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FS Health under fire

Damning reports from SAHRC, national departments awaited

} Teboho Setena THE DA in the Free State is anxiously awaiting the tabling of damning reports concerning crumbling service delivery in the Free State Department of Health.

The expected reports are from the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Department of Labour and the Department of Public Service and Administration. The reports about the Free State Department of Health followed a public outcry about the department’s service delivery.

Mariette Pittaway, DA member in the Provincial Legislature, says last Tuesday (03/03) they received correspondence from the SAHRC stating that it has concluded its investigation into the state of the Free State Department of Health.

“The report is said to be in the process of being finalised,” says Pittaway.

She says the DA approached the SAHRC to investigate the department in June last year after Health MEC Dr Benny Malakoane and Premier Ace Magashule allegedly failed to acknowledge that the public health services in the province are in crisis.

Pittaway says both the national Departments of Labour and Public Service and Administration have investigated the department and their respective reports are expected to be tabled in Parliament shortly. “Preliminary media reports on these investigations corroborate the findings of the DA, which has waged a difficult battle to ensure delivery of quality public health care in the province for almost two years now. The DA is anxiously awaiting the tabling of these reports. The DA in the Free State has campaigned tirelessly for MEC Malakoane to be fired.

“We trust that these reports will motivate Magashule to finally admit his failure in appointing Malakoane to his executive. We are hoping for a new start for public health in the Free State. The people of this province deserve better,” says Pittaway.

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in the Free State has since last year also been campaigning for the firing of Malakoane, who was retained as MEC when Magashule appointed his new cabinet in May last year. Magashule

‘We trust that these reports will motivate Magashule to finally admit his failure in appointing Malakoane to his executive.

We are hoping for a new start for public health in the Free State. The people of this province deserve better.’ – Mariette Pitta­ way, DA MPL

IN THE FIRING LINE: MEC for Health Dr Benny Malakoane.

Photo: Mlungisi Louw

reasoned that the decision to retain Malakoane was to enable him to improve the state of the Department of Health after he had initially replaced deceased Fezi Ngubentombi who had died in a car accident late in 2012.

The crisis crippling the Free State Department of Health saw fed-up nurses at hospitals stage protests, some embarking on a go-slow, while at the Bongani Regional Hospital in Welkom they downed tools.

Unhappy nurses lament the department’s failure to provide essential equipment to

SA TIMBER WELKOM

A PATIENT pictured last year at the Bongani Regional Hospital in Welkom wrapped up in a sheet instead of a nappy, depicts the service delivery crisis in the Free State. Photo: Teboho Setena

enable them to do their work.

The campaign for drastic change in the trouble-ridden department has been fuelled by doctors in Free State hospitals, who wrote devastating accounts, published on GroundUp (groundup.org.za) in February, detailing what’s happening and telling stories of what can only be described as a department in crisis. In GroudUp, Doctors warn that many hospitals are teetering on the brink of collapse, with minimal doctors and nurses Some of the best specialists in the province have resigned – with Malakoa-

ne only taking action after 20 did so.

Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson of the Free State Government, says Malakoane will give a full account to the public next week.

Mvambi, says that a total of 1 170 appointments have been made in the Department of Health during the current financial year. Appointments include eight specialists, 42 medical officers, 44 community service medical officers, 47 professional nurses, 66 nursing assistants and 82 staff nurses.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2015

NEWS

Godly principles must be upheld

TSHITSO MOSIA (in the blue T-shirt), career guidance facilitator of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, speaking to some gr. 12 learners of the Phehello Secondary School in Odendaalsrus.

He explained to them the different courses the institution had to offer last Wednesday (04/03). This was as part of a week-long career exhibition held in the Ferdie Meyer Hall in Welkom. The learners were also informed about the requirements to qualify for study at the tertiary institution which includes a pass percentage. The event was organised by the Education Resource Centre of Lejweleputswa.

Weigh career choices

LEARNERS of different schools in the Lejweleputswa District at the career exhibition held in Welkom.

THE chaotic scenes that recently played out in the South African Parliament and which were witnessed by the whole world, is a mirror of what is happening in communities throughout the country. Chaos, which descended into anarchy, is impacting negatively on our country.

