By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 39 year-old man was arrested for stock-theft after he allegedly stole nine Bosmara calves worth R81 000 in Hartswater on Wednesday. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Olebogeng Tawana said the Kimberley SAPS Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit acted on a tip-off.

“Our police received a tip-off regarding stolen calves which were loaded in a trailer to be sold on auction at Kimberley. The calves were stolen from a small holding in Hartswater. The suspect was arrested red-handed on auction site in Kimberley.

“He will appear at the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court soon on a stock theft charge. The calves were handed over to the rightful owner after he positively identified them. Investigation continues and we are expecting to make more arrests in this case,” Tawana said.

The Northern Cape SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Peter Shivuri commended the police for the arrest. Shivuri also urge community members to continue to work together with police and inform them about any criminal activities taking place within their vicinity.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: ANC newly-elected regional chairperson in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Sense Maje

By STAFF REPORTER

The divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) in the North West province were witnessed during Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (RSM) regional conference at All Seasons Resort in Christiana on Saturday night.

It is alleged that the legitimate delegates were denied access into the venue and were supplanted by ‘fake delegates’. Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse other faction.

The excluded delegates proceeded to convene a parallel conference of the ‘real delegates’ at PH Mooketsi High School in Taung on Saturday night. They accused the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) deployees of disregarding their grievances.

The newly-elected regional chairperson, Sense Maje from the ‘real delegates’ conference said: “It is a norm to have processes that start way before going to conferences. We have auditing of memberships process that will determine the legitimacy of those members who would attend the Branch Annual General Meetings (BAGMs).

“We would then have the verification report that will indicate the legibility of the processes that were followed like checking whether the BGMs were held in line with the provision of the ANC constitution. After following those processes, we would then understand whether our Branch Executive Committee (BEC) members were composed in a correct manner or not.”

Maje said that process would also determine if those delegates were eligible to go to conference. He said they had a situation where some branches were supposed to be reviewed, but that was done unfairly without giving them an opportunity to present their case.

“The audit and verification processes are not the responsibility of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), but the ANC Secretary-General’s office. We have a similar situation and there were some cadres who took the matter to court.

“However, the court advocated that these disputes be resolved within the provision of the ANC structures. However, that did not happen because you cannot have questionable people presiding over BGMs and sitting in the structure that was supposed to resolve those disputes,” he said.

Maje said unfortunately, the ANC in the North West has its own way of doing things compare to other provinces. He added that the branches and individuals wrote to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) deployee, who wrote to the ANC Dispute and Resolution Committee chairperson, Jessie Duarte.

“Duarte’s office referred the matter back to the acting convener of the NEC deployee, Malusi Gigaba. So, the so-called regional conference at Christina went ahead without the Dispute and Resolution Committee listening to those branches grievances.

“Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades and there were hooligans who masqueraded as security forces. We had no choice but to count the number of legitimate delegates and proceeded to convene a legitimate conference at PH Mooketsi High School in Taung,” he said.

Picture: ANC Regional chairperson in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Bitsa Lenkopane allegedly elected by fake delegates

Thapelo Galeboe‚ representing the group of ANC members who allege they were chased out from Christiana‚ told The Timesnewspaper that they went ahead with the parallel conference and that Luthuli House would have to rule on which one was legitimate.

“Our sin is that we did not agree with Supra to Nasrec and we called for the PEC he leads to be disbanded and we removed him as premier. He has been on a revenge mission by removing 70% of our comrades from delegates of the regional conference and disbanded our branch executive committees but we are going ahead with conference‚ not that bogus one held earlier by Supra’s people‚” said Galeboe.

However, the ANC provincial spokesperson, Gerald Modise said the only conference they recognise was held at Christiana. Modise said it is very surprising and embarrassing to see their members taking the party to court.

“We want to know where those who take the party to court get funding. We all know that courts are too expensive. The ANC in the province has realised that there are people who will be against any process taken by the party to bring cohesion.

“However, we will continue to work hard and ensure that there is unity among our members. We also urge those members to refrain from going to court and rather follow proper channels to raise their grievances,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: Pampierstad leader, Olebogeng Tumudi in front of one of damaged graves 

By REGINALD KANYANE

The community of Pampierstad was left dejected after more than 100 graves were violated. It is alleged that those graves were broken by unknown people who stole aluminum metals and destroyed tomb stones.

Irvin Danster (42) said this was a pure criminal activity that needs to be stopped. Danster said three graves belonging to his sister and aunties were also violated.

“It is so painful to see your loved ones graves being violated in this manner. I believe that this is disrespect and I urge our police to react. Perpetrator/s needs to be arrested and we also need to assist the police with necessary information.

