Picture: The Hawks arrested Ratlou former municipal manager, Cassius Sejake
By OBAKENG MAJE
Former Ratlou Local Municipal Manager is expected back in court today. Cassius Sebatane Sejake (45) was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit last year for fraud and corruption.
Sejake who was granted a R5000 bail by Atamelang Magistrate’s Court was implicated in tender irregularities.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Tlangelani Rikhotso said Sejake was arrested for alleged failure to follow tender processes in the awarding of tenders of approximately R5.8 million between 2018 and 2019.
“It is alleged that this happened while he was an acting municipal manager. As the accounting officer, the suspect allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that public procurement processes were followed and observed.
“Service providers were allegedly appointed without a competitive bidding process. Sejake appeared at the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with contravention of Section 173 (fruitless and wasteful expenditure) of the Municipal Finance Management Act,” Rikhotso said.
On February 7, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, with a panel of experts, hosted a media briefing to outline new developments in South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine acquisition and roll out.
The press briefing followed results of a small study that showed that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, of which South Africa had procured one million doses from the Serum Institute of India, may not be highly effective against the stain in South Africa.
Following this press briefing, there was uproar and confusion. It is important to understand scientists do not have advantage of hindsight and there has been a transparent approach by the government in this process. It is important to go back and reflect on the process.
Late last year, South Africa paid a deposit to COVAX facility to secure a vaccine. COVAX facility is a World Health Organization (WHO) coordinated fund that seeks to distribute vaccines globally in a fair manner.
But as South Africa, we did not put our eggs in one basket, so we approached individual vaccine manufacturers. The best option at the time became AstraZeneca (AZ). At the time of procurement of AZ, we were not aware of the existence of the 501Y.V2 variant.
Before the rollout of AZ, our scientists conducted a study on effectiveness of AZ against 501Y.V2 variant and found that AZ it is only 22% effective against 501Y.2 variant for mild and moderate disease, but we know from previous studies that it is about 90% effective against old variant.
The fact that South Africa conducted its own studies to determine effectiveness of AZ against 501Y.V2 variant should be applauded.
The South African study did not make findings on effectiveness of AZ against severe illness caused by 501Y.V2 variant, whilst international studies found that AZ is effective against severe disease and hospitalisation by the normal COVID-19 stain.
The plan going forward is to vaccinate 100 000 people with AZ and find out about its effectiveness against severe disease in our circumstances. If it is indeed effective, we continue with it to prevent severe disease. If it’s not effective, we can still continue with it and wait for a “booster dose” in the future.
Companies are currently designing “Booster doses”, that are effective against 501Y.V2 variant. Unfortunately, we are dealing with a dynamic situation and a virus that is trying to outsmart us. We keep on soldering on and trying to outsmart the virus.
We should not despair because although Astra-Zeneca vaccine results are disappointing, there are some positives.
It will protect one in four people against variants from the first wave.
May protect one in four people from the new variant in second wave.
Likely to protect all from severe disease.
It is also important to make the public understand the concept of expiry dates on vaccines. Regulators are not able to certify an expiry date of the vaccine beyond a period of six months as there is no data.
The regulators therefore are guided by reports from health authorities in different countries on how much longer the vaccine remains stable beyond six months, so the expiry date may or may not be extended depending on new information available.
(Note: The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Taung DailyNews. This article appeared first on the ANC magazine)
Dr Ndiviwe Mphothulo: MBCHB, Diploma in HIV Management (SA), MBL, MPH, PHD Candidate (Public Health). MB CHB (MEDUNSA), MPH (UL, MEDUNSA Campus), Dip HIV Man (SA), MBL (UNISA), PHD Candidate (UKZN)
Member of Board of Directors & Deputy President: Southern African HIV Clinicians Society.
Member of the Executive Committee and Treasurer: Rural Doctors Association of SA (RuDASA).
ANC, Ward 23, Johannesburg Region Gauteng Province.
Picture Supplied: NWU student, Tebogo Monogo wins the Next Generation of Brave competition
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West University (NWU) student, Tebogo Monogo was over the moon after being announced as the winner of the Next Generation of Brave competition recently. The competition was facilitated by Adcock Ingram OTC in partnership with News24.
Monogo who is a second-year pharmacy student and also holds a BSc degree from the NWU, won the Readers’ Choice Award after receiving 2 300 of the total of 10 450 votes. She was mentored by Dr Stephan Steyn, a senior lecturer in pharmacology at the NWU.
“This means a lot to me and it is not only because of the sponsorship I received but also because Adcock Ingram gave all current and aspiring healthcare workers the chance to be celebrated during an extremely difficult and trying year.