“All of us do many wrong things, but if you can control your tongue, then it shows maturity and you are able to control your whole body” X James 3:2.

Like anyone else, I’m deeply concerned about the glaring divides in our society in all spheres of life. We continue to fail in our quest to become the rainbow nation, which people like Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Dr Nelson Mandela, fought for.

Chaos always erupts during service delivery protests; when football fans are not happy with the referee’s decisions at sporting events; with their coach; during industrial strike action, and at learning institutions. There are always riots and property is unnecessarily destroyed or damaged.

Xenophobic and racial violence are also a cause for concern. The looting and burning of state property is the result of poor governing. This is reflected in our parliament, as well as in the Gauteng and Western Cape provincial legislatures.

Parliament has degenerated into a hateful place in which people want to settle scores and score points. At the same time millions of people continue to die in state hospitals. The state is also failing to come up with ideas to curb the high unemployment rate. Parliamentarians in the National Assembly and in legislatures often shout each other down hysterically. Instead of being humble and debating issues vigorously to find solutions to the problems facing us, we focus on name calling and scoring cheap political points.

Ministers of religion were at the forefront in the fight against the unjust system of apartheid.

Notable pastors like Dr Byers Naudé, Past. John Dube, Past.

Zacharia Mahabane, Tutu and Rev. Allan Boesak all played a meaningful role in our liberation

My view Moeti Molelekoa Social observer

‘We need to keep faith and democracy intertwined. We need to protect our rights and uphold our dignity, but at the same time we also need to uphold godly principles.’ struggle.

We need to keep faith and democracy intertwined. We need to protect our rights and uphold our dignity, but at the same time we also need to uphold godly principles. As much as we wish to be respected, we also need to accept the right of other people to be respected.

What we now urgently need are leaders who are humble and tolerant and who are guided by the word of God. To have faith does not mean one must belong to a certain denomination, wear their uniform and impress the people. To be a leader who believes in Christ, one must change for the better and have a healthy self-image and respect for others. Our politicians, despite their differences, need to keep communication polite. If their tongues are not controlled, they will become childish and childlike. It is the tongue that liberated our country from bondage and it is our tongue that will destroy the same liberation. ) To comment or express your views about the issue highlighted in the column, go to www.express-news.co.za.

Express Goldfields & NFS welcomes anyone interested in contributing to the weekly column as public observers or citizen journalists. There is no payment for writers.

Send your opinion piece (not exceeding 500 words) to teboho.setena@volksblad.com.

Police need information LEARNERS finding out more about career and study opportunities they can pursue in the future.

THESE gr. 12 learners of the Monyakeng Secondary School in Wesselsbron were among hundreds of learners that attended a counselling session on studying conducted by Johan Landman and Rozelle Saaiman. From the left are Tlaleng Matshodi, Nomhle Mahonono, Thandi Mthembu, Dibakiso Xalabile, Nkaiseng Phumo, Thandiwe Jonas, Landman and Saaiman. The information session held at the Goldfields FET College’s Tosa Campus formed part of a week-long career-guidance programme organised by the Education Resource Centre of Lejweleputswa.

Photos: Teboho Setena

POLICE looking for murder suspects The Welkom police are appealing to the public for information that will help trace suspects wanted for two separate crimes in Thabong, Welkom. The first case is about Justice Kulubane’s murder. He was shot and killed at the Black Joint Pub on 26 December. The police suspect the murderer, who is still on the run, could be a Lesotho national.

The second case concerns the attempted murder of Shadrack Khoza, who is still fighting for his life at a local hospital. He was left for dead by his assailants after being stabbed several times. Khoza was found lying in Cawe Street on 25 January.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects must contact the investigative officer, Const.

Cornelis Lubbe, on 057-910-2365/2352

during office hours or 072-575-0487.

Police searching for family of deceased Malamlela The Welkom police are appealing to the public to assist in finding the relatives of deceased Elias Thandi Malamlela (49), whose body is still being kept at the Welkom Government Mortuary. He apparently drowned in Virginia. The deceased’s body, in a decomposed state, was discovered on 13 February last year. The deceased, formerly from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, had been employed at one of the mines in Virginia for some time. He resided at house number 400 in Masilo, Theunissen.

