan to fight housing backlog in the area. Municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said they have experienced high rate of migration over the years.

“We have foremost plans to reduce housing backlog we are currently facing. We are working collaboratively with national and provincial sector departments in providing decent new typology human settlements.

“We have built Breaking New Grounds (BNG’s) and Community Residential Units (CRU’s) to mitigating the high housing demand in the Rustenburg area. The cause of this was job opportunities across Rustenburg,” Matebesi said.

He said they have also experienced mushrooming of informal settlements. Matebesi further added that the burgeoningaffects the municipality.

“The rapid growing of population and mushrooming of informal settlements interferes with our set-up in terms of Integrated Development Planning (IDP). This affects service delivery and therefore we cannot plan accordingly in terms of service provision.

“All of a sudden we now have more people to cater for, even though they were not part of the plan. This has been growing over years due to many people relocating to Rustenburg. There is a mining industry and that attracts people across,” Matebesi added.

He said there are over 38 expansive informal settlements so far. Matebesi further added that some informal settlements have occupied illegal lands belonging to mining companies.

“We cannot provide service delivery to some of the areas and that creates unrest. Rustenburg accounts for most of the informal settlements in the North West,” he said.

Meanwhile the residents who illegally occupied RDP houses will appear in North West High Court on Thursday. They were summoned and requested to explain to the court why they must not be evicted. Rustenburg local municipality and human settlements department applied for court eviction earlier this year.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo also came out gun blazing and lambasted EFF in North West over illegal occupation of RDP houses in Marikana. He alleged that they have received reports from the police that confirm that EFF was behind the illegal occupation of RDP houses.

“We want to put it on record that EFF is behind the illegal occupation of RDP houses in Marikana. We have received that information from the police. However we urge them to refrain from that as their behaviour derails service delivery. One of EFF member of legislature in North West said they will encourage residents to occupy RDP houses illegally.

  However EFF in the North West said the Marikana housing allocation was used by ANC and Rustenburg municipality as part of their illegal electioneering tactics in the run-up to the 2016 local government elections. Acting provincial secretary, Leigh-Ann Mathys said the ANC’s mismanagement of this process has the potential to result in another Marikana blood bath.

“The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu handed over the Marikana Housing Development Project to ANC-led Rustenburg municipality during January 8 rally. This was a clear indication of mobilising rounds for her party. The community requested clarity on the processes in which the housing will be allocated.  There was no response, and that resulted in illegal occupation,” Mathys said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG local municipality came up with strategic plan to fight housing backlog in the area. Municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said they have experienced high rate of migration over the years.

“We have foremost plans to reduce housing backlog we are currently facing. We are working collaboratively with national and provincial sector departments in providing decent new typology human settlements.

“We have built Breaking New Grounds (BNG’s) and Community Residential Units (CRU’s) to mitigating the high housing demand in the Rustenburg area. The cause of this was job opportunities across Rustenburg,” Matebesi said.

He said they have also experienced mushrooming of informal settlements. Matebesi further added that the burgeoningaffects the municipality.

“The rapid growing of population and mushrooming of informal settlements interferes with our set-up in terms of Integrated Development Planning (IDP). This affects service delivery and therefore we cannot plan accordingly in terms of service provision.

“All of a sudden we now have more people to cater for, even though they were not part of the plan. This has been growing over years due to many people relocating to Rustenburg. There is a mining industry and that attracts people across,” Matebesi added.

He said there are over 38 expansive informal settlements so far. Matebesi further added that some informal settlements have occupied illegal lands belonging to mining companies.

“We cannot provide service delivery to some of the areas and that creates unrest. Rustenburg accounts for most of the informal settlements in the North West,” he said.

Meanwhile the residents who illegally occupied RDP houses will appear in North West High Court on Thursday. They were summoned and requested to explain to the court why they must not be evicted. Rustenburg local municipality and human settlements department applied for court eviction earlier this year.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo also came out gun blazing and lambasted EFF in North West over illegal occupation of RDP houses in Marikana. He alleged that they have received reports from the police that confirm that EFF was behind the illegal occupation of RDP houses.

“We want to put it on record that EFF is behind the illegal occupation of RDP houses in Marikana. We have received that information from the police. However we urge them to refrain from that as their behaviour derails service delivery. One of EFF member of legislature in North West said they will encourage residents to occupy RDP houses illegally.

  However EFF in the North West said the Marikana housing allocation was used by ANC and Rustenburg municipality as part of their illegal electioneering tactics in the run-up to the 2016 local government elections. Acting provincial secretary, Leigh-Ann Mathys said the ANC’s mismanagement of this process has the potential to result in another Marikana blood bath.

“The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu handed over the Marikana Housing Development Project to ANC-led Rustenburg municipality during January 8 rally. This was a clear indication of mobilising rounds for her party. The community requested clarity on the processes in which the housing will be allocated.  There was no response, and that resulted in illegal occupation,” Mathys said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG local municipality came up with strategic plan to fight housing backlog in the area. Municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said they have experienced high rate of migration over the years.

“We have foremost plans to reduce housing backlog we are currently facing. We are working collaboratively with national and provincial sector departments in providing decent new typology human settlements.

“We have built Breaking New Grounds (BNG’s) and Community Residential Units (CRU’s) to mitigating the high housing demand in the Rustenburg area. The cause of this was job opportunities across Rustenburg,” Matebesi said.

He said they have also experienced mushrooming of informal settlements. Matebesi further added that the burgeoningaffects the municipality.

“The rapid growing of population and mushrooming of informal settlements interferes with our set-up in terms of Integrated Development Planning (IDP). This affects service delivery and therefore we cannot plan accordingly in terms of service provision.

“All of a sudden we now have more people to cater for, even though they were not part of the plan. This has been growing over years due to many people relocating to Rustenburg. There is a mining industry and that attracts people across,” Matebesi added.

He said there are over 38 expansive informal settlements so far. Matebesi further added that some informal settlements have occupied illegal lands belonging to mining companies.

“We cannot provide service delivery to some of the areas and that creates unrest. Rustenburg accounts for most of the informal settlements in the North West,” he said.

Meanwhile the residents who illegally occupied RDP houses will appear in North West High Court on Thursday. They were summoned and requested to explain to the court why they must not be evicted. Rustenburg local municipality and human settlements department applied for court eviction earlier this year.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo also came out gun blazing and lambasted EFF in North West over illegal occupation of RDP houses in Marikana. He alleged that they have received reports from the police that confirm that EFF was behind the illegal occupation of RDP houses.

“We want to put it on record that EFF is behind the illegal occupation of RDP houses in Marikana. We have received that information from the police. However we urge them to refrain from that as their behaviour derails service delivery. One of EFF member of legislature in North West said they will encourage residents to occupy RDP houses illegally.

  However EFF in the North West said the Marikana housing allocation was used by ANC and Rustenburg municipality as part of their illegal electioneering tactics in the run-up to the 2016 local government elections. Acting provincial secretary, Leigh-Ann Mathys said the ANC’s mismanagement of this process has the potential to result in another Marikana blood bath.

“The Minister of Human Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu handed over the Marikana Housing Development Project to ANC-led Rustenburg municipality during January 8 rally. This was a clear indication of mobilising rounds for her party. The community requested clarity on the processes in which the housing will be allocated.  There was no response, and that resulted in illegal occupation,” Mathys said.

-TDN

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