“Celebrating our profession and the work we do uplift our spirits and make it worthwhile for putting ourselves out there. This motivates me and I am looking forward to my professional years,” she said.
The readers’ choice winner was chosen by the most reader’s votes, while the judges’ choice winner was selected anonymously by the panel of judges. Meanwhile, the PhD candidate Veneshley Samuels from the University of Cape Town won the Judges’ Choice Award.
This programme aims to assist healthcare students financially, to provide them with mentorship from academia and industry, and subsequently promote their career development within the healthcare sector. With so many inspirational featured stories of brave young students and professionals in the healthcare industry, it came down to the readers’ and judges’ votes to pick the winners.
The two winners each receive a R25 000 scholarship to further their studies. Their mentors will also be walking away with an all-expenses-paid trip to an overseas medical conference of their choice, and the opportunity to pay-it-forward by donating R25 000 to a registered NPO charity of their choice.
Former President, Jacob Zuma has written a letter to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption, and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State informing that he will not appear before it as scheduled.
The Zondo Commission has set aside the week 15-19 February 2021 for the hearing of Zuma’s evidence after he was implicated by numerous witnesses who appeared before the Commission.
Zuma, through his lawyers, Mabuza Attorneys stated in a letter that: “We formally inform you the Commission, as a matter of courtesy, that our client will not be appearing before the Commission on 15-19 February 2021, for the reasons set below.
“The Commission is aware that the review application which Zuma has instituted to set aside the refusal by the Deputy Chief Justice Zondo to recuse himself from hearing matters concerning him and his family is yet to be determined by the court.”
The letter continues that the summons issued for Zuma to appear on 15-19 February 2021 is irregular and not in line with the Fourth Order of the Constitutional Court judgment of 28 January 2021.
“Appearing before DCJ Zondo in the circumstances would undermine and invalidate the review application over his decision not to recuse himself. We also place on record the review application was not before the Constitutional Court and, accordingly, was considered, determined, and/or adjudicated by that court.
“We reiterate that above should not be construed to suggest any defiance of a legal process. All our client’s rights are reserved.”
The Commission approached the Constitutional Court late last year forcing Zuma to appear before it and answer all questions directed to him.
Meanwhile, Zuma is believed to be at his homestead in Nkandla village, in Kwazulu-Natal. MKMVA president, Kebby Maphatsoe said they will protect Zuma and make sure it is difficult to arrest him.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela with her entourage visiting some schools
By BAKANG MOKOTO
It’s all systems go for 1583 schools across the province to welcome their learners and resume learning and teaching for the 2021 calendar. North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said all schools are prepared to receive learners with screeners readily available as well as masks and sanitizers for hygienic purposes.
“The department has plans in place to recover lost teaching and learning since January. These plans include extra classes, a Dial-a-tutor program, radio lessons as well as special camps taking into consideration COVID-19 protocols to name but a few.
“Since the learning losses vary from school-to-school and class to class, each school will develop the subject recovery plans informed by the provincial subject improvement plans. Textbooks have been ordered and delivered to all schools that made requests,” she said.
Regarding provision of teachers, Matsemela said the province has teachers who filed for retirement due to comorbidities. She further said to mitigate the challenge, they will recruit some of the provinces Funza Lushaka bursars, while temporary teachers will also assist fill the gaps.
“On infrastructure, the province has procured an additional 282 317 desks and chairs for learners and 256 mobile classrooms for 176 schools. These will aid ease classroom congestion and adherence to social distancing among learners.
“To ensure schools do not run out of water, tanker arrangements through municipalities and communities are arranged. On National School Nutrition Program, the province caters for 741 522 learners and food handlers have also re-opened and provisioned for,” said Matsemela.
She added that the monies were deposited in schools in December 2020 for procurement of protective clothing and aprons as well as detergents. Matsemela said special schools and hostel schools are also provisioned for.
“To monitor total compliance, we will visit Mogawane Mochoete Primary School and Kopanelo Secondary School in Ga-Khunwana near Kraaipan on Monday. On Tuesday, we will visit Broedersput Primary School in Vryburg, Temoso Special School and Huhudi Secondary School in Ganyesa,” said Matsemela.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) MPL in Gauteng, Khume Ramulifho said: “It is important to ensure that this academic year is not disrupted while observing all health protocols to save lives. Schools have been proven to be the best place for learners to observe social distancing, wear masks and wash or sanitize hands.
“The DA will inspect whether basic services like water, sanitation, school nutrition, scholar transport, learning materials, school infrastructure and personal protective equipment are all properly arranged before schools are reopened for the 2021 academic year.”
