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12 December, 2014
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January-Human remains found near Settlers
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Febr uar y – Modimolle in an upr oar bruar uary uproar Residents of Modimolle Extension 8 and 9 marched on a meeting between CoGHSTA and the residents of Extension 10. This peaceful protest was to highlight issues of nepotism, corruption and service delivery. Limpopo MEC for CoGHSTA Ishmael Kgetjepe promised to look into the allegations. One of the leaders of the protest was later allegedly attacked by relatives of one of the councillors, and accused of bringing the councillor’s name into disrepute.
Justin Steyn Jackie van der Linde found her dogs playing with a human skull on Friday, 20 December 2013. She took the skull to the Bela-Bela police station. The body was identified as that of a young man aged 25 to 30 years, and had been exposed to the elements for roughly three months according to police. Photo supplied
February – Bela-Bela liquor store owner complains of vandalism
A liquor store owner in Kromdraai was furious when his store was vandalised. Mudzili Enock found the hand of an ape on the floor of his shop and blood smeared on the walls. The police allegedly refused to open a case because witchcraft was
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March – The Waterberg under water During the month of March, severe flooding hit the Waterberg area. The BEAT’s reporters were on the scene, capturing photos of the disaster as it happened. Several roads were washed away, and helicopters were called in to rescue stranded citizens
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March – Five year-old boy swept away by floods through open manhole
Thato Johnson Nkanyane drowned in an open manhole on Friday, 21 February. He was playing in the rainwater with several other children when he vanished. It was suspected that he slipped and fell into the manhole, where he was pulled along by the flood waters. Thato’s body was found by the side of the N1 highway 1, 5 km from where he disappeared the next day.
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March – Bela-Bela local risks his own life for flood victims
Municipal employee Buddha Dlamini put his life on the line during the severe flooding that hit Bela-Bela in March to save residents being threatened by the rising waters. Dlamini rescued six people from the floodwater, nearly drowning on his last trip.
Merry christmas to all THE BEAT readers
Ma y – Long-ter m rresidents esidents May Long-term evicted
May – Baby abducted from ModiMall Four month-old baby Dineo Mangatane was kidnapped by a Zuluspeaking woman at the ModiMall on Tuesday, 22 October. The woman allegedly lured Dineo’s mother Jacobeth to Modimolle with the promise of work, and disappeared with the child. CCTV captured the woman walking through the mall and leaving via Exit 3.
The building of a multi-purpose community centre in Extension 6 caused dismay among the residents of a dilapidated double-story house, some of whom had been living there for over a decade. The house was condemned and was to be demolished, and the residents were forced to move. The EFF became involved on the residents’ behalf, but a spokesperson for the government said that all aid had been offered, including help to move to a safer area.
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Photo of the week This statue of the late President Nelson Mandela was erected in Parliament Square in London in 2007. The square is opposite Westminster Abbey, where the kings and queens of Britain have been crowned and married since 1066, and commemorates some of the world’s greatest statesmen, including Winston Churchill and Jan Smuts.
A look back at the year By the time you see this, dear reader, The BEAT’s offices will be shut up for the holidays and the long Christmas break will be upon us. It is appropriate to look back on the year now, and see what we have accomplished and what still needs to be done. March, of course, will be remembered for the massive floods that hit the Waterberg. None of us will soon forget wading knee- or even thigh-deep in the middle of the street, or the striking photos of builders trapped on the roof of a building, or the story of Buddha Dlamini, who risked his life to save trapped people from the floods in Bela-Bela. While most areas bounced back fairly quickly after the water receded, some of the damage to roads has still not been repaired. Waterberg municipalities did not have a good 2014. Several top officials were removed from their positions, audit reports were not promising, and on several occasions residents took to the streets to protest against corruption, nepotism and service delivery failures. In Mogalakwena, arguments are still ongoing to determine who the mayor actually is, after police invaded the municipality in November to reinstate the deposed head. The elections in May were free, fair and peaceful, and the results came as a surprise to absolutely no-one except the ANC, who lost 10% of the vote from the 2009 election in Gauteng – many say due to the unpopular e-Tolling system. We are experiencing loadshedding on a level not seen since 2008, and Eskom recently released a statement warning that even higher levels may be possible if a collapse of the entire power grid is to be prevented. On a more positive note, both Bela-Bela and Modimolle now boast state-of-the-art new malls, offering residents new and exciting ways to spend their hard-earned cash. And now, it is Christmastime. Already the shops have filled with tinsel, and Christmas music is the norm everywhere. As more and more people go on December holidays and inevitably end up in Bela-Bela, the shops and roads will be ever more crowded. If you are one of those lucky enough to go on holiday this December, dear reader, please have a care. Drive carefully and safely and be wary of other drivers, who may not be driving carefully or safely. Above all, drive sober. Drunk driving kills. Don’t be a statistic.
