Tag Archives: in Taung

Shortage of orthopaedic implants caused by influx of patients 

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Picture: Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital

By OBAKENG MAJE 

7 December 2025- The family of Lesego Daniel Sebego (71) from Moretele village, in Taung, said it is concerned regarding his deteriorating health at Taung District Hospital. According to one of the family members who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, his family member was admitted at Taung District Hospital on 4 November 2025, with a broken hip. 

“However, he is still flagging at the hospital bed without any assistance. We do not get a straight explanation on why he has not undergone operation yet. However, we heard some allegations that there are shortages of orthopaedic implants at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital due to unpaid invoices of the suppliers.  

“This has left Sebego in a predicament with prolonged pain. Sebego is already losing hope and he is now developing bed sores. We just hope that these delays will not lead to permanent disability due to the progression of his conditions, while awaiting treatment,” he said.

The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said the Taung District Hospital acknowledges receipt of the enquiry regarding a patient who is currently admitted at the facility. Lehari said the hospital is fully aware of his case and continues to monitor his condition closely.

“The patient has not yet been transferred to the Klerksdorp/Tshepong Hospital Complex due to supply-related challenges. At present, the Complex does not have the required orthopaedic implant necessary for his surgical procedure. 

“It is important to clarify that this delay is not due to bed shortages or a lack of surgeons, but rather a supply chain issue affecting the availability of the specialised implant. The hospital management is doing everything possible to resolve the supply constraints and to ensure that the patient receives the required surgical intervention as soon as possible,” he said.

Lehari further said the Sebego family has been informed of the situation, and communication channels remain open to provide regular updates and reassurance. He added that they regret the distress caused to the patient and his family and reaffirm their commitment to ensuring that all patients receive timely and appropriate care.

“The challenges are caused largely by exceptionally high demand from orthopaedic intervention. The Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital has been receiving a significant influx of patients from outside its jurisdiction including Free State, Northern Cape and Gauteng provinces, as well as foreign nationals from neighbouring countries.

“So, this is the reason why we are having this challenge. However, there are measures in place to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate treatment which includes correct referral pathways through the gatekeeping, adequate budget and proper revenue collection especially on those who can afford according to their financial classification,” said Lehari.

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The family of a boy who drowned in a canal in Hartswater left dejected  

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Picture: The Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, the father of the deceased, Seun Sehemo and his wife

By OBAKENG MAJE

22 October 2024- A family of Kutlwano Sehemo (13), who drowned in a water canal in Bonita Park Informal Settlement, near Hartswater, said they were left dejected by how the police divers dealt with the whole situation. The body of Kutlwano was only retrieved after 48 hours in Maphoitsile village, in Taung, more than 15km away after being washed away.  

It is alleged that on 17 October 2024, Kutlwano and his friends went to the water canal to cool off during the hot weather. However, it is alleged that a Grade 7 learner from Kgono Primary School in Pampierstad, disappeared under the water.

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The body of the deceased was retrieved in a water canal in Maphoitsile village and an inquest docket was opened.”

The deceased’s father, Seun Sehemo said it was disheartening to see the police divers doing nothing to retrieve the body of his son. Sehemo said on the first day, the police divers came, but did not enter the water.

“They just came, looked around and left. The following day, they came and did not stay long. Only on the third day, they managed a thorough search and recovered the lifeless body of my son in Maphoitsile.  

“We were sitting at home having sleepless nights, simply because some people who were appointed in positions could not do their work. However, we are grateful that at the end of the day, we will manage to bury our son,” he said.

The Phokwane Local Municipality mayor, Willem Harmse said they will support the family throughout the process. Harmse further said they will also engage with other departments for any assistance.

“We will also ensure that we facilitate different departments, where the family needs assistance,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo visited the bereaved family on Saturday. Seitlholo said they call for collaborative efforts between government and communities in relation to public safety around water resources.

“Drowning incidents are prone around canals and other water bodies during summer season, where temperatures are high. We also visited Vaalharts and met with the Vaalharts WUA, Phokwane Local Municipality, to address safety concerns around the canal.

“I’m concerned by the consistent incidents of drowning in this community. We’ve engaged consistently with the Water User Association (WUA) on what we can do as the department to prevent future incidents of drowning,” he said.

According to Seitlholo, the WUA is currently undergoing a process of capacity building and have identified volunteers that are currently on training on how to behave around water and have taken the programme to schools. He said they hope they will have individuals within a radius that will be able to respond quickly to incidents of drowning.

“Fencing is unfortunately not a sustainable solution to the current state of the canal as far as curbing future incidents of drowning. The department conducted the decommissioning of the fencing when the fence around the canals was stolen.

“I visited the family to send personal condolences on behalf of the Department of Water and Sanitation. As a government, we have a responsibility to show families that we do care and to explain why we cannot fence these canals,” said Seitlholo.

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Couple irked as their RDP house is ‘illegally’ occupied  

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Picture: Gopolang Joseph Motsumi with his wife, Keolebogile Evy Motsumi

By OBAKENG MAJE 

15 October 2024- Even though illegal occupation of RDP houses is a serious offence, many houses in Extension 6, in Taung, are being illegally occupied. It is alleged that they bought those houses from some of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) officials. 

One of the victims, Gopolang Joseph Motsumi (60) from Mokgareng village, near Taung, said he applied for a RDP house many years ago, but he was surprised to see it being illegally allocated to somebody else. Motsumi said he was looking for a job around the area when he noticed his RDP house in Extension 6.

“I went to the municipality to inquire about my house. Indeed, they confirmed that the house belongs to me. They gave me a letter to hand it over to the illegal occupant.  

“However, even though he agreed that he is aware that the house belongs to me, he does not budge. He said he will only leave the house when his RDP house he applied for is ready,” he said.

Motsumi, who stays in a one-roomed shack with his wife and children, said his livelihood has been affected over the years due to this matter. He further said the municipality is not doing enough to help him recover his house. 

“It’s been years since I tried to get any assistance from the municipality, but I’m being sent from pillar to post. From my understanding, illegal occupation of RDP houses is unlawful. 

“But, it seems the municipality is doing nothing to prevent residents who jump the housing queue by embarking on illegal acts by occupying RDP houses,” said Motsumi. 

He added that it is disgusting to have a situation, where people just break the law with impunity.

Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “We have had engagements with two gentlemen in an effort to resolve the matter. The municipality cannot be able to comment on the reasons for the allocation as that was effected by another party.

“The allocation was done by the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC). We are aware that there are many RDP houses being illegally occupied in the area. These are normally resolved through eviction of the wrong party.”

Oliphant said such problems might have been caused by difficulties to trace the rightful beneficiaries, in that case, other people on the list would be granted the right to occupy the property until the rightful beneficiary is traced. He said the municipality is exploring possibilities of assisting Motsumi to access his rightful house. 

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