Anyone who has information about the relatives or family of the deceased must contact Lekhotla Ramateletse at the Welkom Pathology Services on 057-352-1193 during officer hours or on 073-2592040.

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2015

3

NEWS

Vandals ravage nature reserve } Kgotso Tau

EFFORTS to attract tourists to the Krugersdrift Dam and Olive Hills in the Soetdoring Nature Reserve have been dealt a blow following the indefinite closure of the two areas’ facilities.

According to the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Environmental Affairs and Small Business the closure followed a spate of vandalism. Kgotso Tau, spokesperson of the department, says the problem of vandalism has resulted in the pollution of the dam over a period of time.

“A temporary solution to the problem was the installation of portable toilets. However, it has not yielded results, because these too get vandalized and plundered,” says Tau. “This has resulted in the pollution of the dam with alarming evidence of the presence of faecal coliform bacteria and E.coli which derive from human sewage.

“The facilities will remain closed until a permanent solution to the problem has been found.”

Tau says the department is working with all relevant stakeholders, like the University of the Free State (UFS) and other interested parties, to address the problem of vandalism which has impacted negatively on tourism.

“The Krugersdrift Dam is the receiving impoundment of treated waste water from the Bloemfontein sewage treatment plant.

Although the water is clean, it still carries a high level of nutrients, mostly nitrates and phosphates, which is compounded by the faecal matter and toilet paper laying everywhere amongst the bushes in the absence of ablution facilities. When it rains, this drains directly into the dam.”

The Soetdoring Nature Reserve and the Krugersdrift Dam straddle the Modder River in the central Free State. One of the best birding spots near Bloemfontein, it provides an interesting mix of wetland, grassland and thornveld habitats. The bird list boasts about 290 species, with a possibility of seeing up to 140 species in a day. The Krugersdrift Dam is mainly an area for water sports. Visitors tend to be anglers, boating enthusiasts or water-skiers.

THE damage done by vandals to the facilities at the Krugersdrift Dam.

WHAT is left of the toilet cubicles.

Photos: Supplied

VANDALISED washing basins.

Fiscal policy crippling Six men apply for bail } Teboho Setena

“The improvement in last year’s economy is very small DR ANDRÉ MELLET, and will not make any impact economist at the Northwest this year in addressing the University, holds a strong inequality South Africa is view that the South African faced with and job creation government’s fiscal policies challenges. Nene’s fiscal policy severely lag behind in is unfortunately not stimulattackling the inequality, ing economic growth,” said poverty and unemployment Mellet. facing the country.

Mellet pointed out that the He aired these sentiments South African government’s during a presentation after high debt levels, arising from the minister of Finance, wasteful expenditure and Nhlanhla Nene’s, Budget apparent maladministration, Speech on 25 February. were some of the serious Mellet was the guest concerns which continued to DR ANDRÉ MELLET du- cripple the prospects of South speaker at PwC’s breakfast ring his analysis presenta- Africa to stimulate economic function held in Welkom tion on the budget pre- growth. recently. sented by the minister of He said South Africa’s “Government must control Finance, Nhlanhla Nene. economy would remain wasteful expenditure. AccordPhoto: Teboho Setena stagnant unless there was a ing to Nene, presently about new approach, emphasising 16,4 million people in South the importance of government to curb on Africa are dependant on social grants, and wasteful expenditure and alleged corruption the number is set to increase because to stimulate economic growth. government is unable to stimulate the “The fiscal policy presented by Minister economy to create employment opportuniNene can either be contrary, taking money ties. We have far more government departout of the system, or put money into the ments in South Africa, yet we fail to deliver system to stimulate the economy to create service to the people. Minister Nene is employment opportunities so that people can constrained by government departments’ be employed and they can spend more to high debts to stimulate the economy. The stimulate the economy. current expenditure by government depart“It can be neutral, doing nothing to ments is very high and continues to rise,” stimulate economic growth.

Mellet said.

The fact remains that Nene takes R8 bilHe said efforts by the minister of Finance lion out of the system instead of putting that to increase personal income tax by 1% money into the system to stimulate economic would be insufficient in addressing the growth. inequality, poverty and unemployment crisis.

