BY REGINALD KANYANE
A FEMALE traffic cop was allegedly killed by a speeding truck on N18 near Taung Marble on Wednesday.
Community safety and transport management department spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said the police investigation was underway.
“We are still gathering all facts and we will release media statement as soon as we have all facts. However, we can confirm the incident and investigation is underway,” Sebolecwe said.
The traffic cop was allegedly trying to stop the truck on the road. However the driver failed to stop and allegedly knocked her down.
She was confirmed dead on the scene by emergency services.
PREMIER for North West, Supra Mahumapelo has said that the province is more than ready for local government elections that will take place on Wednesday.
Mahumapelo will cast his vote at Kebonang Secondary School in Unit 14, Mmabatho at 7am on Wednesday.
Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said Mahumapelo urged people to go to the voting stations in numbers.
“Premier encourages people to exercise their democratic rights to vote. All voting stations will be open from 7 o’clock in the morning. Mahumapelo said the right to vote was fully recognised as a fundamental right in South Africa and that must not be taken for granted,” Setswambung said.
Mahumapelo said he was confident that the elections would run smoothly with no hindrance.
The provincial community safety and transport management department has also confirmed the readiness of the province.
“They have assured the safety of those who will be voting. There will be a strong police visibility across the province to ensure that the municipal elections run smoothly with no interruptions,” MEC for community safety and transport management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said.
MEC for local government and human settlements, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe is content that the Independent Electoral Commission in the province will stage successful elections on Wednesday.
Gaolaolwe said that the first day of special votes started well. She added that most of the voting stations opened as scheduled, except ward 8 in Ratlou local municipality where community embarked on protests.
“We appeal to our communities to allow electoral officials to do their work. We also urge them not to engage in any activities that may disrupt the smooth running of elections.
“We encourage all eligible voters including new voters to take this opportunity to go and vote. It is an opportunity for them to have a direct say on who runs their ward and the municipality,” she said.
Gaolaolwe also said many people fought for democracy and lost their lives for us in order to have a better life.
“It is important that we do not take the voting right for granted. We also appeal to all stakeholders and communities in general to work together towards achieving free and fair elections.
“The overall success of the elections requires all stakeholders to play an active role. Ensuring free and fair elections must be the primary responsibility of the IEC, but all relevant stakeholders have a major role to play,” she added.
Gaolaolwe further said Provincial Disaster Management Centre officials are on stand-by to tackle any incident that might occur.
“We are ready to implement the local government continuity plan which will ensure the continuity of operations after any kind of occurrence. We have activated the Disaster Management Centre since July. The department is also working with all security structures and the IEC.
“We want to ensure that we deal with any incident head-on. I can declare that as the province, we are 100% ready for the local government elections,” she said.
Take heed of Baleka Mbete’s mistake‚ and make sure you take your ID with you when you heading to polling stations on Wednesday.
The African National Congress’ (ANC) national chairperson – and the speaker of the National Assembly – didn’t have hers when she arrived at the Berario Community Centre in Northcliff on Tuesday morning to cast a special vote.
Eyewitness News reported that Mbete’s documents were with officials who handle her travel arrangements‚ and she had to leave the polling station and was expected to return later on Tuesday to try again.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told the radio station: “It’s an important reminder to all of us that‚ whatever you do tomorrow morning‚ have your ID with you.”
Monday saw the opening of two days of special voting for those whose medical conditions or commitments mean they can’t travel to voting stations on Wednesday.
NORTH West provincial legislature speaker, Sussan Dantjie will sworn-in new Member of the Legislature, Virginia Tsotso Tlhapi. Dantjie said Tlhapi will replace the late MEC for social development, Kgakgamatso Nkewu as the member of legislature.
Dantjie said: “The proceeding will take place at the Speaker’s Boardroom at 3pm. Tlhapi is ANC member and we hope Tlhapi’s inclusion will be fruitful.”
Nkewu passed away a month ago in a car accident between Vryburg and Mahikeng. She was on her way to join ANC deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa on local government election trail campaign in Molelema village, Taung.
Her vehicle rolled several times before it burst in fire. Nkewu’s VIP protection driver lost control of the vehicle while he was allegedly trying to avoid a cyclist on the road. The cyclist was also killed in the same accident and two VIP protections survived the accident.
South African ruling African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma delivers his speech during the ANC closing rally campaign for the municipal elections at Ellis Par Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: AFP
South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday urged supporters to vote for the ruling African National Congress ahead of fiercely competitive municipal polls that could see the party lose control of several major cities.
Zuma’s ANC, which controls the majority of the country’s 278 municipalities, has been weakened by graft scandals and growing public discontent since it led the fight against white-minority rule.
At a massive final rally, the party made a last push for votes, stressing its anti-apartheid history and the legacy of former president and Nobel peace price winner Nelson Mandela.
