28 August 2024- A man (19) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Prieska Regional Court for robbery aggravating, of which two years were suspended for five years. On 13 October 2023, Jovelle Jadan Floors attacked an elderly woman (66) on a farm in Marydale.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said Floors assaulted the woman and fled the scene with her belongings.
“The suspect was traced and arrested the following day near Vanwyksvlei. The case docket was assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Belvian Moseki and bail was successfully opposed,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial and District Management, applauded Detective Warrant Officer Belvian Moseki for his thorough investigation that secured the conviction.
28 August 2024- According to the Auditor General report for the 2022/23 financial year, not a single municipality in North West obtained a clean audit. The Auditor-General (AG) tabled the Consolidated General Report on Local Government Audit Outcomes in Parliament yesterday.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said, although there has been some improvement in audit outcomes, the reality is that they cannot link the improved audit outcomes to improved service delivery, thus recording only an improvement in reporting and not in the delivery of services.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs in the North West, Chris Steyl said at the end of the 2022/23 financial year, municipalities in North West returned R160 million in conditional grant funding to National Treasury, intended for water infrastructure maintenance and improvements.
“Eight municipalities recorded more than R300 million in financial losses due to water leaks amounting to more than 35% of all purified piped water. It appears that the interventions by the North West Provincial Treasury are bearing fruit, with the assistance of the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance.
“However, whether these interventions are sustainable remains to be seen. We question the long-term impact of these interventions considering that North West Municipalities spent more than R214 million on consultants to compile annual financial statements for the year under review. The ANC’s cadre deployment policy has come to bite it,” said Steyl.
He further said the stand-off between municipal officials and ANC office-bearers, continues to undermine governance and service delivery, especially in the Mamusa, Tswaing, and Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipalities. Steyl added that the residents in Tswaing and Kagisano-Molopo, were held ransom these last few weeks due to the standoff between municipal officials and ANC politicians.
“North West municipalities cumulatively recorded R3,45 billion in irregular expenditure, while unauthorised expenditure topped R2,45 billion and R571 million was lost to wasteful expenditure. The collective North West bulk Eskom debt stands at more than R3,05 billion and another R2,54 billion is owed to water boards.
“The Ditsobotla Local Municipality has failed to submit its Annual Financial Statements (AFS) for the second consecutive year. The AG indicated that the Provincial Treasury is working to ensure that these financial statements are submitted by 30 August 2024,” he said.
Steyl said the DA anticipates another horror story of looting and corruption here since the municipality has completely collapsed. He said it is evident in the AG’s report that the ANC’s effort to improve local governance and quality basic service delivery is not being tackled wholeheartedly.
“Officials are still being appointed based on who they know and not what they know. Consequence management towards accountability is still not being implemented, and money that should improve service delivery is being lost to fraud, corruption, and incompetence.
“With the 2026 Local Government Elections on the horizon, time is running out for the ANC in governing local municipalities in North West. The DA local governments stand far above the poor performance of the ANC, obtaining 20 clean municipal audits and expanding quality basic service delivery to all,” said Steyl.
Picture: The missing Gladness Zeldred Horne reunited with her family/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
28 August 2024- The Northern Cape police said missing Gladness Zeldred Horne (25) was found by her uncle at the house of a friend in Kimberley on 23 August 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Horne was reunited with her family in De Aar.
“The Kimberley SAPS requested assistance in locating Horne, after she went missing. Horne is originally from De Aar, but was visiting family in Utility, Kimberley, and was last seen on 15 August 2024 at around 8pm.
“She is apparently mentally impaired, approximately 1.6m tall, with short black hair, brown eyes and was wearing pink pajamas when she went missing,” he said.
Setshwantsho: Molatofadiwa wa polao, Simon Molale/Facebook
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Kopo ya beile kgatlhanong le lekawana le le latofadiwang ka go tlhaba le go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng, gaufi le Taung, e tlile go reediwa kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Seno se tla morago ga gore kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Simon Molale (22), e busetswe morago ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la maabane, fa a ne a dira kopo ya beile.
Go begwa fa Medichane a bolailwe ke mokapelo wa gagwe, mme sebakwa sa tiro e, se sa itsiwe. Go ya ka mongwe o boneng ka matlho, lekawana le, lene la tlhabakaka lekgarebe le, mme one a tshaba mo lefelong la tiragalo fa a bona batho.
