BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

ANC in Bokone Bophirima said it has learnt with shock and sadness about the death of Comrade Kaone Lobelo. Provincial secretary, Dakota Legote said the  former Greater Taung Local Municipality died in a car accident on Saturday evening. 

“The ANC learnt that Kaone was travelling between Reivilo and Taung when he lost control of his car and it overturned.

“We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Lobelo family and friends and pray that they may find comfort in these trying times,” Legote said.

He further said ANC Bokone Bophirima has lost one of its valuable cadres who still had a lot to offer to the movement. 

Legote added that Lobelo served the people of both Greater Taung Local Municipality and Bokone Bophirima with honour and immeasurable dedication. 

“Lobelo’s work in the ANC is evidence that he was totally devoted to the people. He was part of the June 16 detachment of uMkhonto weSizwe, served as ANC Regional Executive Committee (REC) member of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, was Executive Mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality for two terms and held the mayoral position for Greater Taung Local Municipality for one term. 

“His valued leadership skills saw him elected Provincial Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) for two terms,” he said.

Legote said they dipped their revolutionary flag in honour of Cde Lobelo who was demonstrated with distinction what it means to be a true servant of our people. 

“We take consolation from the fact that Cde Lobelo gave his best to serve the ANC and the people of Bokone Bophirima and share many lessons we benefited from,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Former Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Kaone Lobelo allegedly died in a horrific car accident between Taung and Reveilo on Saturday. 

More details will follow. 

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO pupils from Rebone Secondary School were arrested after the death of a teacher. A 50-year-old teacher has been killed in Brits on Wednesday. North West police said the body of the teacher was found in the field by a motorist. Warrant Officer Mpeile Talane said the teacher was found with a bullet wound in her neck.

“The atrocity took place on Wednesday at around 2pm. The body of a teacher at Rebone Secondary School was found by a motorist in the field. We have arrested two pupils from the same school and charged them with kidnapping, hijacking and murder.

“They have already appeared in Brits Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The case was postponed until Wednesday. Two pupils aged 16 and 17 respectively were taken to Child Incarceration Centre in Rustenburg,” Talane said.

MEC Sello Lehari visited the school to gather full details regarding the incident on Friday.

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BY BAKANG MOKOTO
A man who is alleged to be a student at Vuselela FET College (Taung campus) is expected to appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for murder.

The suspect was arrested along with his friend after they allegedly stabbed Elvis Tshwene, 26 to death. 

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Pelonomi Makau said: “An argument ensued between the deceased and two suspects at a local tavern in Matlhako village in the early hours of Sunday. The deceased’s friend was allegedly stabbed on his hand.

“He was taken to a local clinic for medical attention, while Tshwene escaped unharmed. However, the suspects allegelly broke into Tshwene’s shack later on and stabbed and killed him.”

Makau said the community members went beserk and allegedly attacked the suspects with sharp objects.

“The police were called and the suspects were taken to hospital after they suffered injuries. One suspect was arrested after being discharged. Another suspect was still recovering in hospital under police guard,” she said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TOURISM sector in North West mourns the sudden death of David Mogashoa who passed away on Sunday morning in Hartswater. Mogashoa who was the North West Tourism Board chairperson was ferried to hospital after he collapsed.

North West MEC for Tourism Desbo Mohono conveyed with shock her heartfelt condolences to the family and sympathized with them for their loss. She said that Mogashoa was passionate about Tourism development in the province.

“He will be solely missed particularly for his passion of unearthing untapped tourist attractions. It is with a heavy heart that I would like to send my condolences to the Mogashoa family, their relatives and friends at large. I pray that God grant them the strength to overcome such loss and that they trust in the lord for comfort and healing,” Mohono said.

She said Mogashoa had a lot to offer in terms of providing leadership in the tourism sector. Mohono added that Mogashoa’s passion for tourism development in rural towns such as his home town of Taung was unwavering.

“What a great loss we have suffered. As government we need people of Mogashoa’s caliber. We need people who are also willing to get their hands dirty and do the work. His willingness and unwavering commitment to work the ground was admirable. Team Tourism and the industry at large will forever miss him”, added Mohono.

Chief Executive Officer of the North West Tourism Board, Loselo Segwe also conveyed his condolences. Segwe said Mogashoa has been a very active member of the Board and demonstrated leadership qualities in providing strategic direction towards shaping the newly established North West Tourism Board after the split of the North West Parks and Tourism Board in 2014.

