Picture: ANC (Nort West) Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete
ANC North West Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said: “The meeting is schedule for Monday at 11h00. The proceedings will be held at Taung Tusk Boardroom, Taung.”
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JOHANNESBURG – Eyewitness News has reliably learnt that Zimbabwean first lady Grace Mugabe has left the country.
Sources say the first lady left South Africa in the early hours of Sunday morning along with her husband President Robert Mugabe.
South African authorities had placed a red alert on Grace after she was charged with assaulting 20 year old model Gabriella Engels last Sunday.
She has applied for diplomatic immunity from the South African government.
Source: http://www.ewn.co.za
PRETORIA – The North Gauteng High Court on Friday dismissed Pravin Gordhan’s application for a declaratory order that the Finance Minister could not get involved in Gupta bank fight.
Gordhan turned to the court for a declaratory order confirming that he could not intervene in a dispute between Oakbay Investments and four banks.
Oakbay had asked the former finance minister for assistance after the banks closed all accounts related to Gupta-owned companies.
The court did not conversely find that the finance minister does have the power to intervene in such a matter, saying that it was not necessary to make a declaratory order on a law that already exists.
Following the banks’ decisions to cut ties with the Guptas, the Financial Intelligence Centre listed 72 apparently suspicious transactions totalling almost R7-billion, implicating the Guptas and their companies.
The influential family denied that any of the transactions were dubious.
Source: http://www.enca.com
BY BAKANG MOKOTO
MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe has opened up to the National Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements on the challenges experienced by the department in its endeavor to deliver quality houses to benefitting communities.
Gaolaolwe said that the province has a huge back log on title deeds as a result of township establishment and townships not proclaimed which delays the process of issuing out of title deeds.
She further said the fact that the province is highly dolomitic (67%) also posed as a challenge. However, Gaolaolwe indicated that the department has commissioned a report on the dolomitic areas in the province.
“Another serious challenge is on informal settlements which are either located on private land or are not feasible for upgrading because they are close to environmentally sensitive areas i.e. mines and flood plain, ’’ she said.
Gaolaolwe added that the department has included a punitive clause on contractual agreements and poor performing developers get terminated whilst poor performing developers get scaled down.
The committee members are in the province for the entire weekend to interact will both the Departments of Local Government and Human Settlements, the National Department of Human Settlements, local municipalities (Mahikeng, Matlosana, Moses Kotane, Rustenburg, Madibeng local municipalities) and other stakeholders on matters of human settlements.
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Picture: Former Rustenburg mayor, Matthew Wolmarans to replace embattled Brian Molefe in Parliament
FORMER Rustenburg Local Municipality mayor, Matthew Wolmarans will replace embattled Brian Molefe in parliament. African National Congress (ANC) in North West officially confirmed that during a press conference at their provincial office, Mpekwa House in Mahikeng on Thursday.
ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said: “We have identified Wolmarans as former Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe’s replacement. Molefe requested to be excused from the post and we accepted his request. The ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) is content that Wolmarans will represent us well.
“We are aware about wild accusations that were levelled against Wolmarans, but we believed that he is still innocent. With his vast experience, we have confidence in him as the party. Our main objective is to ensure that we provide service delivery to our communities and carry its mandate.”
Wolmarans was jailed for 20 years in 2012 for the murder of whistle-blower councillor Moss Phakoe. The Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court sentenced his former bodyguard, Enoch Mtshaba to life in prison.
However, the two appealed the sanctioned after spending two years in prison. They were acquitted after their lawyers poke holes in the witnesses’ statements.- Newsnote taungdailynews@gmail.com
Picture (Facebook): Beleaguered Onkgopotse Tiro Comprehensive School principal, Edwin Teach Kgonothi suspended
BY BAKANG MOKOTO
NORTH West education and sport development department has finally suspended a principal at Onkgopotse Tiro Comprehensive School in Zeerust. Edwin Teach Kgonothi faces a slew of graft charges.
The department spokesman, Freddy Sepeng said Kgonothi was implicated in mismanagement of funds.
Kgonothi was initially slapped with 13 charges of fraud and corruption. Some of the charges emanated from alleged submission of falsified quotations. In one instance, Kgonothi is said to have concocted a quotation of R92 430 directed to the school.
The quotation was designed as if it was sourced and submitted by KC Chemicals Company.
The department also alleged that Kgonothi submitted another false quotation to the amount of R114 130 to his school, pretending that the submission was from LKAB Company.
He was also charged for failure to execute functions and responsibilities of his duty as the principal.
Kgonothi allegedly approved and paid travel or transport claims of the School Governing Body members and educators in the amount of R103 775 for 2013/2014 without the necessary or required documents attached to each of the claims submitted. Moreover, the principal faces close to R1m in moneys not properly accounted for.
The department said he allegedly pleaded guilty to three charges mounting to R330 000 and reached an undisclosed agreement with the North West Education and Sport Development department.
However, Kgonothi felt that the sanction was biased and added that he signed the agreement under duress.
North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education and Sports, Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs Chairperson, Oageng Molapisi said they held a meeting with the department on 26 April 2017. Molapisi further said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the outstanding disciplinary cases in the department and the challenges the department is facing in finalising such cases.
“The case against Kgonothi started in 2012 where there was investigation against him for mismanagement of school funds. It was alleged that Kgonothi used some of the school money for his personal benefit. In 2014, there was a precautionary suspension against him, and the department appointed a forensic team to do investigations.
“The team came with the same conclusion that Kgonothi was guilty and must be charged. It was agreed that Kgonothi must be removed as the principal and be placed at the department to work there. The department failed to implement the recommendation,” Molapisi said.
