R1-20/FREE
11 December 2015
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JANUARY / FEBRUARY
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Bela-Bela lifeguard commits suicide
Bela-Bela Municipality workers shut down offices after payment delay.- 30 January
-16 January
TK Mashaba
Justin Steyn The body of Caiphus Mashiane, a Spa Park resident who worked as a lifeguard at Forever Resorts, was found at the town dam on 8 January. He had apparently committed suicide.
Upsets as cellphone tower looms - 30 January
11 December, 2015 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Employees at the Bela-Bela Municipality downed tools on 26 January after their salary payments were delayed. The protesting workers overturned dustbins and refused service while they demanded their salaries. The municipality blamed the payment delay on a system issue and urged employees to return to work.
Bela-Bela Doctor suffers Snake bites woman on toilet - 13 February a break-in - 6 February
Justin Steyn 35-year old Jo-Anne Hamilton was bitten by a snake on her right upper leg while using a bathroom at her workplace.
No Smoke without a fire in LFA - 27 February
Justin Steyn In an official notice on Friday, 16 January, DLC communications announced their intent to erect a 35 meter telecommunications mast in the Jinnah Park residential area close to the school. Jinnah Park Primary School principal Amanda Jansen van Vuuren joined other members of the community in their frantic protest against the construction.
Solomon Mahlangu in a state of emergency - 20 February
Hamilton was rushed to the closest MediClinic for antivenom, and later moved to Muelmed Hospital where dead tissue roughly the size of a tennis ball was removed from her groin.
night using an axe and a pickaxe handle, and allegedly helped himself to the pills in Shortly after being framed by the medicine room. The man scammers, Bela-Bela’s was later taken to hospital Doctor Strini Naidoo’s surgery when he started vomiting, was ransacked. The incident, possibly in reaction to the the first in Dr Naidoo’s large amount of medicine he seventeen years in Bela-Bela, had taken. The suspect was happened on Saturday, 31 found to be a psychiatric January. A man who was patient and was referred to believed to have been a mental hospital for mentally disturbed gained treatment. All the charges access to the surgery in the against him were dropped. Lizzy Bapela
TK Mashaba Solomon Mahlangu High School suffered from a series of incidents in the beginning of the year, starting with the loss of 15 educators when their contracts were not renewed, and continuing with student problems. It was reported at the time that the school was a hotbed of gang violence, with teachers having been attacked and learners going about armed. The situation improved when the school was assigned additional teachers.
TK Mashaba The Waterberg LFA made headlines in February, with accusations of corruption running rampant. Bela-Bela’s Jack Maluleka and Lucas Nhlapo — now Mayor of Bela-Bela in
addition to being SAFA’s vice president — were accused of maladministration by three of their affiliates. There was also complaints about electoral chicanery, with nine of the fourteen LFA clubs allegedly having voted to oust Maluleka, but having their ballots refused.
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Solve our problems or resign! - 6 March
Lizzy Bapela Angry Bela-Bela residents took to the streets in protest on Friday, 27 February. The protesters sang struggle songs on their long march from Lethlabile Park to the municipal offices in the CBD. The protesters also handed over a memorandum demanding solutions to a list of issues, and
MARCH
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BelaBela Hospital workers down tools -13 March TK Mashaba
demanded the immediate dismissal of Manager for Planning Precious Raputswa. They also objected to the vehicle budget, pointing out that the municipality spent R3 million per month renting
80 vehicles for only 30 drivers. The marchers also demanded the resignation of Municipal Manager Morris Maluleka, citing a list of abandoned projects and allegedly irregular expenses.
Crocodiles roam free in Bospoort - 27 March
Justin Steyn Four stray crocodiles were found wandering free near the golf course in Bospoort, Bela-Bela. All four crocodiles were eventually rounded up, but it is still not known where they originally came from.
Employees and Nehawu members at Bela-Bela Hospital downed tools on Monday, 3 March in protest against the hospital’s management. The employees were protesting because the demands they had presented to the management during a previous protest had not been acted on, and some of the employees were still not being paid overtime. Police monitored the protest, which did not turn violent although the protesters did surround the car of Hospital CEO Dr Ricardo Escobar when he returned to the hospital.
