Author: Dimakatso Genkoe
The North West Department of Social Development and other stakeholders including the SAPS came to the rescue of stranded families in Assen and Klipvoorstad at the Madibeng Local Municipality, with social relief aid. The two villages were left destitute by the recent floods, which severely affected 84 families. The families were displaced by the rain that flooded their homes, however, no injuries were reported. The Department spokesperson Petrus Siko said the families who faced undue hardship received social relief of distress in the form of food parcels from a team of social workers and SAPS who used a helicopter and…
Some residents and businesses in Rustenburg in the North West were plunged into darkness for several days as the Local Municipality battled to restore electricity to affected communities on time. Residents told Newsnote that they have lost confidence in the municipality after they were left in a state of chaos and uncertainty for several days. In some areas, residents said the electricity went off at the weekend and was restored in the early hours of Wednesday. Kgomotso Mosito, who runs a beauty salon in the CBC and makes about R900 or more a day, said she had to turn away…
Eskom has suspended load-shedding since 5am after the recovery of its generation capacity amongst others. The power utility had implemented stage 6 of the power cuts which was later downgraded to stages 4 and 2 since Saturday. Spokesperson Daphne Mokoena says the utility’s generation capacity has recovered. “This decision follows the successful recovery of generation capacity and significant progress in replenishing emergency reserves. Although overnight replenishment is still needed, these developments will result in a stable power system,” said Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena. According to Mokoena the ongoing planned maintenance stands at 6 660 megawatts in alignment with the utility’s…
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng has withdrawn charges against former City of Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and co accused Mduduzi Zondi due to lack of evidence. The pair were facing charges of fraud and corruption after they were allegedly linked to a defunct investment and funeral insurance company, Ithemba Lama Afrika, run by Gwamanda in Soweto between 2011 and 2012. Following the allegations, Gwamanda was placed on precautionary leave as the city’s MMC for Community Development, and later dismissed by his predecessor, Dada Morero. A legal representative for both Gwamanda and Zondo, Gregory Armstrong, today told the Protea Magistrates…
Eskom has announced that loadshedding has been reduced from stage 6 to stage 4 since the early hours of Monday. The utility spokesperson Daphne Mokoena said this is due to the recovery of five units. “This follows the successful recovery of all five units at Majuba, two units at Camden, and one unit at Medupi since Saturday, totalling eight out of ten generation units that had tripped this weekend,” said Mokoena. According to Mokoena the recovery of the units comes after the root causes of multiple unit trips were identified. “The return of these units comes after identifying the root…
Police in the North West have applauded the ongoing Vala Umgodi Operation, as it continues to bear fruits at some of the troubled mining areas in the province. This follows the arrest of twelve illegal miners in Witrandjie near Sun City and Kroondal outside Rustenburg. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone the suspects aged between 20 and 47 were arrested in operations conducted in the two areas and they were charged for various crimes. Mokgwabone said all the suspects are illegal immigrants. “Two arrests were affected in Witrandjie village while 10 were held in Kroondal, where a man was…
The North West Department of Social Development said it is pleased to have successfully hosted the two-day National Active Ageing Program for 2025 in Rustenburg, despite some rain disruptions. The games are held in partnership with the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the Department of Health, and the Older Persons Forum. The program saw more than 1 600 older persons 60 and above from across the country gathered under one roof at Rustenburg Civic Centre and took part in various sports activities. The inclement weather conditions led to the cancellation of some of the outdoor activities such football, however…
The Border Management Authority (BMA) said flooding caused by the torrential rains have forced it to temporarily suspend operations at the Pont Drift, Makgobistad and Derdepoort ports of entry. The three are all ports of entry between South Africa and Botswana. “The heavy rainfall in the region has resulted in significant water levels rising in the Molopo River, making operations at the three ports of entry unsafe and impractical,” said BMA spokesperson Mmemme Mogotsi. According to Mogotsi, BMA consulted authorities in Botswana on necessary precautionary measures and the borders will remain closed until further notice. The BMA has advised travellers…
The North West MEC of Economic Development Environment and Conservation, Bitsa Lenkopane, has expressed concern about recurring salary delays at the North-West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). According to the department, employees haven’t received their salaries for the month of February. The entity has been facing several challenges, including poor governance, instability in the leadership and inability to generate revenue, among others. The department spokesperson Jerry Matebesi said their surprised that the entity failed to pay employees’ salaries, although it received funding for the remainder of this financial year. “This delayed payment of staff members is a recuring problem manifesting…
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the North West said municipalities across the province are conducting impact assessments to determine the extent of damages caused by torrential rains across the province. This as the South African Weather Service predicted the above-normal rainfall earlier this week. The department spokesperson, Thebeitsile Keameditse, said all affected families would receive social relief packages. “The assessment would establish the kind of assistance needed for areas affected by flooding due to heavy rains across the province. Where there is a need, temporary structures will be provided, and affected families will be given social…