Plans to assist North West municipalities

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Following a series of consultative sessions with all 22 municipalities in the province in the past weeks, the North West local government and Human Settlements department has developed an integrated support plan that will unblock service delivery bottlenecks at local government level.

MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe said the support plan will focus on three key areas such as governance, service delivery and financial management.

“The plan entails among others working with sector departments to capacitate oversight structures such as the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs) to deal with with oversight processes, deployment of performance management systems practitioners to assist identified municipalities to draft their annual reports.

“The plan will also see the department conducting an assessment of the state of organisational structures in municipalities to ensure proper alignment with the mandate and grading of such municipalities,” Gaolaolwe said.

She added that the department will also work with the Finance departmen to assist municipalities to develop a tool to monitor the implementation of internal controls weakness identified by the Auditor General (AG).

“In order to improve implementation of service delivery projects, the department will conduct an audit of water services development plans for municipalities that are Water Service Authorities (WSA), as well as assist municipalities develop water and sanitation reliability master plans,” she said.

The support plan to municipalities follows directives by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to the department after a Cabinet decision to invoke Section 100 (1)(a) on the department after an assessment that was conducted by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa early in the year.

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Supra accused of fuelling regional conference chaos

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North West ANC chairman Supra Mahumapelo is accused by fellow provincial executive committee (PEC) member Mmoloki Cwaile of pushing ahead with a “bogus and two-hour sermon” regional conference.

Cwaile on Saturday night charged that Mahumapelo organised a regional conference of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (RSM) region in the province with “fake delegates” and blocked legitimate delegates from accessing the venue at All Seasons Resort in Christiana.

According to Cwaile‚ the conference “did not even last two hours” as delegates were beaten up‚ shot at with rubber bullets and tear gas and chased out of the venue.

To this end the excluded group proceeded to convene a parallel conference of the “real delegates” at the PH Moeketsi High School in Taung on Saturday night‚ said Cwaile.

“The legitimacy of the conference is not dependent on the presence of the NEC but its correctness in the context of principles of the ANC‚ not the two-hour sermon Supra facilitated today at All Seasons in Christiana‚” said Cwaile who added that he and other “progressive” PEC members would preside over the Taung conference to legitimise it.

Thapelo Galeboe‚ representing the group of ANC members who allege they were chased out from Christiana‚ said they were going ahead with the parallel conference and that Luthuli House would have to rule on which one was legitimate.

Our sin is that we did not agree with Supra to Nasrec and we called for the PEC he leads to be disbanded and we removed him as premier. He has been on a revenge mission by removing 70% of our comrades from delegates of the regional conference and disbanded our branch executive committees but we are going ahead with conference‚ not that bogus one held earlier by Supra’s people‚” said Galeboe.

Mahumapelo was not immediately available for comment‚ with phone calls to him not being answered.

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

Two men in court for assault, intimidation

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Two men are expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday for two counts of assault and intimidation. It is alleged that one of the Re Aga Taung civic organisation leaders assaulted the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane at the tribal authority’s offices on Friday during a commotion.

RATCO members embarked on unprotected march and submitted a memorandum of grievances to the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices on Friday. They demanded that Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane be dethroned from his chieftaincy position.

RATCO leader, Disco Lebitse said: “We were supposed to hand over the memorandum to Mankuroane’s family as we call for the removal of Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane from his chieftaincy. We believe that he failed and he continues to neglect his duties as the chief.

“The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council’s administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship. There are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage.”

Lebitse said the loss of trust of the traditional authorities by citizens has occurred. He said Mankuroane failed them despite traditional authority being the custodian of the Batlhaping community.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said that the march was not authorised. She said a meeting was held on Thursday prior to the incident.

“Police were called to the Tribal Authority’s office after about 20 people, who claimed they came to remove Mankuroane invaded the vicinity. The police intervened and calm was restored.

“Two suspects were arrested and Public Order Police were on the scene to monitor situation. The situation was back to normalcy,” she said.

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Civic organisation leaders arrested over assault, incitement  

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Segosapelo arrested

Picture: (One of RATC members in a tussle with police)

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two members of Re Aga Taung Civic organisation were arrested after a tumult at Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices in Taung on Friday. This came after RATC members embarked on a peaceful march demanding that Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane be dethroned from his chieftaincy position.

