Water challenges force residents drink from quarry   

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Picture: Residents in Mothanthanyaneng village draw water from a quarry

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The residents of Mothanthanyaneng village, near Taung, call on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to converge at a meeting to devise a strategy on how best to provide permanent water solutions to them. These residents said they are now forced to draw water from a quarry. 

One of the irked residents, Olebogeng Sehako accused their ward councillor, Tefo Moraladi of ignoring their plea. Sehako alleged that what Moraladi does best is to buy alcohol for the community. 

“We either get water from a quarry, where animals also drink or from a neighbouring village, Granspan. The provincial government has implemented a strategy to identify water and sanitation challenges across the province since 2021, but nothing is happening. 

“We call for necessary plans for immediate interventions. We were told that all communities with critical water shortages will be prioritised. However, that is not the case,” he said. 

Another resident, Ranolang Moleme (58) shared the same sentiments. Moleme alleged that they do not even know who their ward councillor is because no community meetings are convened on a monthly basis. 

“There are no developments in our area. What we always get are empty promises. The government fails to deliver basic services such as provision of water, accessible roads and others. We urge our government to take us seriously. 

“Why should we walk long distances to access clean and drinkable water? It has been a while since we urged our government to ensure there is provision of water, but all our pleas fall in deaf ears,” he said. 

Meanwhile, even though ward councillor in Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), Tefo Moraladi admitted that there are some challenges in the area, he refuted allegations that what he does best is only to buy alcohol.  

“We understand that there is a concern regarding lack of service delivery in some areas. However, it all depends on what the communities have prioritised during the Integrated Development Plan (IDP). As the municipality, we have a mandate to ensure that we instil high mast lights, build community halls and internal roads. 

“The construction of clinics and provision of water are the responsibilities of other departments. If there is a need, we liaise with them and ensure that they fulfil their mandate.  So, I am in the process of ensuring that all communities receive service delivery,” he said. 

Moraladi further said the municipality heavily relies on conditional grants, so they cannot cover everything at once. He added that every financial year, they make sure that all areas get services. 

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Sekolo sa Redirile se abelwa diaparo tsa sekolo 

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Setshwantsho: Greater Taung PEOPLE Living With HIV and AIDS Organisation ba neelana ka diaparo tsa sekolo

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Sekolo se segolwane sa Redirile kwa motseng wa Mokassa, gaufi le Taung, se tlhalositse fa se itumeletse go amogela diaparo tsa sekolo tse ba di neetsweng ke mokgatlho o eseng wa puso wa Greater Taung People Living With HIV and AIDS. Mokgatlho o, one o neela baithuti bangwe ba ba dikobo di magetleng diaparo tsa sekolo. 

Motsamaisi wa diporojeke (Project Manager) go tswa kwa mokgatlhong wa Greater Taung People Living With HIV and AIDS, Dimakatso Molusi are, ba abetswe diaparo tseo ke lebenkeleng la Ackermans go tswa kwa Bloemhof. Molusi are ba neetse sekolo marukgwe, dihempe tse ditshweu tsa sekolo, ga mmogo le dikausu. 

“Fa re amogetse kabo go tswa go ditheo tse di farologaneng, re buisana le dikolo dingwe le go sheba baithuti ba ba tlhokang diaparo tseo, mme re ba neele tsone. Re dira seo go ralala Taung, mme re rotloetsa baagi ka bontsi go ka tsaya karolo. 

“O tla gopola gore ngwana sejo wa tlhakanelwa, ebile ntime o mphele ngwana. Jaanong, fa re neela baithuti ba ba rona tlhokomelo, re tla bona moputso o siameng. Ke baeteledipele ba kamoso, jaanong ke ne ke tla itumela thata go bona ditheo tse di farologaneng le tsone di tsaya karolo mo tiragalong e,” Molusi wa tlhalosa. 

Molusi are go le gantsi, baithuti bao ba feleletsa ba ikobonya, mme seo se kgoreletse dithuto tsa bone. Molusi are baithuti bao, ba tshwanela ke go dira ka natla go ka fetola seemo sa kwa malapeng a bone. 

“Moswi Dr Nelson Mandela o ile a tlhalosa gore thuto ke lesedi, mme ngwana mongwe le mongwe o tlhoka tlhokomelo e tseneletseng, gonne seo ke tshwanelo ya gagwe. Jaanong, go tsaya motse otlhe go ka godisa ngwana.  

