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Food parcels used to buy votes } Boipelo Mere
DIAMOND PARK residents were encouraged to hijack food parcel delivery cars in their area. The advice was given by the DA provincial candidate, Andrew Louw, over the weekend. Addressing less than 200 people at a community meeting over the weekend, Louw encouraged the party members dressed in blue to wear their T-shirts with pride and discipline, despite intimidation. The community meeting ran
half an hour late, reportedly due to intimidation of members who planned to attend the meeting. That is when the residents were invited through a loud speaker. Louw and his entourage were proudly handing out free DA T-shirts during the meeting. “I am aware that the food parcels are already doing their rounds in an attempt to buy votes but you are worth a lot more than a food parcel. Even though you are poor, you have been surviving very well without them. Do not allow a food parcel
THE DA premier candidate Andrew Louw convinced residents that the DA is untouchable during the community meeting. With him is Okkie Fourie, the DA councillor.
to buy your vote, even if you are poor. If the ANC gives it to you, you must take it and eat it,” he emphasised. “And if that truck arrives to hand out food parcels, you must get onto that truck and take as much food as you want, the money that bought that food does not belong to them.” Louw reiterated the fact that the ANC was now so afraid of the DA that they even went to the extent of giving people shopping vouchers. He said that was because the ANC did not have a credible leadership. He promised that he was going to intervene in the currently existing projects where he claimed only ANC members were hired. Although the DA leadership complained of intimidation from some ANC members, most of their ordinary members denied any knowledge of intimidation. Dorothy Phelehu (68) acknowledged that she was a proud DA member because she had seen many changes in her ward thanks to the DA. “There is visible progress like the installation of electricity and the availability of water. Some claim that only ANC members get hired to do the work but I am not certain of this. All I know, is that the DA is currently making my life easier,” said Phelehu.
DIAMOND PARK residents were encouraged to proudly put on their free blue Tshirts after being handed to them. Photos: Boipelo Mere
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
NEWS
Block delivers last budget speech } Boipelo Mere THE MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Northern Cape, John Block, has given what could be his last budget speech as an MEC for the same portfolio. However he still stands a chance to be in the next provincial executive committee after the 7 May election results are known. In his speech Block disbursed an amount totalling R13,1 billion to different departments in the province. As in many budgets before this one, the Education Department and Health Department received the bulk of the budget at 65% more than other beneficiaries between them. Block allocated R4,7 million to education for the 2014-’15 financial year. Altogether R705 million of this allocation is to be spent on infrastructure and equipment, R21 million is set aside for the appointment of gr. R teachers, while national school nutrition programmes were given a 12% increase. For the upgrading of clerical posts R46 million was also set aside. The Health Department has been allocated R3,7 million in total for the 2014-’15 annual financial period. The Kimberley Hospital has been given
R133 million to address, amongst others, patients catering, maintenance of medical equipment and suppliers as well as the National Health Laboratory. The Department of Roads and Public Works has been allocated R1 billion, R659 million for the department of Cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs, R291 million to Sports, Arts and Culture. Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development is allocated R716 million, Social Development has been allocated R601 million while the Department of Economic Affairs has been given R236 million. The Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison is allocated R329 million whereby R202 million is allocated to Provincial Treasury. The Office of the Premier is allocated R173 million, the Northern Cape Legislature is given R156 million, while the Department of Environmental Affairs and Nature Conservation is allocated only R14 million. This budget for 2014-’15 is expected to rise to about R14 billion in the next two years, including about R13 million to be used for the inauguration of the new premier and the orientation of new members of the Northern Cape legislature after this year’s 7 May general elections.
The MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism in the Northern Cape, John Block, giving probably his last budget speech. Photo: Emile Hendricks Photo24
New venue for festival planned } Lecrecia Prins QUEENS PARK GARDEN will possibly be revamped and be the full-time host for the Gariep Arts Festival – that is if councillors of the Sol Plaatje Municipality approve plans to move the festival there. The festival will in the meantime take place at the Oppenheimer Gardens this year where it was held the last 14 years. Last week during a presentation to the community services committee of the municipality, Theuns Zimmerman, the managing director of the Gariep Arts Festival, says he wants to turn Queens Park into an arts and cultural centre for the city to attract tourists. Artists are invited to submit their artworks. “They will also be taught to how manage their businesses,” says Zimmermann. “We will be managing the site on behalf of the municipality, which still retains the ownership. It can be rented for small conferences, weddings and parties. A children’s play park with a large chess board will be erected. The main requirements
include a fence, electric cables and a permanent kitchen and toilet facilities. The restaurants, coffee shops and other facilities will be in temporary tents. Access to the park is free. The development will also dispose of social problems such as drug abuse and prostitution in Queens Park.” Zimmermann says the development amounts to R4,5 million and he hopes that private investors and government will make use of this opportunity. “We have spoken to the neighbours and agreed that the noise levels will be controlled. We have also conversed with the police who will be happy if drug abuse and prostitution in the area decreases.” Although the venue of the Gariep Arts Festival has not changed, festival goers can still expect some changes in the layout of the site at the Oppenheimer Gardens. There will, for example be one large tent for artists and not two like before. The Rainbow Stage moves to a larger area. The RSG stage will remain at its old place. The theatres move to the Eureka and Newton Primary Schools. The after party will be at Hoffe Park.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
NEWS
Teachers will receive their salaries } Andre Botha THE Northern Cape Department of Education has promised that all temporary and gr. R teachers will be paid by the end of this month. This promise came after several complaints and protests by the gr. R teachers since the beginning of the year. According to Matsheliso Tau, the chief director of Human Resources at the Northern Cape Department of Education, 1 478 of the 8 105 teachers posts are still vacant. Part-time teachers are appointed in these posts. The department states that appointment documents for all temporary teachers were supposed to have been submitted to the district office on 15 January, the day of the reopening of school. In that case some of the forms were rather not completed or were filled in incorrectly, resulting in the department being unable to process the payments within due time and hence it failed to meet the payment deadlines.
The district office was informed and payments are currently processed weekly as soon as the required and correct information has been received. The delay in payments of gr. R teachers was mostly because more schools only registered their gr. R learners on the day of re-opening of schools and due to the reason that some of the teachers are not qualified. Altogether 564 contracts are being processed for payments whereby 176 contracts are still outstanding. All temporary and gr. R teachers with outstanding payments were requested by the department to call the HR Helpline on 053-639-6697.
THE Northern Cape Department of Education held a press brief ing on the controversy of tem porary teachers receiving their salaries late. From the left are the chief director of District Sup port, Henry Esau and chief direc tor of Human Resources, Mat sheliso Tau. Photo: Emile Hendricks
For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za. You can also “like” Northern Cape Express on Facebook and give your opinion on stories.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
NEWS
NC safe, no load shedding
MEC shocked
} Boipelo Mere
} Boipelo Mere
SOUTH AFRICANS are urged by Eskom’s Operation Khanyisa to become campaign ambassadors and to take a stand against electricity theft. Every citizen is encouraged to speak out and pay for power used to promote compliance and avoid more power outages. The Northern Cape province is still safe from load shedding. That is after Eskom’s emergency implementation of rotational emergency load shedding for two and a half hours two weeks ago. That was for the first time since 2008. According to Eskom, they are now in a better position than in 2008 to manage the situation. Although there were some disapprovals of the announcement, Hugh McGibbon, the general manager of Eskom, said it was the earliest they could communicate as the system status changed rapidly in the early hours of the morning. “This was a painful yet necessary decision to protect the electricity power system from a total black-out. A total black-out would have significant consequences on the South African economy,” he said to Express Northern Cape. “Eskom’s power stations are old and the system is tight. Any event impacting >1500MW could have a significant impact on the availability of supply. While we are committed to provide early
THE incident of the 57-year-old man from Douglas who hacked his family to death with an axe, has been described by the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Mac Jack, as a horrendous and wicked act that calls for united action against perpetrators and all those who commit any form of genderbased violence in the province. “We strongly urge our law enforcement agencies to do everything in their power in making sure that they apprehend the heartless perpetrator who remains in hiding,” he said. Jack expressed shock and concern at the recent spate of gruesome killings and violence against women, children and the elderly which sent shockwaves throughout the province. He also commented on other recent murders, including that of a Lerato Park woman by her husband who later handed himself over to the police, as well as an incident wherein a 33-year-old Kimberley man shot his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself. “It is important as a society to intensively educate our children about family values to avoid such crimes in future. My appeal to families involves to ponder over what transpired and help prevent similar killings in the future.” While conveying his heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the bereaved families, he called on all role players in the fight against crime to work closely with communities.
