Category Archives: NEWS

SAFA pens a three-year deal with Freddy Hirsch as Shisanyana partner

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyapao, during the partnership announcement/Generic  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The South African Football Association (SAFA) said is thrilled to announced Freddy Hirsch as Bafana’s new official Shisanyama Partner. SAFA has signed a three-year contract with Freddy Hirsch.

SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyepao said this collaboration blends the passion of South African football with the tradition of Shisanyama. Monyepao also expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership.

“Uniting with Freddy Hirsch allows us to bring together two of South Africa’s greatest loves— football and Shisanyama. This collaboration will enhance match-day experiences in stadia, as well as at home or fan’s favourite shisanyama spots and enrich our ties and cultural heritage over the next three years.

“Freddy Hirsch’s commitment to celebrating our heroes mirrors our vision of growing the Bafana Bafana’s relationship with South African fans, which in turn strengthens our national team brand,” she said.

Monyepao further said the partnership unveils ‘Heroes,’ a new spice blend from Freddy Hirsch, branded with the slogan ‘Our Heroes, Our Spice.’ She added that, this initiative invites South Africans to embrace and celebrate their heritage.

“It symbolises shared ownership over the stories that define the nation, making ‘Our Heroes, Our Spice’ a collective homage to South African unity. Rooted in “Sustainable Innovation” since its founding in 1956, Freddy Hirsch introduces the ‘Heroes Ishumi’ concept, reflecting the iconic number 10 jersey.

“This initiative, offering the premium spice blend at just R10.99, exemplifies the partnership’s forward-thinking and commitment to making quality brands accessible to all South Africans,” said Monyepao.

Meanwhile, The Head of Marketing at Freddy Hirsch, Clive Moore, said: “We’re excited to unite the passion of football with the tradition of Shisanyama. The ‘Heroes’ Brand is a celebration of our sporting and culinary heritage, designed to honour the legends of the game.

“In short, the partnership delivers to the consumer, braai products for Bafana Bafana fans by Freddy Hirsch. As SAFA and Freddy Hirsch embark on this journey together, the collaboration is set to elevate the fan experience over the coming years.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Sod-turning Batho-Batho Primary School

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The delegates during a sod-turning at Batho Batho Primary School/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department will continue to roll out its infrastructure development plan to improve schools across the province. Motsumi said this comes after they have marked another milestone with the sod-turning ceremony for the rebuilding of Batho Batho Primary School in Mareetsane village, near Mahikeng on 17 April 2024.

“Batho-Batho Primary School currently has mobile classrooms structures, which will be improved by a modern design boasting of 16 brand new classrooms, Grade R block comprising three classrooms with jungle gym and fencing.

“This also comprises of an administration block, a computer lab, a nutrition block eating area, a multipurpose hall, combo courts, and a guard house, amongst other facilities. The new structure will provide a conducive learning environment for learners, with a strong focus on creating employment opportunities for locals during the construction phase,” she said.

Motsumi further said by rebuilding Batho-Batho Primary School, they are creating a safe and stimulating learning environment ensuring inclusive and equitable for all learners in the province, as well as contributing to the economic empowerment of the Mareetsane community.

She added that, it is an important role to them as government, to ensure they use these programs to eradicate poverty, which is a much needed economic boost in the community.

“The construction of Batho Batho Primary School is another testament to the department’s ongoing commitment to replicate this success in communities across the North West,” said Motsumi.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Three men nabbed for dealing in drugs! 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The drugs seized by the police during the raids/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Three men were arrested for dealing in drugs during intelligence-driven operations on separate occasions. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the operations were led by the Operation Vala Umgodi members, who continue to disrupt the distribution of drugs in the Frances Baard District. 

Molefi further said the police responded to a tip-off received about drugs being sold in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley. He added that, during the search and seizure actions on 16 April 2024, two identified locations were raided.

“At the first suspected drug outlet, crystal meth (Tik) and mandrax tablets were found concealed in the heels of women’s shoes. A man (35) was arrested for possession of drugs. The police proceeded to the second identified location and found two men in the house with mandrax tablets in their possession. 