Bela-Bela soccer stars shine for national team - 27 March
TK Mashaba
The BEAT team of packers and distrubuters are hard at work ensuring that piles of advertising brochures are correctly inserted in each newspaper, before being packed in correctly numbered piles for distrubution to the various selling points. The team often work long shifts right through the night to have the newspaper appear promptly evry week. The proud team consists of Reginald Leseke, Joseph Ditsela (mamager), Boikie Manukuse and Solly Seswana.
Two players from Bela-Bela in the Waterberg were added to the national beach soccer team Bana Banana. Donnie Alberts and Phillip Mongwai, both from Total Surrender, made their teammates and their town proud when they were added to the team. Alberts played in a game against Madagascar, while Mongwai attended but was not fielded.
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APRIL
Five shop stewards suspended after protests
Donkey Con at Forever Resorts -24 April
-24 April
TK Mashaba Following a protest at Bela-Bela Municipality on 15 April five shop stewards were suspended. The five were Elliot Molala, Maria Zikhali, Lasy Makhubela, Gosh Rachidumela and Philemon Magwai. Elliot Molala, the local Samwu chairperson and one of the five, alleged unfair labour practices in their suspension.
Justin Steyn A gathering focusing on donkeys and their role in African society was hosted at Bela-Bela’s Forever Resorts on 15
Fire scare in Spar Supermarket -24 April
TK Mashaba Workers at Bela-Bela SuperSpar’s bakery section were horrified when their entire section was nearly engulfed in flames on 20 April.
According to one of the employees the fire started while a batch of bread was baking. The fire burned fiercely but was eventually subdued. Nobody was injured in the blaze, which was allegedly caused by a paraffin leak in the bakery section.
April. During the event attendees were lectured on the proper care of donkeys, and a variety of donkey carts were inspected for weight and balance, while donkeys were assessed according to their physical condition.
DA’s water wagons relieve water problems -10 April
With water shortages driving residents mad in, the DA had the bright idea of manufacturing a 110-litre water tank that would fit on a wheelbarrow. The tank would be fitted with a tap. The first 45 of the bright blue wheelbarrows were
presented to Waterberg residents hardest-hit by the shortages on Friday, 20 March. Special attention was paid to those who usually carry water from water points and dams far from their homes.
Leseding’s trash disaster -10 April
Marlene Vermaak The BEAT received photos in April of the conditions in Leseding. Rubbish was being dumped in the streets, a fire burned for three days at the landfill site, and the roads were in terrible conditions. No improvement has been reported since.
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Police barracks engulfed in flames
Justin Steyn
Justin Steyn
beds, fridges and various police equipment and was estimated to be as high as R1 million. A woman was
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Alleged axe attacker denies involvement -15 May
-8 May
The barracks at the Bela-Bela police station caught fire on 2 May. Officers from the station, members of the firefighting union and members of the Bela-Bela Crime Prevention Unit all rushed to extinguish the blaze inside the building. They struggled for nearly an hour to bring the blaze under control. The damages included
MAY
During his cross examination on 4 May one of the suspects believed to be involved in a brutal axe attack on a couple at Leeupoort denied all involvement. Trymore Munetsi alleged that he had been on his way to visit his brother at the time of the incident, and also said that the T-shirt he had been arrested in, which the victim had testified had been stolen from her, had been given to him by his brother. Munetsi and Peter Sithole were found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in jail on 24 June.
later arrested in connection with the case. It is believed that her ex-boyfriend lived in the barracks.
Police stop protesting students in their Alleged Modimolle rapist arrested tracks -22 May -15 May Lizzy Bapela Malose Jackson Mokgosane was arrested on 5 May on two charges of housebreaking and rape. One of the ‘Modimolle Rapist’s victims spoke to The BEAT, and told reporters how she had woken up to find someone in her bed. She said that the man had threatened her, raped her, and stolen her money. She managed to convince him to stay the night, so that she could see his face in order to be able to identify him. The court is currently awaiting DNA results for the case to proceed.
TK Mashaba A group of protesting Bela-Bela High learners were stopped short at the entrance to town by police on 19 May. The learners boycotted classes because they had no teachers for a number of subjects, including Home Language, Life Science, and Life Orientation. Student president Ruben Ntuli demanded to know how they were expected to pass these subjects without teachers, and the learners were planning to take the matter up with the Department of Education’s circuit office.
