Taung missing girl found unharmed

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A 16-year-old girl who was reported missing at Manthe village in Taung returned home unharmed after four days. This was confirmed by the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone.

It was reported on various social media platforms that two girls went missing after they were allegedly kidnapped on Sunday at Manthe village by unknown person/s. However, Mokgwabone refuted allegations and said only one case of kidnapping was reported.

“We can confirm that only one case of kidnapping was reported on Thursday. It is alleged that a girl left her home on 16 August 2020 to go to the sports ground, but she never came back home till Thursday.

“She allegedly informed her grandmother that she was kidnapped after returning home. No one has been arrested and investigation into the matter is underway,” he said.

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Five nabbed for ‘hijacking’ a liquor truck

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Five suspects appeared at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court for truck hijacking on Friday. Kagiso Monsho (31), Tumisang Mosebi (31), Moluki Kitso (36), Tebogo Kaonosi (44), and Onkarabetsi Gaobuse (48) were apprehended by the Mahikeng Flying Squad and Public Order Police (POP) at Lotlhakane village near Mahikeng.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said: “The accused were apprehended after they allegedly hijacked a truck delivering liquor. It is alleged that the truck owner became suspicious after the drivers failed to answer their cell-phones.

“The matter was reported to the police and at the same time, the tracker was activated. The truck was eventually found in the bushes along Lotlhakane road. Further investigation into the matter led to the apprehension of the suspects in Dithakong West village after being spotted off-loading liquor from a Nissan bakkie and Toyota Quantum,” Funani said.

She further said the suspects were also found to be in possession of a Uzzi rifle and 11 rounds of ammunition. Funani added that the accused were remanded in custody until their next appearance on 26 August 2020.

“The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena congratulated the members for the rapid response which led to the arrest of the accused, recovery of the truck, liquor and confiscation of an illegal firearm and ammunition,” she concluded.

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Tavern owner in hot water for breaking lockdown regulations

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Klerksdorp-based tavern owner (54) is expected to appear at Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 28 September 2020. This comes after patrons without wearing masks were seen on a video that went viral on social media dancing and jamming at the owner’s tavern.

According to information, the incident took place at Jourberton Township in Klerksdorp on Wednesday. Now, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said police in Jouberton acted swiftly on the matter and subsequently issued a notice to appear in court for contravening Regulation 14(6) read with 5(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002).

“He may also elect to pay an admission of guilt fine of R2000.00 payable on or before 7 September 2020. Members of the public and business owners are urged to ensure strict compliance with the general measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 as stipulated in the lockdown regulations, including mandatory wearing of cloth face masks and keeping of social distancing,” Mokgwabone said.

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SANCO in North West calls for lifestyle audits on govt officials 

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SANCO

By REGINALD KANYANE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West calls on the Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to conduct a lifestyle audit on public representatives and government officials as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance ethical, accountable and transparent leadership.

SANCO provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso said there are numerous allegations of large scale corruption and looting that is continuously taking place in the province. He said the North West Provincial Government cannot look the other way, but instead has to act swiftly.

“To this end, the asset forfeiture unit should be activated with immediate effect. The Auditor-General (AG) has made adverse findings on almost all the municipalities in the province. Instances of fruitless, unauthorised and irregular expenditure are on the rise and consequence management is to be implemented as a matter of urgency on all the affected municipalities.

“SANCO has never made any pronouncement to support any municipality in the face of looting and maladministration that characterise municipalities. Communities require services from municipalities and not corruption. We have also noted with grade concern the recycling of administrators in municipalities when section 139 of the constitution is implemented,” he said.

Seaketso added that despite this recycling, there is no improvement in the affected municipalities. He said service delivery remains a challenge to the communities and the provincial government should have to seriously review these interventions and consider measures that will bring about visible service delivery improvements.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West shared the same sentiments. DA provincial ChiefWhip, Freddy Sonakile said they challenge Mokgoro to snap out of his “great embarrassment” over allegations of corruption among Members of the Executive (MECs) and call for lifestyle audits by a credible service provider.

“The recent media reports on MECs’ failure to account to the North West Provincial Legislature’s respective portfolio committees on the overall misappropriation of funds and tender fraud, is a crying shame, but being “embarrassed” about it, will not suffice.

“It is common knowledge that the factionalism within the ANC compels Mokgoro to wait on the go-ahead of his political party – who has been responsible for 26 years of looting state coffers – to reshuffle his cabinet,” he said.