HUGH MCGIBBON, the general manager of Eskom, making a presentation to the Northern Cape media.
Photo: Boipelo Mere
warning, Eskom is in a better position than in 2008 to manage the situation,” McGibbon promised. Lodine Redelinghuys of Operation Khanyisa said that Eskom was suffering a huge energy and revenue loss estimated at R4,1 billion due to electricity theft. Elaborating that electricity theft occured everywhere, Redelinghuys pointed out that their own employees and
contractors were sometimes found to be involved. She however revealed that the revenue and energy losses that Eskom suffered in the BICA sectors were double the losses suffered in the residential sector. According to McGibbon, losses of illegal connections in the Northern Cape were mostly experienced in the Kuruman area. He warned that syndicates
reported to be selling electricity illegally would soon be nailed as Eskom already had a national team working on the matter. Redelinghuys said that Eskom had already recovered R243 million of its lost revenue through audits of meter points whereby 200 000 people were engaged. She revealed that 60 court cases were convicted out of 112 arrests made through community tip-offs.
Excel in athletics at provincial level ATHLETES from the Kitlanyang Primary School in Severn recently participated at the primary provin cial athletics meeting held in Kim berley on 7 March. From the left are, front: Katong Letlhogonolo (gold medal in the 1 200 m boys u.10), Block Gosego (gold medal in the 1 500 m girls u.13) and Tlhage Bongani (fourth in the u.11 long jump); back: Tlhage Nomhle (team manager). Photo: Supplied
Why use bond originators? } Boipelo Mere GWK PROPERTIES, through Express Northern Cape, have taken the readers through the process of selecting a property to purchase and making an offer on their dream home. This week it is suggested that readers use a bond originator to arrange the bond for their home. GWK Properties recommend OOBA bond originators who are guaranteed to assists the buyer to obtain the lowest possible home loan rate and to guide them during the financing process. GWK Properties also revealed that the number of people using bond originators in South Africa is increasing daily due to the relief of paperwork hassle during the process of applying for a bond. The in-house OOBA bond origina-
tor in Kimberley is Madré Joubert. “Bond originators are skilled at negotiating and presenting your application in the best possible way. Using a bond originator will also streamline the process of applying for a bond. “You will not need to follow up with the different banks and go through call centres to get your bond approved. Joubert will be your only point of contact, thus ensuring a hassle-free service,” says GWK Properties. According to GWK Properties, your bond originator is expected to assist you with a credibility and affordability assessment as they are kept up-to-date with changing legislation. “This also ensures that your bond application is done in the fastest possible time.” OOBA Home finance experts
recommend that the following documents are required when applying for a home loan: ) Latest three months pay slips. ) If in receipt of allowances or variable pay (for example commission or overtime), then six months latest pay slips are required. ) Detailed income and expenditure statement, signed by applicant(s). ) Latest three months bank statements, stamped by the bank – not Internet statements. ) Statement of assets and liabilities. ) If an applicant is not a South Adrican citizen, a copy of passport, residence and work permits are needed. ) Rental contracts in respect of rental income to be used in affordability assessment. ) Identity document(s). People can contact Joubert on 071-680-8158.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
NEWS
Pregnant woman (28) missing THE police in Roodepan are looking for 28-year-old Casandra Baartman of 19 Sparrow Street, Roodepan, Kimberley. She was last seen on Friday, 21 February, in Roodepan. According to the SAPS, Baartman weighs approximately 53 kg with brown hair. She was last seen wearing a denim skirt with a purple maternity top. Baartman was pregnant at the time when she went missing. The police are pleading with anyone who may have seen or have information about the missing female to contact WO Fuad Gamieldien on 072-381-2116 or 053-807-4400.
} Boipelo Mere
CASANDRA BAARTMAN
Wanted for questioning } Boipelo Mere THE Galeshewe police need assistance in finding and arresting a suspect appearing in the identity kit on the right. Community involvement is requested for assistance with the investigation in a rape case linked to the suspect. According to the police, it is alleged that on 7 December last year the suspect was a passenger in a white Toyota Tazz which was driving along Hulana Street. The driver of the Toyota Tazz stopped next to the victim while she was walking on the pavement along Hulana Street. The passenger grabbed and dragged her into the back seat of the car. He covered her mouth and they drove off in the direction of Phillip Mpiwa Street where they took turns assaulting and raping her. The police request any person who might have any information which may lead to the arrest of the suspect to contact the investigating officer, WO Harriet McKenzie, on 082-495-4725/053-807-6161.