“His untimely death leaves a big vacuum in the Board.  His strict and yet progressing style of leadership will be unfortunately missed and his valuable contributions will forever be cherished. Members of the board and the entire staff of the North West Tourism Board take the opportunity to express appreciation for the leadership provided by Mogashoa during time spent with the board”, said Segwe.

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PRINCIPAL at Onkgopotse Tiro Comprehensive School who faces a slew of graft charges could be off the hook after reaching an undisclosed agreement with the North West Education and Sport Development department.

  Edwin Teach Kgonothi was slapped with 13 charges of fraud and corruption.

Some of the charges emanated from alleged submission of falsified quotations. In one instance, Kgonothi is said to have concocted a quotation of R92 430 directed to the school.

  The quotation was designed as if it was sourced and submitted by KC Chemicals company.

The department also alleged that Kgonothi submitted another false quotation to the amount of R114 130 to his school, pretending that the submission was from LKAB company.

  He was also charged for failure to execute functions and responsibilities of his duty as the principal. 

  Kgonothi allegedly approved and paid travel or transport claims of the School Governing Body members and educators in the amount of R103 775 for 2013/2014 without the necessary or required documents attached to each of the claims submitted.

  Moreover, the principal faces close to R1m in moneys not properly accounted for. The department said he allegedly pleaded guilty to three charges mounting to R330 000.

  North West provincial legislature’s education portfolio committee chairperson, Boitumelo Moiloa said that MEC Sello Lehari should make sure that proper order and good governance is restored at the school.

  “We believe that consequence management should be implemented where there is evidence that people have crossed the line. There is fraud that has been committed at Onkgopotse Tiro Coprehensive School and there was an inquiry on January 2016. The principal was interviewed and charges were brought forward by the department of education and sport development.

  All processes were followed and we want to see implementation on the agreement. We are giving them seven days to go and implement the agreement. We want to monitor and condemn any corruption of any form. There was a settlement agreement and we want the department not to change anything agreed on in the document,” Moiloa said.

  In response, MEC Lehari said: “We are not reluctant in implementing the final agreement of the report between the department and principal, Kgonothi. There was a misunderstanding because there was an agreement between the two parties. The two parties decided to amend the agreement after Kgonothi appealed his sanction.”

  Lehari added: “Kgonothi’s legal team and ours agreed on amendment on certain clause that is why there was a delay. However, the matter has been completed and I will implement the agreement. 

  Kgonothi felt that the sanction was biased and added that he signed the agreement under duress. Only few things have been amended and his argument was that if he is guilty he must be fired not be removed,” the MEC said.

  After the department found Kgonothi guilty, an agreement was reached to move him to Ngaka Modiri Molema district office, a move seen by many as promoting people who should face consequences for their actions.

  The beleaguered principal is said to have agreed to pay R2 041.66 monthly as part of returning the loot.

  Reached for comment, Kgonothi said that he was not obliged to speak since the matter is between the Education department and the provincial legislature.

  However, indications point to a scenario where he could be cleared of all the charges. – Newsnote

​

Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality is offering a qualifying candidate the opportunity to apply for a Traffic Officer Traineeship. Stipend: R1 000 per month

Duration: 12 (Twelve) Months

Minimum requirements:

• Unemployed youth (between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Grade 12 (Matric Certificate) or a Senior Certificate or equivalent qualification

• No Criminal record

• Certificate from SAPS indicating that the applicant doesn’t have a criminal record

• Attach medical report indicating the applicant is fit to do strenuous exercise / training

• Valid driver’s licence — minimum Code EB — manual

• Applicants must be residents of Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality.

Job description:

• Enforce road traffic, public passenger and transport legislation. Provide visible traffic control/policing and promote/ensure crime prevention activities

• Perform all administrative activities and related duties.

NB: Female candidates are encouraged to apply

Please note:

• Applications will only be considered from unemployed South African citizens; aged between 18 to 35 years

• Candidates who have already participated in a learnership Programme in any Government Department and/or Municipality will not be considered.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested persons may send an application letter, stating clearly the position the applicant is applying for, accompanied by a Curriculum Vitae, certified copy of ID and/or certified copies of qualifications.

Short-listed candidates may be required to produce original copies of qualifications on or before appointment.

Correspondence will only be entered into with short-listed candidates.

If you do not receive notifications regarding your applications within 30 days of the closing date, kindly assume that your application was not successful.

