Picture: ANC MP, Sibusiso Kula who is accused of killing his wife/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The murder case against ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula (34) was postponed by the Orkney Magistrate’s Court to 13 October 2023. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the case was postponed for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to decide on the transfer of the case to the North West High Court owing to its serious nature.
Mamothame said Kula’s attorney argued against a further postponement, citing unreasonable delay by the state. He further said, however, the state indicated that previous postponements were a result of incomplete investigations.
“The investigations have been completed and the state is ready to act on the awaited instruction from the DPP. Kula was also provided with a list of witnesses, as was instructed by the North West High Court when granting him bail.
“He is currently out on R50 000 bail, granted by the North West High Court following his appeal on the Orkney Magistrate’s Court decision to deny him bail. Kula was ordered to surrender his passports, and report twice a day at the nearest police station,” said Mamothame.
He added that Kula was also instructed to provide the investigating officer with his work itinerary, report to the investigating officer if he must move outside his residential jurisdiction, and have no direct or indirect contact with his children.
Mamothame said Kula’s bid to have the case struck off the court previously rejected the roll.
“The police reports reveal that Kula’s wife, Jennifer Mohlomi, was found murdered on 27 November 2022 in what seemed like a robbery. She was found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.
“The medical facility reported the matter, where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. The accused told the police that he was not at home when the incident occurred. Following thorough investigations by the police, he was linked to the alleged murder and was arrested on 20 January 2023, and charged with murder,” he said.
Picture: Water scarcity remains a challenge in Warrenton and Rustenburg
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in North West lauded women from Boitekong Township, near Rustenburg for their courageous action after they went to do their laundry at the Rustenburg Local Municipality offices.
As a way of ventilating their grievances about lack of access to running water, women were seen on a video that went viral on various social media platforms doing their laundry at the municipal offices.
The EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said residents have been faced with dry taps for seven months, despite many undertakings. He further said the residents have long apprised the municipality about the issue, yet there are no signs of improvement.
“At the heart of the problem, is the alliance of the municipal administrators and the ANC political elites in the department of Infrastructure and Technical Services. The municipality in question has failed to deliver running, clean and drinkable water, develop and maintain infrastructure.
“The municipality has recorded unprecedented levels of infrastructural collapse. The three years of sewer spillages in Tlhabane, is a proof lack of appetite to deal decisively with the service delivery crisis. Quite evidently, the municipality has no concrete plan on how to proactively prevent and/or address infrastructural collapse,” said Moema.
He added that, therefore, the residents were justified to engage in the protest action and do their laundry at the municipal offices. Moema said as the EFF, they will hold accountable those who use the municipality as business ticket as opposed to upholding good governance and delivering services to the people.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation, Mr Robert Mashego said they have received petitions regarding water shortages from residents in Warrenton in Northern Cape and Rustenburg in North West. Mashego said even though they have received petitions in these two areas, they agreed that, there is a need for a broader discussion on solutions to water shortages in many areas in the country.
“We have resolved to give the Departments of Water and Sanitation and of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) 14 days to respond and find solutions to the water shortages in Rustenburg and Warrenton.
“The petitions are an important tool to ensure oversight and the committee will use these petitions to seeks answers from all spheres of government that are constitutionally mandated to provide quality water to the people of South Africa,” said Mashego.
He said they will send the petitions to the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to get answers for the residents of those areas.
Mashego said the committee highlighted that, there remains a concerning gap within the water value chain, with some stakeholders such as municipalities failing to deliver on their mandate.
“The decision to include the Department of Cooperative Governance in solving water shortages is to ensure that there is joint accountability and that all stakeholders contribute, as per their mandate, to resolve this challenge.
“Also, the committee highlighted that the District Development Model (DDM), which seeks to integrate planning and delivery of services, should be exploited by all spheres of government to ensure collaboration in the delivery of quality services,” he said.
Picture:North West’s six top learners to participate in the National Public Speaking Competitions
By OBAKENG MAJE
Six top Mathematics and Physical Science learners emerged victorious during the Provincial Public Speaking Competitions hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in Mahikeng on 29 August 2023.
The Department of Water and Sanitation spokesperson, Wisane Mavasa said the Public Speaking competition is a national School Intervention Programme under the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Education Programme (WSEP), which aims to change the mindset, attitude and behaviour of South Africans in water and sanitation use efficiency.
Mavasa further said as one of WSEP’s sub-programmes, the Public Speaking competition aims to achieve water and sanitation literacy. He added that, under the theme: “The increasing threat of climate change to the environment and water resources necessitates communities to take radical action”, 33 high school learners throughout the North West province contended for the top six positions by developing and presenting topics.
