BY REGINALD KANYANE

Democratic Alliance said they will no longer tolerate the bias and unethical conduct of North West Provincial Legislature, Susana Dantjie. This came about after DA and the EFF walked out of the North West Provincial Legislature sitting yesterday. They accused the Speaker for denying them their right to participate in proceedings.

DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said all motions and member statements were unilaterally removed from the order paper by the ANC Chief Whip, Hofman Galeng.

“We asked for intervention based on Rule 114 of the North West Provincial Standing Rules. This rule allows for the scheduling of the programme prior to sittings by all parties involved, but the removal of items from the order paper were never discussed when the committee met on the April 15.

“The sitting scheduled for various departments to debate budget votes just became another case where the ANC government blatantly ignored the rules and enforced their own agenda by sheer numbers,” McGluwa said.

He said according to Rule 46 (3) of the House rules, parties are allowed to rise and extend condolences and congratulations or address important issues of the day in member statements.

“When the DA requested the Speaker to overrule the ANC Chief Whip’s decision, the Speaker responded that the House agreed with Galeng’s advice and that statements would only be allowed again after the Local Government Elections in August.

“The DA believes that motions and member statements are imperative tools for the opposition to voice their opinions through Legislative channels. We have a constitution that guarantees that every person be treated with dignity and equality. We must treasure our constitution, protect it so it can protect us,” he said.

McGluwa said the prohibition for them to debate is undemocratic. He said that was confirmed on Tuesday that the ANC stifles any debate.

The Sergeant of Arms was called in to remove the DA Leader, Joe McGluwa.

“The DA can assure our communities that we will not be intimidated by the ANC. We will stop at nothing to ensure the legislature remains transparent. It is the right of voters to have the public representatives they elected to act on their behalf on issues that impact their daily lives,” he said.

However, ANC Chief Whip, Hoffman Galeng refuted the DA’s claims. He regarded EFF and DA’s move as cheap political stunt.

Galeng said: “North West provincial legislature Rule 114 says the programming committee shall consist of the speaker, deputy speaker, and leader of government business, the chairperson of committees, the chief whip of the house and the whip of each opposition party. Now it also states that the motions that need to be discussed should be sent to the chief of the majority party before 12pm.

“Now DA provincial chief whip, Jacqueline Theologo sent the motions at 16:50. So as the Chief Whip of the legislature, the rules allow me to decide whether we proceed with motions raised or not. Rule 46 says every motion requires notice, except a motion by way of amendment to a draft Resolution permitted in terms of these Rules,” Galeng said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

DEMOCRATIC Alliance leader in North West, Joe McGluwa celebrated Freedom Day with the community of Lomanyane village, near Mahikeng on Wednesday. McGluwa said 22 years ago, the nation took a bold step into the new dawn of a democratic of South Africa. He said this day brought hope that the country would one day realise total liberation for all South Africans.

“The aim is to make South Africa a country of freedom, opportunity and prosperity. We want each South African to be the master of his/her own destiny. Let today be very significant and a day to remember.

“This is the day which heralded in our constitutional democracy. Democrats, as we celebrate this historic day, we agree that South Africa today is better than the South Africa prior to 1994. We have made considerable strides as a nation,” McGluwa said.

He said it astonishes that each and everyone has contributed to this success. McGluwa said indeed South Africans were amazing. He said all generations, ethnicities and genders played a foremost role in contributing to this success.

“Democrats, we should also be reminded that 22 years later, progress has been made. But it is not enough. Freedom was fought for and won, but freedom cannot be seen in North West as the majority of the people still live in abject poverty.

“Our constitution is under siege by the African National Congress. The corruption that is so endemic in the ANC is eating away at the gains that we have amassed. In the process, no one in the ANC seems to realise how wrong this is. Or they do, but they choose Zuma and his side- kick Mahumapelo over the constitution and over the people of South Africa,” he said.

McGluwa said in March 2016, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled that President Jacob Zuma failed to uphold, defend, and respect the constitution as supreme law of land. He said this was in relation to the Public Protector’s report on the building of his sprawling palace in Nkandla.

McGluwa said Zuma was found to have unduly benefited from the public purse. He said Zuma supported by his drum majorettes, the ANC caucus in parliament as well as provincial chapters of the ANC and their senior leaders, most notably North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

“They disregarded the Public Protector’s report and sought to ridicule her. The Court unanimously judged that remedial action ordered by the Public Protector cannot be ignored without legal consequence.

