Category Archives: NEWS

Manokwane fire-accused case postponed


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- A case of arson and public violence against Manokwane residents who were arrested back in 2012 was postponed by Taung Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

Manokwane residents became unruly and torched down three house belonging to two councillors and the headmaster.

They were arrested and appeared before court where they were granted a bail each.

France Baisitse who is the headmaster, Grace Mogapi and Maki Molefe’s houses were reduced to ashes after the community members went on the rampage. The community became unruly after they protest for poor service delivery and demand the road that leads to through the area be tarred.

The case was postponed until the 29 May 2014 for some of the accused to meet with their legal aid lawyer.

Brenda Nkgwedi said she was not part of the protest, but her name was implicated. “I am very surprised as my name was implicated in the list of accused as by that time I had a new-born baby. I child was only a month when that happened, but I’ve received a letter that ordered me to come to court.”

According to Nkgwedi, she was implicated and she was not part of picketing.

Police investigation continues.-TDN
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North West children suffocated to death in a car


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The Police are investigating a case of inquest after three children aged 4,6 and 10 suffocated in a car on Wednesday at Mahikeng.

“It is alleged that the children’s parents left them inside the car. The parents went inside the chemistry to collect medication for their younger child,4, who was earlier taken to the doctor. The mother went back to the car after buying juice for three children and found them inside the car very weak” colonel Emelda Setlhako said.

They rushed them to Victoria Hospital where they were certified dead on arrival.

The police are currently investigating a case of inquest and no foul play is suspected.  

“The police would like to send a stern warning to all parents to ensure that they do not leave children in a closed cars without supervision” Setlhako said.-TDN
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MEC Rosho: Taung Hotel school will grow economy


By Obakeng Maje
Taung should be a model of multicultural city that depicts the success of rural development strategy, says North West MEC of Economic Development, Enviroment, Conservation and Tourism Motlalepula Rosho at lauch of new Taung Hotel School in Taung.

The event took place on Wednesday at Taung Tusk and the department said the Hotel School will train and provide learners with a necessary skills to grow the economy of Taung and North West at large.

The hotel school now falls under the Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management (IHTM) which is a collective name of institutions that provide hospitality, tourism and conservation management and skills training in the North West province under the auspices of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.

MEC Rosho said the development in Taung will benefit the youth of Taung and Dr Segomotsi Ruth Mompati.

She said the hotel school will develop the economy of Taung and this will set Taung in the forefront.

“The hotel school will teach the students how to cook Indian and Chinese foods too. That will give us advantage to let more tourists to flock to Taung. We are in the process of expanding this network of collaboration and affiliation with international organizations and institutions such as Spainish Hunting Academy, Hospitality and the Creative Arts in China, the Tourism Institution in India” MEC Rosho said.

Rosho said China want to bring close to 400 students to Taung Hotel school, and that will augurs well for department.

MEC said they decided to develop Taung Tusk into a Hotel School after they lost Garankuwa Hotel school to Gaunteng province because of demacation.

Garankuwa hotel school was paid off by Gauteng province and she said more than R24 million has been set aside to develop Hotel schools in the province.

“The school will provide cookery, Customer Care management, Heritage Resources and Hunting skills. Other skills will be provided and also we will be working hand-in-hand with Vuselela FET college for skill development” she said.

The Taung Hotel school and Mafikeng Hotel school will exchange guidance and more students will go abroad to gain more international experience.

Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane shared the same sentiment and said he would like to see more local youth given first priority in skill development.

“We are very grateful by seeing Taung Hotel school being finally launched. This really shows that Taung is developing and more people will be developed. We would monitor the project and we expecting more projects to come to Taung” Mankuroane said.

He said Taung Dam is one of the tourist destinations in the province, will also be developed.

“We are in talk with the department to develop Taung Dam in the future. More people are dying in Taung Dam because it is not properly developed. We want to fence it and must have guidance and safety tips need to be applied” he said.

Rosho also highlighted that they are in talks with Wits University to bring back Taung skull.

“More than R300 million has been set aside for Taung skull museum. We want Taung skull back to its place of origin. Taung will develop into a city and must attract tourists. We are in talk with Northern Cape government as there are three tourist destinations that we want to develop and some of areas fall under them, so we must work hand-in-hand. The Taung skull was the first human fossil found in Africa.

One of the Mafikeng Hotel school students, Anele Msingale said the hotel school is very helpful and helps to develop the economy.

“I am very passionate about tourism and I would like to go abroad one day. I am doing Hospitality, food Beverage Management and we learn about how customer care service works” Msingale smiles.-TDN
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Ajax face SuperSport in SAFA U19 Champs final


Ajax Cape Town will take on Supersport United in the final of the SAFA U19 Championships taking place in Bloemfontein.

The battle for gold will be staged on Thursday, 1 May 2014 at Clive Solomon Stadium.

Many in the crowd had hoped for a Bloemfontein Celtic/Free State final. But it was not to be.

