By REGINALD KANYANE

A learner from Gabonewe High School in Madikwe will represent South Africa at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia. This comes after Kutlwano Tshatiwa (17) won a bursary with Eskom after he entered an Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in October 2021.

Tshatiwa, who is a computer enthusiast from his tender age, showed interest in software development. A Grade 11 learner’s passion for software resulted in him winning over 10 contests in the computer science field.

His biggest win was the Eskom bursary and this guaranteed him a bright future. The North West Premier, Bushy Maape congratulated Tshatiwa and said the province is proud of him.

“We are proud of Tshatiswa’s achievements and believe that he can conquer the world. We are delighted to see learners from rural communities, at this tender age, taking interest in the 4IR and making their presence felt in that space.

“He is now competing with the best in the world and we are indeed proud. We want to congratulate and wish him well at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia,” Maape said.

Tshatiwa won Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF 2019 – Highly Commended Award Certificate, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Bojanala 2019 (Bronze Medal), Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF 2020 (Silver Medal), Geekulcha Top 15 Young Geeks 2020, and Youth ICT Council (North West 4IR Champion).

Meanwhile, North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela shared the same sentiments. Matsemela said her department is excited that one of their learners managed to get such a unique opportunity.

“This learner comes from a rural school and he will be competing with learners from other countries. Our department provides quality education equally across the board, irrespective of whether the learners are in an urban or a rural area.

“We remain confident that Tshatiwa is going to successfully make us proud when he comes back. The festival that will be held at Monastir, Tunisia from 24 to 30 June is organised by the Tunisian Association for the future of Science and Technology,” she said.

Matsemela said the extended nine-day program aims to be unique, educational, and fun-packed with excursions to discover rich Tunisia culture.

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By THEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE

The Country Bird Holdings’ Supreme plant in Tigane, Hartbeesfontein has expanded its chicken production to around 35% and created over 100 direct jobs as part of its contribution to the poultry industry master plan.

This investment has further entrenched the company as the majority employer in the area, ramping up economic activity that involves over 2000 employees. The company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brendon de Boer maintains that the investment forms part of a broader plan by Supreme to align its strategy with new market opportunities and demands.

“We are shifting down from about fifty percent of the output being individually quick-frozen portions to fifteen percent, using the freed capacity to deliver the fresh product, which is in great demand from clients including the quick-service restaurant sector.

“The increased capacity also brings down the production cost per unit, allowing us to produce more affordable chicken, and servicing a wider market. The new facility will be able to process a million chickens a week,” de Boer said.

Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Kaobitsa Bushy Maape said the provincial government is on the right track in luring investments to the province. Maape further said his government will do everything in its power to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

“I believe that this has the potential to unlock various opportunities that the province can offer. This will go a long way in creating jobs and fighting the scourge of unemployment and poverty afflicting the province.

“The opening of the plant represents progress in the province, particularly as we try to resuscitate the provincial economy. The province has suffered enormous shocks due to the pandemic and we are excited that companies like Country Bird see the North West as a viable destination for investments,” he said.

He further said they are working hard to address a number of service delivery challenges confronting the province. Maape added that they are also doing this to assure the private sector that they can work hand-in-hand with them to bring business to the province and create more jobs.

In addition to directly servicing clients with fresh chicken, the Tigane plant will also deliver the raw material for the company’s new processing plant in Germiston. The Tigane expansion along with the increased production of the company’s Germiston plant represents a significant contribution to the poultry sector’s commitment to increasing capacity and job opportunities in line with the poultry sector master plan.

(Edited by: Obakeng Maje)

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By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 29 000 Grade 12 learners will be going into camps across the North West starting from 24 June 2022 as the schools’ recess for winter break. The North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said the department has convened the winter camps for its Grade 12 learners to look at problematic areas of learning.

“A sum of 29 802 Grade 12s will be housed in 102 camping centres across the province from 24 June until 17 July 2022. The camps will operate in a hybrid model, wherein other camps will be residential and others walk-ins.

“Throughout the camps, learners will be taught by our dedicated teachers in areas such as Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Commercial subjects, and Languages. Learners will be catered for by our food handlers and transportation will also be available,” Matsemela said.

She said residential camps shall run under strict compliance with COVID-19 protocols, which include wearing masks, washing hands, and sanitizing hands and desks. Matsemela further assured the parents that, learners’ safety shall be prioritised.

“Our winter camps are open for the next four weeks. We encourage parents to release learners to attend- either do daily walk-ins or book for residential. Learners can enquire with their teachers on which camp will accommodate a hybrid model or residential.

“Indeed, teachers’ and learners’ lives are a primary concern to us as the department. We remain committed to ensuring that their lives matter and are treated with utmost security and hygiene,” Matsemela said.

She is expected to conduct unannounced visits to the centres to monitor teaching and learning proceed. According to Matsemela, the winter camps have proven to assist learners to understand the content better as they also rehearse previous question papers so to improve their year-end performance.