Sonakile said the least that the Professor can do, is to order a lifestyle audit to save what is left of his stature.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said Mokgoro must act decisively as he always ‘preaches’ for good governance. Botswe added that in light of rampant corruption and consistent poor audit outcomes, the audit should be extended to all senior departmental officials and municipal accounting officers.

“We hope that Mokgoro will do the right thing and the lifestyle audit should be carried out on all senior staff in a bid to tackle corruption in government. No doubt that the lifestyle audits will contribute significantly in defeating corruption and the abuse of public resources for private gain,” he said.

Botswe also said that hundreds of millions of rands looted from government coffers would be recovered, and the future tender processes should be open to public scrutiny.

However, Mokgoro said: “I will apply my mind and will provide an opportunity for further consultation before a final decision is reached. There are many components to consider before implementation. So, I will give an update on the decision soon.”

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ANC in North West mourns the death of Maine

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Sophie Maine

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in for the bereaved after the passing of the ANC stalwart, Sophie Maine. Maine who was a member of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the North West died on Wednesday after a short illness.

The ANC Interim Provincial Committee spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said MaSoph as Maine was affectionately known belonged to a generation of outstanding revolutionaries whose lives were committed to the destruction of the evil system of apartheid. Morolong added that MaSoph’s generation created a free, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.

“MaSoph played a critical role in mobilizing women in the then Western Transvaal behind the banner of ANC. She distinguished herself through her service to the movement, serving in many capacities including as the first Branch Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in Ipelegeng, Schweizer Reneke in 1990, and Regional Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in the Western Transvaal.

“She has also served as Provincial Deputy Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League in the North West. Following the democratic breakthrough in 1994,  MaSoph was deployed to represent the ANC as one of its first Members of Parliament and served two terms in the National Assembly,” he said.

Morolong further said the ANC in the North West has lost a matriarch, a disciplinarian, and embodiment of the true values of the movement. He said MaSoph was selfless and disciplined.

“The ANC IPC will remember MaSoph for her frankness during discussions. She was an unwavering commitment to the work of the movement. She was so dearly loved and cherished.

“So, we will forever be indebted to the selfless dedication of her to the cause of complete liberation of our people. We, the leadership of the ANC in the province, dedicate ourselves to working towards realizing her yearning desire to rebuild the structures of the ANC in the province and fostering unity among our membership,” said Morolong.

He added that the ruling party conveys their heartfelt condolences to MaSophy’s family, relatives, friends, and comrades. Morolong said they owe MaSophy a debt that can never be paid for her contribution to the liberation struggle and in shaping the democracy.

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Newly-appointed mayor to bring stability at Ramotshere-Moiloa 

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Picture: Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality mayor, Lerato Selebogo 

   

By OBAKENG MAJE

Women continue to play pivotal roles within the society as they possess efficient skills and they are primarily recognised in various fields as they render their participation in an effectual manner.

It has long been correctly assumed that women’s feminine values would contribute positively in the masculine, hierarchical world of politics and this was proven to be true in 1956 when more than 20 000 women staged a march at the Union Building in Pretoria to protest against the proposed amendments that required African persons to carry the pass.

Fast-forward, the initiative inspired women such as the newly-appointed mayor of Ramotshere-Moiloa Local Municipality, Lerato Selebogo. A 32-year-old politician showed her pedigree through the years in politics and brings values of fairness, inclusion, flexibility, collaboration, persuasiveness, and empathy into a patriarchal political world.

“I am so grateful to be given such a big responsibility. I envisage more improvements in service delivery. Even though our municipality is rural and relied heavily on conditional grants, we will continue to serve our people with pride.

“We understand that there are some challenges at the municipality, but we cannot look away. The municipal council engaged in a meeting recently and resolved to implement Batho Pele principle. The municipality managed to resolve its non-payment of electricity with the power utility, Eskom.

“We understand the frustration our people were subjected to. However, we can assure them that what happened will never ever be repeated again. In 2016, when we ascended to the office as councillors, we realised that the municipality owes Eskom the amount of R95 million and we derived a plan as the council to pay off that debt,” she said.

Selebogo further said the municipality failed to pay Eskom recently because of some challenges, but that has since been resolved. She said they have engaged with the National Treasury and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in order to pay Eskom.