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JUNE | JULY
Malema View residents left homeless after eviction
Millions missing in Modimolle Municipality, one suspended -5 June TK Mashaba The Modimolle municipality held a meeting on 2 June to clarify the issue of financial misconduct in the municipality. It was explained that one official in a middle-management position was suspended pending a disciplinary hearing. Preliminary investigations at the time showed a discrepancy of R1.2 million in revenue between 2013 and 2015.
-5 June
Lizzy Bapela | TK Mashaba Residents at the illegal squatter camp named Malema View were surprised when the Red Ants arrived on 29 May to knock down their shacks. The settlement was established illegally on the site of a planned school. Hundreds of residents were left homeless with their belongings scattered across the area. The Red Ants demolished over 700 hundred shacks. No provision has as yet been made to resettle those left homeless in this move by the municipality. The EFF’s Neo Moloko, who was behind the initial settlement, has promised to erect 50 shacks in a piece of open land owned by Forever Resorts in the CBD.
Recycling truck catches fire -12 June TK Mashaba An AbbaTermaco recycling truck loaded with paper caught fire on the R101 at Bela-Bela, near Extension 7, on 2 June. The driver and bystanders tried to offload the truck’s paper to prevent the blaze from consuming the truck’s cabin, but they were only able to remove four of the large paper-filled bags before having to retreat before the intense blaze. Fanned by the wind, fire extinguishers were also insufficient to quench the blaze, and fire consumed the entire truck.
Bela-Bela Police seek help finding mother of abandoned baby -12 June TK Mashaba
Mogalakwena council appoints acting municipal manager -3 July
Bela-Bela police asked the community to help them find the mother of a baby which was found in an open sewer in Leseding on 28 May. The baby boy, who still had his umbilical attached, appeared to have been abandoned by his mother. He was found dead by municipal workers. To date, the mother has not been identified.
Lizzy Bapela
Local taxi service calls a halt, passengers left stranded -10 July Lizzy Bapela
Mogalakwena Local Municipality appointed Peter Makondo as their Acting Municipal Manager during a Special Council Meeting on 26 June. He was appointed for a period not exceeding three months. His three months period was extended, and he is currently still in the same position. No protests have
been held against him since he Mogalakwena at least took the position, leaving slightly calmer than it was.
Abandoned baby girl found alive -24 July
A disagreement between rival taxi associations left commuters stranded on 7 July. The Warmbaths Taxi Association (WATA) closed their doors in protest against similar actions by Ngobi Taxi Association. According to WATA, the Ngobi Taxi Association forced WATA taxis in their area to stop operations on 6 July. The matter was eventually settled after interventions by various parties.
Municipal official up for RDP fraud, fugitive councillor surrenders -17 July A housing officer and a councillor from Modimolle Local Municipality were arrested in July. Ramosebi Andrew Kgati and Councillor Jimmy Maropeng were arrested following an alleged scam involving an RDP house. The pair allegedly sold an RDP house to a resident. The case is ongoing.
Lizzy Bapela A baby girl was found abandoned in a refuse bag on 18 July. The newborn, who still had her umbilical cord attached, was found wrapped in a
towel inside a refuse bag. The mother apparently used the distraction of a funeral to place the infant on a windowsill. The child’s mother was found and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for five years.
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JULY | AUGUST
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Beware of the mall mugger
Severed arm found, body still missing -31 July Justin Steyn
-24 July
A Bela-Bela municipal employee from the Department of Water and Sanitation found a severed arm close to a water purification plant in Roodepoort on 23 July. As of yet, the police have not been able to find any additional information about the owner of the arm.
Justin Steyn Pedestrians taking the route between the Bela Mall and the industrial area were advised to take care in July, as it appeared that someone was mugging many of the passers-by. One woman spoke to The BEAT about her experience, when she was robbed by the so-called Mall Mugger, who hit her in the head with a hammer. Joseph Nkuna was arrested in connection with the case on 22 July. He was found guilty of robbery and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to 18 months in prison on 27 November. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Body found near school -7 August TK Mashaba The body of an unknown woman was found in a farrow near Modderspruit Primary School on a popular jogging route on 4 August. The body has not been identified, and no missing person has been reported who could be connected with this case.
