By OBAKENG MAJE

Teaching and learning were affected at Seabo High School in Kokomeng village near Taung after more than 20 learners tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Some of the parents raised concerns and questioned whether the school complies with safety measures in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

One parent who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We are concerned after many learners tested positive for COVID-19. We are not sure that in the context of COVID-19, a number of safety preconditions are applied. How can we be so sure about the safety of our learners while COVID-19 ravages them like this?

“We urge the school to come up with a recovery plan because teaching and learning were affected. Many learners are currently in quarantine especially those who are doing Grade 12,” she said.

In a letter that was sent to parents by the school management, the principal, Michael Lamola urged learners who tested negative for COVID-19 to come to school after allegations that many learners now refuse to go back to school in fear of being infected.

Lamola said in a letter sent to the parents or guardians that teaching and learning will continue as normal from 17 August 2021 after the classrooms were fumigated on 14 August 2021.

“We believe that it is safer now for learners to go back to classrooms and resume teaching and learning. The school management also urges learners who are still waiting for their results, to stay at home until they get them,” he said.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said he cannot confirm nor deny whether learners got infected with COVID-19 while at the school premises or otherwise.  

“We might not be aware of what caused the infections. They either got it at home or otherwise. For now, the school continues to receive results, and learners who tested positive up to so far are Grade 12 (11), Grade 11 (17 and 16 have submitted the letters with one new case).

“A Grade 10 learner was also infected including the scholar bus driver. The school has 30 confirmed COVID-19 cases thus far and it has been fumigated. So, teachers have drafted their recovery plans to assist the learners,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Health department, Madoda Sambatha acknowledged a provincial milestone of passing the 500 000 COVID-19 vaccines administered to date across the province’s four districts.

“As a province, we are proud to see the positive progress we are making in our battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. As such our attainment of 509 290 vaccines administered is no small feat. This points to the hard work and dedication of our frontline staff to ensure that our communities receive this vital protection against the virus.

“North West has been on the top three provinces who have been experiencing the surge in third-wave infections therefore all efforts are needed to ensure that the registration and vaccination programmes are accelerated,” Sambatha said.

He further said they need to remind and urge communities to take full advantage of the current arrangement of walk-ins at various vaccination sites to receive these important jabs.

The province has to date registered 137 039 positive COVID-19 cases, with 116 920 people having recovered which translates to an 85,3% recovery rate.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The criminal case has been initiated against the former Director-General of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG). This comes after the North West Provincial Government failed to recover the financial misconduct amounting to R75 889 349.70. 

According to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (DPSA), three departments, Office of the Premier, Department of Health and Education were fingered in wrongdoings in a damning report.

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration chairperson, Tyotyo James said: “On 2 June 2021, the committee received a presentation from the Public Service Commission (PSC) on financial misconduct in the public service in the 2019/2020 financial year.

“The PSC report flagged the State Security Agency (SSA) and the North West provincial departments of the Office of the Premier, Education, and Health as having failed to submit records on financial misconduct.”

James said they had written letters to the SSA and the North West province has submitted a consolidated presentation. He said the types of misconduct include fraud and financial misconduct, contravention of Section 195 of the constitution, supply chain management (SCM) prescripts, and the Division of Revenue Act, and fraud and contravention of SCM processes.

“The committee noted from the presentation that the amount involved is R75 889 349.70. We are concerned about the amount that may not be recovered amounting to R45 889 349.70 and asked why the province could not recover it.

The committee heard that criminal proceedings were initiated against one employee, a former Director-General. We have recorded our dissatisfaction that nothing has been recovered as yet, but noted that a preservation order for R30 000 000 has been obtained,” said James.  

The province also reported that nine disciplinary cases stem from 2019/20 to 20/21 is still pending.

He further said the committee also noted the progress made by the Department of Public Service and Administration on the establishment of the PAEIDTAU. James added that in March 2020, the unit was formally established as part of the DPSA’s macro-restructuring process and incubated within it.

“The committee welcomed this development and approval of the Lifestyle Audit Guideline and supports the implementation of lifestyle audits in the public service.

The DPSA also briefed the committee on the progress made thus far with the establishment of PAEIDTAU.

“The committee also considered and adopted the Committee Report on Ease of Doing Business Bill. The majority of the committee further adopted the report on the Ease of Doing Business Bill, with the exception of the Democratic Alliance, which had a dissenting view,” he said.