“In the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, winter camps will resume on 27 June 2022 due to some administrative delays experienced by the district. A total of 1 585 teachers will be facilitating the study camps,” said Matsemela.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla signed a document repealing Section 16A, 16B, and 16C of the Regulation to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions made under the National Health Act and scrapped the use of masks.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Six suspects between the age of 20 and 30 are expected to appear before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botman said the suspects are also facing an additional charge of contravention of Section 49(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).

“The illicit mining task team members were conducting a crime operation on the R30 Orkney road near a bridge on Tuesday night and a Toyota Quantum with six persons inside was stopped and searched.

“During the search, an unlicensed 9mm semi-automatic pistol with one magazine, 25 live rounds, and 25 blank rounds were found in the vehicle and confiscated. The suspects were arrested as no one could account for the possession,” Botma said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The delay on an R130 million community health centre (CHC) project in Sekhing village near Taung has affected the livelihoods of many people in the area. The project was marred with challenges after the previous contractor declared insolvency.

Now, this has left the residents with no choice, but to seek medical attention at the nearest healthcare facilities, which are over 15km away.

One of the residents, Tshetse Lontshitse (65) said it is costly to reach a primary healthcare facility. She said they have to travel more than 15km to access healthcare facilities in neighbouring areas such as Kgomotso village or Pampierstad township, which is in the Northern Cape.    

“It is very difficult for us because to reach the nearby healthcare facilities is costly and burdensome. Sekhing is a remote rural area where many people are living beyond the poverty line, but we have to pay R30 in return for a taxi fare because the healthcare facilities are too far,” she said.

A representative from the Batlhaping Baga-Mothibi Tribal Authority, Gabriel Gaanakgomo shared the same sentiments. Gaanakgomo said it is so unfortunate to see residents going too far in order for them to access primary healthcare facilities.

“We have not received a word from the department since the MEC’s visit in August 2021. The lack of healthcare centres is challenging because people pay an excessive amount of money when hiring transport to ferry patients, who need an emergency to the nearest healthcare facility, especially during the night,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, who initially highlighted that the facility will open its doors at the end of May 2022, said they could not open the centre due to water challenges.

“The centre is ready to operate, but there is a water challenge. The reservoir that was supposed to supply the centre with water is malfunctioning, hence the delay. However, we are working tirelessly to ensure that the centre is operational. 

“The project has experienced several challenges including the extension of the scope. The fact that the initial contractor declared insolvency, while others had no capacity and had to be terminated was another challenge,” Lekgethwane said.

He further said one or two wards needed attention and they estimated that by the end of May 2022, the centre should be operational. Lekgethwane added that there have been engagements that seek to ensure that health service delivery is not affected by cross-border challenges.

However, the Member of the North West Provincial Legislature, Gavin Edwards, who is the Democratic Alliance provincial spokesperson on Health said, it is depraved that the R130 million healthcare centre consists of an outpatient department, emergency medical rescue services, a pharmacy and staff accommodation has not provided a single patient with any medical care.

“This multi-million project is another clear indication that the ANC-run North West Provincial Government (NWPG) is not serious about quality healthcare to residents. In March 2019, Sambatha publicly announced that the facility was 90% complete and it would be handed over to the department at the end of March 2019. 

“The fact that not a single construction worker is on-site again points to the fact that this centre will not be ready to provide much-needed medical services to the residents in the area any time soon,” Edwards said.

He called on Sambatha to institute an in-depth investigation to find the culprits that held up the project and heads must roll accordingly.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Some community members in Taung have raised concerns over the increased high rate of crime across their villages. The empirical research confirmed that mostly affected areas are Mokassa, Cokonyane, Magogong, Maphoitsile, Modimong, Mokgareng, Matsheng, and Rooiwal.

The coordinator for Taung Men against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide organisation, Bakang Mankuroane urges the minister of police, Gen Bheki Cele to build more police stations and have satellite police stations in strategic areas in a quest to combat crime.

“We are not happy that we have only four police stations in the entire Taung. Currently, Taung comprises of police stations such as Kgomotso, Reivilo, Taung, and Pudimoe, while we have over 106 villages.

“It is practically impossible that the current police officers that we have could maintain police and order in 106 villages affectively. Remember, there are also new villages that have mushroomed and they have not yet been incorporated into the statistics,” Mankuroane said.

According to Mankuroane, Taung has recently experienced a high rate of crime, and that needs to be dealt with.

“Let’s assume that each police station has the manpower of 250 police personnel and that mean, we have 1000 police officers across all four police stations in Taung. Or let’s say for argument seek, we have 2000 police personnel across all police stations in the area, but that is still not enough.

“The police will never perform their duties effectively and diligently because of the population. We need more satellite police stations too in strategic areas in order for us to combat armed robberies, stock-theft, and other general crimes that we have experienced recently in Taung,” he said.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said there are no plans to build more police stations in Taung currently. However, Mokgwabone said communities can still apply through the office of the North West Police Commissioner.

“Taung is part of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi ​ Mompati District that comprises 19 police stations. There are no satellite police stations in operation in the area and the one that was established in Kokomeng was allegedly set alight by members of the community. ​

“During the 2021/2022 financial year, problematic crimes were murder, assault GBH, common assault, robbery aggravating, common robbery, burglary in non-residential areas, and stock theft,” he said.

