Man in dock for impersonating female cop


Johannesburg – A 24-year-old man arrested for impersonating a female police official has appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court, North West police said on Wednesday.

Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said Moses Andile Mkhalipha appeared in court on Monday and his case was postponed to October 27.

“The suspect was arrested on September 13, after calling a senior officer in the North West and demanding to be escorted to a meeting she was to attend and represent the National Commissioner (Riah Phiyega),” he said.

“The suspect was transported with a police vehicle from Klerksdorp to Potchefstroom after claiming to be a major general in the SA Police Service and working at head office in Pretoria.”

The major general the suspect pretended to be is a woman, and the suspect dressed up as a woman.

“She” told the police “she” was going to attend the meeting at Potchefstroom Hospital. However, upon arrival at the hospital, “she” informed police officials that the meeting had been postponed until 2pm.

“She allegedly requested to be taken to Potchefstroom Dam where it was established that there was no record of her bookings,” said Ngubane.

It was discovered that the major general that he claimed to be was in a meeting with the national commissioner and the North West provincial commissioner.

“The suspect was taken by police officers to Potchefstroom police station where she was interviewed and requested to produce her appointment certificate, which she failed to do.”

The impersonator told the police that he was from Mamelodi in Pretoria, and at that stage there was nothing to prove that “she” was a police official.

Further investigation revealed that he was once arrested in the Free State province for impersonation.

At that time he claimed to be the sister of the late freedom fighter Solomon Mahlangu, identifying “herself” as Lerato Mahlangu, the younger sister to Solomon.

He was then invited as a speaker at church gatherings and other forums and at times collected monies in the name of the Mahlangu family, though he had no proof that linked him to the Mahlangu family.

“We are still appealing to any person who may have been robbed or misled by this person, to come forward to report to the police,” Ngubane said.

He said investigations concerning the identity of the person was ongoing.

“It was realised during detention processes that the suspect is actually a male, not a female as claimed. At the time when the suspect was escorted, he was wearing make-up and pretended to be a woman, as his voice also complements the looks.”

Sapa

Banyana Banyana go down fighting


Johannesburg- Banyana Banyana went down 2-1 to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the semi-final match of the 9th edition of the African Women’s Championship on Wednesday afternoon, 22 October, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura, Windhoek.

Vera Pauw made four changes to the team that beat Algeria 5-1 on the weekend. Thoko Mndaweni started in goals and Simphiwe Dludlu, Refiloe Jane and Shiwe Nogwanya returned to the starting 11.

But a first half brace by Nigeria’s Asisat Lamina Oshoala knocked South Africa for a spot in the final. Refiloe Jane pulled one back for Banyana Banyana midway through the second half, but it was a question of too little, too late.

Banyana Banyana had some great goal scoring opportunities in the opening minutes of the game.

First, Leandra Smeda made a cross into the box, but Jane failed to connect with a header after only eight minutes. Moments later, 100-goal hero Portia Modise followed with another great chance, but she could not find the back of the net.

Thoko Mndaweni, who sat on the bench in the group stage matches made several great saves in the opening minutes of the game, keeping Banyana Banyana in the game.

Mndaweni cleared the ball out of danger in the 10th minute, before parrying a shot out for a corner a minute later and clearing again in the 17th minute in a one-on-one situation.

Banyana Banyana came close to breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute from a set-piece just outside the area, but Modise’s shot went wide.

Nigeria took the lead after a goal mouth scramble as Asisat Lamina Oshoala’s shot went past Mndaweni in the 37th minute.

Banyana Banyana almost equalised five minutes later after the Nigerian keeper had spilled the ball. However, her defence saved the day for the West Africans.

Soon after, Nigeria extended their lead when Oshoala completed her brace from a long range shot which went past an outstretched Mndaweni.

A challenging second half awaited Banyana Banyana as they went into the break trailing 2–0.

Jane pulled one back for South Africa in the 67th minute after an assist from second half substitution, Sanah Mollo.

But any chances for a remarkable comeback were thwarted by the resolute Nigerian defence despite wave after wave of Banyana Banyana attacks.

Sasol Banyana Banyana will have to battle it out with either Cameroon or Ivory Coast for a third place on Saturday, 25 October.
-TDN
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Taung’s Itekeng Social Club receives a bakkie as donation


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The Itekeng Luncheon Social Club members could not believe their eyes after they received a bakkie as a ‘sign of donation’ from Meals on Wheels Organization.

