15
2016
R1-20/FREE
December
2016
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Terrors FC broke their months-long losing streak on Sunday, 30 October. The team had not managed to win a match all through the previous season, and it looked as though the current season was going to be dry too, until Sepeke Manamela managed to score a winning goal against Mokopane Ratanang FC at Modimolle’s Ephraim Mogale Stadium. This story graced the front page of The BEAT on 4 November 2016.
Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Two-year-old Kamogelo Ramurulane was brutally murdered on Friday, 14 October. Kamogelo’s story was reported on Page 2 of The BEAT on 21 October 2016. For a full summary, see Page 10. Photo supplied
In late February a peaceful protest against poor administration and service delivery at Modimolle, turned violent when the police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at a hundreds-strong protesting crowd. The protest turned violent and the town’s business district was shut down for most of a day, and burning tyres and garbage barricaded the streets. Several people were injured by rubber bullets, and one person was killed by unknown parties during the protest. Several buildings were also set on fire. This story was reported in 26 February’s edition of The BEAT, where it occupied the front page as well as pages 2 and 3.
READ ON… 2016 has been a year filled with shocking ups and downs. We have seen horrors perpetrated, learned things about our fellow human beings that left us in doubt that there is any good left in the world. We have also, however, seen examples of selflessness, generosity, and incredible bravery. Read on and accompany the staff of The BEAT as we look at the best and worst stories of 2016.
15 December, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
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Community member Lizzy Bapela injured in riot – 22 January
The thin line between tears and smiles Mzamane Ringane
A Bela-Bela community member was seriously injured during a taxi strike at the Cyferskuil fourway stop in January. The community and local taxi associations came to blows when the local taxi association blocked all entrances and exits to the area, stranding commuters and schoolchildren. Sam Manganye was badly beaten by an angry mob during the protest, and was rushed to hospital for treatment. When last heard from, Sam was recuperating at home and was expected to make a full recovery. The taxi associations met with the Bela-Bela Police on 25 January to resolve their differences.
Grade 1 learners at Modimolle Primary received the shock of their lives when they learned that they were expected to stay at the school all day, every day. Teachers had to persuade the screaming, kicking, and crying children to go to class and take the first steps on the road to a better life.
ANC election process Lizzy Bapela turns violent - 29 January
Modimolle Municipality denies Mashaba suspension – TK29 January
The election results for local ward councillors in the ANC was delayed when the process was disrupted and postponed. Allegations of factionalism within the ANC was rife, and it was said that the supporters of rival candidates were attempting to disrupt the voting process. Several people paid admission of guilt fines on charges of disrupting the process.
Modimolle spokesperson Patrick Shika denied February allegations that Municipal Manager Sam Bambo had been suspended. These allegations followed media reports that the municipal manager had been suspended, apparently as a result of ignoring council directives. “The Municipal Manager is working as we speak,” Shika said.
Chaos at Mukhari Secondary School - 29 January
Rapist awaits bail – 29 January
Justin Steyn
Raeleng Secondary Mashaba does itself proud -TK22 January
Raeleng Secondary School’s learners and staff were rightfully impressed with themselves when their Matric pass rate shot up from 0% in 2013 to 72% in 2015. School principal Johannes Morifi said that the cause of the incredible improvement in the school was teamwork from learners, educators, and the community at large. “It wasn’t easy,” he said, “but with the teachers’ workshops and discipline, it paid off.” He also said that some of the Grade 11 learners of 2014 asked to start their Grade 12 work before the schools opened in 2015, which showed their dedication.
An abundance of water – 29 January
Justin Steyn
In January, approximately 2 million litres of water was found in newly drilled boreholes in Bela-Bela. This was an enormous boon to the drought-stricken town, and the water was found as a result of municipal efforts to increase the town water supply in the light of increasing water scarcity.
Babies found at Lizzy Bapela sewerage – 29 January
Lizzy Bapela
A protest by learners at Mukhari Secondary School turned violent in January this year. Learners, who were protesting the fact that they were forced to attend class in buildings with badly damaged roofs, allegedly took to the streets to express their discontent, threw rocks, and hurled desks from the second story of the school building. Among their concerns was the school’s serious educator shortage, which led to educational delays and a lack of performance. The learners also resisted being combined with another school which, according to officials from the Department of Education, would reduce the impact of some of these problems.
