Picture: Members of various Stakeholders who were engaged in preparatory talks at Taung Police Station

BY OBAKENG MAJE
TAUNG- THE Community Policing Forum in Taung gathered at Taung Police Station on Thursday to come up with a strategic planning how to combat crime in the area.

Taung CBD is now a ‘hotspot’ for criminals to practice their misdemeanor behavior and the members of the CPF vow to fight against that.

Tebogo Lephoi who is one of CPF members said they will embark on a campaign to affray crime especially at Taung CBD near Shoprite.

“We have experienced many crimes around that area where criminals gathered together there and prey on unsuspecting citizens. Most common crimes are smash and grab, grabbing bags from its owners and theft out of the vehicle” Lephoi said.

The CPF said they working hand-in-hand with police and on the 31st March 2015, they will emplane in a march called Fight Against Crime campaign.

Some of residents who welcomed the initiative say crime is affecting their lives and is escalating every day.

“We are now scared to go to shops without being robbed. Taung has turned into monster, now our own children that we raised are the ones those inflict pain into our hearts” Dorothy Moreki said.

Keabetswe Madienyane from Manokwane shared the same sentiments and said patrollers are needed around town.

“One cannot go passed around town without any hassle. You see people gathering next to Shoprite waiting for their next victim. I believe manyaope might be the cause of all this crimes. We need patrollers around town so that we can have peace of mind while shopping” she outlines.

North West police will be part of the campaign that will commerce on 31st March 2015.
-TDN
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Four people tragically lost their lives and seven people were injured following an accident on the R40 Barberton Road approximately three kilometres outside Nelspruit this morning after 09h00.

Netcare 911 paramedics and other services arrived at the scene and found that a minibus had overturned several times and came to a standstill back on its wheels. During the rollover accident some of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle and found lying on the ground.

Upon assessment of the all the occupants, paramedics found that two men and two women had tragically lost their lives during the rollover accident. Four people were found to have sustained critical injuries and seven people sustained serious injuries.

The injured patients were treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.

Exact detail surrounding the cause of the rollover accident and preceding events are unknown and will remain the subject of a police investigation.

Pic: SANMVA Provincial Executive Committe member, Ikanyeng Motlhaping during briefing

BY OBAKENG MAJE
THE South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA) visited Taung on Thursday to register former soldiers into their database.

The gathering took place at Taung library in Extension 6 and people came out in numbers to hear what does the organization has in place for the country’s veterans.

However those who dominated were either spouses or beneficiaries as most of the participants are no more especially those who took part in World War I and II.

Some of the delegates who attended the meeting were SANMVA Provincial Executive Committee member Ikanyeng Motlhaping and Greater Taung Acting Municipal Mayor, Oageng Seleke.

According to Ikanyeng Motlhaping, SANMVA is structured at National, Provincial and Regional levels to be able to act effectively in addressing all military veterans’ issues.

“SANMVA has align itself with World Veterans Organizations that are supportive of promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, gender, language or religion and promote the full integration of military veterans in their communities” Motlhaping said.

He said they have realized that many former soldiers are not registered in their database so they need to find them.

“We want to find those former soldiers as the government has benefits for them. The government offers medical cards for former soldiers, bursaries to their children and also building houses for them, so one cannot be helped if not registered with SANMVA” he said.

He encourages people to inform those who were once soldiers to come forward to be registered.

Lilly Mathebula(54) who is a widow after her husband Mothusi Ludrick Mathebula, who was a member of SANDF passed on back in 2008, said she is very grateful because the government see it fit to help those who helped in fighting for freedom.

“We can breathe sigh of relief because most of former soldiers some living in poverty and other passed away leaving their families with absolutely nothing to fend themselves, but now the government rectify that.

Manopole Morapedi who is a former soldier said the decision took by government to give benefits to its former fighters stress relieving because some of former soldiers are drown in poverty.

“We can finally breathe a sigh of relief after government took the decision to make sure the former government officials get what is due to them. Our children will also benefit from our hard work” Morapedi said.

SANMVA also advised its members to form co-operatives which will be funded by government and help members to put food on the table.

-TDN

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Pic: Far right North West Department of Education Acting Director at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Ogopoleng Vaaltyn with his colleagues

BY STAFF REPORTER
VRYBURG- The acting Director for Education in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District is been accused of exchanging his body fluids with one of junior staff who is an intern at the Vryburg district office.

This came to light after our mole informed us that close to six men armed with guns, pounced on the staff at the district office demanding to see the Acting Director, Ogopoleng Vaaltyn.

“We were all frightened after close to four men armed with guys came into our offices and demanded to see Mr Vaaltyn. Fortunately enough, he was out of the office and he must thank his lucky stars” our mole said.

According to information, it is alleged that Vaaltyn is having extramarital affairs at work with an intern and the girl he allegedly exchanged his body fluids with, is now pregnant.

The wife of Vaaltyn, who also works for department of education but in Delareyville allegedly received this unholy information and went to the office to confront the girl who is known to us.

“The wife of Mr Vaaltyn came to the office and threw some tantrum over this issue. She was very aggressive and confronted the girl” our mole outlines.

The Acting Director for department of education is allegedly suspended.

However North West departmental spokesperson for Education Brian Setswambung, poured cold water on the matter and said the acting director is on “special leave” for a week and will be back at work on Monday.

“I can confirm that…yes we received those allegations that our Acting Director at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Office, Mr Ogopoleng Vaaltyn has a relationship with one of our junior staff and we also heard that some men came here under false pretext looking for him. I would like to put it clear that all this, are treated as allegations until we received formal and factual information and Mr Vaaltyn is on special leave not suspended as you say” Setswambung said.

Setswambung said the wife of Ogopoleng Vaaltyn is not suspended nor received any letter of intention to be suspended.

“We can say the wife of Mr Vaaltyn who also works for department isn’t suspended nor received any letter with intention to be suspended” he said.
-TDN
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Mahikeng: The Premier of Bokone Bophirima Province Mr SOR Mahumapelo, Members of the Executive Council, Leaders and members of various Political Parties in the Province and public servants will tomorrow,Thursday, 19 March, converge at the Embassy Hall in Mahikeng, for a memorial service of the late Minister of Public Service and Administration, Mr Collins Chabane.

As pronounced by the Presidency, Minister Chabane will be accorded a special official funeral on Saturday, 21 March, during which day national flags will be flown at half-mast across the country.

Minister Chabane and his two bodyguards, Sergeants Lawrance Lentsoane and Lesiba Sekele died on Sundaymorning following a fatal car accident on the N1 between Mokopane and Polokwane in Limpopo Province.

Members of the media are invited to a provincial Memorial Service which will be held as follows:

Date                : Thursday, 19 March 2015

Venue             : Embassy Hall – Mahikeng

Time               : 14h00