The donation came about after the social club’s request.

Ramohula Joseph Mbunda,81, who is a Project Manager at Itekeng Lucheon Social Club based in Matolong village, near Taung said the bakkie will help them a lot as they were in need of a transport. “We were using wheelbarrows to deliver food to elderly people whom we serve. So the bakkie will come in handy and will be used to transport food to various areas where our aged people are” he said.

Various stakeholders came out to experience the donation. The North West Social Development, Age In Action organization and Meals on Wheels were part of the hand over.

Meals on Wheels Director in Tans-Orange Area office said that Meals on Wheels caters for older people.

“Meals on Wheels For The Aged is a multi-faceted welfare service aimed at helping the elderly of our country to live out their sunset years in dignity and relative comfort. The service includes Old-Age Homes, Frail-Care Centers, Service Centers For Senior Citizens, and the well known Meals on Wheels For The Aged meal delivery service” he said.

Rantsoabe said all of these services function under the umbrella of Meals on Wheels Community Services,which is a non-profit organization.

The Meals on Wheels service utilizes voluntary helpers who prepare and deliver nourishing meals to the disadvantaged elderly in the comfort of their own homes.

As a rule, the service enables Senior Citizens to remain in the community for far longer than would otherwise be the case.

“We like to believe that the service also enables Senior Citizens to enjoy better health for far longer than would otherwise be the case” Rantsoabe said.

Senior Citizens from all walks of life benefit from the Meals on Wheels For The Aged service, and people from all walks of life make up the voluntary teams.

Itekeng Luncheon Social Club is part of Meals on Wheels and Mbunda said poverty is the biggest challenge in they encounter in Taung.

Dineo Chuaka who is a Supervisor Social Worker shared the same sentiment. “The challenges we come across especially in Taung, are elderly persons who are neglected and some of them being left to raise their grandchildren. So our message to the society is, let take care of our elderly people as they are vulnerable. Let’s make sure we do not leave the alone without enough care” she said.

“The meals are usually prepared in specially equipped Meals on Wheels kitchens and are then delivered by way of a special delivery vehicle that is manned by a driver and a “hopper.” “Hoppers” not only present the meals to the Senior Citizens, but they also lend an ear to the lonely, offer guidance and advice wherever this is needed, and refer Senior Citizens to various other services that can make their retirement years more pleasant and more meaningful” Rantsoabe said.

Meals on Wheels Community Services Director Mpho Rantsoabe said dignity is a sweet fruit that Senior Citizens thrive on, and it is a sweet fruit that they who see to the needs of the aged are always trying to preserve.
-TDN
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Local home based care centres to regularly receive fresh vegetables as part of Setsokotsane Programme


Ramatlabama- Bogosi Foundation Home Based Care in Molelwane village, Disaneng Home Based Care and Mmangwana Day-Care and feeding scheme from Ramatlabama village will from today receive bags of fresh vegetables once a week from the Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development’s Kgora Farmer Training Centre.

This was confirmed by Premier Supra Mahumapelo who started the vegetable donation initiative Wednesday, as part of the recently launched Setsokotsane Programme. 

Joined by MECs for Departments of Rural, Environment and Rural Development, Health, Social Development, Tourism, Speaker of the Provincial Legislature and Kgosi Shole Shole of Ramatlabama, Premier Mahumapelo got down at the centre’s food security garden to harvest vegetables before handing them over to the beneficiaries.

One of the beneficiaries, Jacqueline Modieginyana who is managing Mmangwana Day-Care and feeding scheme said the commitment by the Provincial Government in the fight against hunger will go a long way in addressing food insecurity among rural families, saying the integrated Setsokotsane Programme which seeks to address amongst others poverty, is highly praised and supported.

“We will once every week collect bags of vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, onions, carrots and others, and this will improve the quality of health of the children and families we are looking after”, said Modieginyana.

Impressed by the food security project’s ability to produce fresh and quality vegetables, Premier Mahumapelo challenged the Department of Rural, Environment and Rural Development which is managing Kgora Farmer Training Centre to look at the possibility of establishing satellite centres, this in an attempt to bring the centre’s food security inclined services closer to most people of the Province.

“As we have placed agriculture at the apex of our Province’s economic growth”, said Premier Mahumapelo,

“We further challenge the Department to seriously consider establishing a laboratory that will be equipped enough to test the quality of our agricultural products, this as we endeavour to be the best in as far as certain agricultural products are concerned”.

