Picture: The Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement in Vryburg

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents at Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement in Vryburg said it is sad to see North West Provincial Government (NWPG) ‘returning’ over R1 billion to the national treasury, while they continue to live in squalor. 

One of the residents, Theo Diale said, the situation is bad at Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement because they are forced to go and relieve themselves at the nearest bushes when their toilet buckets are full.

Diale said they need flushing toilets as the ‘use of the bucket system’ is not good for their health. They also accused the Naledi Local Municipality of not collecting toilet buckets timeously, which is hazardous for their health.

“We are subjected to inhumane conditions, while our government fails to spend money allocated for service delivery. This clearly shows that those who are in power do not even care about us. We have inaccessible roads, especially during the rainy season, infrastructure is collapsing, and no clean and drinkable water too.

“However, every financial year, you would hear reports that our government has returned the unspent money. We cannot continue to live like that, while some individuals occupy offices and do nothing. I think is high time now we get rid of this ANC-led government,” he said.

Another resident from the Colour Block section shared the same sentiments. Abraham Tubatse said they have been experiencing severe water scarcity for the longest time in their area. Tubatse said, they cannot do anything without water, and that has negatively affected their livelihoods.

“I am really short of words because of the situation that we continue to find ourselves in. How can our leaders allow the situation to deteriorate to this level? It is clear that we have the wrong people in various positions. We have been complaining about the lack of water in Naledi for ages, but it seems our plea fell on deaf ears.

“Also, there are allegations that some government officials are conniving with service providers and closing reservoirs valves so that we cannot be able to get water. How can they deny us basic services like water? So, drastic changes are imminent and I am happy that national general elections are just around the corner,” he said.   

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Human Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said: “The aggregate preliminary expenditure of the province as at the end of March 2023 amounts to R49.870 billion or 96.42% of the R51.722 billion adjusted appropriations.

“All provincial departments recorded expenditure above 90% and eight recorded expenditures above 95%, which contributed to the departmental spending improvements compared to the same period last financial year.” 

Maloyi said, resultantly, the preliminary under expenditure as of the end of the 2022/23 financial year amounts to R1.852 billion. He further said, of the R1.852 billion, unspent conditional grants amount to R1.015 billion, and the equitable share accounts for the remainder of the under-expenditure, which is R849.390 million.

“The North West Department of Health has unspent conditional grant amounting to R302 million, Education has R383 million, Public Works and Roads has R227 million, Agriculture and Rural Development have R64 million, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation as R32 million and Human Settlements is sitting at R7.5 million.

“In line with Section 21 of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) No 5 of 2022, the R1.0015 unspent conditional grant funds would be subjected to the rollover processes. The above-mentioned provisions of the DoRA provide the departments with an opportunity to submit a request for rollover to committed identifiable projects,” said Maloyi.

He added that, the province has already commenced with this process and the departments are expected to submit such requests by the end of April 2023 for consideration by the transferring accounting officers of the national departments and national treasury prior to the adjustment budget processes, which is normally tabled in October/November each year.

Maloyi said, in terms of DoRA read together with the PFMA, approved rollover requests, which process is applicable in all Provinces including national departments, unspent conditional grant funds would only revert to the National Revenue Fund post finalisation of this critical process including but not limited to confirmation of expenditure numbers through the audit process.

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Picture: Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp/Google  

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said they condemn with the strongest terms possible, the armed robbery incident that took place at Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp on Wednesday. It is alleged that doctors at the hospital were having their normal early briefings when four armed men entered a boardroom they were in.

They pointed them with guns and demanded their phones, money, and any valuable possession. Sambatha, who visited the hospital for a Smile Week launch was immediately briefed about the incident on his arrival.

“I am questioning the security company and demanding an explanation on how these men were able to pass through the security gates with guns. The security company indicated that, all people who enter the hospital

premises are checked but failed to explain how these men entered the facility with guns.

“Fortunately, one of the men was apprehended still within the hospital premises. The police were called and he was arrested. The police have taken over the case for investigation,” he said.

Sambatha further said a debriefing session was held with the affected doctors with a view to providing counselling services. He added that Matlosana is known to be having a high rate of gangsterism, and health facilities are often confronted with such incidents.

“For this reason, we call on the law enforcement agencies to help stamp out gangsterism in the area and ensure the safety of health facilities,” said Sambatha.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “Yes, I can confirm that the police are aware of the matter. One person was handed over to the police by the security guards at the hospital. He is currently being questioned by the police.

“The initial investigation indicates that they were three suspects. No one was injured during the commotion.”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A body of a man was found in Kokomeng village, near Taung on Tuesday. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Seogomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, Goitsemodimo Godfrey Ntasi (30) who was allegedly bleeding, was found by his uncle.  