In January, The BEAT reported that a serial rapist had been arrested in December. The 47-year-old man was being charged with 11 counts of rape, against victims ranging from 13 to 33 years old. He sought bail on 5 January, which was denied. Additional charges were later laid, bringing the total to 23 – which includes eleven counts of rape, nine counts of kidnapping, two counts of assault with the intent to commit grievous bodily harm, and one count of robbery. The man was later identified as Jacob Sithole of Bela-Bela, and he was found guilty on eleven counts of rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison on Friday, 11 November.
Lolo Ramabusha, an employee of the Bela-Bela Municipality, found two prematurely born babies at the Bela-Bela sewerage works. Medical professionals agreed that the foetuses were most likely miscarried and were at about 30 weeks’ gestation. This incident was the first of two such incidents in 2016. Another baby was found by Ramabusha in May, bringing the total of abandoned infants found there to five in less than a year, and three in 2016 alone. Ramabusha underwent trauma counselling to help him cope with his finds.
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Councillor accused of Bapela selling stands - 5 February Lizzy
Residents of Tsakane Informal Settlement spoke to the DA about their living arrangements. The community complained that their ward councillor had been selling stands for money, which was illegal. The matter was later resolved when the councillor explained that the fees charged were to pay for clearing stands, not a sale price.
Mookgophong water safe to drink
Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Community out for blood - 5 February
Justin Steyn
The community of Spa Park in Bela-Bela were up in arms about an alleged witch in their midst. In February, The BEAT reported that the community had accused a woman of witchcraft, saying that she was causing local children to commit suicide. The woman was taken under police protection for her own safety. The woman was expelled from the community in March. Police advised that she comply with the removal for her own safety.
Legal representation Justin Steyn stalls murder case – 19 February
- 12 February Mzamane Ringane
Mookgophong Municipality celebrated the results of a 2014 Blue Drop Report, which awarded the town the coveted Blue Drop Status, signifying that the water was safe to drink. When The BEAT contacted residents in December to enquire whether they felt that the water was still clean and potable, residents agreed that the water was clean, usable, and not contaminated as far as they could tell.
Health workers strike for working Lizzy Bapela conditions - 18 March
Angry health workers at the BelaBela hospital went on strike in March, in protest against the hospital’s management. The workers handed over a memorandum on 1 March, and engaged in a ‘go slow’ from 8 March. On 15 March, the workers engaged in a full protest and stake, demanding solutions to their problems, which included overtime payments, poor security, and the hospital’s serious staff shortages.
Reports emerged in February that the murder case of Clifford Cawood and Hercules Delport had been delayed due to problems retaining counsel for the accused. Delport and Cawood were accused of the murder of Lawrence Makhanzi from Modjadjiskloof. Makhanzi’s severed arm was found near the dam at Bela-Bela by Wilson Aphiri, a Department of Water employee, in July 2015. Cawood died of natural causes in August, while Delport’s case has been postponed to February 2017.
No pay, no power Mzamane Ringane - 12 February Modimolle Local Municipality’s attempt to force ratepayers to settle their accounts did not go down well in February of this year. The municipality announced that they would no longer sell prepaid electricity to users with outstanding debts on their accounts. Members of the community said that it would have been better to shut off the water, rather than denying residents access to both water and power, while others claimed that the indigent registrations were so far behind that many people had racked up massive debts waiting for their applications to be processed. The municipality reversed the decision soon after in the face of overwhelming public opposition.
Modimolle riots for Ringane water - 26 February Mzamane Modimolle residents made the national news in February, when protests and riots shook the town two weeks. During the first set of protests, residents blocked off parts of major streets with burning tires and attempted to march to the municipality to deliver a memorandum to the mayor. The march was halted at the Joe Slovo Bridge, and protesters scattered to the winds. The protesters reassembled after a short time, and managed to deliver the memorandum. Some of the complaints raised by the protesters included the town’s filthy water, problems with the electricity tariffs, and other things. The protests later resumed, and the town remained a melting pot until Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha addressed the community, promising to find solutions to the problems facing them. With this promise in hand the protests died down, but the discontent has seen periodic flare-ups throughout the years, and the situation does not seem to have markedly improved. Commentators speculated that the water situation and general discontent may have been a major factor in the ANC’s loss in the August Local Government Elections, where they were trounced by the DA.
