POLICE in Klerksdorp said they were urgently looking for a 52 year-old suspect for fraud and theft. Wilhelm Petrus Miller from Orkney allegedly masqueraded as a building contractor.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said Miller faces 70 complaints of fraud and theft.

“He was residing at Milton Ave 154, Orkney.  Miller will allegedly advertise his house for rent and the people would pay him the deposit cash or via internet, however he would never move out of the house.

“He also advertised himself as a building contractor. He will meet with the client and ask 70% of the money to do the work. Then the suspect will never begin any building work,” he said.

Mokgwabone said those who have information that could lead to Miller’s whereabouts can call the investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Connie Nepgen of Klerksdorp Detective Service.  She can be contacted on the following numbers:  018-464 5038/073 1333 264.

-TDN

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A 25 YEAR-OLD woman and her boyfriend were found dead at their residential area at Mokassa 2 near Taung on Tuesday. North West police said Koketso Mochwanetsi and her boyfriend, Michael Boye, 21 was allegedly involved in a brawl that led to the killing.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said Boye was found hanging from the rafter of the room.

“The girlfriend was found in a pool of blood with stabbing wounds in her throat. Her body was taken for post-mortem. The police cannot tell what prompted the fight between the two and cases of murder and inquest were registered at Taung Police Station,” Mokgwabone said.

South African Civic Organisation (SANCO) in Dr Ruth Mompati region condemned the incident and called it senseless. Regional Secretary, Mika Moeti said people should visit relevant institutions to get help in their relationships.

“We want to condemn the incident and urge our society to ask for help. We cannot continue to live like this. What kind of society are we raising? If there are challenges in relationships, there are counsels and psychologists who could help to overcome the challenges.

“Resorting to killing must never be an issue. Many children are left without parents because of our selfishness. We also want to encourage our people to visit police stations to report the abusive relationships,” Mika said.

It is alleged that Moichwanetsi visited Taung Police Station last week to obtain protection order against her boyfriend. The move allegedly angered the boyfriend and that led to a fight.

-TDN

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NORTH West provincial government came out gun blazing and lambasted Democratic Alliance provincial leader, Joe McGluwa after he said the newly launched youth entrepreneurship services (YES) initiative was a smokescreen.

McGluwa said they did not approve the passing of the 2015 North West Youth Entrepreneurship Services (Yes) Bill.

“We believe that the money will be utilised to benefit political connected recipients only. The ANC also blatantly ignored legislation and the constitution during the process,” he said.

He further added that it was important to promote and develop entrepreneurs among the youth.

“However we cannot agree with the bill that will authorise premier Supra Mahumapelo to use taxpayer’s money to keep his supporters blissful. Mahumapelo ignores the real plight of youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for the first quarter of the year in the province was more than 28%. It has increased to 42% compared to the last quarter of 2015,” he said.

However the provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted that. Setswambung said YES was a government programme. He said the primary activities were being implemented.

“Mahumapelo pronounced this initiative during the State of the Province Address (SOPA). All SOPA pronouncements will continue to be implemented to ensure that young people’s lives are improved.

“As part of the Youth Month, in June 2015, young people from across all four districts of the province were afforded an opportunity to submit business plans. The process culminated in the YES granting them funding to initiate their businesses,” he said.

Setswambung further added that the provincial government will not be deterred by uninformed criticisms from rolling out the YES programmes. He said the programme will contributes to the provincial efforts of reducing unemployment and dependency in government employment.

“The YES Directorate in the Office of the Premier has entered into partnership agreements with the NWDC, SASSA and SANDF, just to mention a few.

“All these stakeholders will support youth initiatives while the process of establishing the North West YES Fund unfolds. The YES Bill sought to repeal the North West Youth Development Trust Act, 1997 and establish the fund” he said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Segarona Traditional group during Africa Day celebration)

A TRADITIONAL music group from Tlakgameng, near Ganyesa is geared at promoting the ideals that keep people in line with their identity.

The group, Segarona Traditional Dance, was part of the African Day celebration at Lotlamoreng Dam in Mahikeng on Wednesday.

