16 Ngwanatsele 2024- Monna wa dingwaga di le 33 wa kwa motseng wa Shaleng, gaufi le Taung, o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa Kgotlha-tshekelong ya Kgomotso ka Mosupulogo. Se se tla morago ga go latofadiwa ka go bolaya rragwe, Mosimanegape Kale (74), mmagwe eleng Phodisho Kale (68), ga mmogo le kgaitsadie, Bonolo Kale (26).
Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a tsena kwa mokhukhung wa kwa gagabo, mme a fitlhela ba lelapa la gagwe ba itisitse ka mogodungwana. Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a ba tlhasela ka molamu.
Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Colonel Adele Myburgh are: “Go begwa fa monna o, a ile a ngata ba lelapa la gagwe ka molamu mo ditlhogong, mme a sia kwa lefelong la tiragalo. Tiragalo e, ke ya maabane bosigo.
“Maloko a lelapa a le mararo, a ile a netefadiwa fa a tlhokafetse ke ba ditirelo tsa tshoganyetso. Bangwe ba baagi ba ile ba tswa letsholo le go batlana le mmelaelwa. Monna o, o ile a lelelwa ke ditshipi mo mosong jaana, mme o solofetswe go ka shadikanya matlho kwa Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Kgomotso ka Mosupulogo.”
Myburgh are dikgetsi di le tharo tsa polao di butswe kgatlhanong le mmelaelwa, mme sebakwa sa tiro e, ga se se itsiwe. Myburgh are dipatlisiso mo tiragalong e, di tsweletse.
Modula-setilo wa setlamo sa Sino Themba se eseng sa puso, mme se dira ka ditshotlakako kgatlhanong le bong, Golekane Morwe are tiragalo e, e amile maikutlo a baagi. Morwe are ba ikuela go batho botlhe go ka lwa kgatlhanong le ditshotlakako tsa bong.
“Re ka netefasa fa tiragalo e, e tlogetse baagi ba gamaregile, ebile ba ipotsa gore sebakwa sa bosetlhogo jo bo kana-kana ke jwa eng. Re ikuela gore re le baagi, re eme ka dinao, mme re lwe kgatlhanong le ditiragalo tse,” Morwe wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, kemedi go tswa kwa masepaleng o mogolwane wa Taung, e solofetswe go ka etela lelapa ka Mosupulogo.
Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng during a meeting/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
16 November 2024- North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, hit the ground running by convening a meeting with relevant stakeholders that forms part of the rescue team established by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. This comes after Mchunu appointed Morweng to chair the rescue team, which is to be responsible for developing a comprehensive rescue plan to assist in bringing the illegal miners to the surface.
On Friday, Mchunu, Deputy Minister Cassel Mathale, North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, Morweng embarked on an oversight visit to the Stilfontein shaft, where more than 1000 illegal miners have been rescued. In the meeting, Morweng requested the mine owners and rescue specialists to work on conducting the assessment, which will inform the operational plan to rescue those underground.
“We all agree that we want to rescue those people and we need the community to come on board for us to succeed in this operation. The mine owners indicated that there is a need to clear the site before any resource can be deployed on site, which they committed to implement immediately when the community members have vacated the area.
“We then made a plea to the community leaders who are part of the rescue team to start communicating with the members on site about the intentions of the government and those underground if they are able to. We need to allow the technical rescue team to make the proper risk assessment that will inform this operational plan,” he said.
Morweng further said their common ground here is to rescue those people. He added that the earlier they talk to community members on site and allow the mine owners and technical rescue team to clear the site and deploy relevant machinery to do the risk assessment, the better.
“They need to start to operationalise the plan. The rescue team led by me, composed of SAPS, District Mayor and Local Mayor, community leaders, mine owners, mine rescue technical team and government departments,” said Morweng.
Meanwhile, there was allegedly an impasse between government departments in terms of who would foot the bill as the rescue team demanded answers before they could commence with their duty.
16 November 2024 – Swashbuckling Bafana Bafana put on a show as they waltzed past Uganda in mesmerizing fashion on a sweltering afternoon at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Friday. It was supposed to be the crowning moment for the home team after a satisfying Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, but coach Hugo Broos and his charges must have missed those pages on the script as they beat their hosts 2-0 during an enthralling 90 minutes of football.