Mokgwabone added that in order to address crime, integrated and stabilisation operations or interventions including pro-active and collaborative approaches are implemented in line with the operational plan.

Meanwhile, The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West shared the same sentiments. DA Member of Parliament (MP), Leon Basson said violent contact crime has been marked as a sharp increase in the province leaving a bloodbath in its trail. “Over the period, there were 214 murders, up by 39 more murders (+22.3%) over the same period last year. Sexual assault offenses increased by 12.1% bringing the total to 942 reported cases. Attempted murder is up by 8.5% with a total of 242 reported cases.

“Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm increased by 30.9% recording a total of 3 621 recorded cases in the first three months of this year. Common assault is up by 24.1% with 2 624 cases, robbery increased by 8.5% with 545 cases and robbery with aggravating circumstances increased by 12.4% with a total of 1 635 cases,” Basson said.

He said rape has increased by 10.9% with a total number of 769 reported rape cases. Basson said rape remains an underreported crime and the real rape case figure can be expected to be far higher.

“A total of 1 816 serious crimes were reported in the first quarter of 2022, up 10%, while it ranked 6th in the Top 30 for robbery at business premises, followed by Klerksdorp landing the 13th spot.

“Another underreported crime is stock theft as both Taung and Ganyesa Police Stations reported stock theft cases that ranked them 11^th and 24^th on the Top 30 stock theft areas,” said Basson.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 15 years for two counts of attempted murder by the Taung Regional Court on Tuesday. Itumeleng Kgwele was arrested after he severely stabbed his ex-girlfriend, Nthabiseng Lekaota, and her boyfriend, Tlhalehang Leshoe after he found them sitting in a car at Extension 6 in Taung back in 2020.

According to information, Lekaota, who was in a romantic relationship with Kgwele, dumped him before she continued dating Leshoe. Kgwele stabbed the lovebirds several times and damaged the car belonging to Leshoe with stones.

Leshoe and Lekaota were admitted to the Taung District Hospital but were transferred to Tshepong/Klerksdorp Complex Hospital due to their injuries. Kgwele was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of attempted murder.

He was granted R1000 bail until his trial resumed. However, Kgwele was kept in custody a week before his judgment day where he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.  

All cases will run concurrently.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

More than 20 suspects were arrested for allegedly tampering with essential infrastructure in Rustenburg on Monday. North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the SSG security guards spotted a silver double Cab Nissan Hardbody V8 vehicle turning onto the R104 road in the vicinity of the ventilation shaft near a townhouse complex and followed it.

Mokgwabone said subsequently, a group of men was seen running into the bushes while firing shots in the direction of the security personnel who called for backup from the police.

“As a result, a number of suspects were arrested in the bushes and in a hole next to the ventilation shaft. A joint operation by SSG security officers, Crime Intelligence, and Rustenburg Visible Policing resulted in the arrest of 24 suspects and seized approximately two tons of copper cables worth R750 000.

“The copper cables were stolen at the Samancor ventilation shaft along the R104 road in the early hours of Monday. As the police, we believe that the fight against tampering with and damaging essential infrastructure has gained success,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said all suspects aged between 18 and 45 are expected to appear at the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 22 June 2022 facing a charge of tampering with essential infrastructure. He added that the investigation into the matter continues.   

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the private security company’s personnel and all South African Police Service (SAPS) members for their collaboration that led to the success.

It is alleged that cable theft costs South Africa’s economy between R5 billion and R7 billion annually. The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it is compelling to characterise cable theft as economic sabotage.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The body of a sangoma trainee, Maniekie Robert Botshelo (68) was allegedly found floating in the water in a cave at Leshobo village near Taung on Tuesday. It is alleged that Botshelo, who is from Matsheng village near Taung, was set to graduate the following day.

According to information, Botshelo’s lifeless bruised body was found by his ‘Gobela’, who called the police. He allegedly suffered injuries after he fell and hit a rock.

The North West police spokesperson for Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said the police attended to the complaint and found Botshelo’s body lying face down in the water.

“It appeared that he had drowned. An inquest case has been opened and is under investigation to determine what exactly transpired. The investigations will also determine the cause of his death,” van Rooyen said.

Meanwhile, a month ago, another sangoma trainee, Boitshepo Sapelo (32) from Vryburg allegedly drowned and died during his ritual ceremony in the same area. Van Rooyen said Sapelo and other trainees were busy with their rituals under the leadership of his “Gobela” when the atrocity took place.

“It is alleged that they were dipping themselves in the water and all of a sudden, Sapelo disappeared in the water. According to the information provided, a search for him commenced and his lifeless body re-surfaced after a few minutes.

“The police were immediately summoned to the scene and a case of the inquest was registered. The investigation into the matter continues,” she said.

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By SAFA

The South African women’s national team has assembled for a preliminary training camp in Johannesburg to begin preparations for the coming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco from 2-23 July 2022.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis announced a strong 33- woman preliminary squad that will undergo a series of training sessions before it is cut down to the final squad that will depart for Morocco on 21 June 2022.

The team will have their first training session later today with more players expected to arrive for camp.

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