The Beat 27 May 2016

2 Committee fights crime

R1-20/FREE

2016

27 May

Massive drug

bust near Vaalwater Warrant Officer Hennie van Staden and Constable Mahlatsi Tselana (both from the Groblersbrug border police) stand beside Warrant Officer Pieter du Plessis from the Bulgerivier police station between Vaalwater and Lephalale.

Beside them are some of the 93 1kg packages of heroin which were found in the car.

Altogether 93parcels of heroin weighing 1kg each were found in a bakkie between Vaalwater and Lephalale.

Marlene Vermaak Members of the Bulgerivier police, situated between Vaalwater and Lephalale, confiscated drugs and cash estimated to be worth millions, after stopping and searching a suspicious vehicle on Monday, 23 May. The police were alerted that a possible suspicious vehicle carrying drugs and cash may have been planning to enter the country, and the Groblersbrug border police

sent out a warning.

“A bulletin was sent out to all police stations in the area,” said Colonel Ronel Otto, police spokesperson for Limpopo.

“Police officers from the Bulgerivier station spotted, stopped, and searched the vehicle.”

Initially the search appeared to be in vain, but members of the border police under Warrant Officer Hennie van Staden soon arrived on the scene.

The border police focuses on monitoring imports and exports between South Africa and Botswana, and makes it their business

The police find cash which was hidden in the bakkie.

to identify and investigate suspicious vehicles.

“Smuggling between South Africa and Botswana is definitely our field of expertise and we know what to look for when we are searching a suspicious vehicle,” said Van Staden.

The vehicle was thoroughly searched and yielded R139 900 and $10 000 in cash, as well as heroin with an estimated street value of R93 million, in 1kg packaging.

The police found hidden panels in the doors, behind the seats, and in the back of the Nissan

NP200-bakkie.

“The driver was a 33-year old man originally from Tanzania. He has been arrested, and appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on charges of owning, trading, and smuggling, illegal drugs,” said Colonel Otto.

The case has been taken over by the Limpopo Organized Crime Unit.

“The suspect was calm and peaceful and never aggressive,” said a source close to the investigation. “It didn’t look as though he became angry or upset while his vehicle was being taken apart.”

CRIME

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Street committee to fight crime Mzamane Ringane Warrant Officer Khangela Maluleka and Captain Molokela Motadi (far right) with members of the newly formed street committee.

Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Residents of Selemela Street in Phagameng, Modimolle, have decided to take a stand against crime, by joining hands with the SAPS in combating crime.

Modimolle SAPS Sector 1 Commander Captain Molokela Motadi led members of the police at a community meeting which was held at Phagameng on Thursday 19 May. Captain Motadi said the main aim of the meeting was to officially unveil the new members of the street committee and to also present them before the community.

Captain Motadi indicated that the established street committee shall be

accountable to the Community Police subforum.

The Community Police sub-forum shall then be accountable to the Community Police Forum (CPF).

Members of the community were warned not to take the law into their hands, but they should apprehend suspects and hand them over to the police.

Part of the street committee’s duties will be to keep a watchful eye against vigilantism and to also conduct cleanups in the area.

Residents were also invited to attend a massive crime awareness campaign for the Modimolle cluster to be at the local Ephraim Mogale Stadium on 10 June.

Robbers get away with cash and phones

Modimolle citizens tired of drug-related crime

Ronél van Jaarsveld Modimolle SAPS Sector 1 Commander Captain Molokela Motadi. Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Mzamane Ringane Members of the community in Modimolle have expressed their concerns over drug related crimes in the area, and vowed to break the silence to overcome this scourge.

This occurred at the community dialogue held at Thusanang Crèche at Modimolle’s Mandela section on Tuesday 17 May. The community of Mandela section attended the meeting with among other stakeholders, the Modimolle SAPS, Department of Social Development and National Development Agency (NDA).

Members of the community raised concerns about criminal activities affecting them on a daily basis.