“Both suspects are 28 and 37 years old respectively. They were arrested for possession of drugs. Drugs estimated to the street value of R10,000, were confiscated as well as cell phones and money believed to be the proceeds of crime,” said Shemane.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, said they acknowledge the cooperation between the police and the communities, who are actively involved in the fight against crime. Otola applauded the police for their ongoing efforts towards addressing illicit mining and related crimes. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

The police are looking for missing Annie-Marie Rooi 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The missing Anna-Marie Rooi/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The police in Olifantshoek are appealing to the public to assist in locating Anna-Marie Rooi (24), who resides at Plakkerskamp, in Olifantshoek. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Rooi was last seen by her mother on Sunday, 24 December 2023 in Plakkerskamp, Olifantshoek.

‘She was wearing blue jeans, a white top and black Adidas sneakers. Anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Anna-Marie is urged to contact Sergeant KG Mqaisa at 073 840 2654 or 08600 10111 or either use the MySAPS app. 

“All information received will be treated confidentially. The public is also reminded that there is no waiting period to report a person missing,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

The police are looking for Petrus Phoko 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The missing Motsamai Petrus Phoko/Supplied 

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

The police in Roodepan are appealing to the public to assist in locating Motsami Petrus Phoko (76), who resides at 48465 Kanana, Roodepan in Kimberley. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Phoko was last seen by his sister on 28 January 2024 in Roodepan. 

Sam said it is alleged that Phoko has frequently been seen around the De Beers Stadium area.

“He was wearing grey jeans and black shoes. Anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Motsami, is urged to contact Warrant Officer Vermeulen at 082 495 4717 or 08600 10111 or either use the MySAPS app. 

“All information received will be treated confidentially. The public is also reminded that there is no waiting period to report a person missing,” he said. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

The police are looking for two men who went missing

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: Two men, Allie Edgar Pommer and Basil Owen Smith/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Roodepan are appealing to the public to assist in locating Allie Edgar Pommer (40), who resides at 21st Street, No 42 Homevale Extension, in Kimberley. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Pommer was last seen on 4 September 2022, when he left home after visiting his brother at Ivory Park Shanties, but never reached his destination.

Sam further said another missing person, Basil Owen Smith (35), who resides at 45201 Ivory Park in Roodepan, was last seen on 11 February 2023, wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt. He added that Smith is mentally challenged and likes walking from home to sit at the corner of Raven Street crossing in Roodepan and would normally return home.

“The two missing persons were amongst a list missing persons circulated by the police on 23 February 2023. Anyone who might have information about their whereabouts is urged to contact the Investigating Officer Captain Allistair Slambert at 071 675 4427 or 08600 10111 or either use the MySAPS App.

“All information received will be treated confidentially. The public is also reminded that there is no waiting period to report a person missing, said Sam.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Bakgatlha Baga Kgafela Tribal Authority receives its financial report 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional Leaders and Khoi-San, Kgosi Thari Maotwe and North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho, hand over financial report to a traditional leader from the Bakgatla ba Kgafela tribal council/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE 

North West MEC for Treasury, Molalepula Rosho said, the provincial government has honoured its promise to the North West Traditional Authorities by handing over financial reports of their respective councils. 

Rosho said for many years, the North West Traditional Authorities have requested the provincial government to provide them with information relating to the financial transaction reports regarding their respective councils. 

In a meeting that was held last year in Sun City, Rosho and North West MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nono Maloyi, have acceded to the call by the traditional authorities and committed that the request will be sanctioned.

“The North West Department of Treasury in collaboration with the North West Department of COGTA and Office of the Premier, have commenced with a series of roadshows that are aimed at providing traditional authorities with the information related to financial transactions processed since 1994 to March 2023. 

“These roadshows mark a significant step towards fostering transparency, collaboration, and accountability within our traditional communities. The initiative kick-started on 16 April 2024 in Phokeng, near Rustenburg with Dikgosi of Rustenburg and Mankwe,” she said. 