“It is evident that the fiscal policy will not Nene announced personal income tax rates address inequality based on Nene’s growth would be raised by one percentage point for expectation of 2%, which is too far from all taxpayers earning more than R181 900 a stimulating economic growth. It is very year. This means an extra R21 per month for much like the 2,1% and 2,2% growth those taxpayers earning R200 000. For those predicted by the International Monetary earning R500 000, it means R271 more per Fund (IMF), World Bank and Monetary month. And for anyone earning R1,5 million Authority. a year, the increase is R1 105 per month.

“So if we are not going to grow, we are “To address the problem, leaders in not going to make an impact in addressing government must place a cap on unnecesequality and job creation,” Mellet said. sary expenditure. We have far too big He said improvement in the economy last government departments which has resulted year would also have no impact in stimulatin high expenditure and high debt,” Mellet ing growth. said.

after alleged trafficking

} Teboho Setena THE six men accused of holding two teenage girls captive for weeks allegedly as sex slaves made their second appearance in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court last Friday (6/03).

The six men are Thabang Mokhele (19), Themba Nguxe (21), Ntsokolo Njingala (22), Adrissa Nbwana (24), Mbuyiselo Njingala (27) and Khethamile Faku (28).

They appeared in court for their bail application.

The suspects are facing charges of kidnapping and statutory rape of the two teenagers, aged 12 and 14.

The girls were allegedly held captive as sex slaves for a period of 23 days in a shack in the backyard of a house in K7 in Kutlwanong, Odendaalsrus.

The suspects allegedly kidnapped the girls on 26 January and then freed them on 17 February.

The six suspects are known to the locals in the township of Kutlwanong for being members of a gang called 300 Spartans whose territory is K7.

The gang in question is one of numerous rival gangs in the Odendaalsrus township feared by local residents

for their reign of terror.

Molebogeng Lechesa, spokesperson for the Welkom police, says the two girls were reported as missing on 26 January, adding that the police were unsuccessful in finding the two girls during their manhunt for them.

She says upon being freed from captivity, the two teenage girls related their ordeal to their parents, who in turn informed the police.

This lead to the arrest of the six men of the 300 Spartans gang.

Lechesa says the two girls positively identified their alleged traffickers, suspected to be involved in the trade of selling girls to men for financial gain.

“This group of young men who kidnapped the two girls, targets young girls and makes them sex slaves in exchange for money,” says Lechesa.

She says the two teenage girls had already been marked with tattoos reading 300 by their alleged traffickers as a sign of ownership and control.

Capt. Stephen Thakeng of the Welkom police says the investigation into the case relates to methods used in committing crime against girls, of abduction and the selling of girls to foreign nationals for sex.

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Players fired up

Quarterfinal secured SOUTH AFRICA secured a spot in the ICC World Cup quarterfinal despite a second loss, to Pakistan, on Saturday (07/03).

The Proteas are tied with Pakistan on points and games won. However, the Proteas have a far more superior net run-rate and could increase it in their last game against the United Arab Emirates tomorrow (12/03).

They are set to face Sri Lanka (18/03) in the quarterfinals.

} Teboho Setena THE Thotagauta Secondary School in Thabong’s netball court has been buzzing with activity with the school’s players polishing their skills ahead of the start of the Lejweleputswa Secondary Schools Netball B League. The annual competition is divided into two sections, A and B, each made up of six teams.

Thotagauta is one of the 12 secondary schools registered to participate in the competition set to commence on 16 April.

The competition features schools as far afield as Viljoenskroon and Theunissen. Schools from Goldfield towns make up the biggest number in the competition.

The Thotagauta team’s preparatory programme is well on course with the opening fixture away against the Edmund Rice School on 16 April. The other games are against Ed-U-College (22/04), Viljoenskroon (30/04), St Andrew’s (6/05) and Lephola (14/5). The players of the participating schools are expected to perform at their best in order for a chance to be selected for the trials scheduled for 23 April at a venue yet to be announced.

THE Thotagauta Secondary School’s goal scorer Irene Ndlovu (green) beats Disemelo Ndlela and Refuwe Keme (yellow) to the ball at a training session last Tuesday (03/03).