According to many residents who attended the meeting, nyaope addicts are stealing their belongings and selling them at the local scrapyards in order to satisfy their drug addiction.

Among other issues that were raised at the meeting, residents expressed concern over syringes that were left lying around by drug users.

Parents felt that their children were at risk of contracting diseases from the used syringes.

All the parties that attended the meeting agreed that the issue of crime was a societal issue, and everyone has to play a role in tackling crime from its roots.

The biggest concern was that people who sell drugs are living in the community and

citizens are reluctant to report such cases.

District Officer Tebogo Machaka said the NDA assists young people with typing, photocopying and internet access, if it is related to applying for jobs and admission to tertiary institution.

Modimolle SAPS Sector 1 Commander Captain Molokela Motadi said the police alone cannot eradicate crime, if members of the community are not on their side.

He also told members of the community that it is their responsibility to make a follow-up after they have opened cases with the local police.

Some members of the community claimed that criminals are always released back into the society soon after their arrest.

In response to that, Captain Motadi indicated that the people who are charged with crime have a right to be presumed innocent, until proven guilty by a court of law.

He said street committees and the Community Police Forums are there to ensure that the relationship between the police and the public is strengthened.

Captain Motadi urged members of the community to work closely with the local police, so that crime can be wiped out.

Lieutenant Colonel Kiba Kekana of the Modimolle SAPS said members of the community must break the silence and report crimes at the local police station.

He also called on residents to support members of the SAPS, to ensure that crime is eradicated.

Three men walked calmly into the Markhams store at the Modi-Mall on Tuesday, 24 May, and robbed the store of R2 100 and several cellphones.

Warrant Officer James Findlay of the Modimolle police said that one of the men had a school bag over his shoulder, which according to the store’s staff, contained weapons. The weapons, however, were not aimed at the staff.

The men demanded money and told the staff to unlock the safe and lie down on the floor. Cell phones were stolen from the safe, and the three men made tracks.

The men were captured on CCTV, and residents have been asked to contact the police if they recognize them.

Jet, the Tamsen bottle store, and a bakery, have all been the victims of armed robbery this year.

Bela-Bela police reach out to community for safety measures Lizzy Bapela The Bela-Bela police station Commander, Colonel Lindie Marx, asked the local community to exercise neighbourhood watch as a means of helping the police combat crime in the area. This comes after a theft in Extension 5, where the suspects helped themselves to a man’s steel table and chairs, which were put at the back of his house.

The incident was discovered on the morning of Monday, 23 May when the complaint went to check on his properties and discovered that a steel round table, 20 plastic chairs and a crate of empty beer bottles were missing. He further alleged that he received information that two suspects were seen leaving his house, with one having a crate of beer in his possession.

Bela-Bela police spokesperson Constable Maria Maswanganye confirmed that a case of theft was opened at the station and the suspects were traced and arrested on the same day. They were expected to appear before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court this week.

Meanwhile, the station commander urged

Five abandon bail application Justin Steyn Five Zimbabwean men who were arrested on Thursday, 5 May, in connection with a robbery at a residence near the R101 at Bela-Bela, abandoned their bail application during their latest court appearance on Tuesday 24 May. The five are said to be illegal

immigrants from Zimbabwe. During their arrest, Police found and confiscated three illegally owned 9mm Pistols and a hunting rifle.

Maswanganye said that all five suspects have since been positively linked to other cases involving armed robbery, burglary and theft, business robbery and murder.

Ngobile Nyoni (28) Christophe Mugabe (23), Wilson Monjeza (34), Elvis Musimeki

The police believe that these two men can assist them in their enquiries regarding a robbery at a clothing store at Modimolle. Anyone with information regarding their identities is asked to contact Warrant Officer James Findlay at 082 414 3218. Photo supplied

(29) and Jacob Chio (22) made their first court appearance at the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 9 May. During their latest court appearance the five men abandoned their bail application and their case was postponed to Monday 27 June for further investigations and the results of a pending ballistics report.