Illegal gambling ring busted again -24 July TK Mashaba The police busted the Bela-Bela Internet Entertainment Lounge for the second time on 10 July. This bust yielded 43 touch screens and R9 650 in cash. The business is believed to be a front for an illigal gambling operation.
Modimolle junior league officially Bela-Bela High School represents launched -14 August district in Coca-Cola Cup -7 August TK Mashaba
Mzamane Ringane
Bela-Bela High School represented the Waterberg in the Coca-Cola Copa Cup after triumphing in the local games. The team did not make it to the finals.
Initiation Scools still important in African culture -14 August
Mzamane Ringane Against the backdrop of national media reports revealing incidents that led to the death and hospitalization of several initiates during this year’s initiation
season, renowned local initiation school principal Thomas Maluleka spoke up in defence of the practice. Maluleka said that the initiates were taught about the risks, rewards, and ways of life at the initiation schools, and would lose something of great value if the practice were to die off.
The Modimolle Local Football Association (LFA) officially launched the Under-15 Junior League on 8 August. Local businessmen sponsored prizes for the winning teams.
Two dead in head-on collision -14 August
TK Mashaba An accident on the R101 between Bela-Bela and Modimolle on 22 August has left two people dead.
The accident, a head-on collision between an Audi sedan carrying four people and a bakkie with three passengers, occurred at just past 19:00 in front of the
entrance to the Feathers Lodge. Two of the passengers of the Audi passed away at the scene, while the passengers of the bakkie were injured.
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LEGALS NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN DECEASED ESTATES All persons having claims against the undermentioned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publication hereof. Mandatory Fields Province: Limpopo A. Estate number: 022639/ 2014 Surname: JORDAAN First names: PIERRE Date of birth: 1955 - 10 - 11 ID number: 551011 5148 085 Last address: 7 Pienaarstraat, Bela Bela, Limpopo Province Date of death: 2013 - 11 - 09 Master’s office: Polokwane B. Only applicable if deceased was married in community of property/ subject to the accrual system: First names of surviving spouse: JULIANA CORNELIA Surname of surviving spouse: JORDAAN Date of birth of surviving spouse: 1958 - 04 - 21 ID number of surviving spouse: 580421 0105 086 C. Name of Executor or Authorised agent: HERMAN & OBERHOLZER Address of Executor or Authorised agent: 23 Moffat street, Bela Bela, Limpopo Province D. Period allowed for lodgement of claims, if other than 30 days: 30 days Advertiser name: HERMAN & OBERHOLZER Advertiser address: 23 Moffat street, Bela Bela Advertiser email: jk@hoprok.co.za Advertiser telephone: 014 736 2161.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN DECEASED ESTATES All persons having claims against the undermentioned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publication hereof. Mandatory Fields Province: Limpopo A. Estate number: 006323/ 2015 Surname: PIENAAR First names: ABEL JACOBUS Date of birth: 1923 - 10 - 14 ID number: 231014 5004 082 Last address: 61 Collins Street, Modimolle, Limpopo Province Date of death: 2015 - 07 - 24 Master’s office: Polokwane B. Only applicable if deceased was married in community of property/ subject to the accrual system: First names of surviving spouse: ENGELA ELIZABETH Surname of surviving spouse: PIENAAR Date of birth of surviving spouse: 1929 - 01 - 29 ID number of surviving spouse: 290129 0020 087 C. Name of Executor or Authorised agent: HERMAN OBERHOLZER, 23 Moffat street, Bela Bela. Address of Executor or Authorised agent: P.O. Box 106, Bela Bela, 0480 D. Period allowed for lodgement of claims, if other than 30 days: 30 Advertiser name: HERMAN & OBERHOLZER Advertiser address: P.O. Box 106, Bela Bela, 0480 Advertiser email: jk@hoprok.co.za Advertiser telephone: 014 736 2161.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN DECEASED ESTATES All persons having claims against the undermentioned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publication hereof. Mandatory Fields Province: Limpopo A. Estate number: 005551/ 2015 Surname: KING First names: HENDRINA MARIA Date of birth: 1929 - 06 - 03 ID number: 290603 0016 089 Last address: Unit 802 Kronendal Date of death: 2014 - 08 - 30 Master’s office: Polokwane B. Only applicable if deceased was married in community of property/subject to the accrual system: First names of surviving spouse: Not married Surname of surviving spouse: Date of birth of surviving spouse: ID number of surviving spouse: C. Name of Executor or Authorised agent: HERMAN & OBERHOLZER, 23 Moffat Street, Bela Bela Address of Executor or Authorised agent: P.O. Box 106, Bela Bela, 0480 D. Period allowed for lodgement of claims, if other than 30 days: 30 Advertiser name: HERMAN & OBERHOLZER Advertiser address: P.O. Box 106, Bela Bela, 0480 Advertiser email: jk@hoprok.co.za Advertiser telephone: 014 736 2161. LIQUIDATION AND D I S T R I B U T I O N ACCOUNTS IN
Taxi blaze in Bela-Bela -11 September
TK Mashaba A Bela-Bela businessman’s taxi burst into flames on 8
September in Leseding. The taxi’s passengers and driver managed to escape unharmed, but the taxi was burnt to ashes.
