Source http://www.groundup.co.za: (One of learners walking bare-footed to school)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The North West Community Safety and Transport Management department is under siege after a startling report of irregular expenditure to the alleged amount of R1bn. The matter has left many learners especially from far-flung areas stranded with no school transport.

North West Community Safety and Transport Management department MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said they have launched investigations regarding irregular expenditure on the matter.

Motlhabane said what has happened is that the then Executive Committee (Exco) resolved that the function should go to transport agency, North West Transport Investments SOC Ltd. He said the current Exco has reversed that decision after they experienced some unforeseen challenges in terms of implementation of that function.

“The Exco has now resolved again to bring back the function to the department. Remember, we have a fully-fledged unit that works with scholar transport. The department can confirm that it has taken both scholar transport contracts (the previous one in 2010 and the current one) to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for investigation.

“There are many companies that are rendering their services and we will ensure that service delivery is not interrupted amid court cases. The department has monitoring firms that will bring necessary intervention if need be,” he said.

Motlhabane added that there were many issues that were raised hence they conducted investigations. He said also the Audit General (AG) report reflected on this matter.

“Remember, these matters were raised back in 2010 and they led to the irregular expenditure that you see in the media that the department is having a big figure when it comes to irregular expenditure,” he said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Community Safety and Transport Management in North West, Sello Motswenyane said: “Learners do not have transport to school, but ANC still protects those implicated in forensic report.

We will write to Motlhabane requesting him to urgently pay scholar transport service providers. Some of them have been outstanding for as long as seven months. During the meeting by the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Motlhabane implied that the service providers failed to produce the relevant documentation to qualify for payment.

“This is a clear indication that Motlhabane is not taking responsibility for poor governance in his department. Proper procurement processes were not followed and the MEC needs to explain why documents such as tax clearance certificates were not produced before the service providers were appointed.

He said the non-payment of scholar transport service providers has far reaching consequences, leaving learners stranded and thus excluded from essential education. Motswenyane added that the NTI clearly lacks substantial turnaround strategies, dashing all hopes of providing solutions to the scholar transport challenges in the province.

“During their presentation it became apparent that the NTI were unable to reach the set targets for the first quarter. Instead of providing workable solutions, pressing issues were shelved to be dealt with in the second quarter of the financial year. This is a blatant attempt to cover up the long-term corruption that has tainted its image beyond repair.

“The fact that the forensic report by Mochabapula Consulting Services on NTI has been outstanding since 2013 further supports the view that cronies are protected and the large-scale looting is hidden from the public at all costs,” he said.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) engaged with Pudimoe residents on a data verification project recently. The NWHC co-coordinator, Neo Maja said the initiative was in partnership with the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM).

 “The project is initiated for the purpose of assisting Pudimoe residents in addressing issues such as verification of data between NWHC and the municipality, collection of information for the transfer of all paid up properties, collection of deeds of grants for paid up properties with charge of bonds from the clients and signing of lease agreements as well as offer to purchase for rented properties.

“The NWHC convened a meeting and engaged with Pudimoe Residents Committee (PRC) and other stakeholders. The GTLM representatives were also part of the initiative to give response on the project. During the meeting, NWHC emphasised that the project is meant to help residents of Pudimoe to gain full ownership of the properties they occupied,” Maja said.

She said the NWHC was grateful after a total number of 113 residents visited their office for consultation. Maja added that they visited more than 50 tenants in order to collect necessary documents for transfers and cancellation of charges.

“In most cases, we assisted older people who were less-informed. Fourteen deeds of grants were collected from tenants, thirteen documents were collected for application of lost copies and seven tenants paid up their houses and they are going to be given full title deeds.

Pudimoe Residents Committee (PRC) secretary, Lesego Mohlabi said: “We highly-appreciate the NWHC’s efforts to assist our people. Their dedication and efforts are well-proven after we raised issues regarding the project. So, I am pleased to be part of such a wonderful project that is aiming at changing our lives for the better.

“We encourage community members to visit the NWHC offices and bring along ID copies, marriage certificate, death certificate and letter of authority for cancellation of charges. Deeds of grants and ID copies are required for transfer of ownership.”  