Bela-Bela’s ANC divided
Family trapped in RDP house
- 24 March
- 24 March
TK Mashaba
At a March rally where Public Works Minister Thulasi Nxesi visited BelaBela, many of the local councillors did not attend, prompting speculation about divisions in the ANC at local level. Insiders predicted trouble in the party’s future said that it was unheard-of for prominent ANC members to refuse to attend an even of this kind, especially during the heavy campaigning ahead of the August elections.
Police in the dark - 11 March Lizzy Bapela
Lizzy Bapela
A concerned citizen, Ouma Mawela, approached The BEAT in March regarding a seven-person family sharing a single RDP house. According to Mawela, the house was occupied by a group of adult siblings, their children, and the orphan child of one of their relatives. The house appeared both unsafe and overcrowded during The BEAT’s visit, and although Mawela said that the municipality had been approached about the family’s plight several times, nothing had been done. The municipality promised a swift response to the situation when asked for comment by reporters.
Members of the SAPS lodged a complaint with their union, POPCRU, in March. The complaint said that their electricity had been cut off, and that they could no longer buy prepaid electricity for their homes. The members alleged that their electricity was cut off because the Department of Public Works had not paid the electricity bill with the municipality. POPCRU laid formal complaints and expressed their disappointment in the lack of communication and clarity. The municipality declined to comment at that time, but the officers found their lights back on shortly.
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Former Mayor TK dragged from Mashaba constituency office
15 December, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Municipal workers Lizzy protest - 15 April Bapela
KK United concedes 110 goals in 22 Mzamane Ringane matches - 22 April
-15 April
ANC party infighting reared its ugly head in April, during a disagreement between Minister of Public Works Thulasi Nxesi and former Bela-Bela Mayor Henrietta Ledwaba. The pair apparently came to blows at the constituency office, and Ledwaba was thrown out by her jacket. The police were called to intervene, but no case was opened at that time.
Residents dig deeper into their pockets - 22 April Mzamane Ringane
Residents in Modimolle and Mabatlane were told that they would have higher expenses from April. The Municipality planned to hike water rates with 12% for domestic water and 9% for business and bulk water. A 12% increase was also planned for electricity. The community was not best pleased, but the increases took effect on 1 July.
RDP sale gone wrong - 29 April TKMashaba
Employees of the Bela-Bela Local Municipality held a protest in April, demanding that the municipality attend to their complaints regarding their working conditions. The protesting employees marched from the Public Works Office to the Municipality, where they mobbed the doors and damaged the buildings with sticks and stones. The reasons for their protest included issues with their shifts, overtime, conditions of service, and the wage curve.
In what was termed the low point of the SAB Regional League season, KK United conceded 110 goals over the course of 22 matches. The team was 13th on the log in April with only eight points, having secured two wins, managed two draws, and suffered 18 losses over the course of the season. The wins were walkovers.
‘Suspicious men’ crash into resort wall - 22 April
Justin Steyn
Bela-Bela Crime Support came in for criticism after engaging in a car chase with a Jinnah Park resident, resulting in the resident smashing into a wall of Bela-Bela Forever Resorts. BBCS claimed that the vehicle was driving too slowly, and proceeded to investigate. When approached by the BBCS vehicles, the driver fled, resulting in the chase and the accident. The wall was repaired shortly, and the driver of the vehicle was charged with reckless driving.
Hot water for EFF chairperson - 29 April TKMashaba
TK 78 illegal Mashaba immigrants caught - 22 April
Local resident Simon Mabasa landed in trouble when the former owner of an RDP house he had bought allegedly sold the house a second time. When Mabasa refused to leave, the sister of the former owner allegedly broke the house’s windows and threw the family’s furniture into the yard. The police did not want to open a case against the woman, since they felt that property disputes should be properly handled by the municipality.
Waterberg EFF chairperson Lebogang Monageng was arrested in April for allegedly assaulting two former employees, who alleged that he owed them money.
A group of 78 illegal immigrants were caught in the act of smuggling themselves into the country when a Bela-Bela traffic officer stopped the truck they were travelling in in April. A number of them were released shortly, but some of them were charged and sentenced later in the year.