“We are not sure who is behind this mass violation, but we cannot sit-back. We have opened few cases of violation of grave and damage to property,” he said.

Pampierstad community leader, Olebogeng Tumudi said: “We are not exultant after we found graves being broken at. We embarked on this campaign to fix those graves.

“We need to instill discipline in our people. What happened here is extraordinary and our people need to respect our mausoleums. Some of family members worked hard to buy tombstones and if this happens, they will be affected financial. More money will be needed to fix this mess.”

Pampierstad Police Station cluster spokesperson, Capt Oabona Boikanyo said the violation of grave and damage to property cases were opened.

“We can confirm that we have opened a case regarding this matter. We also urge our people to constantly visit their loved ones’ graves and ensure they are safe. Investigations are underway and we urge anyone with necessary information that could lead to arrest to come forward.”

Boikanyo said the violation of the grave is a misdemeanor at common law.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Following a series of consultative sessions with all 22 municipalities in the province in the past weeks, the North West local government and Human Settlements department has developed an integrated support plan that will unblock service delivery bottlenecks at local government level.

MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe said the support plan will focus on three key areas such as governance, service delivery and financial management.

“The plan entails among others working with sector departments to capacitate oversight structures such as the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs) to deal with with oversight processes, deployment of performance management systems practitioners to assist identified municipalities to draft their annual reports.

“The plan will also see the department conducting an assessment of the state of organisational structures in municipalities to ensure proper alignment with the mandate and grading of such municipalities,” Gaolaolwe said.

She added that the department will also work with the Finance departmen to assist municipalities to develop a tool to monitor the implementation of internal controls weakness identified by the Auditor General (AG).

“In order to improve implementation of service delivery projects, the department will conduct an audit of water services development plans for municipalities that are Water Service Authorities (WSA), as well as assist municipalities develop water and sanitation reliability master plans,” she said.

The support plan to municipalities follows directives by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to the department after a Cabinet decision to invoke Section 100 (1)(a) on the department after an assessment that was conducted by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa early in the year.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Two men are expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday for two counts of assault and intimidation. It is alleged that one of the Re Aga Taung civic organisation leaders assaulted the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane at the tribal authority’s offices on Friday during a commotion.

RATCO members embarked on unprotected march and submitted a memorandum of grievances to the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices on Friday. They demanded that Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane be dethroned from his chieftaincy position.

RATCO leader, Disco Lebitse said: “We were supposed to hand over the memorandum to Mankuroane’s family as we call for the removal of Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane from his chieftaincy. We believe that he failed and he continues to neglect his duties as the chief.

“The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council’s administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship. There are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage.”

Lebitse said the loss of trust of the traditional authorities by citizens has occurred. He said Mankuroane failed them despite traditional authority being the custodian of the Batlhaping community.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said that the march was not authorised. She said a meeting was held on Thursday prior to the incident.

“Police were called to the Tribal Authority’s office after about 20 people, who claimed they came to remove Mankuroane invaded the vicinity. The police intervened and calm was restored.

“Two suspects were arrested and Public Order Police were on the scene to monitor situation. The situation was back to normalcy,” she said.

taungdilynews@gmai.com

Photo: (The portion of land next to Taung Sport ground illegally occupied)  

By REGINALD KANYANE

The upsurge in land invasion is a ‘matter of concern’ in Taung. This comes after more than fifty people illegally occupied a portion of land in the vicinity of Taung Sports ground for residential purposes.

Now, those ‘land grabbers’ are faced with legal ramifications after the Greater Taung Local Municipality and the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority jointly launched a court interdict against them.

However, one of the land grabbers, Oratile Segosapelo said they will not demolish their shacks. Segosapelo said they have been trying to engage with the Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane for land allocation without any success.

“Mankuroane failed us dismally after numerous attempts to meet with him. We had a futile meeting with him on October 2017. And we are not afraid and we are happy that they took the matter to court.

“I stay at Taung Extension 6 in an RDP house. The place is overcrowded and cannot accommodate us as I stay with my children, wife and siblings. Our government continues to fail us hence we illegally occupied this portion of land,” he said.

Photo: (Some of illegal occupants already built shacks on the portion of land)

The Re Aga Taung Civic Organisation chairperson, Disco Lebitse said: “Our current leadership at the municipality and tribal council fail our community. Those offices are marred with fraud, corruption and maladministration.

“We believe that any unoccupied land needs to be allocated to our people. As a civic organization, we will fight this legal impediment along with our people. We are sick and tired of our current leadership both at municipal level and tribal council.”

Lebitse said they also want Mankuroane being deposed from his chieftainship position. He said they will embark on a peaceful march on the 20^th of July 2018, calling for Mankuroane’s removal.