Second half goals from super substitutes, Thapelo Morena (49th minute) and Patrick Maswanganyi on the stroke of full time, silenced the capacity 45 000-strong crowd, propelling the visitors to the top of Group K for the first time during the campaign.
Bafana Bafana and Uganda had already qualified for next year’s AFCON on Thursday after South Sudan beat Congo 3-2 in another Group K qualifier, but this detail did not deter Broos and his players from continuing to pursue the hosts as if this was the first match of the
campaign. Broos said they would not take the foot off the pedal as they now turn their attention to Tuesday’s final AFCON qualifier against South Sudan in Cape Town.
“We came here to win, we came here to be first in the group, and we are now first in the group. We will try to also win the game against South Sudan on Tuesday, and stay at the top of the group,” he said.
Uganda coach Paul Put conceded that Morena’s goal knocked the wind out of his team, and they never recovered after that 49th minute strike. The straight-talking coach said his team would need to recover very quickly and erase the disappointment when they face Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday.
“We have three days and then we face Congo, so I hope that we can give our people a good result because I am really ashamed of this performance today,” he said.
As Bafana Bafana prepare to return home today, they are perched at the top of Group K with 11 points, and long-time leaders Uganda have dropped to second place and one point behind.
Picture: One of the suspects, Mayeso Ginora Lufeyo/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
15 November 2024- The Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team is requesting public assistance in locating the whereabouts of Mayeso Ginora Lufeyo, who can assist in resolving an ongoing case regarding stolen gold/silver bars during November 2022 at Witsloot Farm in Vosburg. It is alleged that during November 2022, the complainant and his wife were accosted by four suspects wearing balaclavas at their leased farm house.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the suspects were armed with firearms, including shotguns. Mnisi said they allegedly robbed them of gold bars and silver bars worth R40 million, as well as a 22 rifle.
“The police were notified, and an armed robbery case was opened which was later transferred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The stolen gold/silver bars might be sold to unsuspecting buyers.
“Individuals with information regarding the whereabouts of Lufeyo, are requested to contact Investigating Officer Warrant Officer Rooiland at 082 770 5219, or contact crime stop number 08600 10111, nearest police station, or share information on MySAPSApp,” she said.
15 November 2024- The North West Provincial Government (NWPG) said in its concerted effort to accelerate service delivery to its residents, it will continue to rollout Accelerated Service Delivery Programme, Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded across four districts of the province. On 15 November 2024, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi joined by Members of Executive Council (MECs) and District and Local municipalities leadership, led the provincial programme at Maquassi Hills Local Municipality in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality.
Mokgosi said through this programme, key service delivery areas such as water and sanitation, roads maintenance, infrastructure projects, waste management, compliance monitoring and inspection and health and social services are prioritised. He further said amongst the activities that were conducted, was a site inspection of a water augmentation project, which was commissioned to improve water supply in the Wolmaranstad area and an oversight visit to a rehabilitation and reseal project of a 37km road from Wolmaranstad to Wesselsbron.
“Furthermore, four completed RDP houses and 10 title deeds were handed over to beneficiaries in Lebaleng and Tswelelang Townships respectively, while two local Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) providing care and protection services to the needy community, were presented with dummy cheques worth R3 million combined.
“The food security programme included planting of vegetable seedlings at the North West School for the Deaf at Leeudoringstad, handing over of bulls to female farmers at Louwpan Farm and Oersonskraal, distribution of fruit trees and vegetable packages to identified households and handing over of garden equipment to the existing four community gardens in Tswelelang,” said Mokgosi.
He added that to ensure alignment with the provincial Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded Programme, Ngaka Modiri Molema District will roll out its programme in Ga-Motlatla village in Ditsobotla Local Municipality, while in Bojanala Platinum District it will be at Ramaphosa Sports Ground in Moretele Local Municipality. Mokgosi said the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District programme will be at Geluksoord in Christiana, Lekwa Teemane Local Municipality.
“This week’s Thuntsha Lerole Reloaded Programme was also used to mobilise and assist communities to recode their electricity meters to Key Revision Number 2 (KRN 2), this as the deadline of 24 November is looming,” he said.