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Officer charged for aiding escape - 13 May
Lizzy Bapela
Modimolle police officer Warrant Officer Elias Mothloki was arrested in May on charges of corruption. Mothloki was suspected of being involved with the escape of thirteen trial-awaiting prisoners who escaped from the Modimolle Police’s holding cells on 15 March. The case is still under investigation and Mothloki is expected to appear again in early 2017.
Vandals Mzamane Ringane deface - 13 May Modimolle’s new park
A park that was unveiled in Modimolle during December fell victim to vandals, who defaced the newly-built community resource. One of the park’s main gates was removed, which means that the park could not be secured against intruders at night. Modimolle spokesperson Patrick Shika said that the municipality would look into the situation. As of yet, the park remains in a deteriorating condition.
Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Children locked in burning shack - 20 May
Lizzy Bapela
An almost-tragedy provided an opportunity for a regular person to become a hero. When a shack caught fire in May, local resident Mozomber Hololo broke down the door of the shack in question in order to rescue the two children, both under the age of 5, who had been trapped in their burning home.
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The saga of Chris Hani Justin Steyn Drive - 20 May
In May, the municipality claimed that the upgrades to roads in BelaBela’s CBD, including Chris Hani Road, could be finished by the end of the 2015/2016 financial year in June. Despite repeated assurances by the municipality, final work on the road was only finished in December, and as of the time of writing, a number of traffic lights in the street are not working.
15 December, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
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LEGALS ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION Notice is given in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation 10 (2) of 2010 of an Environmental Authorisation issued on 10 November 2016 for Activity 3 (ii), Government Notice No. R983 of 4 December 2014. (ACTIVITY NO. 3) The development and related operation of facilities or infrastructure for the slaughter of animals with a product throughput of (ii) reptiles, game and red meat exceeding 6 units per day. (ACTIVITY NO. 4) The development and related operation of facilities or infrastructure for the concentration of animals for the purpose of commercial production in densities that exceed (iii) 30 square meters per crocodile at any level of production, excluding crocodiles younger than 6 months. PROJECT TITLE AND DESCRIPTION: Buffelspoort construction
of an abattoir with the capacity to slaughter up to 6 000 crocodiles per month and the construction of crocodile rearing facility with capacity for 6 000 crocodiles. LOCATION: Remaining portion 16 (a portion of portion 15) of the farm Buffelspoort 421, situated in Bela Bela District within Modimolle Local Municipality area. PROJECT REF NO: 12/1/ 9/1-W114 CONSULTANT: BUCANDI ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, P.O. Box 317, Viljoenskroon, 9520. Tel: 076 682 4369, Fax: 086 551 1894, E-mail: helen@bucandi.co.za (A copy of the ROD will be provided on request.) DATE OF NOTICE: 15 December 2016. Anyone interested in lodging an appeal can do so in writing to the MEC before 24 January 2017 by Fax: (015) 766 6067/8, Post: Limpopo Department, Environment of Economic Development and Tourism, P.O. Box 55464, Polokwane, 0700 or by Hand: Limpopo Department of Economic Developmentand Tourism, Corner of Suld and Dorp Streets, Polokwane, 0699.
6-car smash leaves three dead - 03 June TKMashaba
Three people were killed in a six-car accident on the N1 near Mookgophong on 28 May. The driver of one of the vehicles was apparently attempting to make a U-Turn on the freeway. It appeared that he collided with an oncoming vehicle, and the other four vehicles piled into the resulting tangle.
Nine injured, one dead in Justin Steyn N1 smash - 03 June
Nine people were injured and one was killed in an accident on the N1 on 28 May. The accident took place near the Roodekuil Bridge, and may have been caused by a burst tire which caused one of the vehicles to overturn. The second vehicle was a Toyota Quantum. Its driver was believed to have fled the scene.
Two escape from Steyn house fire - 17 June Justin
Community unites to fight fire - 23 June TKMashaba
Two Bela-Bela residents, Rebecca Maimale and Isabella Mokwatlo, were lucky enough to escape a blaze that consumed part of the three-bedroom home. The residents were watching television when they noticed smoke and flames from the adjacent rooms. They fled swiftly and phoned the police. The fire was ferocious and consumed part of the house. What remained was covered in soot, and many of the windows were damaged.
