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SALGA and Organised Labour Parties conclude third round of Salary and Wage negotiations

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA), alongside organised labour, has concluded the third round of salary and wage negotiations, with the Facilitators’ Proposal now on the table. This proposal suggests a 6% wage increase, which all parties will now consider as part of the wage deal. 

Following three intense rounds of salary and wage negotiations held on 15-19 July 2024, 23-26 July 2024, and 12-15 August 2024, at the South African Local Bargaining Council (SALGBC), the facilitators issued the Facilitators’ Proposal, dated 15 August 2024, proposes a salary and wage agreement for a five-year period. 

SALGA spokesperson, Sivuyile Mbambato said the proposal aims to provide for salary and wage adjustments across the board in the context of the realities brought by high inflation, a constrained economy, and limited fiscal resources. Mbambato said should all the parties endorse the proposed salary and wage agreement, it will come into operation with effect from 1 July 2024, and shall remain in force until 30 June 2029. 

“This will be the first ever salary and wage agreement spanning a five-year period ever obtained in the history of the bargaining council and will go a long way in ensuring the much-needed labour stability in the sector. 

“SALGA, the employer body, representing 257 municipalities across the country, along with the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU), now have a new task at hand which is to sell the Facilitators’ Proposal to their respective constituencies for a mandate and approval,” he said. 

Mbambato further said the Facilitators’ Proposal on a salary and wage collective agreement, among others calls for salary increases. He added that they call for a 6% increase in 2024/25 financial year, with 4.5% effective from 1 July 2024 and an additional 1.5% from 1 March 2025. 

“For 2025/2026, they call for an increase based on the 2025 CPI + 0.75%, effective from 1 July 2025. In 2026/2027, they call for an increase based on the 2026 CPI + 0.75%, effective from 1 July 2026. In the 2027/2028 financial year, they call for an increase based on the 2027 CPI + 1.25%, effective from 1 July 2027. 

“In 2028/2029 financial year, they call for an increase based on the 2028 CPI + 1.25%, effective from 1 July 2028. On CPI adjustments, if CPI falls below 4%, it will be deemed 4%. If it exceeds 7%, it will be capped at 7%,” said Mbambato.

He said linked benefits and conditions of service, they call for a 4.5% increase from 1 July 2024, with an additional 1.5% from 1 March 2025. Mbambato said subsequent increases will align with salary increments as outlined above. 

“Productivity and Service Delivery SALGA’s approach to these negotiations is also premised on the productivity levels of municipalities, linking salary increases to service delivery. On the issue of productivity, the Facilitators’ Proposal states that parties at the negotiation table “recognise that wage increase adjustments strive to reinforce, encourage and promote optimal municipal performance to ensure a higher level of productivity. 

“Therefore, this salary and wage adjustments collective agreement must be seen to attract and retain scarce and critical skills to help municipalities maintain financial sustainability and viability,” he said. 

Mbambato said economic context and exemptions given the challenging economic climate and shrinking municipal revenue, SALGA has been mandated to negotiate a feasible salary and wage agreement. He said part of this was to introduce a revamped exemption procedure to assist financially distressed municipalities to apply to be exempted from the wage deal. 

“Way forward parties must submit their acceptance of the proposal in writing to the SALGBC by 2pm on 2 September 2024,” Mbambato. 

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Amajimbos beat Lesotho 3-1 in second international friendly

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Picture: Amajimbos players against Lesotho/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The South African U17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) beat Lesotho 3-1 in their second friendly match on Sunday morning at the UJ Soweto Campus as the team continues with preparations for the COSAFA U17 Championships to be held later this year.

Coach Khumalo’s charges were dealt with a shock in the first half as they went into the break trailing 1-0. But they quickly rectified their first half complacency with a goal in the 45th minute by Neo Bohlako to get them back into the game, and then ran havoc over Lesotho from that point onwards.

Lebogang Dlamini scored the second goal for South Africa in the 56th minute after a beautiful cross from Emile Witbooi. Witbooi himself got onto the score sheet with a beautiful goal in the 61st minute.

