A case of corruption against the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of City of Matlosana, Mercy Phetla (38) and GMHM Construction and Projects employees, Matshepiso Mothelesane (39) and Nomthandazo Mokasule (49), has been postponed by the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court until 27 March 2024.
The trio handed themselves over to the Klerksdorp-based Hawks’ Serious Corruption. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the trio was granted R35 000 bail each.
Mamothame said they were ordered to surrender their passports to the investigating officers and all documents relating to GMHM to be immediately removed from Phetla.
“It is unknown to the state what their representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will entail. It is alleged that in June 2023, GMHM Construction, purchased a VW Amarok pickup van worth R1,4 million for Phetla.
“The gift was never declared by Phetla to the employer. The investigation by the Hawks Serious Corruption, revealed that the service provider ( GMHM) has a month-to-month contract with the municipality,” he said.
taungdailynews@gmail.com
Picture: The CFO for City of Matlosana, Mercy Phetla/Google
Picture: Two vehicles involved in a head-on collision/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
At least four people have died and three survived from a head on collision on the N4 outside Zeerust. According to the preliminary investigation, a private vehicle which was traveling from Zeerust collided with a mini bus taxi that was traveling in the opposite direction.
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said, both vehicles caught fire on collision. He said three other occupants and one critical, have been taken Zeerust Hospital.
“We have sent our heartfelt condolences messages to the families of the deceased and wishes speedy recovery to the injured. We appeal to all motorists to continue to obey the rules of the roads at all times.
“They shall take breaks during long trips and inspect vehicles for roadworthiness before taking journeys,” he said. taungdailynews@gmail.com
Picture: The graduates at Potchefstroom Agricultural College/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
In an effort to increase the number of qualified farming professionals, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, through its Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, awarded a Diploma in Mixed Agriculture Qualification to 55 graduates on 1 March 2024.
North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said with a total number of 55 graduates, 25 of whom are males and 30 females, this shows that agriculture is no longer a male dominated industry as previously structured, additionally this should translate into improved quality of service more especially in the rural and underserved areas of the North West.
Mohono emphasised that, the provision of quality farming by trained professionals as a job that requires conscious people, who know they are in the profession to serve humanity and the dedication to producing food timeously as key drivers to their profession.
She further acknowledged that, the patience and the resilience from all parents and guardians throughout the three years of their children’s journey. Mohono added that as farmers, the graduates play a critical role in the realisation of our mandate to fight food insecurity at all costs.
“We believe that training, particularly of young people is critical to achieve the goal of a better life for all, it is in this context that we strive to make a deliberate effort in intensifying education and training programmes,” she said.
Meanwhile, Omolemo Mophulane from Khunwana village who is the overall achiever of three years of full time study and experimental learning, he stated that it was a tough journey, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, whereby they had to study from home then transition back to coming to school on a full-time basis.
“I am very happy to be the top achiever of the 2024 cohort, I will take the experience acquired from the college to work at a farm back home and continue to further my studies ” he said.
Picture: Residents grappling for water across Taung/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Magalies Water said various villages across Taung, might be affected by water supply interruption. This comes after community members allegedly embarked on protest and disturbed the smooth-running operation at the Magalies Water’s Water Treatment Plant on 28 February 2024.
The Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae said areas such as Chiefscourt, Kgatlheng, Blekkies, Nommer 1, Ditshilong 1 and 2, Khibitswane, Thoteng, Kolong, Nhole, Lokaleng and Cokonyane, might experience water supply interruptions due to staff intimidation and forceful removal from the Water Treatment Plant. Magae further said, they hereby inform the public of an unfortunate incident.
“A group of community members claiming to be representing various villages within the Greater Taung Local Municipality, disrupted operations earlier today at the New Taung Water Treatment Plant. The group is said to be representing communities from the following areas.
“Due to the safety concerns, all Magalies Water staff based at the plant have left the facility, which currently is not in operation remains unmonitored for operational purposes, as required by law. As such, the public should take note of a possibility of water supply interruptions to areas within the municipal jurisdiction supplied from this water treatment plant as a result of this incident,” he said.
Magae added that, the public will be duly informed of developments in due course.
Meanwhile, some of the representatives from Tlhokego Ya Metsi Concerned Group said: “As the residents of Taung, we need your support across all villages in a fight against water shortages. So, we would like to inform you that, if Magalies Water does not provide us with clean and drinkable water by 1 March 2024, we would be left with no choice, but to embark on a #TotalShutDown.
“So, we would also like to inform all stakeholders including government departments regarding our plan. Yesterday, we delivered memorandum but there was no one to hand it over to from either the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality nor Magalies Water.”
A woman (22) who was allegedly stabbed multiple times with a knife by her alleged boyfriend (38) is critical condition. It is alleged that, a woman and the suspect (boyfriend) were visiting the father of the boyfriend in Fraserburg when the incident took place.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said, On 23 February 2024, at approximately 20:30, the suspect and the victim (his girlfriend) were visiting his father in Fraserburg. An altercation allegedly ensued and the victim opted to walk home, but was accosted by the suspect who dragged her into a dark open veld and stabbed her multiple times on her upper body and face.