However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Chris Steyl accused Mokgosi of abusing government resources to campaign on eve of Maquassi Hills Ward 5 by-election. Steyl said it appears that Mokgosi may be abusing provincial government resources under the guise of Thuntsha Lerole.
“Mokgosi’s so-called Accelerated Service Delivery programme is used to campaign in Maquassi Hills Ward 5, scheduled for a by-election on 4 December 2024, in which the ANC is contesting. He announced this week that he will bring all provincial government departments to Tswelelang, Extension 15, in Ward 5 Maquassi Hills, where his government will host a service delivery exhibition from 8am to 4pm and a community feedback session today.
“The Public Protector’s report, State and Party Colours released in 2016, found that the government has an obligation to ensure that there is no conflation between the party and the state. In this instance, it is obvious that the two are being conflated. The DA will request the Public Protector to investigate this event to confirm whether there has been an abuse of public resources.
“Any government resource abuse towards party-political gain indicates a desperate ANC trying to cling to electoral support. The ANC’s desperation to try and secure a win in this by-election follows the continued electoral losses suffered by an ANC that no longer enjoys popular support,” he said.
Steyl said Mokgosi must uphold his oath of office and govern in a manner that is beyond reproach. He said abusing government resources in this manner brings his government’s integrity into question.
“The residents of Tswelelang will not be so easily swayed. This community, much like all residents throughout Maquassi Hills, has been neglected by an uncaring ANC for decades. Residents continue to bear the burden of ANC corruption and failed governance which continues to leave them without access to basic services like reliable water and electricity supply, quality sanitation services, refuse removal, roads maintenance and poor economic and job prospects.
“In fact, year after year, the quality of life of Maquassi residents continues to erode while ANC comrades live largely on the taxpayers’ funded dime. The gravy train in Maquassi Hills must come to an end for ANC bigwigs,” said Steyl.
He said, instead, residents will rally behind the DA’s Ward 5 candidate, Councillor Don van Zyl, who diligently fights for improved governance and service delivery for all residents.
15 November 2024- A man (34) was sentenced to 18 months by the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court for stealing grocery items at a local business establishment in Postmasburg. Doctor Dash Sibanyoni was caught stealing grocery items on two different occasions on 16 August 2024, and again on 21 August 2024.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said the accused was subsequently arrested and charged for theft. Sam said the court out of the testimony led by the prosecution and investigating team, advocate Tshifiwa Muruba and Detective Constable Simon Mqweba, found that the accused is a habitual thief and sentenced him to 18 months’ direct imprisonment for theft.
“Shoplifting is a criminal offence; possession of stolen goods is a crime. If you see it, say something. The police are encouraging the public to rate the police efforts in fighting crime by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE online survey to assist the police in improving services and to report criminal behaviour via the MySAPS App and 08600 10111,” he said.
15 November 2024 – Bafana Bafana have qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) without kicking a ball. The South African senior men’s national team arrived in Kampala, Uganda, on Thursday ahead of their AFCON qualifier against the hosts on Friday and was preparing to go to training when word reached the camp about developments in South Sudan that would have implications in Group K.
The Sudanese pulled off a stunning feat that would have repercussions in Group K after they beat Congo Brazzaville 3-2 in another group match on Thursday, in a result that enabled both Bafana Bafana and Uganda to qualify for the tournament, while sitting in their respective hotels in Kampala.
Broos’ charges can now go into their qualifier against the Ugandans at the multipurpose Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Friday with a spring in their step after securing back-to-back qualification to the AFCON.
While the South Africa camp celebrated the win, Broos said they would not pop the champagne bottles yet and would still go full throttle in the matches against Uganda today and against the self-same South Sudan in Cape Town on 19 November 2024.
“We want to win the game, we want to win to end top of the group and that means we have to beat Uganda. So (qualifying) does not change anything for us.
“I hope that it will be a nice game and a good game. It will be a full house, and there will be a lot of atmosphere inside the stadium. This is motivation for the players and let us hope that the best team wins today,” he said.