“They were then judged based on the competition’s theme and on their presentations. Eleven Grade 10 -11 learners from North West are from Mmabatho High School, Ikopanyeng High School from Setlagole, Ramotshere High School, Tong High School in Ganyesa, Malatse High School, ZM Seatlholo High School in Lotlhakane, Letsatsing High School, Pinagare Secondary School, Klerksdorp High School, Golf View High School and Seleje High School.
“These schools competed towards the winning provincial positions. Specialists in the science and engineering fields listened attentively, while they adjudicated to the well-researched performances by this country’s future scientists and engineers, and were highly impressed, especially during the competition’s rebuttals and dialogue session,” said Mavasa.
He said, however, as learners were judged according to their individual performances and school performance, only the ‘cream of the crop’ had to be chosen. Mavasa said eventually, six top learners fit to represent the province in the National Public Speaking Competitions were selected.
The winning team of the North West Provincial Public Speaking team are as follows:
Manthatisi Tau and Naledi Molaolwa from Golf View High School
Kholiwe Sokhupa from ZM Seatlholo High School
Matshidiso Mbotshela from Letsatsing High School
Lesedi Baloyi and Karabo Mampe from Malatse High School
The six learners will contend for 27 tertiary bursaries and 27 laptops with other eight Provinces this year in Pretoria.
“The Department of Water and Sanitation’s mantra “Water is life and Sanitation is dignity” is self-explanatory and that is why the department is committed to securing specific scarce and technical skills such as engineering, geohydrology, environmental management, engineering and other water sciences courses to the youth to ensure that they continue managing this country’s water resources sustainably,” he said.
The Department of Water and Sanitation’s Educational Programme Manager in the North West, Peter Mogosetso said: “South Africa is one of the driest countries in the world and that the school’s intervention programme, is not a competition but one of the many awareness campaigns.
“Today’s learners are already feeling the negative effects of water scarcity in their communities and schools and that is why the subject of water use and efficiency has been introduced in the school Curriculum by the Department of Education to conscientize the country’s young minds about the importance of water and the need to protect it.”
One of the adjudicators Gladness Masindi, who is a Geo-hydrologist from the Department of Water and Sanitation, commended learners in this year’s competitions and encouraged them to continue seizing all the opportunities provided by the department.
She encouraged the learners to apply for tertiary bursary, which is currently open and closing on 30 November 2023. Masindi said information pertaining to the Department of Water and Sanitation external bursary can be found on the web page (http://www.dws.gov.za/LearningA).
Balemi-rui kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati ba ikuela go puso go ba tlhaga thuso mo twantshong kgatlhanong le melelo ya naga e e tsweletseng go fisa masimo a bone. Mo dibekeng tse tharo tse di fetileng, melelo ya naga ene ya tswelela go fisa masimo ga mmogo le naga, mme diphologolo dile dintsi di ile tsa amega thata.
Mokhuduthamaga wa lefapha la Temo-Thuo le Tlhabololo ya Naga mo Bokone Bophirima, Desbo Mohono o ikuetse go baagi go se fise naga, gonne seo se baka tatlhegelo e kgolo ya moruo. Mohono one a buisana le Motsweding FM, mme are baagi ba ele tlhoko gonne seo se ka tswa se bakiwa ke phetogo ya lewapi.
“Ke utlwile botlhoko thata go bona seno se diragala. Ga re gane ke setlha sa melelo, mme gona le batho ba ba tsweletseng go tlhotlheletsang mathata a renang le one a melelo. Gole gantsi, ke go ikgatholosa ga batho ba ba gotsang melelo. Fa o gotsitse molelo, netefatsa gore molelo o timile gotlhelele.
“Ra tlhaloganya gore re sentse rena le bagaetsho ba ba setseng ba dirisa molelo go apaya mo di karolong dingwe tsa porofense. Jaanong, fa molelo o o sa timiwe, o tla baka mathata. Gape, se sengwe se se tlholang melelo ke batsumi ba rona kwa nageng,” Mohono wa tlhalosa.
Mohono are go le gantsi fa batsumi bao ba lelekisitse kolobe ya naga e be e tsena mo mosimeng, ba gotsa molelo gore e tswe. Mohono are jaanong fa kolobe eo e tswa mo mosimeng e tshaba, batsumi bao ga ba sa tlhole ba lebelela molelo, mme ba shebana le go tshwara kolobe.