“Go tshwanetse gore baithuti fa ba le mo phaphosi-borutelo, ba ipone ba lekalekana. Re tlile go tswelela fela jalo le go netefatsa gore ga gona ngwana ope o salelang kwa morago,” Molusi wa tlhalosa. 

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa Lefapha la Thuto mo Bokone Bophirima, Elias Malindi are: “Re itumeletse thata go bona setheo sa Greater Taung People Living with HIV and AIDS, se neela kabelano e. Re le lefapha re motlotlo, ebile re ipela ka bone. 

“Ka gale re dula re rotloetsa tirisano-mmogo ma gareng ga ditheo tse di farologaneng le lefapha, gonne seo se godisa botsalano jwa rona.” 

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Bagodi ba keteka letsatsi la Mandela kwa Lokgabeng 

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Setshwantsho: Bagodi kwa Lokgabeng Disability Centre ba amogela ditirelo

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Setheo sa Lokgabeng Disability Centre kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng gaufi le Taung, se kaile fa se itumeletse go neelwa ditirelo tse difarologaneng ke Lefapha la Boitekanelo mono Bokone Bophirima. Badiri ba lefapha go tswa kwa North West Department of Health (Taung Sub-District), ba ne ba etetse setheo se ka maikaelelo a go keteka letsatsi la ga moswi Dr Nelson Mandela. 

Motsamaisi kwa Lokgabeng Disability Centre, Agnes Mokgobo are ditirelo tse di farologaneng, di tlile go thusa thata bagodi ba ba ba tlhokometseng gore ba nne le boitekanelo jo bo edileng. Mokgobo are badiri ba lefapha, ba ne ba tlhatlhoba bagolo malwetsi a farologaneng le go ba neela dijo le tse di aparwang. 

“Ke itumetse thata fa lefapha le bone go le mosola go tla go keteka letsatsi la Mandela le rona. Ba re neetse dijo tse difarologaneng, mme re itumetse thata gonne ba re neetse le diaparo tsa mo teng tsa bagolo jaaka di nappies. 

“Reitumetse thata gonne bangwe ba dikereke le bone ba tlhola ba tlisa diaparo. Jaanong, re ikuela go mongwe le mongwe o nang le gone jaaka diaparo, dikobo le dijo gore neela tsone. Ditheo di tshwana le Kopano Butchery, Cosmetic Shop le dikereke tse di farologaneng, ba tlhola ba re gopola,” Mokgobo wa tlhalosa. 

Mokgobo are kopano ke matla, gonne e godisa setheo se. Are bangwe ba bagodi ga bana malapa a ba tswang kwa go one, jaanaong ba tlhokomelwa ka dithuso tse di farologananeng. 

Kgabagare, motsamaisi wa nakwana wa Lefapha la Boitekanelo mono Taung, Modiegi Benade are kgwedi e jaaka e itsiwe, ke kgwedi ya go keteka botshelo jwa mogaka, moswi Dr Nelson Mandela. Benade are ba ile ba etela Lokgabeng Disability Centre go tla go ba bontsha lerato. 

“Jaaka lefapha, re dula re etela setheo se le go rebola ditirelo tse di farologaneng. Setheo se, se dirisana gape le kliniki ya selegae ya Mokgareng. Ba isa batlhokomelwa ba bone koo go ka bona dithuso tse di farologaneng tsa pholo. Bontsi jwa bone ke bagodi, mme bana le go itemogela malwetsi a farologaneng jaaka kgatelelo ya madi, botlhoko jwa shwekere, ga mmogo le malwetsi a mangwe.   

“Maikaelelo a rona ke gore re tlhole ga mmogo le bone go tla go keteka letsatsi le la Mandela. Beke e fetileng, kliniki ya rona e tsamaisiwang (mobile clinic), ene ele teng fa go tla go tlhatlhoba bagodi ba rona,” Benade wa tlhalosa. 

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Ramaphosa appoints Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice 

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Picture: The incoming Chief Justice, Mandisa Maya

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa has in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, appointed current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 1 September 2024. 

Maya’s appointment follows Ramaphosa’s consultation, in accordance with constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on 22 February 2024, Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service Commission of his intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of office of Zondo on 31 August 2024. 

