North West- A contingent of 125 Senior Citizens from the North West Province excluding officials such as coaches, team managers, technical staff, Departmental officials and care givers are currently sweating it out for prestige, championship and the Golden Trophy at the Annual National Golden Games taking place from 23-25th October 2013,at Boksburg Stadium, City of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng Province.

“Thus far the Platinum Province’s female oldies have not disappointed us in the track and field in the 800m races in the ages of 60-69 and 70+ where Mme Betty Marema from Montshiwa and Mme Rosinah Molefe from Ntsweletsoku took Gold and silver respectively. In the Pegging Washing Pegs code Mr Tebogo Senokwane from Montshiwa (wheel chair bound) took gold for the North West Province” departmental spokesperson Shirley Montsho said.
On the football front North West oldies are again carrying the Provincial flag high. Males played to a goalless draw against Gauteng Province whilst the female side sent KZN packing with a 2-1 win.

Meanwhile this year’s packed programme of the Games, senior citizens held a Conference yesterday 23rd October 2013 where they mapped issues affecting them as well as Provincial reports from the nine Provinces.

They also discussed means and possibilities as to how operations and structures of senior citizens can be run from local, district and provincial forums.
One of the burning issues in the Conference touched base on the non- participation of professional senior citizens namely: retired police, nurses, teachers and other civil servants from the Province.
“They are urged to join the team of the current enthusiastic oldies as this will both enhance them with regards their health as well as utilization of their expertise in improving the Golden Games in the Province” Montsho outlines.-TDN
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(Edited By Obaken Maje)

By Obakeng Maje
Hartswater-Three suspects were arrested by Hartswater police for armed robberies they allegedly committed at taverns in the area.

The police said the suspects deviating ways took place on Sunday.

“Police received a complaint about three unknown men who were robbing persons off their cellular phones, money and jewellery” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

Kock said the suspects were armed with firearms and they allegedly fired four shots in the Thagadipelajang area.

“Police followed up on information and arrested two of the three suspects’ hours later at a tavern in Bonita Park at approximately 16:30pm” he said.

The police searched the suspects and found two firearms, seven magazines, ammunition, a gold ring, 3 cellular phones and watches on their person.

The first two suspects known as Piet Maike (36) and Vusile Bretman(19) was arrested on Sunday and appeared at Hartswater Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Bretman and Maike’s case was remanded until 30 October 2013 for a formal bail application. The third suspect handed himself over at Hartswater police station this morning and will appear in court on Thursday.

“Piet Maike is also charged with house breaking and theft, as it is alleged that he stole the two firearms, ammunition and other valuables from a farm near Hartswater over the same weekend” Kock concludes.

The investigation continues.-TDN
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North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for the suspect arrested in connection with the rape and murder case of mineworker Pinky Mosiane not to be granted bail when he appears in the Rustenburg Magistrates court for a bail hearing today.

The suspect who was arrested after being on the run for nearly two years

The body of Pinky Semakaleng Mosiane was found underground at Anglo Platinum’s Khomanani mine in North West on February 6 in 2012.

Initial investigation revealed that she had been gang raped and killed afterwards.

“Though we deplore that it took two years to arrest the suspect and that failure to arrest perpetrators promptly might contribute towards escalation of sexual violence incidents as people think that they could get away with it, we nonetheless congratulate our police service for the breakthrough in the case. We wish to reiterate our call for stiff sentences possible for perpetrators of this horrendous gender based violence,” said Premier Modise, who has repeatedly made a plea for the arrest of the suspect in the case. Her latest plea for the arrest was on Sunday last week, just three days before the police’s breakthrough.

The 32-year old suspect was arrested on Tuesday this week in Hoopstad in the Free State, after eluding the police for nearly two years.

Police say the suspect was employed a private company as an underground safety officer at the time of the brutal rape and murder.

“We trust that police would expedite their investigations and round up all those who were allegedly involved, so that the Mosiane family finds closure in knowing that those who have robbed them of their loved one are behind bars,” stressed the Premier.

“We want the law enforcement authorities to send a stern warning to would-be perpetrators by making examples of the perpetrators, as a way to curb the spate of attacks on women working underground,” said Modise.

She said that the province needs to go back to mobilise women to protect themselves and remind them that their work to transform society is not over.

Last week Modise called on mines to develop strategies that will safeguard the safety of female miners.