Bafana Bafana captain, Ronwen Williams said: “We want to finish the year on a positive note. We have had a wonderful year, a successful year, so we want to keep building on that. It is going to be a tough one (against Uganda), we are excited. The week has been amazing, we have got some of the players back who have been injured and that is good. We lost some of our players (due to injury) and we will be playing on their behalf as well because they have been on this journey with us. It has been a long journey, and we are proud of our achievement getting to AFCON back-to-back.”
Meanwhile, the South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan congratulated the team after they qualified for the next AFCON with two games to spare.
“Congratulations to coach Hugo Broos, his technical and support staff, the players and everybody who contributes to the team. This is a magnificent feat to have qualified for the next AFCON in the same year that Bafana Bafana won the bronze medal at the tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire from 13 January – 11 February 2024. On behalf of the SAFA NEC, congratulations to the team,” said Jordaan.
14 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development yesterday received a briefing from the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development on progress with regard to the release of the state land, including the adjudication of land rights at Gwatyu farms, the transfer of state land acquired in terms of the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) and a status report on the municipal commonage programme to promote access to productive land.
Section 25(5) of the Constitution places an obligation on the state to take legislative and other measures to foster conditions that enable equitable access to land.
The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Albert Mncwango said the President, in his 2020 State of the Nation Address, announced that the state would release approximately 700 000 hectares (ha) of agricultural state land, i.e. 1 538 farms, for redistribution. Mncwango said the committee heard that at the end of the project, 659 602 ha were approved for allocation, while 24 660 ha (36 farms – Gwatyu farms in the Eastern Cape and the Rakgase matter in Limpopo) were withdrawn due to contestations from Gwatyu and legal challenges from Rakgase.
“We welcome the report but emphasise the importance of presenting detailed reports. This is to allow the committee to draw its own conclusions with regard to whether the programme is advancing the case of land reform, as articulated in the White Paper on South Africa’s Land Policy.
“This includes redressing the injustices of apartheid, fostering national reconciliation and stability, underpinning economic growth, and improving household welfare and alleviating poverty. Unfortunately, the report did not present details about the beneficiaries of the State Land Release Programme,” he said.
Mncwango further said the committee also heard that the transfer of PLAS state land was well underway to ensure that farmers have full tenure security and are able to secure capital and invest in their businesses. He added it involves beneficiaries of PLAS and those under rent-to-buy arrangements, known as Financial Assistance Land (FALA).
“Since March 2024, 209 projects have been approved for transfer and 11 of those have been transferred. The remainder are at advanced stages of conveyancing and registration. The department reported that the delays in transferring the properties is as a result of difficulties in obtaining rate clearance certificates from municipalities and beneficiaries’ failure to settle outstanding lease fees prior to the lodgement at the Deeds Office.
“The committee has learnt that the state land transfer programme is facing a number of challenges, including lessee non-compliance with the terms of the lease – in some cases they over-stock the farms or under-utilised farms,” said Mncwango.
He said there is also insufficient capacity in the Office of the State Attorney to process the transfers. Mncwango said in addition, some lessees still owe rent, electricity and water-use charges, and were unable to provide evidence to conclude reconciliation for the recapitalisation and development funds.
“The department indicated that it is working on solutions to address its challenges with the transfer of state land. Among the solutions proposed is engaging with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the South African Local Government Association on the delays in issuing rates and rate clearance certificates.
“The committee indicated that it would have been useful if the department had presented information about the 209 approved cases and the 11 transferred farms (indicating which ones were PLAS and FALA), so the committee could hear socio-economic data about beneficiaries and their land use,” he said.
Mncwango said the committee also sought to understand the extent to which the project results in economic upliftment for the beneficiaries. He said the committee also expressed concerns about administrative capacity to administer leases and the tenure insecurity that results in a lack of capital investments on farms. It welcomed the transfer of farms but cautioned the department about incidences in which farms were sold.
14 November 2024- A woman (25) was sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court for assaulting her ex-boyfriend with a bottle. On 28 January 2024, the accused, Jocellyn Koopman assaulted her ex-boyfriend with a bottle at a club in Lime Acres.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said armed with a protection order, the victim, Poloko Madito (31), reported the incident to the police and the accused was subsequently arrested. Shemane said the case was assigned to Detective Constable Desmond Thabang Madito and guided by Emmauel Muruba of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“The accused was convicted and sentenced in the Postmasburg Magistrate’s Court to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years,” he said.