Group leader, Annijie Mogwale said even though South Africa has been decolonised there were still challenges that need to be confronted.

She said that every human being must be proud of her/his background and identity.

“South Africa is a complex society. So we need to embrace complexity. By so doing allows each of us to realise how little we know. Knowing one’s identity goes back to the root of Africa.

“The originality of us links us to other part of African countries. I am not African because I was born in Africa, but Africa was born in me. We are running a traditional group in quest to make sure that we preserve our identity,” Mogwale said.

The 40 year-old singer said South Africa is still divided according to its ethnicity.

“We need to teach our children about our identity. We have released three albums so far. Our latest album is called Kabelang. We hope to receive support from the provincial government because it is hard to make ends meet.

“Some of our group members have left because the group is not economical viable. However after the introduction of Youth Entrepreneurship Services programme, we hope for the better,” she said.

Mogwale added that there were still challenges regarding ethnicities. She said sometimes tribalism shows off its ugly head.

“We need to support each other as Africans. We need to learn from the likes of our late state president, Dr Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe and other African leaders.

“We need to preserve the spirit of Ubuntu. We share the same vision and destiny as Africans. We also share the common history. The whole world could learn from Africa as is affectionately known as the Mother land,” she said.

“It is a powerful vision pregnant with possibilities for African descended people and for the world. Yet, it is a vision too often obscured by bushel basket and a voice muted by the gag of other paradigm rooted in colonial ideas conflated with illusions of divine destiny,” she said.

-TDN

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THE North West social development department came under fire after the provincial legislature’s portfolio committee visited few social development centres in Dr Ruth Mompati region recently.

The committee expressed concern on the way people at the centres are treated.

Committee chairperson, Motlalepula Rosho said that the department should prioritise on recruiting more skilled social workers who are passionate about their jobs.

“The campaign also promotes accountability and transparency in government. However I am disgusted at the lack of care that most social workers are giving NGO’s.

“This is a clear relegation of duties by social workers. We remain worried about appalling conditions of social development centres in Dr Ruth Mompati region,” Rosho said.

“We visited some of the centres including Thusanang Disability Centre. However it was evident that there is no progress. The support for social development centres is lacking. The centres that we previously visited, are still in the same bad condition,” she said.

Rosho said the social development department has not adequately attended to committee recommendations.  She said they found various challenges that were concerning to the welfare of the 53 people living with disabilities at the centre.

“Amongst others was the lack of support and monitoring that social workers are providing at the centre. The committee was more disturbed to learn that the department only budgets for 47 people at the centre instead of the 53 that is physically there. The department also allocates R205 000 per annum to fund the operation of the centre. This includes stipends for five employees, maintenance, resources as well as food for the centre,” she said.

The committee chairperson further indicated that the department continuously failed to achieve their target to recruit people with disabilities.

“We are also concerned with the delaying process of construction for the inpatient treatment centre building in Mahikeng too,” she said.

Principal at the centre, Lesego Thutang said: “The social workers only come when there is an administrative matter. Our situation is hopeless and there are many challenges that we are faced with on a daily basis. We experience low stipends and lack of skills. Our infrastructure also needs maintenance,” Thutang said.

However, social development department acting spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “Social auxiliary workers have been tasked to draw and implement a list of activities on a daily basis to turn around the situation. This centre is not state run but receives funding from the department. All NPOs that receive funding from department will be thoroughly monitored across all districts.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
SAFA has joined millions of South Africans in mourning the passing on of former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru,76.
 
The Romania-born Dumitru passed away on Thursday, 26 May after collapsing at a shopping mall in Johannesburg.
 
The paramedics tried to resuscitate him but to no avail.
 
SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan said Ted Dumitru was a ‘true giant’ of South African football.

“This is a very, very sad day in the history of our game. Despite his small frame, Ted was a giant of South African football and his incisive assessment to football matters earned him respect among football fans.
 
“He was articulate about the game, called a spade a spade and worked within every sector of the game from development, club to national team level including technical areas with the Association. At the time of his untimely death, he was an active member of the SAFA Technical Committee. May his soul rest in peace,” said Dr Jordaan.
 
