The embattled North West Premier, Bushy Maape is set to appear before the Standing Committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA) at North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) on Friday.
Maape is expected to respond to questions emanating from the Auditor General’s (AG) report over the 2020/2021 audit report.
The chairperson of SCOPA in North West, Job Dliso said: “We will hold Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) public hearings with the Office of the Premier and the North West Department of Human Settlements over the 2020/21 audit reports.
“The aim is to seek clarity from responses to questions emanating from the AG’s reports. So, Maape and Nono Maloyi together with senior management of both departments are expected to attend these public hearings.”
The meeting will be streamed live on the North West Provincial Legislature Facebook page. The meeting will commence at 8:30am for the Office of the Premier, while the Department of Human Settlements will be at 10:30am.
Meanwhile, the AG is also expected to brief the committed on the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) at 2pm.
A man (26) from Mokgareng village, near Taung, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for rape by Taung Regional Court today. This comes after Cornelius Sedumoeng raped an elderly woman (66).
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said on 24 October 2021, Sedumoeng broke into the home of the complainant in the early hours of the morning, while she was asleep.
Mamothame said upon investigation, the complaint was confronted by Sedumoeng.
“The victim was assaulted before she was raped. Sedumoeng subsequently robbed her of an amount of R450 and a cell phone before fleeing the scene.
“The victim managed to recognise him, while he was robbing her. Sedumoeng’s parents were informed of the incident. He admitted to raping the elderly woman and the money and cellphone he had robbed were also recovered from him,” he said.
According to Mamothame, Sedumoeng was later arrested and the court denied him bail. Sedumoeng pleaded not guilty to the offense.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Tecia Khula urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment, as the accused took advantage of an elderly woman, whom she knew stayed by herself.
Magistrate Buti Zulu agreed with the state and remarked on the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the responsibility the courts have in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
Sedumoeng was further sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the conviction.
“We lauded the collaboration of the prosecutor and the investigation officer in ensuring that the victim and her family are provided with justice, especially at a time when gender-based violence is on a rise”, she remarked,” Makhari said.
Picture: North West Premier, Bushy Maape took his shoes off/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The call for embattled North West Premier, Bushy Maape to resign has intensified. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West is the latest political party to call for Maape’s resignation.
Other political parties are F4SD and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). DA Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) and Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said the remarks made by Maape about the state of roads in this province and service delivery in his hometown, Vryburg was irresponsible and have left residents rightfully aggrieved.
“Maape failed to provide a concrete and clear plan during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Friday on how he intends to turn the tide in this province.
“His speech had little to offer the residents of this province, despite the falsehoods he made in parliament during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate on 9 February 2023,” he said.
Sonakile said, as if that was not enough, Maape went onto Motsweding FM on 17 February to continue with his assertion that service delivery in Vryburg was at its peak. He added that, yet Maape was able to come to the North West Provincial Legislature and give a vague and embarrassing SOPA.
“However, the blame does not lie solely with Maape. The African National Congress (ANC), which deployed him to the Office of the Premier, is a problem in this country. It has run out of ideas on how to improve the lives of the residents of this province.
“The Members of the Executive Council, Heads of Departments, CEOs, and Boards of Entities convened for a two-day Lekgotla in Rustenburg to make inputs to Maape’s 30-minute SOPA. But it was empty and had no concrete plans,” said Sonakile.
He said Maape’s address shows,” there is no leadership in the ANC.
“While residents continue to be in the grip of rolling blackouts, Maape in his address spoke about an energy strategy that still needs to be kick-started.
“Load shedding is not a new phenomenon and provinces like the Western Cape in their SOPA, set aside R1 billion to counter load shedding. Yet North West businesses and residents have been left on their own. They have been instructed by Maape to go and buy their own generations,” said Sonakile.
He said, water and sanitation have been an issue in the province. According to Sonakile, over a million residents still do not have access to water and sanitation.
“Maape talked about a steering committee, meaning his government is still in the boardroom trying to find solutions. In the meantime, residents shouldn’t expect their lives to improve anytime soon.
“Maape in a radio interview alleged that he was aware of high-ranking officials who are responsible for the water infrastructure sabotage in Naledi. We call on him to lay charges against those who tamper with water infrastructure,” he said.