“On Tuesday, the police were called to attend to a scene, where an African male was found by his uncle to be unresponsive. Ntasi was found bleeding from his nose and mouth and was declared dead.

“An inquest was opened for further investigation. The cause of death still unknown, but there is no foul play suspected,” she said.

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Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Cooperative, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said, the provision of service delivery by government departments remains their core business. Maloyi said the North West Provincial Executive Committee (EXCO) reflected on reports it received from EXCO clusters as part of enhancing the work of the provincial government.

“One of the critical developments that have emerged from this EXCO meeting is that several municipalities in the province are experiencing challenges that impact their ability to render services to the citizens.

“In November 2021, EXCO resolved to place eight municipalities under mandatory intervention in line with Section 139(5) (a) and (c) of the constitution read together with Section 139 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA),” he said.

Maloyi further said the affected municipalities are Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Naledi, Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing, Ditsobotla, and Mahikeng Local Municipalities. In implementing the mandatory intervention, he said the provincial government has adopted a few principles to ensure that, all affected stakeholders understand and fully embrace the intervention.

“Those principles are role player engagement and activation process, strengthening the Municipal Finance Recovery Service (MFRS), transparency, and participation. The provincial treasury, COGTA, and SALGA held sustained engagements with affected municipalities in July 2021 as well as in November 2021, with the then newly elected municipal councils.

“It was during these engagements that mayors of municipalities were taken through the outcome of an assessment conducted in line with the provisions of Section 138, 139, and 140 of the MFMA, which determines the criteria for a municipality in financial crisis and the mandatory intervention framework,” said Maloyi.

In preparation for the implementation of the mandatory intervention, he said, the provincial government, national treasury, and national COGTA convened a role-player engagement and activated consultation sessions in April and May 2022. He said the affected municipal councils and senior officials were consulted to build awareness on the requirements of Section 139 of the Constitution and Chapter 13 of the MFMA.

“Furthermore, when there is a financial crisis in any municipality, Section 139(5) of the constitution requires that the provincial EXCO must impose a recovery plan. The findings of the status quo assessment will be used to prepare an appropriate recovery plan.

“The Provincial Executive Representative (PER) was appointed to oversee the implementation of the financial recovery plan at the affected municipalities. The provincial treasury will place the PER at each municipality to lead the implementation of the financial recovery plan,” said Maloyi.  

He said a panel of (MFRS) has been established to support the PER in the execution of his/her functions at these municipalities. According to Maloyi, the successful implementation of municipal interventions is underpinned by good cooperation by all key stakeholders, the national treasury, provincial treasury, COGTA – national, provincial departments, and (SALGA).

“The EXCO has agreed that additional resources must be appointed for the pillars such as governance, institutional capacity expert, legal experts and service delivery experts, including engineers to oversee the day-to-day operations of the municipalities to give effect to the implementation of the financial recovery plan.

“All these efforts are undertaken to stabilise the affected municipalities and ensure that they can effectively render the much-needed services to the public and to sustain this stability in the long term,” he said.

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Picture: North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The government employees, who continue to occupy houses belonging to the North West Public Works for years without paying any rent, are now R72 million in arrears. The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi said, they have appointed a law firm in a quest to recoup the money owed to them. Molapisi said they might evict those who fail to pay the rental money.

“The concern that we are raising here is that, some of these people have signed lease. However, they are not honouring their contractual obligations. This means they are not paying rent as they were supposed to.

“So, what we have done as the department because this impact in our ability to collect revenue, we have told them that, whether they are going to pay whatever is outstanding or we are going to evict them,” he said.

Molapisi further said, his department is also in the process of disposing non-core assets of the government. He added that some of those non-core assets are properties or houses belonging to the department.

“Now, we want to dispose these houses and many of the people who occupied them are government officials. So, as we were trying to sign deeds of sale of these houses, we found out that, some of these people are owing the department.

“For example, we are selling a house worth R650 000 and the occupant owes us R350 000. This means, if we continue to sell, the occupant will be buying the house at nothing, said Molapisi.

He said the amount that is being owed to his department is around R72 million.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial spokesperson on Public Works and Roads, Freddy Sonakile said Molapisi must account for the department’s inability to recover lost rent as well as for failure to implement the State Housing Policy.

According to Sonakile, the State Housing Policy only allows political office bearers and scarce-skill officials such as medical doctors, nurses, and other professionals in far-flung rural regions, not departmental employees, who work at provincial government departments.

“The Auditor General (AG) has for years indicated that the department suffers from internal control deficiencies, and a failure to implement its policies confirms this.

“The DA raised this matter several times at the Portfolio Committee. The department has previously indicated that, it administers 1352 properties across the North West, which consist of freestanding houses, apartments, institutional accommodation, and single-quarter residences. These properties should be used to accommodate scarce skills in communities,” he said.