“Jaanong, seo se feleletsa se ama mahulo a rona. Gape se sengwe se se bakang melelo, ke fa naga ya rona ele tshetlha, e kgona go tshubelwa ke magadima. Ke gopola gore seno se ile sa diragala kwa masepaleng wa Kagisano-Molopo.
“Le batho ba ba gogang metsoko ba feleletsa ba latlhela metsoko eo ya bone mo nageng, mme e feleletse e bakile melelo. Se baagi ba ka se dirang ka nako ya go runya ga molelo, ke go leka go o tima fa o sentse ole monnye, mme fela fa o setse o godile re ba rotloetsa gore ba se tsene mo molelo owa, gonne o ka ba bakela dikgobalo,” Mohono wa tlhalosa.
Mohono are gona le mekgatlho e e farologaneng ya melelo, jaanong baagi ba ka dirisana mmogo le yone. Are, molelo wa matsatsi a o kotsi gonne wa fofa.
“Go le gantsi re itemogela gore molelo o kgona go tlola tsela ya sekontere, mme seo ga sa tlwaelega. Re rotloetsa balemi-rui ba rona go nna le dikgorwana tse di thibelang melelo (fire belts). Re tla gopola gore, phetogo ya lewapi le yone e fetotse dilo dile dintsi jaanong re tshwanetse re tsamaye le dinako.
“Gape, gona le dithupelelo tse re di dirang jaaka lefapha, mme re di neele bagaetsho go ka leka go samagana le melelo e e ntseng jalo. Re rotloetsa gape balemi-rui ba rona e nne karolo ya thupelelo eo fa re neelana ka yone,” Mohono wa tlhalosa.
Mohono are ba rotloetsa gape dimasepala tsa porofense gore ba netefatse fa melao le melawana e latelwa. Mohono are ba rotloetsa balemi-rui go netefatsa fa ba na le di insurance go netefatsa fa ba thusega ka nako ya mathata.
Picture: The chairperson of SCOPA in North West, Job Dliso visiting Modimong Water Infrastructure Upgrade in the Taung during oversight/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The residents at Kolong village said they are happy that, the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) in North West has intervened in their water crisis. One of the community members, Rebaone Madia said it has been four years since they cannot access clean and drinkable water in their area due to a broken borehole.
“We are grateful that finally, there is somebody who understands our hardships. It has been very difficult for us to have portable water in our area. We had numerous consultative engagements with the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) including the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, however, nothing has changed.
“Our borehole is broken and that makes it difficult for us to have water timeously. This is alarming because water is a basic need for our health and basic hygiene. Our area has grown over the years and that has shown the growing need for water,” said Madia.
He further said water scarcity has become a cause of concern, but some government officials from both municipalities take it as a joke. Madia added that they hope the SCOPA intervention will bring a lasting solution to their problem.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of SCOPA in North West, Job Dliso said: “We conducted an oversight visit at Modimong Water Infrastructure Upgrade in the Taung. The visit forms part of the Oversight Week that the North West Provincial Legislature has embarked on in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati from 29 August to 1 September 2023.
“Rural Water projects was appointed in October 2022 for the contraction of four boreholes. In fact, one borehole had to be refurbished, whilst the other three had to be re-constructed from scratch. The budget for the project is R24 million and 93% of the work is done to the satisfaction of all parties involved.”
Dliso said the contractor confirmed to them that, by 6 September 2023, the project will be 100% complete. He said they are only left with fixing leakages and small things to do.
“We are happy with the work completed, but we requested the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality to involve Taung Local Municipality in all its dealings with Magalies Water, which the district said will be handling operational maintenance.
“A lot of people including municipalities have been raising concerns about Magalies Water, therefore the district municipality must share its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Magalies Water with the committee and the GTLM, a maintenance plan and schedule of engagements with all parties involved by 6 September 2023,” said Dliso.
He said they also went to Kolong village to check on the water challenges that the community had written to the committee about. Dliso said some village representatives told them that, the village has four years without water.
“They said this happened because their only source, which is a borehole whose mechanism that including a windmill, was vandalised. We gave the two municipalities one week to resolve the matter.
“I want a report detailing how they have resolved this water challenge by Friday. Failing, I will be forced to escalate the matter to the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi who is also the acting North West Premier,” he said.
More than 800 suspects were arrested during Operation Shanela across North West. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said the arrests were effected through the execution of several actions, which included stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, visiting and inspecting of licensed liquor premises, second-hand goods dealers, tracing of wanted suspects and many others.
“Operation Shanela to prevent and combat crime has proved to be gaining momentum with the arrest of 849 suspects on various crimes including among others, dealing in drugs, business robberies, murder, attempted murder, and rape.
