By PHENYO MOKGOTHU

The North West University (NWU) academic in the African Centre for Disaster Studies, Prof Livhuwani Nemakonde said the heavy rainfall experienced in South Africa in recent weeks is due to a combination of factors.

“Climatologists have indicated that this is because of the La Niña phenomenon. La Niña (Spanish for a little girl) is the opposite of an El Niño (little boy), which usually predicts low rainfall for South Africa.

“In simple terms, this means that most parts of the country will receive above average summer rainfall, and it is for this reason that seven of the nine provinces received huge amounts of rainfall that led to flooding,” Nemakonde said.

He further said, the impact of the floods is quite high, particularly in parts of Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and Limpopo. Nemakonde added that the weather forecasts warn that the trend might continue into the last week of February and that South Africa is likely to receive more rain into autumn.

“Obviously, the amount of rainfall plays a major role, but other human-related factors such as residing in low-lying areas, flood plains, riverbanks, and poor infrastructure contribute to the impact of floods.

“With seven of the nine provinces affected by the floods that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure, the government declared a national state of disaster on 13 February 2023,” he said.

According to Prof Nemakonde, government officials argued that the declaration of a state of disaster will help with expediting the availability of resources to those most affected.

He said, once the national state of disaster is declared, they expect the government to immediately make resources available to assist those affected. Nemakonde said, however, the handling of the recent KZN floods paints a different picture, as those affected had to wait long for assistance.

“I argue that the delays might be even worse this time, seeing that the government is currently dealing with two states of disasters – one for the electricity crisis and the other for the floods. One wonders where the government will find the means, especially financial resources, to address these disasters.

“The private sector and civil society should join the government in this regard to assist those affected by the floods,” he said.

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Picture: The missing Motshipa John Mapoane/Supplied

By STAFF REPORTER

Police in the North West are looking for Motshipa John Mapoane who resides at Molema Section in Mmukubyane village, near Makapanstad. According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, Mapoane (71) was allegedly last seen by his daughter on 8 February 2023.

“Mapoane was last seen on 8 February 2023 at around 8:45am, when he went to look for cattle in nearby bushes. However, Mapoane never returned home and an extensive search was conducted around the neighbourhood, as well as villages without any success.

“During his disappearance, Mapoane was wearing blue trousers, a white shirt, a blue overall jacket, a pair of black boots, and a black cap. He was carrying a wooden stick and is dark in complexion, tall in length, and skinny with a bald head,” she said.

Myburgh further said, Mapoane is using chronic medication for epilepsy and high blood pressure. She added that anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Warrant Officer Martin Seleke of Bedwang Detectives at ‪082 373 9548 or the nearest police station.

Myburgh said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via MySAPS App on your smartphone or call Crime Stop at ‪‪08600 10111.

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By STAFF REPORTER

The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality came under fire for allegedly having duplication of functions in municipalities over water treatment and sanitation plants. This was said during an oversight week that the legislature is currently embarking on in the district.

 The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aron Motswana said, the program was aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and promoting accountability and transparency in government.

“We have urged the executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri, Khumalo Molefe to investigate and stop the unnecessary duplication of functions in municipalities over water treatment and sanitation plants.

“The committee has conducted oversight visits to the water plants in Groot Marico and Zeerust since 2020 to date, and consistently cautioned the North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) about exorbitant usage of consultants to do operations and maintenance in various plants, whilst the district and local municipalities also pay their operators for the same functions,” Motswana said.

He further said, the exercise costs the district municipality around R3 Million a month per plant excluding costs of chemicals and salaries of employees. He added that, the district municipality has failed on numerous occasions since 2020 to provide an audible explanation of surplus and exorbitant amounts incurred and ceding its responsibilities to consultants.

“We view this as negligence and unnecessary usage of public funds, more so that the bulk of these companies/consultants were appointed on the eve of the conclusion of the previous term.

“The committee observed that a similar wastage of money is happening at the Zeerust Waste Water Treatment Works, where a plant commissioned three years ago its expenditure was almost R63m,” said Motswana.

He said the plant was supposed to be handed over in May 2022, but only 65% of progress has been registered without valid reasons for the delay. According to Motswana, this was due to an irregular appointment and pre-payments afforded to CMS Water Engineering that was flagged by the Auditor General.

“No consequence management has been effected, except termination of service of the company. The committee also noted the non-recovery of monies lost and action against those responsible for the pre-payments is outstanding.

“The committee recommended amongst other requests, a comprehensive report on plausible reasons on why CMS Water Engineering was terminated without any consequence management, the cause in the delay of the project, and a report on operational costs incurred for a three-year project,” said Motswana.