A master can tell you what he expects of you. A teacher, though, awakens your own expectations. Patricia Neal
The BEAT wants to hear from our readers. If you have a great story or something that you want us to bring to light, please email beateditor@gmail.com or send an SMS to one of our reporters. Lizzy: 072 264 7740 or TK: 076 756 9740. We would also LOVE to see some of your weird and wonderful photos for our editorial page.
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Some of us For the Christmas round-up we asked our editor to pick their favourite Philosophy Corner from 2014. This is what they came up with. We are all of us lying in the gutter, but some are looking at the stars – Oscar Wilde. Oscar Wilde, arguably the wittiest man in the history of the world, managed to get some serious wisdom out there, in among the witty sayings and the pretendshallowness. The quote above was one of them, and it’s absolutely true. We are all in the metaphorical gutter. We live in an imperfect world, of which at any given moment, large parts are at war. At this moment, as you are reading this, terrorists are moving to attack the Iraqi city of Baghdad – terrorists so vicious and extreme that they have been disavowed by al-Qaeda (whom you might remember as having made a name for themselves on September 11, 2001 by crashing passenger jets into the World Trade Centre and killing several thousand people). In Nigeria, 200 young women are still missing. In Kenya this weekend, armed extremists attacked a seaside town and gunned down 50 people. North Korea is effectively a police state. China’s censorship is so effective that people my age have no idea what the significance of Tiananmen Square is. At least we remember the students who died in the Soweto riots. Twenty-three years later, the dead of Tiananmen Square are unnamed. To this day, nobody is sure how many people died on June 4, 1989, when the Chinese army attacked unarmed civilians with tanks. So yes – the gutter. We are all in the gutter. Sadly, the world is not kind to those who are looking at the stars. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for his dream of a united, free South Africa (and however much one might argue with his methods, and the methods of the ANC in general, the dream is valid.) Martin Luther King Jr was actually killed for his dream of freedom and equality for people of colour. It can be said, though, that despite the risks, we have an obligation, to those who have gone before us, and to those who never look up from the muck beneath their feet, to look up. We have an obligation to try and be the best we can be, to bring the world into a better time. Inch by inch, the human race is crawling out of the gutter. Never have so many been so prosperous. In the history of the world, never has so much of the human race been at peace. We’re getting better every day, even if sometimes we have to be dragged by the hair to see the better world that we can have, if only we try.
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July – The BEAT repor ter in accident
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July – Mookgophong residents on the warpath
The BEAT reporter TK Mashaba suffered a serious accident on Sunday, 19 July. On his way back from the SAFA Under 21 tournament, the taxi he was travelling in rolled. Mashaba escaped with mild injuries, except for cuts to his face and some bruising.
SMALLS BARGAIN - newly built 3 bedroom house, 2 bathrooms, garage, open plan living room/dining room. Paul Kruger str. Nylstroom. R680 000. Contact Francois 082 495 3299. (-19/12)(NSR)
LEGALS BELA BELA AMENDMENT SCHEME 83/08 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING SCHEME IN TERMS OF SECTION 56 (1) (b) (i) OF THE TOWN PLANNING AND TOWNSHIPS ORDINANCE 1986 (ORDINANCE No 15 OF 1986) We, Geo Projects, authorised agents of the owner of portions 7 and 47 of the farm Bospoort 450 KR Bela Bela hereby give notice in terms of section 56 (1) (b) (i) of the Town
Planning and Townships Ordinance, 1986 (Ordinance No 15 of 1986) that we have applied to the Bela-Bela Municipality for the amendment of the Town Planning Scheme, known as the Bela-Bela Land Use Scheme, 2008, by the amendment of the zoning of the property by the addition of an annexure to the existing Agriculture zoning, to make provision for over night accommodation and ancillary uses, as indicated in the annexure to the amendment scheme. Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, Municipal Offices, Bela Bela, for a period of 28 days from 5 December 2014 Objections to or presentations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in writing to: The Municipal Manager at the above address or Private Bag x1609, Bela Bela, 0480, within a period of 28 days from 5 December 2014 Address: P.O. Box 919, Bela Bela, 0480, Tel: 082 881 7252 (5 & 12/12)
Mookgophong residents were enraged at the lack of service delivery shown by their municipality, which resulted in sewage in the streets. While the municipality was trying to keep abreast of the issue, blocked drains and sewers led to a river of filth in the street. According to the municipality the problem was due to too-small drain pipes, and would have to wait to be addressed properly in the next budget cycle.