“However Zuma should have challenged the report through a judicial process before disregarding it. He continues to undermine this judgment as if nothing has happened. What we have just seen is a less than genuine apology from the President and laughable letters of reprimand to some of his drum majorettes.

“Fellow Democrats, last year the ruling party laid the red carpet for a wanted criminal, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir, who is wanted for crimes against humanity. Calls were made for the arrest of this fellow, but the ANC government refused to arrest him despite being a signatory to the Rome Statutes and having a legal obligation to arrest Al Bashir,” McGluwa said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was arrested after dagga weighing more than 3kg found at his house in Alheit, near Kakamas yesterday. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Sergio Kock said the police received tip-off from member of the community.

“He was arrested by Kakamas police at around 11pm. The Visible Policing unit searched the suspect’s house and found several bags of dagga in his bedroom. The dagga weighs 3.639kg with a street value of R18 200.

“The suspect was charged for dealing with dagga and is expected to appear in the Kakamas Magistrate’s Court soon. The investigation continues,” Kock said.

-TDN

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A R17 million fraud trial against the former chief financial officer at North West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng campus is expected to resume on Monday.

Bradley Freeman and two others allegedly defrauded the Edu Loan scheme of more than R10 million.

The three accused Bradley Freeman, Gert Freeman and Fred Freeman are facing 34 counts of fraud, 5 money laundering and several charges of corruption.
 
Most of their valuable goods, including luxurious vehicles and houses were since repossessed by the Asset Forfeiture Unit of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), while others were auctioned off.

The prosecuting authority has so far recovered an amount of R5.2 million.
Source- SABC

Durban – A police officer, who was also a taxi boss, was killed in Mbumbulu on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast on Monday.

Hawks provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant Simphiwe Mhlongo, said Warrant Officer Andries ‘Boy’ Zungu had been in an unmarked vehicle when he was “ambushed” by a group of men.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

Courtesy: Kruger National Park

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

EDUCATION and sport development MEC, Wendy Matsemela applauded all winners during North West Sports Award event held at Rustenburg Civic Centre on Friday night.

Matsemela said the province will continue to honour its stars and she encouraged young people to participate in all sporting codes across the province.

Matsemela said sport is not just for entertainment. She said it was another form of employment to many people in South Africa.

“These men and women represent hard work and commitment to success and excellence. We are here to unveil role models who must be followed and emulated by our youth.  These young men and women we are celebrating this evening are a beacon of hope to the majority of young South Africans. The commitment of these sport stars to achieve excellence, have managed to convince the majority of our youth to understand that sport improves the lives of communities.

“We have proudly produced the likes of Andrew Kelehe, former Bafana Bafana player, Philemon Masinga and currently we have Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune as South Africa’s number one goalkeeper. This year marks the 2th edition of the North West Sports Awards,” she said.

Matsemela said the purpose of the awards was to celebrate excellence. She further added that sport promotes unity within the society.

“We will continue to celebrate excellence in sports and continue to encourage the current generation to participate in sports. This is a significant milestone, and we are celebrating the best sporting moments with the sport fraternity. Working together with all our top achievers, we can put our province on the map.

“We must be flexible as the province. We need to continue to develop sports at an early age especially in our schools. We also acknowledge the good work that the netball team is doing in Brutal Fruit Netball League currently. They are comfortably sitting at position one,” she said.

Biggest winners on the night were Comrades Marathon champion Gift Kelehe, and Kefiloe Tsotetsi who emerged as sportsman and sportswoman of the year respectively.

Matsemela also further sent her regards to disabled winners. Among those who were recognised was Aviwe Ngoni.

Ngoni won the Best Sportswoman of the Year with Disability and the Best Community Sports Development Award.

Magesh Sekailwe scooped the Best Sportsman of the Year Award with Disability. Sekailwe said this shall teach the general public that one can use sport for a living. He said that idea of disabled persons have much in common with high level of professional athletes might be laughable, but it is true.

“We should not discriminate against disabled persons. We had people like former runner, Oscar Pistorius who proved beyond reasonable doubt that disability is not a setback. Those involved with the scene understand the unique talent, skill and determination of the players mirrors that of real athletes, even if their physical fitness is different,” he said.

Mmabatho FM presenter, Sello Mokonopi scooped the Best Sports Presenter of the Year Award.

Award-winning sport editor for Sunday Sun and Daily Sun, Mathews Mpete won the Best Sport Journalist of the Year Award in print.

Rustenburg-born journalist said: “The awards bring hope in the province and the awards will change the landscape of sport in the country. This will encourage those who want to embark on the same industry to work hard. So to those who were nominated, we are all winners.”