“Millions of our people must vote ANC and enable their movement to continue improving the lives of our people,” Zuma told a packed Ellis Park Stadium in the Johannesburg city centre.
“Every vote counts.”
An estimated 55,000 supporters decked in the ANC’s green, yellow and black filled the stands for the extravagant rally, crowning a campaign the party said had cost it an estimated one billion rand ($72 million).
“We have walked the streets of this country, we have visited every town, every city. We have been to thousands of homes,” said Zuma.
The latest Ipsos opinion polls suggest that the ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, could be under threat in three major cities — Pretoria, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth — in Wednesday’s election.
The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which rules in Cape Town, is hoping for a breakthrough, citing the country’s poor economic performance and a series of corruption scandals plaguing Zuma.
Last week, South Africa’s highest court ruled that the president pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.
“A lot of money was wasted there that should have been spent on the people,” Frieda Motlatla, 24, told AFP at Sunday’s rally.
But with her hair wrapped in an ANC turban, she said Zuma’s troubles would not affect her support: “I don’t vote for a person, I vote for a party.”
“Nkandla is not our business,” agreed Simon Machaka, 42. “Some people will always be dissatisfied. They don’t focus on the good things.”
Zuma, 74, will have completed two terms in office in 2019 and is not eligible to run for president again, but the ANC could replace him ahead of the next general election if the party scores poorly in the local polls.
Speaking to the weekly City Press newspaper, Zuma’s predecessor and later his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe said the ANC had “lost its ability to be representative of ordinary people”.
“It’s almost as though the country is on autopilot. There’s no leadership being provided,” he said.
“It may be possible at some point to salvage the ANC from this race to the bottom. But it is also possible that the ANC may so thoroughly discredit itself that there may be nothing to salvage.”
“If we reach that moment, it would mean a realignment of political forces in South Africa.”
The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is also seeking to make a major impact in its first municipal elections.
“The ANC is dead,” EFF leader Julius Malema told thousands at a rally in a northern city of Polokwane.
A true leader doesn’t need an ego-boosting title to affirm his ability to lead. Their approach is not to control others but to serve them — always giving and expecting nothing in return, even when it means foregoing their own comfort.
This authentic way of leading is wonderfully and poignantly illustrated by this story about an elderly man and his wife who stepped out of the wild storm into the shelter of a small hotel lobby in Philadelphia, America.
‘Could you possibly give us a room here?’ the husband asked.
The clerk, a friendly man with a winning smile, looked at the couple and explained that there were three conventions in town.
‘All of our rooms are taken,’ the clerk said. ‘But I can’t send a nice couple like you out into the rain at one o’clock in the morning. Would you perhaps be willing to sleep in my room? It’s not exactly a suite, but it will be good enough to make you folks comfortable for the night.’
When the couple declined, the young man pressed on. ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll make out just fine,’ the clerk told them.
So the couple agreed.
As he paid his bill the next morning, the elderly man said to the clerk, ‘You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the United States. Maybe someday I’ll build one for you.’
The clerk looked at them and smiled. The three of them had a good laugh. As they drove away, the elderly couple agreed that the helpful clerk was indeed exceptional, as finding people who are both friendly and helpful isn’t easy.
Two years passed. The clerk had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from the old man. It recalled that stormy night and enclosed a round-trip ticket to New York, asking the young man to pay them a visit.
The old man met him in New York, and led him to the corner of Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. He then pointed to a great new building there, a pale reddish stone, with turrets and watchtowers thrusting up to the sky.
‘That,’ said the older man, ‘is the hotel I have just built for you to manage.’
‘You must be joking,’ the young man said.
‘I can assure you I am not,’ said the older man, a sly smile playing around his mouth.
The older man’s name was William Waldorf-Aster – and that magnificent structure was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel! And that young clerk was George C. Boldt – proudly made it’s very first manager by the wise ol’ William Waldorf-Aster. What a truly fantastic example of how true leadership leads to success and excellence – for everyone involved!
Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Pauline Williams has announced the Province’s readiness to hold safe, secure and fair 2016 Local Government Elections.
“It is all systems go for the Province and we are ready to hold safe, secure, free and fair elections for the people in the Northern Cape. Preparations are on track for the 2016 Local Government Elections from 1-3 August 2016 where all eligible members of the community will exercise their democratic right and cast their vote for the party and candidate of their choice.
“We call on eligible community members to go out in their numbers to cast their vote without fear while our plea is also for parties and candidates to be tolerant. Every voter has a right to elect a candidate or party of their choice,” Williams said.
She said they have also assessed SAPS’ state of readiness in the Province. Williams further said they were confident that they will ensure protection for voters during this time.
“We do not doubt the level of commitment of SAPS’ officials towards their work in safe-keeping communities especially during this crucial time of the Local Government Elections.
