The police in Lichtenburg is requesting members of the community to assist with the identification of an unknown body of a man estimated to be between age group of 20 and 29. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the body was found lying next to the road in the grass along the Lichtenburg/Mahikeng Road, close to De Paarl farms on 6 April 2023.
“He was dressed in a grey and orange “hoody” top (the shoulder and cap parts of the “hoody” are orange and the rest is grey), long grey tracksuit pants, with black and white tekkies. Anyone who may have information that can assist in this regard, is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Willem Nortman, on 082 416 0897.
“Alternatively you can contact your nearest police station or call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Anonymous Tip-offs may also be communicated via the MySAPS App on your smart phone,” she said.
The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said his government, through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), is coordinating extensive intervention efforts to assist municipalities in the province to implement renewable and alternative energy sources.
Maloyi made this announcement on 20 February 2024, while delivering the 2024 State of the Province Address (SOPA) during the official opening of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL).
“In an effort to end load-shedding, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Chinese National Import and Export Corporation to construct R16 billion gas to electricity power stations at both the City of Matlosana and Moses Kotane Local Municipalities.
“The first phase of this project will see the City of Matlosana producing 198 megawatts of electricity. The construction is earmarked for a maximum of 90 days per 100 megawatts. This latest development, is part of the continuing efforts to ensure support and interventions in municipalities and will go a long way in resolving electricity supply challenges,” he said.
Maloyi further said challenges facing municipalities, include electricity supply challenges as a result of aging infrastructure faults, vandalism of transformers and load-shedding impact on infrastructure and water supply leading to a collapse in service provision.
He added that, with the new power stations, they should resolve these problems. Maloyi said municipalities such as City of Matlosana and JB Marks, are also to insource road maintenance and pothole patching on an ongoing basis as a municipal function undertaken by municipal employees.
“This initiative will be emulated in other municipalities across the province. Furthermore, there is an on-going effort to provide dedicated support to all municipalities to improve financial management through the implementation and monitoring of the Financial Recovery Plans (FRPs).
“The Executive Council has approved the appointment and deployment of Provincial Executive Representatives (PERs) to implement financial recovery plans for identified municipalities, under the joint coordination of Provincial Treasury and Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA),” said Maloyi.
He said progress has been registered by the intervention team deployed to the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, however, it is not significant enough to reverse the extent of the governance collapse in the municipal administration.
“The Ditsobotla Local Municipality requires constant and sustained support and intervention from Provincial Government before full recovery can be declared.
“EXCO has deployed a team of experts and other seconded officials to the municipality to assist with capacity we remaining hopeful that we will make the municipality to function better,” said Maloyi.
Setshwantsho: terena e tsamaisang dithoto e wele kwa Dryharts
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba motse wa Dryharts, gaufi le Taung, ba re le fa ba lela le setlamo sa puso sa Transnet ka go senyegelwa, fela bone ba itumeletse gore ba bone korong ya mphiwa fela. Seno se tla morago ga gore, terena e tsamaisang dithoto e wele gaufi le motse wa bone mo letsatsing la maabane.
Baagi ba, ba ne ba tswa ka dikgamelo go ya go rwala korong eo, mme ene ya nna seboa-boane sa banyana ba Picong, go fitlhela badiri ba setlamo sa Transnet ba goroga kwa lefelong la kotsi. Go fitlha ga jaana, ga go itsiwe sebakwa sa kotsi, mme dipatlisiso di tsweletse.
Mongwe wa baagi o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe wa tlhalosa: “Nnyaa, tota rona morago ga go utlwa gore terena ya dithoto e wele, mme korong e gasame mo fatshe, rene ra itelekela kwa lefelong la tiragalo. Mme ke nnete re fitlhetse gontse fela jalo. Jaanong go goroga ga rona, ga ra botsa le gore go diragetseng, mme ra tlatsa dikganelo ka korong.
“Re maswabi gore re be re tseile korong ya setlamo sa Transnet, fela botlhoka-tiro bo ile kwa godimo. Gape, re tlhasetswe ke bohuma, jaanong re tla dika re rekisitse korong, mme ka letsenonyana leo motho o tla bona gore o reka eng.”
O mongwe wa baagi are ene o utlwile modumo o makatsang, mme ene ya re fa a latlhela bofofu kwa modumo o tswang teng, one a bona tlhogo ya terena e kalakatlega e le nosi, mme mmele wa yone o wele.
“Tota ga ke itse gore kotsi e, e ka tswa e bakilwe ke eng. Fela ke belaela go nnile le bothata fa seporong. Ke belaela ka gongwe sene se kgaotswe, gonne modumo o ne o utlwala kgakajana.