 The NWHC’s offices operate from Wednesday to Friday at GTLM in Taung and Pudimoe.

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Picture: (Dr Ndiviwe Mphothulo)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Award-winning medical doctor, Ndiviwe Mphothulo, is one of few experienced medics honoured for their passion in serving rural communities.

The 42 year-old doctor, was honoured by the South African Medicine Award (SAMA).

He is a recipient of the Spirit of Medicine Award 2018 conferred during a Gala dinner held at Sun City near Rustenburg on Saturday.

Mphothulo said for a medical doctor to receive this award, s/he must have met the following criteria.

“The recipient must have extra-ordinary service to community extending beyond the field of medicine. The person must also have distinguished him/herself both in the field of medicine and in areas beyond to create an enabling environment and working in wider interest for mankind.

“The recipient must have championed the cause of the poor and the indigent within a given ecosystem. The person must have provided selfless service to medicine without a view of material gain or pursuit of personal aggrandizement too,” he said.

Mphothulo is recognised by his peers as a role model and displayed by precept and example that medicine is a calling.

He regard himself as the ‘descendant and a product’ of powerful men and women who never tolerated injustices.

“I am a beneficiary of hereditary and environment. We are custodians of generational blessings, a dream come true to our forefathers and the wildest nightmare to those who opposed their progress.

“Noting that I am a product of many people, let me dedicate this award to all those who contributed to my development, social and political consciousness and those who had formative influence on me to serve humanity,” he said.

Mphothulo hails from Soweto in Johannesburg but has not allowed the lure of lights and better facilities in Gauteng to take him out of rural Taung.

He has made a name for himself in the TB treatment breakthrough at Taung District Hospital and recently penned a book called: “TB cases from Taung, A Perspective from Rural Hospital.”

The experienced physician said he was inspired to become a doctor after many visits to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

He said he visited his hospitalised relatives and unfortunately some of them died.

“I chose to study medicine in quest of saving lives. I was also influenced by activist medical doctors like Dr Nthato Motlana, Abu Baker Asvat, Neil Agget and Dr Fabian Defu Riberio. I am also a last born of activist parents.

I was also involved in politics since the age of 13. I joined Masupatsela in Jabavu branch in 1989, ANCYL in 1990, and COSAS in 1990 and held different leadership roles in all these organisations,” Mphothulo said.

Mphothulo enrolled for a BSc Degree at Medunsa in 1996 and was accepted for the second year of medicine (MB CHB) the following year due to exceptional results.

“My career in medicine commenced with an internship at Groote Schuur Hospital (Cape Town) back in 2002. It was followed by community service at Taung District Hospital in 2003. At the end of my community service work in Taung, I decided to relegate my goal of becoming a physician and did not go back to Soweto.

“I hold MBCHB (Medunsa), Master of Public Health (Medunsa), Diploma in HIV Management (Colleges of Medicine of SA), a Masters of Business Leadership (MBL) from Unisa and currently a PHD student at University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health and Family Medicine,” he said.

His decision to serve Taung has not gone unnoticed as awards have been coming his way.

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Picture: (ANC Provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo during media briefing at Mpekwa House, Mahikeng)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The beleaguered African National Congress (ANC) Provincial chairperson in the North West, Supra Mahumapelo said the disbandment of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) will tear the ANC apart in the province rather than ‘bringing unity.’

Mahumapelo briefed the media during a press conference at ANC provincial office at Mpekwa House in Mahikeng on Tuesday. He deliberated on what the ANC Provincial Lekgotlha agreed on during a two-day consultative engagement in Rustenburg last weekend.

The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) will have a special meeting on Thursday in Cape Town to discuss the situation in the North West province. Most people anticipate that the ANC highest decision-making body will take a decision to disband the PEC in North West.

“Yes, we have been invited to be part of the meeting where NEC will discuss the situation in North West province. So, we will wait for the decision of the NEC and whatever the decision the NEC takes, we must still have a united ANC.

“We must still have the ANC that will win the elections during General Elections next year. We must still have the ANC that is going to mobilise society and ensure that there is effective quality service delivery to the people,” he said.

