The North West Provincial House of Traditional Leaders reviewed the resolutions that were taken by the Executive Lekgotla in August 2013 during a sitting held from 1st to 3rd July 2014.

The Executive Lekgotla discussed amongst others, the role of Traditional leaders in crime prevention, stock theft, witchcraft and gender based violence as well as ritual killings.

The House will embark on a review of its Strategic Plan as well as look at how chieftainship disputes are handled with the aim of presenting a comprehensive report to the Executive Committee.

Meanwhile the House received a first visit of its kind by Premier Mahumapelo and his Executive Council during the sitting. The main aim of this visit was to foster the spirit of oneness and corporation philosophy “saamwerk saamtrek” between Dingaka and Provincial Government.

The House also requested the Premier to visit again in order to engage on pertinent issues such as,
 African Creative Connection: this organization has programmes which can bring information technology to benefit education of children and to facilitate the tribal administrative system also to be considered by the house.
 Data World: this organization has been appointed by the Department of Land and Rural Development to map out rural villages and determine their respective boundaries.
 Industrial Development Corporation: They presented on how they finance business enterprise.

One other important matter was on Initiation Schools.

Traditional Customs and Culture Committee conducted a workshop on a newly published Regulation on Initiation Schools in Provincial Government Gazzette No. 7256 dated 27 March 2014. The traditional Customs and Culture Committee dissolves illegal initiation schools within the Province as well as requests parents to also take responsibility to ensure compliance of initiation school before sending their children.-TDN
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Johannesburg – A man was killed and three people were injured when their car rolled on Evander Road in Secunda, Mpumalanga on Friday, paramedics said.

The three injured were treated on the scene and taken to Evander Hospital for treatment, ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

When paramedics arrived on the scene they found the car lying on its side.

The cause of the accident would be investigated.

SAPA

North West provincial government in conjunction with Lonmin launched the Marikana extension 2 housing projects on Thursday. The project is said to change the face of Marikana which is dominated by informal settlements surrounding the mining areas in the Rustenburg area. More than 2500 houses will be build with the main objective of eradicating informal settlements in the province, especially around the mining towns.

Launching the project, MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in the North West, Collen Maine called on other mining companies to follow on what Lonmin has done. “We wish to further call upon other mining giants around Bojanala to do the same, because this is the worst affected district in as far as informal settlements are concerned in the province. We remain steadfast and focused as government to ensure total eradication of informal settlements across the province”, said MEC Maine.LONMIN joined forces with government by donated 50 hectors of land last year in October, mainly to build houses for Marikana communities, which mostly are Lonmin employees. The project which is intending to restore people’s dignity will contribute towards the eradication of informal settlements and bring about development in Mining Towns. According to MEC Maine, all community members will be catered for.    “other people might not qualify for low cost houses; others might also not qualify for rental stock, therefore we have provided mixed typologies to ensure everybody remain catered, for example, the project provides for full subsidised housing; provides low income rental stock accommodation; and Making Finance Linked Subsidies available for bonded housing stock. Our officials from the department who are dealing with consumer housing and subsidy administration are here to assist you and provide further technical clarity”, said Maine.

MEC Maine could not complete his address by sending a strong warning to appointed contractors. “we want to caution you that we don’t have any room for poor or shoddy workmanship; in our department, shoddy work remains something of the past. We are going to work closely with a body called National Home Builders Registration Council “NHBRC” which is responsible for quality assurance and our internal inspectors together with lonmin inspectors in ensuring quality of work during the construction of these structures. And remember at the end of the project NHBRC remain responsible to issue- out five year guarantee certificates as part of quality assurance”, he said.
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The North West Province, like the rest of the country will heed the call by President Jacob Zuma that all South Africans on Mandela Day, 18 July 2014, must clean the cities by embarking on a cleaning campaign in Mahikeng local municipality which will also be part of renewing, rebranding and repositioning the province.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo will be joined by the Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, Ministers of Social Development and SMMEs respectively, Bathabile Dlamini and Lindiwe Zulu, Members of Executive Committees (MECs), Executive Mayor of Mahikeng local municipality, Lenah Miga, councillors and civil society.

Provincial departments, municipalities, state owned entities and the business fraternity have also been mobilized to join in the campaign.

Premier Mahumapelo has during State of the Province Address urged all North West residents to join hands together to give the province a new positive brand.

“He stated that towns in the province are known as dirtiest, hence a move to embark on a massive cleaning that will start in Mafikeng and cascade to other towns” Supra Mahumapelo spokesperson Sam Mokaila said.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – Fifteen Pongola residents, arrested for public violence after torching a church where the body parts of a child were found, have been released on warning, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Friday.

The group appeared in the Pongola Magistrate’s Court on Thursday for setting alight the church and a house on Saturday.

“It was postponed for further investigation. They were released on a warning, and told to re-appear on 28 July,” said Captain Thulani Zwane.