Fela, go begwa fa ba lelapa la gagwe ba ne ba mo tshwara le go mo isa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Taung di ura morago ga tiragalo.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are Molale one a tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao ya ga Medichane.
“Ke nnete molatofadiwa mo kgetsing e ya polao o tshwerwe. Molatofadiwa one a isiwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi ke ba lelapa la gagwe.
“One a na le dikgobalo, mme o ile a amogelwa kwa bookelong jwa selegae. Molatofadiwa o lebagane le kgetsi ya polao, mme thipa e e dirisitsweng go bolaya moswi ene ya fitlhelwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo.”
Kgetsi katlhanong le Molale e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka di 26 Phatwe 2024, mo a solofetsweng go dira kopo ya beile.
Setshwantsho: Majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba Taung ba neseditse pula go tlosiwa ga majoro wa masepala o mogolowane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe mo maemong a gagwe. Seno se tla morago ga gore lekoko le le busang la ANC mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, le tlhalose fa le kopile Gaoraelwe go ka itokolola mo tirong.
Gaoraelwe o ile a kgadiwa thata go ya ka maitshwaro a gagwe a makgasa. Gaoraelwe o latofadiwa ka go dirisa dijanaga tsa masepala botlhatshwa morago ga go amega mo dikotsing tsa sejanaga makgetlho a le mmalwa.
Baagi ba re ga gona se Gaoraelwe a se diretseng motse wa bone wa Taung, ntle le go tlhola a iphantse ka nnotagi le go goga-goga leina la masepala mo seretseng.
Mongwe wa baagi, Xolani Ngonyana are: “Ke itumetse thata go bona ANC e tlosa majoro mo tirong ya gagwe, gonne re letile sebaka sa dingwaga di ka nna pedi gore e tseye tshwetso eo. Re lobaka re le baagi re ntsha maikutlo a rona gore Gaoraelwe a ntshiwe mo maemong a gagwe, gonne go ne go bontsha fa a sena bokgoni.
“Gaoraelwe kgale a sirelediwa ke bangwe ba baeteledipele ba ANC mo porofenseng. Fela, se se utlwisang botlhoko ke gore bone ba ne ba sa itse maikutlo a rona. Re sentse re bua se re neng re se bua mo ngwageng tse pedi tse di fetileng re re, Gaoraelwe o paletswe ke tiro ya gagwe.”
Kenaleone Mogamisi le ene o tlhalositse fa tshwetso ya go tlosa Gaoraelwe, e tshwanetse e kabo ele kgale e dirilwe. Mogamisi are go nnile le dilo di le dintsi tse kgale di diragala mo pele ga matlho a bone, mme go sa buiwe sepe.
“Re lobaka re ipotsa gore go baneng e kare monna o ene go thata gore a ka kgomiwa le go ntshiwa mo maemong a gagwe. Re bua se go ya ka botlhatshwa jo kgale re bo bona bo diragala le ka mokgwa o a ntseng a tsamaisa masepala wa Taung ka teng.
“Go dilo di le dintsi tse re utwileng gotwe di a diragala kwa masepala, jaaka go nyelela ga madi. Fela go nyelela ga madi, ke gone go nkutlwisang botlhoko, gonne Taung e letobo, ebile ga go bonagale sepe se se tla tshidisang ngwana wa Taung,” Mogamisi wa tlhalosa.
Are gona le ma gatwe a gore go nyeletse madi a kanang ka R160 million kwa masepala.
Leloko la mokgatlho wa sepolotiki la Umkhonto weSizwe, Thato Mampane are mo malobeng, go ne go tletse-tletse mo mafaratlhatlheng gore Gaoraelwe o thudile ka dijanaga tsa masepala. Mampane are gape go ile ga nna le dipego tsa gore sejanaga sa masepala sa BMW X3 sa madi a kanang ka R700 000, kgale se kgweediwa ke mosadi wa ga Gaoraelwe.
“Go begwa fa Gaoraelwe a ile a tlhalosa fa mosadi wa gagwe o na le tetla ya go kgweetsa sejanaga seo. Ntlha enngwe ke ya gore, basha bangwe ba ile ba isiwa kwa sekolo sa go nna borapharakano, fela go fitlha ga jaaka ba dutse mo gae, mme ga ba dire gonne masepala o tlhalositse fa o sena madi a lekaneng.