Mahumapelo encouraged local communities, especially the youth, to take advantage of the training services offered at Kgora Farmer Training Centre, saying there is a need to address skills shortage amongst farmers, for them to be future entrepreneurs and reliable food producers.

The centre is situated in Ramatlabama and is responsible for the development and maintenance of responsive skills, improve capacity resource through tailor- made and adaptive training, as well as empowerment interventions for farmers and prospective farmers alike.
Training at this centre takes various forms that range from excursions, demonstrations, refresher courses, up to credit bearing unit standards to address knowledge and skills gaps on arable farming and livestock husbandry as well as on organisational, marketing and financial management.

Premier Mahumapelo had during the launch of Setsokotsane Programme last week, explained it as an action-oriented initiative that seeks to speedily address service delivery challenges experienced by communities, which include poverty and joblessness. 
-TDN
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Bafana Bafana vs Sudan tickets on sale


Johannesburg- Tickets for the CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 Qualifier between South Africa and Sudan have gone on sale.

Bafana Bafana will host Sudan at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday, 15 November 2014.

Kickoff is at 15h00.

Tickets for the penultimate AFCON qualifier are available at Computicket outlets, Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers stores countrywide for R60 and R110 – which will include free park and ride or free parking at the stadium.

In their final qualifier, South Africa travels to Nigeria to take on the Super Eagles on Wednesday, 19 November 2014.

Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba is expected to announce his squad on Thursday, 30 October.
-TDN
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Water supply to be restored in Ramotshere Moiloa municipality


Lehurutshe – Malfunctioning boreholes in and around Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality will be repaired in order to restore supply of water in areas that have been adversely affected by water shortage. 

North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Collen Maine has summoned officials responsible for water provision in the district to ensure that all the boreholes that have not been functioning because they have either been vandalised or are old, be repaired.

The restoration of such boreholes forms part of the department’s intervention to sort out the water crisis in areas such as Gopane, Dinokana, Ntsweletsoku and Welbedacht in Ramotshere Moiloa.

A joint operation committee which is coordinated by the Department and consists of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), emergency medical services, officials from Ngaka Modiri Molema district and Ramotshere Moiloa local municipalities, Department of Water and Sanitation, water utilities (Sedibeng and Botshelo), has been established to ensure full restoration of water supply and to also deal with any case that may erupt in the process.

Meanwhile, MEC Maine has appealed to communities in Ngaka Modiri Molema district to refrain from vandalising water infrastructure to raise their dissatisfaction about the provincial government’s intervention at Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality.

“Vandalism is a criminal offence and perpetrators will face full might of the law”, he said.
-TDN
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R300m water treatment project launched by Premier Mahumapelo


Mahikeng – Premier of Bokone Bophirima Province Mr Supra Mahumapelo says government remains steadfast in its commitment to provide the more than 40 000 households in the City of Mahikeng and surrounding villages with clean water on daily basis.

Mahumapelo said this on Wednesday while launching a R300m worth project for the upgrading of the Mmabatho Water Treatment Works as part of the Setsokotsane Programme. 

The upgrading phase which started immediately after its launch will see the plant’s capacity to release clean water to communities residing in Mahikeng being upgraded from 20million litres to 30million litres per day by November 2016.

About 48 temporary employment opportunities will be created for local communities, of which 13 will be skilled labourers while 35 will be unskilled.

This R300m project will be implemented in phases and will include the construction of a 25 mega-litre reinforced reservoir at the existing Lokaleng pumpstation site, and the construction of approximately 11km of gravity pipelines from the new Lokaleng reservoir to directly serve certain parts of the City of Mahikeng by gravity. These two projects are earmarked for commencement in 2016.

Addressing local communities who attended the launch at the project site in Moletsamongoe village, about 20km west of the Province’s capital, Premier Mahumapelo said the upgrading of the treatment plant is critical for the City of Mahikeng’s present and future water demands to be positively met.

“We therefore urge communities to continue using water sparingly and most importantly, to jealously guard against vandalism and stealing of the provided water infrastructure as vandalism and stealing are equal to denying communities their right to basic services which is enshrined in the constitution of South Africa”, appealed Mahumapelo.

Implementation of this project is a tripartite partnership between the national Department of Water and Sanitation, the Provincial Government and Mahikeng Local Municipality.

Premier Mahumapelo stressed government’s intent to work with everybody in improving the communities’ living conditions through Setsokotsane Programme which seeks to ensure provision of basis services to all communities in the Province.        

