30 April 2015 R1-20/FREE
Gauteng gang up for robbing Bela-Bela store Lizzy Bapela Two men from Olverton and Alexander in the Gauteng Province are expected to appear in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court this week following their arrest after they allegedly robbed a clothing store on Friday, 24 April. The Cluster Task Team was patrolling the CBD when they learned that a robbery was in progress at the Bela-Bela Edgars Active on Chris Hani Drive and responded swiftly to the incident. According to information received, three men entered the store. They appeared to be customers and approached the security guards on duty one at a time for assistance. The suspects then allegedly held the two security guards and three members of staff, including the manager, who is pregnant, hostage, and helped themselves to the store’s valuables. They loaded clothes and cell phones into their getaway vehicles. There were seven suspects, using two vehicles. The affected staff members were moved to a nearby store and treated for shock following the incident. The police on the scene stated that it is possible that the suspects are linked to recent robberies at other clothing stores in Bela-Bela and Thabazimbi, including Markhams and Legit. Eyewitnesses told The BEAT that the suspects were wearing clothing from Markhams with the price tags still on. Staff from nearby stores said that they had been shocked by what they were seeing. They said that they froze and were unable to phone the police. The police noticed the situation while they were patrolling and reacted with commendable speed, learning of the hostage situation and stepping in to assist. Police spokesperson Constable Glen Manamela said that the security guards pointed out the suspects to the police, who managed to arrest two of the five suspects. The other five managed to flee the scene. Constable Manamela said that the
Customers and passers-by did not made sure they were present to see what was going on at the shop. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
The Bela-Bela police reacted swiftly to a suspicious situation at the local Edgars Active store. Photo: Lizzy Bapela suspects were found in possession of an unlicensed firearm, unlicensed live ammunition, a magazine and four bags of clothes and cellphones already packed and ready for departure. She added that the police have opened a case of robbery and investigations are
proceeding. The task team leader, Warrant Officer Sello Mangana, appreciated the performance undertaken by the officers at the scene and highlighted that the public’s assistance in the form of tipoffs always assist the police in making
The suspects had their getaway vehicle parked in front of the store and ready to load the stolen items. Photo: Lizzy Bapela breakthroughs on cases such as this. The suspects were remanded to custody when they appeared in court on Tuesday, 28 April, and their case postponed to Tuesday, 12 May.
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30 April, 2015
Gruesome attack shocks Vaalwater
Ian van Druten, who was brutally attacked at his home on Friday, 24 April. Photo supplied Marlene Vermaak A gruesome farm attack took place in Vaalwater on Friday, 23 April, shocking the community. Ian van Druten (44) was shot twice in the face and is in a critical condition at Unitas Hospital in Pretoria. He is being kept in an artificial coma in the hopes that this will facilitate his recovery. “Ian and I woke up just after 02:00,” said Wilma van Druten, Ian’s wife of 18 years. “He wanted to go check up on the stores, and I wanted to bring our admin up to date.” According to Wilma, her husband left the back door and the steel security door open when he slipped out, armed only with a torch. “I heard him scream and ran to the back door as fast as I could. He was wrestling with two men on the grass just outside the kitchen. He was trying to hit them with the torch. I tried to close the steel door, but I couldn’t.” Wilma said that she tried to see if anyone was approaching the house. “I saw one of the men lift his hand, holding what looked like a handgun. But I only realized that he had fired when I saw smoke coming from the barrel. The shot ricocheted just to the left of my head. It scared me and I left the steel door in order to close the wooden back door and lock it.” Wilma then went to check on her daughters Annika (11) and Wiané (14), who were hiding in Annika’s room. Both girls are students at Waterberg Academy in Vaalwater. “I phoned our neighbor, Tienie van Vuuren, and told him that he had to call the police and as many other people as he could, and tell them we needed help. I heard someone trying the back door, but nobody got in,” she said. “All I could think was that they were probably scared that I had summoned the police and were too afraid to stay longer.” Wilma waited with her daughters for the police to arrive. “I heard Ian calling for me and looked out the bathroom window and saw him alone on the grass. I hadn’t realized until that moment