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August – Bela-Bela mourns deceased soccer player
Kwena Noko, a talented local soccer player was killed in a fight at a local tavern on Saturday, 2 August. According to the police Noko and another man were fighting over a cellphone belonging to a young lady of their acquaintance. The fight started with beer bottles but the weapon used to kill Noko was not known at the time.
October – BelaBela’ s ne w mall Bela’s new opens
The Bela Mall hosted their ribbon-cutting ceremony on 23 October. Shoppers from the area were entertained by local school cheerleaders, dancing groups and others, while children’s entertainment was handled by a selection of jugglers, face painters and balloon-animal makers. Children from local schools were given the opportunity to plant seven trees on the premises.
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August – K ar abo Takalani rretur etur ns Kar ara eturns home after his o wn funer al! own funeral!
Allegedly deceased Karabo Takalani caused a sensation when he appeared at his parent’s BelaBela home two weeks after his own funeral. It later emerged that a young man who bore a striking resemblance to Takalani had died at a local dumping site, and Takalani’s father was called in to identify the badly burned corpse. When asked about his whereabouts, Takalani told the police that he had been visiting his grandparents, who were in fact at his funeral. It is suspected that Takalani, who is mentally handicapped, may have been confused.
October – Kidnapped baby found!
Baby Dineo Mongatane, who was kidnapped in April of this year, was found and safely reunited with her family on 29 September. She was allegedly kidnapped by Tsakani Violet Baloyi, who told her husband that the child was theirs. Baloyi was still insisting that the child was her own at her trial, despite forensic evidence stating otherwise.
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November – Sand diggers ar rested after death of youth
Sello Mothokoa (23) and Jan Ngobeni (22) confessed that they had abandoned 13-year old Tshepo Johannes Lehobye to his death on 15 October, when a sand pile collapsed on the youth. The pair told police that they had left the boy there, only confessing when, in the words of one of them, they ‘could not sleep at night.’ In the meantime they had pretended not to know what had happened to the boy, even helping his family to search for him. They guided police and the Lehobye family to the spot where young Tshepo was entombed in the sand.
November – Mookgophong up in arms
Mookgophong residents gave their municipality two weeks to respond to grievances detailed in the memorandum they delivered to the municipality on 22 October. These grievances mainly addressed the town’s water and electricity issues. The residents also complained of nepotism, corruption, financial mismanagement.
November - Two Spa Park learners drown in dam during school function On Friday, 21 November, four students from Spa Park Primary school sneaked out of the school grounds to go swimming in the dam. Tragedy struck when 11year olds Kenny Maluleka and Bruce Manus, not suspecting the depth of the water, drowned.
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12 December, 2014
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December –
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Promotion
Bela-Bela’s road repair woes
Martin’s Funeral Group scoops award
Martin’s Funeral Group has been awarded this certificate by the Ask Afrika Orange Index for excellent client service. Martin’s Funeral Group was appointed winners by the Ask Afrika Orange Index in the Funeral Industry category 2014. Martin’s Funerals Franchising is proud to announce that they, as the Martin’s Funeral Group, achieved this first position through research that has
BELA BELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY Private Bag X1609 Bela Bela 0480
Christmas Message On behalf of the Council and Management of Bela Bela Local Municipality, The Office of the Mayor would like to wish all our ratepayers, residents, our community members and visiting tourists a safe, healthy and joyous festive season. In this regard, the municipality furthermore wish to inform all residents and ratepayers that our municipal offices will be closed for official business between the 24th December 2014 until 05 January 2015, except for essential services (water, electricity, sanitation and waste management). IN CASE OF EMERGENCY ON ANY MATTERS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL SERVICES CALL: TOLL FREE NUMBER: 0800 736 800
DIRECT TO CONTROL ROOM: OPERATORS:
IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE RELIEF ON MATTERS RELATING TO SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES PLEASE CALL STAFF MEMBERS MENTIONED HEREUNDER:
Issued by the Office of the Mayor
More than six months after the main road out of Bela-Bela in the direction of Modimolle was badly damaged by floods, residents are still waiting on repairs. In the meantime the road surface has been demolished so that the road can be rebuilt, leaving residents to take a circuitous dirt road route to get out of town. Rumour earlier in December had it that the newlybuilt section had failed engineering tests, leading to fears that the road would have to be rebuilt.
been done by Ask Afrika Orange Index on services rendered to clients in all the different industries. Over the past 13 years Ask Afrika Orange Index used broad spectrum research to identify companies that delivered the best client service and acknowledged them. Martin’s Funerals is listed amongst the 30 top companies in this regard. 155 companies, doing business in 32 different industries, were included in the research. Dedication, hard work, passion and loyalty are synonymous with the Martin’s trademark and it paid off. This company did their name proud and did justice to their motto: “Respect, Innovation and Professionalism”. They are indeed leaders in the funeral industry. Martins Funeral Group has branches in Bela-Bela, Vaalwater, Mookgophong and Modimolle. Contact them at tel. (014) 717-5003 during office hours.