They are currently represented by Legal Aid.

members of the community to know their neighbours and to keep an eye on each other’s properties when they are away, and to report any suspicious people, cars, and movements in their area at the police station. She also advised them not to buy stolen property as this will result in them been arrested and prosecuted for possession of suspected stolen property.

Bela-Bela police station Commander Colonel Lindie Marx requested the local community to exercise neighbourhood watch. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

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Leseding family loses all in fire Lizzy Bapela

The RDP house was gutted by the flames.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Members of the Monareng family at Bela-Bela’s Leseding section recently suffered a shocking ordeal when an unknown man is believed to have set their house alight. The family told The BEAT that they were woken up by the raging fire around 02:00.

One of the family’s daughters, Rebecca Monareng said that they called the emergency number for the police and fire fighters, but the police did not arrive until after 08:00 in the morning.

The family said that by that time, everything

had already gone down in flames and all that they were left with were the clothes that they were wearing.

During an interview with The BEAT, the family members expressed concerns about not receiving help on time, which could have saved some of their belongings. They said that they feel like even the local municipality could have intervened after the fire but failed them.

“Our ward councillor Jeremiah Ngobeni only came in the morning to see what happened but he never came back to us. A municipal official Thipe Dlamini came and brought us corrugated iron sheets, door and roofing materials. By that time, we had

already started fixing the house ourselves. He also told us that the municipality could not help us with an electric box as they are not available at the moment. Our mother was even hospitalised after the ordeal as a result of inhaling the smoke,” said Monareng.

The family received donations of food and clothing from the neighbours and the local Living Word Bible Church. They also received a donation of cash from Shoprite.

Local businessman Akim Mkhabela also helped the family by donating food. They were sleeping at their neighbours’ while they were busy fixing the RDP house and rebuilding the shack.

Advertorial Neighbours of the Monareng family came to comfort them during the hardship. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Bela-Bela Superspar (Jako Muller) hands over a cheque of R26 680 to Light of Africa (Josias Ramalekana).

History: This program strives to bring progress and success to communities and individuals living at risk or difficult conditions. Through partnership with other organisation, business and government.

Work to create jobs, feeding scheme and other social benefits.

The remains of the family’s shack after the fire. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

The rubbish container in which the family’s belongings ended up.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Needs/Challenges: Office building and equipment.

This will enable us to run the organisation effectively.

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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

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Service delivery in Bela-Bela – where it stands Andries van der Heyde Water levels in Bela-Bela are still low and restoring the balance of the town and surrounding areas remain a challenge. But there is good news.

Risimati Ntekele, head of Technical Services at the Bela-Bela Municipality, said in an interview that three boreholes in town have since been fully equipped and are pumping 1,2 million litres per day. But the sad news is that because of the drought, the water table had dropped lower than expected.

To extend the boreholes’ lifespan, less water is pumped at certain intervals, said Ntekele.

Municipal teams have recently completed cleaning of the two main reservoirs close to Koppewaai and the Renaissance retirement resort, where new valves, meters and a control panel to regulate the motors and the pumps were installed. But with the

continuing drought and the ongoing water restrictions in town, people are still urged to use water sparingly, said Ntekele..

During the recent discussions of the municipal draft budget the amount of water that is to be given to indigent households has been brought down from 10Kl to 6Kl per month per household. The amount of electricity per household is also down from 100Kwh to 70Kwh in relation to the previous financial year.

Ntekele said that indigent registrations for the new financial year have increased from an estimate of 3600 households to 4600 households this year.

“The prescribed minimum for indigents is 6Kl and above. The municipality has decided on this amount of water due to the municipality’s financial capabilities and because the increase in households,” said Ntekele. These figures will only be accepted once the public participation processes for the municipal budget are completed and a final budget is approved,

said Ntekele.