The van Druten home, where the attack took place. There is a bullet hole to the right of the back door, and blood is visible on the grass where van Druten was shot. Photo: Marlene Vermaak that he had been shot. The attackers didn’t make a sound during the attack. I didn’t hear any shots either, so I suspect their weapon was a small-caliber handgun.” Wilma only realized once she got outside that her husband had been shot in the face. She called in Dr. Albert Poortier from Vaalwater, who summoned the state ambulance service. In the meantime, Wilma helped her husband to their bakkie and loaded him in. “Ian was having difficulty breathing and couldn’t speak,” she said. “He also couldn’t use the left side of his body and because I couldn’t get him in by myself, he pulled himself in with his right arm. It looked as though they fired a shot into his mouth, which damaged his throat and neck. There was a lot of blood.” It was later determined that Ian was shot twice. One of the bullets broke his jaw and is currently lodged in his cheek. The second shot did the most damage, passing through a major artery in his neck. Both shots are thought to have entered through his mouth. Aside from the gunshot wounds, his only other injuries are bruises on his hands, where it appears that he tried to defend himself. He was stabilized at Poortier’s offices and in the ambulance, before being transferred to a private ambulance which took him to Unitas hospital. His heart stopped en route and paramedics were forced to resort to emergency measures. “Ian and I have been living here for 18 years,” a tearful Wilma told The BEAT. “You don’t realise how much people care for you until times like these. My thanks to each and every person who came to help, for each call and text I received.” On Monday, 28 April, Ian’s condition was described as critical but stable. The left side of his body is currently paralyzed. Doctors are not certain whether the paralysis is permanent. His jaw and sternum were both broken during the attack and neither bullet could be removed, as they are in dangerous spots. Doctors are waiting for the swelling in his brain to go down before making a final diagnosis.
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Xenophobic violence strikes Thabazimbi Foreigners, all Zimbabwian and Pakistani, owners of spaza shops in Extensions 1 and 3 of Regorogile, Thabazimbi, including the Meretin shop in another extension, were taken to the safety of the Thabazimbi Police Station while their shops were looted on Monday night. One of the shops was set alight. On Monday night at about 22:30 a group of community members, alleged to have been concerned about a rapist being active around Thabazimbi, gathered at the four-ways stop entering Regorogile, where one of the spaza shops were located. The Police arrived to disperse the people. Apparently the crowd was told that the rapist has left town and was nowhere to be found. Upon this they blocked the road with stones and started burning tyres. They even uplifted pavement, next to the road, to use as material along with stones to block the road entering Regorogile. This allegedly was the spark that led the looting of stock from four foreigner’s tuck shops. As all the owners use their shops as living space, they were quickly evicted by the police and were taken to Thabazimbi SAPS for safety. Shouts were heard demanding that the foreigners have to go back to where they came from. The looting of foreigner shops went on until about 03:00 Tuesday morning when the mobs were eventually dispersed by the SAPS. At this stage the value of the looted stock is unknown and no injuries were reported. The commotion woke inhabitants of Regorogile who got out of bed to find out what it was all about. According to
Several foreign-owned shops were vandalised. Photo supplied unconfirmed reports it was started by young men, but soon women and young children were drawn in. Children threw stones at window shops after which adults started looting, breaking open doors with koevoet’s. Four cases of burglary in business were opened and eight people were arrested at the moment. More police officials are posted at Regorogile as the situation is not stable at the moment. On Saturday 25 April there was an unrelated incident at about 07:00 at a small spaza shop if a Pakistani owner where the shop was burgled and R2000 cash was stolen. — LiN Media/Die Kwêvoël.