Dagga cookies invade Hoërskool Nylstroom -25 September
Lizzy Bapela A learner from Hoërskool Nylstroom in Modimolle was expelled after he was allegedly found selling dagga
cookies at school. The learner was allegedly found with a bag full of dagga cookies in his school bag. The police commended the school for their swift reaction and their willingness to take a hard line against drugs.
11 December, 2015 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
DECEASED ESTATES LYING FOR INSPECTION In terms of section 35 (5) of the Administration of Estates Act, No. 66 of 1965, notice is hereby given that copies of the liquidation and distribution accounts (first and final, unless otherwise stated) in the estates specified below will be open for the inspection of all persons with an interest therein for a period of 21 days (or shorter or longer if specially stated) from the date specified or from the date of publication hereof, whichever may be the later, and at the offices of the Masters of the high court and Magistrates as stated. Should no objection thereto be lodged with the Masters concerned during the specified period, the executors will proceed to make payments in sccordance with the accounts. A. Estate number: 032327/2014 Province: Gauteng Surname: TRIEGAARDT First names: LODEWYK
DANIEL South African ID number: 321122 5001 080 Passport/Other ID: Last address: Unit nr 55, Renaissance, Bela Bela B. Complete only if deceased was married in community of property. First name of surviving spouse: CATHRINA JOACHAMINA Surname of surviving spouse: TRIEGAARDT ID number of srviving spouse: 310427 0090 084 C. Description of account other than First and Final: First and Final Period of inspection other than 21 days: 21 days Magistrate’s office: Bela Bela Master’s office: Pretoria Advertiser name: WENRU (Pty) Ltd Advertiser address: 27 Dr Beyers Naude Street, Middelburg Advertiser email: lafras@wenru.co.za Advertiser telephone: 013 282 7039.
ENGINEERING STUDIES Evening classes from January 2016 National Certificate: N 1 Subject: Electrical Trade Theory N 1 Contact Willem Gerber on 082 577 4291 Modimolle
SEPTEMBER
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10 | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER
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Syferskuil councillor provides destitute family with new home
Two in court following Modimolle protest -6 November
-25 September
Mzamane Ringane
The Modimolle service delivery protest in October paid unexpected dividends when two community leaders, Hendrick Malatji and Alfred Maremane, were arrested on 30 October. The pair were charged with public violence after the protest.
Justin Steyn Andries Monaheng, a ward councillor from Syferskuil did his community proud in September. After hearing about five minors who were living alone in a dilapidated house and surviving on handouts during a door-to-door campaign, Monaheng intervened. He organized building supplies and labour, and had a new home for the minors built within a week.
Minor allegedly causes accident with his father’s car -2 October
Young man in court after three die in crash - 20 November
TK Mashaba A Bela-Bela teen allegedly drove his father’s car through a yard, hitting an electric pole and plunging through the fence of the yard before coming to a stop next to a nearby tuck-shop. The boy did not have a license.
Murder at Laerskool Warmbad -23 October Justin Steyn 20 year old Desmain Adams was arrested on 18 October, hours after the murder of Lindie Bosch-Jansen at Laerskool Warmbad. Adams had apparently been in the process of stealing a Garmin GPS from a car when Bosch-Jansen came out to pack the car. Adams allegedly stabbed her and ran away. Adams pleaded guilty to murder and theft on 24 November, and his case has been postponed to 15 December for sentencing.
