The Beat 13 April 2017

2017

R1-20/FREE

13 April

N1 already packed Marietjie Steenkamp One passenger was killed when the dark blue Volkswagen Polo in which he was travelling collided with a truck from behind. The accident took place at around 04:30 on Tuesday, 4 April, on the N1-South just outside Mookgophong in the Boekenhout area.

According to Mookgophong’s police spokesperson George Ledwaba, the Polo appeared to have been travelling at speed when it collided with the truck.

The driver and one passenger suffered serious injuries and were taken to the FH Odendaal Hospital at Modimolle, while a fifty-year-old man was pronounced dead on the scene. A case of manslaughter has been opened.

The N1 between Mookgophong, Mokopane and Modimolle is known for the serious accidents that take place regularly. According to LieutenantColonel Kibu Kekana, station commander at Mookgophong, heavy traffic is expected on the roads in and around the town.

“We are ready for traffic and crime prevention in the area, and the police are willing to work long hours to protect residents, travellers, and tourists,” Kekana said.

A number of key stakeholders attended a meeting on Friday, 7 April, where prayers were also said for the safety of travellers over Easter.

LIM368 mayor Marlene van Staden welcomed the meeting, and speaker Johann Abrie introduced the speakers and guests.

Hali du Plessis, Head of Department of Traffic in Limpopo was one of the speakers, in addition to the deputy minister, Sindisiwe Chikunga.

Some members of the group that attended the prayer meeting on the N1 ahead of the expected Easter traffic.

This Volkswagen Polo was involved in a serious accident with a truck just outside Mookgophong on Tuesday, 4 April. One person was killed.

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Bush pig hunter back in court Mzamane Ringane Stefan Hepburn, who is accused of shooting and killing farmworker Jan Railo on a farm in Tuinplaas, was expected to be back in court for trial on Thursday, 20 April.

The case attracted attention from both the political fraternity and the national media, with members of the community also coming out in large numbers to attend the court proceedings.

Hepburn, who is a hunter, admitted in a written affidavit that he shot Railo on a farm in Tuinplaas, after he mistook him for a bush pig.

The hunter had reportedly been invited by the owner of the farm to come and shoot bush pigs and other animals which were damaging crops.

Stefan Hepburn’s case attracted both members of the community and political parties. Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Kudu causes car crash

SMALLS Suspects flee after stealing guns Lizzy Bapela

LEGALS NOTICE NEMA SECTION 24G PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS UNLAWFUL COMMENCEMENT OF EXPANSION OF THE OPEN-AIR FEEDLOT ON PORTION 15 OF THE FARM ROODEPOORT 314-KR Notice is hereby given of an application for rectification of the unlawful commencement of listed activities without an Environmental Authorization (EA) in terms of National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), as amended and 2014 EIA Regulations.

Activity: The developmental proposal involves the establishment of the following activities on the said property: An open air cattle feedlot, which accommodates approximately 5000 cattle. The farm on which the feedlot is located is approximately 208 ha in size; with the feedlot being concentrated on approximately 8 ha. This translates to a density of approximately 16 per square meter per cattle.

Location: The expansion is located on portion (± 8ha) of Portion 15 of the Farm Roodepoort 314-KR, approximately 17km NorthWest of Mookgophong in the Modimolle Local Municipality, Waterberg District, Limpopo Province, at the following coordinates at the entrance to the site: Latitude: 26.393322ºS Longitudes: 28.603815ºE Proponent: WALTKON MEAT GROUP Public Consultation: In order to ensure that you are identified as an interested and affected party, or if you require further information regarding the project, or interested and affected parties wishing to comment on the Environmental Impact Report for the proposed activity are requested to forward their written comments (with reasons) to the contact details provided below within 30 days after the date of this notice.

KALAHARI SAFETY HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS (KSHEC) Pty Ltd Tel: 078 388 1312 / 071 723 6670 / 081 577 7616 Fax: 086 601 1682 Email: kmanyatsha@gmail.com Contact person: Gwalidi Tshimangadzo Registration / Comments must reach us on or before 10 May 2017.

The police in Bela-Bela are investigating a case of housebreaking and theft following an incident at a farm house on the Eersbewoond Road on the early hours of Tuesday, 4 April. BelaBela Detectives’ Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla said that the suspects broke into the house and stole eight firearms, six of which are used for hunting purposes. He added that the suspects broke the safe open to steal the firearms and the nearby community from Tsakane learned of the incident.

The colonel further said that concerned members of the community followed the suspects’ movements and alerted the police of their whereabouts in order to help catch and bring them to book. He added that the police responded swiftly to the tip-off and followed the leads on the suspects.