Rosho further said this will be followed by Madikwe, Moretele, Madibeng, Lehurutshe, Ditsobotla, Molopo, Taung and Ganyesa respectively. She added that, the exercise is envisaged to be concluded during mid-May.

“We acknowledged the importance of traditional authorities to be provided with these financial reports as they are expected to play a more significant role in overseeing the allocation of resources in their communities. 

“The need to foster clear and open communication channels and committed government towards building trust and ensure that traditional authorities are fully informed and engaged in decision-making processes that impact their communities,” said Rosho.

She emphasised that traditional authorities should also be equipped with knowledge that enables them to understand the financial information contained in the report. Rosho also indicated that traditional authorities have proven beyond reasonable doubt that they are valuable community builders, therefore it is imperative that they are empowered with knowledge. 

“Yet, amidst the trials of adversity, traditional leaders emerged as beacons of resilience and agents of progress. In the absence of adequate government infrastructure in the past, they assumed the mantle of development, spearheading initiatives to uplift their communities and foster sustainable growth. 

“The indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment of our traditional leaders to the well-being of their people, epitomize the essence of African leadership at its finest,” she said.

Meanwhile, the representative from the Office of the Premier, Zacharia Tolo, who is an advisor to the Premier, endorsed the session and commended the two departments for ensuring that the D-account has been shared with the traditional authorities. Tolo said it is public knowledge that this has been a thorny issue that ought to be dealt with in a transparent manner.  

“We draw inspiration from the rich tapestry of history that surrounds us and may we march forward with steadfast determination towards a future characterized by prosperity, inclusivity, and shared prosperity,” he said.

The Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional Leaders and Khoi-San, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, expressed his gratitude and said this move is an indication that intergovernmental relations are recognised in the province. 

Maotwe committed that the traditional leaders will always welcome any interventions that are brought by the government to empower traditional leaders as this will translate to better service delivery in the various communities of the province.

The traditional leaders that were present received envelopes containing various reports of their respective traditional councils and signed an acknowledged receipt to symbolise their commitment to the handover process. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Monna le mosadi ba shetse mo sejanageng kwa Morokweng

NEWS Leave a comment

Setshwantsho: Monna le mosadi ba shetse mo sejanageng kwa Morokweng 

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Batho ba le babedi ba shetse mo sejanageng sa modiro wa VW Jetta kwa motseng wa Morokweng, gaufi le Ganyesa, mo letsatsing la maabane. Go begwa fa sepodisi sene sa bilediwa kwa lifelong la tiragalo, mme ba fitlhela sejanaga se tuka. 

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, tiragalo e ke ya mo letsatsing la Labobedi mo mosong. Van Rooyen are go fitlhetswe motho wa mosadi le monna ba shetse mo sejanageng seo. 

“Monna one a na le dingwaga di le 45, fa mosadi ane ana le dingwaga di le 29. Dipatlisiso tse di bontshang gore tiragalo e, e ka tswa e bakilwe ke eng di tsweletse,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Officials who owe govt over R72m to be evicted 

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Molapisi

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West Public Works and Roads is set to evict rent-free government employees, who allegedly owe the department over R72 million. It is alleged that government employees continue to occupy houses belonging to the North West Public Works for years without paying any rent and are now in arrears. 

The North West Department of Public Works and Roads has appointed a law firm in a quest to recoup the money owed to them. It is alleged that the department might also evict those who fail to pay the rental money.

The North West Department of Public Works and Roads spokesperson, Lerato Gambu said, the department is aware of tenants (both private and government employees), who are not-up-to-date in terms of rental payment. Gambu said the department remains committed to running a well-managed and commercially viable property portfolio. 

“There are various interventions, which have been implemented to ensure the residential portfolio is effectively managed. We have capacitated our housing accommodation sub-directorate to do adequate rental management of its housing portfolio. 

“This involves regular calls to tenants, sending letters to those in arrears and calling tenants to remind them to update their stop orders. Should the Lessee default in any payment due under this agreement or be in breach of its terms in any other way and fail to remedy such default or breach within 14 days after receiving a written demand that such breach be remedied, the landlord shall be entitled, without prejudice to any other rights which it may have, to cancel this agreement with immediate effect, and be repossess the property,” he said.  

