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BY BAKANG MOKOTO
African National Congress in Bokone Bophirima said it was shocked by racial attacks that continue to take place in the province. 

ANC provincial secretary,  Dakota Legoete said the latest incidents took place in Potchefstroom and Ottosdal.

“In Potchefstroom, a white man was caught on video assaulting and hurling insults at two traffic officials who stopped the car he was travelling in for inspection. In the Ottosdal incident, white men attacked and pointed a gun at black six boys and a woman.

“The ANC strongly condemns these two racial attacks and reiterate that this will not be tolerated in our province and our country. As a movement that played a leading role in liberating our people from the slavery of apartheid, we will continue to frown upon that behaviour and any other acts that seek to demean our people,” Legoete said.

He said it was sickening and unfortunate that 22 years since the dawn of democracy, there are still some white people who do not want to embrace the spirit of reconciliation, respect and tolerance for one another. 

Legoete further said it cannot be that it’s only black people who stretch the hand of reconciliation and some think it’s okay to spit on the efforts the majority of South Africans made to reach a peaceful settlement to reunite this beautiful country.

“We urge our law enforcement agencies to speedily arrest the Potchefstroom culprits and prosecute them for their barbaric acts of racism and abuse of officers of the law who were simply performing their duties as expected. 

“We are happy that police have already made arrests in the Ottosdal case and we urge our members and communities to support the victims throughout the court process and ensure justice is served,” he said.

Legoete said people should refrain from acts of racism. He also urge all citizens, regardless of their race group to participate in the provincial government’s Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme.

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South African U20 head coach took a break from his AFCON U20 preparations to pay a visit to the ongoing SAB League Skills Camp currently happening at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. 

A 34-year-old coach holds the SAB League dear to his heart having started his coaching career there with Pimville Youngsters before steadily working his way up the ranks.

Day five of the coaching course will see the coaches receiving a CAF C License course at the end of the 10-day course currently run under the auspices of highly qualified CAF and SAFA instructors. 

Senong shared his knowledge and passion with the aspirant coaches who vary between the ages of 26 and 40.

He also urged them to maintain a positive attitude amidst the challenges facing them at development level.

 “As a former SAB League coach myself, I am aware of the challenges that face coaches at development level. This is why such a programme by SAB is truly remarkable and needs to be applauded. 

“We need more of these programmes to ensure that coaches at amateur level are highly skilled in order to effectively develop our young talent” said Senong.

After graduating from the SAB League, Senong became the youngest coach to qualify for SAFA’s first level 3 Pro License course back in 2011.

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The North West Provincial Government will kick-start a week-long mega Setsokotsane Outreach Programme with special focus on cleaning-up and patching potholes in the capital city of the North West Province, Mahikeng.

Led by the Mahikeng Local Municipality, the provincial Department of Public Works and Roads and Office of the Premier, this joint campaign will start on Friday, 10^thand end on Tuesday, 20^th of February 2017.

Initiated as part of the broader Mahikeng Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal Programme (MRRRP) and the provincial Social Mobilisation Ten (10) Point Plan, the cleaning campaign will see the provincial government bringing necessary human and technical resources together, this in a bid to maximise impact.

According to Dr Lydia Sebego, the province’s Director General, this initiative is in line with one of the province’s Ten (10) Point Plan campaigns which put emphasis on the need to promote and achieve a sustainable clean and healthy environment that is compliant with policies.

“in support of this campaign, all the provincial departments will on specified days of the week, deploy a reasonable number of officials to participate in this initiative, this as part of demonstrating the provincial government’s Saamtrek-Saamwerk philosophy and the pronounced strategy on share-point services”, explained Dr Sebego, adding that the deployment of government will be in a coordinated manner.

In commencing this campaign, officials from Office of the Premier and department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs will roll-up their sleeves and participate in the cleaning campaign on Friday, 10 February, with other departments scheduled to participate in the coming week, until the end of the campaign.

Members of the media are invited to cover the activities of this week-long joint campaign to clean-up and patching of potholes in the capital city of Mahikeng.

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THE physical and racial assault on two black traffic officers in Potchefstroom has drawn strong condemnation from the public and the provincial government. 

The incident was captured on video and went viral on social media. From the video, it can be seen that two white men did not take kindly to getting pulled over by two traffic officers, a man and a woman. 

It is alleged that after the officers asked the driver to produce a driver’s licence, he refused and that was when the confrontation started. 

One of the culprits is seen punching the male traffic officer and visibly showed that he was ready for a fight.

Mahumapelo said racial attacks have no place in South African society.

“It is unfortunate that there are still white people who do not want to change their racial behaviour. I am disappointed and angered by some people who are still displaying barbaric acts of racism here in our beautiful province.  These two white male Afrikaners who without any provocation decided to beat our traffic officials simply because they are black.