“Our members chased the suspects after learning that they were seen in the township and managed to catch them, though one of them tried flee.

Some of the suspect were arrested in the township and the other in Tsakane. We confiscated one firearm in the chase and it was checked and confirmed to be connected to the case. Some of the suspects are facing charges, while some were just taken in for questioning. Unfortunately at the moment, we cannot reveal the total number of the arrested suspects and

Rifles that were confiscated during a firearms bust in Bela-Bela. Photo supplied

2 In Christ alone – who took on flesh Fullness in God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross, when Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live

There were no serious injuries reported despite this bakkie’s collision with a kudu. Photo supplied Justin Steyn

Fifteen rounds of ammunition which was confiscated during a police operation in BelaBela. Police also found a stolen television, firearms and over R2000 in cash.

Photo supplied identify who was arrested and who will be questioned due to the state of the case and we still have to verify some facts,” said the colonel.

According to the information received, six of the suspects were taken in for questioning on Wednesday, 5 April and the police

EASTER 2017 -IN CHRIST ALONE 1 In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song This Cornerstone, this solid Ground Firm through the fiercest drought and storm What heights of love, what depths of peace When fears are stilled; when strivings ceased My Comforter, my all-in-all Here in the love of Christ I stand

Hepburn was released under stringent conditions in February on a bail of R15 000 after spending several nights behind bars.

At the time of Hepburn’s release, Magistrate Nkateko Maluleke said that it was in the interest of justice to grant the suspect bail, and further indicated that the state’s case was not strong.

Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) packed the gallery during Hepburn’s court appearances.

The two political parties set their political differences aside and joined forces in opposing bail for the suspect.

There was also a significant police presence on Friday, 24 February when the suspect was released on bail.

It is anticipated that the court will be packed next week when the suspect appears in court for his trial.

3 There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me For I am His – and He is mine, Bought with the precious blood of Christ 4 No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me From life’s first cry – to final death, Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand, Till He returns – or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I stand Words: Stuard Townsend / Music: Keith Getty / Kingsway’s way Thank You Music

SPONSORED BY SA CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT

were to find out at a later stage with what the suspects were to be charged. Unconfirmed reports state that the suspects could be charged with possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition but currently, the case remains that of housebreaking and theft.

The Waterberg Advanced Paramedics Assistance (APA) group tended to an accident in which two vehicles struck a kudu bul.

“APA was dispatched to the N1 North outside Bela-Bela, where two vehicles were involved in a motor vehicle accident as a result of a kudu which ran across the highway,” said APA spokesperson, Andy Gill.

Gill said that a heavy-duty bakkie collided with the kudu and it went over the vehicle’s bonnet and roof. It was then struck a second time when it landed in front of a light motor vehicle which was travelling behind the bakkie.

Gill said the occupants of both vehicle escaped with minor injuries.

“There were three people travelling in the vehicles and all three were lucky enough to land up with minor scratches and bruises.

No patients were transported to hospital,” Gill said.

Gill added that the kudu had been cut up and taken by witnesses at the scene.

Shoplifting grannies brought to book Lizzy Bapela: The justice system in Modimolle proved to the community that no one is above the law, regardless of their age, when they gave two elderly women a heavy sentence for their age — six years imprisonment. The two appeared before the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court recently in connection with a case of shoplifting.

According to the information received, the duo go from town to town, sleeping in rented cars and shoplifting from various shops in that

particular area. The duo was identified as Linda Khumalo (64), from Soweto and Mapula Mokgoroshi (66), from Pinetown Johannesburg. They were found with numerous lists of groceries that they collected from their clients in different towns.

The police said that these two were running a serious business in this field as they also have pending cases in other areas such as Hammanskraal, Pretoria and Johannesburg among others. The police further stated that the admission of guilt fine has been stopped as many criminals commit crime, knowing that they will escape the justice system and just pay an affordable fine instead of jail time.

Modimolle police spokesperson Warrant Officer James Findlay said that the duo could not believe it when their sentence was granted.

He added that Mokgoroshi and Khumalo are wanted in other areas for the same crime, although in the Waterberg, only Modimolle was reported to have fallen victim of the duo.

Warrant Officer Findlay confirmed that the duo was facing two charges of shoplifting and it was ordered that their sentence run concurrently.

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Bela-Bela Traffic Department ready for Easter

Traffic officials are expecting heavy traffic on many Limpopo roads this Easter. This photo was taken during the height of last Easter’s traffic. Photo: Herman Steyn TK Mashaba The Bela-Bela Traffic Department, in cooperation with the Provincial Department, believe that they are prepared for the Easter

increase in traffic.

