Five nabbed for illegal firearm and ammunition

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Five suspects aged between 28 and 45 were nabbed by the Public Order Police (POP) for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition in Ventersdorp. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botman, the accused were arrested on Wednesday after members of Public Order Police (POP) stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botman, the accused were arrested on Wednesday after members of Public Order Police (POP) stopped and searched a suspicious vehicle.

“The police were monitoring community protest on the Ventersdorp – Coligny road when they stopped the accused’s vehicle. During the search, the police found an unlicensed rifle together with the ammunition inside the vehicle.“The accused were then arrested after failing to account for the possession. As a result, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, commended the members for their proactive action that prevented possible commission of the crime. She said that the police will continue to work hard to discourage crime through visibility,” she said.

“The accused were then arrested after failing to account for the possession. As a result, the North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, commended the members for their proactive action that prevented possible commission of the crime. She said that the police will continue to work hard to discourage crime through visibility,” she said.

The accused will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 27 September 2019 at Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court.

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KHUMA RIOTS: PEOPLE TIRED OF PROMISES

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Tension is at boiling point in Khuma, near Stilfontein where protestors have started to set councilors’ homes alight while they are waiting for North West Premier Job Mokgoro. There is no water at Ext 8 and 9, so people are using sand to douse the flames.

Riots started on Sunday afternoon when residents blocked roads in the township. Residents are demanding better services, jobs and the allocation of housing stands. Yesterday, they chased Matlosana Mayor Maetu Kgaile away saying they demand to see the premier. They are tired of her promises, Klerksdorp Record was told.

Klerksdorp Record reporter Mohanoe Khiba is on the scene. He stays in Khuma and says the situation is very bad.

Fighting have also broken out between the police and protestors. Police are using tear gas and rubber bullets.

According to Khiba, the Premier was supposed to visit Khuma at 11:30. He has not arrived yet (12:18) and the people are angry.

Klerksdorp Record learned that he is in Orkney where he is attending a meeting of the National Council of Provinces in the Dr KK chambers.

The R502 linking Orkney and Vaal Reefs to the N12 is still closed for traffic and motorists are advised to use alternative routes.

Source: http://www.northwestnewspapers.co.za

Municipality loses court case over administration

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The J.B. Marks municipality was in court today for an urgent application against the provincial government’s earlier decision to place the municipality under administration. The application in Mahikeng high court was dismissed with costs.

The J.B. Marks municipality was in court today for an urgent application against the provincial government’s earlier decision to place the municipality under administration.

The application in Mahikeng high court was dismissed with costs.

“Council was taken by surprise on the appointment of the administrator since there had been a mutual understanding that the Province would come and report back following the engagement of joint technical teams that were set up to investigate areas where the Province would intervene if so required,” said William Maphosa, municipal spokesperson, about the reason the municipality challenged the decision in court.

Chris Hattingh, a DA councillor in the municipality warned of the outcome before the court case.

“The DA is of the opinion that this urgent High Court application, which is desperately pursued by the ANC and some ANC aligned councillors, is bound to fail with substantial costs to taxpayers. There appears to be no regard that money spent on frivolous court cases are at the cost of the taxpayer, the ANC cannot continue to handle the public purse as their own piggy-bank. The DA is now in full support of an investigative intervention led by a competent, suitably qualified and experienced administrator,” he said in an earlier statement.

This was after the DA asked for a special council meeting on 5 September to dispute the authorisation allegedly given by the JB Marks Council to approach the High Court in an urgent application.

In response, Maphosa noted that everyone was taken aback by the DA’s sudden change of mind in this regard. The proposal to go the legal route, in fact, came from the DA itself through their member, Mr. H J Moolman after they had requested a brief caucus during the previous council meeting. We challenge the DA and the media to listen to the verbal recordings of the proceedings of the meeting and they will have this fact confirmed.

In the council meeting, Moolman noted that the council cannot simply ignore a decision taken by the provincial government and that if council believes that the decision to place the municipality under administration is wrong it must get a legal opinion before going to court.

According to him, this legal opinion should have been served before the council for consideration, before a decision to approach the court was made.

The decision to place the municipality under administration still stands.

Source: http://www.potchherald.co.za

Two men get life in prison for raping a girl

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Police tape

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two men sentenced to life imprisonment after finding guilty of rape by the Northern Cape High Court on Thursday. Katlego Marake (27) and his accomplice, Ratanang Seikaneng (26).

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Olebogeng Tawana said the incident took place at Glenred Village near Kuruman back in June 2011.

“A 17-year-old girl was walking home accompanied by her male friend and they were accosted by three men. These men assaulted the man who accompanied the victim and in the event, they dragged the girl to the nearby yard where they took turns raping her.

