MEC Mohono congratulates winners of the 4th Annual Provincial Tourism Awards

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Rustenburg – In congratulating all the winners of the 4th Annual Provincial Tourism Awards recently held at the Civic Centre in Rustenburg.

The North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono said that it is important to recognize the enormous role played by various tourism institutions in tourism development and promotion within the North West Province.

MEC Mohono said that as much as government was rewarding excellence within the Tourism sector, they are also giving recognition to professionals who have stood tall amongst their peers in various categories.

“We are also reaffirming and emphasizing that The North West Province is also full of possibilities. Possibilities to grow and market the tourism economy as we move forward into the future both in public and private sectors.

“These awards are a collaborative effort between the Department of Tourism and the North West Parks and Tourism Board and they play a pivotal role in growing the tourism economy of the province”, she said.

Mohono said she was pleased that these awards are growing in leaps and bounds from their initial inception with only 42 entries in the year 2011 and today in 2014 we are standing at 172 entries.

“This can only mean one thing, we are growing lightening pace. We are mapping the way forward and laying a foundation that will benefit generations to come. I would like to congratulate all winners and also thank all who participants”, she said.

Winners were awarded a certificate, a trophy and a cash prize to the tune of twenty thousand rands while the special Premier’s Award winner walk away with thirty thousand rands and runners-up walk away with five thousand rand each . The winners are as follows:

BEST BED AND BREAKFAST – Lotlametswe Bed & BreakfastBEST GUEST HOUSE – Villa Maria Guest HouseBEST GAME LODGE – Ivory Tree Game LodgeBEST URBAN LODGE – Plek Vanni VisarendBEST HOTEL – Protea Hotel MafikengBEST RESORTS – Magalies Park Pecan ResortBEST SELF-CATERING – Dikgwetlo TradingBEST CONFERENCE – The Roots Lifestyle Centre BEST TOURIST GUIDING – Seleke Tourist GuideBEST TOUR OPERATORS – Rotwe Travel & ToursBEST TOURISM MEDIA PERSONALITY – Thabo RantlhaBEST TOURISM SCHOOL – Michael ModisakengSPECIAL PREMIER’S AWARD – Ngwenya Hotel
-TDN
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A man jailed for life after rape and murder

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By Kedibone Molaetsi
Kimberley- A 28-year-old man from Campbell was sentenced in the Kimberley High court for murder. 

Gert Waterwond was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and murder.

On the 3rd October 2013 at about 18:00, Katty Johannes,53, was alone at home with her daughter in Campbell when two men entered her yard and stole two chickens.

The accused Abraham Swartz and Gert Waterwond sold the chickens and later returned to the house. They broke into the house and stole an Amplifier and a DVD Player. The victim and her 8 year-old daughter were at home. Both men raped the woman in front of the child.

Thereafter they strangled her and left.
“During the time of the incident Katty’s husband was not home as he was out fishing with other family friends” lieutenant Sergio Kock said. 

There was a manhunt for the suspects, Abraham Swartz and Gert Waterwond were arrested the same day by police.

“During the time of their arrest, police found the following items in their possession; DVD player, Amplifier, as well as live chickens that were already slaughtered. The two were positively identified in the ID parade and were charged with rape, murder, and house breaking with intent to steal stock” Kock said. 

Detective Constable Algene Mandisa San was tasked to investigate this case. 

Swartz and Waterwond appeared in Douglas Magistrate’s Court and their case was referred to Kimberley High Court.

During the trial, one of the accused, Abraham Swartz passed away.

The trial continued with the 28-year-old Gert Waterwond being the only accused and Waterwond was found guilty. He was sentenced as follows:

count 1 –  theft,  sentenced to twelve (12) months imprisonment.  On the count 2 and 3 – house breaking with intent to commit a crime unknown to the prosecutor- 6 years imprisonment.
He was also found guilty on a count 4 of rape and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

On count 5 of murder, he was sentenced to life imprisonment as well. The sentencing will run concurrently.

