NORTH West provincial legislature embarked on prayer sessions across North West ahead of local government. The provincial legislature visited Boitumelong location in Bloemhof on Thursday.

SCOPA provincial chairperson, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng visited said the programme was part of reconciliation, healing and renewal (RHR) programme.

“We are here in Bloemhof to pray for peaceful and fair local government elections. We encourage all citizens to go and vote because it is their democratic right to do so. The programme is playing a pivotal role within the society.

“We have seen tranquillity within the province since the launch of this initiative. So, we also encourage all political parties to have tolerance towards each other. Our people need to know that if we belong to different political affiliation does not necessary means we are enemies,” Mahlakeng said.

He added that many political killings took place in Kwazulu-Natal province and that needed to be condemned. Mahlakeng also encouraged residents to go and vote.

“You need to go and vote because staying away and boycotting elections will not be a solution. You need to go and make the changes that you want,” he said.

Lekwa-Teemane local municipality mayor, Kagisho Palagangwe said they have seen serenity recently in the area.

The residents of Boitumelong location embarked on service delivery protests few months ago. They demanded water, electricity and sanitation.

“Situation has reached calmness and the residents are upbeat. There is peace within the people and we want to avoid what happened back in 2014. Most residents were denied probability to go and vote because of unrest. However the situation has improved. Service delivery has also been improved in our municipality too.

“Churches are there to mediate in any tense situations we come across. They play a fundamental role and bring reconciliation, healing and renewal within our society,” Palagangwe said.

Grace Driven Church pastor, Timothy Zacheus said: “Churches have been integrated as part of the society. South Africa has gone through a lot and we have experienced a transition back in 1994. During the dawn of democracy, the whole world stared at South Africa. Some believed that will be the end of our beloved country. However, God was there and made it possible.

“We reached democracy without any bloodshed, and we can do it some more. The world has now learnt from South Africa what democracy is. We need to continue to invite God in our political arena. We need to pray to him to improve our lives and strengthen our economy too.”

The legislature will also visit Rustenburg on Friday through the same initiative.

Source: http://www.thenewage.co.za

Motsweding FM hosted a soccer tournament in Tlokwe, near Potchefstroom last week. The SABC’s radio station Marketing Manager, Sibusiso Gumbi said the initiative was to celebrate International Mandela Day.

“We visited Tlokwe and North West University to celebrate International Mandela Day. Motsweding FM is in a business of broadcasting. The station’s management saw it fit to celebrate International Mandela Day with a project that is aligned to our core business broadcasting.

“We hosted Mandela Day Schools Soccer Cup and Radio broadcasting workshop for aspiring presenters and producers. This was in partnership with Tlokwe local municipality,” Gumbi said.

He added that the soccer matches were played for 33, 5 minutes each half as a way of devoting 67 minutes towards public service. Gumbi further said prizes were given to the winners, runners-up and third place schools.

“The SABC North West also hosted broadcasting workshops at the North West University (Mafikeng Campus) on July 18. We wanted to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better. We also want to build a global movement for good.

“Motsweding FM wants to inspire the imagination of unidentified radio talent. We also aim to foster a social responsibility and put out a caring reputation for the station. We want aspiring radio presenters to express their hopes,” he said.

Gumbi said they also raised Motsweding FM brand awareness. He further said the late Dr Nelson Mandela created hope where once there was only despair.

“Mandela used sports to inspire and unite people and that is why we honoured Nelson Mandela with a soccer tournament. The station in partnership with Tlokwe local municipality donated soccer kits, medals and trophies to the finalists.

“We also gave away Motsweding FM related merchandise to the public that were in attendance. The winning school also received a R10 000 cheque.

“The money will be used towards their school needs. The final soccer game was live on-air with our sports presenters as commentators. The motive was to inspire individuals and give them a chance to interact with the station’s presenters and put a voice to a face,” he said.

-TDN

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RUSTENBURG residents will benefit from a new bridge project that was unveiled on Monday. MEC for public works, Madoda Sambatha did a sod-turning for the new bridge at Zinniaville railway crossing in Rustenburg.

Sambatha said they have worked together with Rustenburg local municipality and other stakeholders to comprehend the objective.

“This will be a modern state-of-art bridge. Together we are moving Bokone Bophirima province forward. The project will mark a lasting legacy for generations to come. The bridge will be named after the late ANC president and struggle stalwart, Dr James Moroka and create job opportunities. 

