Author: Boitumelo Tshehle
The North West province is ready to host the 2023 Netball World Cup trophy tour which starts when the trophy arrives in South Africa in early June and handed over to the province on June 14. The World Cup will take place in Cape Town from July 28 to August 6 and is expected to draw crowds and tourists from all over the world. North West Netball president Helene Botha who was speaking during a meeting with the North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation Kenetswe Mosenogi said the province was prepared for the tour. “We have that privilege that we…
Residents of Mooibank outside Potchefstroom in the North West, have mixed feelings about relocating to a new place after a court order forced them to move from the land they have been occupying for two years. Mooibank farmers petitioned the court to have the residents evicted because they claimed the land is for farming. The order which was effective on March 31, was extended for another fourteen days to allow the settlers to move. Although they had no access to clean water and sanitation, the Mooibank residents said they got used to living there without basic services. And that their…
Taxi violence has reared its ugly head again in Khuma and Stilfontein in the North West as taxi operators fight over lucrative routes. Passengers and drivers were caught in the crossfire between the warring factions while two taxi operators were gunned down and killed this month. Taxi drivers are now ferrying passengers without operating licences and have vowed to eliminate anyone who gets in their way of earning money for their families. There were few taxis on the road on Tuesday, as an operation targeting illegal taxis in the area has resulted in the impounding of 54 vehicles for operating…
Students who owe rent at Vuselela TVET Colleges in Jouberton and Potchefstroom campuses in the North West, have been evicted from their residences because the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) didn’t pay their monthly grants on time. Last week academic activities were disrupted after the students protested because the college failed to submit the required information to NSFAS to enable NSFAS to disburse the required grants for the upkeep of the students. The college had promised the protesting students that the NSFAS money they have been demanding will be in their accounts on or before last Saturday but the…
Academic activities were disrupted on Thursday at the Jouberton, North West campus of Vuselela College as students embarked on a protest over unpaid National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) contributions. Students blocked entrances to the campus and disrupted academic activities forcing the Vuselela management to assure them that their grants would be paid on or before Saturday. Student Registration and Financial Aid Services Assistant Director at the College Augustine AU said the majority of the affected students will be paid over the weekend. “The college has so far uploaded close to 80% of students that are appearing on the funded…
ANC Member of Parliament Sibusiso Kula will know his fate in a week’s time after approaching the North West High Court in Mahikeng seeking to overturn a decision of the Orkney Magistrate Court which denied him bail. Kula was arrested in January and charged with the murder of his wife Jennifer Kula, whose lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood in their home by Kula last November. On Thursday Kula’s attorney together with the State prosecutor made their submission before the court on why Kula should be granted bail or not. The National Prosecuting Authority’s North West…
Residents of Jakaranda, near Klerksdorp in the North West have threatened to take the law into their own hands by occupying the land they have been fighting for since 2000, they said. This threat follows a court order obtained by the Matlosana Local Municipality that prevents them from occupying municipal land illegally. The residents notified the municipality two weeks ago through a memorandum pleading with the municipality to place them on property designated aside for housing development. They said if the municipality does not do so by March 20, they will seize the property they have been battling for since…
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) has referred scores of long-distance drivers in the North West and those who transport a significant number of commuters to hospitals and clinics for the treatment of various ailments that may affect their ability to drive safely. RAF has been participating in a week-long mobile bus and driver health programme in Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp and already 32% of truck drivers, bus drivers, and taxi drivers have been given referral letters. Officials from the RAF said they found 5% of the drivers they encountered visually impaired and were provided spectacles. Also, they said, statistics show that…
Residents of Kanana township outside Orkney in the North West, yesterday picketed outside the Klerksdorp Magistrates Court, calling for the release of seven mini taxi drivers, popularly known as Tambai drivers. The suspects, who have been in custody since June last year, are accused and have been charged with common assault after beating up a man who had stolen a cellphone from a community member. The residents said since the operators were arrested, crime has increased in their area because of the Tambai operators who were coming to the rescue of commuters on many occasions.. Ntswaki Maine said the police…
The Municipal Public Accounts (Mpac) committee, an oversight group made up o f12 councillors from various political parties made a sight visit to the Matlosana Local Municipality in the North West, and were not happy with the levels of service delivery. The group said they are now interviewing different departments within the municipality for consequence management on projects that are critical for service delivery. Their move follows the tabling of the annual report and public participation where problems relating to the municipality’s annual performance and financial viability were reviewed. Mpac committee chairperson Mmateboho Mosiakwa, said they have reached the point…