SA journalists scoop two awards at SADC Media Awards

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Picture: SA journalists scoop awards/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE 

Two South African journalists have won awards in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards. Fikile Necter Marakalla was the second prize winner in the Photo Category with her pictures that were published in SA News and Diplomatic Informer.

Marakalla’s winning entry highlighted the strong fraternal, historical as well as social relations between South Africa and the United Republic of Tanzania during the state visit of Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.

Tshimologo Benjamin Moshatama from Channel Africa Radio was the second prize winner in the Radio Category with his entry on the importance of shared water resources in the SADC regional integration and development, as well as the contribution of the Kingdom of Lesotho in the management of shared water resources.

Meanwhile, the government has congratulated the two South African journalists. The Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) acting Director-General, Nomonde Mnukwa said the SADC Media Awards present a unique opportunity for the SADC region’s journalists to be celebrated and recognised by their peers.

“The media plays a critical role in promoting regional integration in the region. We encourage more South African journalists to cover stories that promote regional integration. Government has called on media practitioners in South Africa and the region to share their stories that focus on economic well-being, improvement of the standard of living and quality of life, freedom and social justice, peace and security for the people of Southern Africa.

“Media practitioners are encouraged to continually ensure that we popularise projects that are underway in the SADC region. Africa and the region must tell her own stories. It is important that we hear from a range of voices from our diverse nations. By telling our own stories, we will bridge divisions between SADC nations,” said Mnukwa.

She further said the SADC Media Awards are aimed at promoting excellence in the fields of Print Journalism, Radio Journalism, Television Journalism and Photojournalism. Mnukwa added that the SADC Media Awards serve as a link for coordination and synchronization between formal structures of SADC member states and media. 

“They further seek to bring and enhance partnership between media and government institutions. South Africa’s participation at SADC is guided by the SADC Treaty. The SADC Treaty guides all Member States within the regional bloc. 

“The Treaty encourages the people of the region and their institutions to take initiatives to develop economic, social and cultural ties. GCIS is responsible for the implementation of the SADC Media Awards on behalf of South Africa,” she said.

Mnukwa said GCIS would also like to acknowledge the excellent work done by the judges who make up South Africa’s chapter of the SADC Media Awards in the National Adjudication Committee (NAC).  She said these members are drawn from seasoned and experienced media professionals, who give freely of their time and expertise to ensure that they can confidently submit entries of the highest standard to the regional competition. 

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The City of Matlosana CFO, Mercy Phetla and co-accused nabbed for fraud 

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Picture: The CFO of City of Matlosana, Mercy Phetla

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the City of Matlosana, Mercy Phetla (38), the acting Store Controller, Mmatebesi Josephine Sekhejane (42), and the Director of Variegated Pty (Ltd) company, Tiisetso Sebetlele (33), briefly appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 19 August 2024, facing charges of fraud. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the trio was arrested on Monday morning by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, following an investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities. 

“It is alleged that in January 2024, the municipality paid a service provider an amount of R2.9 million for electrical materials, which were never delivered. The accused have appeared in court on a charge of fraud and were granted bail. 

“Phetla was granted a R35 000 bail, Sekhejane R5000 and Sebetlele was granted R20 000 bail. The court has ordered that the accused report at their nearest police stations once a week and that they must not be in contact with the State’s witnesses. Their case was postponed to 12 November 2024, for further investigation,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari have welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused. They have vowed that the Hawks and NPA will continue working together to fight malfeasance in public institutions. 

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‘More time for Public Service and Administration and Home Affairs Departments to address backlog’   

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration commands and applauds the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi and his department for granting the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber and his department additional overtime hours for the next three months to meet targets and reduce the home affairs services backlog.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Jan De Villers said the committee understands and supports the interim measure of granting the Department of Home Affairs a three-month period of overtime to the officials to reduce the VISA backlog. He further said these interventions will assist in ensuring the country attracts critical skills that businesses need to grow the economy and reduce rising unemployment rate.

De Villers added that the collaboration by the two departments clearly demonstrates the spirit of commitment to a joint national effort to reconcile the nation and improve its well-being, as mentioned by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his opening of the 7th Parliament. 

“Ramaphosa said that, as the Government of National Unity (GNU), we are resolved to intensify our investment drive, encouraging and enabling businesses to invest in productive capacity. We believe home affairs efforts fit within this above mentioned government commitment.

“Buthelezi’s support to Minister Schreiber will directly contribute towards the building of improved professional state capacity in Home Affairs, which will have a positive effect on job creation and economic growth. We, as the committee, look forward to also playing our part towards supporting Buthelezi and his department towards the goal of realising a professional, capable, ethical and developmental state,” he said. 