Sonakile said Maape should remember that, access to clean drinkable water is a basic human right, and sabotage of that is a human right violation. He said the province has continued to degenerate under Maape and that is why they call him to resign.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Maape is expected to respond to the MPLs. In his SOPA, Maape said 2023 is the year of ‘service delivery’.
Picture: ANC deputy president, Paul Mashatile/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
One of the aggrieved ANC members in North West said, he has opened a perjury case against the ANC deputy president, Paul Mashatile at Mmabatho Police Station in North West on 28 February 2023.
Sello Molefe alleged that, Mashatile has lied to the North West High Court in Mahikeng under oath. Molefe is one of the aggrieved ANC members who filed a case requesting the North West High Court to nullify the ANC Provincial Elective Conference that was held in Rustenburg in August 2022.
“On 20 August 2022, an urgent application was instituted against ANC in which, I am the 4th applicant. Mashatile duly representing ANC opposed the urgent application as authorised by the ANC.
“At the centre of the dispute under case number UM 160/2022 before the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng is the lapsing of the term of the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) of the North West,” he said.
Molefe further alleged that, the ANC constitution prescribed that, the election of PEC, which has been dissolved, shall be called within nine months from the date of dissolution. He added that, in this case, the nine months period lapsed by the latest on 29 April 2020.
“Mashatile deposed to an answering affidavit under oath on behalf of the ANC. Mashatile in his answering affidavit attached a purported resolution of the ANC, which resolution stipulated that the ANC at its meeting of 26-29 July 2022, the NEC decided to formally dissolve the PEC in terms of Rule 12.2.4.
“He attached the answering affidavit, where he alleged that the ANC NEC has re-appointed the IPC, which was appointed by the ANC NEC at the meeting held on 26-29 July 2019. Mashatile alleges in his affidavit under oath that, the ANC NEC as per the purported resolution taken on 26-29 July 2022, purported to dissolve and re-appoint members of the IPC who were deceased and some members who had previously resigned at the time of passing of the purported resolution,” said Molefe.
He alleged that, however, some members of the IPC were deceased as of 26-29 July 2022, when Mashatile claimed the ANC has re-appointed them as IPC members.
According to Molefe, the former executive mayor of the City of Matlosana, who was also a member of IPC succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic on 16 July 2021, while Sophie Maine died on 6 June 2021 after a short illness.
“Johannes Tselapedi died on 6 June 2021 after a short illness. It is common cause that other members of the IPC resigned before 26-29 July 2022. Former North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo resigned as a member of the IPC on 30 September 2019 and was deployed by the ANC to the National Parliament.
“Job Mokgoro who was appointed as ex officio member of the IPC on 26-29 July 2019 by virtue of his appointment as the North West Premier on 22 June 2019 and resigned on 26 August 2021,” he said.
Molefe said not only did the term of the deceased IPC members end on 29 April 2020, whilst they were still alive, and their ANC members lapsed as at the respective dates of their passing.
He said, yet Mashatile alleged in the answering affidavit that the ANC NEC purportedly resolved on 26-29 July 2022 to re-appoint these deceased ANC members into the IPC notwithstanding the fact that they were late.
“According to Mashatile in the answering affidavit, he deposed under oath, the purported NEC meeting convened from 26-29 July 2022, dates which conveniently tally with the dates of the original NEC meeting held on 26-29 July 2019.
“It is clear from the reading of ‘ANC11’ that Mashatile simply copied the minutes and resolution of the 26-29 July 2019 and paste it into the disputed minutes of the purported minutes and resolution of the meeting held on 26-29 July 2022,” said Molefe.
He said, according to the NEC calendar of 2022, there was no NEC meeting held on 26-29 July 2022. Molefe said, Mashatile was the ANC acting Secretary-General during 26-29 July 2022 and he was fully aware when he deposed to the answering affidavit on 24 August 2022 that there was never such meeting during that period and there was never any resolution taken by the ANC NEC during the period in question.
“I deposed and filed a supplementary affidavit at the North West High Court on 7 February 2023, where I brought this alleged fraud by Mashatile to the attention of the North West High Court.
“On 23 February 2023, Mashatile deposed to a confirmatory affidavit in terms of which he admitted that the ANC NEC meeting of the 26-29 February 2022 never took place and apologized unreservedly for alleging that the meeting took place on 26-29 February 2022,” he said.