Mass P atrol recap Patrol Justin Steyn Crime prevention forums in Bela-Bela say they are excited about the success they have had with their latest mass action patrol. A mass patrol was held in and around Bela-Bela on Saturday, 18 April in conjunction with Afri-Forum, the local police and safety forums in various areas. A total of sixteen arrests were made on this particular day. During a recap meeting on Wednesday 22 April, stakeholders agreed that the operation had been a success and that they faced minor glitches especially where communication is concerned. The safety coordinator for Afri-Forum in Bela-Bela,Tarien Cooks, said that although members used different methods of communication, radio communication worked best due to the frequency range and longer battery lifespan especially when on patrol. She did not try to discourage any of the members from using their own methods and explained that each forum should decide which form of communication works best for them. “From my experience, radio communication works best but it each forum must decide whether they want to communicate with radios or apps such
as WhatsApp or Zello,” she said. She warned that should a forum decide to use radios that they should ensure that these are registered with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in order to avoid a hefty fine. There are many issues that forums said need swift attention. Arnaud le Roux of the Bela-Bela fire protection unit said that they have noticed several cases of bad habits when using fire. Le Roux said that this needs to be attended to and noted during their next mass operation especially since fire season is at hand. The Bela-Bela police commissioner, Lindie Marx, said the operation has led police to identify several hotspots especially where illegal immigrants are concerned. She further announced that crime has reduced since the announcement of the campaign but warned that members should remain vigilant. “Crime is increasing in other areas. Things are looking much better in Bela-Bela but this does not mean that we should not remain vigilant,” she said. It has further been proposed that the operation should form towns disaster management part and be proposed as such in future.
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BEAT
30 April, 2015
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Good Samaritan meets child he helped deliver Jackson (16) and his brothers Tshapang (7) and Johannes (24) Mabolola, with Sergeant Leseba (Andries) Molambo. The detective and Jackson saw each other last week for the first time in sixteen years.
Sergeant Leseba Andries Molambo, sixteen years ago, with baby Andrew (Jackson) Mabolola in his arms. With them is Jackson’s mother, Jeanette Mabolola, who has passed away. This photo appeared in Die Pos at the time.
Keina Swart Sixteen years ago, on 24 April 1999, Sergeant Andries Molambo of the thenNylstroom police station was driving quite peacefully along the N1 between Nylstroom and Naboomspruit. He was patrolling and deep in thought, and the police vehicle’s windows were open. Near the Middelfontein turnoff he spotted a woman in the veld, lying on the ground and crying. He was immediately on the alert, being aware of the possibility of a trap. He passed by first, and then turned around and, after having had a good look at the area, stopped his vehicle and approached her. The young Jeanette Mabola from Phagameng had been returning home from a visit to family in Naboomspruit. At the Middelfontein turnoff, the heavily pregnant woman asked the taxi driver, who was on his way to Gauteng, to stop so that she could take a connecting route home. Unfortunately, nobody stopped, and she watched vehicle after vehicle passing her by. When her labour pains became
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unbearable she walked a little way into the veld and lay down under a tree. This is where Molambo found her. Molambo, who has since retired, told Die Pos at the time that he got quite the fright when he realized that he was facing a woman in labour. He immediately used his radio to call for help, but was informed that there was no ambulance immediately available. “I yelled for help,” he told Die Pos. “I probably sounded like I was being attacked by a lion!” When the sergeant realized that no help was going to be forthcoming, he asked Mabolola to get into his vehicle, but she was already too weak. “I told myself: Now you’ve got to think, because this is a course you haven’t covered yet,” he said. He ran back to his vehicle again and, out of pure panic, told a white lie, and told them that it was twins, and one of them had already been born. Two other officers heard his cry for help, and picked up two nurses and rushed to the scene. But while Molambo was still wondering what to do, the time came. So he did what he’d seen on television and heard from
other people: He tried to keep the young mother calm and made sure that the baby’s face was clear. He was busy taking off his shirt to wrap the newborn in when the nurses arrived. Mabolola named her baby Andrew, after Molambo. Molambo put the article that had appeared in Die Pos at the time with his other awards. He visited mother and baby in the hospital and twice later, but they lost contact after that. Die Pos located Molambo last month with the help of the Modimolle police station and last weekend he and baby Andrew met again for the first time in 16 years. Andrew, whose biological father changed his name to Jackson, lives with his grandparents Piet and Martha Mabolola in Sediba Street, Phagameng, along with his two brothers, Johannes (24) and Tshapang (7). Their mother died when Jackson was seven years old, and they do not have regular contact with their father. Jackson was clearly touched when he met Molambo this week, and was also shown the newspaper article that had appeared in Die Pos at the time. His people had never told him what happened that day, although he had heard that he
was born in the veld. “I believe this story,” said his brother Johannes. “Of all of us in this house, Jackson is the strongest. He doesn’t cry. He never cries.” Surprised, Molambo confirmed: “That was surprising to me too. He didn’t cry that day in the veld either. Just one yell and then he was quiet.” Jackson is a Grade 10 learner at Solomon Mahlangu High School in Phagameng, and says that he wants to be a policeman. “There are too many gangs and too much crime in this country,” he said. “I want to serve my country.” He turns the yellowed newspaper article around and around in his hands. He looks at the woman (his mother) on the photo, and the police officer with the baby in his arms, and every now and then casts a questioning look at Molambo. “The Lord’s hand was sheltering us that day,” says Molambo. “I think He has a plan for your life, and I’m not going to wait another sixteen years before I come to see how you’re doing,” he promises.