James said the overall report was adopted by the committee and the minutes of the meeting will record the objection by the opposition.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the North West said Keabetswe Bushy Maape who was announced as the new North West Premier, will bring stability to the province. The ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke was addressing the media today at the North West Provincial Legislature’s ANC Chief Whip Office in Mahikeng.

“As the ANC IPC, we welcome the decision of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) to deploy a veteran of the ANC with extensive experience in both the movement and government, Maape as the new North West Premier.

“The process to deploy Maape followed the interviews of three candidates that were recommended to the NEC by the IPC. As we welcome this decision, the IPC further wishes to convey its gratitude to the outgoing Premier, Mokgoro for his sterling work of guiding the provincial government during the most turbulent times as the Premier,” Chauke said.

He further said the appointment of Maape as the Premier-elect, is intended to entrench the work done by the ANC-led provincial government and expedite the roll-out of radical socio-economic transformation in the province. Chauke added that they firmly believe that Maape is equal to the task expected to be delivered as outlined in their election manifesto.

“We take this opportunity to congratulate Maape and wish him well in his new responsibility. A comrade with his credentials understands that ours is a National Democratic Revolution (NDR) whose objective is to build a South Africa where all our people are free from poverty, unemployment, and inequality.

“Maape was recruited into the ANC underground structures, while a student at Hebron Training College. He is also a former commander of the ANC underground Kgalagadi Machinery, which led to his incarceration on Robben Island in the 1980s. After the democratic dispensation, he later served as the chairperson of the ANC in the former Kgalagadi region,” he said.

Chauke said as part of Maape’s public service career, he served as the Director: RDP and Chief Director: Strategic Planning and Development Unit in the Office of the Premier in North West province. He said Maape was later appointed to the Ministerial Advisory Committee of the Department of Provincial and Local Government and also a member of the Municipal Demarcation Board representing North West.

“He possesses a BA in Psychology and Economics from UNISA, which he completed while in Robben Island. Maape also has completed a BA (Hons) in Development Studies from the University of Western Cape and a BA (Hons) in Economics from UWC.

“He is currently studying with the University of the Witwatersrand for a MM in the field of Governance (Political Development and Economics). With his valuable experience both within the movement and academic expertise, Maape will pursue the objectives of the ANC by improving the lives of the people of the North West,” said Chauke.

However, Mokgoro’s removal was met with resistance from some of the disgruntled ANC members who burnt tyres and shrubs at the ANC Provincial Office, Mpekwa House in Mahikeng today. Most of them were from the North West Gatvol Business Forum. 

The NWGBF leader, James Gadinabokao said they are against Mokgoro’s removal.

“Mokgoro is going nowhere, so the ANC IPC must come down and tell the residents of the province what has Mokgoro done wrong. The IPC is lying when they say service delivery has collapsed at the municipalities. Mokgoro has brought stability to the province and his removal is just a factional political battle of Chauke and other criminals who are in the IPC.

“We are happy with the service delivery in the province because Mokgoro has put a system in place to deal with that. We want to reiterate to Chauke that he is the one who should pack his bags and go,” Gadinabokao said.

Meanwhile, Mokgoro has not resigned yet as the North West Premier and the Member of the North West Provincial Legislature. A few months ago, the ANC IPC suspended Mokgoro’s membership after allegations that he created a ‘rogue unit’ in his office and he allegedly voted with the opposition parties during the elections of the new NWPL Chair of Chairs.

Now, Mokgoro and the other four MPLs are facing disciplinary actions for defying ANC instructions. 

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By OBAKENG MAJE

ANC Interim Provincial Committee in the North West is expected to announce the former struggle stalwart, Bushy Maape as the new North West Premier on Monday. 

This comes after the ANC IPC confirmed that it has submitted three names to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) recommended to fill the premiership position. 

ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke said the IPC has submitted the names of North West Provincial Legislature speaker, Susanna Dantjie, North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho and the ANC veteran, Bushy Maape to be scrutinized. 

According to our source, the former Robben Island political prisoner, Bushy Maape was recommended as the suitable candidate to take over from the current Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro who is expected to render his resignation on Sunday. 

“We are the ones who submitted those names to the ANC NEC. But we cannot comment further on the matter as it is now the prerogative of the ANC NEC to see who is better suited for the position. 

“So, let’s await for the process to unfold, then we can comment afterwards,” Chauke said. 

The ANC IPC allegedly recommended that Mokgoro who is believed to be the ally of the former ANC provincial chairperson and North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo be removed from the premiership position because ‘he does as he pleases’ and continue to ignore the structure’s instructions. 