Ted Dumitru had a close working relationship with former Mamelodi Sundowns owner Anastasia Tsichlas when he coached the Pretoria side in the late 90s. The two joined forces again when Ted was called to serve on the SAFA Technical Committee where Tsichlas is the current chairperson.
 
Tsichlas says she was gutted by Ted’s untimely passing on describing the death as a great loss to South African football.
 
“This is a massive loss to the entire nation. He was very passionate about the game and never one to hold back his opinions. Ted left a legacy behind – the South African philosophy document. He won a lot of trophies in a glittering career as a coach,” said Ms. Tsichlas.
 
“Ted took Sundowns to the final of the CAF Champions League, he served in the SAFA Technical Committee and I was looking forward to meeting up with him next week for our regular committee meetings, unfortunately it won’t happen.
 
“He had so many wise things to say about the game. Ted was indeed the professor of football – a title he earned for his immense knowledge of the game of football. May God grant him eternal rest, and I know I am not speaking for myself only when I say we are all going to miss him and his ideas. May his family and football family be comforted during these difficult times.”
 
Dumitru started his coaching career back in his native Romania in 1964 with a club called Universitatea Craiova.Locally he has coached all the big guns of South African Football – Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
 
In the process he won many trophies – the league title, MTN 8, Nedbank Cup, Telkom Charity Cup, Rothmans Cup and the Telkom Knockout.
 
He has also been at helm of several national teams – South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia and Zambia.
 
Personal Information:
 
Full Name:          Theodore Dumitru
 
Date of Birth:     2 September 1939 (age 76)
 
Place of Birth:   Bucharest, Romania
 
TEAMS MANAGED:
 
Years                     Team
 
1964 – 66              Universitatea Craiova
 
1967 – 68              Romania u23
 
1969 – 70              Altay Izmir
 
1970 – 71              Besiktas
 
1971 – 72              Mersin Idmanyurdu
 
1974 – 75              Rochester Lancers
 
1976 – 80              New York Apollo
 
1980 – 82              Zambia
 
1983 – 84              Swaziland
 
1985 – 88              Kaizer Chiefs
 
1997 – 99              Mamelodi Sundowns
 
1999 – 2000         Orlando Pirates
 
2000                       Manning Rangers
 
2000 – 01              Namibia
 
2001 – 02              Mamelodi Sundowns
 
2003 – 05              Kaizer Chiefs
2005 – 06              South Africa
 
 
HONOURS
 
Kaizer Chiefs
 
South African Premier League(2): 2003–04, 2004–05
 
MTN 8 (2): 1985, 1987
 
Telkom Knockout (4): 1986, 1988, 2003, 2004
 
Nedbank Cup (1): 1987
 
Telkom Charity Cup (4): 1986, 1987, 1988, 2003
 
Mamelodi Sundowns
  South African Premier League (2): 1997–98, 1998–99  Nedbank Cup (1): 1998  Rothmans Cup (1): 1999   CAF Champions League Runner-up(1): 2001  
Orlando Pirates
 
MTN 8 (1): 2000
 -TDN
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Nkosana Makate who took Vodacom to court for the “Please Call Me” at Johannesburg High Court. 
Image by: Simphiwe Nkwali © Sunday Times. / Simphiwe Nkwali / Sunday Times

Vodacom has confirmed that it has received a request for the delay in payment of Nkosana Makate‚ who invented Please Call Me‚ as the funders of his legal bid had a prior agreement with him.

“We can confirm that we have received the … request and that our focus is on complying with the order of the Constitutional Court‚ which requires us to negotiate in good faith with Mr Makate. We are committed to a swift resolution in line with the ruling of the Constitutional Court. We have already initiated a process for negotiating a reasonable compensation for Mr Makate and the matter is being dealt with as a priority‚” said Byron Kennedy‚ Vodacom spokesperson.

Bloomberg reported that Sterling Rand‚ which funded Makate in his legal bid against Vodacom‚ had asked the company to delay its full payment.

Sterling Rand‚ financial backers for Makate‚ told Vodacom to withhold at least 50% of any settlement‚ a letter sent on behalf of Sterling Rand by lawyers Fairbridges Wertheim Becker shows‚ according to the Bloomberg report.

