BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE North West province has been has been declared as drought disaster area following the unprecedented poor rainfall and heat wave.

The department of Rural, Environment, Agricultural and Development department MEC, Manketse Tlhape said in the excess of 21000 crop and livestock farmers across the four districts were affected.

She there were immediate warrant interventions to mitigate the impact in as far as the agricultural sector was concern.

“Following the declaration of the disaster by the North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, the department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) has performed rigorous assessments on the state of drought through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and in consultation with the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Further engagements also ensued with the National Disaster Management Committee (NMDC) for possible disaster relief in collaboration with the National Treasury,” Tlhape said.

She said it was evident that the effects of the drought will affect food security in the province.

“The cause direct production losses on the current crop season. As an immediate relief, the department is proactively reprioritizing 20% of the 2015/16 grant funded provincial projects in consideration of the emergency drought relief requirements on fodder and water supply,” she said.

However Tlhape said the assistance was only aimed at assisting subsistence and small producers whilst awaiting the NDMC outcome.

“We urging farmers in the province not to lose hope. We have placed agriculture at the apex of the North West economy, therefore farmers should be given support as we going through this period and get back on track for future production,” she emphasised.
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE Water problem continues to affect other areas in North West province. The shortage of water shows its ugly head in Rustenburg and its neighbouring areas. The municipality has urged the residents to use water sparingly.

 The Rustenburg local municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said: “The municipality receives water from Rand Water, Magalies Water and other own sources. Our main contributors are Magalies Water and Rand Water. The water purification systems are currently under tremendous strain due to the heat wave combined with the extremely dry season. The level of Rand Water’s Barnardsvlei dropped from a steady 80% to a critical 14% currently. The Bospoort reservoir feeding the Boitekong areas is merely 6% currently.

“The mines are also using water from these resources and are depending on the water for their mining activities. The mining activities are the backbone of a great part of the municipality conomy. The severe impact on the water availability will have serious consequences for all local businesses,”

Matebesi said the municipality has issued water restrictions for consumers and it is important that they (consumers) do understand the seriousness the matter.

 “We also hereby request each and everyone to keep by the restrictions and conserve our water as it is precious and cannot be replaced. The most serious impact, other than dwindling water supplies, is the effect on staple crops and commercial crops. We urge all our residents to be prepared and heed the call of the seriousness of our water situation. Let us work together through this difficult time.” he said.

 The province has been declared as a drought area. It is faced with extremely dry period and experiencing a worst drought in two decades.

 Water Affair department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said: “South Africa is a water-scarce country. We encourage people to conserve water as much as possible. The less prudent we are with water, the higher the risk of shortages this year. Water will definitely be at a premium over the next few months. The country will be in an even more dire situation in terms of availability of water.”

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE City of Tlokwe is set to host a provincial anti–fraud and corruption conference, integrated development programme (IDP) and the service delivery outreach programme. The IDP programme meeting is expected to be a ground-breaking amid failed court application to halt the amalgamation of Tlokwe and Ventersdorp municipalities. Municipality spokesperson, William Maphosa said they will engage with communities to explaining the amalgamation.

“In commemoration of the International Fraud Awareness Week, the city will host an Anti – Fraud and Corruption Summit next week together with the district. We want to promote anti-fraud and corruption awareness and education. However the programme is spearheaded by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum (PACF) in the Office of the Premier.

“During fraud week government agencies and businesses are expected to engage in various activities. The hosting of fraudawareness training for employees will help in assessing fraud knowledge and risk factors within organisations. We will do post anti-corruption articles on social media and also in newsletters. We also planning to team up with local media tohighlight the problem of fraud,” Maphosa said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West province continues with their mission to rebrand, reposition and renewal programme. The province is set to deliver on one of its key commitments. MEC for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ), Manketsi Tlhape said they will launch the inaugural North West Agricultural Show.

Tlhape who pronounced the hosting of the show during her 2015/16 Budget Speech delivery said: “The Agricultural Show is aimed at creating a platform for government, private sectors, farmers, entrepreneurs, service providers, as well as learners to showcase their agricultural capabilities. The competition will run across the province. The department is creating a platform for producers and suppliers to showcase their products.”

Tlhape said the show is set to draw stakeholders from national and global spheres. She said this will create an opportunity for these role players to network and exchange information.