Few months ago, the ANC IPC temporarily suspended Mokgoro’s ANC membership card after accusing him of defying the structure’s instructions and allegedly voted with the opposition parties at the North West Provincial Legislature during the elections of Legislature’s Chair of Chairs position.

Also Mokgoro allegedly defied the ANC IPC instructions by appointing Mmoloki Cwaile as the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), instead of Lenah Miga who was recommended by the IPC. 

‘New North West Premier to be introduced as Mokgoro is no more the man for the job’

However, Cwaile resigned as the MEC last week after a fall-out with Mokgoro and Miga was appointed as the new MEC for that portfolio. 

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 57-YEAR-OLD man from Mokassa 1 village near Taung was killed in a ‘love triangle’ saga. According to the North West police, this comes after the suspect (41) allegedly found the deceased, Onkemetse Jeremia Morwaeng sleeping with his girlfriend on Thursday around 7am.

It is alleged that the woman was dating both the suspect and the deceased at the same time. North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the suspect was arrested after he allegedly stabbed Morwaeng to death with a knife.  

“According to the information, the suspect allegedly entered the room where he found Morwaeng sleeping with his girlfriend (41). It is alleged that the woman in question was also Morwaeng’s girlfriend too.

“Upon finding the two, the suspect allegedly drew a knife and stabbed the victim once on the left of his upper body. The victim managed to flee to the other room where he collapsed.

After the incident, the suspect left together with the girlfriend to Mokasa 2 village,” Tselanyane said.

He said the police were informed about the atrocity and summoned to the scene. Tselanyane further said the members of the community in Mokasa 2, allegedly apprehended the suspect and took him back to the scene, where he was handed over to the police.

“As a result, a case of murder was registered and the suspect is expected to appear before the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 16 August 2021. Investigation into the matter continues,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The community of Molelema near Taung said it has lost hope in getting a tarred road in their village. This comes after a R65 million road construction project was brought to a ‘grinding halt’ by a contractor over non-payment.

InvesTong Construction was appointed by the North West Public Works and Roads department to construct a 10km road linking Matsheng and Molelema villages. Some of community members, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal alleged that the contractor has ‘undercharged’ the department and he has since requested a top-up. 

“We know that the contractor has undercharged the department and he had since requested for an increase. He owns a DIY franchise here, and probably he used all the money on it. However, we demand the road as community or else….”

However, Community Liaison Officer (CLO) for the project, Mothibi Makoro refuted these allegations. Makoro said the contractor down tools because of non-payment from the department.

“The department failed to honour its payments to the InvesTong Construction owner, Daddy Tong for three months (June, July, and August 2020). I can confirm that, we were not paid our salaries due to non-payment by the department.

“The contractor tried in numerous times to engage with the department so that it can process the payments, but his attempts fell on deaf ears. As workers, we even met with the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi, and informed him about our challenges,” he said.

Makoro further said Tong even arranged a consultative meeting with all stakeholders including the community at the local tribal authority’s offices, but the department failed to honour the meeting.

He said it is heart-breaking to see the department disregarding its own agreement, but instead tried to sow some divisions among community members. Makoro said, there were people among the community who peddle lies that Tong has spent all the monies and he is left with nothing to continue with the project.

The department spokesperson, Matsube Mfoloe failed to respond to our media inquiry even though it was sent two months ago. Mfoloe said he had not received answers from his principals.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Greater Taung has launched a petition calling for an investigation into the abrupt stop to the construction of the road.

DA Constituency Head: Greater Taung Local Municipality, Sello Seitlholo said: “We will drive the petition across the Ba-Ga Maidi villages. During a meeting held by the DA with community leaders on 20 June 2021, we heard various allegations ranging from failure by the department to pay the contractor on time, the contractor being paid without any work done, and alleged tender fraud in respect of the bid amount for the project.”

Seitlholo further said, they were also informed by community members that the department told them that the project stopped when the contractor requested more money to complete the construction. He added that this was after the department had already allegedly paid R19 million in total.

“The department also alleged that the contractor had indicated that he can only complete 7 kilometres of the total 10 kilometres that were budgeted for, if he did not get the requested amount.

“If this is true, then the department has misled the community when they indicated that they paid the contractor R19 million without having any work done. Makoro indicated that during the months of non-payment to the contractor, Tong had to do the work and pay salaries from his own pocket,” he said.

Seitlholo said they will, through the party spokesperson on Public Work and Roads, Freddy Sonakile MPL, write to the Molapisi to request that he immediately begin a process to address the community of Ba-Ga Maidi together with the contractor.