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BEAT
30 April, 2015
ANC Limpopo supports the fight against xenophobia
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Limpopo fire fighters launch 2015 Fire Awareness Campaign
Lizzy Bapela The ANC in Limpopo joined the international community in condemning the recent spate of xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals in South Africa. The party’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) partnered with numerous strategic partners, its alliance partners, businesses, and the Polokwane City Football Club to support the fight against the attacks. The PEC conducted an anti-xenophobia march on Friday, 24 April. The party’s provinicial secretary, Knocks Seabi, said that people from across the province took part and commenced at 10:00 in the City of Polokwane, from the SABC Park toward the Jack Botes Hall at the Civic Centre. He added that the march was meant to discourage the recent spate of attacks. Seabi also said that the march sought to discourage further attacks of xenophobia and commend law-abiding citizens who are embracing people of foreign extraction. The PEC mobilized over a thousand people from all parts of the province to participate and stand in solidarity with citizens who are against racism and xenophobia. The Mogalakwena Municpality postponed their march against xenophobia which had been scheduled for Wednesday, 29 April. No date for the march has yet been set. The municipality apologized for the inconvenience as the march preparations had already been underway. The local mayor Tlhalefi Mashamaite
The fire fighters cut the grass on the streets of Alma. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela
Limpopo ANC Provincial Secretary Knocks Seabi. Photo: Lizzy Bapela aimed to address the issues surrounding xenophobia and the total shutdown of the town during a recent march. All sectors of the community were invited to take part in the march. The Public Relations Institute of South Africa in Limpopo also urged communities to support the movement against xenophobia, saying that violence against foreign nationals should be condemned in the strongest terms. “Our belief is that any person who commits a crime should face the full force of the law, whatever their citizenship,” said Prisais Limpopo Regional Committee member Malesela Maubane. “We are saying no to xenophobia and are making a call to all South Africans to embrace foreign nationals, especially those who are in our country due to volatile situations in their own countries,” he said.
The Working on Fire (WoF) Limpopo’s Fire Awareness Unit launched their 2015 Fire Awareness Campaign in the Waterberg District. The launch event took place at Moshia Secondary School Hall in Mabaleng, Alma near Vaalwater on Wednesday, 15 April. The campaign has been running from mid-April and will continue until Tuesday, 12 May. Spokesperson for the Working on Fire Limpopo Matema Gwangwa said that the purpose of the campaign was to alert people to the dangers of wild land fires and to prepare them for the upcoming 2015 fire season. She added that the fire awareness campaign runs in the areas which are prone to wild land fires. The Department’s Fire Awareness Training Officer in Limpopo Penny Phukubye highlighted that they have been guided by the fire statistics report, which they received from their Dispatch Department. She added that the report indicates the areas which had more fires during the 2014 fire season.
Councillor Grace Mashitisho joined in on projects conducted on the day of the launch. Photo: Lizzy Bapela During the launch the fire fighters embarked on a fuel reduction project, where they did the slashing in the community of Alma Extension. They also conducted the removal of the waste on the streets of Alma. The team was joined by local community members who were interested in the campaign and the efforts of the fire fighters. Local councillor and chief whip of Modimolle Local Municipality Grace Mashitisho was also present to witness the attention that was given to her community and the demonstrations by the fire fighters of what goes on in their line of duty. The Modimolle EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme) team also joined the WoF Alma team when conducting the fuel load reduction project. “This was the first Fire Awareness campaign in the community of Alma and we will ensure that we conduct more awareness campaigns, which will also include workshops for the local community members on the dangers of fire,” said Phukubye.
