BY REGINALD KANYANE

The South African Police Service in the North West will hold a commemoration service to honour members who lost their lives in the line of duty during 2014 / 2015 financial year on Sunday.

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said the event will be attended by the North West Community Safety and Transport Management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane, the Acting National Commissioner, Lieutenant General JK Phahlane, South African Police Service members, families of the deceased members and the broader community.

“The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane invites members of the media to cover the commemoration service that is scheduled to take place at Westpol Square Building (Parking Area),” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FOURTEEN people are expected to appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They were arrested on Wednesday morning after they allegedly embarked on protest in Choseng village, near Pudimoe.

Pudimoe Police Station spokesperson, Sgt Tebogo Thebe said they have arrested fourteen people after they barricaded N18 road with burning tyres and stones.

“They embarked on illegitimate protest and barricaded N18 road between Vryburg and Taung with burning tyres and stones. We urge our communities to engage with law enforcement before embarking on illegal strike.

“They need to follow correct channels and stop taking the law into their own hands. We have charged them with contravening gathering act, public violence and damage to properties,” Thebe said.  

The community said they embarked on a strike because they do not want the newly-elected councillor, Lopang Tokwe. One of Choseng community leaders, Sinah Letlhogela said: “We do not want Tokwe as our councillor. We elected Peter Moetsi as independent candidate. However, ANC plotted his downfall and that resulted in Moetsi losing against Tokwe during recent local government elections that took place in August 3.

“We conjecture why all councillors come from Matlapaneng village though? This is the fourth consecutive councillor coming out of Matlapaneng village. We want to know if we do not have proficient and competent people from our village who could become councillors,” Letlhogela lamented.

Letlhogela added that they submitted their enquiries to ANC regional structure in Dr Ruth Mompati region.

However, ANC Regional coordinator in Dr Ruth Mompati, Pontsho Kgosieng said they have received Choseng community’s memorandum. He said they will meet on Thursday as the PEC structure in the region to tackle issues raised by the community.

He lambasted the community’s actions after they chased their ward councillor, Lopang Tokwe out of the village on Tuesday.

“We need to educate our people how politics work. They have raised various issues and we will address them. However, we request tranquility in the area. Our people need to accept the outcome of the local government elections. Even though they do not approve the winner, according to chapter 7, the ward was won by ANC and we are expected to provide basic service delivery to the area,” he said.

Kgosieng said some of opposition parties might impel the community to fight the ANC councillor just to hinder the developments in the area.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Water and Sanitation department was in the process of publishing a gazette on water restrictions to limit the use of water for urban and irrigation purposes from Sehujwane, Marico-Bosveld, Kromellenboog, Swartruggens, Pella, Madikwe, Molatedi, Lindleyspoort, Setumo and Koster Dams and river systems respectively.

The department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said restrictions come as a result of the continuing drought phenomenon which has seen the dams named above running below normal water levels. Ratau further said consequently, the water and sanitation department plans to implement restrictions to mitigate the risk of complete system failure to supply water.

“However, it has to be noted that the restrictions would be implemented to safeguard water supply to the users of water from dams and river systems. We want to ensure that all users both domestic and agriculture receive their fair share of the available water during the current drought period,” he said.

Acting Head of the Department in North West, Dr Tseliso Ntili said the situation has worsened at the above-mentioned dams over the past few months. Ntsili added that the decision to implement restrictions becomes more important.

“Due to the critically low levels at these dams, together with a lack of seasonal rainfall and a lack of runoff during the past few months, we did an analysis which determined the need for implementing restrictions on the use of water from these dams.

“The analysis was done by means of an operational model called the Water Resource Yield Model (WRYM) using stochastic analysis of hydrological records and DWS consulted with relevant stakeholders who included local municipalities, district municipalities and commercial agriculture,” Dr Ntili said.

He said through the analysis, it was discovered that Sehujwane, Swartruggens and Koster dams are over utilized and domestic water demand has outgrown supply to such an extent that restrictions have to be implemented at capacity and additional sources of water supply need to be developed urgently.

The Swartruggens Dam in Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality and Wentzel dam in Mamusa Local Municipality are already dry and cannot be used. Dr Ntili said the department is currently assisting with tankering whilst also exploring other short term interventions including underground water source development.

“In Ngaka Modiri Molema district, there are also challenges in rural areas with regard to drying up of boreholes and issues relating to vandalism of water infrastructure which leads to rampant water shortages. The department has provided 25 trucks as a relief measure in the province.

“In addition to the analysis and recommendations of DWS and its stakeholders, expected reservoir trajectories for all major dams in the North West province (in particular, the above-mentioned dams) have been developed to monitor the situation for possible easing or intensifying restrictions,” he said.

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BY KAMOGELO POOE

The North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono remains absolute that the North West Province still has a lot to offer in terms of various tourism attractions. Mohono was speaking at one of the province’s hidden gems, the Herman Charles Bosman Museum in Groot Marico where she launched “Tourism Fridays – Wake Up with the MEC” an interactive live show, hosted at a less popular tourist destination, where the MEC will give out first hand information on various activities which will be taking place during the tourism month a live interactive.

The focus for this week was on the Groot Marico which is a small bushveld town along the N4 towards Botswana and the provincial capital Mafikeng. Among others the Marico district has attractions such the rock paintings by early San and Bushmen people and an old watermill (now a national monument) on the farm Naauwpoort. Also in the district, at Mabotsa, is the ruin of the first mission erected by David Livingstone.