“Jaanong, baagi ba ile ba goroga le go itseela korong e eneng e tshologa go tswa mo tereneng e tsamaisang dithoto. Sepodisi se ile sa bidiwa ga mmogo le ba ditirelo tsa potlako. Go begwa fa mokgweetsi wa terena e, a iponetse dikgobalo tse di botlhotshwana ga mmogo le mothusi wa gagwe. Ba ne ba rwalelwa kwa bookelo kwa Vryburg go bona thuso ya potlako,” monna o wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, ga se a boele go Taung DailyNews ka dintlha ka botlalo.
Picture: A vehicle allegedly confiscated by police at the border/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A driver (42) has been arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen unprocessed gold Vioolsdrift Border on 20 February 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Mashay Gamieldien said, a vigilance of members at the Vioolsdrift Border post resulted in the apprehension of a man and the confiscation of a suspected stolen vehicle, including unwrought gold.
Gamieldien said during routine duties at the Vioolsdrift Boarder post between RSA and Namibia, the police searched and screened a Ford Ranger double cab bakkie leaving RSA and enroute to Namibia. She said upon screening the vehicle, the police discovered that the driver presented fraudulent documents.
“After searching the bakkie, they found unprocessed gold with an estimated value of R9 500. The confiscated vehicle is valued at R1,1 million. The suspect was charged with possession of suspected stolen vehicle and fraud.
“An enquiry has been registered in relation of the unprocessed gold. The suspect will soon appear in the Springbok Magistrates Court,” said Gamieldien.
Picture: A man allegedly arrested for possession of suspected stolen copper cable/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (39) has been arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen copper cable. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Col Cherelle Ehlers said the police in Springbok were conducting a roadblock on the N7, when they recovered a significant amount of copper cable.
She said the copper cable recovered weighed 14,03kg with an estimated value of R2 050 was confiscated. Ehlers said also a total of 139 vehicles and 182 persons were searched during the roadblock.
“The police issued a stern warning that the theft of copper cables and the damage to essential infrastructure will not be tolerated,” she said.
Picture: The Rural Safety Work sessionin Kimberley/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape police held a Rural Safety Work session at the Kimberly SAPS Gymnasium in Kimberley on Tuesday. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Mosimaneotsile Letsapa, the session was attended by representatives from the Provincial Pro-Active Policing, Station Commanders from JTG, Frances Baard and Pixley Ka Seme Districts, Kimberly VCIU, Stock theft and Endangered Specied units.
He said this includes representatives from National Visible Policing and Operations (rural safety and stock theft prevention, Northern Cape Agri representative, Mr Joe Scholztz, Petrus Sitho from National Rural Safety Task Team and Stop Farm Murder and Morgad Sesloka from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.
“In her welcoming address, the Provincial Head for Pro-Active Policing, Brig Irene Kopeledi reiterated the importance of addressing Rural Safety as a collective because it is impossible for the SAPS to fight crime alone without the external role players.
“Brig Charmine Muller from the National office when outlining the purpose of the work session, mentioned that the Minister of Police instructed the SAPS National Commissioner to come up with the National Police Action plan and hence Rural Safety strategy was drafted,” said Letsapa.
He further said Muller informed the delegates that Rural safety is all about safety of farm dwellers, farm workers and their mutual cooperation with the SAPS as well as the importance of implementing the Rural Safety strategy by all parties and roleplayers.
Letsapa added that, the police were capacitated with more knowledge as to how to deal with stock l-theft related cases and the rights of the farming communities such as land rights, grazing rights, burial rights and basic rights.
Meanwhile, Captain Gibson Manong from Kimberly VCIU encouraged Station Commanders to ensure that, safe storage of the exhibits in SAPS 13 is taken care of. Manong said vehicles booked in as exhibits.
“In conclusion, Muller indicated that farming communities are the eyes and ears of the police in fighting crime, hence there must be mutual understanding and cooperation between the SAPS and them,” he said.
Banyana Banyana arrived in Tanzania on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the crunch Third Round Olympic qualifier against the East African country on Friday (23 February 2024).
With all eyes set on the Paris Olympic Games later this year, there will be a lot at stake and the away leg against Tanzania will be crucial to amplify the South African senior women’s team’s confidence ahead of return leg at home. Midfielder Thalea Smidt, who makes her return to the Sasol-sponsored team after having last featured in the 2023 COSAFA Cup, said the players want to play in the Olympic Games.
“I would say the Olympics are on every player’s list and it’s important to focus on this first leg game against Tanzania,” said Smidt.
“Everyone has been working hard, the intensity has been high and we know what is expected from us.”
The overseas-based Jermaine Seoposenwe, Linda Motlhalo and Noko Matlou joined up with the team on Tuesday, while Hildah Magaia is expected to join the Banyana Banyana camp on Wednesday.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ charges had a light gym session soon after arrival and will have the first official training session in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday morning.
The North West Department of Education has appointed Prince Masilo as the new acting Head of Department (HOD). This comes after the period of the acting appointment of Dr Shadrack Mvula in that position lapsed.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, the Executive Authority for Education took this decision after consultation with the North West Premier, Bushy Maape. He said Masilo’s acting role commenced on 1 February 2024.