“We will however not shy away from engaging SAPS and recommending corrective measures where we see a need as part of our oversight and monitoring role as a department over the organization,” Williams said.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) identified 710 registration points, inclusive of tents for the Province.
“SAPS’ plan is comprehensive and includes provision of support for the staff and security, securing polling stations during and after election, addressing disruptive actions, identifying high risk areas and securing electioneering material. All eligible voters are encouraged to make their mark from 1-3 August 2016,” she said.
Head coach of the South African Women’s Olympic Football Team, Vera Pauw said she was happy that the loss against New Zealand came just before the start of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Pauw said the game will help to bring the team back to reality.
This was Banyana Banyana’s fourth loss in a row after coming unstuck against Netherlands (2-0 and 1-0) and lost 1-0 against USA.
Pauw said the defeat to New Zealand answered a lot of questions.
“It was not a good performance at all, very chaotic display but it was a good wake-up call for us to push away some of the distractions we encountered leading to the match. We have to get back into our routine of hard work and rest, and that is the only thing we need to do to get back to our best.
“To be honest, we could see it coming and we are glad it happened – now everything has to be back on point for the match against Sweden, otherwise we will have the same result,” said Pauw.
“The match was useful in many ways, in that now we know what we can or cannot do, and it also helped us with the question marks we had around some players. But the truth is, you don’t want a defeat, especially by such a big margin, before you are about to start a tournament – you would like to go there with a win under your belt.”
Pauw has asked for the same gutsy performance that the team displayed against the USA, despite the loss.
“When all is said and done, it is better we lost in our final preparation match than at the start of competition – in that sense, thank you New Zealand for showing us that we have to get our feet back on the ground.
“I hope the players have learnt that you are not a star player with one good display against the USA – which was without doubt a very good game for us despite the loss. We have to produce that performance every other day in a tournament like this. It’s good that we have been woken up,” added Pauw.
Banyana Banyana offered little resistance as they went down 4-1 to New Zealand in an international friendly match played on Thursday at Estadiu Luso Brasileiro in Rio de Janeiro.
New Zealand’s goals came from Hannah Wilkinson, Amber Hearn, Annalie Longo and Sarah Gregarius while South Africa replied through Jermaine Seoposenwe.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad is left with a few days to rectify their mistakes – they take on Sweden in the opening match of the Games. But Pauw is confident ahead of that all-important clash.
“What is very clear is that we have to learn from this defeat and use it in our favour, and I know we will do everything we can to ensure we get a positive result against Sweden, I believe we will be ready,” said Pauw.
MEC for community safety and transport management, Dr Mpho Motlhabane assured communities of Bokone Bophirima a safe and secured local government elections.
Motlhabane said South African Police Service (SAPS), together with other law enforcement agencies and role players of the Provincial Joint and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS) have compiled a multi-agency provincial operational plan.
“We are ready for these elections. Our people must know that they will be safe wherever they will be casting their votes. Our law enforcement officers will always be on the lookout. We will be visible enough on our roads and every village of the province,” Motlhabane said.
Motlhabane said the Electoral Act provides for a number of offences punishable by law if committed during the election period. He said the following are some of the offences in terms of the Electoral Act;
“No person may publish any false information with the intention of disrupting or preventing an election or to create hostility or fear in order to influence the conducting or outcome of an election. No person may interfere with a voter’s right to secrecy while casting their vote. This in itself places an obligation on the leaders of political parties to ensure that their members observe the provisions of the Act and conduct themselves responsibly during this period.
“We also urge leaders to refrain from making irresponsible and/or inflammatory statements or pronouncements, which may incite irresponsible or even violent behaviour as well as to abide by the electoral code of conduct which was signed by all political parties,” Motlhabane said.
“We are convinced that with measures in place including activation of the Provincial Joint Operational Centre (PROVJOC), the securing and safeguarding of the 2016 Local Government Elections will be successfully safeguarded and secured,” he said.
Provincial chairperson of the PROVJOINTS, SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Baile Motswenyane said they will make sure that there is not only high visibility, but that there will be static deployments at all the 1662 voting districts.
“We want to give an assurance to all the people of the North West province that we are ready, willing and able to deliver on our mandate of a safe and secure election for all those who will be going out to exercise their right to vote.
“The successful safeguarding of the elections is also dependent on the cooperation of the community who are urged to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner,” Motswenyane said.
She added that they urge community to comply with various legislation including the Municipal Electoral Act, 2000 (Act No. 27 of 2000), the Dangerous Weapons Act of 2013 and the Regulation of Gatherings Act of 1993.
“All our law enforcement officers will not hesitate to take actions against any person who contravenes the law. We also appeal to the people who will be driving to different voting stations to be vigilant on the road and always comply on the road,” she said.