He further said an instruction was given by Court on 2 February 2017 for the department to conduct a disciplinary hearing against Kgonothi. Molapisi added that the department took a decision to outsource the Public Protector and Labour Relations from Gauteng Province in order for the case to get a fair trial.
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Picture: North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo
The Hawks in the North West province arrested Ditebogo Kamogelo Molema for allegedly sending an sms to the North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo, threatening to kill him.
The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said the incident took place on 14 July 2017 and investigations got underway.
“The suspect was then arrested at his home in Mmabatho today. He made an appearance at the Molopo District court. Molema was granted bail of R3000 with bail conditions set,” Rikhotso said.
The case was postponed to 22 September 2017 for further investigations.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in North West, Major General Linda Mbana said: “Hawks will continue investigating without fear or favour. We also urge the community to report any illegal activities within their environments.”
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THE angry community of Majakaneng in North West this morning blockaded the N4 Freeway and the R104 Hartebeespoortdam roads.
The community accuse the cops of protecting a murder suspect.
Community leader Thabang Dibaba alleges that a white farmer living nearby shot and killed a 24-year-old man who went to fetch firewood in his farm, on 2 August.
They further claim that the farmer buried the body on his farm. They accuse the cops of failing to arrest the farmer and hiding him.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAD CONFRONTATIONS WITH THE COPS THIS MORNING AND THE COPS FIRED RUBBER BULLETS AND TEARGAS TO DISPERSE THEM.
COPS ARE WARNING THE COMMUNITY TO STOP DAMAGING PROPERTY AND THROWING STONES AT PASSING VEHICLES.
THEY ASK ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CONTACT THE INVESTIGATION TEAM ON 082 416 0767.
Source: http://www.dailysun.co.za
BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) will hold a meeting with the Matlosana Local Municipality over the mayor’s vehicle accident on Wednesday.
The accident allegedly occurred on 8 November 2016.
The SCOPA will also engage the municipality regarding newspaper articles concerning North West Parks Board’s alleged defence on irregular spending.
SCOPA provincial Chairperson Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said they have been inundated with calls from the media and the public about the matter and therefore has called both municipalities to clarify and seek an amicable solution to the matter.
“The meeting will be attended by Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and management of both the municipality and provincial entity,” Mahlakeng said.
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Picture: Deceased (Baitshepi Monchwe)
BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
MURDER Case against a man from Manthe village in Taung was postponed until August 22. Lucky Aiseng (29) briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after he allegedly killed his girlfriend, Baitshepi Monchwe (28) on Sunday.
Taung Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sergeant Tebogo Thebe said the atrocity was caused by a domestic dispute.
“The suspect and the victim are both from Manthe village, near Taung and they were in a relationship. Post-mortem will guide investigation in terms of the type of weapon used,” Thebe said.
It is alleged that Aiseng bludgeoned Monchwe at his residential area. The deceased’s auntie, Kgomotso Monchwe said the incident left them dejected.
“I saw my sister (Baitshepi’s mother crying on Sunday morning and I went to check on her. She was crying uncontrollably and could not say a word.
“We went to Malaza’s bedroom (as Luckyboy Aiseng is affectionately known in the area) and found Baitshepi’s body in pool of blood. She was bleeding from her mouth and with a fatal wound under her right armpit,” Kgomotso Monchwe said.
The suspect and the victim have two children together.
Taung Community against Crime representative, Bakang Mankuroane said: “We want to condemn what happened in Manthe village. We also want to emphasise that women should speak out against any form of abuse.
“As the organisation, we believe that the fight against women and children abuse is a societal issue. We urge men to take a stand and ensure that women are protected.”
African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) provincial secretary, Bridgette Mogakwe shared the same sentiments. Mogakwe said justice should take its course.
“We believe that perpetrator must face the law. Killing women must be condemned in all forms. We urge all community members to fight against domestic violence, femicide and women and children abuse,” she said.
Meanwhile President Jacob Zuma delivered a keynote address during Women’s Day celebration at Galeshewe Stadium, in Kimberly on Wednesday (August 9). The celebration was held under the theme: “The Year of OR Tambo: Women United in Moving South Africa Forward”.
Zuma said recent incidents of violence against women have caused enormous pain and distress in the country.
“Those crimes are physical, sexual, economic, psychological and emotional. They all represent a violation of human rights and dignity. The crimes that women suffer from include sexual offences, human trafficking, domestic violence and the criminal victimisation of elderly women who are accused of witchcraft.
“The police indicate that the biggest problem with the policing of these crimes is that they usually happen behind closed doors and in secluded areas where it is very difficult to police. Another challenge is that victims have been known to withdraw cases in domestic violence and sexual offences where the offender is known to the victim,” Zuma said.
He further said in such cases, families may intervene and reach an agreement among them to maintain a conspiracy of silence in exchange for money or some other financial benefit. Zuma added that this conduct is unacceptable as it further perpetuates violence against women and turns such crimes into a matter that can be resolved through cash transactions benefitting families.
“In other cases, the survivors prefer to keep quiet rather than speak out, due to the stigma attached to sexual abuse,” said President Zuma.
Other families, he said, have to confront the tragedy of human trafficking which is a painful and despicable crime that was tantamount to modern day slavery. Zuma said young women and girls were being promised jobs or visits abroad and end up being forced into prostitution in hijacked buildings or brothels locally or in foreign countries.
“We urge parents to take a keen interest on the activities of their children on social media and provide on-going advice and support so that they can be protected. Government is playing its part in fighting these crimes against women. South Africa must be safe for women and children in every corner. The South African Police Service has been directed to treat crimes against women and children as an apex priority.”
“Nobody is above the law when it comes to crimes against women. All persons, regardless of their position in society must face the full might of the law when they attack women and children,” he said.
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