FIVE suspects aged between 18 and 59 are expected to appear at Wolmarastad Magistrate’s Court on Monday for possession and dealing with drugs. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the arrests come after the Stilfontein K9 and Wolmaranstad police’s efforts to fight against drug peddling.
“The suspects were arrested on Friday in a joint operation conducted by the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Stabilization and Normalization group. They were arrested after the search warrants were obtained and executed at three houses in Extension 10, 13, and 15 in Wolmaranstad.
“Upon searching the identified houses, the police discovered cash and numerous bags containing 55 tablets suspected to be mandrax as well as dagga and four packets crystal meth, with an estimated street value of R251 470,” Myburgh said.
Meanwhile, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Police District Commissioner, Major General Suzette Pretorius welcomed the arrest and pointed out that the police will not hesitate to deal effectively with anyone who transgresses the law.
Picture: Motsweding village washed away by torrential rains
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The inaccessibility and immobility have been the ‘order of the day’ for the communities using the feeder D201 road between Motsweding and Matlapaneng villages. This comes after the alleged, R40 million gravelled road was washed away by floods caused by torrential rains recently.
One of the community leaders, Emmanuel Tong said they have requested a tarred road from the North West Public Works and Roads department, but it seems the department chose not to adopt a qualitative research approach.
“We have been struggling for the past 26 years and our grievances fell on deaf ears. What needs to be done is to improve the level of services. How can the department re-gravel the road for R40 million, while they could have opted for tarred road?
“The department promised that they will ensure that the road will be in the improved surface conditions while making a plan to construct a proper usable tarred road. However, the road is now in disarray and it has not been appraised for a long time,” Tong said.
He further said poor access to the road affects the cost of living, the well-being of the people involved and life in general. Tong added that indeed, transportation in rural areas tends to be expensive, unsafe, and crowded due to lack of quality and accessible roads.
“The lack of efficient transport on feeder roads results in situations where many of the road users are not able to access health, economic, educational, and other social needs. Reasons adduced for this worrying situation are quite puzzling. So, we urge the department to take us seriously,” said Tong.
Another resident from Motsweding village, Norah Dipholo shared the same sentiments. In a letter, Dipholo said the road is disastrous and that affects the livelihoods of the community.
“We do not have access to the road especially due to the heavy rainfalls and floods. Our government is not doing anything since I know the road has been like this.
“No efforts to construct (erect) tarred road and this road links Mokasa 2 and Pampierstad. I have been following all the activities on the Motsweding Facebook page and my heart is saddened by how the money is been spent to re-gravel the road, instead of putting tarred road,” she said.
Dipholo added that during the festive season, the road was only re-gravelled, which cost R40m. She said it surely shows that the government funds are being misused and the community of Motsweding is suffering.
“We would really appreciate an investigation on tenders given to construct (erect) our road. Please follow the Facebook page to see all the concerns of the community and to gather more information regarding the matter,” said Dipholo.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Constituency Head in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and Member of Parliament (MP), Sello Seitlholo said: “The D201 road from Pampierstad to Matlapaneng has been washed away and is completely inaccessible to motorists due to the recent torrential rains. Instead of building a proper road, the ANC government wasted R40 million on re-gravelling a road that residents cannot use when it rains.
“In July 2020, the DA wrote to MEC Oagile Molapisi regarding the tender process followed on the re-gravelling of road D201. The tender for the re-gravelling of the road was awarded to Lebo Tebo Trading despite the company not appearing on the tender bid document.”
Seitlholo further said his party raised concerns over allegations that the company belonged to a prominent ANC member in Taung. He added that the said company had previously also received an R40 million tender contract for the construction of Sedumedi Primary School.
“We also raised concerns from community members who informed the DA that they wanted a properly tarred road instead of a re-gravelled road. Community members complained that they were not informed of plans to re-gravel the road and there was no public participation process to allow them to add their inputs regarding the project.
“Nearly seven months after writing to Molapisi, the DA is yet to receive a formal response from him regarding the tender and D201 road. The DA will once again write to Molapisi requesting him to call an urgent meeting with the affected communities to address the blatant disregard that his department has shown to them,” he said.
Seitlholo said Molapisi must also account for why his department allegedly awarded a tender worth R40 million towards the re-gravelling instead of building a proper road that the community can use. He further said Molapisi must provide clarity on how Lebo Tebo Trading was awarded the tender to re-gravel the road without appearing on the top five list of bidders.
“He must also provide us with an adjudication report and a list of contracts awarded to Lebo Tebo Trading. Should the MEC fail to provide this information, the DA will refer this issue to the Public Protector for further investigation,” said Seitlholo.
North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro said the information gathered following the inspection and assessment of the damaged roads and other infrastructure in the Greater Taung Local Municipality following heavy rainfall and floods will be presented to the National Government to consider declaring the area the State of Disaster.