Motsweding FM sport commentator, Brian Letsogo won the Best Sport Journalist of the Year in electronic. Letsogo shared the same sentiments and said the awards will encourage those do not believe in themselves as well.

“Sport is brings people together, and I am grateful for the recognition. We all know North West province is predominately rural, so this will bring encouragement so previous disadvantaged children. They will have that beacon of hope because one’s background does not determine his/her future.

“There are some people who are still living in abject poverty. However we can change their situation through sport. In the absence of sport, a fight against drug, alcohol abuse, crime, poverty and teenage pregnancy will be lost,” Letsogo said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 38 YEAR-OLD man was arrested for abduction, two counts of rape and murder on Saturday.

The man was arrested after police embarked on an intensive search following the incident.

North West police worked with their Free State counterparts in the Vierfontein area to nab the man.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the search yield desired results.

“The suspect was arrested at one of the plots between Leeudoringstad and Orkney road. He allegedly assaulted a 38 year-old man with a knobkerrie, stabbed him with a knife and slit his throat at Ysterspruit outside Orkney.

“The suspect then allegedly covered the victim’s body with mattress and set it alight. It is alleged that the suspect continued with his criminal acts by abducting a woman and later raped her. The woman was later found tied to a tractor inside a storeroom at a farm near Vierfontein,” Mokgwabone said.

He said the suspect was also reported for assaulting his girlfriend’s family member in Kanana prior to the horrendous incidents. Mokgwabone said several charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm will be added to the charge sheet of the suspect.

North West provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane acknowledged the police in North West and Free State provinces. She said their involved in the operation led to the apprehension of the suspect.

Baile also added that criminals have no space within the communities and police make sure they put them in jail.

-TDN

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THE DA in North West reacted with shock to a disparaging Facebook post by EFF member of the provincial legislature, Thabo Sehloho that was couched in racial undertones.

Sehloho posted a picture of the Rand Stadium where DA launched its elections manifesto with the remark: “Oh (blue) sheet! Someone forgot to provide transport and papsak for all the DA coloureds in the Western Cape?”

The post was taken down after The New Age made inquiries on what Sehloho really meant.

DA’s provincial spokesperson on health and education Dr Tutu Faleni said the statement was absurd.

“It is a desperate effort by the EFF to discredit what was a successful manifesto launch by the DA. From the onset the DA announced a target audience of 20 000 for the manifesto launch.

“The target figure was based on financial constraints other than filling up the relatively small Rand Stadium with the entire membership of the DA. We have excess of four million members (according to stats from the 2014 national elections) and we continue to grow daily,” he said.

Faleni added that the EFF should better focus on winning their first ward in the August 3 polls.

“The EFF is still to show the people of South Africa if it has what it takes to lead a ward, not to mention a municipality or even a province. Recent research shows that nine out of ten best municipalities are governed by the DA and we cannot be undermined by a party that is yet to win a ward in the local government elections,” he said.

In his defence, Sehloho denied ever posting any statement on his wall before claiming that his account had been hacked.

“I think my account was hacked. I cannot recall me writing that statement. The statement is rhetoric and as a politician I cannot make such statement,” he said.

Sehloho later tried to ‘sweet-talk’ The New Age into dropping the story claiming that he had more juicy stuff that the newspaper can write on.

Courtesy: The NewAge Newspaper

-TDN

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Picture: ATM Bombers appear in Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court

BY REGINALD KANYANE

FOUR suspects briefly appeared in Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court for ATM bombing and business robbery on Monday.Lawrence Mantshingo 43, Thembinkosi Mlaka 27, Xolile Mayekiso, 36 and Nkosinathi Mbele, 42 were arrested in Protea Glen, Soweto and Mahikeng on Thursday.

Mmabatho police station spokesperson, Capt Marble Mosidi said the suspects allegedly bombed an ATM with explosives at Sasol filling station in Golfview, Mahikeng on Wednesday.

According to police, several armed suspects wearing balaclavas fired shots that forced employees to take cover. The suspects allegedly blew the ATM as well as a safe inside the store with explosives.

“They took an undisclosed amount of money and also robbed a convenient store of various goods. The suspects allegedly fled the scene with two cars, a Nissan X-trail and Volkswagen Golf. The suspects were arrested through assistance of Crime Intelligence in Gauteng Province.

“The Hawks is conducting investigations. We believe that the suspects may be linked to other cases within Mahikeng and neighbouring areas where ATMs were blown with explosives. The suspects were remanded in custody until May 4 for formal bail application,” Mosidi said.

-TDN

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