“Water provision is currently stable thanks to the community using it sparingly. Since January we’ve experienced very few problems and the South African national accreditation systems laboratory (SANAS) found that our water is class 1.”

On the electrical side, the municipality has since March fixed 294 of the 387 street lights in the busy sections of town and 183 of the 200 street lights in the township. Residential areas are soon to be taken care of and scheduled maintenance is to be completed in Roodepoort and Noodhulp, said Ntekele.

A recent in-house report of the municipality where the focus was shifted to the standard of various roads, municipal staff compiled a report to identify degrading roads and establish how much capital is needed to upgrade them.

Ntekele said R122 million is needed to

build new roads and the maintenance of the current roads will cost R80 million in the area. He said that no consultants were used when compiling the reports since there are staff at the municipality who are able to do the job, he said.

As a bonus to residents, the long-awaited integrated client service centre at the municipality finally opened for business at the beginning of May, where residents are now able to report or be assisted on any municipal matter with greater efficiency, said Ntekele.

The municipal client service centre can be reached on 014 736 1011/1012. Ntekele’s office can be reached at 014 736 8047 for people who wish to report others who fail to comply with the water restrictions or report other matters.

Ntekele said lastly that people in town who use boreholes in their yards are to place visible signage outside their property so that others know that the water they are using is borehole water and not municipal water.

Alleged serial rapist to face trial in Lephalale

Burglars cause thousands in damages

Laerskool Vaalwater’s office was chaotic after the school suffered a break-in last weekend.

Photo: Marlene Vermaak

Marlene Vermaak Laerskool Vaalwater was robbed on Friday, 20 May, and the thieves also caused thousands of Rands in damages.

Leonard Vorster, the principal, arrived at the school just after 07:00 and came upon the chaos in the administrative building.

“When I entered the office I immediately smelled a strange burning smell and knew something was wrong,” he said. “Shortly after

that I saw that the office had been torn apart, and I immediately contacted the police.”

The suspects are believed to have entered through a bathroom window after cutting the fence at the rugby fields.

“They caused a great deal of damage in the admin building; all the wiring and electronics have been damaged,” Vorster said. “Our telephone and Internet cables, school bell and alarm system have been destroyed, and their wires cut to ribbons. They also broke open the safe and burned the carpets in

Bela-Bela Municipality warns donkey cart owners

Lizzy Bapela Donkey cart owners in Bela-Bela recently received a strong message from the local municipality following vandalism at local parks.

Traffic officers Gosh Rachidumela and Thabo Tshabalala told The BEAT that there have been a number of incidents where cart owners

vandalize the parks’ fences in order to gain entry to the sand inside. They are believed to collect and sell the sand.

Rachidumela and Tshabalala said that the damage makes it look as though there was never a park at all.

Rachidumela took The BEAT on a visit to the park in Extension 6, where someone has vandalized the foundations where a trampoline was to be installed. He said that

the process, and threw the contents on the floor. Every possible cubby was searched for cash.”

“I think it is disgraceful to steal from schools that are already having financial troubles,” said Christi Fourie, the school secretary.

The damage to the school is estimated at R100 000.

The police at Vaalwater have opened a case, but no suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. The police also said that they could not recover any fingerprints at the scene.

Gosh Rachidumela and Mike Suke of Bela-Bela Local Municipality confiscated the carts. Thabo Tshabalala escorted them to the municipal building.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela warnings have been sent out, but that the guilty parties seem to be ignoring them.

The police therefore confiscated two carts to set an example.

“We thought that the death of a child a year or so ago would scare people away from the sand pits, but they still come in large numbers to fetch the sand. The holes that they dig in the process pose a danger to the lives of residents, especially children,” said Rachidumela.

Tshabalala held an awareness meeting at the community where he invited all donkey cart owners.

Municipal spokesperson Butani Mabunda said that if the problem persists they would have to ask the Department of Justice and the police to intervene.