“Her screams alerted community members and a patrolling police vehicle was stopped minutes later. The victim was rushed to the Fraserburg Community Health Centre (CHC) for medical attention, where she was stabilized and transferred to a hospital in Kimberley, where she is in a critical condition,” he said.
He further said The Fraserburg police activated all resources in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. Kock added that, the police received a tip-off and made follow-up.
“The suspect was a found hiding in the veld on 27 February 2024 at approximately 17:00. The investigating officer, D/WO JAM Tyers, will be opposing bail as the suspect will be appearing in the Fraserburg Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Fraserburg Station Commander, Captain Lincoln Nkathazo, mobilised all SAPS units and with the assistance of the Men and Women Against Crime Forums executed a search for the suspect.
Baagi ba gwantetse kwa setheong sa Magalies Water ka ntlheng ya tlhokego ya metsi
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baagi ba Taung ba ba ipitsang Tlhokego Ya Metsi Concerned Group go tswa kwa metseng e fatologaneng go ralala Taung, bane ba gwantetse kwa setheong se se rebolang metsi sa Magalies Water kwa Veertien, gaufi le Taung. Baagi ba, ba kaile fa ba tlile go dira jalo letsatsi le letsatsi go fitlhela dingongorego tsa bone di sekegelwa tsebe.
Baagi ba, ba re metsi ke tlhoba-boroko kwa metseng ya bone. Mokwaledi wa mokgatlho wa Tlhokego Ya Metsi Concerned Group, Phemelo Phitshwane are, mo letsatsing la maabane, ba ne boloditse mogwanto, gonne ga go ope o ba sekegelang tsebe mo boikuelong jwa bone jwa go bona metsi a phepha, ebile a nwega.
“Re tlile go tswelela fela jalo ka mogwanto wa rona letsatsi le letsatsi, mme re tlile go gwantela kwa dikantorong tsa Magalies Water. Re letse re sa kgona go neelana ka lekwalo la rona la dingongorego (Memorandum), gonne majoro-khuduthamaga wa rona wa sedika sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae Maje one a seo.
“Jaanong, re ne re batla gore lekwalo la rona la dingongorego le amogelwe ke ene. Fela, re bone molekgotlha, Pico Seepamere e nna ene a tlileng go le amogela mo legatong la ga Maje. Rena le dingwaga-ngwaga re lela ka tlhokego ya metsi, mme ga go ope fela o tsibogang,” Phitswane wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, Seepamere are ba tlhaloganya matsapa a baagi ba a itemogelang mabapi le tlhokego ya metsi. Fela Seepamere are, ba tshwanetse go tla ka toga-maano ya go rarabolola bothata jo.
“Ga gona setlankana sa boipelaetso se se neng se le teng. Fa gone go ntse jalo, baagi ba tla be ba se re reboletse. Le molekgotlha, Itumeleng Maribe, one a ile go ya go se amogela, fela baagi ga ba se mo naya. Se re se boneng ke go bona baagi ba ba neng ba sa bue sepe ka ntlha tlhokego ya metsi.
“Ebile, ba feleleditse ele karolo ya mogwanto wa ba kgweetsi ba ditekesi. Selo sa mogwanto ene ese gore ga gona metsi. Fela jaaka ele baagi ba lela ka tlhokego ya metsi, re tshwanetse go botsana dipotso tse di maleba. Jaaka re le masepala wa sedika, re tlhaloganya matsapa a baagi ba a itemogelang,” Seepamere wa tlhalosa.
Seepamere are ba boleletse baagi fa gona le dithulaganyo tsa go aga dipeipe tsa bolele jwa 3.5km. Seepamere are seo, se dirwa ke gore baagi bangwe ba ikgokaganyeleditse peipe ntle le molao mo motseng wa Khibitswane.
“Jaanong, puso e kaile fa re tshwanetse go tsenya peipe e ntsha e e tlileng go thusa metse le metsana e mabapi. Jaanong, thendara e ile ya bapatswa, fela ga gona ope wa batho ba ba neng ba tsentse kopo ba ba neng ba na le ditlankana tse di maleba.
“Re ile ra laela badiri ba masepala gore ba bapatse gape, kgotsa ba nolofatse ditlhokego gore baagi ba kgone go bona metsi. Re ile ra dumalana gore re tla tlisa ditanka go metse eo jaaka Kgetlheng, Khibitswane and Cokonyane,” Seepamere wa tlhalosa.
Are jaanong, gona le rakonteraka o a tsosolosang modutelo wa metsi kwa Cokonyane. Go ya ka Seepamere, lekwalo la dingongorego le ne le sa supe fa le tshwanetswe go amogelwa ke majoro wa sedika.