Chaos erupts at Modimolle Municipality -30 October
Ronél van Jaarveld, Lizzy Bapela An accident in the early hours of 14 November claimed the lives of three Bela-Bela residents at Modimolle. Dillion du Plessis, also from Bela-Bela, appeared in the District Court on
charges of manslaughter and driving under the influence. The deceased were Paul Pitše Ndlovu, Peter Shalle Rakumakwe and Simon Kkgadi Radebe. Du Plessis was released on R1 000 bail and is due to appear before the court again on 26 March 2016.
Blue Bulls Rugby Union Vice President quits -20 November
Mzamane Ringane After more than 20 years in local rugby, Mojalefa Andries Makanye decided to resign his position as head of the Modimolle Rugby Club and his position as vice-president of the Blue Bulls Rugby Union. Makanyane said that he felt it was important to spend time with his family
Mzamane Ringane A peaceful protest at the Modimolle Local Municipality devolved into chaos
when the protesters were informed that the Mayor would not see them. The protesters dumped garbage in front of the municipal buildings in protest, but did eventually hand over their memorandum.
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ADVERTISMENTS
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Well, here we are again. It’s the end of another year – 2015 will soon make way for 2016. As we go into the holiday season, it’s important that we remember that the trappings – the tinsel, the presents, the music – are not what Christmas is about. Christmas is about love, and about life. In its oldest form, in the colder Northern countries, the old Yule festival was a celebration of
midwinter. It was the day when people could look at the world and say that the worst was almost past, that the end of winter was closer than its beginning. Here in sunny South Africa, of course, Christmas falls in the middle of summer, and surely some of us, in this killing heat, are looking at the world and saying to ourselves that the end of summer is coming soon. This is The BEAT’s last issue for this year, and our last opportunity to ask all our readers to be safe this Christmas. Drive safely, avoid long trips. Don’t drink and drive. Too many South Africans will die on our roads Harry Gwala Str. 6, Private Bag X1008, Modimolle 0510 this Christmas COUNCIL AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS season, as every TIME TABLE FOR ORDINARY MEETINGS 2016 Christmas season. Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 19 of the Local Government Municipal Too many will die in Systems Act No 32 of 2000, that Modimolle Local Municipality will convene Council accidents that could and Executive Council Meetings for 2016 as follows: have been prevented EXCO MEETINGS COUNCIL MEETINGS if everyone on the Starts at 10:00 Starts at 15:00 roads had just been a little more 26 January 2016 28 January 2016 responsible, had just 23 February 2016 25 February 2016 taken a little more 23 March 2016 24 March 2016 care. 24 March 2016 – BUDGET MEETING 28 April 2016 26 April 2016 26 May 2016 To all our readers, 24 May 2016 28 July 2016 advertisers and 24 May 2016 – BUDGET MEETING 27 October 2016 contributors, thank 21 June 2016 you. 26 July 2016 Thank you for 23 August 2016 making The BEAT a 27 September 2016 better newspaper 25 October 2016 than it would have 28 November 2016 been without you. Thank you for Members of the public and stakeholders are hereby invited to attend these reading, for important sittings. commenting, for Venue for Council Meetings: Council Chamber being with us in this O R Tambo Building year past and, Harry Gwala Street hopefully, for many MODIMOLLE to come. Enquiries can be directed to: Divisional Manager: Communications Stay safe, and God Mr. Patrick Shika bless.
Municipality
083 287 3336 / 014 718 2045
N S BAMBO MUNICIPAL MANAGER
The BEAT team.
