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Former Northern Cape Finance MEC John Block will spend 15 years behind bars for his role in a multi-million rand corruption scandal.

Block, who is also a former chairperson of the African National Congress in the province, was sentenced in the Northern Cape High Court along with Trifecta Holdings boss Christo Scholtz on Tuesday.

Last year, the pair were found guilty of corruption and money laundering relating to the inflation of leases for government buildings.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Phaladi Shuping says: “Mr John Block was sentenced to 15 years for corruption, and he also got 12 years for money laundering. The judge ordered the sentences to run concurrently.”

Shuping says the prosecution is pleased with the sentences.

“From the day that they were convicted, all we were asking for as the NPA was the minimum sentence as prescribed in the law – which is 15 years for corruption – and we are satisfied because we got exactly what we were looking for.”

Scholtz was sentenced to 15 years for corruption and 12 years money laundering and they will run concurrently.

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

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Kimberley SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit appeal to the public to assist with the information that could lead to the arrest of suspected rapists operating in the Colville and Floors area, near Kimberley.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana said: “We are investigating a case of rape after four girls aged between 10 and 14 were allegedly raped by unknown man. According to the victims, the suspect who is believed to be in his late 20’s took them to Sewe Dam, near Homevale and raped them.

“The incident happened on November 8 between 8am and 13pm. The suspect fled the scene after the atrocity. The suspect who was approximately 1.8m tall was wearing a dark green T-shirt depicted with flowers and had dreadlocks.”

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Picture: (North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo during Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme in Wonderkop, Marikana

BY BAKANG MOKOTO

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said the journey to Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal is a never-ending campaign. Mahumapelo further said that where people are involved, there will always be a need to foster mutual understanding.

He was addressing various mine workers belonging to AMCU and NUM unions during RHR event in Wonderkop, Marikana on Sunday.

MECs, Mayors, Councillors, Traditional and Church Leaders were part of the event and signed a pledge which commits everyone to work together in the healing, reconciliation and renewal of Marikana and the entire province.

“This is a pledge to ensure that there are Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal. This event is a second phase following the launch of the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal Programme back in 2014. We were in Wonderkop to officially launch RHR programme back in 2014. Today we are on the second step in the implementation of RHR.

“It would be very difficult to have reconciliation, healing and renewal without economic development.  Economic development would be prioritised to improve the lives of black people,” he said.

Madibeng Local Municipal mayor, Jostine Mothibe said: “The event came at the right time. It would go a long way in ensuring that there is peace, stability and economic development in the district and the entire province,” Mothibe said.

One of residents, Gabankalafe Masilo, 30 said: “I am very grateful to hear that our government would endeavour to get mining companies and other stakeholders to sign the pledge. This will assist us in tackling the challenges we are faced with like unemployment, poverty and inequality. This will also strengthen service delivery.”

Another resident, Rose Nobela from Letlhabile said: “It was gratifying that the Wonderkop area was prioritised for RHR because the community was still reeling from the Marikana tragedy and therefore needed RHR the most.”

Today’s event was also hailed as a prelude to the national Reconciliation Day commemoration, which will take place in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality in the North West on December 16.

Mahumapelo urged all churches to come in their numbers wearing their religious regalia and those who use trumpets, tambourines, drums and other percussion instruments in their churches to bring them to the Reconciliation Day event in Ramotshere Moiloa.

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MEC for education and sport development, Sello Lehari embarked on a whistle blow stop tour to introduce the End User Computing Learnership programme in partnership with the ETDPSETA to five identified local municipalities at Moretele Local Municipality hall on Friday.

Lehari said in the efforts to support the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) vision, the department is targeting to empower five small municipalities in the province namely; Ratlou, Tswaing, Moretele, Maquassi and Greater Taung Local Municipalities.

“About 170 young people between 18 and 33 years will be recruited to participate in this learnership programme. The 12 month programme is viewed as a way of temporarily reducing poverty and unemployment amongst the youth.

“We have visited the Executive Committees of various municipalities together with ETDPSETA representative.The primary purpose was to outline the role of the municipalities in the programme and to receive their buy-in,” Lehari said.

He indicated that the recruitment of learners will be the responsibility of the municipality.

“We view this as an important project hence we are out of our offices delivering services to the people. We request municipalities to take this project very seriously since it is part of job creation. There will be a tight monitoring programme to ensure that it is successful.

“Recruitment for the learners will be the responsibility of the municipality and learners will be provided with stipend on the 28^th of every month. The municipality should ensure that the process of recruitment is free and fair meaning it should include all the deserving learners,” Lehari said.

The project will commence immediately in December across the identified municipalities and all mayors should monitor the roll out of the project within their municipalities

Mayor for Ratlou Local Municipality, Tebogo Modise assured the delegation that the project will receive their top priority.

“We want to assure you that as the municipality, we will not experience any problem with the project. I am confident that the project will run smooth without any hiccups in our municipality,” Modise said.

Tswaing Local Municipal mayor, Mangi Malwane confirmed that they will recruit learners according to the requirements outlined by the department.

“As the municipality, we will ensure that that the learners are selected according to the requirements. We will ensure that they attend schooling daily without fail”, said Malwane.

Councillor Makinta Monaheng the Moretele Local Municipality Mayor expressed their unconditional support to the project. He assured the delegation that the municipality will assign officials to monitor the project.

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Picture: MEC for Education and Sport Development, Sello Lehari  

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for education and sport development department, Sello Lehari said they were shocked by the death of Rabonni Private Christian School administrator. It is alleged that the deceased was hijacked, abducted and killed by two pupils from the same school on Wednesday last week.

“It is alleged that after school the deceased gave two pupils aged between 16 and 17 a lift to town. One of the pupils had a gun and they forced the deceased to drive towards a different direction. The body of the deceased was found in the next day along the Letlhabile Provincial Road by the motorists with a gun wound.

“The family reported the matter to the police and two pupils were arrested. We have been shocked by the sudden death of our hard working employee. We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family and the school. We have assigned our team of officials from both education and social development departments to conduct counselling to the learners and the family”, said MEC Lehari.

A memorial service will be held at the school on Monday and the funeral date will be on the 5^th December 2016 at the local Gereformeerde Kerk in Brits Town.

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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.

 taungdailynews@gmail.com

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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