“We had a virtual meeting with Eskom and agreed to pay them R1.5 million which we did. They gave us a grace period until 29 July 2020. We approached the national treasury to get our equitable share because the municipality did not pay salaries of employees too. So, we prioritise Eskom and the money was paid after we interacted with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District municipality and the National Treasury.

“I am going to ensure that I receive the Section 17 report which comprises of the municipal budget. Consequence management will be applied if there is misappropriation of funds and ensure that we hold our officials accountable. We have more projects in the pipeline and we will be implementing them according to IDP even though the municipality has no money,” said Selebogo.

She said mostly communities complain about basic services like provision of water, sanitation, lack of accessible roads, and high-mask lights. Selebogo added that these were genuine issues and they will prioritise them.

 Selebogo’s political career and her upbringing

Selebogo said she did not enjoy her childhood because of some hardships in her upbringing. She said growing up from a poverty-stricken family was not easy.

“I was born and raised in Dinokana village in Zeerust. Even though my upbringing was like any other child, I experienced some difficulties and did not enjoy my childhood. My father was a miner at Impala in Rustenburg and that caused us to move from one place to another.  

“I was also subjected to abuse, but that will be a topic for another day. My parents separated when I was only 11 months old and I was raised by my grandmother from my father’s side,” said Selebogo.

She went to Rustenburg after finishing her matric to look for a job. However, fate forced her back home after a year to take care of her sick grandmother.

“I had to be there for her and my child including everybody else. However, I told myself that this is not the end of the world and I soldiered on. I remember I once received a scholarship in Johannesburg to further my studies, but I could not go because I had no money for transportation and accommodation.

“It was heartbreaking, but I never lost hope because God always has a plan for our lives. I went to register for an office administration course at Taletso TVET College in quest of furthering my studies. My sick grandmother was so happy after I was accepted, unfortunately she passed away a few days after that,” she said.

Selebogo was forced to drop out of college after a year because of politics and lack of funds. Buoyed Selebogo said she was sitting at home one day and decided to do introspection.

“I mulled about my future and realised that it was unnecessary to keep on complaining. The negative energy brings a bad omen. I told myself that I am going to be the change that I was looking for.

“I had a dream of registering a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) to assist those who are in needy. So, I approached a few of my friends and shared the idea. I was happy when my dream came into reality. We formed the Hope For The Need organisation and approached local businesses for assistance,” Selebogo said.

They started to donate foods and clothes to the deprived even though it was difficult. She said her team comprised of twelve unemployed youth who had the same vision.  

“I started to develop an interest in politics back in 2011 after I was introduced by my fellow comrade, Tshegofatso Mothupi. I was so grateful to meet remarkable women in my political journey such as Audrey Magagane and Thandi Modise. They showed pedigree and stewardship in politics, so I was inspired.

“To women, please do not limit yourselves and stop depending on men. There are so many opportunities available for you to explore and that will enable us to overcome many barriers. I have learned that when women are performing various types of roles, they ensure that they work effectively towards promoting the well-being of their family and community,” said Selebogo.

She also urges the society to continue a fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

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NWU appoints Mosikare as acting security boss

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Boitumelo Mosikari NWU

Picture: Boitumelo Mosikare 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West University (Mafikeng campus) has appointed Boitumelo Mosikare as acting Senior Manager of Protection Services. Mosikare (45) is no stranger to the security sector as she has more than 17 years of experience.

“I am excited about this opportunity to engage with various stakeholders such as campus management and the student campus committee. I am eager to learn more and look forward to this new leadership role.

“Many women tend to underestimate themselves and their potential, instead opting to compare themselves with others. However, I believe women should be discouraged from doing that. As empowered women, we should believe in ourselves and our abilities,” she said.

Mosikare who is temporarily taking over the reins from Aubrey Welken who is currently on leave said, she is particularly honoured to be acting in the position as it coincides with Women’s month, annually commemorated in August. She added that joining the NWU on 1 December 2018, she regarded the safety and security of each individual at the university as a key priority.

“I am married and a mother of three beautiful children. Besides my day-to-day responsibilities at the university, I embrace my ancestral calling. This is something I find great joy in as it enables me to assist those in need.

“After 17 years of well-earned experience at Lonmin Marikana Mining Operations and the South African Police Service (SAPS), I believe that I have what it takes. I have over 60 employees reporting to me and that shows how much responsibility is accorded to me,” Mosikare said.