Meanwhile, the ZF Mgcawu District management applauded the investigating officer and the prosecution team for securing the conviction and sentencing of a domestic violence perpetrator and assured the public that the policing and investigating of domestic violence related crimes remains a priority for the police.
14 November 2024– The Select Committee on Security and Justice yesterday conducted its first oversight visit in the 7th Parliament to the South African Navy base in Simonstown in Cape Town, hailing the engagements as robust but productive.
The Chairperson of Select Portfolio, Jane Mananiso said that, among other things, the committee wanted to familiarise itself with the Navy’s services and operations and to engage on its 2023/24 annual performance report and 2024/25 performance indicators.
“We are a new committee. We wanted to hear first-hand the challenges that they have and how we can assist from our side. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is the backbone in efforts to secure South Africa from external threats.
“In the value chain of the security cluster, the SANDF assists with maritime safety, border patrol, and air and land space monitoring, among other valuable functions,” she said.
Mananiso further said the naval base was chosen for the committee to receive a comprehensive introduction to the work of the Navy and its programmes, staffing, challenges, infrastructure, maintenance of its assets and how the budgetary constraints impact on operations.
She added that at the start of yesterday’s proceedings, they invoked Rule 127 of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), wherein a committee can, at the start of a meeting, deliberate on whether to close the proceedings to the public if it deems that the information to be presented is of a confidential nature and impacts on the security of the country.
“The committee deliberated behind closed doors on the matter and resolved that the meeting with the Minister of Defence, Angie Motshekga and the department, would be closed to the public. However, thereafter, the physical oversight and walkabout would be open to all.
“The committee heard that the Navy is working hard to provide combat-ready vessels and platforms for the defence of the country, as well as to satisfy its international commitments. It is further committed to eradicating all acts of maritime criminality within South Africa’s domain and surrounding waters,” said Mananiso.
She said, however, years of underfunding have resulted in the scheduled upkeep, maintenance and repair of vessels not taking place as required. Mananiso said the committee was informed, severely compromising the Navy’s ability to “fight and win” at sea.
“The committee was told that South Africa has 3 924 kilometres of maritime borders, with 96% of South Africa’s imports and exports moving by sea.
“The Navy indicated that its “Operation Corona” maritime coastal patrols are a deterrent for illegal, unregulated and uncontrolled fishing, but the monetary value of these forms of fishing exceeds that of legal fishing,” she said.
Mananiso said the committee noted that the Navy is working with other departments to put a stop to this criminality. She said the committee also heard that the Navy did not achieve its target of hours at sea for the 2023/2024 financial year due to prolonged maintenance and repairs to its vessels.
“This is mainly due to capacity constraints at Armscor dockyard, which is further compounded by procurement challenges. The committee urged the Navy to establish a better working relationship between itself and Armscor.
“Regarding maintenance of Navy facilities, the committee requested more information on the relationship and functions with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). The committee heard that day-to-day maintenance and emergency repairs were devolved from the DPWI to the Department of Defence,” Mananiso.
She said the committee also requested information about transformation relating to women, disability and LGBTQ+ and the committee was assured that programmes exist within the Navy to ensure inclusion and mainstreaming. Mananiso the committee also did a walkabout of the naval base, boarded the SA Drakensberg and visited the dry dock and the maintenance workshop.
“We have seen the picture and it shows the capabilities. We encouraged them for future plans for some services to be digitalised in the workshop. This is one of the spaces where it really shows you must find a way to deal with procurement matters. It was also highlighted to us that the new Bill in terms of procurement assists them to find a better way of dealing with procurement.
“The committee will forever advocate for more budget. We have emphasised, too, that they need to better prioritise. They have committed to meet the targets where they underachieved. We are committed to work with them,” she said.
Mananiso said they requested a detailed report on procurement and supply chain matters so we can ascertain if everything is above board or if consequence management should be meted out. She said they are moving in the right direction, irrespective of the challenges.