Setsokotsane Programme was initiated by Premier Mahumapelo who started its implementation activities in Ngaka Modiri Molema District’s Mahikeng Local Municipality on Tuesday.

The Programme will from next week be taken to other Local Municipalities in Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
-TDN
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North West Tourism welcomes over ninety employees to the department


Mahikeng – As part of the provincial department’s reconfiguration process in the North West province, MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono has officially welcomed over ninety transferred employees to her department and immediately urged them to work hard and in uniformity to ensure that the department reaches its set targets and ultimately delivers on its core business and constitutional mandate.

Mohono was addressing the first departmental meeting between the departmental management committee and the newly transferred corporate support staff in Mahikeng recently.

“I’d like to welcome you all to this department and urge you to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. We are starting a new journey together and we should all remember that when starting out something new there will always be challenges which we must confront together”, she said.

Mec Mohono expressed her gratitude saying that her department finally has the necessary support staff which will now be able to support the department’s programmes administratively.

“I also hope that as we will be working together you will be able to advise me with matters regarding your areas of specialty as I am also willing to listen and learn from you”, she added.

In her conclusion MEC Mohono highlighted that despite a tight and limiting budget, systems will be put in place to ensure that the department’s mandate is delivered with excellence and that Tourism in the province continue to change people’s lives.

The Acting Head of department, Mr. Charles Ndabeni said that the newly transferred employees should take this as an opportunity to make history as they are the first generation of the first ever stand alone department of Tourism in the province and the only one in the country that has followed the national model at a provincial level.

“We will have to work as a team and be as creative and innovative as possible to provide the necessary technical support to the core business of the department and the also support the MEC in her quest of growing the tourism economy in our province by amongst others promoting village and township tourism products”, he said.

Whilst assuring employees of his open door policy, Ndabeni said the strive to ensure that this department becomes a flagship department for the North West province is through perseverance and determination.

Employees were recently horizontally transferred from various departments which were affected by the reconfiguration process which amongst others included the former department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, the former department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism and the former department of Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison.-TDN
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MEC Molapisi encourages wellness and protection on truck drivers and sex workers


Vryburg- North West Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi said government is committed in delivering services to its people in all aspects of life.

Speaking during the trucking wellness campaign as part of the October Transport Month commemoration in Vryburg, Molapisi said the government doesn’t encourage the sex workers business but has to face the reality of the business existence and respond to the need of government services to those affected.

He called upon truck drivers and sex workers to use protection and encourages them to make use of government services availed to them.

“The least we can do is to provide the services and encourage protection during the interaction of both parties. It is sad that these drivers have left their loved ones behind and spend too much of their time on the road, and they find it difficult to resist the temptations they come across, while on the other hand the living conditions seem to drive our mothers and sisters to the street were they say is making a difference in trying to make end meets and feed their families,” said the worried MEC.

One truck driver admitted that they get tempted and pay for the services from sex workers because they (truck drivers) leave their loved ones at home for a very long time, however he doesn’t believe in protection.

“These condoms also causes us allergies, to be honest I personally don’t prefer using them yet one find it difficult to ignore the temptations from these women,” said the driver who was interested to attend the event but had to leave Vryburg to Durban in the early hours of Tuesday.

One of the sex workers said they don’t enjoy the street life, but they are forced by the circumstances.

“Some of us we are bred winners, we have children and siblings to take care, feed, bath and buy them clothes and this is the only way we survive,” she said as she was leaving to one of the trucks to look for business.

Her partner in business added that they sometimes get abused by their potential clients.

“Life is not easy here but this is our only means of income, it is very risky and scary but one has to live with it,” she concluded.

In partnership with the Department of Health, services of HIV/AIDS, STI counseling, TB, sugar diabetes and all other related diseases were provided to hundreds of people who were gathered at the event, including male circumcision.-TDN
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Prinicipal sacked for racist class displays


Johannesburg – The principal of Wilgehof Primary in Bloemfontein, where the old South African flag and pictures of Julius Malema alongside monkeys were displayed in a class, has been fired, Beeld reported on Wednesday.

Fanie Roeloffze was sacked on Tuesday. Earlier this month a disciplinary hearing by the Free State education department found him guilty of not doing anything about the displays in a classroom.

His representative Marius van Rensburg said they would appeal the decision. He said the finding was a shock, as lighter sentences had been given to teachers found guilty of more serious offences.

Two teachers were suspended in connection with the matter. The outcome of their cases was not immediately known. – Sapa