“After raping the victim, they left her fighting for her life. The girl managed to gain her strength and walked home to seek help. The accused were arrested after being pointed out by the victim,” Tawana said.

He further said the victim’s testimony before the court and forensic evidence which was collected by the investigating officer had positively linked the accused to the crime of rape.

Tawana added that the third accused died while the trial was on-going. He said the deceased was unfortunate that he could not face jail-term.

“The Northern Cape Police Management welcomed life jail term handed down to the accused. It also commended the investigating officer, Sergeant Nowalaza for meticulous investigative work and continued to applaud the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Justice Department for their co-operation in ensuring that justice was served,”

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Robert Mugabe dies aged 95

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Motorists will feel the pinch at petrol pumps

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Local motorists will feel the pinch even more at the tanks as the price of petrol is set to increase by 11 cents a litre tonight.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced that both grades of 93 and 95 (ULP and LRP) will rise by 11 cents.

Both grades of diesel (0.05% Sulphur) and diesel (0.005% Sulphur) will increase by 26 cents a litre.

The price adjustments will see a litre of 95 in Gauteng, which currently costs R15.92 cents a litre, go up to R16.03 a litre.

The price of illuminating paraffin (wholesale) will go up by 24 cents per litre, while that of illuminating paraffin (SMNRP) will go up by 32 cents a litre.

The Maximum Retail Price for LPGAS will decrease by 16 cents per kilogram.

The department said the average international product prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin decreased during the period under review.

“The Rand depreciated against the US Dollar during the period under review on average when compared to the previous period. The average Rand/US Dollar exchange rate for the period 2 August to 29 August 2019. Thus led to a higher contribution to the basic fuel prices on petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin,” said the department.

In August, the price of both grades of petrol increased by 11 cents.

Source: http://www.dfa.co.za

Students urged to apply for NSFAS funding on time

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Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has urged students who qualify for funding in terms of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to submit their applications for 2020 on time.

Nzimande made the call following the opening of the 2020 NSFAS online applications for funding on Sunday, 1 September.

The application cycle will run for a period of three months, with the closing date being 30 November 2019 at midnight.

Announcing the opening of the application during a media briefing held in Tshwane on Monday, Nzimande said NSFAS funding is key to government’s support for students in higher education and training.

“We know that adequate funding and support are crucial factors in assisting students to succeed in their studies, and the support is provided specifically to ensure students have access to enable success in their studies.

“Our own studies in the Department of Higher Education and Training have shown that NSFAS students, on average, perform significantly better that students in the overall population,” Nzimande said.

This year, NSFAS has funded nearly 600 000 students at Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and universities.

Nzimande said the department is committed to ensuring that student funding system is effectively managed and implemented across universities and TVET colleges, and that students are able to fully access the funding that government has made available.

The Minister announced that government has set aside more than R80 billion for the next three years to ensure that prospective students from poor and working class families, with a combined household income of R350 000 or less per annum have access to higher education and training.

“This is a massive investment in student support and an important policy of government to support and transform our higher education and training system and society,” Nzimande said.

He said the department’s bursary scheme providing fully subsidised fee-free higher education and training to students from poor and working class backgrounds started being phased in from 2018 over a period of five years.

Nzimande announced the approval of a second phase of NSFAS Administration from August 2019 to August 2020. Dr Randall Carolissen has also agreed to continue as the administrator to fulfil the responsibilities of management, governance and administration of NSFAS during this period.

“Despite a number of areas that require improvements in the management of NSFAS and the student funding system, Dr Carolissen has done a tremendous job in improving the functionality of the system,” the Minister said.

Source: http://www.dfa.co.za

Ramaphosa welcomes arrest of Uyinene Mrwetyana and Leighandre Jegels’ murderers

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By REGINALD KANYANE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the country’s law enforcement authorities for their action which led to the arrests of two suspects linked to the brutal murders of University of Cape Town student, Uyinene Mrwetyana and SA boxing champoion Leighandre Jegels.

Mrwetyana’s alleged killer was arrested and charged with rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice.

The man suspected of killing Jegels was also arrested and has since died in hospital.

Ramaphosa said the murder of these two young women; one at the hands of a stranger and the other killed by a man who was reportedly her boyfriend remain a stark reminder that the women of South Africa are not safe, either in their homes or in the streets.

“On Monday, the body of a 14 year old girl was found in a backyard in Cape Town, adding to a grim body count of murdered women and girls across the country.

“This is a very dark period for us as a country. The assaults, rapes and murders of South African women are a stain on our national conscience, ” Ramaphosa said.

He added: “We have just commemorated Women’s Month. Sixty three years after the women of 1956 marched for the right to live in freedom, women in this country live in fear – not of the apartheid police but of their brothers, sons, fathers and uncles. We should all hang our heads in shame.”