“Motsamaisi wa matlole wa masepala, (Chief Financial Officer), le ene o ile a itokolola mo tirong. Gona le magatwe a gore madi a kanang ka R160 million a nyeletse. Go bua nnete ga se gore ke senya Gaoraelwe, fela sa gagwe o dula fela a iphantse ka nnotagi,” Mampane wa tlhalosa.
Modulasetilo wa lekoko la Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Tebogo Babuile are: “Re amogela tshwetso e tshotsweng ke boetapele jwa ANC mo porofenseng ya rona ya Bokone Bophirima ka go gogela morago majoro. Nnete ke gore, re lobaka re ntse re bua re le balekgotlha ba EFF mo khanseleng ya Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), re re re kgonegile ka seemo se masepala oneng o iphitlhela ole mo go sone ka ntlheng ya ga Gaoraelwe.
“O tla gopola gore mo nakong e fetileng, ke rona re neng re goa re be re goa go fitlhela re be re tshegetswa ke bangwe ba balekgotlha ba mokgatlho wa ANC gore Gaoraelwe a itokolole mo tirong, kgotsa a tlosiwe ka mokgwa wa go tlhoka tshepo mo go ene (motion of no confidence).”
Babuile are ga se Gaoraelwe a le nosi o a ntseng a tsaya karolo mo dilong tse tsotlhe tse di ntseng di diragala kwa masepala. Are Gaoraelwe kgale a dira le mmusa-kgotlha wa masepala, Grace Moipolai, gonne one a mo sireletsa mo dilong tse tsotlhe.
Kgabagare, go begwa fa Gaoraelwe a setse a kwadile lekwalo la go itokolola mo tirong, mme sebueledi sa ANC mo Bokone Bophirima, Tumelo Maruping are lekoko le tlile o thapa Gaoraelwe mo maemong a sele.
The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said the rapid, sustainable and inclusive economic growth is a central priority of the Government of National Unity (GNU). Ramaphosa, who delivered his address during the inaugural conference on the role of municipalities in the country’s just energy transition said, a low-carbon, climate resilient development is central to achieving this inclusive growth.
He further said this presents the country with a challenge, but also an opportunity. Ramaphosa added that electricity generated from fossil fuels accounts for most of South Africa’s carbon emissions.
“Because industry is still mainly reliant on power produced by Eskom’s coal-fired power stations, our entire economy is carbon-intensive. As the world changes, our reliance on fossil fuels to industrialise poses a significant risk.
“It poses threats to our economy, society and environment, if we do not drive the energy transition in ways that are appropriate to national and local circumstances. Many of South Africa’s main trading partners are taking measures to achieve net zero within certain timeframes,” he said.
Ramaphosa said this has implications for South African goods and products entering these markets. He said it has implications for economic competitiveness.
“Just as we continue to oppose unilateral and coercive carbon adjustment measures by developed economies, we realise the need to reduce our reliance on carbon intensive energy production. We see the need to diversify our energy sources to grow our economy. There are great prospects ahead if the country takes advantage of the global energy transition to support economic growth, development and employment creation.
“As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, South Africa is committed to contributing its fair share to the global climate change effort. We must pursue this commitment in a manner that delivers just outcomes for those affected by the energy transition. We must pursue it in a way that contributes to inclusive economic growth, energy security and employment,” said Ramaphosa.
He said they must do so at a pace, scale and cost that is consistent with the country’s social and economic development path. According to Ramaphosa, Integrated Resource Plan sets out a viable energy mix over the medium and long term to achieve their decarbonisation objectives.
“We have a successful Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme. This has attracted over R209 billion in investment and added much-needed capacity to our electricity grid.
“The regulatory changes we introduced in 2021 to increase the licensing threshold for generation projects has resulted in a pipeline of over 130 confirmed projects. This amounts to approximately 22 500 MW of capacity with an estimated investment value of R390 billion,” he said.
Ramaphosa said municipalities are central to the efforts to decarbonise the energy sector. He said municipalities own and operate approximately half of South Africa’s electricity distribution grid and facilitate universal access to electricity.
“One hundred and sixty five municipalities are electricity service providers. Through the Integrated National Electrification Programme grant, municipalities are responsible for addressing the electrification backlog.
“Municipalities therefore need to be in the driving seat when it comes to providing clean, affordable energy to communities, businesses and industry. One of the aims of this conference is to unlock the institutional arrangements required to drive the decarbonisation effort,” said Ramaphosa.