The arrest of the suspect in Pinky Mosiane’s case comes just few days after the arrest of a 29-year-old man in connection with the murder of another woman working underground at Aquarius platinum mine’s Kwezi shaft in Rustenburg.

Premier Modise said that there is no place in our society for men who perceive women as sexual objects to the extent that they cannot work together without posing a danger to them.-TDN
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Johannesburg- Current Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk and former skipper Desiree Ellis are among the stars who have signed up for the SAFA Level 1 Coaching Course for Women that will be held at SAFA House from 1 – 10 November (first phase) and 3 – 12 December (second phase).
Also joining them is Banyana Banyana’s current striker Portia Modise.

“Having high-calibre national team players and former national team player on the course bodes well for the development of women coaches for SAFA. It is a priority of the SAFA Development Plan to produce more women coaches,” said SAFA Acting Technical Director Fran Hilton-Smith.
Any woman who has a SAFA Introductory Coaching Licence or was a National team player with five caps or more can enroll.

The minimal cost of R1000 (one-thousand-rand) will cover all accommodation and meals for the 20 days.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact Christine Phafane in the coach education department to registerChristine.Phafane@safa.net-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
North West- MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison in the North West Nono Maloyi, will on Saturday welcome and introduce the newly appointed contractor to the Wolmaranstad community.

The MEC will among others clarify allegations that some opposition parties claim to build houses for some beneficiaries in the area.

“The MEC will officially hand over the project and call on communities to support the contractor during the construction period” departmental spokesperson Be Bole said.

MEC Maloyi is also expected to appeal to the contractor to use local labour for further creation of employment and develop skills among community members.

“Among others MEC will further put the record straight on allegations by political parties who are said to be claiming to be responsible for the constructions of delivering houses in the area” Bole said.

The 914 units project is expected to start by the beginning of November at a cost of over R67 million.
This will take place as follows:

Date: 26 October 2013
Venue: Ext. 15 next to Welcome day care in Wolmaranstad
Time: 10H00
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By Obakeng Maje

Carnavon-A 19 year-old man sanctioned to eight years in prison for attempted rape last week by Carnavon Regional Court.

The atrocity took place back in September when a woman was allegedly walking along Town Dam, near Carnavon approached by a suspect.

“The suspect dragged a woman to the nearby bushes and attempt to rape her. She was assaulted in the process and her husband came to her rescue” lieutenant Adrea Cloete said.

Police said a suspect allegedly overpowered a husband during the squabble.

“The suspect ran for cover and tried to seek help. The suspect dragged a 42 year-old woman deep in the dam where he tried his monstrous act” Cloete said.

Police said community member allegedly heard a woman screaming and went on to investigate.

The community member called other people and hauled stones at the suspect who fled the scene afterwards.

A case of attempted rape was opened at Carnavon Police Station and a man-hunt was launched.

A 19 year-old suspect was arrested later that day and appeared before court for attempted rape.

“On Thursday last week, the suspect,19, was convicted for attempted rape at the Regional Court, Carnarvon. He was sentenced to eight years in imprisonment” Cloete said.

“It was for the first time that Detective Constable Moreetsimang Mogakwe, attached to the FCS unit Carnarvon, investigated such a big case and where he got a good sentence, says police. 

Carnarvon Cluster Commander, Lt Col LD Molomonyane, commended S/Const Mogakwe for his proper and thorough investigation into this matter.-TDN

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Rooi Mahamutsa insists Orlando Pirates are focused on tonight’s Telkom Knockout tie with Golden Arrows, despite the distraction of the Soweto Derby and an upcoming Champions League Final.

Pirates, who visit Kaizer Chiefs in the League on Saturday, will first host Abafana Bes’thende at Orlando Stadium, fresh off their 1-1 draw with Esperance, which set up a continental showdown with Al Ahly next month.

Mahamutsa scored the crucial away goal in Tunisia this past weekend. And while he is delighted with Bucs’ progress in the CAF competition they previously won in 1995, he is wary of the Soweto outfit dropping their guard against Arrows in their quarter-final duel.

“We are determined to win the African Champions League and we are happy to have qualified for the Final. But for now we have a job to do locally – starting with the match against Golden Arrows and then the Derby,” Mahamutsa told his club’s official website.

“What is important for us right now is to maintain our momentum. Winning both matches will give the team the necessary confidence ahead of our first leg against Al Ahly.”

He added: “The morale in the group is good at the moment, we look forward to the match against Arrows. 