Molefe said Mashatile could not explain how the purported resolution taken by the ANC NEC on 26-29 July 2022, however, what he is certain of is that Mashatile was the SGO of the ANC at the time and he deposed to the answering affidavit under oath in terms whereof and attached the fraudulent resolution and committed perjury confirming the authenticity of the fraudulent resolution, whilst he was fully aware that the resolution was never taken.
“The motive of Mashatile was to mislead the North West High Court into believing that the ANC NEC complied with Rule 12.2.4 of the ANC constitution by appointing an interim structure, a false allegation made by Mashatile in order to circumvent prayer 6 of the relief we sought in terms of the notice of motion, where we seek an order.
“He seeks order in terms that the ANC be ordered to appoint an interim structure in terms of the ANC constitution instead of the North West Provincial Executive Committee, pending the election of a lawfully constituted PEC of the ANC in the North West.
“Mashatile heavily relied on the fraudulent NEC resolution purportedly taken at a meeting held on 26-29 July 2022 in order to persuade the honourable court to find in the ANC’s favour,” said Molefe.
According to Molefe, had they not brought this alleged fraud committed by Mashatile to the attention of the High Court in a form of a supplementary affidavit, Mashatile would have succeeded in misleading the court and therefore prejudicing the applicants.
The ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said: “The ANC has noted reports of a case opened by someone who is said to be a member of the ANC in the North West Province.
“We wish to place it on record that leaders of the ANC act and discharge their responsibilities on behalf of the organisation, and not in their personal capacity.”
Bhengu-Motsiri said, consequently, any member of the ANC who has a grievance emanating from organisational processes should utilise the ANC’s dispute resolution mechanisms that are in place.
Meanwhile, the police national spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe confirmed that, there is a criminal case opened against Mashatile and the Hawks has taken it over for investigations.
Picture: North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR), Kenetswe Mosenogi has come under fire after taking the media launch of the much-anticipated Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival to Sandton in Gauteng Province, instead of Mahikeng.
Many residents believe that taking the media launch to Sandton is ‘irrelevant’ and a snub to the North West province. They say the event will take place in Mahikeng, but instead of putting the capital city on the map, they will rather market Sandton.
The renowned entrepreneur and Mahikeng Digital Innovation Hub, Joepac Ndaba said: “I don’t like commenting about issues tsa Mahikeng (sic). I spend a lot of time defending Mafikeng…. Maara e yone ke nonsense nje.
“I tried to be open-minded and listen to Stone trying to explain the reason behind this mediocre, but I must say, I don’t hear anything concrete he is talking about.”
Ndaba further said, media houses will not come to Mahikeng because, instead of placing Mahikeng on the map as event marketers, they rather market Sandton. He added that the department should rather let the media houses come to Mahikeng and show the world how it is.
“This is just false advertising about Mahikeng and a total disrespect to media houses in the North West. This is also disrespectful to places like Sun City, Mmabatho Convention Centre etc like what happened ka #FillUpMmabathoStadium.
“In 2018, the media launch was at Mmabatho Palms, in 2017, the media launch was at Barolong Boo Ratshidi and both events went super well. The disrespect that this decision is placing on us by our fellow business partners based in Sandton,” he said.
According to Ndaba, some business people in Sandton also questioned the relevance of taking Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival media launch to Sandton.
He said one of them asked him: “So Mr, in the whole of North West province, you do not have venues to host a media launch? Your decisions are affecting our credibility.”
Ndaba encouraged people to take Mahikeng seriously and let them be forward thinkers.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) secretary in North West, Papiki Babuile shared the same sentiments. Babuile said, there is nothing that the ANC-led government can do, which is in the interest of the people and ensure that the province is developed.
“Currently, we have Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival, where the service provider is appointed to organise the event, launching it in Sandton.
“I mean, do we not have venues in Mahikeng, which can host the launch and make sure that atleast our people are benefiting? As when these venues are booked, the hospitality industry is going to benefit,” he said.
Babuile said Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owners will also benefit from this process. He said those who are currently benefiting from Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival are people in Gauteng, while using the money from this province.
The Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) and Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation in North West, Winston Rabotapi said they demand transparency in the R40 million Mahika Mahikeng Festival contract.
“We demand full transparency over the three-year R40 million contract awarded to Mega Works Trading Enterprise 200 (Pty) Ltd for managing the Mahika Mahikeng Festival.