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Picture: The goats that were allegedly found in the truck/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A man who was arrested for stock theft has been remanded in custody on 23 February 2023. Thandayiphi Thabethe (39) briefly appeared before the Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court on 16 February 2023 for possession of the suspected stolen property.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, the accused was arrested on 14 February 2023 at about 17:00, when traffic officers stopped a truck in Bodibe village, near Itsoseng during routine patrol duties.

“The driver was allegedly requested to present his driver’s license, which he could not do. Thereafter, he was requested to open the back of the truck, but he became aggressive and the two passengers that were accompanying him, fled from the scene.

“The police were called to the scene for assistance and they ultimately escorted the truck to Itsoseng Police Station. Upon opening the back of the truck, the police found 57 goats and 27 sheep. The driver could not account for the animals or produce any permit,” she said.

Myburgh further said, Thabethe was immediately arrested and the animals and truck impounded.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the police for their cooperation that led to the arrest. Kwena said the police will continue to work hard to ensure that criminals are put behind bars.

“We also want to remind farmers to mark their livestock in accordance with the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002),” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West police request your assistance in identifying two bodies that were discovered on the road between Lichtenburg and Mahikeng on 2 April 2022. According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, the first unknown body of a man was found at around 1:30am.

“The body was lying on the road at Elandsfontein on the Lichtenburg / Mahikeng road. A post mortem indicated that the deceased had died due to blunt trauma causing body mutilation, possibly caused by a motor vehicle accident. He is 1.6m tall, dark in complexion and weighs about 70kg.

“The second body of an unknown man was discovered next to the Lichtenburg/ Coligny road by farm workers on 20 April 2022 at around 5:55pm, approximately 14 km from Lichtenburg. The deceased’s body was decomposed and mummified,” Myburgh said.

She further said, the deceased is dark in complexion and was wearing a blue shirt with a solidarity shop steward logo, black chino trousers, a brown belt, brown shoes, with a red and black leather jacket.

Myburgh added that, next to the body, a black bag was also found containing clothing.

“The cause of death could not be determined by the post mortem and an inquest (Judicial enquiry) is under investigation. The police request anyone with information that can assist in the investigation to contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Willem Nortman on Cell: 082 416 0897 or call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111,” said Myburgh.

She said anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App from smart phones.

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Picture: Dr Karabo Mabe, acting Chief Director for Agricultural Support Services at DARD, Thupi Mokhatla, Head of Agriculture and Rural Development for the North West DARD, Prof Bismark Tyobeka, NWU Principal and Vice-Chancellor and Prof Robert Balfour, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the NWU

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they signed with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will be beneficiary.

Tyobeka said the DARD was) representing the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture and the Taung Agricultural College. He said the objective of the MoU that was signed at the NWU’s Potchefstroom Campus, was to offer a framework for cooperation between the parties in pursuit of their respective statutory tasks and on a variety of mutually beneficial topics.

“The parties agreed to collaborate on matters ranging from research and capacity building to economic development and any other areas that the parties may identify and agree on from time to time, including faculty and student exchanges.

“The start of the year is a critical period in the lives of our young people, as they prepare to enter a new chapter of their life, relating to gaining access to universities. However, the unfortunate aspect is that most individuals do not meet the criteria for university admission,” he said.

According to Tyobeka, there is a failure to recognise the relevance of colleges and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, notably agricultural colleges. He further said, it was their obligation to ensure that these alternative tertiary education options stay viable to the youth and are not viewed as a last resort for furthering their education.

“The signing of this MoU would focus on this option of postsecondary education for young people, as agricultural institutions held the key to unlocking self-sufficiency skills, with an emphasis on food security.

“Without functional and competent agricultural colleges throughout South Africa and in our province, we risk abandoning our subsistence farmers,” he warned. In my inaugural address on 26 August 2022, I highlighted one of my visions was to form a strong collaboration with the provincial government, and I am pleased that this collaboration has come to fruition,” said Tyobeka.

He added that, an important aspect of this agreement, was that, it would address the immediate needs of the NWU and its students, particularly those on the Potchefstroom Campus. Tyobeka said capacity building within the DARD in the sense of emerging with much-needed research collaboration to advance knowledge, will also be part of the agreement.

The DARD’s Head of Department (HoD) in North West, Thupi Mokhatla shared the same sentiments. Mokhatla said, he was pleased to be embarking on this partnership as there were many areas, where the university would offer much-needed assistance.

“Climate change increased natural disasters, so addressing the impact as soon as possible with the necessary resources would be extremely beneficial to the department, as the community invariably sought support and solutions from the department.

“We would like to empower our farmers to be proactive in taking measures that will enable them to avert the impact of natural catastrophes or to be minimally impacted by these. Also, there is a need for system technologies that would serve as warning systems, alerting farmers to impending disasters and allowing them to take preventative steps,” he said.