RATC members were supposed to submit memorandum, but their attempts were futile. They were welcomed by the high presence of rival group, Tsibogo Ya Taung Civic organisation. The disagreement ensued between the two lobbying groups and police were called.

RATC members were later detached out of the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices.  RATC Chairperson, Disco Lebitse said that Mankuroane failed dismally to perform his duties.

Kgosi wa betsa

Picture: (One of police officers trying to prevent our photographer from taking pictures)

“Mankuroane continues to neglect his duties as the chief. The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council’s administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship.”

“There are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage. He also said the Taung Cultural Calabash event continues to benefit the few only.

He said the overlapping responsibilities especially on the land have resulted in conflicts between the two authorities, local and traditional.

However, two members of RATC, Oratile Segosapelo and Disco Lebitse were later ensnared to go into offices as Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane was allegedly ready to meet them.

A fight ensued inside close doors and according to sources that were in the meeting, one of RATC members assaulted Mankuroane and that prompted Tsibogo Ya Taung members to intervene. This led to the arrest of two RATC members.

Mankuroane labelled the behaviour of RATC members as absurd and distasteful. He said what happened was strange and there is a third force involved.

“It is not for the first we experienced this. However, I urge our people not to be used and if they have any grievances, they must follow proper channels. I am using open door policy and anyone who would like to come and engage with me, I am always available.

“We have House of Traditional Leaders in the province and law enforcement agencies, if you are not happy about any matter. I already took legal actions against those who were behind these shenanigans because I believe their actions are equal to sedition,” Makuroane said.

He also confirmed that he has opened an assault case against one of RATC members. According to Tsibogo Ya Taung Civic organisation chairperson, Goitseone Legodu, the RATC march was illegal.

Legodu said: “We urge our community members to follow proper channels when embarking on protests. We are not against anyone, however, this march was illegal. The RATC members are now using force to address their grievances and it is wrong.”

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NB: This is a developing story

Taung community calling for Mankuroane’s head

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Tshepo Mankuroane

Photo: (Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane)

By REGINALD KANYANE

Re Aga Taung Civic organisation (RATCO) is set to embark on a peaceful march and hand over a memorandum to Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhacwana Tribal Council in Taung today.

RATCO chairperson, Disco Lebitse said: “We will be handing over memorandum to Mankuroane’s family as we call for the removal of Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane from his chieftaincy. We believe that he failed our community.”

“Mankuroane continues to neglect his duties as the chief. The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council’s administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship.”

Lebitse said there are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage. He also said the Taung Cultural Calabash event continues to benefit the few only.

“We are convinced that Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane has no interest of Taung community at heart. We need the family to look for a regent because we do not want him anymore.

“Loss of trust of the traditional authorities by citizens has occurred. Tshepo failed us despite traditional authority being the custodian of the Batlhaping community. The community requested to be allocated a portion of land next to Taung sports ground, but instead, Tshepo and the Greater Taung Local Municipality took us to court,” Lebitse said.

He said the overlapping responsibilities especially on the land have resulted in conflicts between the two authorities, local and traditional,” he said.

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Black Coffee’s wife hospitalised after attempted hijacking

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Actress Enhle Mbali Maphumulo has been hospitalised after she was robbed yesterday afternoon by three armed men in a suspected hijacking in Hyde Park, Johannesburg.

Maphumulo was driving the new Porsche which her husband DJ Black Coffee had recently purchased for her when she was attacked.

Gauteng police spokesman Captain Kay Makhubele last night confirmed the robbery.

“We are aware that she was robbed because the police attended the scene … we’re still to obtain a statement from her as to what happened,” Makhubele told Sowetan.

Makhubele, however, could not immediately reveal what was taken. But according to Sowetan’s sister publication TshisaLIVE, Maphumulo was accosted by three armed men, two with guns and one with a hammer, who stopped in front of her car, pulled her out and took her jewellery.

The actress was rushed to hospital shortly after the incident.

“It was very traumatic. She was hyperventilating and her body froze during the incident. She’s in a lot of shock and is still in hospital,” said her friend Jarred Doyle, who was with her at the scene. It’s understood the incident happened just after 4pm. – Addition reporting by Mpho Sibanyoni

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

Constitutional Review Committee impressed by tolerance levels of Taung community at Public Hearings

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A delegation of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee continued with the the North West Province leg of its public hearings into a possible review of section 25 of the Constitution in Taung on Tuesday.