“They must be arrested and pay for their actions. Racism must not be allowed to exist in this country especially in our province. We are not going to allow situations like these to happen under our watch and the law must take its course,” he said.
In the video footage, one of the white occupants of the car taunted and assaulted an officer after being pulled over for inspection. The assaulted cop only picked up his hat and watched as the two men argued with his other colleagues.
Mahumapelo added that another incident of this nature took place in Ottosdal recently. 
“Few white males also took the law into their own hand and assaulted black people in Ottosdal only on the bases that they are black. I am happy that the police have responded swiftly by arrested these people to answer for their heartless actions. 
“We have already spoken to the police to ensure that the two are arrested. We also want to appeal to everyone in the province to participate in the provincial government’s Reconciliation Healing and Renewal (RHR) programme. I want to urge our people from different race to participate in our RHR programme which intend to deal with challenges such as racism,” he said.
North West police spokesperson, Lt Col Pelonomi Makau said: “The case was opened against two suspects. However, no arrest were made because the case was handed over to the Senior Public Prosecutor to assess the charges. The two suspects were charged with cjrimen injuria and assault. 
“Police are still waiting for the suspects statements and the decision will be taken afterwards.”- Newsnote

BY KEDIBONE MOLSETSI
MEC for tourism in North West, Desbo Mohono has called on municipalities to work together with her department to ensure that their programmes are synergized.

Mohono further said this will develop the tourism industry within the province. 

“It is critical that both spheres of government should be in the same bandwagon in driving the work of government forward. Tourism is one of the critical components of economic development especially at local level. 

“Tourism should also be considered as one of the industries that creates employment and changes people’s lives. Government has thus far managed to fund students who wanted to study tourism in various high institutions of learning,” she said.  

Mohono said they were determined to ensure that they strengthen the relationship between the department by planning together and sharing programmes. 

“We will also ensure that we budget enough to create conducive environment for both spheres of government to work closely and smoothly.

“We urge municipalities to strengthen their bylaws to ensure that their environment remain clean and welcoming for tourists in their towns. Clean environment encourages responsible tourism,” Mohono said.

All municipalities attended the MUNIMEC, agreed that local roads in their respective areas need to be repaired and that signage to various destinations be improved. 

They also agreed that youth programmes were also critical as most young people in their areas are unemployed, but willing to go to institution of higher learning to study further, more especially in the Hotel and hospitality industry.

MUNIMEC is the meeting between the MEC for Tourism and Mayors and Members of the Mayoral Committee of respective municipalities in each district. 

She further said the meeting was among others, aimed at coordinating services and planning together in ensuring that tourism programmes were driven simultaneously with one objective. 

“The meeting is also geared towards ensuring that marketing of Tourism products within respective municipalities is done continuously. This will ensure that both spheres have a common vision of the North West becoming the fourth most preferred tourism destination in the country,” Mohono concluded. 

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Road Accident Fund’s (RAFs) bank account attachment by Sheriffs of the Court have been lifted and payments to claimants, service providers, stakeholders and caregivers have resumed. 
RAF CEO, Dr Eugene Watson said the attachment obstructed payments to the value of approximately R550 million to various stakeholders. 

Watson further said by the close of business yesterday, the RAF had paid over R520 million to more than 7,000 recipients in an effort to mitigate the impact on all those affected by the account attachments. 

“The team will work on bringing all payment schedules up to speed and on ensuring that the cash management plan schedules are restored. 

“The cash management plan put in place two years ago when the value of finalised claims exceeded available cash, endeavours to maintain regular payments to creditors,” he said.

Watson said the financial challenges affecting the RAF, claim processing which is the Fund’s fundamental business has improved over the years despite the challenges. 

“When productivity rises, the Funds’ expenditure rises and all available cash is utilised. The RAF continues on its transformative path which has seen strategies being fulfilled, a reduced backlog of open claims, fraudsters being arrested, and more claimants assisted daily, resulting in positive audit outcomes and three clean audits. 

“In mitigating the financial risks additional funds are continuously requested and National Treasury and the Department of Transport are kept informed of all writs and attachments,” he said. 

Watson said they have put in place dedicated communication channels for all payment queries, reduced administrative expenditure to supplement cash flow and claim payments, expanded strategies to improve litigation management, and implemented service level agreements and tighter management of contracted legal resources. 

“Efforts to promote the continued registration of Direct Claims, currently at more than 35% of all new personal claims, will continue in line with the policies, procedures, quality assurance checks and balances, and strategic objectives set for the RAF by the Minister of Transport. 

“The increasing prevalence of direct claims generates a saving in legal costs of more than R1 billion a year which frees up additional cash resources and is used to pay other claimants, attorneys, caregivers, funeral parlours and other corporate suppliers,” Watson said.

He said that RAF would like to thank all stakeholders who have worked with them and encouraged them to continue doing so. Watson said their dedicated employees remain committed to assisting all road crash victims, despite the challenges they face daily. 

For more information on the latest developments, follow the link http://bit.ly/2jY4Xw2. Further details about the RAF’s financial standing are available on the 2015/2016 Annual Report which is summarised on http://bit.ly/2cVx0YI . 