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Three Member States to support economic growth along the corridor

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Picture: Some of delegates attending Trans Kalahari Corridor Three Member States event/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A clarion call has been made for the Trans Kalahari Corridor Three Member States to strengthen its initiatives on supporting the economic growth of the three countries by supporting spatial development initiatives along the corridor.

The Executive Director for the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat, Leslie Mlungisi Mpofu said a lot has been achieved since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2003, however, more strategic issues still need to be attended to.

Mpofu said the 14th Joint Law Enforcement Operation is critical and a strategic proof that the MoU objectives have been given attention and it is now important to advance measures so that communities along the corridor can benefit.

“The corridor connects intra and inter regional economic areas in a defined geographical sphere. There are a number of perceived socio-economic development opportunities and benefits promoted by corridor development. 

“These include, but not limited to diversification of the region’s industrial base, regional approach in mobilizing for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), corridors are direct ways to bring about regional integration,” he said. 

Mpofu further said corridors promote regional integration and this is key in promoting growth prospects to developing countries. He added that corridors help to prioritize development of infrastructure to plug out the missing links in developing regions.

“Corridors provide an important connection between economic nodes or hubs therefore it is high time the Three Member States support regional economic growth, increase the rate of economic growth and create employment, both formal and informal. 

“There is a need to identify policies and strategies, which will provide a sustainable basis for empowering local communities,” said Mpofu.

On behalf of the Republic of South Africa, Co-Chair Segodi Mogotsi said: “We remain committed as a country to the vision of our forebears to connect and integrate the region. Trans Kalahari Corridor remains one of our torchbearers in the continent with its success seen in the growth of traffic volumes, and infrastructure investment along the corridor in the Three Member States.”

In her speech representing Botswana, Masego Gertz said the 14th JLEO presents a platform for reaffirmation and recommitment to the enhancement of trade and also deepen socio economic integration. She said the Three Member States have committed and pledged to eradicate poverty and place their countries on a path of sustainable growth. 

“We have not done enough in the past 20 years as our communities are still not benefiting economically, particularly SMMEs. We call on the member states to ensure that communities along the TKC are the first to enjoy the benefits through business opportunities and employment. People should be able to find a living through the corridor,” said Gertz.

From Namibia, Dr Cedric Limbo said the MoU is an important initiative as it is a step towards eliminating non-tariff barriers.  

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Sepodisi se tshotse nama ya kgomo e go belaelwang ele ya bogodu kwa phitlhong

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Setshwantsho: Sepodisi se tshotse nama ya kgomo kwa phitlhong e go belaelwang ele ya bogodu/Setshwantsho-papiso

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Monna o latofadiwang ka go utswa kgomo, mme a e rekisetsa lelapa lengwe le le neng le tshwerwe phitlho, o neetswe beile ya R1000 ke kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la Mosupulogo. Andries McCarthy, o latofadiwa ka go utswa kgomo, mme a e rekisetsa ba lelapa la ga Louw le le neng le tshwere tirelo ya phitlho kwa Maganeng, gaufi le Pudimoe ka Lamatlhatso. 

Go begwa fa ba lelapa ba rekile kgomo eo ka R8000 go tswa go molatofadiwa. 

Mongwe wa lelapa la ga Louw yo o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe are, ba ile ba kgakgamadiwa ke go bona sepodisi se itatlhela kwa lelapeng la bone, ura pele phitlho e ka simolola ka Lamatlhatso. Are mapodisi ao, ba ile ba ba begela fa kgomo e tlhabilweng kwa phitlhong, go belaelwa fa ele ya bogodu. 

“Re ne re tshwere tirelo phitlho ya ga Kedumetse Bosman, mme re ile ra gamarega fa re bona mapodisi ba ikaba ka dipitsa tsa nama. Ba ile ba tlhalosa fa kgomo e tlhabilweng mo phitlhong, go belaelwa fa e ka tswa e utswitswe. 

“Go ile ga tsoga tlhatlharuane magareng ga mapodisi le banna ba baneng ba kgoba nama kwa sakeng. Banna ba, ba ne ba ipelaetsa kgatlhanong le sepodisi gore se se tseye pitsa ya bone ya diretlo, gonne kgale ba semeletse go utlwala,” mongwe wa lelapa wa tlhalosa. 

Fela kwa bofelong, go begwa fa sepodisi se ile sa amoga banna ba pitsa eo ya diretlo, ga mmogo le dipitsa tsotlhe tse di neng di apeile nama. Go begwa fa batla-phitlhong, ba ile ba jela fela ka cabbage, ntle le moronyana, gonne sepodisi se sa tlogela le ha ele setoki kwa morago. 