“Supersport United was the first team to qualify for the final when they defeated crowd favourites Bloemfontein Celtic 2-0 in the first semi final, while Ajax booked their place in the final with a convincing 3-1 win over the host province.”

Sidney Mtshweni opened the scoring for Matsatsantsa in the 21st minute. However, the Pretoria side suffered a setback in the 37th minute when Jaisen Clifford was given his marching orders following a second bookable offence. He will miss the final.

“Despite playing with 10 men, Supersport United still managed to get the assurance goal in the 45th minute through Nelson Maluleke” Matlhomola Morake said.

Ajax captain Yagan Sasman led from the front when he scored his side’s first goal in the 23rd minute for a deserved 1-0 half time lead.

In the second half, the coastal side continued from where they left off when Curtly Poole made it 2-0 soon after resumption.

“Free State pulled one back six minutes later but any hopes of a remarkable comeback were dashed when Ajax scored through Olwethu Nguye midway through the second half” Morake said.

SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan and several SAFA NEC members are expected to attend the final on Thursday.

Free State and Bloemfontein Celtic will face off in the battle for bronze later on Wednesday, (30 April) at 16h00.

SEMI-FINAL RESULTS

1st Semi Final

Bloemfontein Celtic 0 – 2 SS United

2ND Semi Final
Ajax Cape Town 3 – 1 Free State

3rd/4th Place Play offs – 16h00

Wednesday, 30 April

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Free State
-TDN
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Man injured in Gautrain escape attempt


Johannesburg – A man was seriously injured when he attempted to jump on to a moving Gautrain carriage in Sunnyside, Pretoria, Tshwane Emergency Services said on Wednesday.

The man broke both his legs and sustained severe head injuries, said spokesperson Johan Pieterse.

“The man was chased by the police on Tuesday, then he tried getting into the moving Gautrain. We don’t know where was he running from but the police will know.”

Police spokesperson Sergeant Asnath Melatsi said the man was spotted by a domestic worker at a house near Devenish street railway station.

The man ran and jumped over the fence between the house and the railway tracks. He fell several metres before he jumped onto a moving Gautrain where he fell again.

“He was arrested for trespassing. At the moment he is in hospital under police guard.”

Gautrain spokesperson Errol Braithwaite said train services were temporarily delayed between Hatfield and Pretoria.

Services returned to normal after the injured man was taken to hospital.

“It is an extremely dangerous place with very fast, very quiet trains and plenty of potentially lethal equipment.

“We take a very dim view of anyone gaining unauthorised access to the rail reserve and charges of trespassing will be pressed.”
SAPA

SABC refuses to air DA’s second advert


Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance on Wednesday claimed the SABC has refused to televise its second election advert.

“The DA has just learnt that the SABC will not allow our second Ayisafani television advert to air in this crucial final week of the campaign,” the party said in a statement.

“This is political censorship, plain and simple.”

DA leader Helen Zille and Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane would brief media on the matter on Wednesday afternoon.

The SABC was not immediately available for comment.

The DA’s first election advert was pulled by the SABC after it was flighted on 8 and 9 April. The public broadcaster said it incited violence.

On Friday, a complaint by the SA Police Service regarding the first advert that contains a photo of a police officer shooting rubber bullets was upheld by the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa).

Zille and Maimane launched the second advert in Mamelodi, outside Pretoria on Monday.

At the time Zille said “Ayisafani 2: The DA is bigger, stronger, and ready to win!” would air on television every day from Tuesday until Sunday.

The 45 second advert, which is on YouTube, starts with Maimane in front of a mirror, getting dressed in a grey suit and white shirt saying: “So, they tried to silence us, but this is actually what they’re afraid of”, before opening double doors and segueing into the rest of the advert.

It focused on job creation and the growth of the DA.
– SAPA

North West MEC of Education launches first push

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ImageThe North West Department of Education, MEC for Education Honourable Maphefo Lucy Matsemela launched the first push campaign of the department which is called “Le bolotse Letsema” (First push 2014) on Friday at 10h00 am, at Mmabatho Convention centre.

 

The primary purpose of the launch is to mobilize all stakeholders in the province to support the department by ensuring a commitment by all to contribute towards achieving excellence in education during 2014 academic year.

 

“The department rolled out a similar campaign that was called “Last Push” last year which yielded positive results in the matric results. It was through this campaign that the department scooped second position in 2013 final examination. The partnership that was established with different stakeholders assisted learners in preparing themselves for the examination” departmental spokesperson Brian Setswambung said.

 

Through the campaign, the department seeks to rally support from all stakeholders to assist learners to work hard within this remaining period of the academic year. 

 

The department also encourages educators and learners to continue working hard throughout the year to ensure that they complete the syllabus at the end of the year.  

 

Numerous stakeholders attended the launch of the campaign and some even submitted messages detailing how they plan to support education in 2014.