Major General Jean Abrahams, the Cluster Commander of Kimberley, has welcomed the  two life sentences and stated that this conviction will serve as a deterrent to any would be rapists and murderers.

She also commended Detective Constable Algene Mandisa San for her excellent investigation.

Such sentence meted out to criminals is an indication that our members work extremely hard to remove the criminals from our streets.-TDN
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Rural Water Supply Programme to bring lasting water shortage solution

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Mahikeng – The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality – NMMDM has completed its preparations for the immediate implementation of the Rural Water Supply Programme which will ensure the lasting solution to the water shortage within the district municipality. 

Work on the Madibogo Bulk Water Supply, Setlagole Water Supply and Magokgwane Water Supply projects has already commenced. These Programmes will reduce the dependency of supply of water by means of water tankers administered by the previous regime of NMMDM.

The Municipal Council of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality was disbanded and the Administrator Kumaran “Kulu” Nair was appointed to run the governance, financial and administrative affairs of the municipality.

Administrator Kumaran “Kulu” Nair has also confirmed that approximately R 500 million rand has been appropriated to fund 15 water and sanitation projects under the next phase with work expected to commence by January 2015.

The administrative processes for a further 20 Water and Sanitation Projects will commence in February 2015 with contractors expected on site by April 2015.

Intermediary measures include the repairs and restoration of current installations where water services are restored as well as the improvement of blue and green drop statuses.

“In most projects we are investigating cost effective alternatives in ensuring long term and sustainable water supply, skills development and employment through EPWP, and alternative measures to extract water from boreholes that will be environmentally friendly with lower maintenance” said Nair.

Further engagements are underway with Local Municipalities to consolidate current budgeted projects for to be completed during this financial year. This will also include joint planning for the next Medium Term Budgets in the district.

MEC Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine has applauded the Intervention Task Team in their efforts of ensuring constant supply of water to Ngaka Modiri Molema communities.
-TDN
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Ramaphosa, EFF strike a deal over suspension


Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has struck a deal with opposition parties that disciplinary proceedings against the EFF will be held in abeyance in return for assurances that they will respect parliamentary rules

Ramaphosa told media the opposition pledged to respect leaders of government, who would in turn come to Parliament regularly to account to the legislature and answer “difficult” questions.

“Watch this space because what we want to do as leaders of our people in South Africa is to restore Parliament to its standing so that our people can look at all of us and say, ‘Yes, these people do represent us.’”

This came out of a two-hour crisis meeting between the deputy president and opposition leaders after riot police were sent into the National Assembly on Thursday to forcibly remove an Economic Freedom Fighters MP who called President Jacob Zuma a thief.

“We have agreed that we are going to create a climate, create a conducive climate for the executive to be accountable to come and answer questions in Parliament,” Ramaphosa said.

“Saying that we are going to create a climate so that there is respect, there are no insults, there is proper decorum in which all members of the executive can come and answer.”

With this, he appeared to be saying diplomatically that Zuma would heed opposition calls to return to the National Assembly to respond to questions.

This was one of the opposition’s grievances that drove tension with the ruling party to breaking point last week.

Zuma has failed to return to the chamber to complete presidential question time after he was heckled by the EFF on 21 August. MPs demanded to know when he would reimburse the state for certain additions to his private Nkandla home in KwaZulu-Natal at taxpayers’ expense.

The Assembly was on Tuesday due to consider a report from the powers and privileges committee finding 20 EFF MPs, including party leader Julius Malema, guilty of misconduct charges stemming from that incident.

On Tuesday morning it was reported that the EFF was planning to seek an urgent court interdict preventing discussion of the report, which was likely to result in the suspension of the EFF members from Parliament for up to 30 working days.

By the time Ramaphosa met Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane and his peers, the item had disappeared off the parliamentary schedule.

Asked whether assurances had been given at the meeting that the police would not be called into the legislature again, Ramaphosa said there should be no need to resort to such a step in future.

“The calling-in-of-police issue does not even arise once we address all these matters.”

