Author: Motlhaping Modise
Thousands of commuters in Rustenburg and Mogwase in the North West have been left stranded, following a strike by bus drivers at the Bojanala Bus Services, who abandoned their shifts on Monday. The drivers are allegedly demanding amnesty following several offences including negligence, reckless driving and failure to issue tickets to commuters which is regarded as theft and serious offence to the company. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Bojanala Bus Services regional Manager Karl Myburgh said that the strike started after disciplinary hearings were instituted against some of the drivers for various offences. “This an illegal work stoppage. It is…
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has maintained its criticism towards the government regarding its handling of the Operation Vala Umgodi crackdown on illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West last year, accusing authorities of creating a humanitarian crisis that led to deaths of zama zamas. LHR’s comments comes as the South African Human Rights Commission’s (SAHRC) commenced with the second leg of the National Inquiry into the Policy Framework Governing Artisanal Mining in Parktown, Johannesburg. The inquiry will also probe its impact on surrounding communities, and the scope and methods used in Operation Vala Umgodi. The inquiry on Monday received evidence…
The National Health Department has appealed to parents, caregivers, and legal guardians of girls in Grade 5 aged nine-years and older to sign the consent forms issued by the schools to allow them to receive the lifesaving, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination. According to the department, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the country, after breast cancer. The department will commence with the drive on Monday with the aim of protecting young girls from developing cervical cancer later in their lives. Furthermore, the department said that the country records a high number of cases of…
North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has vehemently denied allegations that he tried to influence former Naledi Local Municipality Director for corporate Services Thabo Appolus to alter a report relating to the appointment of Modisenyane Segapo as the Municipal Manager after an interview process. The allegations were made by the municipality mayor Clifton Groep, who told Parliament’s Joint Portfolio Committees chaired by Zweli Mkhize, during an oversight visit last year in the province that Mokgosi had allegedly instructed a former municipal employee to alter a report relating to the appointment of municipal manager. Mokgosi took to the stand on Saturday at…
The Department of Correctional Services says there’s nothing unusual in the transfer of convicted rapist and jailbird, Thabo Bester, to super maximum eBongweni Correctional Facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. This following criticism from Bester’s legal team, that they were not informed nor consulted about his transfer, from the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility in Pretoria. “It has to be emphasised that offender transfers are a routine practice, guided by established security risk assessments to ensure the safety, security, and stability of correctional facilities and the broader criminal justice system. The offender will continue to receive appropriate care in line with applicable legislative…
Survivors and families of victims of apartheid-era crimes, together with the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR), have welcomed the dismissal of applications filed by former Presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki seeking the recusal of Justice Sisi Khampepe as Chairperson of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into political interference in Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases. The Commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is tasked with investigating alleged interference and concerted efforts to block the prosecution of cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) by the TRC. In a statement, FHR Director Dr. Zaid Kimmie said the ruling means…
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in Vryburg in the North West has pledged to sustain its improved financial situation and avoid regression to the level of dysfunctionality and possibly face a risk of being placed under administration again. The municipality was among several other municipalities in the province which were placed under section 139(5)(a) and (c) of the Constitution and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) in November 2021. The action was aimed at addressing severe financial distress, including the implementation of a financial recovery plan and the appointment of representatives to oversee financial operations. This as the…
The North West Provincial Government has refuted allegations that R2.2 billion in unspent Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) which was allocated to the municipalities in the current financial year was returned to the department of National Treasury. The MIG is allocated to municipalities each financial year to give many communities, especially rural villages a facelift across the province. These include projects such as installation of high mast lights, construction of paved roads as well as water supply and sanitation projects. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, MEC for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Oageng Molapisi dismissed the allegations as…
Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Economic Development in the Matlosana Local Municipality, Wesley Kgang, says he will not step aside from his position unless instructed to do so by the African National Congress (ANC). Kgang, a former ANC Youth League provincial and national spokesperson, said he is confident that he will successfully defend himself against allegations of driving under the influence of alcohol and will resume his duties on Tuesday. He was arrested over the weekend on allegations of drunken driving, charges he has strongly denied. “As far as I’m concerned, I am resuming duty first thing tomorrow…
The City of Tshwane has vowed to continue with its intensified revenue collection campaign, known as Tshwane Ya Tima, aimed at recovering money owed to the municipality. The city launched the latest phase of the drive on Friday in an effort to recoup outstanding electricity bills amounting to approximately R2 billion from major defaulters, including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and national government departments. Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Utility Services, France Boshielo, said the campaign is not intended to embarrass defaulters but to ensure that services provided by the municipality are paid for. “We are not doing this programme…