The community of Bela-Bela united to help a resident douse a fire at his shop on 18 June. Members of the community carried buckets to extinguish the blaze that threatened to destroy the business of Juhar Deffacho, but the building was reduced to ashes. Deffacho expressed his gratitude for the community’s intervention.
van Body found in RonĂŠl Jaarsveld Kranskop caves - 03 June
Police in Modimolle were puzzled after being alerted to the body of a man which was found, naked, in a cave on Kranskop near Modimolle.
Poaching results in Justin Steyn tragedy - 23 June
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Save this number NOW under 'A' for Ambulance on your phone. Tragedy struck when a security guard and a rhino were killed on 17 June. Poachers captured three guards and left them tied up and wounded while they killed and dehorned a rhino. One of the guards, 19-year old Wisani Baloyi, died from his wounds while they were awaiting rescue.
0861 086 911 Alternative: 073 639 0270 Please like our Facebook page or visit our website www.lifemed911.co.za
Tel: (011) 447-1264/5/6
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The reproduction or broadcast without written permission of any material published in The Beat and its supplements is forbidden and expressly reserved to Upfront Events Two CC, under section 12(7) of the Copyright Act, 1978 and any amendment thereof. The Beat is typographically prepared, published and distributed by Upfront Events Two CC. The Beat: 7 Minnaar Street, Tel: (014) 736-2723, Fax: (014) 736-3428, PO Box 16, Bela-Bela. E-mail: tbeat3@gmail.com. The Beat is typographically prepared, published and distributed by Upfront Events Two CC and is printed by Paarl Coldset, 83 Heidelberg Rd, City Deep Production Park, City Deep.
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Police vehicle takes a dive - 01 July
Justin Steyn
Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
‘A tough election for the ANC’ Ringane – Cyril Ramaphosa - 01 July Mzamane Cyril Ramaphosa, the Deputy President of the ANC and South Africa, speaking at an ANC mini Rally Modimolle in June, said that he did not see the ANC winning an easy victory in the August local elections. His words were prophetic, for the ANC lost large parts of the country to rivals like the DA. Modimolle, ironically enough, was one of the places where the ANC is now relegated to the opposition benches.
A police officer from the Rooiberg Cluster was in an embarrassing accident on the old Thabazimbi Road in July. The officers attending the scene were alleged to have thrown away beer cans from the accident site, and allegedly told bystanders that the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Community gathers over grievances - 29 July Justin Steyn
A handful of community members and residents gathered in front of the Bela-Bela municipality on 18 July to raise important issues with the town’s then-mayor, Lucas Nhlapo. The community’s complaints included new basic charges to be implemented on electricity, water, and sewerage.
Overflowing sewers tortures Phagameng residents - 08 July Mzamane Ringane
Residents of Jay Naidoo reported that they were suffering from the incredibly rank smell of a nearby sewer which was overflowing. Parents who live in the street told The BEAT that they were afraid for the health of their children, as well as their safety with the halfopen sewer grate. Resident said that they had approached the municipality about the situation several times with no luck. The BEAT was happy to report, one week after this story was published, that the sewer had been repaired, and the community was being spared the stench.
15 December, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
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Nowhere to answer nature’s call - 11 August
Mzamane Ringane
The toilets at most public areas in the Phagameng township of Modimolle are not functional, forcing residents to use the nearest available hideouts to respond to the call of nature. On the main door of the toilets located at the Phagameng Sports Ground facilities, local residents are greeted by a padlock. These sports facilities are known to be a hive of activity on a daily basis, with athletes who participate in soccer, netball, volleyball, indigenous games and tennis using this place for their practice sessions there. The BEAT reported on the situation in August, and it has not improved since then.
Traffic cop in hospital Andries van der Heyde after smash - 11 August
A Limpopo traffic officer ended up in hospital after being hit by a vehicle on the N1 in August. It was alleged at the time that Officer MZ Malesa was seriously injured when the driver of an oncoming bakkie lost control of his vehicle and smashed into Malesa while he was speaking to the driver of a stopped Renault. When last heard from, Malesa was recovering as well as could be expected from his injuries.