Vela Khumalo made several substitutions during the match to give the whole squad game time. He said that they need to try different combinations and allow the players to understand the national philosophy that they are building on.

“I believe it was good that we conceded early in the game because this gave the players a wake-up call after winning 4-0 in the first match on Friday. At halftime we spoke to them about the many chances they missed in the first half and believe that they took this to heart. 

“We managed to get all the players some game time, and we are taking many positives from this week-long camp, and the two international friendlies we played. We believe we are on track with our preparations for the upcoming COSAFA U17 Championships and believe that we have the core of the team after almost a year of building this squad,” he said.

Amajimbos have completed their week’s camp and will regroup later this month ahead of the Talent Development Scheme (TDS) 6 Nations Tournament in Cote d’Ivoire from 2 -8 September 2024.

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Roadshow to all 22 municipalities in an effort to give effect to Section 154 of the Constitution

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Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi and North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE 

North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in collaboration with Provincial Treasury, is embarking on a roadshow to all 22 municipalities in an effort to give effect to Section 154 of the Constitution, which directs the provincial government to support and capacitate municipalities.

These sessions are intended to discuss the performance of each municipality based on the Municipal Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT) pillars, putting people first in the delivery of basic services, good governance, sound financial management, building capable local government institutions and local government economic development.

Addressing both councillors and management of City of Matlosana and Maquassi Hills this week, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi said, the sessions will assist the two departments to develop support and intervention plans based on the specific needs of each municipality.

“We want to see functional municipalities, which are also stable. In that way, we will be able to unleash the full potential of our municipalities and deal with socio-economic challenges the province is facing.  

“So far, the engagements have given us a clear picture of the operation and the status quo of the two municipalities. I implore both councillors and officials to deal with challenges that each municipality is facing,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi said the concerted effort is aimed at further strengthening areas of collaboration between the two departments to bring stability in municipalities across the province.

“The overall objective of these engagements is to work as a united front to leverage on the strength and expertise of each other. When we work in silos the impact is minimal and we may not be able to achieve the desired outcome. 

“There is a huge outcry by communities regarding the performance of local government in the province. She said the situation needs to be turned around in order to renew public confidence and trust by communities in the performance of these institutions which are the coalface of service delivery,” she said.

Mosenogi added that the deliberations also zoomed into addressing post audit action plans, revenue collections and enhancement strategies, as well as institutional capacity and challenges in discharging their responsibility to communities. She said some of the challenges highlighted in MPAT report include non-functional ward committees, poor management of complaints handling systems, poor maintenance of road infrastructure. 

“The municipality has been receiving unqualified audit outcomes for the past three financial years, 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The roadshow to other municipalities will continue until October 2024,” said Mosenogi.

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Stakeholders strengthen relations in quest of combating crime 

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Picture: Some of the attendees at Community Policing Indaba/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

Stakeholders have taken an oath to serve and protect all communities, as well as to strengthen relations in the quest to prevent and fight the prevalence of criminality. This concession was undertaken at the Community Policing Indaba, which took place in Mahikeng recently, to look into areas of improvement regarding the implementation of the Community Policing Strategy that seeks to enhance police services to the public. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS) Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, emphasised the significance of making communities part and parcel of solutions to fight crime.  

“Our communities need to have an understanding of what the work of the police entails. This Indaba has provided a platform for that. It also provides us an opportunity to assess their perceptions on whether we are meeting expectations of those we serve. 

“We need to mobilise our people and sensitise them on community policing. We take things a step further and say the inputs by commissions should form part of our annual performance plans,” he said. 

The chairperson of Community Policing Forum (CPF) in North West, Robert Malungane said fundamentally, CPFs ensure police accountability, transparency and generally connect the police with the community. Malungane highlighted the essence of supporting CPFs in their work. 

“With many challenges encountered in our line of duty, we remain unaverred because of our commitment to uphold community safety. Our position is that, while we need support, especially resources, we must not be deterred in our active citizenry,” he said. 

All stakeholders made a commitment to chart the course in collaboration. This includes various structures within community formations such as the North West House of Traditional and Khoi- San leaders, as governance structures, The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management with their oversight mandate and many others, who contributed meaningfully to the Indaba on ways to move the province forward and derail crime from undermining the gains of democracy. 