“There are leaders at the council who sold land for self-enrichment. So, we will meet both municipality and tribal council in court on the 16^th of August 2018. However, we are not quite sure who will represent the tribal authority as we will ensure that Mankuroane is removed from his position as the chief before then,” he said.

Lebitse said most people need land for residential purposes and refusal to do so will lead to illegal occupation and an increasingly rancorous within Taung.

However, the Greater Taung Local Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi said this in affidavit: “During January 2018, I was approached by Kgosi, who informed me that he had been contacted by some Taung residents who wanted to be allocated land for purposes of building residential houses thereon.

“However, Kgosi advised them that the said portion of land was to be developed and has been earmarked for extending the existing local meeting/ sports ground in order to cater for a larger number of people.”

He said due to financial constraints, the progress has been at slow pace but will be speeded up from the beginning of this financial year which will be from July 2018. Gabanakgosi added that although Mankuroane explained the above situation to respondents, they nevertheless insisted that the land be given to then for residential purposes.

“The Taung Sport Ground was congested at the time when former President, Thabo Mbeki visited Taung Community and the people had to jostle in order to just have a glimpse of visiting the president.

“The unlawful occupation of land or giving oneself another person’s land without consent or authorization of the land owner, constitutes a criminal offence in terms of Section 3 Prevention of Illegal Ejectment from Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998 and/ or Section 1 of the Trespass Act 6 of 1959 and is accordingly forbidden,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

North West Premier, Professor Job Mokgoro believes sports, football in particular, has the unique ability to heal, unite and change society for the better. Mokgoro was addressing the Maize Cup Gala Dinner which marked the beginning of the fourth edition of the annual Maize Cup tournament which is taking place this Saturday at James Motlatsi Stadium in Klerksdorp. 

The Maize Cup Gala Dinner was attended by the provincial government leadership, soccer legends as well as representatives of different soccer teams taking part, namely: Kaizer Chiefs, Buya Msuthu, Free State Stars and Chippa United.

Mokgoro said football has the ability to impact the society in a positive way.

“We have the responsibility to harness the power and appeal of the game to act as a catalyst for positive social change. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that the universal popularity and appeal of football makes it a common denominator for everyone; irrespective of gender, age, race and social standing”  he said.  

Mokgoro said the provincial government remains committed to uniting the province to ensure that the ugly scenes witnessed recently in various towns, townships and villages of this province are never seen again.  

“The Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup is one vehicle that we can use as government to reach out to the citizens of our beautiful province as a means to reduce and eventually remove the trust deficit currently evident between the people and government. Through football we can build social cohesion in the province” he said.

The pre-season tournament has managed to attract professional soccer teams with massive following in this country, making it easier for government to communicate with the people using this platform.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: (Baatlegi Ba Morena Gospel Choir ready to host Rustenburg)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Baatlegi Ba Morena Gospel Choir chairperson, Tshidiso Moreane said they are addressing socio-economic challenges affecting the youth in around Taung through music.

Moreane established the clap and tap dance choir early this year and they have already touched many people’s lives. He said the group consists of 90 youth from various villages in Taung.

“We educate the youth about substance and drug abuse. There are so many socio-economic challenges affecting our youth. We have unemployment, crime, HIV and AIDS, inequality and poverty that need to be taken into consideration.

“The choir gives hope to those who are affected. The aim is to develop the youth musically and ensure that they become great future leaders especially those who love clap and tap dance music,” he said.

Moreane said many youth lost hope and spend most of their time doing nothing. He said the music keeps them busy.

“We go out and sing against other choirs especially during the weekends. We also visit hospitals, clinics and NGOs to sing for patients and health practitioners alike.

“We also receive a necessary support from parents. My father, Batkley Mokaiemang Moreane, who is the President of the choir, always gives us words of encouragement. We have learnt that with discipline, dedication and determination, we can achieve our dream,” Moreane said.

He said the understanding of gospel encourages the people to behave in ways consistent. Moreane added that gospel choir put its faith in action in the public realm.

“We will be having a gospel show at Molatlhwa shop in Mokgareng village on the 29^th of July 2018. We will be hosting the Bautlwile Lentswe Gospel choir from Rustenburg.

“We want to raise funds and the entrance fee will be only R50. We urge all community members to come and support us. Tickets are already available and those who want to buy can call us on 0828050049,” he said.

Moreane said the Baatlegi Ba Morena Gospel choir members also sell tickets. He said they will be releasing an album soon as their music plays a crucial role spiritually.

“The choir also guide individuals on moral conduct. We want to be conspicuous and play an integral part in community-building. I believe that if we work together, we can achieve more and develop a better society,” Moreane said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com