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North West govt spent over R100m on COVID-19 related items  

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Picture: North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro 

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West Provincial Government has spent over R100m in all COVID-19 procurement thus far. This was revealed by the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro during the Provincial Coronavirus Command Council media briefing in Mahikeng on Monday.

The allegations of widespread corruption and tender irregularities surrounding COVID-19 were reported in Ngaka Modiri-Molema and JB Marks municipalities respectively.

“This amount is from an expenditure report that was presented by Provincial Treasury to the Provincial Coronavirus Command Council, which in turn provided us with consolidated spending information that had been received from Provincial Government Departments as on 6 August 2020. The expenditure will continuously increase over the period of our intervention as the departments consistently update their records after capturing all payments in the system.

“The North West Provincial Government will fully cooperate with the Cabinet Committee announced by the President to deal with the alleged corruption of in all COVID-19 procurement. It is our belief that theft and corruption should not be given space to thrive anywhere, anytime, and anyhow,” he said.

Mokgoro further said while departments such as Health, Education, and Social Development incurred COVID-19 spending on social responsibility, the majority of departments are mainly spending for internal interventions to curb the spread of the disease. He added that the Department of Health, which is the lead department in the implementation of the Provincial COVID-19 Response Plan, has an expenditure of R65 million to date.

“The majority of money has been directed to healthcare workers and patients in the fight against COVID-19. The Department of Education comes in as being the second highest with R32,669 million spent mostly on temperature scanners and masks for learners, educators and non-educators as well as other COVID-19 related items; in an effort to ensure that teaching and learning would not be compromised in the fight against the spread of the pandemic,” he said.

Mokgoro said the Department of Social Development has to date spent R9.257million on Social Relief of Distress, R8.7million on food parcels, and R490 000 on dignity packs. He said as part of their continued drive to ensure compliance and strict adherence to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), while also ensuring accountability, the Provincial Internal Audit is currently performing audits on all COVID-19 related procurement by departments, including but not limited to PPE.

“The audits focus amongst others on whether departments assessed and managed the risk with regard to this expenditure and whether the prescribed procurement processes were followed, whether prices paid are market-related and in accordance with price determinations and whether the quality of goods received complied with the prescribed standards.

“The audits are at an advanced stage of execution and the final reports are expected to be issued before 31 August 2020. Where there are transgressions, necessary consequence management action will be taken and cooperation will be provided to appointed law enforcement agencies,” said Mokgoro.

He said the Provincial Command Council (PCC) has agreed to the publication of COVID-19 expenditure before the end of today in support of transparency principles subject to confidentiality provisions attached to the contracting between government departments and service providers.

According to Mokgoro, the Office of the Premier and Provincial Treasury will be responsible for publishing that information.

“The publication will afford the public to hold the province accountable for the public funds it has been entrusted with to further open government to scrutiny to check if equal value has been derived on spent resources.

“Regarding the municipalities, the Provincial Treasury working with Office of the Premier, SALGA and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, will be working with all municipalities to ensure publication of the similar information,” he said.

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SANCO in North West suspends Gadinabokao and Sekonyela over misconduct

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Gadinabokao

Facebook: A prominent businessman and SANCO PEC member, James Gadinabokao

 

By OBAKENG MAJE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held an extensive meeting that was marred with widespread discontent at Lichtenburg on Saturday. SANCO provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso said the aim of the meeting was to address various challenges ranging from maladministration and corruption in government including insurgency of its members.

It is alleged that a protracted conflict between Seaketso and a PEC member, James Gadinabokao who is also a prominent businessman showed its ugly head again during a heated meeting. However, Seaketso said in a statement that the organisation has resolved to suspend Gadinabokao and another member, Bisto Sekonyela with immediate effect.

“We have resolved to suspend Gadinabokao and Sekonyela pending investigations on their conduct. This is in relation to a variety of serious allegations, which the two comrades are alleged to have made on behalf of SANCO.

“The PEC meeting has also resolved to call on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to conduct a lifestyle audit on public representatives and government officials as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance ethical, accountable, and transparent leadership. There are numerous allegations of large scale corruption and looting that is continuously taking place and the provincial government cannot look the other way,” he said.

However, Gadinabokao labeled Seaketso’s claims as hogwash. He said the ‘misunderstanding’ between him and Seaketso emanated from his utterances after calling for the disbandment of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) recently. Gadinabokao was seen on video footage that went viral, calling on the ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke to go back to his place of origin, which is Giyani in Limpopo.