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30 April, 2015
BEAT
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Photo of the week Lo ve th y Lov thy neighbour In the holy book of the Christian faith, the Lord handed down ten commandments. One of the commandments is to ‘love thy neighbour as thyself.’ In a way, that is the most important of all the Commandments. You wouldn’t murder yourself, would you? You wouldn’t steal your own wife or husband, or bear false witness against yourself? Of course not. The very idea is ridiculous. Love thy neighbour includes all the other Commandments — or at least, all the ones that deal with relations between humans, rather than relations between humans and their God. It calls us to love our neighbours as though they were our own flesh, our own selves. Imagine what a wonderful world we could have, if we obeyed that simple precept. Nobody would murder, if they felt the pain they caused in their own flesh. Nobody would rape, or attack someone, or steal from them, if they could feel the hurt they caused for themselves. A large number of South Africans profess to be Christians. Our churches are overflowing! So then why are we murdering each other? Why are we faced, even today, with citizens bearing false witness against their neighbours? Why do we have people whipping up hatred against those who are only trying to make a living? Often these people are natives of nations that had sheltered our own leaders when they were exiled from South Africa. We should be ashamed of ourselves, each and every one, that something like this has happened in our country yet again. That people are being beaten and turned out of their homes to be forced to depend on the charity of strangers. Certainly no South African thought we would ever have refugee camps in our nation! None of us thought that we would be faced with this humiliating evidence of our own incompetence — that we allow those who have failed in their lives to threaten and harm others who have made the best of what they had. When are we as South Africans going to learn that we cannot blame external threats or the shadow of the past for our own failures? That it is up to us, and us alone, to make our nation into something we can be proud of? When will we learn to love our neighbours as we love ourselves?
Foreign nationals shut down their stores during a recent protest by students in Mookgophong. Photo: TK Mashaba
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Malesela Musana, a Masekhane rresident, esident, writes: I am concerned about the quality of the political structures in Bela-Bela Local municipality, the body that plans for community development and service delivery. Most members of this structure are ignorant of their duties and do not care to learn. Every year, SALGA pays R40 000 to Unisa to facilitate study for each councillor. Councillors do not attend these courses and avoid in-service training. They meet in the council chambers to fight for positons and to promote nepotism, and the money that SALGA pays for their education is squandered. Some councillors do try to improve the lives of people in their constituencies, while others do not. The Bela-Bela community has no representation in the municipality. The councillors do not convene community meetings to share ward issues, and do not furnish their community with feedback from the municipal council. Community members who want to know more about community participation are shunned. They are practicing fascism in our democratic state, forgetting that the people have the power to dethrone them. We hope that the higher government levels will sweep Bela-Bela clean.
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BEAT
SMALLS
30 April, 2015
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Sk eem Saam act or attracts cro wds in Modimolle Skeem actor crowds
BARGAIN newly built 3 bedroom house, 2 bathrooms, garage, open plan living room/ dining room. Paul Kruger str. Nylstroom R680 000. Contact Francois 082 495 3299.
The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn. John Lubbock
The crowd went wild for Mlungisi Mathe during his recent visit to Modimolle. Photo: TK Mashaba
Mlungisi Mathe, known for his role in the SABC1 soapie Skeep Saam, visited Modimolle on Saturday, 25 April, and was greeted by a legion of fans. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba Mlungisi Mathe, an actor best known for his role in the SABC1 soapie Skeem Saam, stole the show during their tour stop in Modimolle on Saturday, 25 April. The crowd went wild when his car came through the gates, and security had to be beefed up to handle the outof-control crowds as everyone from children to elderly people vied with each other to catch a glimpse of Mathe. On the show, Mathe playes a corrupt and womanizing varsity student. In a brief interview with The BEAT during their visit to Modimolle, Mathe said that he was humbled by the love he received from the people of the Waterberg.
“Being on television is one thing, but being on the ground is real. At times you will feel like crying because you’re so overwhelmed,” he said. Mathe said that even though he is nothing like his character, it has not stopped his legions of fans from throwing themselves at him. Since his first appearance on the show he has gained a large number of fans, who send him pictures and love letters. “I’m just a humble person,” he told The BEAT. “I have learned to differentiate between my character and my real life, though it is hard for fans to separate the two.” He expressed his thanks for the organizers who invited them. “It was hard to maintain security and order,” said Mike Mmamabolo, the coordinator of the show. “People were really pushing to see the actor.”