Applicants will be penalised for canvassing

Please forward all applications to: The Municipal Manager Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality, PO Box 66, Koster 0348 or It may be hand delivered at the Municipal Offices: Main Building, Cnr De Wet and Smuts Streets, Koster. Faxed, late, e-mailed and Z83

NB: The Kgetiengriviec Local Municipality reserves the right not to appoint.

Closing Date: 17 November 2016

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The Right2Know Campaign said they reject Parliament’s plan to hold its briefing on the nuclear deal behind closed doors. The civic organization says the proposed nuclear deal has been shrouded in secrecy from the very start.

“Decisions have been made behind closed doors. Deals have already been struck with Russia and others, in secret and without public consultation and at a reported cost of up to 1 trillion rands. We have heard repeated promises that any nuclear procurement would be ‘fair and transparent’, including by the ministers of finance and energy.

“We have seen encouraging signs from the chairperson of Parliament’s energy committee, Fikile Majola that Parliament will use its position to push back against the secretive approach of the Department of Energy, shutting out the public and the media out of Parliament’s briefing on the nuclear deal undermines that positive step forward.

Right2Know Campaign said South Africa needs a just, transparent and sustainable solution to our energy needs. They said they don’t want the nuclear deal and reject the secretive processes that are driving it.

“We call for an end to this secrecy, including the secrecy around the procurement process. We support the court case in the Cape High Court on the 13th and 14th of December by the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute and Earthlife Africa JHB to ensure that the procurement process is transparent and accountable. The Right2Know Campaign calls on Parliament to open its doors to the public and push back against state secrecy.”

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Picture: Bokone Bophirima Provincial Government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung 

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Bokone Bophirima residents will for the next two weeks participate in dialogues that are aimed at creating awareness and affording targeted groups the opportunity to engage on issues of reconciliation and social ills.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the topics to be deliberated on include amongst others, conflicts among communities, drugs and substance abuse, communicable and non-communicable diseases and building a non-racial South Africa.

“The dialogues which are organised by the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR) unit in the Office of the Premier in working together with the departments of Social Development and Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs, the District Municipalities and Local Municipalities are held at all local municipalities across the province from this week until Friday 25.

“The dialogues will start at 10h00am and are part of a planned month-long RHR campaign that will culminate in a Provincial RHR Dialogue to be held in December. Furthermore, a gospel prayer festival will be held on Thursday at Mmabana Taung. This will also form part of the Taung Cultural Calabash build-up activities,” Setswambung said.

He added that the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme is one of the five concretes the fifth administration of Bokone Bophirima Province has resolved to promote among the people of the province. Setswambung further said this is in the province’s concerted effort to achieve the goal of rebranding, repositioning and renewing the province.

“This concrete also seeks to advance some of the government’s priority outcomes of social protection, a long and healthy life for all, nation building and social cohesion, as stated in the National Development Plan.

“With this programme, the provincial government intends to infuse the spirit of peace and reconciliation through a consistent and intensive province-wide campaign, which promotes progressive values, conflict resolution, healthy living, social cohesion and strengthening partnerships with civil society amongst others,” Setswambung said.

He further said it is expected that the local based targeted groups that will participate in these dialogues will develop remedial actions to challenges identified per topic, which will be further discussed during the Provincial RHR Dialogue in December.

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BY BAKANG MOKOTO

Taung will be a hive of activities this coming weekend when multitudes of arts enthusiasts, communities of Taung and the surrounding areas as well as participants from the districts descend on Mmabana Taung Centre for the annual Taung Cultural Calabash.

MEC Ontlametse Mochware said they expecting firecrackers and a strong performance from a line-up that comprises local upcoming and well established musicians.

“We expecting to keep revellers on their feet on Saturday and Sunday. The Taung Cultural Calabash Festival is supported by the North West Department Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs, Mmabana Arts, Culture & Sports Foundation and the Department of Arts and Culture.

“The department will spend R3.8m on this year’s event. We encourage our people to continue to celebrate heritage throughout. The fifth administration has taken a decision to use Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT) as its economic drive,” Mochware said.

She added that the event will benefit the communities of Bokone Bophirima at large.

One of performers, Mo Molemi said: “The Taung Cultural Calabash event is an oyster for our young upcoming artists. The event also benefits the artists of Bokone Bophirima and boosts our economy especially in far-flung areas.

“I want to applaud the CATA department for support our craft. We also know that North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo announced that they will use ACT As the economic drive for the province. My followers should expect firecrackers on Saturday.”

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