Mahumapelo said he is not surprised after the call to disband the PEC gained momentum from various structures and individuals respectively. He said it is not for the first time people calling for the disbandment of the PEC in the province.

“The same people called for the dissolution of the PEC 10 years ago. However, the ANC was back on track again and went for a conference and is still the same people who are calling for the dissolution.

“So, I’m sure every conference they will call for dissolution because the outcomes of the democratic processes did not favour them. We were told immediately after the ANC 54^th Elective Conference in Nasrec that the intensification of the call for the PEC to be dissolved is going to be done,” Mahumapelo said.

He added that they have the list of all those who were involved in the campaign to destabilise the province. Mahumapelo said not less than R10m was invested in this campaign.

“This is a campaign that has been unfolding in the province and is well co-ordinated and funded. It has members of the NEC, businessmen, and the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) including the Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the North West.

“So, it is up to the NEC having considered all these factors including the ones I am saying now. This campaign was not only aimed at some individuals in the province, but at the destabilisation of the province, “said Mahumapelo.

He said it is unfortunate that in this country when allegations are made against you, you are guilty. Mahumapelo added that he hope the future generations can develop a law that deals away with the word called ‘alleged’.

“We will not allow the ANC to be put on sale and bought by anarchic agenda. I am a member in good standing and if the branches elect me to serve in any structural position I am available,” he said.

However, ANC PEC member in the North West, Mmoloki Cwaile had a different view. Cwaile said all indicators are pointing to the decision of disbandment after a visit of the ANC NWC members.

“There are many reasons why the PEC must be disbanded. If the electoral politics is the denominator, the performance indicators should be the result of the elections and we are failing on that one. The ANC as the organisation is not complete if there are no effective leagues in place.

“As the movement, the ANC should have a good relationship with sectors of the society including its own alliance. We have 407 branches and over 300 of those branches made submission in favour of the disbandment.”

Political analyst from University of South Africa (Unisa), Prof Lesiba Teffo said: “Well look, you can disband it, but one thing that you must not forget is we are in Africa here. Personality cults are very prevalent and Supra Mahumapelo is no push over.

“The ANC needs Mahumapelo in as much as he needs the ANC. So, the reason why there is a hesitance, is because they know either where it goes, there bound to be casualties. And I suspects the ANC recognises that is better to keep Mahumapelo in rather than outside.”

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Picture: Pampierstad learners who passed away recently  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Learners at the Kgomotso High School in Pampierstad are living in fear after the mysterious deaths of three learners. Grade 12 learners, Kamogelo Moseki, Boitshwarelo Seitshiro and the Grade 11 learner, Onkarabetse Segone died in three consecutive weeks.

Mapiti Mmethi, who is a teacher at the school said they called on all churches and faith leaders to come and pray for the school. Mmethi said they are also confused by these mysterious deaths.

“We are concerned as teachers and parents at the school. Three learners died at the school recently and that caused uncertainty amongst our learners especially to Grade 12s. We decided to invite different faith leaders to seek serenity from God.

“Now, other learners fear for their lives and refuse to come to school. We believe that there is an evil spirit winged over the school. Last week, few learners were admitted at the local hospital after they experienced sicknesses while in class,” she said.

School Governing Body (SGB) member, Agnes Mogamisi shared the same sentiments. Mogamisi said that she believes that the school is cursed.

“We brought different faith leaders to the school and believe that might assist. We do not know what is going on here. The SGB and parents acknowledge the fact that some of our learners have different believes, but prayer is more powerful.

“When faith leaders pray, some learners fainted and we think they might be under spell too. There is something sinister going on at the school, but we urge our learners to be strong and continue to study hard despite challenges,” she said.

One of Grade 12 learners, Gobolelwang Mathe said: “This is not happening for the first time at the school. One of learners mysteriously died last year and we were all left shocked. However, having three learners dying is a concern. We cannot concentrate and we fear for our lives.”

Another learner, Maatla Bojang said the deaths will affect the Grade 12s during final year examinations. Bojang said they do not study at school anymore especially during the night.

“We always used to come to school and study as a group, however, some of learners now refuses to come to attend group study. This will affect us negatively during our final examinations at the end of the year,” she said.

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