Local Government Elections proceeded smoothly - 5 August
Mzamane Ringane
The Local Government Elections on 3 August proceeded smoothly for the most part. There were a few minor complaints, including that some parties were still campaigning on voting day, but on the whole, all went well. At one point during the process the ANC had to be persuaded to remove a branded vehicle from the voting premises, while at another station opposition parties were incensed because ANC representatives were handing out branded T-shirts to voters. The results were something of a surprise to some: the ANC was trounced in the newly combined Modimolle/Mookgophong Municipality by the DA, but managed to hang on to power in Bela-Bela and other areas. Nationally, the ANC received a nasty surprise when they lost Pretoria to the DA along with a number of other metros.
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Bela-Bela’s crash-prone weekend Justin Steyn - 08 September
Bela-Bela saw several serious accidents over the first weekend of the month. The vice-chairperson of Bela-Bela Crime Support was killed on 3 September in an accident, and a provincial ambulance was hit by an oncoming vehicle at the entrance of the hospital on the same day. In a third accident the driver of another car lost control of his vehicle on 4 September, and was taken to hospital.
Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
One dead, one injured in shack Lizzy Bapela fire - 09 September
William Matlou was killed when his shack in Phagameng burned to the ground on 4 September. He was living with his wife, Paulina, who survived the incident with serious burns. Police believed that the fire may have been caused by a fallen candle, and issued warnings to the public to be careful with fire.
Raging fire destroys 9 000 hectares - 30 September
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Justin Steyn
A fire that started on the R101 between Mookgophong and Modimolle spread into Middelfontein and Grootfontein during September, destroying over 9000 hectares. Working on Fire personnel were working to control the blaze, which was eventually extinguished, and cautioned the community about open flames during fire season.
Fire leavesTK Mashaba family homeless -16 September
A fire left a Bela-Bela family homeless after their shack burnt to the ground on 12 September. The family was last heard from living with neighbours while they tried to re-establish their lives.
15 December, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
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Drama at Mayor’s Ringane Meeting - 20 October Mzamane
Two-year-old murdered - 20 October
TK Mashaba
Roadside murderLizzy suspect wanted Bapela - 14 October
A strange combination of delight and disturbance met Modimolle Mayor Marlene van Staden during her first address to the people of her new municipality. The event was repeatedly disputed by a group of residents, who refused to let the mayor speak, while others tried to enforce silence.
Kamogelo Ramurulani (2 ½ ) was brutally murdered in October. The little girl was doused in petrol and set alight, and died in hospital on the same day as the incident. Her mother’s former lover, Tumelo Ngobeni, was arrested for the murder. Tshenolo, Kamogelo’s mother, had apparently tried to get a restraining order against Ngobeni on the day in question, and had returned to Leseding only hours before her daughter’s murder.
Accident claims two - 04 November
Lizzy Bapela
The police in Modimolle urged members of the public to help them with information that could lead to the conclusion of a case involving a man who was found left for dead on the gravel road near the R101 between Modimolle and Bela-Bela on 28 September
Enraged customer confronts bank - 18 November Lizzy Bapela
Two people died in an accident on the N1 northbound, three kilometres from the Kranskop tollgate. The vehicles were close to each other as they travelled, and the rearmost driver lost control of his car, crashing into the vehicle in front of him. The sole survivor of the three people involved in the accident was charged with culpable homicide
Toddler marathon a success - 04 November
An enraged Capitec customer caused a ruckus at the Capitec branch at Bela-Bela in November, after he was robbed of his life savings. Lesiba Abatious Kgokane told the media that the money that had been stolen from his account had been intended to provide for his pregnant wife and coming child while he looked for work after being laid off.
Advertorial
Mzamane Ringane
Modimolle’s Addicted to Life athletics club hosted a running festival at Modi Mall on Friday, 28 October. The Early Childhood Development Running Festival was hosted by the local athletics club in partnership with other stakeholders, and sponsored by companies who contributed to the success of the event. Rethabile crèche, Mpulemahlo Day Care, Little Stars crèche, Lerato Day Care, Mahlatse Day Care, Pheladi Day Care, Marie Day Care, Emmanuel Christian crèche, Tshwaranang crèche, Agape crèche, Phagameng crèche and Kopanong crèche took part in the festival. The Modimolle victim support centre also sent their children to participate in the festival. All participants were awarded medals at the end of the day.