December -BEAT Reporter Lizzy Bapela scoops award in Polokwane
Following hot on the heels of the prize she was awarded in October, The BEAT’s Lizzy Bapela took home second place in the Journalist of the Year category during the first Limpopo Media and Communicators Award in Polokwane. Bapela expressed her joy with the award and promised to continue to bring quality reporting to the people of the Waterberg.
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BELA BELA
LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
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Perform analysis, identification and recovery of overdue accounts. Guiding and developing personnel on the processing sequences and attending to specific administrative processes with regards to payments, certification and correspondence.
Private Bag X1609 Bela Bela 0480
Bela-Bela Local Municipality invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill vacant positions within its establishment.A’S OFFICE FINANCE DEPARTMENT (SC
Chief Accountant: Accounting Services (Post Level 3) Duration: Permanent Salary: R 248 058.89 per annum Requirements: A B.Degree or equivalent with Accounting as subject at final year level. 3-5 years experience in Financial Management. A valid driver’s license. Key Performance Areas: The collection and processing of information from monthly financial statements in order to assist in the reporting of financial position of the Municipality. The compilation of annual financial statements and making of financial information available in compliance with applicable legislation. Rendering of an internal support service by providing financial information. Notice Number: 106/14
Chief Accountant: Revenue (Post Level 3) Duration: Permanent Salary: R 248 058.89 per annum Requirements: A B.Degree or equivalent with Accounting as subject at final year level. 3-5 years’ experience in Financial Management. A valid driver’s license. Key Performance Areas: The collection and processing of information from monthly financial statements in order to assist in the reporting of financial position of the Municipality.The compilation of annual financial statements and making of financial information available in compliance with applicable legislation. Rendering of an internal support service by providing financial information. Notice Number: 107/14
Accountant: Billing and Receipting (Post Level 4) Duration: Permanent Salary: 236 036.90 per annum Requirements: A B. Degree or equivalent with Accounting as subject at final year level. 2-3 years’ experience in Financial Management. Experience in performing monthly debtors reconciliations and revenue-related functions. Key Performance Areas: Attending to the verifications, reporting, processing and reconciliations of overdue accounts. Verification, reporting, processing and reconciliation of accounts receivable transactions.
Notice Number: 108/14
Divisional Manager Council Administration (Re-advertisement) Applicants who applied previously, need not re-apply Duration: Permanent Salary: R 373 545.40 plus benefits Requirements: Bachelor‘ degree/Diploma in Public Administration/Political Science. Computer Literacy; Code C1 Driver’s License. Computer literacy Duties: Manage logistical and procedural requirements associated with Council meetings. Allocate secretarial resources in accordance with status and complexity of meetings. Ensuring that agendas are available in time for Council meetings; Managing budget within the division; Making sure that monthly as well as quarterly reports are compiled; Supervision of staff within the division. Notice Number: 109/14
Mayoral Driver/ Chauffeur Duration: (Fixed- term contract, aligned with the term of the office of Mayor) Salary: R 115 937-76 per annum Requirements: Grade 11 or equivalent qualification.A Valid Drivers License. At least 9 years relevant experience. Advanced Driving Course would be an added advantage. Preparedness to work outside normal working hours.Duties: Manage logistical and procedural requirements associated with Council meetings. Duties: Perform tasks associated with the travel arrangement s of the Mayor. Communicate with the Mayor with in respect of schedules. Perform vehicle safety inspections and advice on maintenance requirements. Identify locations and venue and establish safe as well as alternative routes. Transport the Mayor to/from scheduled public events and functions. Perform overtime and well as occasional weekend trips in accordance with the needs of the Office of the Mayor. Notice Number: 105/14 Bela-Bela Municipality has a firm commitment to the advancement of designated groups, including women and disabled. Application form (available on www.belabela.gov.za), Comprehensive CV’s and certified copies of qualification should be forwarded to the Municipal Manager, Private Bag x 1609,Bela-Bela,0480.For further information please contact the Acting Chief Financial Officer at 014 736 8000.Should candidates not be notified of the outcome of their applications within six weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. E mailed and faxed applications will not be accepted. Further note that all shortlisted applicants will be subjected to security vetting and information verification. MM MALULEKA MUNICIPAL MANAGER
CLOSING DATE: 19 December 2014
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For a speedy & friendly service call: Jan: 073 1593 875 •Home: 014 737 8373 •Fax: 014 737 1577 Makwela: 071 490 3030
12 December, 2014
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