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Acting Premier Sebegoe applauds arrest of union leader found in possession of firearm and ammunition


The arrest of a union leader allegedly found in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition signals a determination on the part of the police to stamp the tide of senseless killings and violence in the mining sector, North West Acting Premier Paul Sebegoe said on Friday.

“We applaud police for the arrest and trust that their effort to unmask the bullies behind the spate of killings and violence will be intensified to restore peace and stability,” Acting Premier Sebegoe stressed.

According to police, the 42 year old AMCU South Branch Chairperson at Impala mine was arrested at his home in Freedom Park Section in Phokeng in the early hours of Friday.

He is expected to appear in the Phokeng Magistrates Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sebegoe has also condemned in the strongest terms possible the alleged brutal assault of a 51-year old mine-worker who was reportedly assaulted with stones by striking workers.“These acts of violence undermine AMCU’s earlier commitment to peaceful strike and to respect the rights of non-striking workers,” the Acting Premier added. 

According to police, the victim was on his way to work when he was offered a lift in a car with two occupants.

But the car drove straight to a group of picketing mine workers. 

“The victim was allegedly undressed before being taken to a nearby dumping site where he was severely assaulted with stones, before being rescued by security officers,” Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said.

Two suspects arrested in connection with the assault will appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate Court on Wednesday next week.-TDN
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Rankotea community to receive mining royalties commission report


The community of Rankotea is to receive the findings of the much awaited Hendler Commission from the Office of the Premier for North West Province at a report back meeting to be held as from 10:00 am at the Vametco Hall in Rankotea near Mothotlung outside Brits today.

The Hendler Commission of Inquiry was appointed in 2008 by then Premier Edna Molewa in terms of the North West Commissions Act to investigate the management of the royalties and or income derived from mining companies and alleged activities of corruption and maladministration of the funds of the Rankotea community.

The commission completed its work in June 2013, despite two adjournments. In receiving the report on 4 November 2013, Premier Modise had undertook to study the report and action its recommendations.

The Premier had emphasised the significance of presenting the report to the Rankotea community as a matter of urgency and that the report to be presented to the Rankotea community should be translated into Setswana so as to accommodate all residents of Rankotea.

Family members of the joint co-owners, the family representatives and the residents of Rankotea who had participated in public hearings conducted by the Commission of inquiry to complete outstanding work after it was appointed by Premier Modise to resume its work. 

Among its terms of reference, the commission had also investigated:

– the functionality of the Executive Committee if any and other committees or subcommittees entrusted with the general management of the affairs of the community.

– to collect and examine information relating to the administration and management of the financial affairs of the community.

– the cause of continuous battles between all committees that were ever elected or appointed and recommend scenarios to be considered to ensure non-recurrence of such problems.

On completing its investigations, the commission had to make recommendations to Premier Modise on any proposed actions and/or steps to be taken to prevent the mismanagement of the funds of the community, including the appropriate financial and management structures that must be put in place for future management of the funds and general administration thereof.-TDN
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MEC Maloyi continues to accelerate access to housing in NW


Klerksdorp-MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi will on Friday officially hand-over houses to about 188 families of Joubertina Extension 16 in the Matlosana Local Municipality. The families have been staying in informal settlements.

The gesture is part of the departmental handing over programme of more than 8 000 houses between the February and March month, across the province. The programme also seeks to speed eradicate informal settlements, restoring the dignity community members and celebrating 20 years of democracy.

The media is invited to be part of the handover ceremony which will be held as follows:

Date: 28 February 2014

Time: 10H00

Venue: Jourbertina Extension 16
-TDN
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Bafana Bafana/Brazil game, a special moment – Gauteng Premier


Johannesburg- The international friendly match between Bafana Bafana and Brazil was yet another opportunity to show the outside world how good the country was in hosting events, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane told the media on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Bafana Bafana versus Brazil game scheduled for 5 March 2014 at FNB Stadium, Mokonyane said the upcoming clash with five-time world champions was also an opportunity to show people how stable and united South Africa is.

Bafana Bafana take on Brazil in a match which is to mark 20 years of the country’s freedom. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19h00 and both teams will use the occasion to unveil their new kit.

Brazil will be unveiling their 2014 FIFA World Cup playing kit while Bafana Bafana will show off their new Nike gear.

“This is a special occasion which should be celebrated by all South Africans. We should also take this occasion to celebrate our late Father of the Nation, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s legacy,” said Premier Mokonyane.

Current BRICS chair, President Jacob Zuma will be handing over the chairmanship to his Brazilian counterpart and South Africa will also be handing over the World Cup button to Brazil who will be hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan reiterated the fact that every match played between South Africa and Brazil was special. This upcoming one was more special, he said.

“This is Brazil’s World Cup squad with an array of stars plying their trade in Europe for top sides like Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris St Germain, just to name a few. You will never get another opportunity like this one if you don’t buy your ticket in time,” said the SAFA president.

“Let me take this opportunity to wish Brazil well in hosting the World Cup and we want them to know we are always on hand to offer any assistance if required,’ he added.
FNB Stadium management CEO Jacques Grobbelaar said all logistics pertaining to transport and security matters had been finalised and it was all systems go.