(Notice number 63/11/2015)
Municipality Harry Gwala Str. 6, Private Bag X1008, Modimolle 0510
PUBLIC NOTICE CLOSING OF MUNICIPAL OFFICES DECEMBER 2015 The Modimolle Local Municipality Offices will be closed from 24 December 2015 – 31 December 2015, and will re-open on 4 January 2016. The festive season is traditionally a period of reduced economic activity. As a result, the public and officials usually take their annual leave during this time. The Municipality also experience a substantial decline of workforce and decline in the demand for service provision. Emergency Services and essential services, like refuse removal will, however, be operational during this time. Furthermore, the following services will operate as usual. • Prepaid electricity will be available at Engen Garage • Phagameng Municipal Offices – open from 08:00 – 12:00 • Vaalwater, Mabatlane Offices For emergency contact the following numbers: MODIMOLLE/PHAGAMENG Electricity Water and Sewer Traffic Fire Brigade
: : : :
060 082 083 082
583 807 554 807
5339 8150 3230 8152
: : : : :
082 079 083 071 083
807 300 554 222 287
8151 0555 3230 2224 3336
VAALWATER/MABATLANE Electricity Water and Sewer Traffic Fire Brigade Communication Department
Modimolle Municipality wishes you and your family a happy festive season. May the joy of this time of year fill your heart. Thank you for your support N S BAMBO MUNICIPAL MANAGER
(Notice number 63/11/2015 – 30/11/2015)
…and a Happy New Year to all! Municipality Harry Gwala Str. 6, Private Bag X1008, Modimolle 0510
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE BY THE MAYOR OF MODIMOLLE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY FOR 2015 Christmas is a special time of the year to remember those who are close to our hearts. It is a season to cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, to have real spirit of Christmas. May beautiful moments and happy memories surround you with joy this Christmas and always. May your holidays be filled with happiness and good cheer! Merry-Merry! May your heart light your season bright! Merry Christmas Modimolle Local Municipality would like to thank the community for their support through public participation programme where issues of the municipality was presented and the needs where captured for services. As we celebrate the year under review 2015, we reflect the achievements and the shortfalls that we measured ourselves through Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP). As municipality we have developed recreational facilities in Hagen Park, Phagameng, sport facilities in Ward 6, Boshoff Street and the new park next to Lekkerbreek whereby we urge the community to use the parks to celebrate the Festive Season. We urge the community to use water sparingly as we are faced with heat waves that makes our reservoirs and dams dry. Our government has declared part of the province a disaster due to drought. We are aware of certain wards of our municipality which are still affected by shortage of water and urge the community to refrain of watering the gardens using horse pipe. The car wash should use bucket to wash cars. May your holidays sparkle! We are committed as the municipality for 16 days of Activism for no violence against women and children. The theme “Count me in: Together moving a non-violence South Africa forward” “Women united in moving South Africa forward” As the council we would like to show a sign of appreciation to all stakeholders in Local Government for their commitments to be true servants of their constituency. Even though they have little resources but they contributes to the nation of servicing the community by providing services. During the festive season let’s commit ourselves to ABC message to arrest the speed of HIV/ AIDS decease. Arrive Alive, Don’t Drink and Drive. We spread the message each year and everyday to road users to adhere to the rules of the road. The continuing and unnecessary deaths and injuries on our roads communicates the message that irresponsible people amongst us still refuse to adhere to the safety rules on our roads, therefore disrespecting the lives of other road users. Her worship Cllr Mayor Kgaretja Lekalakala will celebrate Christmas and New Year, with orphans and visit H F Odendaal and MDR Hospital. Joy Joy Joy Wishing you all the joys and happiness of Christmas now throughout the New Year. Let’s all join in unison by singing a hymn which says “GA e sale o mpitlela ke maketse fela” In my conclusion let me extend my appreciation to the rates payers for continuing to pay their services. As the municipality, we would like to wish you and your families well during this festive season. As we bid farewell to 2015 and welcome 2016, I would like on behalf of our municipality to wish to all a happy peaceful and prosperous new year.
E sale o le Morena God bless you HER WORSHIP MAYOR CLR K E LEKALAKALA
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11 December, 2015 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
DECEMBER NEWS
Police celebrate with Bela-Bela crèche
Family evicted after 18 years
The Maluleka family’s belongings were left in the open when they were evicted. Local EF members pledged solidarity with the family. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela
The SAPS brass band performed an item. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba The Department of Security, Safety and Liaison celebrated Children’s Day on Saturday, 28 November, with Bela-Bela Preschool. The school’s graduation ceremony was held at the same time. Waterberg Executive District Mayor Rosinah Mogoatlane was also meant to address the community, but she was not available. Members of the SAPS and other stakeholders did
manage to attend the event. Deputy Mayor Godfrey Malete told the community that children were the future and needed to be protected. “As the government is getting into 16 Days of Activism, we love to embrace this moment and renew our vows on protection of women and children,” he said. He also mentioned that parents should ensure that their children stay away from alcohol and substance abuse, and told children not to accept things from
strangers. Malete applauded the preschool educators on the excellent job they are doing in terms of making sure that the early learning programs run smoothly. “These children are the future and they need to be taught and nurtured well so that they can grow with selfrespect,” he said. The community was entertained with drama and music performed by the children, and those who were graduating from the school were given certificates.