Justin Steyn An alleged serial rapist from Bela-Bela will have to wait a little over four months to have his day in court.

The 47- year old man, who may not be named until he has entered a plea, faces eleven charges of rape, the first of which allegedly occurred in March 2009 when he allegedly raped a 29-year old woman on a farm.

His victims are said to be between the ages of 13 and 33.

The man is said to have been on the run from police for as

long as six years, but was finally apprehended on Thursday, 24 December 2015.

Further investigations by police have linked the man to other crimes such as robbery, kidnapping and assault.

On Monday 4 April, the court decided to transfer the case to the Director of Public Prosecutions and on Thursday 19 May it was announced that he will stand trial at the Lephalale High court on Friday 11 November.

He remains in custody at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

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EDITORIAL

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Victim Support Centre has stood test of time achieved, she finds the courage to work even harder.

Modimolle Victim Support Centre offers services such as counselling to victims of abuse and violence, trauma counselling, outreach programmes and awareness

The staff at the Modimolle Victim Support Center. In the back row (standing) ;Lavern Phala, George Nkuna, Levy Moselane and Christina Makwela. Seated are Catherine Moropa and Nompumelelo. Photo supplied Mzamane Ringane The Phagameng-based Modimolle Victim Support Centre which has been a pillar of strength for many locals, has been in existence for more than a decade and it grows on a daily basis.

Programmes manager at the centre, Cathrine Moropa who joined the organisation in 2002 when it was still based in Modimolle, told The BEAT that it is by God’s grace that she is still able to stand firm and serve the community relentlessly.

According to Moropa, the organisation was officially registered in 2003.

Moropa says she started as a volunteer at the centre back in the days, and some of her daily duties included making tea for staff and clients.

As a result of commitment and

the love of supporting helpless members of the community, Moropa found herself as part of the centre’s senior staff when it was relocated to Phagameng in 2005 and is now the programmes manager after 14 years.

In order to realise this dream, Moropa said she had to depend on God’s mercy and blessings.

“We come across challenges as the organisation and also as individuals, but the love of God keeps us going. We are not here for a salary, but we are here to help our community so they can overcome various difficulties that they might come across.

There are many people who depend on us, so that’s what motivates us to never give up. If we were to give up, all those people will not have anyone to turn to,” Moropa said.

She said when she looks back and recollect all the success stories that the organisation has

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Moropa said their outreach programmes and awareness campaigns target schools, crèches, men’s groups and women’s groups.

She said most of their campaigns

are in line with the national calendar of events.

Moropa also took the opportunity to thank former founding members Pastor Herman Leboye, Deidre Stoffberg, and Rika Botha for their support.

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ADVERTISMENTS / LEGALS / CHARITY

SMALLS

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Precious Marobele aims for success Precious Marobele with some of her co-stars from the recent play. Photo supplied

Lizzy Bapela Pienaarsrivier actress and singer Precious Marobele says she wants to see herself being able to point out numerous names from her neighbourhood, saying that she helped them climb the ladder to success.

She said this during an interview with The BEAT recently about her journey as an artist.

Marobele has been in the entertainment industry for 16 years now; as an actress, singer, praise poet, writer, director, and producer, and says that she draws her strength from God and the kind of support system that she has.

She started performing professionally in 2002 and performed for various theatre and television productions. She played for 90 Plein Street as a news reporter, Soul City 7 as a nurse, on Tsha-Tsha 4 as a social worker, on Generations as a personal assistant; and more theatre productions. She was a presenter for Mindset Health, a program on DSTV. She has written five theatre scripts and directed three that were performed at Windybrow and Macufe Festivals.

Marobele is currently the managing director of an arts and culture productions centre in Pienaarsrivier called The Best Art Centre. She also serves in the national Cultural Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), as one of the members and artists representing Limpopo.

She currently has a play titled “when players are played” which staged in her hometown recently. It is about negligence by funding agencies, where funds are given to organizations for projects and follow ups

on the project progress are not made.