Mokhatla said the North West farming industry fails to contribute to the country’s GDP, despite the department’s support over the years. He said perhaps the university can aid them by reviewing their strategy and guiding them, as the province is rural and may require tailor-made interventions.

“The need for a management development programme for the department’s managers was also a crucial need. This will help them to execute their responsibilities more efficiently.

“There is also a concern regarding food security. The province was ranked ninth out of all the provinces. Through several interventions, we have now advanced to the eighth position, but more needs to be done. We are looking forward to this collaboration bringing about the necessary changes,” said Mokhata.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Corporal punishment continues to be practised in various schools across the North West province, even though it was abolished a few years ago. The latest school to allegedly practises it is Matsheng Primary School in Taung.

This comes after parents of Grade 2 learners accused a teacher of assaulting their children. According to allegations, these teachers used a sjambok as a form of punishment for learners.

One of the parents who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “My daughter came back home severely beaten with a sjambok. I do not think any sane teacher will beat a child like that. I need the department to take disciplinary action against all those teachers who continue to beat our children.

“Now, my daughter is afraid to go to school because of that. Why would teachers continue to use corporal punishment in schools even though it has been abolished?”

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “The learners and parents complained about a teacher, who verbally abused the learners at the school. The teacher in question was given a written warning after a thorough investigation by the school principal.

“The concerned teacher was also changed from that class of Grade 2. Corporal punishment is not allowed in schools because it was abolished and regarded as a serious offence.”

Malindi further said, anyone found implementing corporal punishment, will be subjected to the labour processes of the department. He added that, Section 10 of the South African Schools Act provides that, no one can administer corporal punishment against a learner.

“A person who contravenes this act can face disciplinary action by the department. We are advising learners to be vocal and report any teacher who implements corporal punishment to the principal, parents and any person they trust,” said Malindi.

The department has recorded 15 assault cases against teachers during the 2022 teaching and learning calendar.

Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in North West said drastic measures should be taken against educators who continue to use corporal punishment against learners. The COSAS then president, Thabang Mokoena said corporal punishment has been abolished a long time ago because it had a negative impact on learners.

“As COSAS, we are not happy to see that these cases are not resolved. We are aware that corporal punishment is still being practised in various schools. This is happening and the department is turning a blind eye.

“So, we are saying to the department, we are also fed up. Learners are being beaten in schools and nothing has been done. There are safety summits, which are held year in and year out to discuss such issues, but nothing has changed,” Mokoena said.

He further said what the department is doing is only ‘pep-talk’ with no implementation. Mokoena added that the documents from previous safety summits are archived and continue to gather dust, while learners continue to be subjected to corporal punishment.

“We want to tell the department that we are fed up and enough is enough. There is another burning issue, which is bullying in schools. We have been calling for the implementation of adopt-a-cop policy when speaking about quality learning and teaching.

“We also urged the department to ensure that there are social workers and psychologists in schools to ensure that learners who have issues such as behavioural challenge, involved in gangsterism and bullying other learners get help,” said Mokoena.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The furious taxi drivers in Taung barricaded the entrance of the Taung Traffic Department on Wednesday. This comes after more than 20 minibus taxis were impounded allegedly by traffic officers for ferrying learners.

The South African Taxi National Council (SANTACO) chairperson in North West, Ebusang Tladi said the action of traffic officers will cause mayhem.  

“I was woken up by taxi drivers alleging that the traffic officers from Taung Traffic Department have impounded their taxis, simply because they were ferrying learners. According to the drivers, the traffic officers demanded scholar transport permits from them.

“So, when I arrived here, I had a consultative engagement with the traffic officer’s senior manager. I requested him to understand the situation of taxi drivers because the parents of learners who use taxis as scholar transport do not pay taxi fares on a daily basis,” he said.  

Tladi further said, the taxi drivers have subsidised these parents, which the government dismally failed to do. He added that, as taxi owners, they understand the situation of many parents due to the high rate of unemployment

“It is our responsibility to assist these parents because they are also our commuters. So, they are charged around R400 to R600 per month, now, the traffic department must multiply R500 by 15 and see for itself, if the overall amount is enough for taxi owners to cover their monthly instalments.

“With that amount, taxi owners cannot pay their monthly instalments and still survive. The cost of living is too high and it will be highly impossible for those taxis to be used as scholar transport only,” said Tladi.

He said they have also engaged with the department to allow them to have scholar transport permits as the National Transport Act of 2009 stipulates. However, Tladi said, the department refused to heed their call because it says any taxi used to ferry learners, should be branded as learner transport.

“They said that particular taxis cannot be used as a learner and public transport at the same time. Surprisingly, the permit says passengers without being specific. So, according to my understanding, a passenger can be anybody who is ferried around.