Picture: One of the Thuthuzela Care Centre across the country/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Department of Social Development said even though the establishment of Thuthuzela Care Centres is not its competency, it funds Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) based at the Thuthuzela Care Centres. The North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said all Thuthuzela Care Centres across the country are functional.
This is contrary to some allegations that Thuthuzela Care Centre in Taung is not operational. Siko further said Thuthuzela Care Centres are the propagator of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). He added that Thuthuzela Care Centres are one stop facilities established as part of South Africa’s anti-rape strategy, aiming to reduce secondary victimisation and to increase prosecution (conviction) rate.
“The Department of Social Development is funding NGOs based at the Thuthuzela Care Centres and they have employed Social Workers and Victim supporters, who are rendering psycho-social support services to victims, containment and victim support at court.
“There are five Thuthuzela Care Centres in the North West. There are Thuthuzela Care Centres in Taung, Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Rustenburg. All these centres are functional. There is a Thuthuzela Care Centre in Taung and it is functional,” said Siko.
Meanwhile, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi said Thuthuzela Care Centres are a crucial part of ending GBV scourge. Bathohi said the Thuthuzela Care Centres are a one stop-facility for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“By providing better quality of services, we do find that there is improved reporting. In 2020/21, when we had 60 TCCs, there were just short of 30 000 cases that were reported. In 22/23, there were 36 800 cases or so and this figure represents an increase of 24.3% in a two-year period.
“In the past eight years combined, the TCCs have dealt with 266 593 matters at all of its sites. These are only reported cases and we have noted improvements in the conviction rates. Since 2010, the conviction rate has improved from 60% to the current 77.5% as at the end of December 2023,” she said.
Batohi said it’s all about the services that are being rendered that help victims to be able to go through the court processes. She said that they have also noted an increase in long term sentences that are imposed by the courts.
“For the past two years, up to December 2023, the courts imposed 337 life imprisonment sentences, 236 sentences of between 20 to 25 years and 624 sentences of 10 to 15 years imprisonment. Despite the upward progress, Batohi emphasised that the courts merely deal with crimes that have been committed and that dealing with the roots of GBV is crucial.
“When victims come into these facilities, the offences are already committed and we try to help them on their journey towards healing but it’s not going to solve the problem. That is why the importance of our councillors, community based persons, and civil society in really trying to deal with the scourge,” she said.
According to Batohi, that is why they all need to help to instil the right values, particularly in men. She said unless they actually deal with [GBV] in a holistic way, they are not going to be able to deal with the scourge.
“Notwithstanding that, we continue to try to make sure that we help the victims on their journey towards becoming survivors,” she said.
Setshwantsho: Sejanaga se se latlhegetsweng ke taolo
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Monna wa dingwaga di 37 o tlhakafetse mo kotsing ya sejanaga mo tseleng ya R378 fa o lebile kwa motse wa Morokweng, gaufi le Ganyesa, mo letsatsing la Lamatlhatso. Go begwa fa mopalami le mokgweetsi, ba ne ba tsamaya ka sejanaga sa modiro wa Golf 1, mme ba tswa Rustenburg.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are: “Go begwa fa mokgweetsi wa sejanaga seo, a ile a latlhegela ke taolo morago ga go leka go efoga go thula phologolo nngwe ya naga.
“Go begwa fa sejanaga se ile sa phetoga, mme mopalami a tlhokafala mo lefelong la tiragalo. Go butswe kgetsi ya polao ntle le maikaelelo, mme dipatlisiso di tsweletse. Ga gona ope o tshwerweng mo kgetsing e. Mokgweetsi ene o falotse kotsi ntle le dikgobalo.”
26 August 2024- The Constitutional Court held a special sitting on Wednesday last week to pay tribute to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on the occasion of his retirement from the court. It was a fitting end to a distinguished legal career and a worthy celebration of a jurist who has upheld and championed our democratic constitutional order.
During a career spent in the service of justice, one of Judge Zondo’s most prominent and outstanding contributions was as the chairperson of the judicial commission established to investigate allegations of state capture and other corruption. It has become known as the Zondo Commission.
Through the work of the commission, which Judge Zondo led with diligence and integrity, the country came to understand what happened during the era of state capture. There were revelations on who was involved. We saw what effect state capture had on our state, economy and society. It was a huge undertaking, involving more
than 400 days of hearings, over 300 witnesses and more than 1.7 million pages of documentary evidence.