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North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane happy with progress recorded over issuing of licences 

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Picture: North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT)

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said she is happy with the progress recorded in the last two months on processing and issuing of licences to applicants. Lenkopane said more queries were also addressed and gave involved parties closure on matters raised and cleared paths for licensees to conduct their respective business. 

She further said among the department’s core responsibilities is to register and regularize business operations in the province, including issuing of Liquor and Gambling Licences, where revenue through levies could be sourced for re-investment into the provincial economic support, growth and service delivery. Lenkopane added that she has embarked on a meet and greet session with stakeholders of the department, including entities. 

“Through submitted reports from the directorates, we discovered deficiencies from the North West Liquor Board, where such impeded and its functionalities led to a huge backlog on adjudication of licensing applications. 

“Other members of the Board had also resigned, affecting the Board’s constitutional composition thus being disabled to make legal decisions. I appointed the Liquor Board in July and strengthened its operation to improve and accelerate its work,” she said.

Lenkopane said the chairperson and deputy chairperson were given the responsibility to reposition the entity to enable it to collect more revenue. She said they were also charged with unblocking challenges on the applications and ensuring that set targets are reached on time as many queries were received with being attended to and responses issued. 

“In July alone, the North West Liquor Board has managed to process and adjudicate 79 new licence applications and 9 secondary applications seeking relocations within the same magisterial areas. All applications received were approved and applicants will be invited to receive their licences to be handed over by me on 21 to 23 August 2024 dates. 

“These outcomes were communicated and successful applicants are expected to start operating accordingly and are warned to do so within the Liquor Act prescripts and all applicable laws. The Board has recorded improved collection of revenue from levies in the same period,” said Lenkopane. 

She said the Board has also attended to complaints regarding non-compliance from licencees ranging from non-adherence to operating hours, where a tavern from Ventersdorp was punished among others. Lenkopane appealed to licensees to comply and operate within the law as required and allow their establishments to be embraced by communities so as to contribute to the local economy and reduce unemployment. 

“We warned that those not respecting the law will not be left unpunished to ensure that the rights of all community members are secured. The province is still working on the Act that will allow the entity to, amongst others, enable adjustment with new dispensations. 

“Applicants can meet their respective market requirements such as operation on Sundays and or public holidays. This will however be done with strict compliance measures. We are also pleased with the progress recorded in Gambling Licencing applications,” she said. 

Lenkopane said in early July, she had a session with Gambling Licencees, where she recorded many complaints that included the long turnaround time for the approval of the licences. 

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The missing Alfred Puoeng’s alleged killers arrested 

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Picture: A body of a person exhumed by the police/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Four accused persons aged 26 and 40 are expected to appear before the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 21 August 2024, in connection with the murder of Alfred Ntagane Puoeng (34), who was reported missing at Pudimoe Police Station on 7 July 2024.

According to the reports, Puoeng was last seen in December 2023, when he left his home in Pudimoe. The missing man’s father allegedly received a tip-off that his son was assaulted by Keaobaka Blos, Mohau Gaobuse, Oaitse Nchweng and Rapelang Blos, for stealing a cell phone. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said in January 2024, the concerned father called other family members to check if they were not aware of the victim’s whereabouts, but nothing positive came out of that.

“In June 2024, the father eventually met the victim’s friend, who was with him when he was assaulted. After being informed that Puoeng was severely assaulted by four people, who accused him of theft, the father reported the matter to the police. 

“It transpired during investigations that four men assaulted and killed Puoeng, then buried him in a shallow grave at a farm, outside Vryburg. The accused persons were arrested at their residences in Pudimoe on 13 August 2024,” she said.  

Funani further said the accused persons initially appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 14 August 2024, and their case was postponed until 21 August 2024, for formal bail application.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated all members of Pudimoe Police Station and other role players for their collaborative and investigative efforts to ensure that alleged perpetrators are brought to book.

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A man sentenced to 10 for killing his girlfriend 

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By REGINALD KANYANE 

A man (32) was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court for murder. Dodo Oliphant was arrested on 2 November 2019, for assaulting and stabbing his girlfriend to death.  