“We have agreed that we are going to create a climate, create a conducive climate for the executive to be accountable to come and answer questions in Parliament”

He added that the independence of Parliament and the impartiality of the Speaker were a given.

“The independence of Parliament is an issue that is beyond question. It is enshrined in our Constitution . . . so Parliament is a separate independent institution,” he said.

“The principle that we have all reaffirmed is that the presiding officers in Parliament must be impartial, they must apply rules consistently, without any prejudice. They must demonstrate that in reality.”

Last week, Maimane threatened that the DA would stop recognising ANC national chairwoman Baleka Mbete as speaker because the opposition saw her as biased.

Ramaphosa said a committee was being set up to address matters to ensure the “proper functioning” of Parliament, after last week’s events. This included the fact that the live feed from the chamber was cut when the police entered, something Ramaphosa said was “of concern”.

He will lead the committee, while Maimane and African National Congress chief whip Stone Sizani would serve as deputies. The first committee meeting will take place next week.

“This committee will address all these matters politically and thereafter give guidance,” Ramaphosa said, adding that he planned to meet opposition leaders four times a year.

The opposition members who met Ramaphosa for more than two hours on Tuesday included Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosutho Buthelezi, EFF MP Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala, the United Democratic Movement’s Bantu Holomisa, the African Christian Democratic Party’s Kenneth Meshoe, the Congress of the People’s Mosiuoa Lekota, and the Freedom Front Plus’s Pieter Mulder.

They were not given an opportunity to address the media at the briefing.

– Sapa

A body of Taung Retail Store Manager found with a bullet wound

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By Reginald Kanyane
Taung- North West police are investigating a case of kidnapping,rape and murder after a 42-year-old man found murdered.

Moipating Ephraim Thejane and his girlfriend were kidnapped on Friday at his house in Depot village, near Taung.

Thejane,42, who was a manager at Mr Price retail store in Taung, was allegedly sleeping with his girlfriend when unknown men pounced on them at around 02:00 in the morning.

According to North West police spokesperson colonel Emelda Setlhako said the suspects allegedly pointed the two with a firearm, forced them into Thejane’s car which was a Ford Bantam and left along with them.

“A 23 year-old girl was raped several times by unknown men who kidnapped her and her boyfriend. The girl was allegedly let go by suspects afterwards near Dryharts” Setlhako said.

North West police spokesperson colonel Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed the murder case.

“A body of a man was found near a river at Rooival village with a bullet wound and a case of murder, kidnapping and rape was opened” he said.

Setlhako said according to the girl, she screamed for help and some of members of community took her to the local clinic where the rape was confirmed.

The woman went on to report a kidnapping and rape case at Pudimoe Police Station.

The family of Thejane said they are very hurt and feel despondent about what happened to the family.

“We plea to those who kidnapped our brother and say to them, please you can take whatever you want including the car, but please let him go as we need him” Portia Thejane who is a sister to the kidnapped brother said.

The car was found by police in Mahikeng on Tuesday and a case of kidnapping and rape and murder was opened by police.
-TDN
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Mr Price Retail Store Manager in Taung kidnapped, girlfriend raped

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By Reginald Kanyane
Taung- North West police are investigating a case of kidnapping and rape after a 42-year-old man and his girlfriend were kidnapped.

The atrocity took place on Friday at Depot village, near Taung.

Ephraim Mompating Thejane,42, who was a manager at Mr Price retail store in Taung, was allegedly sleeping with his girlfriend when unknown men pounced on them at around 02:00 in the morning.

According to North West police spokesperson Emelda Setlhako, the suspects pointed the two with a firearm, forced them into Thejane’s car which was a Ford Bantam and left along with them.

“A 23 year-old girl was raped several times by unknown men who kidnapped her and her boyfriend. The girl was allegedly let go by suspects afterwards near Dryharts” Selthako said.

She said according to the girl, she screamed for help and some of members of community took her to the local clinic where the rape was confirmed.

The woman went on to report a kidnapping and rape case at Pudimoe Police Station.