Kgetsi ya go fitlhelwa ka setoto sa kgomo kgatlhanong le McCarthy, e buseditswe morago go fitlhelela di 11 Lwetse 2024.

Kgabagare, McCarthy o tlhaloseditse lekgotlha fa a tlile go ka ithapela mmueledi o o ikemetseng go ka mo emela mo kgetsing e.  

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“No intelligence-led strategy to fight gang-related crimes”

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said he has sent a letter to the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, requesting to get an update on the internal investigation following the Judgement of 17 March 2022, by Daniel Thulare that raised serious concerns of possible infiltration of the South African Police Service (SAPS) by gangs in the Western Cape.

Following the assurance made on 1 December 2023 to the 6th Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, the internal investigation has been long standing and assertions made in that judgement have a far reaching impact on the credibility of the SAPS to deal effectively with gang violence in the area.

“The continued violence and murders in the Cape Flats and the lethargic response by the SAPS seem to give credence to the assertions made in the Thulare Judgement. The finalisation of that investigation and the prosecution of officers identified to have worked with the gangs is necessary to curtail the violence in the area.

“There is a concern regarding the continued gang violence in the Cape Flats, where this weekend alone, a number of incidents of murder and attempted murder happened. The continued violence in the Cape Flats requires coordinated, proactive and intelligence led interventions,” he said.

Cameron further said the violence in the Cape Flats this past weekend is symptomatic of the deficiencies within the SAPS operations in the area, which require re-imagination of the interventions to ensure safety and security of the people of the area. He added that it is simply unacceptable and unfair for the people of the Cape Flats that they continue to be subjected to lethargic, haphazard approaches currently followed by the SAPS in the area.

“The finalisation of that investigation will assist to root out rogue elements within the SAPS and give the people hope that operations to deal effectively with gang violence are being implemented.

“There is no single solution to the violence and currently, the SAPS are seemingly operating without a tangible intelligence-led strategy, minimal proactive and limited disruptive and deterrence operations in the area,” said Cameron.

He said that has led to a dangerous environment conducive for criminal activity. According to Cameron, the Thulare Judgement that highlighted the possible infiltration of the SAPS by gangs in the Western Cape, has not been responded to adequately by SAPS management and this directly impacts the morale of the ethical police officers in the area.

“Furthermore, the lack of intelligence operatives undermines the work of the SAPS in the area. As a result, I am of the considered view that an update on the investigation is necessary and that the SAPS management must put plans in place to disrupt the scourge of crime in the area.

“We are also concerned by the brutal killing of six people in Umlazi Township, outside Durban on Saturday. The scourge of murders in the country highlighted the concern with the proliferation of illegal firearms countrywide. The majority of murders are perpetrated using illegal firearms and the SAPS management must intensify operations aimed at removing these firearms from the streets,” he said.

Cameron calls on the SAPS management to intensify investigations to ensure that perpetrators of these heinous crimes are arrested and prosecuted. 

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Porojeke ya metsi e tsweletse kwa Kolong

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Setshwantsho: Porojeke ya metsi e tsweletse kwa Kolong  

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Porojeke ya dimilione di feta R80m e eneng ya puagangwa ke rakonteraka wa Phala Borwa le Amawakawaka, e tsweletse. Se se tla morago ga gore masepala wa Sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, o kgaogane le rakonteraka wa Phala Borwa le Amawakawaka, mme o ile wa thapa rakontereka o montsha wa Ultimate Dynamic.

Bontsi jwa baagi, ba ile ba tlhalosa fa tlhokego ya metsi jaanong ele selo-modiro kwa metseng ya bone. Baagi ba, ba tlhalositse fa ba patelesega go tsamaya dikilometara di feta 10 go ka bona metsi. Ene ya re mo dikgweding tse di fetileng, baagi ba kwa motseng wa Kolong, ba ile ba bolotsa mogwanto le go thibela ditsela ka dikala tsa ditlhare, ga mmogo le makgetlhe, ba ipelaetsa kgatlhanong le tlhokego ya metsi.

Kgabagare, go ya ka molekgotlha kwa masepaleng wa Sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, yo ebileng ele leloko la kabinete ya ga majoro, mme a ikarabela ka tsa mafaratlhatlha, Pico Seepamere are ba itumetse thata go ka itsise baagi ba kwa metseng e tshwana le Manthe, Kolong, Mothanthanyaneng, Sekhing le metse e mabapi gore e se kgale ba tla be ba nwa metsi, mme ba siele ba bangwe.  