According to Isaac Monare, chief of the Bela-Bela Traffic Department, the roads targeted include the R101 and the R106, which always bear heavy traffic during the Easter season.

Traffic officers are expected to take shifts in order to cover the weekend 24 hours a day.

“The challenges include public transport, and there are also many hitchhikers,” added Monare.

He urged those who intend to make the trip

to ensure that they get enough rest before embarking on the trip, and to inspect their vehicles.

“Our personnel will be on the lookout over the weekend between Tuesday, 13 April, to Monday, 16 April,” said Monare.

Looming removal of premier concerns the opposition Lizzy Bapela The DA in Limpopo expressed concerns over the looming removal of Premier Stanley Mathabatha, after he allegedly took a stance against President Jacob Zuma and backed the Cyril Ramaphosa camp within the ANC. The DA states that the sad reality for the people of Limpopo is that the removal of Mathabatha will only further disrupt governance in the province. They added that the only hope for getting the province working again is by democratically replacing the ANC government entirely with a new government that delivers.

“Limpopo has been the worst performing province in South Africa for the last three years running. The ANC has done nothing to arrest this trend or to improve governance,” said the DA Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle.

“According to the latest Auditor General (AG) consolidation general report on the national and provincial audit outcomes for 2015/2016, the level of non-compliance with legislation remained very high at 100% (23) of the auditees under this ANC government.

The ANC government under Mathabatha’s watch has failed to improve internal financial controls at 78% (18) of the auditees and that

Former Waterberg district executive mayor and now member of the Limpopo legislature, Tlotlanang Mogotlane was rumoured to be Stanley Mathabatha’s successor. Photo: Lizzy Bapela was identified as one of the root causes of the lack of improvement in the audit outcomes in the province by AG. The departments of economic development and health have regressed to a qualified opinion due to their failure to maintain sound internal control discipline and to ensure that daily and monthly financial recoding is accurate, complete and valid. Furthermore , the poor revenue collection strategies, especially of revenue generated by departments and public entities as well as ineffective debt

management processes, poses a threat to provincial financial management capabilities,” Smalle said.

The leader further said these are problems that extend far deeper than Mathabatha himself, and it is his entire ANC government which must take responsibility. He added that for this reason, the DA has a long-standing motion of no confidence in Mathabatha’s government, which the ANC has allegedly blocked them from debating.

Premier’s Hotline sees least incidents reports in Waterberg Lizzy Bapela The Limpopo premier’s hotline saw the least number of incidents reported from the Waterberg District among the five in the province. A total of 116 incidents were reported from Waterberg, with other districts’ reports ranging from 148 to 274.

The Limpopo provincial government established the premier’s hotline on 7 March 2017. Premier Chupu Stanley Mathabatha established the hotline to ensure easier access to his office and government departments. Provincial Government spokesperson Phuti Seloba said the hotline aims amongst others to promote caring government to the citizens, a government that is responsive, interactive and effective in dealing with complains.

Seloba said since the inception of the hotline, the provincial government received 7329 calls, with 1798 incidents reported and 1717 of these reports have been resolved. He added that about 81 cases are still outstanding and majority of them are referred to national departments. The complaints are in areas of electricity, housing, water, sanitation, service provider’s payments, maladministration, corruption, employment, identity documents, tender fraud, social grants and road maintenance.

“In terms of the total incidents reports from April 2011 to February 2017, the majority of these cases, namely 825, are for provincial departments, with

Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha thanked members of the public for using the premier’s hotline to report incidents. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Capricorn district having the highest number of incidents reports amongst the five districts. A total of 131 incidents reports have been allocated to national departments.

The premier’s hotline has enabled government officials to work faster, harder and smarter to respond to the needs of the people. The hotline assist government to strengthen a good working relationship with members of

the public and to ensure clean governance and root out corruption,” said Seloba.

Seloba further said through the hotline, the government has improved services, accelerated service delivery to the people, root out corruption in government departments and municipalities and also ensure that tender fraud in various government departments is reported. He added that Mathabatha has made a commitment that the hotline report should serve in an Executive Council (EXCO) meeting on a monthly basis so that EXCO can intervene on issues that need immediate intervention.

The premier thanked all members of the public who take their time to call the hotline for enquiries and reporting incidents. He emphasised that government will continue working together with members of the public to improve this service as it is clearly a valuable tool in keeping government in touch with the people they serve.