The family of Thejane said they are very hurt and feel despondent about what happened to the family.

“We plea to those who kidnapped our brother and say to them, please you can take whatever you want including the car, but please let him go as we need him” Portia Thejane who is a sister to the kidnapped brother said.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Palacios blasts Manchester Legends


Orlando Pirates Legends coach Augusto Palacios has blasted Manchester Football Legends for fielding Zane Moosa and Brian Baloyi in their team.

Manchester Legends beat their counterparts 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time in a friendly match played at Ellis Park on Saturday.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

Cops on the right track – Meyiwa PIs

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Durban – A KwaZulu-Natal PRIVATE INVESTIGATION firm is confident the SAPS is doing its job in finding Senzo Meyiwa’s killers.

“Everything has been done according to the book. What’s left is to pin an individual or more to the crime,” said Magma Security spokesman Vincent Mdunge.

Magma Security’s Shaheen Su-leiman said he never gave up hunting even the most hardened criminal, no matter how well hidden.

“If I see he is hlanya-hlanya (crazy-crazy), I am also hlanya-hlanya.”
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Plug pulled on Zwelithini’s R300m project

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Pietermaritzburg – Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has pulled the plug on construction of a R300m cultural precinct near Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini’s Enyokeni Palace in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

According to the Sunday Independent, Mthethwa has also ordered a forensic investigation into the entire project and into the department.
For more http://www.news24.com

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS OF LOVE

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THE year is almost over! We’re heading for the New Year and people will be aiming for a fresh start in many areas of their lives.

One of the areas where you might want a fresh start is in your relationship and today SunBuzz shares tips with you to help you make a fresh start in your love life.

A well-known relationship expert in the social networks circles, Mike Fiore, shares in one of his newsletters what he perceives as the seven deadly sins of love.

Mike said if you can avoid any of these in your relationship, you’re well on your way to a
successful one.

He names the following things as bad behaviour and toxic attitudes that should be kicked out if you want a successful relationship:

– Criticism: Dr John Gottman of the University of Washington says criticism is the gateway to a toxic relationship.

Dragging your partner over the coals not just for their actions but for who they are – is wrong. Healthy criticism can be constructive but too much bad criticism is destructive.

– Control: You should be home by 9.30pm. I have to be up early tomorrow and you know I can’t sleep if you’re not there. “Telling them when to be home, how to dress, saying who they can or can’t hang out with and treating your partner like a child who needs permission to do things, is bad and often leads to abuse,” Mike said.

– Emotional dishonesty: Lying about how you feel is not healthy. “It’s way too easy to keep parroting words like ‘I love you’ long after they lose all their juice because you feel like you should still feel that way or you don’t want to make waves,” he warned.

– Prince Charming syndrome: This happens to women a lot more than to men.
A woman will say: “I met this guy. He’s almost perfect! “He fits 95% of what’s on my list and if I can just get him to grow three inches I’ll be SO happy.”

And then they absolutely sabotage what could have been a great relationship by focusing all their time and energy on what’s WRONG with a guy (or girl) instead of what’s RIGHT with them.

– Over-compromising: Compromising in A RELATIONSHIP is wonderful and necessary but overdoing it is not. “Folks compromise to the lowest common denominator and nobody ends up happy,” warned Mike.

– Misunderstanding love: “If you love me, you’ll do anything,” is a popular line. Mike said up until the middle ages when guys in silly hats started writing lovely poems about heaving bosoms and plays about desperate teenagers committing suicide because their families wouldn’t let them be together, the whole concept of romantic love didn’t even exist. “But love is hard work and a choice,” he said.

– Resentment: To be successful in love, you need to be your partner’s biggest cheerleader, their port of safety and the one person who will always forgive them for annoying you and pissing you off.

“For most people, resentment builds up over months and years and decades until you can’t even look at the person you used to love without bile and angst and contempt,” Mike said.

Accept people for who they are and forgive them for not being who you want them to be and celebrate their flaws as much as you do their merits!
For more http://www.dailysun.mobi