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 31 YEAR-OLD man was was sanctioned to double life sentence by Hartswater Regional Court over rape.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said Mooketsi Chevron Bambiso raped a 43-year-old mentally–ill woman. 

“The atrocity took place on April 6 back in 2008 at about 15:45. The victim was on her way home when she was accosted by the accused. The accused threatened her with a knife, dragged her into the veld and rape her. 

“The police searched for the accused and traced him through DNA and the modus operandi he utilized. Bambiso was traced in prison where he is currently serving a 15-year sentence for two other separate rape cases he committed between 2007 and 2009,” Kock said. 

He further said the rape of the mentally ill victim was the third rape Bambiso committed. Kock said the accused was classified as a serial rapist by the Regional Court.   

The Frances Baard SAPS Cluster Commander, Maj Gen Jean Abrahams lauds Detective Sergeant Tanya Fourie from the Hartswater Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit for a brilliant job done.  

“It is with pride that we see our members working extremely hard to remove criminals from our streets. The convictions result in justice for the victims concerned and the community feel safer when the perpetrators are incarcerated.

 “It also sends out a stern message and when you do crime, you will do the time,” Abrahams said.

Bambiso’ sentences will run concurrently.

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BY BAKANG MOKOTO
NORTH West University (Mafikeng campus) will update media regarding new developments within the university.

NWU (Mafikeng Campus) spokesperson, Phenyo Mokgothu said that the update will be more about recent introduction of unitary university model and further to presents plans for the 2017 academic year.

“Media will be presented with the opportunity to engage with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dan Kgwad,” Mokgothu said.

The proceedings will commence at Greater Hall Building, NWU at 08:30am.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE COMMUNITY of Alabama location in Klerksdorp will receive a new school. 

Acting MEC for Education and Sport Development, Wendy Nelson said the new school will replace the old buildings of Alabama Primary School.

“The announcement is intended to inform the society about efforts done by government in the provisioning of quality education.

“It is extremely important for our learners to attend schooling in safe and secured buildings. When we talk of the provisioning of quality education, it ensures learners achieve expected learning outcomes,” Nelson said. 

She further said it was provincial government’s primary objective to make sure that learners attend schooling in habitual buildings for learning. 

“We further appeal to our communities to own and protect these structures from vandalism and other forms of destruction.

“The new school will be able to accommodate about 1240 learners and it will constitute of 3 classrooms for the Grade R, 21 Classrooms, Library, kitchen, sports facilities,” she said.

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A busy  schedule in the coming weeks will set the tone for what will be a hectic year for the South African Football Association (SAFA) on all fronts.
Apart from a demanding year for most of the national teams, 2017 is set to be one of the most exciting periods as far as football activities are concerned. 

Later this month, the u20 men’s national team, Amajita will travel to Zambia for the CAF u20 Africa Cup of Nations while Bafana Bafana will compete on three fronts – CHAN, AFCON 2019 qualifiers and FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Starting next week, the entire Confederation of African Football Executive will descend in South Africa to watch the CAF Super Cup featuring CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns against CAF Confederations Cup champions TP Mazembe of DRCongo.

The match will be played at Lucas Moripe Stadium on February 18 and kicks off at 19h00.

“The entire CAF Executive will be in attendance including President Issa Hayatou, his two Deputies and the entire CAF Executive Committee. The interest from the continent for this CAF Super Cup has been massive as evidenced by the number of officials coming for the match,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

Three days after welcoming CAF’s top executive to the country, FIFA President Gianni Infantino will arrive in South Africa to oversee a 3-day FIFA Summit that will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 21-23 February.

“It is the first time the FIFA President will be in the country since assuming office and we look forward to welcoming him here. The summit will also be attended by a high number of the Presidents of CAF Member Associations,” said Dr Jordaan who himself has had a taxing last few weeks.

The SAFA President was in Zurich on 9 January where among other things, he had meetings at FIFA HQ before attending the Best FIFA Football Awards, an event which was attended by officials from around the globe and football icons including the great Diego Maradona, Frank Rikjaard and many others.

From Zurich, Dr Jordaan flew to Gabon via Johannesburg where he spent the entire month at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations as part of the CAF Organising Committee.

He was based in Port Gentil which hosted Group D consisting Ghana, Egypt, Mali and Uganda. The venue was also host to the third and fourth-place match between Burkina Faso and Ghana.

“My task was to make sure that everything goes well at the venue and I was also Match Commissioner to some of the games. Whilst there, I attended CAF Organising Committee and Executive Committee meetings,” said the SAFA President.

Dr Jordaan returned to South Africa this week and will chair a SAFA NEC meeting on Saturday, 11 February at SAFA House which will discuss the appointment of the new Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana coaches.

“It is going to be an amazing coming weeks but we are excited to host some of these top global events because it goes to underscore SAFA’s status as a leading Association on the continent.

“This is going to be a busy year in terms of all our national teams as well. For example, Bafana Bafana will be involved in CHAN, Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers; all in 2017,” concluded Dr Jordaan.
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