The Maluleka family in Bela-Bela’s Extension 6 was recently evicted from a house they have lived in for 18 years when an impatient owner demanded that they vacate the place as soon as possible so that she could move in. Neighbours witnessed the heart-breaking move on Thursday, 3 December. Mina Maluleka told The BEAT that the late councillor Ella Mukhawana gave her the stand temporarily 18 years ago, as she had been applying without luck, and promised to help her permanently as soon as possible. She said that she engaged the municipality many times about a place to stay and was taken from pillar to post, promised that she will get a place soon. She also said that the rightful owner recently surfaced, demanding her stand back. Maluleka further said that she went to the municipality one day where she met with the mayor, Lucas Nhlapo and the owner. She said that Nhlapo told the owner not to rush the Malulekas to vacate the place, but to wait for the municipality to find them an alternative home, since they had been staying there for a long time. “Nhlapo told me previously that they got me a place to stay somewhere in Extension 6, where I found that there was no sanitation, water or electricity connection, and I was told to ask from neighbours or R6 000 to get connected. I did not have the money as I work only two days a week and my husband is unemployed, and they said that there was nothing that they could do for me then. “Moss Makhuga told Mashishi that he should
ask the mayor to see that I get the services because I spent 18 years in the stand, paying rates and services and they never registered me as an indigent. Every time when I applied, I was told to bring the owner of the stand, but I did not know where to find her. Councillor Mukhawana said I should stay there for the time being and if the owner does not come after five years, it means she has a place to stay and I can relax,” she said. She said that that she asked for assistance in the form of material from the municipality so that she can have a roof over her head, even though they said that that would mean she would not be eligible for an RDP house. Maluleka expressed her heartbreak following the eviction, saying that she has been voting for the so called democratic government but today she feels that they failed her. She said that her votes and payments were welcomed with open arms but today she needs for them to work in her favour but no help seems to come her way. Meanwhile, the local EFF leadership led by Sello Mosweu also expressed their disappointment in the matter. They also said that they are in solidarity with the family and will see to it that they get to the bottom of the matter. In his response. Municipal spokesperson Matome Sebelebele said that he was not aware of the issue. He added that he is surprised that Maluleka has not been helped, as she appears to have been talking to the relevant people. “I will have to go back and engage the said people and find out why and how it happened that Maluleka could not get the help she needed. I will be able to talk more on the matter once I am done conducting the investigations,” said Sebelebele.
Man in court for rape of an 8-year old Lizzy Bapela A man appeared before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 December, on a charge of rape. Hendrick Malete was arrested on Friday, 4 December after he allegedly raped his neighbours’ 8-yearold daughter. The family approached The BEAT to voice their sadness following the incident. The victim’s grandmother told The BEAT that she went to sleep after 21:00 and left her daughter watching TV while the victim was sleeping in her bedroom. The daughter fell asleep on the sofa while waiting for her boyfriend and the door was not locked. The child’s grandmother said
that she heard the victim screaming “leave me alone or I will tell my mom…” and went to check what was going on. She added that as she was nearing her granddaughter’s bed, she saw Malete rushing out of the house and learnt later that he had raped her. “We rushed to the clinic for help and did not get much from the police when the sister in charge called them to report the matter. The officer who responded said that we should go to sleep as they did not have the time for such cases,” the distraught grandmother said. “The sister kept calling the station, receiving the same response and then called for an ambulance. We were referred to the local hospital for further help. The hospital also reported the matter at the station and that was when the officer said that the unit members who are responsible for such cases were not on duty at the time,” she said. The family extended their gratitude to the officer who helped them on Saturday, 5 December when they went to the station as he was very helpful. The officer, Jomo Shihlane, responsible for the Family Violence, Child Support and Sexual Offences Unit known, accompanied by Constable Connie Ngobeni, led the family to a doctor at the hospital for help. The family said that Shihlane and Ngobeni handled the matter like real and dedicated police officers. Malete had his case postponed to Friday, 18 December for formal bail application.