Mahikeng- Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo confirmed on Wednesday that the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) has been placed under the management of and will report to the Office of Premier pending the completion of the reconfiguration of Provincial Departments.

In line with this decision, the Premier has delegated line functions of Conservation and Tourism to MECs Manketsi Tlhape of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development, and Desbo Mohono of Tourism respectively. Mr Mahumapelo said this while addressing the entity’s Board of Directors, Executive Management and officials.

The meeting which was also aimed at introducing the Premier to the employees was held at Cookes Lake, Mahikeng. 

Sharing the Province’s vision which led to reconfiguration of Departments and the changing of reporting lines for North West Parks and Tourism Board, Mahumapelo said the ultimate goal of this exercise is to facilitate the process for the legislative amendment of North West Parks & Tourism Board Act, of 1997, which will result in the separation of the Tourism and Conservation mandates and setting up of two independent Public entities to implement each mandate.

“We have sensibly identified tourism as one of the three key economic pillars in the province, and this calls for focused packaging of superior tourism products, which must help us realise the goals of the already conceptualised strategy on rebranding, repositioning and renewal of the Province”, said Premier Mahumapelo.

Mahumapelo challenged NWPTB employees to play their part in promoting domestic tourism and black economic empowerment, saying these activities remain central to the envisaged growth of the provincial economy to 6% by 2019.

Mahumapelo assured employees that this reconfiguration process will in no way mean loss of jobs for any government employee, saying they must embrace it and understand it in the context of enhancing delivery of services to the people of the Province and accountability thereof.  

Dr Dudu Boemah, the Chairperson of the NWPTB’s Board of Directors, thanked the Premier for sharing with them the provincial vision in so far as tourism is concerned, saying this will go a long way in changing the image of the Province.

The meeting was attended by more than 300 rangers, parks gate attendants and administration personnel from the 16 parks that are found in the Province.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – The Seriti Commission of Inquiry will issue subpoenas to the three arms deal critics who withdrew from participation, it said on Wednesday.

“The chairperson indicated yesterday [Tuesday] that the commission will issue subpoenas to the three witnesses,” spokesperson William Baloyi said.

“He also indicated that the commission is aware that two of the witnesses are out of the country but the one present will be served, namely Mr [Hennie] van Vuuren.”

Former African National Congress MP Andrew Feinstein, author Paul Holden, and Van Vuuren announced last week they were withdrawing from the commission. All three had been expected to testify.

They said they could no longer co-operate with an institution that “is [so] deeply compromised that its primary outcome will be to cover up”.

The commission, chaired by Judge Willie Seriti, was appointed by President Jacob Zuma three years ago to investigate alleged corruption in the 1999 arms deal.

Asked at their announcement last week if there were any legal implications to withdrawing, Holden said the subpoenas sent to the three had expired.

All witnesses at the commission had received subpoenas. The three were meant to testify in August: Feinstein on 4 August, Holden on 5 August, and Van Vuuren the day after.

Van Vuuren on Wednesday told Sapa he had not received any communication from the commission.

“I have not been re-issued and my current subpoena lapsed in early August.

“If I am [subpoenaed], I will certainly be seeking legal advice,” he said.

Lawyers for Human Rights, representing the three, said on Wednesday it could not comment on Seriti’s decision until the subpoenas had actually been issued.

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley police are investigating case of rape. The suspect is a coloured male, approximately in his late 20’s, medium built, light in complexion and 1.5 metre tall.

He is suspected of raping a 29-year-old woman on the 17 August 2014 on the N8 direction Griquatown.

Any person who can assist in identifying the suspect on the Identity kit can contact the Kimberley police on 0538384 100 / Constable Gumede 082 3020 468 / 10 111.
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley police are investigating case of rape. The suspect is a coloured male, approximately in his late 20’s, medium built, light in complexion and 1.5 metre tall.

He is suspected of raping a 29-year-old woman on the 17 August 2014 on the N8 direction Griquatown.

Any person who can assist in identifying the suspect on the Identity kit can contact the Kimberley police on 0538384 100 / Constable Gumede 082 3020 468 / 10 111.
-TDN
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Motorists and road users were left with no choice but to adhere to road rules throughout the August month, following the law enforcement special operations by women traffic officers.

More than 317 traffic fines were issued with the value of R265 800 to defaulting motorists for various offences such as using cell phone while driving,

  driving without drivers license, unroadworthy vehicle and safety belts.

About 1 397 vehicles were stopped and checked by women traffic officers who have shown their commitment and worked hard to stamp authority on the provincial roads.

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi send his message of gratitude to the road users for their corporation during women’s month special operations.

Molapisi said, if all road users continue to corporate on the roads as they did during August month the battle against fatalities and incidents would be soon defeated.

“We only had one unfortunate incident where the Pastor allegedly insulted our traffic officer but throughout the month everything went very smooth.

The fight against these high rates of fatalities and incidents on our roads is a winnable battle with the cooperation and support of the road users.

Working together we can save the lives of our beloved ones and let us all be road safety ambassadors,” said Molapisi.

The case of crimen injuria, interference and defeating ends of justice, where the pastor allegedly insulted a woman traffic officer along the N12 is still under police investigation.

Meanwhile, the department hosted a successful women’s month commemoration at Majakaneng in Moretele where hundreds of women from different stakeholders took the centre stage to discuss and deliberate ways of defeating corruption in the public service.

In his address during the event, MEC Molapisi said the newly elected government is confronted by the challenge of corruption which needs brave women who will fight it to the bitter end.

“We are faced with a monster that is eating our government from within. Corruption is taking away from the poor, it is denying our children to have a decent meal, attend decent schools and it is denying government to fight the triple challenges of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

“Our success in the fight against corruption will speed-up service delivery and thus making the people of Bokone Bophirima to develop and live in a developed, safer and secured environment,” concluded Molapisi.

Women who attended the event discussed challenges that they are facing and the best ways to defeat corruption at the workplace.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – Former chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) Gavin Woods is expected to testify at the Seriti Commission of Inquiry on Tuesday.

Woods, who was an Inkatha Freedom Party MP, resigned from his position as chairperson of the key watchdog committee in 2002.

Upon his resignation, Woods released papers stating that he was stepping down due to interference in Scopa’s work by Cabinet ministers, former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, former national assembly speaker Frene Ginwala and President Jacob Zuma who was the deputy president of the country at the time.

Woods also claimed that Scopa was prevented from ensuring that the public’s concerns over the arms deal was properly looked into.

His testimony was expected to be concluded in two days.

The Seriti Commission of Inquiry, sitting in Pretoria, was established by Zuma in October 2011 to probe allegations of corruption in the arms procurement deal.

Government acquired, among other hardware, 26 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft for the air force, and frigates and submarines for the navy.

Meanwhile, three arms deal critics announced last week that they wanted to withdraw from the commission, claiming that its primary outcome would be to cover up.

Commission spokesperson William Baloyi said their withdrawal was being considered but indicated that if their approach was to be followed, the commission would sit until 2016.

SAPA