THE Thotagauta Secondary School’s netball team is sharpening up for the Lejweleputswa Secondary Schools Netball League scheduled to start in April. Sebete Mojaesi (green/ white) catches the ball ahead of opponent Kehilwe Phororo (yellow) while teammate Irene Ndlovu watches on.

Photos: Teboho Setena

SA u.20 team aims high SUPERSPORT, the Channel of Champions, is broadcasting live matches of South Africa’s u.20 team in their quest for continental glory and a World Cup qualification.

Amajita, as South Africa’s u.20 men’s national team is affectionately known, will look to emulate their compatriots, the u.17 boys’ national team, by also qualifying for the 2015 Fifa World Cup edition which is set to be staged in New Zealand.

The u.17 side, Amajimbos, secured their spot at the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup in Chile after finishing as runners-up at the Caf u.17 Youth Championships (AYC).

Led by coach Molefi Ntseki, the South Africa young lads lost 2-0 to Mali in the final played on 1 March in Niamey, Niger.

The South Africa men’s u.20 national team made history in Russia early in January when they won the Commonwealth Cup, after having chalked up some really impressive performances along the way. They beat Finland 2-1 in a grueling final played at St Petersburg in Russia.

They now hope to complement their achievement by conquering this year’s African u.20 championship that is underway in Senegal.

Played under the auspices of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), the tournament features eight nations.

Contesting the continental crown and Caf’s four spots at the World Cup are hosts Senegal, Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mali, Nigeria, Zambia and South Africa.

The South Africa u.20’s journey to the u.20 World Cup takes a similar route to that of the u.17s, an eight-team u.20 AYC doubling up as a qualifying campaign for the World Cup in New Zealand.

SuperSport is broadcasting live and in HD all 16 matches of the eight nations.

The tournament got underway on Sunday (8/03), and will culminate in the final on (22/03). The four nations that progress beyond the group stages will qualify for the Fifa u.20 World Cup showpiece scheduled to be staged from 30 May to 20 June in New Zealand.

Young Thato has big dreams

THATO TLALI, winner of the SuperSport Let's Play Sports Star of the Month for February.

THIS year SuperSport’s Let’s Play celebrates ten years of keeping the children of South Africa active.

The first winner for the coveted SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for February of Express Goldfields & NFS is Thato Tlali, a learner of St Andrew’s Primary Welkom. This young athlete enjoys playing soccer and taking part in athletic sprint events.

In gr. 1, the seven-year-old Thato has already participated against gr. 3 learners in the recent Goldfields South Primary Schools Athletics Meeting.

He displayed moments of brilliance, obtaining first position in the sprint events – 60 m and 80 m. The aspiring athlete’s achievements make him a good prospect to be groomed as a future sprint star in the 100 m and 200 m respectively.

Thato says he drew inspira-

tion to achieve big from his soccer heroes, the Kaizer Chiefs pair of Itumeleng Khune and Simphiwe Tshabalala, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. He aspires to follow in their footsteps and would like to be as fast as they are someday.

Thato lives by his motto: Strive for excellence.

The competition recognises athletes who excel in the various sporting codes. Send your SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month nomination for school learners between the ages of 6 and 18 today. Nominations received before the 20th of each month will be included in that month’s selection.

You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or fax it to 086-552-4922.

For more information, please contact Lynne or Juanré at Z PR on 051-522-9574.

Broadcast details: 11 March: Nigeria vs Congo: 18:15 SuperSport Nine 11 March: Ivory Coast vs Senegal: 21:15 SuperSport Nine 12 March: South Africa vs Mali: 18:15 SuperSport Four HD/ Nine 12 March: Zambia vs Ghana: 21:15 SuperSport Nine 14 March: Nigeria vs Ivory Coast: 18:45 SuperSport Nine 14 March: Senegal vs Congo: 18:45 Supersport Select 15 March: South Africa vs Zambia: 18:45 SuperSport Four HD/Nine 15 March: Ghana vs Mali: 18:45 SuperSport Select 18 March: semifinal 1: 1A vs 2B: 18:45 Supersport Select 19 March: semifinal 2: 1B vs 2A 18:45 SuperSport Nine 22 March: 3rd - 4th place playoff: 18:15 SuperSport Nine 22 March: Final 21:15 SuperSport four HD/nine

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