Sterling Rand is concerned that Makate and his lawyers‚ Stemela & Lubbe‚ will agree to a deal that excludes the company.

If Vodacom does not agree to the request‚ an urgent application will be asked for from the courts‚ according to the letter dated May 23.

The dispute comes a month after the Constitutional Court ruled that Vodacom must compensate Makate for the idea‚ which allows customers with no balance on their mobile phones to alert someone with a free text message.
Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

The 76-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Professor’, led Kaizer Chiefs to back-to-back PSL titles in 2004 & 2005.

JOHANNESBURG – Former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru has died after collapsing at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, east of Johannesburg, this morning.

He was treated by paramedics on the scene.

There are no further details available at this stage but centre management is expected to release a statement related to an incident in the mall later today.

The 76-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Professor’, led Kaizer Chiefs to back-to-back PSL titles in 2004 and 2005.

He also coached Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates coach.

The Romanian-born coach was one of few coaches to have managed South Africa’s so-called ‘Big Three’.

More details to follow on this developing story.

Source- http://www.ewn.co.za

TDN

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FOUR people died in a horrific accident involving a North West health department’s patient transport vehicle in Coligny yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

The driver, a woman in her forties and two minors died on the scene. They were part of patients travelling from Bophelong in Mahikeng to Chris Hani-Baragwaneth hospital for medical attention.

Provincial health department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said the accident happened at about 3:40am.

The vehicle collided with a truck.

“Our Emergency services personnel responded swiftly and patients were ferried to the neighboring General De La Rey hospital. Those with serious injuries were transferred to Mafikeng Provincial Hospital while others were transferred to private hospitals.

“It is with a great sadness to announce that four of the people who were part of that transport have passed on including the driver. All other patients were taken by their relatives from General De La Rey Hospital while the other reminding five will be offered counseling in the hospital before they can be delivered to their respective homes,” Lekgethwane said.

The department will also trace patients that were taken by their families and relatives so that they can also receive counselling.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NALEDI Local Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo may face criminal charges if what North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Accounts (SCOPA) is anything to go by.

Chairperson Mahlakeng Mahlakeng met with MEC for local government and human settlements department, Fenny Gaolaolwe to brief her about the behaviour of Segapo.

Segapo walked out of the meeting on Wednesday last week at the legislature. The municipality appeared before North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts to account on the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) outcomes of the 2014-15 financial year.

He was supposed to answer on Auditor General report.

Mahlakeng said Segapo’s behaviour was uncalled for.

“Segapo appeared before the committee without having the MFMA documentations. When I asked him about it he took exception. We requested the mayor to speak to ask him to come back, but he still refused. We cannot have officials who refuse to account. This is taxpayers’ money.

“In terms of the Constitution, Sec 114(2) (a) states that a provincial Legislature must provide for mechanisms to ensure that all provincial Executive Organs of the state in the province are accountable to it. Furthermore provisions of the North West Provincial Legislature Standing Rules, Rule 239, provides that Segapo is in contempt of the Legislature as he had actually interfered with the ability of the Legislature to perform its function, more so by failing to report to the Committee when required to do so and by failing to obey any ruling, order or resolution of the Legislature,” Mahlakeng said.

According to the provincial Auditor General’s office, the Naledi Local Municipality is struggling to pay their debtors including Eskom. It was also discovered that most of the officials owe the municipality a lot of money for rates and services. Some of officials and councillors are doing business with the municipality too.

“There is unauthorized expenditure of R107m that need to be accounted for. There is another R32m for fruitless expenditure. We will pursue criminal charges against the municipal manager.

“We have already informed the North West provincial legislature speaker, Sussan Dantjie. Segapo disdained the rules and regulations of the legislature. We will launch charges with NPA on Friday,” Mahlakeng said.

Gaolaolwe said the municipality must take drastic measures against Segapo.

Naledi Local Municipal Mayor, Langa Modise said they wrote a letter to Segapo to explain why he must not be suspended.

*NB: Our attempts to reach Modisenyane Segapo were proven to be futile

-TDN

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