Sonakile said, they will submit written questions to Molapisi on how many officials have been living rent-free, for how long, the total revenue lost, their positions, and who authorised the occupation of these properties. He said it seems just like ANC politicians live in luxury at taxpayer expense in North West, this has been extended to cadres employed in government.

“This is unacceptable, especially considering that hundreds of thousands of desperate people across the province live in terrible conditions waiting for formalised state housing while battling unemployment, yet salaried government officials think they can live rent-free at taxpayer expense,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said: “We fully support the move that, anyone who can afford a house, in particular, government employees, must pay for the services rendered including rentals.

“This will assist the department in renovating those houses and so on. Molapisi must first make sure that these people are given the necessary warning and all due processes are followed before they are evicted.”

Babuile said the alternative that Molapisi can do is to make sure these people sign a lease with the department. He said then the department can directly deduct the rental money from these salaries.

“Removing people from their houses without providing them with alternatives, it will be a violation of human rights. The department must make sure that it follows all procedures before evicting them.

“The department can only evict them if they fail to pay back the money owed to it. So, we must also be wary that the department will not evict people only for those houses to be occupied by high-ranking politicians and government officials’ cronies and families,” said Babuile.

He alleged that they have seen this tendency in the province, especially during auctions.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A body of a man (49) was found lying on the pavement in Dryharts village, near Taung on Monday.  According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the deceased was identified as Joseph Moamogwa from Moretele village, near Taung.

“Upon attending to the scene, the police in Pudimoe, found that the deceased had bruises on his body, which indicated that he had been assaulted. It is true that the deceased was mentally ill and this was confirmed by his next of kin.

“It is alleged that the deceased was trying to break into someone’s house in the village. However, no arrests were made thus far, but the investigation into the matter continues,” said van Rooyen.

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Picture: The Varsity Cup champions, NWU Eagles/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The mood is high at the North West University (NWU) Eagles camp after beating Ikeys from the University of Cape Town (UCT) 27-25 during the Varsity Cup final held at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom on Monday night.

This is for the second time the NWU Eagles crowned Varsity Cup champions after winning it in 2016. During the group stage, the NWU Eagles under the tutelage of coach Burger van der Westhuizen, showed their pedigree by being at the summit of the Varsity Cup log having lost only one game.

The game was nerve-racking, nail-biting, and mesmerising as the Eagles only missed 16 tackles and made a mountain full. It seems the Eagles’ fanatical home support worked in their favour.

The stands were painted in the NWU’s distinctive purple and the stage could not have been more perfectly set for an unforgettable evening.

On the other side, the Ikeys had nothing to lose and this did not bode well for the Eagles. The home team was the firm favourite and all the pressure was on them. However, they had everything going for them, then there was the lingering disaster of 2014 to contend with.

Although none of the players were part of the team that lost to Ikeys during that final in Potchefstroom, they were well aware of the stigma sticking since that encounter. Ikeys scored three tries in quick succession, to eradicate the Eagles’ more-than-comfortable lead with five minutes of game time to spare.

The NWU Eagles showed ample fortitude and all resolve. They kept fighting, defending, and eventually won.

The NWU principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka congratulated the NWU Eagles and said this was a well-deserved victory.

“You were great and it was a triumph seven years in the making after we last won the Varsity cup in 2016. Now, we have reclaimed our mantle as Varsity Cup champions.

“The NWU community is proud of you. We are indeed the champions,” Tyobeka said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in North West said the avaricious loss of conditional grants amounting to R340 million from the national treasury will cause a heavy blow on service delivery. COSATU’s provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said, it is disappointing to see municipalities in the province losing their conditional grants due to their poor performance.

Three weeks ago, the minister of finance, Enoch Godongwana wrote a letter to the North West MEC, Nono Maloyi informing him about the decision.

Nine affected municipalities are, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, the City of Matlosana, Rustenburg, Moses Kotane, JB Marks, Madibeng, Ratlou, Ditsobotla, and Mamusa local municipalities.  

“The money would have gone a long way to provide for the necessary services to the people of the province. These grants are the money that has been earmarked to improve service delivery and to make sure that residents have access to basic services.

“The biggest loser amongst the municipalities is Madibeng local municipality, which has lost money to the tune of R145m. Most of it was earmarked for municipal infrastructure grants,” he said.

Konopi further said, this is disappointing as this happens at a time when the province has a serious service delivery deficit. He added that this is the responsibility of the municipalities to deliver services.

“As COSATU, we view this as a lack of capacity from those who have been deployed to ensure that services are delivered to the people of the province. We also view this dereliction of duty by those who have been employed to provide services to the people of the province.