“This is part of our vision as the provincial government. We urge communities to take care of the bridge after its completion. The construction will commence within five months time,” he said.

He also added that communities must not burn tyres on the bridge during protests. Sambatha further said it will be up to the communities to safeguard the project.

“Please, let’s educate our fellow residents about the significance of these public infrastructures. The public institutions do not belong to government, but to you. We want to improve the lives of our people and destroying public institutions will derail the process,” he said.

Rustenburg local municipal mayor, Mpho Khunou also shared the same sentiments. He said the project confirmed once again that indeed Rustenburg is the fastest growing city in South Africa.

“We have listened and responded appropriately to our residents. Many lives were lost at this notorious railway crossing. It is a dream comes true as it has been a nightmare for both leaders and residents. 

“We experienced train crashes at this bridge. We mean business when we say we are developing Rustenburg into a world class city. We want all communities to enjoy high quality of life,” Khunou said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
Three people died in a shack fire in Masenkeng section on Oukasie on Thursday morning. Brits police spokesperson Warrant Officer, Mpeile Talane said a 30 year-old man was sleeping in his shack with his two boys when their schack caught fire.

Talane said the cause of the fire was unknown.

“The boys aged 2 and 3 respectively along with their father died in a fire. The incident took place at Masenkeng section in Oukasie.We have launched an inquest case and investigation is underway,”he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Northern Cape police and other stakeholders engaged in a prayer and conducted a search ahead of upcoming local government elections on August 3.

Provincial police spokesperson, lieutenant Sergio Kok said the Northern Cape SAPS For Change, Women’s Network and Employee Health and Wellness Unit were part of the event.

“Members attached to the SAPS Provincial components and police members from Frances Baard cluster also attended,” Kock said.

Deputy Northern Cape provincial commissioner for operations, Maj General Phiwayinkosi Mnguni emphasised the outmost professionalism, patience and safety for all community members and said police is a priority. 

“Following the church service approximately 200 police officers hit the streets in the Kimberley CBD. The police conducted stop and search and visited businesses on foot patrols.

“Several spot fines were issued for drinking in public and many knives and other dangerous weapons were confiscated during the search,” Mnguni.

-TDN

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Banyana Banyana enter the final phase of their 2016 Rio Olympic Games preparations with an international friendly match against New Zealand later today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The clash kicks off at 2pm in local time (19h00 SA time – Brazil is five hours behind South Africa).

The encounter is the last warm-up excercise before South Africa takes on Sweden in the opening match of the Olympics on Wednesday, 3 August.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday, much earlier than most teams. The aim was to acclimatise to the conditions of the South American city, and head coach Vera Pauw believes it was a masterstroke.
“I am very happy that we were able to come here early, so that by the time the Games start we have already found our feet and acclimatized well. We are facing New Zealand in our last preparation match. We went down in terms of the level of where we want to be, but we are on the rise again. With this friendly, we have to see if we are at our best again – and by that I mean the level of performance against the USA, which I believe is the best game that we have played so far,” said Pauw.
 
“But in the back of our minds we already have the matches against Sweden, then China and Brazil and we are preparing for those encounters.”
 
The Banyana Banyana mentor adds that they will put the friendly to good use as it comes at the right time – just six days before the opening match against Sweden.

“We need to work the final touches of the team organisation, as to how we are actually going to play in the tournament – we know all of that already, but the focus against New Zealand will be working on those moments when you want to change or influence the game in different ways. This is also a test for the players to see who is ready because the sharpest players will play against Sweden,” added Pauw.
 
New Zealand is ranked 16th in the world compared to South Africa’s 52nd position.

They come with loads of experience as they have been to the World Cup on three occassions – 2007, 2011 and 2015, while also qualifying for three consercutive Olympic Games – 2008, 2012 and 2016.

They have been drawn in Group G alongside the USA, Colombia and France.
 -TDNFollow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West police are investigating three separate cases in Taung. Provincial police spokesperson, lieutenant colonel Pelonomi Makau said a 14 year-old boy was killed at Maphoitsile village, Taung on Tuesday morning.

“The body of a boy was found by a passerby in a canal. He was allegedly bludgeoned with a sharp object on his head. The boy was allegedly killed at a nearby veld. No one has been arrested and police investigation is underway,” Makau said.