The Committee Co-Chairperson, Vincent Smith said they have listened to a number of oral submissions from members of the public who included representatives from farmers’ associations, civic organisations, political parties, traditional leaders and ordinary citizens. Smith said: “The reflection of today’s hearing shows that the majority of the oral submissions made in Taung supported the review of the Constitution, while there were some people who were against the review of the Constitution.

Smith said: “The reflection of today’s hearing shows that the majority of the oral submissions made in Taung supported the review of the Constitution, while there were some people who were against the review of the Constitution.

“Once again, the committee has underestimated the interest of the people in this matter. The committee was expecting about 300 people and there were more than 1 000 people today, which shows that South Africans are very keen to have their voices heard.”

He said the committee applauded the manner in which the people of Taung tolerated each other during the hearings. Smith said there was complete silence when others spoke against the review of the Constitution and there was no need to ask people not to interrupt a speaker. “The committee is impressed by the fact that even the arguments that were made once again show that people have applied their minds.

“The engagements were robust as expected because this is a sensitive subject but the committee is comfortable with the quality of the arguments that were presented. We hope that it carries on like this going forward,”

“The committee is impressed by the fact that even the arguments that were made once again show that people have applied their minds.

“The engagements were robust as expected because this is a sensitive subject but the committee is comfortable with the quality of the arguments that were presented. We hope that it carries on like this going forward,” Smith said.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
A delegation of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee continued with the North West Province leg of its public hearings into a possible review of section 25 of the Constitution in Taung on Monday.

The committee listened to a number of oral submissions from members of the public who included representatives from farmers’ associations, civic organisations, political parties, traditional leaders and ordinary citizens. The Committee Cop-Chairperson reflection of today’s hearings shows that the majority of the oral submissions made in Taung supported the review of the Constitution, while there were some people who were against the review of the Constitution.

The Committee Cop-Chairperson reflection of today’s hearings shows that the majority of the oral submissions made in Taung supported the review of the Constitution, while there were some people who were against the review of the Constitution.

The Co-Chairperson of the committee, Mr Vincent Smith, said: “Once again, the committee has underestimated the interest of the people in this matter. The committee was expecting about 300 people and there were more than 1 000 people today, which shows that South Africans are very keen to have their voices heard.”

The committee applauded the manner in which the people of Taung tolerated each other during today’s hearings. There was complete silence when others spoke against the review of the Constitution and there was no need to ask people not to interrupt a speaker. The committee is impressed by the fact that even the arguments that were made once again show that people have applied their minds. “The engagements are robust as expected because this is a sensitive subject but the committee is comfortable with the quality of the arguments that were presented. We hope that it carries on like this going forward,” said Mr Smith.

Public Hearing on land expropriation in Taung  

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The land expropriation without compensation has gain momentum especially among the youth. A delegation of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee will visit Taung, Mahikeng and Rustenburg to continue with its public hearings.

The decision to hold public hearings follows a mandate by the National Assembly (NA) and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to ascertain whether a review of Section 25 of the Constitution and other clauses are necessary.

The parliament said this will make it possible for the state to expropriate land in the public interest without compensation and propose the necessary constitutional amendments where necessary.

Co-Chairperson of the committee, Lewis Nzimande commended the large number of South Africans that attended the hearings.

“Every day at least 600 people attended our hearings. They were vibrant, yet orderly. They broke out in song and dance at time, yet they were orderly. This must be commended.

“These large numbers we saw is a reflection of the importance of land in our country. It can also be seen as positive to the trust that ordinary South Africans put in Parliament and its processes,” Nzimande said.

He also welcomed the variety of views and “quality” of inputs made by the public. Nzimande said it is clear that South Africans thought deeply about this before coming to hearings.

“The hearings are for all South Africans, irrespective of colour, political affiliation or viewpoint, who wish to have a say on expropriation of land without compensation.

“We assure the public that all views will be taken into consideration during deliberations on the matter. We want to encourage the public to attend the remainder of the hearings. The two delegations of the committee will reconvene in just over a week to restart public hearings,” Nzimande said.

He added that Team A will travel to the North West for hearings on 17 July and Team B will reconvene on 18 July in KwaZulu-Natal.