“The show will help to afford strategic partners an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to ensure the agricultural sector transformation. The department has therefore invited strategic partners to pledge resources including finance and infrastructure to ensure attainment of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) purpose and objectives. The support should be centred across the four departmental programmes mainly: Crop Production, Livestock Production, Horticulture and Floriculture and Aquaculture and Fisheries within the entire value chain,” Tlhape said.

She said they will official launch Legacy Agribusiness Enterprise Development for Young people and Women. According to Tlhape, the launch will take at Kgora Farmers Training Centre in Mahikeng on November 25 this year.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE new ablution blocks will be built at Mokutong primary school in Gopane village. The announcement was made by North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo after a visit. Mahumapelo visited the area on Wednesday during Setsokotsane programme.

“I was touched after I saw the dilapidated ablution block used by pupils at the school. We took a decision as provincial government in partnership with businessman to erect a decent ablution block for them. We urged pupils not to be deterred by their current circumstances. They must not allow their current situation to define their destiny,” Mahumapelo said.

 He also visited a local clinic and came across many challenges. The clinic manager, Morogotsi informed Mahumapelo that they were understaffed. According to Mogorotsi, the clinic caters for more than twelve thousand residents with only three professional nurses and three assistant nurses.

 “The head of health department will visit the clinic to assist in resolving the staffing challenges. Another challenge in the area was a bird sanctuary project that was constructed in 2010. The area has since been vandalised. We will engage with relevant authority to seek answers on what happened to that project. Millions of rand were injected in the project, but one cannot even mention,” he said.

 The bird sanctuary was constructed next to Ngotoana dam. Eight chalets that were built at the area have been vandalised. Mahumapelo said the project would not have collapsed if it was turned into a cooperative. He added that the community members were integral part of any project.

“The community members also highlighted shortage of water and a need for a paved road to be assembled. Setsokotsane will be in Ramotshere Moilwa local municipality for two weeks. All government departments will render the much needed services to communities within the municipality. This includes resolving challenges identified by the community.

 “There is a need for a bakery in the area. We will try to assist to resuscitate a bakery that collapsed at Borakalalo village. It is our plan and mandate to revive villages, small dorpies and townships. So we assure the community that a process to revive the bakery will be undertaken. That will be in collaboration with the community. The department of FEED is currently registering all small businesses in the database. We want people in small dorpies, villages and townships to benefit through entrepreneurship.” Mahumapelo said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West department for local government and human settlements collaborated with the North West University at Vaal campus to come up with different approach for new developments. Acting MEC, Wendy Nelson said a scientific approach in dealing with critical areas of service delivery was needed. The department has already submitted a newly researched method to portfolio committee for approval.

“More still need to be done, but our track record remains our inspiration. It is our beacon of hope towards the achievement of clean audits. Our focus is currently on enhancing key areas of internal controls, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations. We also need to bolster our financial management capacity and implement audit action plans,” Nelson said.

She said their main priority was to implement the back to basics strategy. Nelson said the aim was to turn the North West province into a construction site.

According to Nelson, creating a functional municipalities as well as job creation through accelerated construction projects that will help.

“At the commencement of the fifth administration, we set a task to bring a new sense urgency of service delivery. We embarked on a journey to bring in a paradigm shift that would implant bureaucracy as part of fast tracking transformation.The implementation of our provincial priorities were inspired and driven by the pursuit for radical socio-economic transformation. Our special focus remains villages, township and small dorpies (VTSD) economies and its central role in taking Bokone Bophirima province forward,’’ Nelson said.

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE family of Mmupele in Verdwaal village, near Itsoseng said they still living in poverty. The family lost four children through hunger and dehydration back in 2011. Onkarabile, 2, Nkune, 6, Sebengu, 9 and Mapule, 7 died under the scorching sun after they followed their sister, Kedibone to the nearest farm. Kedibone allegedly left the house in that dreadful morning to fetch food at the farm. The bodies of four children were later discovered after they died from hunger and dehydration.

Martha Mmupele said: “Situation has not been improved since losing our children. We urge anyone who could help to provide any assistance. I am earning a pension grant, but I get deductions like water and electricity which I did not sign for. We would be grateful if our state of affairs can be improved.”