BELA BELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Mlungisi Mathe took pictures with young fans during his recent visit to Modimolle. Photo: TK Mashaba
BELA BELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Office of the Municipal Manager Bela-Bela Local Municipality, 58 Chris Hani Drive, Bela-Bela Private Bag x1609, Bela-Bela, 0480
Office of the Municipal Manager Bela-Bela Local Municipality, 58 Chris Hani Drive, Bela-Bela Private Bag x1609, Bela-Bela, 0480
PUBLIC NOTICE CALLING FOR INSPECTION OF SUPPLEMENTARY VALUATION ROLL AND LODGING OF OBJECTIONS
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: REBATES/EXEMPTIONS ON ASSESSMENT RATES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2015/16
In terms of the Municipal Property Rates Act, 2004 (Act No. 6 of 2004), hereinafter referred to as the “Act”, it is advised that the 3rd supplementary valuation roll for the financial year 01 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 is open for public inspection at the office of the Chief Financial Officer, Main Building (Chris Hani Drive) during office hours 08:00 to 16:00 from 24 April 2015 to 8 June 2015. In addition the valuation roll will be available as of 24 April 2014 at website: www.belabela.gov.za An invitation is hereby made in terms of section 49(l)(a)(ii) and 78(2) of the Act that any owner of property or other person who so desires should lodge an objection with the Municipal Manager in respect of any matter reflected in, or omitted from, the supplementary valuation roll within the above-mentioned period. Attention is specifically drawn to the fact that in terms of section 50(2) of the Act an objection must be in relation to a specific individual property and not against the supplementary valuation roll as such. The form for the lodging of an objection is obtainable at the following address: Revenue Office, Bela-Bela Municipal Building, Chris Hani Drive, Bela -Bela. The completed forms must be returned to the Revenue Office during office hours, to be registered by the Property Rates Officer: Mr Elias Monyepao or Accountant Rates: Ms Petunia Thobela. For enquiries please phone: Mr. E Monyepao on 014 736 8065 or email: monyepaoe@belabela.gov.za or Ms P Thobela on 014 736 8000 or email: thobelap@belabela.gov.za
The following category of owners are hereby invited to apply for a rebate/exemptions on assessment rates as described in clause 9 of the Rates Policy of the Bela-Bela Municipality from 04 May 2015 to 30 June 2015. 1. Bona Fida Farmers (Taxed by SARS as a farmer or confirmed by a certified auditor that 40% of income is from farming activities). 2. Retired and disabled persons. (over 60 years and maximum R8000) 3. Public Benefit Organizations (owners and taxed by SARS). 4. Privately developed Properties (serviced by the developer). Completed forms must be submitted within the stated period to the following address: Postal address: Physical address: Bela Bela Local Municipality Bela Bela Local Municipality Property Rates Section Property Rates Section Private Bag X1609 Municipal Offices (Main) Bela Bela 59 Chris Hani Drive 0480 Revenue Hall
Municipal Offices, Chris Hani Drive, Private Bag X1609, BELA-BELA, 0480
For enquiries please phone or e-mail: Elias Monyepao: 014 736 8024/65 (E-mail: monyepaoe@belabela.gov.za) Petunia Thobela: 014 736 8000 (E-mail: thobelap@belabela.gov.za)
MM Maluleka Municipal Manager
MM MALULEKA MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Notice No: 32/15
Notice: 35/15
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BEAT
30 April, 2015
IEC Limpopo launches School Democracy Week
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Mookg ophong student pr otest Mookgophong protest
The angry student‘s protest last week Thursday. Photo: TK Mashaba
Leadership of the IEC and the Department attended the launch and addressed the learners. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
The school choir rendered a soulful item for the audience. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Members of the Department, commission and stakeholder departments filled the school hall for a fruitful event. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
TK TK Mashaba Mashaba Students at Mookgophong’s Makhuthisa High School and Mukhari High School went on a rampage on Thursday, 23 April. The mob broke down the gates of Makhuthisa before heading to the circuit department in the town. The students were led by EFF members who allege that the circuit has turned a deaf ear to their complaints. They protested with a heavy police presence. The students were asked not to enter the circuit, and only parents were allowed to attend the address by Peter Masekele. The circuit manager, David Masemene, was not available. During his address, Masekela deplored the negative influences on the students. “These students were here last week on Friday, 17 April. We addressed them and explained that we are in the process of giving them new teachers,” he said. “We have to follow the rules, including advertising the posts, as well as following
the procedures laid out in terms of interviews and recommendations.” “I was surprised today when these students came out to protest. We don’t have time for this. We have already lost a lot of time,” said Masekela. According to some of the parents who attended, they were told that the school is awaiting educators. They accused the circuit of delays. “What we have been told is that there is a lack of administration at Mukhari. There are too few educators, there is no electricity in the school. How do we expect our children to pass in these conditions,” said one. “The principal told us that he has only nine educators while the school is qualified for 15. One of the current teachers will be going on pension,” said one of the women. Masekela went outside to address the angry students. The learners calmed and told The BEAT that they were looking forward to receiving new educators, threatening to return for another protest if they did not.