“Come to the stadium early, utilise the public transport and come and have a great day,” said Grobbelaar.
Tickets can be purchased at Computicket, Shoprite and Shoprite Checkers stores countrywide and are going for R50, R100 and R200.-TDN
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Police arrested 20 protesters near Setlagole


By Obakeng Maje
Setlagole-In order to bring the situation under control and restore order, the police had to use rubber bullets and stun grenades on Thursday at around 10:00 to disperse a crowd of approximately 400 hundred people.

This is after the crowd gathered illegally and blocked N18 between Vryburg and Mahikeng with burning tyres at approximately 03:00, thus affecting the free flow of traffic. 

“The community allegedly barricaded the road and demanded to be given feedback by the Mayor of Ratlou Local Municipality on issues pertaining to the memorandum they handed on 14 February 2014. They were allegedly expecting to get feedback on Wednesday, and that did not happen” Brigadier Thulane Ngubane said.

In the process of dispersal, 20 persons, I.e 9 females and 11 males with ages still to be determined, were arrested. 

“According to the information available at this stage, unconfirmed number of shops owned by foreign nationals were also looted. That led to arrest of 7, I.e 4 females and 3 males for possession of suspected stolen goods” Ngubane said.

It was also reported that attempt was made to set alight the house of the Mayor, but the police intervened and only windowpanes were damaged after being pelted with stones by protesters.   

All suspects are expected to appear in Atamelang Magistrates’ Court soon for Public Violence, Possession of suspected stolen goods, business robbery and Contravention of Road Traffic Act. 

The leadership of the protesters or concerned community members are urged to ensure that they behave properly and refrain from criminal activities like looting of shops.

“The community must ensure that they expose criminal elements who hide themselves behind legitimate service delivery concerns by committing crime” concludes Ngubane. 

The police are still monitoring the situation.-TDN
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Mi Casa to perform at Bafana Bafana, Brazil game


Johannesburg-Top musical group, Mi Casa is excited to perform at the Bafana Bafana versus Brazil game which will be played at FNB Stadium on 5 March 2014.

The match kicks off at 19h00 and tickets for the match are sold at Computicket, Shoprite and Shoprite Checkers Stores across the country for R50, R100 and R200.

“For us performing at the game between our Bafana Bafana and world soccer icons Brazil is truly a dream come true. This is one step closer to realising our dream of performing at the World Cup in Brazil this year”.
 
“We can’t wait to see the stadium packed with supporters and for us all to celebrate through music and sport our beautiful country and the 20 years we have enjoyed of democracy,” said Mi Casa publicist Collin Mokgaotsi.

Gates at FNB Stadium open at 16h00 and Mi Casa will start playing at 17h30 and at half-time.-TDN
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Five died in fatal accident


By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-Five men lost their lives on the N4-highway near Rustenburg on Wednesday afternoon at about 17:30 when the car they were driving in collided with another.

They were approximately 2,5 km from Rustenburg when the vehicle they were driving in Opel Astra when it collided with a white Toyota Fortuner. 

“Both occupants of the Fortuner were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while only one occupant in the Opel Astra managed to survive the accident and was admitted at hospital” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. 

Mokgwabone said it is still unclear who was driving the Opel Astra.

A case of Culpable Homicide is registered.-TDN
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Acting Premier welcomes reinstatement of farmerworker’s murder trial   


The reinstatement of the trial of two farmers alleged to have electrocuted a farmworker should ensure that his family finds closure and restore public confidence in the criminal justice system, North West Acting Premier Paul Sebegoe said on Thursday.

“Although the majority of farmers in our province treat their workers well, incidents of human right violation, worker abuse and disregard for the law by some farmers are an affront to our democracy and need to be stamped out. We hope that justice will be served and that appropriate action will be taken against those who sought to misrepresent the facts surrounding the case,” Acting Premier Sebegoe stressed. 

The trial resumed on Monday in the Vryburg Magistrates Court after new evidence by a state forensic pathologist was presented which contradicted testimony that Bakang Moleko had died of natural causes.

Sixty-nine -year- old Mathys Cloete and his son Danie, 34, were arrested on Monday 3 September 2012, after they allegedly assaulted, electrocuted and killed a farm worker Bakang Moleko, 24, and seriously injured Shadrack Anderson, 20.

The two suspects who had been out on R2000 bail are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, assault and pointing a firearm.

The Cloetes’ allegedly assaulted Moleko and Anderson after accusing the two of stealing tyres and 50 litre of diesel at their farm in Boshoek.

It is alleged that Danie choked one of them with a car battery booster cable after they refused to tell the truth. The deceased collapsed and Danie poured water on his face to wake him, but was certified died upon arriving at the local clinic.

 Moleko’s body was kept in a government mortuary for nine months due to postmortem disputes.-TDN
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Nwest officials to be empowered on protecting the public from unlawful administrative decisions  


Eighty officials from provincial government departments and municipalities in the North West Province are to be inducted on a mainstreaming guide that protects the public from unlawful, unreasonable and procedurally unfair administrative decisions.

The two-day session on the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) Mainstreaming Guide for Organs of State hosted by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development commences at the Mmabatho Convention Centre on Thursday.
Under PAJA, affected persons have the right to request for reasons for administrative actions and decisions taken against them and to have such actions reviewed in court.
The launch is part of the rollout to provinces intended at providing guidance on general compliance with PAJA, introduce its mainstreaming guideline and also ensure adherence to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).-TDN
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