By BAKANG MOKOTO

The ANC held an ordinary meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday. The NWC received and considered a number of reports on the affairs of the organisation including on specific issues of national interest.

ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe said: “The NWC engaged extensively with ANC Elections Sub-Committee Report which provided a comprehensive analysis of the open voter registration weekend. The NWC is a constitutional structure of the ANC mandated with the day to day running of the organisation and is task with the implementation of the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

“The ruling party embarked on an intense voter registration drive through visits to various communities throughout the country. The party leaders urged first time voters, primarily youth to register and for those who have registered to check and confirm their details. The outcomes of the open voter registration weekend are proof that South Africa has entered an era of hope and renewal.”

He further said the ANC elections machinery was led in action by the National Officials with President Ramaphosa kicking off the mobilization programme with a health walk from Regina Mundi Church to Mangalane in Chiawelo, Soweto, followed by door-to-door visits and blitzes. Mabe added that the NWC commended the thousands of ANC volunteers including alliance partners and party agents who took to the streets to mobilize and ensure that eligible South Africans are registered to vote.

“Registration took place in conditions that were largely peaceful, orderly, and conducive to the free exercise of fundamental political rights. The ANC further calls on all eligible South Africans who have not registered or checked their details during the open voter registration weekend to visit IEC offices within their reach, mostly located within municipal offices including using the SMS line and the toll-free number provided by the IEC to verify their details.

“The NWC further noted that in a number of areas, voters were prevented from accessing voting stations due to disruptive protest actions. The ANC calls upon all South Africans to exercise their fundamental right to protest peacefully and unarmed with due regard to the rights of their fellow citizens,” Mabe said.

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(Picture Supplied): Bophirima FM station manager, Funnie Morontsi

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Vryburg-based community radio station, Bophirima FM is marred with alleged mismanagement, corruption and fraud. Some of presenters alleged that the management is using the embattled community radio for self-enrichment.

One of presenters who wished to remain anonymous said: “The station is not operating, owned and driven by the communities they serve anymore. It seems the management has forgotten the role of the community radio station. It does not serve geographic communities and its interests, but is been used as a cash cow.

“The station management and its interim board are misusing funds. The station received R800 000 from Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality in 2015. It also continue to receive the amount of R200 000 monthly from the municipality. It is heartbreaking that we are paid paltry salaries, while other presenters who have close ties with the management getting around R3 900 per month.”

Another presenter alleged that the station manager, Funnie Morontsi uses his company to request funds from businesses on behalf of Bophirima FM. He/she also alleged that Morontsi registered the station’s equipment under his name and uses them for Outside Broadcast purposes.

The Bophirima FM is also in loggerheads with Metla Kgola Trust which was running the station. However, the trust has since taken the station to court which and the case sat at Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on 21 February 2018.

The Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joe Motlhasedi said: “The municipality has indeed funded the Bophirima FM in 2013 at the amount of R300 000 for the pre-establishment phase of the radio. We have also funded them to the amount of R250 000 in 2015 for operationalization purposes.

“However, there is no monthly allowance of R250 000 that was ever been funded to the station until to date. The station has no tax certificate due to ownership challenges that are currently under legal process. We are also aware that the station is not producing adequate revenue to either pay for services or other stipends of the presenters currently.”

Motlhasedi added that the station has been accommodated at the building that was leased for free to them by the North West Public Works. He said the department has declared the building unsafe and it will be demolished soon.

Motlhasedi further said the municipality has also funded Morongwa Media which is a community newspaper in Vryburg to the amount ofR49 000 thus far. Morontsi failed to respond to our e-mails and text messages despite numerous attempts.

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Facebook: (Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality mayor, Bitsa Lenkopane)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

South African Communist Party (SACP) in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district calls for the removal of embattled Kagisano-Molopo local municipality mayor, Bitsa Lenkopane. The attempt to recall Lenkopane comes after she was found guilty of assault by Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Lenkopane assaulted Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) ward councillor, Boipelo Bareng on the 14 November 2017. Bareng said Lenkopane found her in the Municipal Manager’s office and chased her out alleging that she has a meeting with the Municipal Manager.

Lenkopane was fined R5000 or six months imprisonment and the sentence was suspended for three years in condition that she will not be found guilty of the same offence.