Some of the body parts of a 3-year-old boy were found in a plastic bag at the church on Saturday. The boy went missing on 2 July.

A 51-year-old pastor was arrested for the murder of the boy, but has not yet been charged.
Police began a search for parts of the boy that were missing.

During the search, a skull and skeleton were found at a woman’s house in Ncotshane on Tuesday. The woman’s house was the one set alight by residents. She was not injured, and a case of arson was opened.

Zwane said police were awaiting forensic results on the skeleton.

On Wednesday, the Ncotshane Magistrate’s Court in Pongola was torched by residents over the arrest of the 15.

Police suspected that a petrol bomb was used.

No arrests were made, and a case of arson was opened.

After the incident, acting KwaZulu-Natal community safety MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo requested the court to hear the case against the 15 on Thursday instead of Friday.

Zwane could not say whether the case was brought forward because of the request.
SAPA

Johannesburg – The SA Human Rights Commission on Friday criticised the arrest of more than 100 health workers for staging a sit-in at the Free State health department.

It was understood most of the workers were women protesting against the state of the province’s health care system and the alleged firing of around 3000 community health workers, SAHRC spokesperson Isaac Mangena said in a statement.

The commission on various occasions had expressed its grave concern about the state of public health care facilities across South Africa.

This had been done through its report on health care in the country, socio-economic rights reports, and findings it had made on violations of the right to access health care.

“We will therefore continue to monitor the situation in the Free State and engage directly with provincial and national government officials on this matter,” he said.

The workers were arrested in Bloemfontein on Thursday morning.

The Treatment Action Campaign said at the time the workers, mostly older women, and the TAC took part in a vigil in an attempt to speak out against the failings and collapse of the Free State health system.

The vigil was staged after health workers failed to gain an audience with health MEC Benny Malakoane.

TAC general secretary Anele Yawa said TAC had previously demanded a meeting with Malakoane following a sit-in at Bophelo House on 27 June.

The workers were expected to apply for bail in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday, Yawa said.
SAPA

Johannesburg- The South African Breweries (SAB) and South African Football Association (SAFA) have announced the game schedule for the 15th SAB League National Championships during an official public draw held today at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown, Johannesburg.

The SAB League National Championships are set to take place at the North West University Stadium in Mafikeng, North West province, beginning Monday, 14 July and ending with the final match on Sunday, 20 July.

The participating teams include the nine provinces and a team from University Sports South Africa (USSA).-TDN
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The South African Men’s Under-17 National Team (Amajimbos) defeated Lesotho 2-0 in a tightly contested friendly match played at the Mafeteng Stadium in Lesotho.

This was South Africa’s third match on the road (following two wins over Botswana last week). On this occasion, they found the going tougher against Lesotho.

But it was Amajimbos who got the much-needed goal in the 18th minute through captain Nelson Maluleka – his third in three outings.

The hosts proved a more formidable opponent and were a constant thorn in the visitors’ defence but poor finishing let them down as they missed several scoring opportunities.

Coach Molefi Ntseki made several changes in his starting line-up as he gave more players the opportunity to impress before finalizing his 18-man squad for the trip to Tanzania for the 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier.

Among those getting a run was midfielder Athenkosi Dlala who arrived in camp yesterday (Wednesday, 9 July) after attending to a family bereavement.

Lesotho piled on the pressure and Ntseki made some substitutions – one of them Vuyo Mantjie scored in the 38th minute of the second half, a goal, which gave the South Africans breathing space. It ended 2-0 in favour of Amajimbos.

The next match will be played on Sunday, 13 July at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru. Kickoff is at 15h00.

The matches are part of preparations for the crucial 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier against Tanzania on Friday, 18 July in Dar es Salaam.

This is how they lined up:

Lesotho U17: Ramalefane Monaheng (GK), Matlopong Seana, Moalosi Mosoeu, Tatai Bokang, Mokokoane Rethabile, Thulo Kamohelo, Toloane Tsepo, Mphale Ntoa, Mohapi Bonang, Makhomo Napo, Tshesane Lesia

Subs: Phatela Khaya, Nkune Tom, Boseka Motlatsi, Lejaha Ntoro, Lamanki Hlompho, Mokoeana Thaane, Mphosi Thabo, Kamela Khubetsoana, Mokhachane Neo

South Africa U17: Sanele Tshabalala (GK), Tshepiso Mahlangu, Kananelo Motsoeneng, Thendo Mukumela (Thato Ramogogodi), Katlego Mohamme, Athenkosi Dlala, Charles Baloyi (Samuel Nkomo), Nelson Maluleka (C) (Khanyisa Mayo), Edwin Sekhwama (Thato Pheleu) Sibongakonke Mbatha (Vuyo Mantjie), Benedict Matlawa (Felix Noge)
-TDN
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