“This includes crimes such as sexual assault, assaults, fraud, and burglaries. This was executed between Thursday and Sunday. The arrest included 119 undocumented persons and eight wanted persons,” he said.
According to Tselanyane, during the operations, police confiscated 467 litres of liquor, four firearms 13 ammunition, 14 cellular phones, copper cables, and drugs. He added that all the arrested suspects are expected to make their court appearances in different courts after they have been charged.
Picture: Incomplete RDP houses in the Dr Ruth Segomotsai Mompati District/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Backlog in the construction of RDP houses continues to be a challenge in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. It is alleged that the government has spent millions of rands on contractors, who were appointed to build RDP houses but never did.
The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana said they conducted oversight visits at Amalia, Schweizer Reneke, and Glaudina, where they engaged with various beneficiaries.
“This forms part of the Legislature’s oversight week in various municipalities under the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. The program is aimed at strengthening oversight and public participation and to promote accountability and transparency in government.
“During the program, Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) interact with different provincial departments and their MECs, mayors, Accounting Officers, and members of the Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPAC),” said Motswana.
He further said the blocked housing projects are part of the first RDP houses that were supposed to be built in 2000 when the then Department of Local Government and Housing sent financial trenches to municipalities for the construction of RDP houses. Motswana added that, however, some of the RDP houses were never built as stipulated.
“The Department of Human Settlements should engage municipalities in resolving the challenges faced by the beneficiaries. Although money was sent to the municipalities for the construction of these RDP houses, unfortunately, they were never built.
“The beneficiaries cannot apply for new RDP houses as the system of the department indicates that they benefitted although it is not the case on the ground. There is a need for urgent intention between the department and municipality on helping these beneficiaries, who have waited for houses for more than 23 years,” said Motswana.
He said the department must also submit a comprehensive report on how it will ensure that the RDP houses are built.
The police in Vryburg request the community’s assistance in locating the missing Selwyn Dennis Vry (34), who is residing in Colridge near Vryburg. The North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said, according to information received, Vry was last seen by his family on 26 August 2023 at about 7pm.
Tselanyane further said Vry allegedly indicated that, he was going to his friends. He added that, Vry never returned home since he left.
“The family looked for him with no success and reported him missing on 29 August 2023. Vry was wearing a black t-shirt and blue denim jeans during his disappearance. He is very tall with black hair and brown eyes.
“Anyone with information regarding Vry’s whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Molefi Seothaeng of Vryburg Detective Services on 082 443 9017 or your nearest police station. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App from your smartphone,” he said.
Picture: The president of Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa
By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA
Last Thursday, the 31st of August, we woke to the news that a building in downtown Johannesburg was on fire with many of its inhabitants still trapped inside.
As emergency services worked at the scene, we heard harrowing accounts of people being forced to jump out of windows, of those who lost all their meagre possessions, and of mothers losing contact with their children as they tried to escape the inferno. Seventy-six lives have been lost. Twelve of the deceased were children. Scores were badly injured.
There are few words that can convey the immensity of this tragedy. Our hearts are heavy.
At such a time, we embrace our common humanity.
It does not matter what the nationalities of the inhabitants were. It does not matter if they were or were not documented. What matters is that, as a people of empathy and compassion, we rally around the survivors who have lost everything, and who are struggling to come to terms with what has happened to them.
I commend the firefighters who responded so swiftly to put out the fire. I further commend the relief organisations, municipal officials, national departments, embassies, civil society groups and members of the public who have come to the aid of those who lost loved ones and are supporting those left destitute.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, serious questions must be asked about how some 200 people were occupying a building that was not built for housing, was unsafe and had no basic services.
Serious questions must be asked about why by-laws are not being enforced across vast swathes of certain cities, resulting in them becoming run-down. These areas are attracting crime, further compounding the problem.
Serious questions must be asked about how the laws and regulations designed to protect tenants from arbitrary eviction have been used by unscrupulous and criminal ‘slumlords’ to prey on society’s most vulnerable.
Serious questions must be asked about the responsibility of owners and landlords of inner-city buildings in Johannesburg and major cities around the country that have either been abandoned or fallen into ruin. These owners include private property developers and the state itself.
South Africa has progressive laws and policies with respect to housing, including the Emergency Housing Programme. There are landmark court judgments on the rights of tenants and the responsibilities of the state to people facing eviction, regardless of their immigration status. We need to examine how our policies are being implemented and how they can be improved.
The victims of the Marshalltown fire weren’t only the poorest of the poor. Many were reportedly undocumented migrants, who were vulnerable to exploitation.