“Lenkopane barged into the Municipal Manager and found us in the middle of the meeting. She instructed me to go out as she has a meeting with the Municipal Manager. However, I politely requested her to wait for few minutes as I was also in the middle of the meeting. Lenkopane became raucous and hauled insults towards me.

“I was shocked when she manhandled and assaulted me. I suffered few bruises on my neck and elbow as she stifled me. I am grateful after she was found guilty and this will be a stern warning to all those who occupy leadership positions. No one is above the law and I believe that the judgment has restored public’s confidence in the judiciary system,” she said.

SACP regional secretary, Maria Seimelo said: “We want the ANC to depose Lenkopane from her position as a mayor. She is not a good leader and we have raised this in previous occasions, however, the ruling party ignored our call. There are also allegations of maladministration at the municipality and we urge the ruling party to remove her before is too late.

“We cannot have a leader who take the law into her own hands. She must an exemplary and abide by the law. Lenkopane’s time to go has arrived and we need another leader who has the interest of our people at heart. We cannot continue to deploy incompetent leaders who will serve only their interests at the expenses of the communities.”

North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo said he is still waiting for a formal report from MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements department, Fenny Gaolaolwe before he could comment on the matter.

Taung DailyNews understand that Lenkopane was summoned to appear before ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) on Monday to explain what transpired. She will also appeal the judgment in quest to overturn it.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The community of Taung welcomed the Wednesday School Sport launch at Sebitloane Special School in Taung on Wednesday. North West MEC of Education and Sport Development department, Sello Lehari said the initiative will assist the department to go ‘Back2Basics’ and ensure that sport is active at schools.

Lehari further said children as young as six will be part of the implementation. He added that the aim is to prepare children from the tender age to ensure that they become complete players.

“Not all of us can excel academically and some people can use their natural talents to survive. It is our responsibility to ensure that those who want to embark on various sporting codes are given necessary support. Most of professionals started at school to nurture their talents. Our department will invite various coaches to come and scout talents during our school games.

“Former Bafana Bafana captain and Kaizer Chief defender, Lucas Radebe will be heading this programme. He will be working along with Motsweding FM news anchor, Boitumelo Korogo in this programme. We have also acquired services of twelve former soccer players who will assist in talent identification at schools,” he said.

Lehari added that those who will be assisting the department to identify talent will get stipends from the department. He said all these games will go according to stages.

“Our games will commence in villages, wards, municipalities and districts. When we reach the district stage, we will now invite those experts who specialise in soccer to assist us to identify talents. We will now form the North West Provincial School squad and invite other provinces to play against,” Lehari said.

One of the community members, Pako Khonkhobe said: “I have personally taken part in several structures of sport in the Dr Ruth Mompati District. So, I welcome the initiative by the North West Provincial government. The department needs to be applauded in attempt to bring back Sport Wednesday at schools. However, I still believe that there is a serious need in terms of infrastructure.

“There is a mindset that the district has monumentally under-performed in athletics to in terms of building the provincial team that is going to Paarl in Western Cape to represent the province sometimes this month. Out of all those learners who participated, the district managed to produce only two who formed the provincial team.”

One of teachers, Samuel Sekgota from Hikane Primary School in Morokweng village, near Ganyesa shared the same sentiments. Sekgota said they welcome the Wednesday League.

“The initiative will enable our learners to be more proactive in sport, particularly in soccer. We only have soccer in Morokweng because it is deep rural area. However, we would like to see our children being exposed to other sporting codes,” he said.

Former Bafana Bafana and Sundowns PSL player, Lovers Mohlala said: “This will ensure that our children are focused and stop indulging in alcohol, drugs and other socio-economic challenges. I am grateful that our services will be used to ensure that we empower our youngsters. We need to guide them as they are emerging talents that need to be nurtured. North West has the potential and it is where legends are born.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Glory days for Sporting Wednesday are coming back and thanks to North West Education and Sport department, MEC Sello Lehari. The department will be launching the Wednesday School Sport League in football for under 17 learners (boys & girls) at Batlhaping Secondary School in Taung on Wednesday.

Lehari said the primary objective of the Wednesday School Sport League is to revive school sport as it happened in the past. He further said abundance of talent was identified at schools back then.

“We intend to expose talent from the youth and keep them active. The intention is to reduce obesity among the young people who do not participate in sports. The department believes that sport to young people has an educational value as it imparts informal education to them too. Sports impart the important lesson of team spirit and give them the experience of working with different kinds of people in different situations.