“Although we welcome, in principle, the event’s comeback following an extended hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 outbreak and the opportunity it presents to display and promote North West talent as well as the province’s economic benefits, concerns about the tendering procedure still exist,” Rabotapi said.
He said the Mahika Mahikeng Festival was initially scheduled to take place in December 2022, but it was postponed amid allegations that the owner of Mega Works Trading Enterprise 200 (Pty) Ltd, Molefi Setlalaleng, irregularly enjoyed preferential consideration during the tender-bid process.
“We have written to Mosenogi requesting the full details of the bid adjudication process that led to Mega Works Trading Enterprise 200 (Pty) Ltd awarded this R40 million three-year contract.
“We want to know how many bids were received, the names of each company, cost of each bid, the names of the members of the bid adjudication committee and their record of decision,” said Rabotapi.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi said: “The department has noted the concerns from the North West community around the media launch that is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on March 1, 2023.
“It is therefore important for the department to provide context and clarity regarding our communications roll out and the purpose of the media launch for Mahika Mahikeng 2023.”
Mosenogi said, the purpose of the media launch is to brief the broader media community around the plans for Mahika Mahikeng 2023. She said this is an important milestone as it provides a platform to
promote the event nationally and create awareness about the festival, with the intention to encourage people from all over the country to attend this event.
A body of a woman was discovered near a river in Matolong village, in Taung on 27 February 2023. The lifeless body of Kelemogile van Wyk (25) was allegedly found with visible wounds.
It was allegedly discovered by shepherds, who were grazing their livestock near the river.
The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The police in Taung are investigating a case of an inquest.
“At present, the cause of death is unknown and an investigation into the matter is underway. Anyone who can assist the police with information can contact Lieutenant Colonel Tshamboko on 082 469 0336.”
Setswantsho: Ntlo e lakailwa ke molelo kwa toropong ya Taung
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Mong wa ntlo e e lakitsweng ke molelo mo letsatsing la maabane kwa toropong ya Taung, go kailwe fa a ganne go bula kgetsi. Go ya ka dipego tse di sa totobalang, go kailwe fa molelo o, o tlhodilwe ke dikhemikhale.
Mongwe wa bo marata-helele, o tlhalositse fa ba belaela sengwe se se seng mo molaong se diragala kwa ntlung eo.
“Re fitlhile kwa ntlung eo, mme ra bona kgabo ya molelo e tswa mo kamotshaneng eo. Se se makatsang ke ka mokgwa o kamotshana eo, ene e kampetswe ka teng go utlwala.
“Go ya ka pono yame ya matlho, go katswa gona le bogwene-gwene bongwe jo bo diragalang kwa ntlung eo. Go ya ka dipego, mong wa ntlo eo, yo eleng motswa-kwa wa mo Indian, one ne a leletswa le go begelwa fa ntlo ya gagwe e jewa ke kgabo ya molelo.”
Marata-helele are, mme, se se mo makaditseng ke gore, go fitlha ga monna o, one a kaya fa setlhodi sa molelo ele dikhemikhale. Marata-helele are, fela gaka a tlhalosa gore ke dikhemikhale tsa mofuta ofe.
Kgabagare, sebueledi sa sepodise mo Bokone Bophirima kwa sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen are, sepodisi se itsisitwe ka tiragalo eo, mme ka maswabi, mong wa ntlo one a gana go bula kgetsi.
“Sepodisi sene sa itelekela kwa ntlung eo, morago ga go tsibosiwa ka molelo o runtseng koo. Fela, beng ba ntlo eo, ba kaile fa ba se kitla ba bula kgetsi,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The ANC deputy chairperson in North West, Lazzy Mokgosi/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The ANC deputy chairperson in North West, Lazzy Mokgosi who is also a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) was elected as the ANC Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) on Tuesday.
This follows the resignation of Paul Sebegoe, who was elected as a new Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture and Sports Recreation during a committee meeting held on Monday.
Mokgosi joined the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) in December 2022 as MPL.
Meanwhile, during a separate virtual meeting of the Portfolio Committee of Public Works and Roads, Community Safety and Transport Management, Mmoloki Cwaile was elected as a chairperson. This comes after the resignation of Onica Medupe as both the chairperson of the committee and MPL.
Meanwhile, NWPL Speaker, Sussana Dantjie said: “We welcome the elections of the Chief Whip and the two Chairpersons of both the Education and Public Works Committees. We wish them well in their responsibilities of servicing the people of the province.
Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe
By OBAKENG MAJE
Corruption, maladministration and malfeasance allegations continue to show their ugly head at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM).
This comes after allegations that the municipality has paid the Diphetogo Cleaning and Security company R100 000 just to clean the municipal offices.
The municipality allegedly rendered a tender for emergency cleaning of the municipal offices after the members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), which is the largest union in local government in South Africa embarked on a protest.
It is alleged that, during protests, feaces and garbage were speckled into the streets including municipal offices.
However, SAMWU secretary in Greater Taung, Mpho Thompson questioned the amount and alleged that this was just a way to loot the municipal coffer. Thompson said, some municipal officials are hell-bent to loot the municipal coffer and they will do anything.
“You will understand that there was no violence during our protests. When we were on strike in December 2022, the municipality brought in 10 bouncers, however, the invoice says they were 35.
“The question is, why they were appointed in the first place? Those bouncers are still there and we want to understand why. They are only there so that, some municipal officials can continue to loot the municipal coffer,” he said.
Thompson further said, as SAMWU, they are against anything that takes away money from the municipal coffer, while they are still owed their danger allowance money.
He added that, the municipality continues to spend money fruitlessly.
“Our relationship with the municipality is soured due to the danger allowance issue. This was on the basis that, a certain director misled the council on Local Labour Forum’s (LLF) view on the danger allowance issue.
“There is an investigation report with recommendations, yet it was deferred without any implementation. I am surprised that, the council wanted the resolution to supersede the investigation report. The investigation report serves as the legal opinion until contested,” said Thompson.
The Director of Corporate Services at the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Dikagisho Mokoma was implicated in the Matshego Ramagaga Attorneys report. The independent law firm was appointed by the municipality to investigate allegations of misconduct against Mokoma after she allegedly misled the previous council on danger allowance for the COVID-19 pandemic.
This resulted in the municipality ‘illegally’ paying senior managers and directors a monthly R2500 as danger allowance, instead of a standard flat rate of R1500.
According to the Magagane report, the municipality has lost R508 500 due to Mokoma’s alleged conduct.
Meanwhile, the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe, and municipality spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our phone calls and WhatsApp messages regarding the matter before publishing this article.
*The article will be updated when new information arrives.
Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Speaker, Grace Moipolai/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some of the community members across Taung said they were surprised to learn that, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has decided to host a municipal statutory council sitting in Klerkdorp.
The municipality will hold a statutory council sitting, that is opened to the public at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp on 28 February 2023, which is over 30km, but will not ferry community members.
The meeting will commence at 4pm.
One of the community members, Benjamin Mashuga said, the municipality’s decision to take the statutory council sitting to Klerksdorp is not far-fetched. Mashuga, who did not mince his words alleged that, this is happening because the council wants to take corrupt decisions.
“They know exactly that, as members of the community in Taung, we are against the corruption that continues to prevail at the municipality. The corruption in the municipality is rife and committed by the mayor, other councillors, and administrative staff for their own personal interests.
“This is strategic planning, where community members must be abreast of decisions taken on their behalf. Now, the municipality is denying them that opportunity to form part of that meeting,” he said.
He further said, it is shoddier that, the municipality is even hosting the statutory council sitting in another district. Mashuga added that, this is a clear indication that the municipality is running away from accountability.
“The municipality always paints us as hooligans whenever we want to hold them accountable. We are definitely sure that, there are wrong decisions that are going to be taken during that statutory council sitting,” said Mashuga.
However, the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai said: “We cannot just take the statutory council sitting to Klerkdorp. The reason we taking it there is that, we also have a strategic planning meeting there. We will attend to the issue of community members, who would like to form part of the meeting the same way we did during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will live-stream the event. What is on the agenda is nothing much, but a quarterly report. This is a matter of compliance and within three months, we should organise statutory council sitting.”
On whether they will either provide transportation or data for those who are interested in attending the municipal statutory council sitting, Moipolai was mum. She said, it is not always where you see community members attending municipal statutory council sitting.
“We are not hiding anything and I’ll send you the agenda after this meeting. Even if we can give you our previous video footage, you will see that our people do not always attend statutory council sittings, unless are those who have their own interests.
“However, we will formally respond to you because I am having a very serious network problem here in Mokassa. One issue that could be critical is the last item on the appointment of the municipal manager. However, we have not yet completed short-listing process,” said Moipolai.