BELA BELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela The Office of the Limpopo Provincial Executive Officer of the IEC, Nkaro Mateta led officials and management from the commission and the Department of Basic Education to a School Democracy Week launch event held at Mohlakamotala Secondary School in Modimolle on Wednesday, 15 April. The launch follows a three-year agreement entered into by the two institutions in 2013, for them to collaborate with each other. The initiative is meant to draw attention of the youth in schools to the importance of democracy, encourage debate in this regard and further deepen their understanding of the principles of democracy. “The first of these Democracy Weeks was held in October 2013, and the second in October 2014 and the one in Modimolle launched recently is the 3rd in this series from Monday, 20 to Monday, 27 April. This period coincides with the completion of 21 years of Democracy in South Africa, 27 April 1994 when we had our first democratic elections,” said manager for Electoral Matters Itumeleng Masenya. In terms of the agreement, the two parties are expected to achieve, among others, raising awareness of the project to other strategic partners, roll out the project, conduct voter education, assess the project for improvement, promote public awareness and launch the campaigns appropriately, develop and design scripted lesson plans for schools and collaborate with other partners who may enhance the project. In the Waterberg District, 13 primary schools and 49 secondary schools were targeted for face-to-face voter education events and voter registration, bringing it to a total of 62. Masenya highlighted that registration of
learners as voters will be conducted concurrently during presentations in targeted schools in the province, as it is critical as this is one of the key outcomes of the project. “As a province, we plan to visit different schools from the ones we visited last year to ensure that we increase the number of new registrations as most of the learners in those schools are not registered yet. We will request life orientation educators from identified schools and capacitate them with school democracy week issues to advance democracy education beyond school democracy week. This will help both primary and secondary schools targeted to benefit from the programme immensely,” he added. The launch signalled the beginning of an intensive week of serious engagement with the learners in all 477 participating schools and both parties’ representatives made presentations and also distribute pamphlets. Learners were engaged on voter education and the need to infuse civic education into the formal school curriculum, South Africa’s democratic values and principles as enshrined in the constitution, as well as the need and importance for participation in elections generally especially in the forthcoming 2016 Local Government Elections. In her address, Mateta indicated that the initiative should not be seen in isolation but as part of the effort to fulfil the Commission’s constitutional mandate of strengthening constitutional democracy. She added that depending on the renewal of the agreement, the initiative would continue beyond its three-year life span. She also said that the project marks a step towards encouraging a meaningful participation in Democracy in South Africa and should be treated with all the significance that it deserves.
Office of the Municipal Manager Bela-Bela Local Municipality, 58 Chris Hani Drive, Bela-Bela Private Bag x1609, Bela-Bela, 0480
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: REPORTING OF ILLEGAL CONNECTIONS TO THE MUNICIPALITY The Bela Bela Local Municipality has noted with concern the illegal practice by some residents, who illegally connect the Municipal water and electricity networks. This unlawful practice results in unnecessary power outages, overloading and damage of the electrical network, loss of revenue as well as inconveniencing those businesses and households paying of their services. It is important for the public to note that illegal connections threatens the safety of the entire community, especially children and impact negatively on the municipality’s ability to collect revenue meant to deliver improved services.