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said Oliphant got angry after he visited and found his girlfriend (28), with another boyfriend at her residence in Tswelelang Township, outside Wolmaransstad. Funani said the convict stabbed the boyfriend who ran away.  

“Oliphant then assaulted and stabbed his girlfriend, Karabo Metswamere with a knife on the upper body and left her bleeding to chase the other boyfriend. The neighbours, who witnessed the incident called Metswamere’s family.

“The family alerted the police who found Karabo. She was transported to hospital. The police arrested Oliphant at Tswelelang Township and charged him with attempted murder. The case was later changed to murder after Karabo died in hospital,” she said.

Funani further said Oliphant has been behind bars ever since his arrest and was also charged with assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). She added that upon sentencing the accused, the court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Wolmaransstad Detectives for the sterling job and dedication they displayed to ensure that Oliphant was arrested and convicted. Kwena said he is pleased that the sentence, which was imposed during Women’s Month, will serve as an indication to criminals that Gender Based Violence (GBV) will not be condoned.

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A man arrested for allegedly killing his co-worker 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A man (31) who was arrested for murder is expected to appear in the Christiana Magistrate’s Court on 19 August 2024. The suspect allegedly killed his co-worker (27) after a quarrel ensued between them.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani said according to reports, the victim was visiting his two co-workers, who are brothers at Geluksoord Township, near Christiana. Funani said they all went to a local tavern, where a quarrel ensued between the two brothers. 

“This comes after the elder brother took his younger brother’s cell phone and refused to give it back to him. The trio went back to the house, where the brothers continued to fight. The aggressive elder brother allegedly stabbed the victim with a knife on the upper body when trying to separate them.  

“The police were summoned to the scene, where the victim was certified dead. The suspect was arrested and charged with murder,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng, thanked the police for their rapid response that led to the arrest. Tlotleng urged the community members to solve their differences amicably rather than resorting to violence.

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Amajita beat Lesotho in away friendly match

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Picture: Amajita players during a match/Google 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The South African U20 Men’s National Team beat their Lesotho counterparts 3-1 in a friendly match played at Bambatha Tšsita Sports Arena on Friday. This was the first of two friendly matches that Amajita will play in Lesotho this weekend as they continue with their preparations for the 2024 CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations and COSAFA Qualifier scheduled for September 2024.

The visitors started the match brightly and dominated the ball possession, and they were rewarded 20 minutes into the game when Mfundo Vilakazi, scored the opening goal. Coach Raymond Mdaka’s team doubled the lead six minutes later as Kutlwano Lethlaku scored from close range.

Lesotho clawed their way back through Paseka Maile when he scored in the 39th minute, but the South Africans held onto the lead to go to the halftime break still in the lead.

Substitute Shakeel April put the game beyond the reach of the hosts when he scored the third goal of the match to complete the 3-1 victory for the visitors.

Amajita will meet the hosts again on 18 August 2024 in their second and final match in Lesotho.

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A learner arrested for being in possession of firearm and ammunition

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Picture: A firearm and ammunition confiscated by the police/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE 

A learner (15), who was found to be in possession of a firearm and six ammunition, has been placed under the care of his parents. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, the police in Klipgat, were dispatched to the school following the call from the principal.  

Funani said on arrival, the principal showed them a firearm and ammunition, as well as the learner who was allegedly found in possession of the items. 

“The learner who allegedly told the police that the firearm belongs to his brother, who has gone missing since Wednesday, was arrested. The preliminary investigation revealed that the firearm was reported stolen at Mabopane Township, in Gauteng Province on 11 July 2024. 

“The minor was assessed by social workers on 15 August 2024, and placed under the care of his parents. Meanwhile, the police are looking for the learner’s brother. The minor is expected to appear before the Ga-Rankuwa Children’s Court on 21 August 2024,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Bojanala Platinum Sub-District 1 Commissioner, Major General Modisagaarekwe Mosimanegape, urged the parents and firearm owners not to leave their firearms unattended as that poses danger to the community.

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