The President spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa invited the Judicial Service Commission to provide its views on the suitability of Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice. Magwenya further said discharging its consultative mandate set out in Section 174(3) of the Constitution, the Commission interviewed Maya on 21 May 2024, to ascertain her suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic. 

“The Commission subsequently assured the President of Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview, Maya’s qualifications and judicial record. 

“This includes her leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President,” he said. 

Magwenya added that the Commissioners also advised that Maya’s appointment would be a significant milestone for the country as she would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice. He said Ramaphosa appreciated the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw inspiration and support from the confidence expressed in her. 

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Teachers expelled over cheating scandal at Reivilo High School have five days to appeal 

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Picture: Reivilo High School in Taung 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The North West Department of Education said two teachers from Reivilo High School in Taung who were implicated in a cheating scandal, were fired on Friday. It is alleged that six Grade 12 learners were found to have cheated during the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations and colluded with some teachers, who demanded R3000 in return. 

This led to the North West Department of Education to withhold their results. Some of the affected learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, cited that even though they cheated during the final examinations, these teachers aided them. 

“The question paper was leaked by certain teachers and we had to fork out R3000 per learner. So, I’m still sitting at home without knowing my fate. It is true that our results were withheld and the department said, we will only be eligible to write the accounting question paper in November 2025.

“We are prohibited from writing the subject for two years. They said we will only be allowed to write the examination once the sanction period has expired,” she said.

She further said this has affected her livelihoods because she does not know what the future holds for her anymore. 

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said the national department in conjunction with the provincial department conducted an extensive investigation of all learners and teachers, who were alleged to be implicated in the irregular practice.

“Yes, the department is aware of this matter. There are two teachers who were dismissed after the disciplinary process. The outcome of the disciplinary process found the two educators guilty. 

“At the end they were eventually dismissed from the department. However, they have five days to make an appeal against their dismissal to the MEC,” he said.

Malindi said the decision against affected learners once the department has concluded the disciplinary process against all those implicated on the matter. He said the national department will provide direction and guidance on the situation of the learners.

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24 foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining 

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Picture: Some of foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining/Generic

By REGINALD KANYANE 

As part of intensifying the fight against illegal mining, 24 suspects aged between 19 and 47, briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 24 July 2024, on charges of contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002, and illegal mining.  Of the 24 accused persons, 12 were remanded in custody until 25 July and 13 August 2024, for legal aid, plea and interpreter. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said moreover, 11 accused were found guilty and fined R2000 respectively. Funani said the suspects were arrested by Vala Umgodi deployment that included various South African Police Service (SAPS) Units and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Skeerpoort Farm illegal mining site near Hartbeespoortdam on 22 July 2024.

“The preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are from Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe foreign nationals. The police seized illegal mining equipment that included the phenduka machine, generators, hammers, jack hammers, water pumps and many others,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary team members for the successful operation that led to the arrests and confiscation of illegal mining equipment.

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Majority of businesses in Stilfontein sell expired goods

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Picture: Some of expired food confiscated during the raid

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The City of Matlosana embarked on another Clean Up Campaign in partnership with various government departments and stakeholders such as South African Revenue Services (SARS), South African Police Services (SAPS) and Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in Stilfontein on 19 July 2024. During the campaign, it was discovered that the majority of businesses around the Civic Centre Shopping Complex in Stilfontein, were non-compliant and were operating without business certificates of compatibility from relevant authorities. 

The City of Matlosana spokesperson, Ntswaki Makgetha said health inspectors discovered that the products packaging from various stores were not barcoded. Makgetha said the majority of the businesses were selling expired and unauthorised goods to the public. 

“The non-compliant products were immediately confiscated. Most businesses were found to be operating without fire distinguishers for safety measures. Therefore, the Disaster Risk Management personnel issued notices to the business owners, in order to install fire distinguisher bottles in their businesses according to guidelines. 

“Six businesses that were not compliant were temporarily closed for risks identified. During the campaign, the City’s Finance Department officials found that some of the businesses were not paying the municipal services and encouraged them to pay for their services,” she said.  

Makgetha further said the tourism unit, managed to visit Bed and Breakfast lounges and Guest Houses to check compliance and were pleased to find that most of them were compliant.