According to MEC Mohono the province has a very rich history and heritage. “As a department we need to encourage our tour operators to start packaging some of these hidden gems so that we expose them to tourists. A place like the Herman Bosman Museum in the Groot Marico area is a great place indeed. This is also where students can come and do academic research for their citations.

Through the A RE YENG BOKONE BOPHIRIMA brand property, we need to place emphasis on some level of exposure places such these need and let it be known out there that the North West Province has a lot to offer.

We cannot sit on our laurels while we have hidden gems such as this museum where history, culture and heritage has been captured so well. Most of such attractions are found in our Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies”, said Mohono.

Chairperson of the North West Tourism Board, David Mogashoa said that there is a dire need to encourage all people to tour their own backyard during this tourism month.

“We need to start touring our own backyards and not rely on people from outside to come and tour our areas. During this Tourism Month we are promoting universal accessibility. This will also help in ensuring that individuals are familiar with their own tourist attractions and areas of interest. We are encouraging everybody to start traveling and exploring their own backyards”, said Mogashoa.

MEC Mohono will be travelling across all four districts of the province in endeavor to expose some of the province’s hidden tourist attraction sites and places of interest. Through her “Tourism Fridays – Wake Up with the MEC” initiative, MEC Mohono will every Friday of the Tourism Month also interact with general members of the public through a live radio show. “During these Tourism Fridays jamboree, we will then be able to also assess the level at which we as a province are in terms of promoting universal accessibility and ensuring that Tourism is for all”, concluded Mohono.

(Unedited version)

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The Mayor of Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Cllr Ralesole Diale has conveyed deepest condolences for the sad passing of the Station Commander of Sun City police station, Tankiso Mokhunana

Tankiso Mokhunana sadly passed away in the line of duty on Friday.

“On behalf of the people of Moses Kotane Local Municipality, we extend our deepest condolences to Mokhunana family for the loss of a dedicated police officer. May his soul rest in peace,” said Diale.

Details of the funeral are yet to be confirmed by the family.

Mayor Diale and Members of Executive Committee will attend the funeral.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Northern Cape Hawks Commercial Crime Unit said they welcomed the assistance they received with regards to its investigation on irregularities pertaining to the redraw or new house plans at Sol Plaatjie municipality.

The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Capt Philani Nkwalase said they wish to invite any person affected to come forward still.

“Several victims allegedly approached the Plan & Structure Office at Sol-Plaatje Municipality and made payments for both approval and drawing of new house plans or redraws. Different amounts were paid to the person believed to be responsible for the processes but no services rendered in terms of drawing the house plans.

“As part of the investigation, we kindly appeal to all the possible victims within Kimberly to come forward with their proof of such allegations. It is not known how many people were affected with this scam. However, few victims came forward with reasonable evidence and we would like more possible victims to come forward,” Nkwalase said.

He said those who want to lay a charge can contact Colonel Potelo from Commercial Crime Unit with tangible information on 053-838 5564 / 071 481 2827.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Northern Cape Hawks Commercial Crime Unit is appealing to the public to assist in locating Donivan Keith Davids. The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Capt Philani Nkwalase said it is believed that Davids will assist in unlocking the investigation on various fraud cases.

“A negotiated amount of money will be paid to any person who will come forward with reliable information. Numerous home owners deposited money to a law firm company called DD Legal Services for assistance with property transfer service. None of the services were rendered and all clients never received their money back,” Nkwalase said.

He said anyone who knows the whereabouts of Donivan Keith Davids should contact Constable Morakabi on 053-838 5551 or 071 481 3393 or alternatively contact LT Colonel Potelo on 053 838 5564 or 071 481 2827.

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JOHANNESBURG –  Sishen Iron Ore Company has been slapped with a R1 billion bill by SARS.

But it plans to dispute the bill for the 2011 tax year.

Kumba received a R5 billion tax claim in February, including R3.7-billion in interest charges and penalties.

This follows an audit of subsidiary Sishen Iron Ore Company, for the years 2006 to 2010. 

The company says it disagrees with the audit findings and will respond to the letter within the prescribed period.

Kumba CEO Themba Mkhwanazi insists the company and its subsidiaries have complied with all applicable tax laws.

– eNCA

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West provincial legislature’s Portfolio Committee on education said they were concerned about rape cases that have been reported to be taking place against learners especially at special schools.

Portfolio committee chairperson, Boitumelo Moiloa said they visited the Kwa-Mocha Primary School in Moretele area on Thursday where they were informed about alleged rape.

“We were shocked to hear that the teacher allegedly raped a six year-old girl back in 2014, but there is no progress regarding the case. The teacher is still teaching and he was not suspended nor investigated by department. We need to protect our children especially girl children because they are vulnerable.

“The teacher was allegedly found raping a six year-old girl who was in Grade R at the time. He was allegedly caught in the act by a female fellow teacher. The department did nothing about the matter while the child is suffering the consequences. We need thorough investigation in the matter and the teacher must be suspended pending the investigations,” Moiloa said.

The education and sport development head of department, Dr Itumeleng Molale said: “We have not received any matter like this before. However, we will make sure that the correct measures are followed. We will send our district director to the school and gather more details. Suspension against the teacher is imminent.”

The rape case was opened at Themba Police Station and investigations are still underway.

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