However, Gadinabokao said he will never budge. He said he will continue to speak his mind and preach the gospel truth without fear of reprisal.

“Let me put it on record that I and comrade Bisto Sekonyela were part of that meeting in Lichtenburg yesterday and there was no such a decision. We argued our case in the Provincial Working Committee (PWC) and later in the PEC. The decision in both constitutional structures of SANCO is that the secretariat must process and formulate a report of those allegations, investigate and thereafter charges should be procedurally brought to the attention of the PWC and PEC for formal organisational decision-making.

“The media statement released by Seaketso is not the true reflection of what transpired in the PEC meeting and unfortunately, it would never be adhered to by us. We are not running a traditional council here and SANCO leadership must just be truthful to its constituency on the matter of its legitimacy.”

Gadinabokao also lambasted Seaketso for allegedly confusing the ANC infights with SANCO. He said one of SANCO’s mandates is to ensure it addresses the pre-conditions such as poverty, inequality, social discrimination, and lack of social justice and democracy and held public representatives accountable without fear or favour.

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‘Taung hospital under fire after woman gives birth on her own, while nurses are asleep’

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Ontiretse Madieng

(Picture Courtesy of Facebook): Ontiretse Madieng

By REGINALD KANYANE

Ontiretse Madieng (21) from Rooiwal village in Taung considers herself lucky after allegedly giving birth without any assistance from nurses at Taung District Hospital recently. Madieng said she received a horrible treatment from the nurses at the hospital and she was forced to give birth without any assistance while nurses were asleep.

“I experienced some labour pains on Sunday last week and went to the hospital for medical assistance. I was admitted at the hospital and truly, I felt safe at the unit. However, my situation took a drastic turn when I started to experience twinges, cramps and contractions. I informed the antenatal midwives who were on duty, but they disregarded me.

“They dosed me for labour induction and sent me back to sleep. I stayed at the hospital until Tuesday. At around 9pm I was in excruciating pains and knew that I was in labour. I went to the nurses and inform them about my situation. To my surprises, I was turned away and told that I was not dilated at all,” she said.

Madieng said she was crestfallen when she was ordered to go back to sleep again. She alleged that she went to those ‘sleeping nurses’ for the third time after her waters broke.

“The situation freaked me out and asked if this was not labour then what was it going to be like? However, I received no answers, instead, nurses told me to stop being repellent. I went back to my ward, climbed on my bed and gave birth on my own.

“The real stressful thing about the whole situation was I felt I was really on top of it, but incompetent nurses told me otherwise. I managed to give birth to a bouncing baby boy and nurses came afterwards. They took me away and stitched me. They instructed me to sleep afterwards,” she said.

Madieng said she woke up around 3am and asked for her baby. She was shocked when she allegedly received a baby only ‘wrapped up’ with a disintegrating blanket.

“I could not believe it when I touched him. He was so cold and my thoughts were plagued with anxiety. I wonder what might have happened to him if I did not wake up on time. I think is high time now for the department of health to take drastic measures against incompetent nurses at the hospital.

“There was another heavily pregnant woman in the same unit who was experiencing labour pains, but nurses left her unattended. Actually, they passed sarcasm remarks and told her to walk around to ease pains. Nurses at the hospital ill-treat patients especially at the maternity unit,” said Madieng.

Meanwhile, the North West Health Department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “According to the hospital management, the Patient Relations Officer was already aware of the voice clip and made follow-up with maternity unit operational manager. She further tried to call the patient to get her side of the story on Tuesday even though there was no formal complaint forwarded to her or the hospital management, but unfortunately, she didn’t pick up her phone.

“According to our records, it is not true that the patient could have delivered herself due to the fact that she was a primigravida (first time being pregnant) and since her labour was induced. She was given the last dose for labour induction around 14h35 and monitoring was done.”

Lekgethwane added that last PV checking was around 20h55 and she was 1cm dilated and membranes ruptured. He said Madieng was again to be done second PV checking 4 hours later.

“It is not true that nurses did not take care of her as there was also another delivery that nurse did at 00h33. Madieng delivered in the ward with the assistance of the nurses and if labour was not supported by nurses, she could have suffered serious injuries as she delivered a 3.8kg baby.

“Madieng only had a second-degree tear that was same sutured and postnatal care initiated. The department will continue to investigate the matter by means of interviewing all affected parties,” Lekgethwane concludes.

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