The report of the commission contained findings and recommendations that will help define the course of public affairs in South Africa for many years to come. Judge Zondo has established standards of ethical conduct, accountability and transparency that enable us to build a better society.
Since Judge Zondo handed over the commission’s report to the President, we have been hard at work to implement its recommendations. Not only have we worked to hold those responsible for state capture to account and to recover stolen funds, but we have also put in place laws, institutions and practices to ensure that state capture never happens again. We continue to take steps to prevent, detect and act against corruption.
In the last few months, I have signed into law several pieces of legislation that respond directly to the commission’s recommendations and which, in many instances, will fundamentally change the way the government works.
The Public Procurement Act is one such law. It recognises the assertion by Judge Zondo that corruption in procurement was “the centrepiece of state capture”. Among other things, the law prohibits any person from trying to interfere with or influence procurement. Suppliers who abuse the system are debarred from participating in future procurement processes. Certain categories of people – mainly public office bearers and people who work for the state – may not do business with the state.
Another law is the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act, which establishes the Investigating Directorate against Corruption. The Directorate will be a permanent, prosecution-led agency with full criminal investigative powers. It will be able to recruit and retain specialist skills and develop capabilities such as the collection and analysis of digital evidence.
The Electoral Matters Amendment Act, which was signed into law in May, amended the Political Party Act to make it a criminal offence to make donations to gain political influence or favour.
In responding to another recommendation by the Commission, the Companies Second Amendment Act strengthens actions against delinquent directors or company officers for wrongdoing. It extends the period during which proceedings may be launched to recover any loss, damages or costs against such a person.
Other draft legislation is currently being considered by Parliament which would, among other things, make a clear distinction between the powers of elected officials, such as Ministers, and professional public servants, such as Directors-General. This will help to prevent the kind of undue political interference that the State Capture Commission found sometimes enabled corruption. As part of the draft legislation, public servants who leave government may not, within 12 months of leaving, accept employment or appointment to the board of a service provider to which they were involved in awarding a contract.
Work is underway, with the assistance of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, to review the country’s anti-corruption architecture. Other areas where policy reforms are being considered is in the appointment of key positions like the SARS Commissioner and the National Director of Public Prosecutions, support and protection of whistle-blowers, and the creation of a statutory offence for the abuse of public powers.
As we strengthen our efforts to prevent and combat corruption, in line with the recommendations of the state capture commission, our law enforcement agencies have been undertaking investigations recommended by the commission against alleged perpetrators.
The state has secured nearly R10 billion in forfeiture orders and settlement agreements linked to State Capture cases. In addition, preservation and restraint orders to the value of R17 billion have been granted while court processes are underway.
All of this work demonstrates that the recommendations of the State Capture Commission are being steadily and thoroughly implemented across government.
But there is much more to do. Not only do we need to complete the reforms we have embarked on and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to book, but we need to continuously work to build a society in which corruption no longer has any place.
Chief Justice Raymond Zondo can retire from office knowing that he has done his country an invaluable service. It is now our responsibility as a society to work together to give effect to his legacy and to build a fairer, just and ethical nation.
Picture: Some of money confiscated during raid/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
26 August 2024- Nine suspects were arrested for dealing in drugs, possession of suspected stolen goods and undocumented foreign nationals. This comes after the police searched five houses in Paballelo Township, near Upington.
The police confiscated 90 suspected Mandrax tablets with an estimated value of R9000 and an undisclosed amount of cash believed to be the proceeds of drugs. The suspected stolen goods were also booked in for further investigation.
The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said the robust actions by the Northern Cape Provincial Task Team under the command of Lt Col Colin Qunta together with the local police in Upington and surrounding areas resulted in significant successes during Operation Shanela on 24 August 2024.
“The team deployed in the ZFM District, also traced and arrested two suspects wanted for assault GBH case. The police continued to conduct search and seizure operations in the Paballelo area.
“Furthermore, the team attended to a domestic violence complaint, where a former police official was found in possession of unlicensed ammunition to the street value of R11 230. He is facing a charge of domestic violence and possession of unlicensed live ammunition,” she said.
Masegela further said the police arrested a total of 13 suspects during the operation. She added that the police in the Northern Cape will continue undoubtedly to minimize the space for criminals to operate.
The Guardian 