“We launched Villages, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD) Games which aimed at exposing the raw talent from the broader community. Now the department has prioritised learners who are still at school. The launch will be at 1pm,” he said.

Lehari also highlighted that sport help in character building if is infused at an early age to children. He said sport permeates a sporting spirit within children and takes the monotony out of their daily life.

“Sport is played according to the rules per sporting code and by obeying the rules; children will automatically develop a sense of discipline. In the Wednesday School Sport League, schools will compete from their respective classes per school, among different schools, ward, villages, municipalities, district and one team will emerge for the province in both boys and girls.

“The provincial teams of boys and girls will play against the Professional Soccer League Reserve Side during the Maize Cup Tournament,” Lehari said.

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Picture: North West Police officer, Sgt Sylvester Tokotshane who died in a car accident in Engcobo, Eastern Cape 

MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane sent his heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of South African Police Services (SAPS) officials who died in a car accident on duty at Engcobo in Eastern Cape in the early hours of Tuesday.

Motlhabane said Sgt Sylvester Tokotshane (33), Const Kgathatso Tawo (34) both from Taung and Const Modisagaarekwe Kodisang (35) from Madibogo village near Mahikeng died in the fatal accident, while one police officer survived the accident. He was ferried to a local hospital for medical attention.

“We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of three Provincial Tracking Team members who died due to a motor vehicle accident in the early hours of Tuesday at Engcobo, in Eastern Cape. We also wish a speedy recovery to the fourth member who was seriously injured.

“Contrary to earlier reports, the members were neither in the Eastern Cape to attend a memorial service nor as part of a team assigned to investigate the incident that occurred in Engcobo last week.  They departed from Potchefstroom to Mthatha in Eastern Cape on Monday afternoon,” he said.

Motlhabane further said the deceased were tracing a suspect on two cases of murder, rape and assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) that were reported in the province between 2008 and 2011. He added that according to information available at this stage, reports suggest that the members’ vehicle collided with a stray animal along R61 road near Xholosini village, in Engcobo.

North West Police Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Baile Motswenyane shared the same sentiments. Motswenyane said three members died instantly while the fourth one was seriously injured and transported to hospital for medical attention.

“This is an unfortunate and tragic incident in which we lost three of our committed members in the line of duty. We pray that the families and members of the South African Police Service in the province have the strength to endure in this moment of grief,” she said.

Tokotshane’s childhood friend, Bakang Mankuroane said: “Crosby, as we affectionately knew Tokotshane was a very sweet soul with a mixture of a quite persona in real life, but very naughty character on social media. Most of us met Crosby through Facebook, yet he treated all of us as his close friends in real life.

“He also treated us with love and respect and he was one of the most proactive and reliable members of the SAPS in the North West. Testimony to that lies in the fact that he lost his life while on duty after being assigned to go to Engocbo. Condolences are extended to the Tokotshane family, SAPS, Taung community and all his friends.”

Makuroane further said the community of Taung lost one of the greatest sons of the soil in Tokotshane. He added that the life of Tokotshane will always be celebrated and cherished.

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Picture: Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority employee, Mojadibane Monnamorwa removed from his position over alleged tribal land scam 

THE Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority has been forced to remove one of its employees.

The authority in Taung, North West, removed Mojadibane Monnamorwa after community members accused him of fraud and corruption relating to the allocation of empty stands.

It’s alleged that he asked desperate people for R10 000 each to get land to build homes.

Source: http://www.dailysun.co.za 

North West health boss Thabo Lekalakala is still in his job‚ despite a recommendation by the provincial legislature that he be suspended immediately for his role in a premature R30-million payment to a Gupta-linked company.

Lekalakala is so far the only man who may be taking the fall for the multi-million rand advance payment to Mediosa‚ a company supplying mobile clinics.

The money was paid in 2017 by the department even before the equipment had been inspected by its officials. The department had used a clause in the Public Finance Management Act which allowed it to grant the contract without it going to tender because the Gupta-linked company was already offering a similar service in the Free State. But Lekalakala landed in hot water last week after it emerged that the North West department made the advance payment just a few months after the Free State issued a contract to the company.

Lekalakala also admitted‚ during a joint sitting of the standing committee on public accounts and the health portfolio committee‚ that he went on a trip to India‚ paid for by Mediosa.

-For more on this story‚ visit Times Select.