“If indeed the department paid money for work not done, the MEC should also demand that a case be opened against the contractor to recoup the money paid. The reality, however, for the villages of Ba-Ga Maidi is that they have been waiting for a tarred road for 27 years and cannot afford to wait any longer,” said Seitlholo.

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By STAFF REPORTER

Two suspects were arrested at Elias village village, near Ganyesa for armed robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition on Tuesday. North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the security company officials were busy with pension pay-outs in the Elias Community Hall outside Ganyesa when four male suspects pounced on them.

“The suspects allegedly pointed them with firearms and ordered everyone to lie down. Consequently, the suspects robbed security officials of their firearms and ultimately took two cash containers before fleeing the scene.

“They were driving a white Toyota Double Cab bakkie vehicle affixed with Northern Cape registration number. Following the incident, an intelligence-driven operation by a multi-disciplinary team comprising of detectives, K9, Air Wing and Visible Policing resulted in the arrest of two suspects, aged 39 and 40 respectively,” Mokgwabone said.

He said the arrests stemmed after two suspects were allegedly spotted storming out of a certain house in Kgokgojane village carrying what appeared to be cash bags. Mokgwabone added that the police followed them up and found two cash containers.

“The suspects who allegedly fired shots at the police, were finally arrested in the nearby bushes. During the arrest, R35 000 was found in possession of one of the suspects. In addition, a 9mm pistol and a bag containing cash were also found concealed in a hole,” he said.

Mokgwabone said the search for other suspects is still underway.

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By OBAKENG MAJE
Former Mahikeng Local Municipal Manager, Thabo Mokwena briefly appeared at Mmabatho Regional Court on 11 August 2021 facing charges of contravention of the MFMA, Prevention and combatting of Corrupt Activities Act. Mokwena was arrested by The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit on Tuesday in Klerksdorp for allegedly invested R92million of taxpayers’ money into the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank.

He was granted R50 000 bail and the case was postponed to 16 November 2021.

The Hawks spokesperson, Col Katlego Mogale said the arrest of Mokwena (59) is part of their ongoing fight against corruption and maladministration.

“The suspect is reported to have taken part in the looting of VBS Mutual Bank through investing of the Mahikeng Local Municipality funds. Investigation revealed that R92 million of the taxpayers was invested into VBS in contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).  

“The suspect alleged to have received gratification in the form of credit facilities for purchases of two high-powered vehicles and a property in Klerksdorp amounting to over R1.7 million between 2017 and 2018,” Mogale said.

Mahikeng Local Municipality is one of the 20 municipalities that had invested municipal funds into VBS. According to information, out of R92million that was unduly invested into the VBS Mutual Bank, only R7million was paid back to the municipality.

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya said: “As indicated previously, all those who participated in that illegal scheme which resulted in the loss of taxpayers’ monies into VBS matters will be held to account.

Meanwhile, North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile welcomed the arrest of a Mokwena.

Cwaile said although they welcome the arrest of the first suspect in the VBS saga in the province, he hopes that many others who failed their fiduciary duty would be asked by courts to explain themselves and account for their deeds.

“This is necessary as municipal councils are failing to hold managers accountable including those who fail to honour statutory obligations like payments to SARS and pensions of workers.

“I warned against reckless usage and abuse of state resources and all those who ignored faculty of the regulatory framework in public service should be dealt with,” he said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial spokesperson on COGHSTA, Freddy Sonakile said: “The DA will be waiting with much anticipation to see the third set of arrests that the Hawks had promised to be of high-profile political leaders behind the VBS saga.

“We will closely monitor developments to ensure that even those North West municipal officials suspected of involvement, who resigned and took up positions in other provinces, will be arrested and prosecuted.”

Sonakile further said the VBS scandal proves that the ANC has no qualms about the abuse of public funds and even went as far as participating in a scheme that stole from the poor.   He said the North West municipalities have completely collapsed under the ANC government.
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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari sends his heartfelt condolences messages to the families of six people who perished in a fatal car accident near Marikana Toll gate in Rustenburg on Saturday.

It is alleged that six people died instantaneously in a head collision on N4 in Rustenburg and one woman who sustained serious injuries in the same accident were rushed to the hospital.  

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased and hope they find strength during this difficult period. The investigation is underway to establish the cause of the accident and we are once more appealing to our people to adhere to the regulations as most accidents happen way past curfew time,” he said.

Lehari also urged motorists to work with law enforcement personnel to ensure they arrive alive. He said the police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

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