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A man sentenced to seven years imprisonment for theft of ammunition 

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Picture: Ammunition confiscated by police/Generic 

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

A man (55) was convicted by the De Aar Regional Court for theft. This comes after Vuyo Eric Joe was convicted for four counts of theft. 

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said on 14 November 2022, the police in Philipstown, were conducting patrols in town and surrounding areas, when they spotted a suspicious bakkie with a trailer. Shemane said when Joe saw the police vehicle, he took a detour onto a gravel road, however, the police followed and stopped the vehicle. 

“A search ensued and police recovered ammunition cartridges in the bakkie and the trailer. The accused could not provide a satisfactory explanation as to how he obtained the ammunition cartridges and he did not have a valid permit in his possession to transport ammunition. 

“Joe was subsequently arrested and bail was successfully opposed by the investigating officer. He was sentenced to six years imprisonment for count one, six years imprisonment for count 2 and seven years imprisonment for count 3, while he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for count four,” he said. 

Shemane further said count 1, 2 and 4 were suspended for five years. He added that Joe was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for count 3. 

“Communities are encouraged to blow the whistle on stolen goods and report unscrupulous dealers, suspicious individuals and suspected stolen goods to the police,” said Shemane.

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R164 billion set aside for establishment of Special Economic Zone  

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Picture: The Special Economic Zone in Mogwase/Facebook

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi said approximately 97% of the total platinum production occurs in Rustenburg, with the mining sector providing around 50% of all formal employment. Mokgosi said they should harness this potential, however, they must also invest in people. 

He further said they are collaborating with the North West University, the Departments of Higher Education and Minerals and Petroleum Resources to establish an Engineering Faculty in Rustenburg to respond to the demand for technical and engineering specialities needed to meet the demand in the mining and related fields.

Mokgosi added that the 7th administration has already started consultations with the Minister of Trade Industry and Competition to remove all hurdles preventing the cabinet from approving the issuance of the license for the formal proclamation of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mogwase.

“We have now appointed a full time CEO for the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), who will work with the Board to appoint the rest of the Executive Management Team. The NWDC will be restructured to be fit for purpose to drive our economic and industrialization programme.

“We are continuing with work in the SEZ to renovate existing structures and the construction of Phase 2 of the project. The main hub of the Platinum Valley SEZ will be housed in a 100-hectare site at the Bodirelo Industrial Park, located near the town of Mogwase,” he said.

Mokgosi said the site will be developed in three phases, comprising a logistics park, light manufacturing space and heavy industries manufacturing space. He said they have so far garnered investment commitments to the tune of R164 billion for the Special Economic Zone.

“Eleven of these are at an advanced stage with three having signed pre-lease agreements. These commitments are a culmination of the investment initiatives of the 6th administration to create over five thousand job opportunities for our people.

“Our province is home to Phelindaba, South Africa’s main nuclear research centre, and with the new Electricity and Energy Minister’s vision for a 2500MW nuclear plant, we have the potential to become an investment destination of a powerhouse in the energy generation sector,” said Mokgosi.

He said nuclear energy has a catalytic potential across sectors like nuclear medicine, energy and human resource development to develop new rare skills and specializations, which are in high demand. 

Mokgosi said all these priorities require coherent policy direction and coordination from the government to guide interventions and direct sector contributions towards a common goal. 

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24 foreign nationals arrested for illegal mining 

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Picture: Twenty four foreign-nationals nabbed for illegal mining

By REGINALD KANYANE 

As part of intensifying the fight against illegal mining, 24 suspects aged between 19 and 47, briefly appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 24 July 2024, on charges of contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002, and illegal mining.  Of the 24 accused persons, 12 were remanded in custody until 25 July and 13 August 2024, for legal aid, plea and interpreter. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said moreover, 11 accused were found guilty and fined R2000 respectively. Funani said the suspects were arrested by Vala Umgodi deployment that included various South African Police Service (SAPS) Units and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at Skeerpoort Farm illegal mining site near Hartbeespoortdam on 22 July 2024.

“The preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are from Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe foreign nationals. The police seized illegal mining equipment that included the phenduka machine, generators, hammers, jack hammers, water pumps and many others,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the Vala Umgodi multi-disciplinary team members for the successful operation that led to the arrests and confiscation of illegal mining equipment.

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