“The story unfolds with the protagonist seeking for justice to be done after her best friend, who received funding with her for a project, decided to utilize funding for her personal needs, like buying a different job, a car and hiring people to kill her. In that process antagonist also fell in love with her friend’s boyfriend, who is later used to reveal the truth,” she said.

There are three upcoming performers and are all from Pienaarsrivier and were trained at Marobele’s centre. Semakaleng Ngwana, Tumelo Mmakola and Boitumelo Maimela once performed in Macufe 2011 in a production titled “it’s all about I”, with Kgopotso Seemise from Bela-Bela. The play is written and directed by Marobele and she says that the actors are very professional.

“The audience enjoyed the play very much and wanted more. The local community hall was full to capacity, with some people watching from outside through the windows. There was a taxi from Modimolle and two from Bela-Bela with people to support the opening of the show.

I have written 17 plays since from the time I was at FUBA as. I base my plays on realism as most of them are inspired by true stories and real lives.”

The National Lotteries Commission funded The Best Art Centre on the project of “Bringing Theatre to the Community”.

Other funders for previous projects include the national Department of Arts and Culture.

Her message to the youth is that in whatever they do, they must never forget that they are God’s project and all plans about them are known and implemented by Him.

Establishing access routes to prospecting sites Establishing prospecting camps Drilling of exploration boreholes (±16) Excavation of surface trenches (±50) and bulk sampling pits (±2) Non-invasive Documentation Prefeasibility / Bankable feasibility study Potential Environmental Authorizations triggered: GNR 983: Activity 20

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Restricting governing bodies will not prevent corruption with education posts, says FEDSAS: The Minister of Basic Education’s report on so-called “cash for posts” incidents presents a dark picture of corruption and irregularities regarding the appointment of teachers. This report was published last week.

“The Minister has to be commended on her efforts to expose and eradicate corruption in education. In this regard she has the full support of FEDSAS,” says Mr Paul LETTER Colditz, CEO of the Federation TO THE of Governing Bodies of South EDITOR African Schools (FEDSAS).

FEDSAS was one of the governing body organisations invited by the Minister to discuss a summary of the report. Colditz says the organisations agreed that changes to legislation and the restriction of school governing bodies’ functions are not solutions.

“In this regard the task team as failed in the sense that governing bodies do not appoint teachers. A school’s governing body can merely make recommendations regarding appointments. The authority to make appointments rests with the education departments. This finding therefore points fingers to education officials,” says Colditz. To take governing bodies out of the appointment process will not solve the problem and will alienate school communities.

Colditz says the report’s finding that governing bodies do not have the necessary expertise is also an indictment against the education department. “According to article 19 of the Schools’ Act, the education department has a duty to train governing bodies. In most cases there is no training. Where there is some form of training it is usually inadequate.”

National regulations provide for governing body organisations to provide training to governing bodies. FEDSAS, an internationally recognised expert in the field of school governance, has made offers to all nine provinces to be involved in training. None of the provinces has made use of the offer and only two, Gauteng and the Western Cape, acknowledged the offer. “Properly equipped governing bodies is the starting point for eradicating this and other forms of corruption,” says Colditz FEDSAS’ commitment towards establishing quality education rests on properly equipped and informed school governing bodies. “We will work with the Minister and other roleplayers to re-establish the integrity of the school system as this is the only way to ensure the future of our children,” says Colditz.

(FEDSAS is a voluntary association of school governing bodies of public schools and supports quality education in these schools.

More than 1900 public schools are already members of FEDSAS).

You have been defamed– what now?

it be linked to the online article.

A complaint to the Press Ombudsman is also a good option. The benefit of this approach include swift results and low costs. The Press Ombudsman has a staff that will help you with your complaints, and no lawyers are allowed.