“Both Masilo and Mvula are on the same post level of Deputy Director-General in the department. Mvula continues serving in his substantive post as the Deputy Director-General for Institutional Management, Governance and Support in the department.
“The powers to appoint a Head of Department for any provincial government department, rest with the Premier. Therefore, the department is not a position of authority to determine and subsequently state a date on which its currently vacant HoD post will be filled,” he said.
Molokwane further said the acting appointment does not have a bearing on the smooth running of the department, since the officials appointed to act in the vacant HoD post meet the inherent requirements for the post in terms of qualifications, experience, knowledge, values and skills.
He added that, in closing, it should be noted that the department in collaboration with Office of the Premier, is doing its best to finalise the recruitment and selection process regarding the filling of its vacant HoD post in the interest of clean governance.
The president of Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, announced the date for the National General Elections. Ramaphosa said in a statement that, this is in accordance with Section 49(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with Section 17 of the Electoral act of 1998, determined 29 May 2024, as the date for the 2024 General National and Provincial elections.
“We have also in line with Section 17(2) of the Electoral act 73 of 1998, consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the election date. Furthermore, I convened a meeting with all nine Provincial Premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the National General elections.
“The 2024 elections coincide with South Africa’s celebration of 30 years of freedom and democracy. Therefore, we call on all eligible voters to fully participate in this important and historic milestone of our democratic calendar,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said beyond the fulfilment of the constitutional obligation, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of democratic journey and a determination of the future that they all desire. He added that, all South Africans should exercise their democratic right to vote and for those who will be campaigning to do so peacefully, within the full observance of the law.
“We also urged unregistered voters to use the online registration platform to register. The proclamation to declare the date will be issued in due course,” said Ramaphosa.
Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi was lacklustre. Maloyi delivered the speech at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) chamber in Mahikeng on Tuesday.
According to the DA caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile, Maloyi was ‘out of touch’ as his speech was not resonating to the people on the ground. He said it is ‘high time’ people of the province remove the ANC-led government from power.
“This was very uninspiring SOPA and not so inspiring speech by the outgoing ANC-led government. I think throughout the speech, Maloyi used the line that, they are the province on the move. He was telling the truth because we are moving towards a new government.
“He was apathetic and he kept on talking about stories that we do not know. Maloyi spoke about job creation and I just wonder which jobs were created because North West is the most province with high rate of unemployment in the country,” Sonakile said.
He further said Maloyi spoke about houses that were built. Sonakile added that, he is startled to see Maloyi boosting about 19 000 houses they built since 2019. Sonakile added that, it is actually an absurd case because that means in a year, they only managed to build 4000 units.
“I think Maloyi was supposed to use that time to apologise to the residents of the North West for the instability created by empty promises they have been making over the years.
“They promised to form a forensic unit in this office, they promised to do life-style audit on all the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in North West. However, five years down the line that has never happened,” he said.
Sonakile said the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) allegedly promised to create multi-tenacity building office space, however, government offices are still leased with millions. He said there is nothing that they have achieved, but he thinks that, Maloyi presented the speech just to safe faces because the North West Premier, Bushy Maape could not stand the lies that he had been peddling to the residents over the years.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) spokesperson in North West, Fanon Moema shared the same sentiments. Moema said they anticipated that, they are going to be told lies.
“It is not a coincidence that, Maloyi selectively went on and quoted Guinea-Bissau revolutionary and one of the finest African thought leaders, Amilcar Cabral when he said: “Always bear in mind that, the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone’s head, they fighting to win materials benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward and to guarantee the future of their children.”
“But, we would like to engage him further and say he was supposed to quote Amilcar Cabral when he says, telling no lies and claiming easy victory. The truth be told, the ANC-led government has inherited the infrastructure system that was well-functional from the then homeland, Bophuthatswana government, but collapsed everything found operational,” he said.
Moema said municipalities are paralysed and there is no infrastructure, including in the health department. He said hence Maape seek medical attention from abroad.
The Freedom Front + leader in the NWPL, De Wet Nel said: “I do not think so and the speech was unintelligible. They can see that is election time and now they promise people houses. People should realise that, it takes this government over five years to build these houses.
“There is a promises of houses in the eve of elections, which is ridiculous. These promises were made last year and none of them came to light.”
Meanwhile, South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said Maloyi has demonstrated how a caring government should deal with communities’ service delivery concerns and responding promptly to address those concerns.
“We appreciate and commend his enthusiasm and appreciation for the need for the government that embarks on an accelerated, effective, and efficient service delivery provision and this is the type of leader our government needs in the province.
“Our communities are impatient and need services now, and as SANCO, we understand their frustrations and support the objectives of the Thuntsha Lerole Programme. Maloyi has led by example in his role as the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs,” he said.
The Guardian 