Katlego Ngoaheng (15), a grade 9 scholar from Hoërskool Warmbad, was the winner of a Trimaster hamper at PNA Warmbad. The contestants were requested to colour inn any canvas item supplied by Trimasters and to post it on their facebook page, with him on the photo is Marlene van Rooyen, an employee of the store.
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Mayor addresses young women The mayor of Lim 368 (Modimolle/ Mookgophong) Municipality Marlene Van Staden raised crucial issues when she addressed the audience at the Young Women Lead Convention in Modimolle last Wednesday, 30 November. The meeting which was held at the Peter Nchabeleng Community Hall in Phagameng, was organised by the Modimolle-based Organisation Hands On. The mayor expressed concern at the fact that many young women are forced to sacrifice their dreams as a result of challenges they face in the society. “For many education is denied, some are forced into marriages, they are not recognised as equals and are often expected to take care of their families at the expense of their own dreams,” she said. Van Staden highlighted that a success of one woman in the community, has the potential to boost self-confidence of many others in the surroundings. “I believe that being a leader in your own community is as important, if not more important, than that job in a top company or that government job,” Van Staden said. Among other challenges that the mayor said needs to be tackled head on are, ensuring access to prenatal, maternal and child health services, improved access to economic opportunities and improved
Mzamane Ringane
Miss Modimolle 2016 Bonolo Ramarumo.
Young women came out in large numbers to attend the first women’s convention hosted by Organisation Hands On. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
access to education, science and technology. “While a recent gender benchmarking study found that South Africa provided women with more opportunities than ever before, their participation in the science and technology workforce remained low and women were severely under-represented in degree programs for engineering, physics and computer science,” she continued. The Modimolle/Mookgophong first lady said that the issue of violence against women and girls in general needed urgent attention. She said most women in the society have experienced some form of gender based violence. “During these sixteen days of activism we need to ensure that the message goes out
and goes out loud. We want our communities to stand up and say ‘no more’,” she told the women. A popular local dentist, Dr Lydia Olifant also shared a message of support with the audience, and further donated books to empower young women. “We are all born with qualities of becoming leaders. We are all destined to become a better person in the society,” said Dr Olifant. Social worker Nkele Mapodile who represented the Department of Social Development at the convention, warned young women on the use of drugs and its impact in their lives. Mapodile said teenage pregnancy was also among the major challenges that affects the future of young women.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year As 2016 draws to a close and we all head off on our various holidays, it’s important to remember what we are grateful for. At The BEAT, we are grateful to our advertisers, to our readers, and perhaps most of all, to those people who are always willing to take a moment out of their day to speak to us, to make sure that our stories are as complete as they can be. Thank you very much for helping us get the truth out there. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” ¯ - Norman Vincent Peale ... “I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, And wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!” ¯ - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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Mayor promise residents better roads
Bela-Bela Mayor Jeremiah Ngobeni. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Bela-Bela Mayor Jeremiah Ngobeni recently announced that the next section to be paved will be Extension 7 and the whole portion of Leseding section which was not previously paved. The mayor said this during an interaction meeting between him and
the ward residents that took place next to the Extension 6’s non-functioning clinic on Sunday, 11 December. Ngobeni added that the paving of roads will resume first thing in January, when material supply firms will be reopened following the festive holidays. He also said that they will also build a storm water drainage system at Extension 6’s Marikana Street, which floods when it rains, making using it a struggle. He also announced that the municipality received an unqualified audit report for the 2015/ 2016 financial year and was rated one of the good perfuming municipalities in the province. Residents’ representative Abatias Kgokane said that the meeting was meant for the mayor to share with the residents, information on services rendered in the municipality, also to inform them of projects that are still to come, especially in Ward 7. The mayor advised the residents to visit the municipality and apply for downgrading on the new electricity tariffs. He promised to call the relevant provincial leadership to come and address the community on the matter, so that
Six dead in horror crash
Justin Steyn
everyone can understand and no finger pointing will take place. The residents further asked the mayor to attend to the issue of trash being dumped at a nearby open space, which affects the residents as it is in a residential area. They were worried about the locals’ health situation, especially children, and the mayor promised an urgent attention to the matter. The residents also has a social club with which they help each other in times of need and have already achieved a lot, something that the mayor applauded. Bela-Bela received the unqualified audit opinion for three years in consecutive and this appeared pleasant to the mayor, who also reported that they also received additional grants to continue delivering better services to the communities it serves. He added that he will return to the public to tell them about the funds as soon as the amount is revealed and the funds are available for use. The Limpopo Provincial Government released a status report on the financial status of municipalities in the Province
Lizzy Bapela
following a financial assessment of distressed municipalities. It was announced following an executive council meeting held on Wednesday, 7 December that Bela-Bela Local Municipality was classed in Category B (Medium Risk) Municipalities as it performed well in other indicators, but is at a risk of collapse. Thabazimbi and Lim 368 (Mookgophong/Modimolle) were among municipalities classed in Category A (High Risk) Municipalities for performing bad in all indicators, and are at a risk of financial collapse should urgent interventions not be implemented. Provincial Government Spokesperson Phuti Seloba indicated that Category C (Low Risk) Municipalities are at a low risk of financial collapse, but require close monitoring to ensure that they do not regress. The Executive Council resolved that the Provincial Treasury, CoGHSTA together with the identified municipalities at risk should develop financial recovery plans that take into account both financial and nonfinancial matters.