Gambu further said, given the high rental arrears, the department had decided to give tenants 90 days to settle the debt and failing which to institute legal actions against the defaulters. He added that letters have been sent to all the defaulters to put them in terms of their obligation in line with the signed lease agreement. 

“As the 90 days expire, the names get handed over to legal services. Most public servants are paying through the persal system and are paying on a monthly basis. However, what the department realised was that not all tenants were paying the correct tariff. 

“Now, there was a need to have the Head of Departments (HoDs) to implement automatic increase of rental. The department has through its HoD, written to other HoDs to assist in this matter by implementing automatic increase of rental prices, for those who are tenants,” said Gambu.  

He said the client department has responded positively to this call. Gambu said the arrears will be recovered through the legal process.

Meanwhile, The Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial spokesperson on Public Works and Roads, Freddy Sonakile said Molapisi must account for the department’s inability to recover lost rent, as well as for failure to implement the State Housing Policy.

According to Sonakile, the State Housing Policy only allows political office bearers and scarce-skill officials such as medical doctors, nurses, and other professionals in far-flung rural regions, not departmental employees, who work at provincial government departments.

“The Auditor General (AG) has for years indicated that the department suffers from internal control deficiencies, and a failure to implement its policies confirms this.

“The DA raised this matter several times at the Portfolio Committee. The department has previously indicated that it administers 1352 properties across the North West, which consist of freestanding houses, apartments, institutional accommodation, and single-quarter residences. These properties should be used to accommodate scarce skills in communities,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Taung Treatment Centre non-functional   

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: The EFF members doing oversight at Taung Treatment Centre/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West said, most drug addicts will continue to suffer. This comes after the non-operational of Taung Treatment Centre. The centre that was supposed to open its doors to the public on 1 December 2023, was expected to help clients to overcome addiction. 

The EFF provincial deputy chairperson, Primrose Bogatsu said they have embarked on oversight visits to government institutions to ensure that the budget allocated to them is put to a good use. 

“As public representatives, it is our duty to do oversight in government institutions to ensure that the budget allocated to various institutions is used accordingly. We also want to ensure that our people get services. 

“This centre was supposed to play a pivotal role within the community by helping clients to overcome addiction. The centre was also supposed to offer clients a chance to work on their behaviours, which are aligned with their addiction in a safe and non-judgmental environment,” she said.

Bogatsu further said they have realised that, since the establishment of the institution in 2018, it is not fully functional. She added that, also, the institution has not been officially handed over. 

“There are still some challenges that make it difficult for the municipality to give the centre a go ahead to operate. Apparently, the water sprinkler system is not working, so that makes the building non-compliant. So far, the building does not serve any purpose. 

“This means all those who are drug addicts, cannot get help as there is nothing happening here. We have to hold the North West MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi accountable. Mokgosi was supposed to officially open the building on 1 December 2023, but that did not happen,” said Bogatsu. 

She said it was clear that he misled the public.    

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “The department is aware of this matter and the processes to install the sprinklers and smoke detectors have commenced. The centre will be operational in the current financial year. 

“The building was allocated for the provision of substance abuse treatment services. The centre provides out-patient services in collaboration with the North West Department of Health. These services include prevention services and individual counselling.”

Siko said this also includes motivational sessions with service users, joint interviews, referrals to the hospital for drug testing and psychiatric evaluation, assessment and family engagements for support systems towards service users. He said people who require treatment services are being referred to a state-run JB Marks Treatment Centre in Potchefstroom.

“This is the only treatment centre in Taung and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. However, the province has another state-run treatment centre in Potchefstroom. There are also private treatment centres in Bojanala and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts.

“There is staff in the treatment centre and their role include providing outreach services and referring service users to treatment centres, as well as working with the

Taung District Hospital,” said Siko. 

He said they also provide services, which include prevention services, individual counselling, motivational sessions with service users, joint interviews, referrals to the hospital for drug testing and psychiatric evaluation, assessment and family engagements for support systems towards service users.

taungdailynews@gmail.com