“Ke tla netefatsa gore ke nnete dirori tsa konteraka ya Ultimate Dynamic, di setse di gorogile kwa lefelong la porojeke. Ba simolotse go dira, mme re dumalane le bone gore pele ga Sedimonthole 2024, ba be ba setse ba neetse bagaetsho metsi. Bone ke dikomponi tse dikgolo, mme ra ba tshepang.

“O tla gopola gore re ile ra nna le matsapa mabapi le konteraka ya Phala Borwa le ya Mawakawaka, mo ebile re ile ra tshwanelwa ke go khutlhisa konteraka ya bone. Jaanong, re semeletse mme re ikuela go ba garona ba ba tlileng ba nna le di kontereka tse dinnye (sub-contractors), go ka iponatsa,” Seepamere wa tlhalosa.

Seepamere are ba rata go leboga tirisano-mmogo e ba e boneng go batsaya-karolo botlhe. Are mme ba na le tshepo ya gore leshekere la tlhokego ya metsi e tlile go nna selo sa maloba kwa metseng e farologaneng mono Taung.

“Re tla tlhalosa gape gore botlhe ba baneng ba sa duelwa madi a bone a neng a saletse kwa morago, ba setse ba duetswe. Ba baneng ba sa duelwa, ke bo rakonteraka ba bannye (sub-contractors), mme dithulaganyo di tsweletse gore ba lefiwe moputso wa bone.

“Tota wa itse gore tiro e tshaba diatla. Jaanong, re tlile go tswelela fela jalo ka tirisano mmogo. Re lebogela tirisano-mmogo ya magosi, ga mmogo le balekgotlha ba ba farologaneng, ba ba tshotseng karolo. Re tla tswelela fela jalo ka go netefatsa gore re lwa ntwa e ya tlhokego ya metsi, mme kwa bofelong baagi ba rona ba nwe metsi,” Seepamere wa tlhalosa.

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Police looking for a missing person

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Picture: Missing Gladness Zeldred Horne/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

The police are requesting assistance in locating Gladness Zeldred Horne (25), who went missing in Kimberley. Horne is originally from De Aar, but was visiting family in Utility, Kimberley, and was last seen on 15 August 2024 at 8pm.  

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said Horne is apparently mentally impaired, approximately 1.6m tall, with short black hair, brown eyes and was wearing pink pajamas.

“The family reported her missing over the weekend and requested anyone with information to please contact Detective Constable JR Webb on 079 212 7682. The investigation continues.

“The police remind the public that there is no waiting period to report a missing person,” he said.

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Over 800 suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela

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Picture: Some of the suspects nabbed during Operation Shanela/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 800 suspects were arrested for various offenses between 12 and 18 August 2024. The suspects were amongst others, arrested for rape, murder, assault GBH, malicious damage to property, burglary residential and business premises.

This also includes possession of drugs, theft out of/from motor vehicles and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, of the 828 arrested, 288 were wanted for contact crimes like murder, attempted murder, rape, assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), assault common, house robbery and business robbery, while 388 were held during Detectives suspect raiding operations.  

“Additionally, 102 suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing. The arrests were effected through execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, road blocks, patrols, vehicle check points, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises.

“They were also effected during a raid at Second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others. The operations also culminated in the confiscation of a variety of drugs, dangerous weapons, explosives, 4 cell phones, nine ammunition, a firearm, liquor and three vehicles,” she said.

Funani further said during the operations, three illegal liquor outlets or shebeens were shut down. She added that in the Inter-Provincial Roadblock held on the N12 road by Gauteng and North West on 16 August 2024, a total of six suspected undocumented persons were taken in for processing, while 438 persons and 191 vehicles were stopped and searched.

“In addition, more than 90 fines were issued to motorists. Different safety tips pamphlets were distributed,” said Funani.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended members, units and other law enforcement agencies for successful operation Shanela that resulted in the arrests of the suspects. Kwena thanked the law enforcement agencies for always putting the safety of North West people first and for dedicating time to Operation Shanela.

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More than 29 undocumented persons arrested for illegal mining 

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Picture: Some of equipment confiscated by police during raid/Supplied 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 

More than 29 undocumented persons were arrested in and around Sizamile Township, in Port Nolloth, Bontekoei and Nataboi mining areas. The Northern Cape multi-disciplinary Operation Vala Umgodi team consisting of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services and Springbok Public Order Police, executed the disruptive activities.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said numerous mining implements and diamond bearing gravel was confiscated during these operations.

“The suspects were detained in order to be processed and verified by the Department of Home Affairs Immigration Services officials before being formally charged and presented to court for deportation.

“If you see something, say something. Also, report illegal mining to the SAPS Crime Stop 08600 10111,” he said. 

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