In 2019, the Presidency signed the Declaration on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide with various civil society formations and has directed that urgent attention be given to its implementation, particularly on immediate measures around support to victims and access to shelters and places of safety.

Ramaphosa has sent his deepest condolences to the Mrwetyana and Jegels families and urges all South Africans to keep them in their thoughts during this very traumatic time.

He is expected to meet with the leadership of the police later on today to be briefed on, amongst others, steps being undertaken to stem the tide of gender based violence in the country.

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It is all systems go for 2019 NTCE  

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By KAMOGELO POOE
The North West Province is ready to host yet another successful National Tourism Career Expo (NTCE). The NTCE which is set to run FROM 19-21 September 2019 in Rustenburg.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlahlela said the initiative was officially launched in Potchefstroom recently.

Mahlahlela further said the NTCE is an initiative of the National Department of Tourism, CATHSSETA and the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism as the host province.

“It is aimed at bridging the information gap between industry, government educators, learners and training authorities within the Tourism sector and its related fields.

“The significance of the NTCE and its objective to contribute meaningfully to the economy by creating sustainable jobs. Tourism is one of the rapidly growing sectors and the NTCE is a catalyst for growth and development within the sector,” he said.

Mahlahlela added that regardless of the economic challenges they are facing globally, Tourism has proven to be a sector which remains competitive.

“It has the potential to create valuable and sustainable jobs and therefore we need to steer efforts towards developing and introducing new growth paths.
“We are pleased with the impact the NTCE has made in terms of skilling young people and raising awareness of the opportunities that are presented by the sector and its multifaceted industries”, said Mahlalela.
The 2019 edition of the NTCE is the 11th of its kind since establishment and will be running for the second year in the North West.

The MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Kenetswe Mosenogi announced that the NTCE attracted over 4000 learners from all provinces in 2018 and this year 5000 learners are targeted to attend.
“In our efforts to diversify and grow the provincial economy we are committed to invest in Tourism. Tourism has contributed largely to the Growth Domestic Product (GDP) and we can exponentially grow our efforts. As a province we are inspired to do extraordinary things to achieve that growth, while working together with our industry players.

“It is for that reason we are certain that this installment of the NTCE will be a great success, ” said Mosenogi.

She said under the theme “Broadening your horizons through tourism opportunities”, the 2019 NTCE will be hosted at the Royal Marang Hotel outside Rustenburg.

Mosenogi said amongst others the event will offer a variety of unique features including Chef’s Corner, Barristers and Mixology platform, Hospitality as well as the Responsible Tourism platform.

(Edited by: Reginald Kanyane)

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NWU plan to reward their Purple Army

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NWU coach Karabo Masehela has promised that his team will perform in Thursday’s Varsity Football game against CUT to reward their loyal fans.

Masehela says the Purple Army, as the NWU supporters are affectionately known, has shown the team an incredible support during all their home games.

“Our fans have been behind the team all the way. We need to reward them with a convincing win in our last round robin home game against CUT this Thursday,” Masehela tells varsitysportssa.com.

The students at NWU and the communities around Mahikeng love their football and have always shown a tremendous support for the NWU team since the beginning of the Varsity Football in 2013.

Masehela says the supporters have been their pillar of strength in their past games.

“We have been working on our finishing tactics as we have previously missed on clear chances to score more goals,” he says.

For his part, Noble Boys captain Paseka Masehela believes the season is at a critical phase now.

“This round six will make or break a lot of teams, so what’s needed from all eight teams is a win … unfortunately it cannot happen that way and that’s what makes it more exciting. We are going hard into this game and we are gunning for nothing less than maximum points at home where we don’t have a loss,” the midfielder says.

Matsheka also feels that, though CUT are in seventh-place and NWU second, the fact that they are only separated by two points shows how tough Thursday’s clash will be.

“CUT are a very good team – they play a good brand of football just like us so they will not be a walk in the park

Coach Masehela has made a few changes to his line-up who beat UJ last week in Soweto, suggesting ‘attack’ might be the name of the game on Thursday…

NWU: 28. Luzuko Jevuka (GK), 22. Lesego Motsepe, 2. Tholinhlanhla Masuku, 3. Wandile Luvuno, 8. Kananelo Motsoeneng, 7. Paseka Matsheka (capt), 5. Sibusiso Ndlovu, 6. Lindani Nkabinde, 23. Simphiwe Mlangeni, 9. Adam Fynn, 24. Mandisi Gadla.
Replacements: 27. Kagiso Ramadivhane (GK), 11. Kagiso Moshotetsi, 12. Bongani Taaibosch, 15. Goratileona Mashishi, 16. Israel Matshane, 21. Banele Hlophe, 25. Hope Moeng.

Source: http://www.nwu.ac.za