She also added that the police were investigating a rape case also in Maphoitsile village. Makau said a 14 year-old girl was allegedly raped by unknown man on Tuesday.

“A girl from Manokwane village was allegedly walking to school at Maphoitsile village, in Taung. She arrived at the school crying and teachers interrogated her. She confessed that she was raped by unknown man. The police were called and she was taken to the nearest clinic for medical attention.

“According to the victim, the suspect allegedly grabbed her from behind. The perpetrator allegedly robbed her cellphone,” Makau said.

In another separate incident, a 59 year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death in Mokgareng village also in Taung on Tuesday. Makau said the woman who stayed alone was found by her caregiver on Tuesday morning.

“We are not sure how the perpetrator/s gained entry into the house. She was allegedly found with stabbing wounds on her head. No one has been arrested so far and investigation is underway,” she said.

South African Civic Organisation (SANCO) regional secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati district, Mika Moeti condemned the killings.

“We urge community members to working closely with the police to bring perpetrators to book. Taung has been turned into crime nest where criminals practice their criminal activities. We will continue to fight crime in the area and police cannot win the fight it alone,” Moeti said.

-TDN

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CAPE TOWN – The African National Congress’s (ANC) head of elections Nomvula Mokonyane could find herself in hot water for publicly revealing how much the party has spent on its campaign.

Speaking in Philippi last week, the Water and Sanitation Department minister said the ANC had spent more than a billion rand on campaigning ahead of the municipal polls.

The party has since distanced itself from the statement.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa says only Treasurer General Zweli Mkhize is allowed to speak on such issues.

“Firstly we don’t account in public or anywhere. We don’t speculate about the spending of the organisation to the media.”

Kodwa adds action could be taken against Mokonyane on the matter.

“The secretary general indicated that anybody that comments about this issue to the media would need to be disciplined in line with the of the organisation’s internal processes.”

Source: http://www.ewn.co.za

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Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Kgomotso Phahlane on Tuesday said they have rescued Malawian children who were involved in child trafficking.

Phahlane said 57 undocumented children were rescued by police in Rustenburg, North West.

He was addressing members of the media in with regards to human trafficking in Pretoria

“About 18 girls, 39 boys, the driver and two other suspects were arrested, we will be investigating how the truck and children crossed the boarder into South Africa,” Phahlane said.

Phahlane said they are working together with Malawian authorities in investigating how the children made it into the country.

“The suspects appeared briefly at the Rustenburg magistrate court and their case has been postponed. Our team is working to find out what the intended destination of the trafficked children was,” Phahlane said

He said the Malawian embassy assisted them with interpretation when the children were rescued.

“It is too premature to say if they were to be used for sexual or labour purposes. The girls were being transported as if they were goods, they have been assessed and are fine,” Phahlane said.

Police said the suspects are aged 25 and 36 of age.

Phahlane further said the investigations are continuing to establish if there are any more plans to traffic more children from other neighbouring countries.

Source: http://www.thenewage.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for education and sport development department, Sello Lehari embarked on a massive school safety awareness campaign. Lehari began his initiative at Cocekani Secondary School in Kanana Township.

“We also went to Ikgomotseng Secondary School in Schweizer Reneke last week. The aim of the Provincial School Safety Forum is to encourage pupils to apply positive values and create safer and secured learning environment. The forum issues out risk assessment checklist annually.

“Schools through its SGB’s and school safety committees are able to assess their level of preparedness in dealing with emergencies and disasters. The participating schools are those situated at hot spots areas were crime and violence affect the school communities,” Lehari said.

He added that the characteristics of those hot spots areas have high rate of burglary, gangsterism, absenteeism, bullying, smoking, etc. Lehari further said the department was committed to harness the moral wealth of the nation through inculcating ubuntu during the Mandela Month.

“The Provincial School Safety Forum consists of various stakeholders like education and sport development, health, community safety and transport management, social development, SAPS, justice department, NPA, SALGA, Office of the Premier, House of the Traditional Leaders, etc.

“The school safety awareness campaign focuses on four pillars. They are school emergency preparedness like committees (policies, procedures, warning signs, ability to respond and take action on whether systems are in place). The ability to respond and take action such as putting systems in place on emergency numbers,” he said.

Lehari added that during his visit to schools, experts from fire department taught pupils how to distinguish fire.

-TDN

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