 

“Professor Dan Kgwadi, the vice chancellor of the NWU was one of the key stakeholders who attended the launch of the campaign” Setswambung said.-TDN

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Premier Modise: We are free to excel and fly the South African flag high


Rustenburg- North West Premier Thandi Modise has applauded artists for their creativity, inspiration and talent during her opening address at the 20th South African Music Awards (SAMA) held at the Sun City Super-bowl on Monday night.

Modise said the freedom that South Africans enjoy today was evident in the creativity and the kind of music coming out of South Africa, adding that it was fitting that the ceremony was held on Freedom Day holiday.

“You are now free to excel and make our province and country proud. You are free to paint our province and country with creativity and talent,” said Premier Modise.

Premier Modise also paid a special tribute to artists from the North West and thanked them for putting the province on the map.

“We proudly welcome you to the province of Khuli Chan, HHP, Malaika, KB, Rapulana Seiphemo, Presley Chueneyagae, Botlhale, and many of our artists who continue to fly our flag high. We are very proud of them,” said the elated Modise.

Mafikizolo dominated the night scoping several awards including the awards for the Best Pop Album, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Duo or Group of the Year, Best Collaboration.

They also scooped the award for the Best Ring Back Tone, the Best Selling Mobile Music Download, as well as the Best Selling Full Track Download for the track Khona.

The Soil took home the award for Best RnB, Soul and Reggae, while the award for the Best Selling Album of the Year went to Zahara for Phendula.

The legendary Rebecca Malope went home with the award for the Best Traditional Faith Music for her album Bayos’Khomba, while the award for Best Contemporary Faith Music Album went to Nqubeko Mbatha.

The Life Time Achievement Award went to Phuzikemisi and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  The latter also took home the International Achievement Award.
The award for the Best Adult Contemporary Album went to Shaun Jacobs for the album Love Can.

The Music Video of the Year award went to The Parlotones, Khuli Chana and Jon Savage.-TDN
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DA: Parliamentary Chairperson must intevene in miners strike


By Obakeng Maje
The DA said they will write to the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources Ms Faith Bikani requesting an urgent meeting to address the breakdown in negotiations between the world’s three largest platinum producers, Lonmin, Impala Platinum (Implats) and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

“In what has become South Africa’s longest strike, nearing its 15th week talks have yielded no positive resolution. Relations between the parties seem to have degenerated to such an extent that a solution seems unlikely in the near future” DA Tiaan Kotze said.

The DA said making matters worse, following news of the failure of negotiations last week Thursday reports of violence in the area have steadily increased. 

Kotze said failure to not only end the strike within the platinum belt and create stability within the sector as a whole will decimate both domestic and foreign investor confidence and destroy prospects of future growth in the industry.

“This is depriving jobs to tens of thousands of South Africans. Those currently employed are also at risk should mining houses decide to close up shop and leave” he said.

According to Adcorp’s Employment Index (AEI), it is estimated that between the months of February and March of this year, 5 000 jobs have been lost in the mining sector alone; representing a -26.5 percentage change.

When one compounds this with the effects of the job-killing Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill, which increases investor uncertainty within the sector, job creation is destined to suffer.

“It is now essential that Parliament’s portfolio committee be recalled in order to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities by doing everything possible to resolve this on-going dispute. In particular, all parties should be summoned and the committee must initiate an inquiry into the underlying causes of the strike and make recommendations as to what should be done to fix it” DA said.

Kotze said a committee meeting can be called at any time, even during recess, and the fourth democratic parliament is still in existence until midnight on 6 May 2014. He said there is ample time for parliament to play its part in trying to help fix this crisis.

“The DA will not sit back while thousands of jobs continue to be lost in the platinum sector. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that a solution is found – sooner, rather than later” he concludes.-TDN
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Three nabbed for burglary in Kimberley


By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating a case of business burglary after three men were arrested on Tuesday at a local supermarket in the Kimberley Central Business District.

The Kimberley SAPS B-Relief Members were busy with routine patrols, just after midnight when they spotted a man carrying a very heavy bag. The suspicious looking man dropped the bag containing a jack hammer and fled when he saw the approaching police. The police managed to arrest him after he jumped a fence of a nearby business.

“Another suspect was arrested on the roof of the premises with the help of Top Security Systems(TSS) and the SAPS Flying Squad. The SAPS K9 unit were also summoned to the scene with the assistance of a patrol dog(Bushy), arrested a third suspect inside the supermarket. This suspect was caught next to the cash office where the safe is situated with a grinder, grinding discs, extension cords and screw drivers” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

The three suspects are between the ages of 30 and 50 years old and are from Mamelodi and Soweto in Gauteng.

“The Kimberley Cluster Commander Maj Gen Jean Abrahams lauded the team for a spectacular job done. Partnership policing is always effective and brings forth great results such as these.” Abrahams said.

The suspects will appear in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court soon.

The investigation continues. -TDN
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