“We will be in Taung Depot Hall in Taung from 11am until 4pm on the 17th of July 2018. The delegation will now move to Mahikeng Civic Centre in Mahikeng on the 18th of July 2018 at the same time.

“We will conclude our visit in North West on the 19th of July 2018 at Rustenburg Civic Centre in Rustenburg,” Nzimande said.

ANCYL regional chairperson in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Seatlathebe Lepomane said: “We urge our people especially young people to attend those public hearings. It is imperative to bring your inputs and ensure that we get our land back.

“The land expropriation without compensation is a national issue. However, the question is that do we understand where we come from? We must also ensure that we have sufficient machinery in place to deal with this issue when it is ultimately achieved.”

Political activist from Vryburg, Orapeleng Matshidiso shared the same sentiments. Matshidiso said they cannot be apologists in the land of their fore-bearers.

“History says it is not only land which was expropriated without compensation from our people. Our fore-bearers were turned into the slaves of the settlers in their own farms or land. Settlers expropriated their human dignity. Truth is told, poverty takes away your human dignity,” Matshidiso said.

He said these unfortunate mishaps introduced cheap labour that has created the current racial inequalities and ridiculous minimum wage to our poor workers.

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Baga-Phuduhucwana, municipality takes ‘land grabbers’ to court

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DSC_5516

Photo: (The portion of land next to Taung Sport ground illegally occupied)  

By REGINALD KANYANE

The upsurge in land invasion is a ‘matter of concern’ in Taung. This comes after more than fifty people illegally occupied a portion of land in the vicinity of Taung Sports ground for residential purposes.

Now, those ‘land grabbers’ are faced with legal ramifications after the Greater Taung Local Municipality and the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority jointly launched a court interdict against them.

However, one of the land grabbers, Oratile Segosapelo said they will not demolish their shacks. Segosapelo said they have been trying to engage with the Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane for land allocation without any success.

“Mankuroane failed us dismally after numerous attempts to meet with him. We had a futile meeting with him on October 2017. And we are not afraid and we are happy that they took the matter to court.

“I stay at Taung Extension 6 in an RDP house. The place is overcrowded and cannot accommodate us as I stay with my children, wife and siblings. Our government continues to fail us hence we illegally occupied this portion of land,” he said.

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Photo: (Some of illegal occupants already built shacks on the portion of land)

The Re Aga Taung Civic Organisation chairperson, Disco Lebitse said: “Our current leadership at the municipality and tribal council fail our community. Those offices are marred with fraud, corruption and maladministration.

“We believe that any unoccupied land needs to be allocated to our people. As a civic organization, we will fight this legal impediment along with our people. We are sick and tired of our current leadership both at municipal level and tribal council.”

Lebitse said they also want Mankuroane being deposed from his chieftainship position. He said they will embark on a peaceful march on the 20th of July 2018, calling for Mankuroane’s removal.

“There are leaders at the council who sold land for self-enrichment. So, we will meet both municipality and tribal council in court on the 16th of August 2018. However, we are not quite sure who will represent the tribal authority as we will ensure that Mankuroane is removed from his position as the chief before then,” he said.

Lebitse said most people need land for residential purposes and refusal to do so will lead to illegal occupation and an increasingly rancorous within Taung.

However, the Greater Taung Local Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi said this in affidavit: “During January 2018, I was approached by Kgosi, who informed me that he had been contacted by some Taung residents who wanted to be allocated land for purposes of building residential houses thereon.

“However, Kgosi advised them that the said portion of land was to be developed and has been earmarked for extending the existing local meeting/ sports ground in order to cater for a larger number of people.”

He said due to financial constraints, the progress has been at slow pace but will be speeded up from the beginning of this financial year which will be from July 2018. Gabanakgosi added that although Mankuroane explained the above situation to respondents, they nevertheless insisted that the land be given to then for residential purposes.

“The Taung Sport Ground was congested at the time when former President, Thabo Mbeki visited Taung Community and the people had to jostle in order to just have a glimpse of visiting the president.

“The unlawful occupation of land or giving oneself another person’s land without consent or authorization of the land owner, constitutes a criminal offence in terms of Section 3 Prevention of Illegal Ejectment from Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998 and/ or Section 1 of the Trespass Act 6 of 1959 and is accordingly forbidden,” he said.

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