North West social development department acting spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “We have conducted a home circumstances report to determine the needs of the family. Our social workers linked the family with Home Affairs to apply for birth certificates and IDs. Also a vegetable garden was established at the family’s yard with the help of department of agriculture. Seed was provided to the family.”

Siko said provision of food security in the form of poultry was also provided to the family. He said a vegetable garden was established at Motlhatswa primary school.

“The garden at the school helps needy children and benefitted 99% pupils from Verdwaal including the Mmupele family.With regard to airtime and electricity debits, the family may go to the nearest police station to make a declaration. They will be requested to fill an affidavit where they declare that they have never signed any contracts with any service provider to debit airtime and electricity. After that process, they must submit the declaration to SASSA office.” Siko said.

Meanwhile, the DA in the North West commemorated the lives of four children who died. Democratic Alliance provincial spokesperson, Tutu Faleni said: “We went to visit the family and assessed the situation. They are drowning in poverty and toying with hunger. We have organised a fun walk in quest to raise money. We urge all businesses in the province to come together and heed the call. We walked the route where the children died.

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Pic: (Prisoner’s cell)

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 28 year-old man found guilty of murder and robbery on Wednesday. Thabiso Mogadinyane who appeared before Itsoseng Regional Court, was declared unfit to possess a firearm.  He was arrested for killing a businessman in 2013.

North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said: “Mogadinyane and his other four men pounced on the shop owner at Mareetsane village, near Itsoseng. The suspects entered the shop under false pretence by masqueraded as customers. Mogadinyane pointed a shop owner with a firearm and demanded money.

“They tied-up the people who were in the shop and fired one shot on the floor. Other victims managed to escape and seek for help. They searched the rooms and Mogadinyane shot and killed the shop owner who died on the scene. The community assisted the police to trace him. He was arrested and police confiscated his firearm. Mogadinyane was sentenced to 21 years for business robbery and murder.”

She said that the case against other five men was withdrawn because there was no positive evidence that could link them to the crime.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE case against two accused, Kagiso Vincent Bontsi, 33 and Kgotlayame Macdonald Monaki, 27 was postponed by Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. They are facing two counts of murder, business robbery, seven counts of robbery, kidnapping, car-hijacking, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

North West police spokesperson, Maj Pelonomi Makau said: “The suspects allegedly entered a tuck shop belonging to Bangladesh man at Moshawane village in Tshidilamolomo near Mahikeng. They shot and killed a customer before and shot before turning the gun on the owner. He suffered injuries from gunshot and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. He was since discharged. The suspects allegedly took groceries and an undisclosed amount of cash before they fled the scene.”

Makau said the suspects allegedly hijacked a minibus taxi with commuters inside.

“The suspects shot and killed the taxi driver and drove off with passengers. Police were informed and followed the lead. The accused were then arrested in Lomanyaneng village. They were found to be in possession of suspected stolen property and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The suspects were remanded in custody and their case will resume on February 19 next year. The case was transferred to Mahikeng Regional Court.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE African National Congress in North West province welcomed the outcome of Matlosana Ward 13 by-elections where they obtained 78% victory. The provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said: “The election results are testimony that the ANC still enjoys support from community of that area. The outcome also represents a picture of how the ANC is going to perform in the coming local government elections.

“The ANC is also disappointed in the results of the Rustenburg ward 17 by-election which were won by the Democratic Alliance. The outcome has taught us a lesson that Ward 17 in Rustenburg is white dominated and only few blacks residing there are labourers. We have however resolved to focus much on getting maximum votes in historically white dominated areas.”

Legoete said the ANC celebrated because the signs of positive strides towards penetrating the white votes in Rustenburg were emerging. “Yesterday we welcomed comrade Maria Bodenstein who defected from her position as DA Ward 16 councilor to join the ranks of African National Congress. She has moved away from the ranks of those who still believed that PW Botha is the solution and joined the democratic forces of the left.  We are gladly welcoming her as one of our own.

However newly sworn-in Democratic Alliance MP leader, Joe McGluwa said: “The loss of the ANC in Rustenburg augurs well for the DA. The results also show that people have lost trust in the ruling party. We are very grateful for the residents of Rustenburg to vote for the party that will cater for them. We are prepared for next year’s local government elections and we believe DA will do well.”

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