Where the culprit is an online publication, demand the immediate removal of the publication. If this fails, approach the service provider with a take-down notice. A last resort would be to request an urgent court order to have the offending statements removed. Many social media platforms have a “report this post” function where you can report defamatory statements.

Defamation may also be criminally charged. In cases where you can prove that the defamation was malicious, you can lodge a complaint with the police.

Remember to keep records of what you are complaining about. Make printouts of the publications, because once something disappears off the Internet, getting it back is considerably more difficult.

Willem de Klerk is a media law lawyer in Johannesburg

In the previous article we examined defamation, and how a balance is achieved between defamation and freedom of speech.

Today we will examine the remedies for when defamation has taken place.

The first thing that most people want to do is to sue for damages. This is certainly an option, but it is not always the best option. The amounts awarded for damages by South African courts are relatively small, usually between R40 000 and R100 000. A defamation suit is clearly not the path to riches. Aside from that, legal fees are high and it may take years before you have your day in court.

By that time, the defamation has been long-forgotten and you yourself may not even care that much anymore.

There are alternatives.

When the culprit is a newspaper or a media publication, a letter to the editor is usually a good starting point. Where factual errors were made, ask for a correction and apology in addition to the removal of the online article. Where your side of the story was not asked or represented properly, ask for space to explain your side of the story, and ask that

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ENTERTAINMENT / SPORT / SCHOOL

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Raeleng denies textbook troubles Lizzy Bapela The BEAT has learned that BelaBela’s Raeleng Secondary School had their textbooks delivered this year and on time; a source at the school confirmed that. This follows The BEAT’s enquiry regarding reports in the national media that the school was allegedly running short of text books.

The report stated that the school was running short of textbooks for Mathematics, English, Economics, and Life Science for Grade 8 to 12 learners. The DA in Limpopo had

then issued a statement saying that they wrote the Limpopo MEC for Education Ishmael Kgetjepe, asking him to urgently provide mobile classrooms, chairs and desks as an interim measure to address overcrowding in affected schools.

The DA provincial leader Jacque Smalle said in the statement that they believe that Ulando Combined School also did not receive their textbooks for Grade 8 to 12 learners and is short of educators. He added that In the 2013/2014 financial year, 60% of the Department’s capital infrastructure grant was not spent.

Meanwhile, the Department’s

provincial spokesperson, Dr Naledzani Rasila was reported saying that nine service providers had been appointed to send 42 000 desks to affected schools in the province. He added that the distribution of textbooks began in November last year and was expected to be completed before mid-year.

Rasila further said that when schools reopened in January, they had not received word of any shortages.

The schools’ principals could not be reached for comment on the matter.

Limpopo team becomes second to join PSL, province rejoices

Bela-Bela cluster soccer team keeper being beaten by the number eight player of Lephalale clusters during winter games at Khabele Primary School sport ground.

Photo: TK Mashaba

Terrors and Mosesetjane might kiss ABC League goodbye Sam Modise, captain of BelaBela’s ABC Motsepe team Terrors FC, said that Baroka is a clear picture of what success is.

“They are a motivation to any young player in the province and shows us that opportunities are there, for us to be scouted and to do trials like Baroka did.”

Photo: TK Mashaba

Pat Seema, the SAFA Provincial League secretary, said that this is a huge achievement for the province as a whole.

“This shows that there has been development in Limpopo in soccer, and serves as motivation to the youth in the province. If you are determined, you can do anything!” Photo: TK Mashaba

Lucas Nhlapo, SAFA Deputy President and CAF match commissioner, said that Baroka’s achievement will be a huge boost for the province.

“This is really great,” he said. “Baroka came from the rural area of Ga Mphahle and for them to reach this stage – it’s a motivation.” Photo: TK Mashaba Terrors FC’s fate hangs on lead team Magezi’s performance.

(Terrors are in red and blue)Photo: TK Mashaba

Mzamane Ringane As the soccer fraternity in the entire Limpopo province is celebrating the promotion of Baroka FC into the PSL, the tourism industry is also set to benefit from this milestone.