“Obviously it won’t be an easy match but I’m confident we will qualify to the semi-finals.”

For more http://www.kickoff.com

Rustenburg-The Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi accompanied by North West Premier Thandi Modise will hand-over a media classroom sponsored by MTN Foundation to Retlakgona Primary School in Meriting outside Rustenburg in the North West Province this afternoon.

During the 2012/13 financial year, Retlakgona Primary School represented by 

Lerato Kobue, Lesego Lekwati, Ofentse Ngwato put the North West Province on the national map when they emerged victorious at the Baswa Le Meetse (BLM) competitions in the Poetry category at the annual South African Youth Water Summit.

Baswa Le Meetse is one of the projects of the 2020 Vision Programme aimed at educating learners about water resource management and promotion of water sector careers to address the scarce skills challenge. Through this programme learners will be able to transfer the knowledge and skills to their families and communities and ultimately efficient use and protection of natural resource will be instilled and also that learners will choose water sector careers.

The state of the art media classroom sponsored by MTN Foundation is equipped with 21 computers, data projector, multifunctional printer, two modems, two data cards and R1000 internet subsidy for twenty four months. Other prizes include a cash prize of R6000, trophy and a certificate. Learners are the best educators and they are able to change the mindset of their families and entire community.

The MEC of Education, Wendy Matsemela; Executive Mayor of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, Louis Diremelo and the Mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Mpho Khunou will join the Deputy Minister during the handover.

Venue:           Retlakgona Primary School, Meriting, Rustenburg-North West ProvinceDate:              Wednesday, 23 October 2013Time:   13h00 

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Johannesburg- The African National Congress has lambasted who misinterpreted President Jacob Zuma statement when he said “We should not think like Africans in Africa” at the Gauteng ANC Manifesto Forum last night.

Zuma uttered the words and according to ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu, this has been blown out of proportion.

Zuma said “we should not think like Africans in Africa, this is not some national road in Malawi” during his keynote address.

“The African National Congress places it on record that both the organisation and the President hold the people of Malawi and elsewhere on the continent in high regard. The context in which the statement was made must be clarified in order to understand how the President`s comment, which has been mischievously been singled out, arose. In the President`s input on the tolling of roads in Gauteng, the President spoke at length about the unique space that Gauteng occupies in South Africa and Africa. To this end, the President drew parallels between Johannesburg and Polokwane, Rustenburg, Umngungundlovu, Danhauser and many other parts of the country” said ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu.

The ANC said president further called for the residents of Gauteng to appreciate the central role they and their roads play in the country and the continent, linking goods, people and development.

“It was within this context that the President called on residents of this province to not think and act like others in the country and continent who do not have the unique responsibility and critical role Gauteng has as a gateway to Africa and the industrial and economic hub of South Africa. Registering to pay toll fees on the newly built roads becomes part of this burden and honour Gauteng is bestowed with as the economic heartland of our country and continent” he said.

The African National Congress said they welcomes the role played by traditional and social media in national discourse, but it is important therefore that those privileged to form opinion on these networks do so with the intention of promoting fair and balanced reporting.

“A call we believe would not have arisen had the President`s comments were placed in context” Mthembu concludes.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje
North West- The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West province has noted with appreciation that the Auditor General has recommended that there be investigation into the business dealings of the Amalgamated Logistics and the Department of Health in Mpumalanga.

“As COSATU in the North West we welcome this action but we also feel that it will be very important to the country that the investigation be extended to all the provinces where the company has had a similar business arrangement with the Department of Health” Cosatu North West spokesperson Solly Phetoe said.

In this province Amalgamated had a contract which ran for many years and extensions were given without following the correct procurement processes.

“We feel that there could have been some elements of financial irregularities which must be investigated. When poor workers were dismissed in 2010/2011 it was publicly announced that the company had won the tender procedurally from the former MEC of Health in 2007 and the contract was then extended by the current MEC with his officials while our members were dismissed for fighting for their rights” Phetoe said.

COSATU pleads with the Auditor General to look at the business activities of the company in the NW province in the same way that they have done in Mpumalanga.

“We are also calling the Department of Health in the NW to reinstate all workers who were employed by Amalgamated and dismissed unfairly by the same labour broker that continues to steal from the poor people of the NW for allegedly providing medication to our clinics and hospitals. We are also calling for the Department of Labour to do a full inspection at the exploiter’s company today, not tomorrow, as workers are facing challenges now” Phetoe concludes. –TDN
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