“National, provincial and internal roads, including those which were under construction, have been affected. We will be meeting once more as three spheres of government to secure the budget and restore damaged roads.
“There’s no doubt that funds are limited because most funds were directed towards tackling the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we will ensure that we rescue our people and the roads which were under construction will be restored as soon as possible through the Department of Public Works and Roads,” he said.
Note: The North West Public Works and Roads department spokesperson, Matsube Mfoloe failed to respond to our media questionnaires that we sent to him almost three weeks ago.
Picture: Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court interpreter, Joseph Moroka arrested
By BAKANG MOKOTO
A 37-YEAR-OLD man who serves as an interpreter at the Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Northern Cape on Tuesday.
The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Capt Nomthandazo Mnisi said between 2016 and 2017, Joseph Moroka allegedly contacted the suspect’ sister in a stock theft case and demanded a gratification of R2 500 in order to release him.
“In a separate, but related incident, Moroka also approached the suspect’s mother in a drug-related case and demanded a gratification of R1000 in order to release the suspect,” said Mnisi.
Moroka briefly appeared at the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and he was granted a R3000 bail. The case is postponed until 16 March 2021 for further investigations.
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha urges entities to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations. This comes after he ordered the closure of the Wolmaranstad Post Office and the Home Affairs offices respectively because of their persistent failure to comply with COVID-19 regulations.
“The two institutions have been found to be consistent with non-compliance with COVID-19 regulations regarding social distancing, wearing of masks in public and sanitizing.
“In January, we also closed a supermarket in Zeerust near Lehurutshe and another store in Tlokwe. We have been visiting all regions across the province to raise awareness on COVID-19 and encourage public compliance to prevention measures and checking businesses for compliance to the regulations,” he said.
Sambatha further said they will continue to enforce compliance with COVID-19 regulations to prevent the further spread of the virus. He added that they will not hesitate to order the closure of any business or facility where there is a complete disregard to COVID-19 prevention measures.
“We have also committed to continuing with the compliance and awareness campaign drives to ensure to protect the community and individuals people from infection. Even though we are about to roll out the vaccine, it does not mean other prevention measures like social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitizing are to be abandoned.
“COVID-19 adherence remains key to prevent the spread of the virus. Vaccination should be considered one method of prevention. The wearing of masks in public is still mandatory and so is social distancing and sanitizing,” said Sambatha.
He said all residents are requested to comply with the regulations and South Africans must not expect the government to use the security cluster to remind them of their own personal care and health responsibility. Sambatha further said there is a need for all members of the community to continue to comply with the regulations to minimize the impact and spread of this contagious enemy.
Picture: North West Provincial Legislature speaker, Sussana Dantjie
By REGINALD KANYANE
In an unprecedented move, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has tabled a motion of no confidence against the North West Provincial Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie, and her Deputy, Viola Motsumi.
According to the DA’s provincial Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile, the Legislature has been dwindling with ‘crisis after crisis’ under Dantjie’ stewardship.
“The DA has been speaking out against the allegations of misconduct of the Speaker and the Senior Management of the legislature and laid charges with the Hawks and Public Protector – all at advanced investigation stages – in an attempt to bring them to account.
“Now, as per previous media statements released on the subject, the DA has decided to take up the fight to restore the integrity of the Legislature as an oversight body. The Speaker, in terms of legislation and in particular the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (FMPPLA), is the Executive Authority and is responsible for the sound financial management of the Legislature – a duty she has been failing at dismally,” said Sonakile.
He further said Dantjie responded to the crises that the institution finds itself in by blatantly refusing to account when summoned to appear before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). Sonakile added that Dantjie’s actions show nothing, but contempt for the hard-earned democracy, the Constitution, the Legislature, and the people of North West.
“The recent resignation of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Oversight of the NWPL, De Wet Nel, who is responsible to oversee the work of the Speaker, is the last straw. His reasons for resigning are centred on the Speaker’s disregard for law and order.
“The office of the Deputy Speaker has been non-existent. Viola Motsumi has been a missing link in occupying space that her title carries. She turned a blind eye to the ongoing allegations of misconduct, rendering her office redundant and only active at the beck and call of the Speaker,” he said.
Sonakile said Motsumi also chairs two sub-committees called Members Interest and Disciplinary Committee, but it has been nothing but a talk shop while Disciplinary Committee has not sat once since 2019, despite numerous incidents (be it during sittings or Committees) that warranted disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, North West Provincial Legislature spokesperson in the Office of the Speaker, Tebogo Chaane said he will respond to the media later on as he still has to gather facts.
The Guardian 