SADTU Modimolle wraps 2016 in style Mzamane Ringane
SADTU members Rachel Mosehla (from left), Kgadi Maseko, Deputy Chairperson Dan Rihlampfu and Chairperson Meshack Ramaphakela. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Six people have died in an accident on the N1 highway between Mookgophong and Modimolle. Photo supplied Six people were killed in a head-on collision on Saturday, 10 December. According to the provincial police spokesman. Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, the accident involved the collision of a Volkswagen Polo and a Mercedes-Benz on the N1 highway between Modimolle and Mookgophong. At the scene the Polo was balancing on its nose which had been
crushed. Ngoepe said that all six passengers involved in the accident died at the scene. Ngoepe said that the collision was a result of one of the motorist apparently trying to avoid an object on the road. According to the latest statistics, the accident brought the provincial death toll to 28 since the start of the festive season.
SADTU in Modimolle hosted their year-end function at the Modimolle Correctional Centre on Thursday, 1 December, where they also commemorated World AIDS Day and 16 Days of Activism for no Violence against Women and Children. SADTU Modimolle Chairperson Meshack Ramaphakela said although the 16 days were specifically dedicated to fighting abuse against women and children, it was also important to raise awareness against abuse in general. Ramaphakela thanked all the educators for gallantly continuing
Another baby found in a Lizzy Bapela sewerage The workers said that they were An unidentified infant’s body was found abandoned in a sewerage, this time at the Bela-Bela Forever Resorts on Monday, 12 December. Municipal workers were on duty at the resort near the sewerage station for the municipality when they found the body in the drainpipe. One worker said that when she saw the body as she was busy conducting her duties she showed her colleague, who at first thought that it was just a doll inside the drainpipes but they later discovered that it was human remains.
shocked after seeing the body and could not believe it. Bela-Bela police spokesperson Sergeant van Zyl reported that the police have opened an inquest docket and investigations are underway following the incident. The police were contacted to attend the scene and they responded swiftly to the call. The resort’s deputy general manager said that he was on leave and did not hear about the incident when contacted. However, he promised to engage his superiors and report back on the matter urgently.
to do their work, during the year 2016 which he deemed as a challenging year for all sectors of government. “Today is not a day of many issues. We just decided to come and meet here to rub shoulders. Each and every organisation must have what we call a team building session,” he said. The branch chairperson said among other issues, the event served to close the gap between educators, District Officers, Circuit Officers and those work in the ABET/AET Basic Education Training for Adults, by creating a platform where they can get together and reflect on what transpired during the year.
Assistant Director School Governance in the Nylstroom Circuit Jack Rakgwale said from their side, they did not experience many hiccups during this fading year, and further indicated that they are also expecting yearend result which will reflect that. He urged all the education workers to start preparing themselves for the year 2017. “Go and re-energize yourselves so that you can be prepared for the next year,” he said. Candles were lit at the event in remembrance of those who succumbed to HIV/AIDS and to also give hope and courage to who are living positively with it.