The hotline operates from Monday to Friday, 6:00 to 22:00 and the operators speak six languages spoken in the province namely; English, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Xitsonga, Tshivenda and IsiNdebele. Premier’s Hotline Toll Free: 0800 864 729 Email:Talk2me@premier.limpopo.gov.za

“Just last week we wrote to the speaker to reinstate our motion of no confidence and we demanded that it be debated in the house to remove the entire ANC cabinet of Mathabatha. We have to date not received a response. The motion was initially tabled on 27 October 2016 but was rejected by the speaker. As our province remains in financial ruin, and delivery is tragically bad, the standing committee on public accounts (SCOPA) further confirmed that not a single senior official has been suspended for financial misconduct in terms of the Public Finance management Act (PFMA). The culture of impunity in the ANC, from Jacob Zuma downward, runs deep in the ANC Limpopo,” Smalle continued to say.

The DA deems that removing Mathabatha will only compound the slow pace of governance and Limpopo needs a new government, not just shuffling the deckchairs on a sinking ship.

Unconfirmed reports have been circulating for weeks now, that former Waterberg District executive mayor and now member of the Limpopo Legislature, Tlotlanang Mogotlane was scheduled to take over from Mathabatha once he was ousted as the premier.

NGO helps government Bapela: schools Lizzy Bela-Bela’s controversial NGO, Change for Bela-Bela recently helped eradicate bushed areas in local government schools including Ulando Combined, Raeleng Secondary and Bela-Bela High School. The organization cut the grass at the schools for two weeks with the help of concerned community members.

Raeleng School Principal Joseph Mashishi confirmed the good deed, adding that the school now looks great. The principal said their understanding is that the local municipality does not cut the grass that is inside school yards but only outside, as they also have their own budget. He added that the inside maintenance is the school’s responsibility and Raeleng already has Forever Resorts helping them.

“We once approached Toowoomba to help with the long grass. Their slasher was broken so they could not help at the time. During the cutting, Change also removed the old foundation that was made years ago for ABET classes and added soil. They also helped clean the soccer field and now we are maintaining the cleaned areas to keep them in good condition,” said Mashishi.

Principal Peter Nukeri from Bela-Bela High School confirmed that Change did come and cut their grass and their good deed actually helped them a lot. He said that they really appreciate what the organization did for their school as they now have a soccer field and a play area for the learners. Nukeri added that Change helped clean the area opposite classes.

Founder of Change, NJ Van Heerden said this is how the organization makes a difference in the community.

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Moatshe confident ahead of Two Oceans Marathon Mzamane Ringane Modimolle athlete Junior Moatshe is hoping to bring home a silver medal at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon to be held on Easter Saturday.

The 48th edition of the annual Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon will be held in Cape Town, Western Province on Saturday, 15 April.

Speaking to The BEAT on Monday, 10 April Moatshe said he is confident that he will do well in the competition this coming weekend.

The 23-year-old Modimolle will be participating in the 56 km ultra marathon for the first time.

“I am approaching this event with a

Mabaleng Games ready for Easter long weekend

Modimolle athlete and young coach Junior Moatshe. Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Diesel n Dust netball team during its practise session ahead of Easter weekend games. Photo: TK Mashaba

mentality that I am going to learn. I know it will be tough to compete and keep up with the best athletes who will be there from across the country, but my focus is mainly on acquiring more experience at this stage.

Bringing home a silver medal from this competition will give me the best feeling ever,” he said.

Moatshe said this competition will help him prepare better for the Comrades Marathon which will take place in June this year.

“I will be participating in Comrades Marathon for the third time this year, and also aiming to improve my finishing time so I can claim a silver medal,” he said.

He also told The BEAT that participating in athletics is very important as it helps people to keep healthy.

He encouraged young and old people to always exercise even if it means doing it at home.

For those who cannot do it on their own, Moatshe said they are always welcome to join his team without having to pay any fee.

Those who are interested in joining the young coach and other athletes at Naphuno Athletics Club can contact Junior Moatshe on 072 925 0054.

More soccer action expected this coming weekend when about ten teams will be meeting for Mabaleng Easter games.

Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba Thursday 13 April, Mabaleng committee, was expected to use loudhailer advertising ahead of the Easter long weekend games.

The games will kick off on Easter Friday 14 April, with Fun Walk have got so much support with many people registering.

“The five and ten kilometre fun runs will start at seven in the morning and all routes will be communicated ahead of time,” said Benjamin Molekoa, the coordinator of the games.

After the fun walk there will be entertainment and more sport, including soccer and netball as well as volleyball

and basketball.

“We have lined up 11 DJ’s and seven performing artist including pantsula dancers for the games,” said Molekoa.

And on Saturday and Sunday it will be soccer, netball and basketball and volleyball while on Monday it will be a thrilling session of music.

“These games were only a dream, but people have started attending in large numbers since we began to advertise through social media,” added Molekoa.

He said they will have more marshals to help control the massive attendance.

Molekoa said they have partnered with other stake holders to make this events to be successful.