“So, we call for consequence management on those who are responsible for this loss of grants because we view this not as a loss of money, but a violation to basic human rights. COSATU calls on the ANC as it is the party which governs the majority of the municipalities in the province to rein on their deployees and make them account for this action,” said Konopi.

North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho said, they have introduced the Provincial EXCO Representatives to municipalities that are under mandatory intervention to implement Financial Recovery Plans. Rosho said, they have already introduced PERs that have been appointed to lead the eight municipalities that are under mandatory and discretionary intervention to implement the Financial Recovery Plans (FRP).

“The Executive Council resolved to place Naledi, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Madibeng, Kgetlengrivier, Ramotshere Moiloa, Tswaing, Ditsobotla, and Mahikeng, under mandatory intervention in line with Section 139(5) (a) and (c) of the Constitution read together with Section 139 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Maquassi Hills local municipality has been placed under discretionary intervention.

“The PERs act on behalf of the Executive Council and are placed at each municipality to provide strategic leadership and guidance for the implementation FRP,” she said.

Rosho said the process to appoint the PERs started in 2019 and appointments were effected at the end of the 2022/2023 financial year. She said the PERs have been appointed for a period of 3 years, which involved comprehensive transparent due processes.

“The PERs are required to ensure that municipalities will ultimately create a conducive environment to generate income, comply with financial legislations and improve service delivery.

“The PERs report to Maloyi and me and are required amongst others, to do quality assurance of monthly and quarterly review reports, which will be processed by the MECs for EXCO’s attention,” said Rosho.

She said they are tasked to maintain a record of decision-making processes taken by the municipal councils and accounting officers and ensure appropriate corrective measures and control measures. Rosho said they will also assist in the recruitment and selection processes for the appointment of senior managers and accounting officers, as well as provide strategic participation and stakeholder engagements in the affairs of the municipality.”

Meanwhile, the national treasury’s technical assistant, Keorapetse Tumagole indicated that mindset and culture change is crucial to the success of the implementation of the FRP.

“We are implementing change to achieve a future state that involves a specific desired outcome to ensure that the collapse in service delivery is turned around.

“The PERs must create the desire to embrace the change in the environment of respective municipalities,” he said.

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Picture: Five suspected stolen cows recovered by police/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

Three suspects aged between 29 and 39 are expected to briefly appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court for being in possession of suspected stolen cattle. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said, on 14 April 2023, police in Reivilo were busy conducting patrols and whilst on patrol, received information about a bakkie loaded with five cattle traveling from Taung toward Reivilo.

Van Rooyen said, the police immediately followed up on the information and located the white bakkie with a trailer loaded with the cattle as indicated.

“The vehicle was stopped and searched. On closer inspection, it was found that the cows had various new brand marks. The suspects with the vehicle and cattle were taken to Reivilo Police Station for further investigation.

“The original brand mark was found and the ownership of the livestock was located and confirmed. A case of possession of suspected stolen livestock was opened and the three suspects were arrested,” she said.

Van Royeen said, the rightful owner positively identified four cows, which were handed back to him. She said the vehicle used in the commission of the crime was seized and the fifth cow was taken to the police pound.

Meanwhile, the acting District Police Commissioner, Colonel Mothusiemang Kgwenyape commended Detective Sergeant Buyani Sereetsi for his meticulous investigation, which led to the arrest. Kgwenyape also acknowledged and highly appreciated the security officers, who provided the information as well as the police who reacted swiftly to the information provided, which ensured the arrests of the suspects.

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Picture: ANC MP, Sibusiso Kula/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula (34) murder case has been postponed by the Orkney Magistrate’s Court until 26 April 2023 after court recording devices experienced technical glitches. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, Kula’s attorney intends to present an application to oppose further postponement on the matter.

Mmaothame further said, the attorney intended to present this application in court, however, the recording devices had technical glitches, which forced the matter to be postponed.

“Kula is currently out on bail after The North West High Court in Mahikeng granted him R50 000 bail following his appeal on the Orkney Magistrate’s Court decision to deny him bail.

“He was ordered to surrender his passports, report twice a day at the nearest police station, provided the investigating officer with his work itinerary, and report to investigating officer, if he must move outside his residential jurisdiction and have no direct or indirect contact with his children,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mamothame further said, an application has been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, for the matter to be transferred to a higher court, owing to its serious nature. He added that, the office has noted some aspects of the investigation to be attended to by the investigating officer before the transfer can be authorised.

“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 matter was reported by the medical facility, where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. Kula told the police that he was not present at his home when the incident occurred,” said Mamothame.

He said, however, following thorough investigations by the police, Kula was linked to the alleged murder and was arrested on 20 January 2023 and charged with murder. Mamothame said the police investigations are still underway and Kula is expected back in court on the set date.

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