Picture: Learners encouraged to persevere water/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in collaboration with Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and its Local Municipalities, JB Marks Local Municipality, City of Matlosana, Maquassi Hills Local Municipality, Department of Education, Itireleng Zezeleni Community Based Organisation and Midvaal Water Company, participated in a three-day Public Education and Awareness Programme from the 21-23 February 2024, spreading water conservation messages and good health and hygiene messages to communities.
The Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said, public education and awareness programme initiated was initiated by the department back in 2009. Mavasa said the initiative has been receiving positive response in the North West Province and it has mobilised action and change of behaviour towards wise water use and good hygienic practices.
“With South Africa recording approximately 480 millilitres of rainfall per annum, other countries record more or less 800-1 000 millilitres per annum, this implies that SA has lesser amount of water.
“Thus, the department will constantly educate the public to be prudent when using water because South Africa is still one of the driest countries in the world,” he said.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Matlosana, James Tsolela said, he support the initiative and motivated Inyathela Primary School learners to start practising water conservation methods and good health and hygiene.
“As children are the future of this country, learners should incorporate all water conservation methods acquired from the Department of Water and Sanitation and report water leaks to their teachers and parents.
“We also encourage them to use a cup when drinking water, close taps when not in use, harvest rainwater and among other measures, use buckets when cleaning cars instead of a hosepipe,” he said.
The ward 16 councillor in JB Marks Local Municipality, Tshepiso Moalusi said with an increased rate of vandalism of the water infrastructure in the North West municipalities, learners should encouraged to teach the communities to conserve water and to protect their water infrastructure against vandalism.
“The campaign was also held in Tlokwe High School and further proceeded to Fikadibeng Primary School, kilometres away from Potchefstroom. The emphasis was on the demonstration on the seven steps on hand washing, and thedemonstration enlightened school learners on proper way of washing hands with soap and water,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the commuters at the Klerksdorp terminus taxi rank said: “The practice of using one bucket to wash hands is unhygienic especially in funerals as germs are easily transferred from one person to the other, hence people always experience runny stomachs after funerals.
“Most people blame the meat they ate whereas it’s the virus from the contaminated shared water.”
Picture: The police seized illegal alcohol/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
More than 400 suspects were arrested for various crimes during a concerted effort of the multi-disciplinary forces executed from 18-25 February 2024. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, actions were executed in all five districts in the province. Kock said the aim of Operation Shanela, was to address priority crimes in hotspot areas. He further said these disruptive actions and activities included Vehicle Control Points (VCPs), stop and searches.
“This includes conducting roadblocks, tracing of wanted suspects, foot and vehicle patrols, foot patrols in malls and shopping complexes, compliance inspections, and visits to farms and mines. During these operations, 265 suspects were arrested for an array of crimes, including illegal possession of explosives.
“This includes the illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, illicit mining, murder, rape, illegal dealing in liquor, dealing in drugs, undocumented persons, assaults, malicious damage to property, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” said Kock.
He added that, during tracing operations, detectives arrested 159 daily wanted suspects for business robberies, murder, rape, and assault with the intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and illegal firearms and ammunition. Kock said a total of 123 Vehicle Control Points (VCPs) and 29 roadblocks were conducted across the province.
“More than 360 premises were searched, 9986 vehicles and 17 071 persons were stopped and searched. Compliance inspections were also executed at second-hand dealers and liquor premises.
“During the operations, the police confiscated firearms, cell phones, dangerous weapons, thousands of litres of alcoholic beverages, drugs including mandrax, tik, dagga, explosives, and cash believed to be the proceeds of crime,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, Koliswa Otola, assured the public that operations will continue unabatedly and with no fear or favour. Otola said a zero-tolerance approach will be adopted towards the abuse of alcohol and drugs and crimes committed against women and children.
“We would like to make a special call to communities to rate the police efforts by participating in the RATE OUR SERVICE, which is an online survey to assist the police in improving service delivery.
Picture: Some of the drugs confiscated from the suspect/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (30) has been arrested for allegedly being in illegal possession of drugs. He was arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team, assisted by the Kuruman K9 unit on 27 February 2024. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the police received a tip-off regarding drugs being sold at Haakbos Draai, Postmasburg. Mnisi further said the police conducted a search and seizure operation at the said address.
“During the search, a black plastic bag containing crystal methamphetamine with an estimated street value of R38 090, was confiscated.
“Other items seized include a silver scale, a Samsung mobile phone, and a blue style phone. He is expected to briefly appear before the Postmasburg District’s Court on 28 February 2024,” she added.
Picture: The illicit cigarettes confiscated by the police/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The police have confiscated illicit cigarettes to the value of R882 124 000 during a joint operation conducted by the ZF Mgcawu District Task Team, Upington Border Police, Public Order Police, and K9 Unit in collaboration with the South African Revenue Service Customs in Upington on 27 February 2024.
The ZF Mgcawu District Police spokesperson, Sgt Omphile Masegela said the police visited three premises, searching for illegal imported products. Masegela said the police would continue with disruptive actions to reduce the space for illegal activities in the district.
The Guardian 