Report Offenders The municipality calls on all residents and ratepayers to report any suspicious circumstance, action or anyone including municipal officials who might be involved or engaged in this illegal activity. A customer who reports any such suspicious circumstance shall be offered a compensation of R264 upon verification of the claim by Technical Services in terms of Clause 6 of the Municipal Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. The Municipality however assures you that your identity will be protected and that all reported cases will be monitored and appropriate actions taken immediately. For enquiries please phone or e-mail: Hendrina Roos: 014 736 8066 (E-mail: roosh@belabela.gov.za) Micah Sithole: 014 736 8066 (E-mail: sitholemm@belabela.gov.za) MM MALULEKA MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Notice: 34/15
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BEAT
24 April, 2015
Yster United and M.Mmamoet Arsenal stay the course TK Mashaba The writing appears to be on the wall for two lead teams in ABC Motsepe’s A and B streams. M. Mammoet Arsenal, in Stream A, has been topping the log for the past four weeks and are now sitting pretty on 53 points with a game in hand, while their closest competition Qualitho has only 47 points. Arsenal have played 21 games and won 17, with two draws and two losses. The team’s performance has been consistent since the season kicked off.
In Stream B, Yster United, who whipped Vegas 12-0 on Saturday, have a solid lead with three games still to go. The other results for the weekend are, in Stream A: Diesel n Dust lost 3-1 to Home Defenders while Qualitho, who are chasing the league title, beat Happy Hearts 5-2. Total Surrender played a 3all draw against Troublemakers. Young Pirates lost 2-1 to Celtics. In Stream B, Juventas won a walkover against Mookgophong All Stars while Mokopane Stone Breakers played to a 0-0 draw against Ratanang. PJ Stars lost 3-2 while Black Rangers beat Simple Yellows 3-2.
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Real Madrid and Siwelele suspended TK Mashaba The recent drama in the Mookgophong LFA has taken a twist recently with two ABC Motsepe Stream B teams being suspended for not honouring games. According to the information given to The BEAT Siwelele, who have just started their second term in the ABC Motsepe League, has stopped attending games. According to Benny Mabena, the team owner, the SAB Regional League has not been fair to them. “We only missed two games,” said Mabena. “The third, we attended, only to be told that the venue had been altered. We were told to play at Mmapela, but the fixture said Phafola,” he added. They were given several days to attend the disciplinary committee but were told that they should pay R4 500
to be prosecuted. “How can they ask us to pay their disciplinary committee money to prosecute us?” Mabena demanded. “We can’t do that. They know that we are not in soccer for the money, but to develop talent.” The same problem applies to Madrid, which has been in the league for some time. The team was suspended on a charge of not attending their fixtures, but have since been allowed back after they attended their disciplinary committee hearing. Johnny Mashiane, Madrid’s owner, said that they suffered the same problems as Siwelele with regards to venues. Mashiane said that his team is still low on the league, but they are hopeful that they can still finish on top before the league ends. Refiloe Khoza, SAB Regional Manager, could not be reached for comment.
Integrated School Health tackles health issues
The learners at Maope High School during the LoveLife address. Photo supplied TK Mashaba Citing the high rate of teenage pregnancies in schools, and a lack of knowledge regarding health issues, the Bela-Bela area was selected to host a pilot project known as the Integrated School Health Program on Wednesday, 22 April at several schools in Bela-
Bela. The project was led by the National Department of Education in cooperation with the Department of Health and Social Development, SANTA, LoveLife, Childline, and BelaBela Hospital. The project also included local clinic staff and professionals from other institutions such as the University of Limpopo. “Ten schools were identified with the intent of implementing ISHP and
The LoveLife crew during their visit at Maope High School. Photo supplied improving learning by identifying potential health and social-related illnesses and for treatment,” said Raymond Mofomme, the LoveLife Program coordinator. “One-on-one screening was done each day at all the identified schools around Bela-Bela by LofeLife, SANTA, Childline and other departments concerning issues such as teen pregnancy, STI’s, drugs and substance abuse, personal hygiene and other
issues,” said Molofomme. “The campaign was a great success. A number of the learners we saw had a knowledge gap in terms of reproductive education,” said Molofomme. “All efforts were goal-orientated and infused with passion and commitment to help and support learners and raising awareness and health issues and inspiring learners to do their best.”