With the recent promotion of Baroka FC into the highest football rank in the country, Limpopo will now have two teams in the PSL. The other 14 teams from across the country will be frequenting Limpopo for their away matches, meaning that both the informal and formal business sectors will hopefully benefit from scores of soccer followers who will be arriving in the province to support their favourite teams.

During busier days the Waterberg region’s Mookgophong town often

experiences a congestion of traffic, with local businesses likely to benefit from hundreds of people who often stop for refreshments.

Youngsters from across the province will also have a chance to display their talent on a national platform, as Baroka FC’s reserve team will be joining the other 15 PSL teams in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge.

The Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) CEO Ndumiso Matlala also congratulated the team for winning the NFD League and subsequently gaining promotion into the PSL. “The Agency takes this opportunity to congratulate one of our own, Baroka FC “Bakgaga ba Mphahlele”, for realizing their dream of being crowned 2015/16 National First Division Champions,” Matlala said.

“We know it was a long journey for the team and congratulations are in order for their newly earned status.

This is indeed a big boost for tourism in the province as the province now has two teams campaigning in the super league, which will bring a lot of people to our province to grow the economy”, he continued.

LTA also applauded the decision by the Premier Soccer League and Nedbank for choosing to stage the first ever Nedbank Cup final at Peter Mokaba Stadium between Orlando Pirates FC and SuperSport United FC on Saturday 28 May. The LTA CEO appealed to the citizens of Limpopo to come-out in their numbers to watch the game as sports promoters will use this game as a yardstick to stage future games or events of this magnitude at this venue.

TK Mashaba The hopes and dreams of soccer fans in the Waterberg may have come to a screeching halt as two fanfavourite teams may be relegated to the SAB League after their dismal performance in the 2015/2016 ABC Motsepe League.

Mosesetjane faces automatic relegation after playing 30 games, winning seven and losing 21, with two draws.

They scored only 23 points in the season.

Terrors FC from Bela-Bela’s fate still hangs in the balance.

Whether they are relegated or not depends on the

performance of lead team Magezi in the promotional playoff.

Terrors have been picking up their game in the latter part of the season, bringing their total up to seven wins and nineteen losses, with three draws, and beat Mosesetjane 2-0 on Saturday. They occupy 15 th place on the log with 24 points, five points behind Giyani Hotspurs, who have 29 points after 30 games.

If Magezi performs well enough to win a promotion to the National First Division, Terrors may still salvage their ABC Motsepe League hopes.

Magezi will face teams from the other 8 provinces later this year.

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27 May, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za

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The fact is, that to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in and scramble through as well as we can.

Robert Cushing .....................................................................

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.

Solomon Ibn Gabriol

These Under-12 girls of Jinnah Park Primary School at Bela-Bela will participate in the SA netball league in Tzaneen on Friday, 3 June. In front is Boipelo Baloyi, Tshegofatso Nhlapo, Botlhale Mpshane and Ofentse Moima. At the back is Stella Maluleka (coach), Boitshepo Khoza, Rethabile Komane, Karabo Ngobeni, Roshuma Netshifhire and Makwena Mehlape (coach).

These Under-13 girls from Jinnah Park Primary School were chosen to participate in the SA netball league which will take place in Tzaneen on Friday, 3 June. From the left is Stella Maluleka (coach), Hope Modise, Tintswalo Paul Kekana, Sebaetseng Maluleka, Aobakwe Kutu, Precious Tshwane, Nobuhle Seroba, Boitumelo Setlhare and Makwena Mahlape (coach).

Sifundo Dlomo and Karabo Ndhlovu from Jinnah Park Primary School took part in a local soccer match on Friday, 20 May, at Bela-Bela where Sifundo was chosen to play for the district team in Polokwane and both were awarded medals for their participation. With them is their teacher Gerhard Odendaal.