Dealing decisively with illegal immigration is a priority because regularising the immigration status of all those who have the legal right to be in our country helps to protect them from exploitation.
There are complaints about employers who flout the law and hire illegal immigrants so they can pay them less. There are also corrupt individuals in the state working with criminal syndicates to get fraudulent documents for those desperate to remain in the country.
This tragedy has brought to the fore the need to resolve the challenge of housing in our cities. Even though millions of houses have been built since the advent of democracy, providing decent homes for over 14 million people, the demand for housing continues to grow. The movement of large numbers of people into our major centres is fuelling the growth of informal settlements and placing further strain on infrastructure and services.
As a starting point, municipal authorities across the country dealing with inner-city decay need to redouble their efforts to revitalise these areas, use regulatory and legislative provisions to safeguard human life, and hold landlords whose premises have become headquarters of criminal activity accountable.
We have heard about progress in some areas. It was reported that last year, for example, the City of Johannesburg managed to return some 47 ‘hijacked’ buildings to their lawful owners. Once rehabilitated, these buildings could provide safe and decent low-cost housing for the poor.
There needs to be greater cooperation between municipal officials and inner-city property owners and developers.
We need clean, safe, liveable and vibrant inner cities that attract people to live, work or study. We want our inner cities to attract businesses and investment. We cannot allow certain parts of our cities to suffer chronic neglect and become ‘no-go areas’ because of rampant criminal activity.
As such, let us come together as government and the private sector, as individuals, as communities and as civil society organisations.
We have to obey the law and observe regulations that exist for our safety and for the safety of others. We need to work with officials seeking to strike a balance between the rights of tenants and regard for their safety and well-being. Above all, we need to report acts of criminality and not be party to them.
Like all of us, the people living in that building and in similar conditions elsewhere want a decent quality of life. They want a safe place to live close to work opportunities and services.
We have a shared responsibility, as government, business and civil society, to do everything we can to provide support and protection. Let us work with, and not against, each other.
Let this tragedy compel us to work much harder to give effect to the human dignity that is the right of us all.
Picture: The newly-appointed Head of Department for North West Community Safety and Transport Management/Dr Hans Kekana/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari has welcomed popular House DJ, Dr Hans Kekana as the new Head of Department. Lehari said the position became vacant when the contract of the former HOD, Botlhale Mofokeng came to an end in April 2022.
“The process led by the Office of the Premier was embarked upon and the position was duly advertised. After all the processes were gone through, it was HK as Kekana is popularly known, who emerged as the successful candidate. Kekana has 27 years’ experience cumulatively in both public and private sectors with eight of those at senior level in government.
“As a strategic thinker and a proponent for good governance, Kekana will be a perfect fit for the department. As a way of introducing Kekana, we did this on the sidelines of the department’s Thuntsha Lerole programme in Tswaing on Friday,” he said.
Lehari further said Kekana was conferred with a Doctorate by the North West University (Mafikeng campus) last year, his alma mater from which he also received a Master’s Degree several years earlier.
Kekana said: “It is my singular honour and an absolute privilege to be given an opportunity to serve. Public service comes not only with pressure but also with an opportunity to change the lives of the citizens.
Our key performance area is to ensure deliverables as pronounced by Lehari in a policy speech,” he added.
However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile said they will submit the Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application on the appointment process of Kekana.
Sonakile said they are concerned by allegations of political manipulation in the appointment process Kekana.
“The HOD position has been vacant since April 2022. The position was only advertised in February 2023 and later re-advertised. Interviews were held early in July and an interview report with the results was sent to the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi, who has since signed off on the appointment of Kekana.
“According to information received by the DA, it is alleged that the ranking of the two candidates on the interview list has been switched to benefit a candidate who is allegedly closely aligned with Lehari,” said Sonakile.
He said it appears that, the results may not have favoured the candidate that Lehari preferred, and the process may have been manipulated to make provision for appointing an individual who will be more amenable to the ANC.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted the allegations and described them as ludicrous.
“The post was advertised both internally and externally in the North West Provincial Government Intranet, Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Circular 03 of 2022 and National Publications.
“The initial shortlisting session was held on 6 April 2023 in Rustenburg and the panel resolved that the post be re-advertised as it had the potential to exclude many competent potential candidates. The candidate that has been recommended and approved for appointment is expected to assume duty on 01 September 2023,” he said.
Setswambung said they are not aware of any manipulation of the process to favour the recommended candidate. He said all candidates were subjected to a fair selection process i.e. interview, competency assessment and pre-employment verification process.
The Guardian 