“Now, all taxis that have permits, but ferrying learners are impounded, which is wrong. The law allows taxis to have scholar transport permits, but they vehemently refuse to give them to us. According to those traffic officers, they were instructed to impound taxis ferrying learners and they said there is nothing they could do rather than follow instructions,” said Tladi.

He said, he personally called the traffic officers’ superior but denied instructing those traffic officers to target taxis ferrying learners. Tladi said the action of these traffic officers indirectly affect learners.

“Imagine, taxi drivers, ferrying learners to school and manoeuvre around because of traffic officers. We had an agreement that all taxis ferrying learners should be roadworthy and not carry overload.

“I call for tranquillity between traffic officers and taxi drivers because, if the situation continues like this, things will get out of hand. We are not going to allow traffic officers to harass and provoke our taxi drivers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Alpheus Koonyaditse said: “Taxi operators are allowed to ferry anyone as long as they are working within the confines of their permits.

“The impounded taxis will be released immediately after their owners paid stipulated fines. Remember, if there is a contravention of regulations, law enforcement is authorised to restore order.” 

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A murder case against a man who allegedly killed a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke in North West was postponed until 13 April 2023. Bongane Shebi (24) was arrested for allegedly killing a nurse, Irish Mohokare (47) in her rented backroom on 12 October 2022. 

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha condemned Mohokare’s killing and said the deceased was recently promoted to the position of Facility Manager at Charon Clinic for her untimely death.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman in North West, Henry Mamothame said the case was postponed awaiting the DNA results and also for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to authorise the transfer of the case to a higher court.

Mamothame said Shebi abandoned his bail application and he will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded. 

“Mohokare’s bloodied body was discovered by her landlord on 13 October 2022 with her throat slit open. The landlord subsequently informed the police, who immediately started investigating.

“Shebi became a person of interest after police received information while doing investigations. He was spotted wearing bloodied clothes not far from where the incident took place,” he said.

Mamothame further said, the police then started looking for the accused and ultimately arrested him on 15 October 2022. He said Shebi allegedly informed the police that he wants to confess.

“He was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police, where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing. According to police reports, the accused alleges he was in the company of another person.

“However, the motive only became clear in the accused person’s confession. Shebi said he and another person intended to rob the deceased. He further alleges that he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but it was the person whom he was with,” he said.

Mamothame added that, the police have indicated that evidence was obtained at the scene, indicating that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commissioning of this offense.

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati regional secretary, Sandile Kgosieng calls on law enforcement agencies to diligently and expeditiously handle the investigations to build a water-tight case against Shebi.

“We want to see the police securing a conviction in the murder case. As an organisation that is fully committed to the plight of women and children, we are against the granting of bail to suspects involved in brutal crimes such as murder and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A former Grade 12 learner at Leruntse Lesedi Secondary School in Makwassie, near Wolmaranstad, North West who was declared dead said he demands answers from the North West Department of Education. 

Thabo Nicholas Monyane (21) alleged that the department declared him dead after the passing of another learner who carried the same name as his. 

The confusion was created by the death of another learner, Thabo Monywabe who passed away in June 2022. Now, Monyane said he wants justice to prevail because this mess has plunged him into depression.  

“I did not even receive a letter of admission to writing including the examination number. I was asked to use my identification document as proof every time I write.

“What hurt me the most is that, I was secluded from other Grade 12 learners whenever writing my exams. This made other Grade 12 learners to mock me and hurl insults toward me by calling me an illegal foreigner,” he said.

Monyane, who was doing Mathematics Literacy, Geography, English, Setswana, Afrikaans, and History as subjects said, he wanted to further his studies at university and become a teacher one day.

“However, I am stuck now because of this mess. The matric final examination results were out on 20 January 2023, but I only received mine three weeks after that. I was not happy at all with my results because they were too bad. I do not even think those are my results because I studied so hard,” he said.  

Thabo’s mother, Martha Monyane shared the same sentiments. Martha said the whole fiasco has affected her son badly.

“He is always indoors because he does not want to face people. This situation has caused confusion in our lives and I do not even know how to handle it anymore. We understand that, the learner who passed away, was reported dead in June 2022.

“As a parent, I was made aware of this matter when we were called to sign pledge forms in September 2022. The teacher who informed me about this matter said, my child might not be able to write his final examinations due to the mixed-up of the death of another learner,” she said.

Martha said, however, the school promised to sort the mess out, but nothing has been done.  

“They have only instructed my son to re-write his final examinations. Thabo fainted at school while writing his final examinations. He was taken to the clinic but ordered back to the school to finish his paper, which I think was inhumane.

“He was also secluded from other learners while writing his final examinations. I asked the school why my child is being separated from other learners, but I did not receive a straight answer,” said Martha.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesman, Elias Malindi said investigations into the matter are underway.

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