RAF used as a front for scams
RAPE SUSPECT IDENTITY KIT.
Photo: Supplied
THE Road Accident Fund (RAF) will not request information from claimants using an unofficial e-mail account. The record was set straight by the RAF concerning the con artists purporting to be from the National Road Accident Fund. They are reported to be soliciting confidential information from innocent members of the public under the pretext that compensation cheques will be deposited into their personal bank accounts. In most cases, the people being
called have never claimed from the RAF, nor have they been involved in road accidents. The RAF clarified that in their case claimants’ information is only recorded using an official RAF form containing an official logo, which can be viewed on their website, www.raf.co.za. Any correspondence will have the name of the RAF official and can be verified through the RAF Call Centre, 0860 23 55 23. Members of the public are advised to report fraud on the RAF’s tip-off line on 0800 00 59 19, or contact the call centre if they receive suspicious correspondence.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
NEWS
Shoes change lives } Boipelo Mere
PGJA TRADING ENTERPRISE managed to restore the dignity of ten learners of the Olympic Primary School. The company donated school uniforms to the learners who were all identified by the school. The company is reported to be suppliers of fruit and vegetables at the school, thus they managed to approach the school principal, Archie Jack, to identify the learners who were in dire need of a school uniform. April Pasha, PGJA Trading Enterprise representative, said she saw the need to extend a helping hand to some needy learners after she had seen one of the school learners without shoes. “I thought to myself, we must come in and change the lives of at least a few learners,” she said. “Although there are many cases, it is unfortunate that PGJA could only help the chosen few. Therefore we appeal to other businesses to assist in changing the lives of learners by donating school uniforms,” pleaded the school principal.
Events build up to celebrations } Boipelo Mere
FROM the left are (the learners), front: Deano Swarts, Chris Au gust, Unathi Sokoyi, Lorenzo Kleintjies and Sipho Moraladi; back: April Pasha, PGJA Trading Enterprise representative, Ar chie Jack, principal, and Sekaeng Botha, nutrition educator at the Olympic Primary School. Photo: Supplied
A SOD-TURNING CEREMONY for the construction of a multi-purpose centre in the Frances Baard District is expected to take place as one of the various provincial build-up events for the 2014 Human Rights Day celebrations. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will be turning the sod. Government will also roll out the cleaning and greening programme where the Department of Environmental and Nature Conservation will be planting trees in raising awareness for conservation. Government officials will also be on the ground in large numbers in an effort to disseminate information on economic opportunities.
Other government departments such as Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency, SASSA and Health and Education will also roll out services to the people. Premier Sylvia Lucas and the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Pauline Williams, are expected to lead the celebrations at Augrabies in the ZF Mgcawu District while MEC’s Patrick Mabilo and David Rooi, will also deliver a keynote address in various districts aimed at raising human rights awareness within the farming communities. The MEC for the Department of Social Development, Tiny Chotelo, and the MEC for Health, Mxolisi Sokatsha, will lead the celebrations at Olifanshoek in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
NEWS
Represent Northern Cape THESE four athletes of the Kuruman Primary School were chosen to represent the Northern Cape at the South African athletics championships in the Paarl from 20 to 22 March. All four of them have competed at nationals before. From the left are Poloko Khoana (third time), Jové van Zyl (second time), Sabrinah Phillander (fourth time) and Motheo Molete (second time). Photo: Hester Engelbrecht
Gangsterism a growing concern } Boipelo Mere GANGSTERISM in the Northern Cape is still a relatively small issue. That was highlighted by *Rodney Ditake, a youth from No 5 who matriculated in 2010 who spoke to Express Northern Cape. The youth, living next to a high school in Galeshewe, said that their were gangs in all schools. After seeing the invitation in last week’s edition of Express Northern Cape, Ditake decided to share his knowledge. Although Ditake highlighted that the province, especially Kimberley, was still a crawling baby in terms of gangsterism compared to other provinces, he stated that seeing small boys from the age of 12 getting involved, had become a concern for him. “I see them on a daily basis robbing and chasing people. The sad part is that the concept of gangsterism will grow as I see on a daily basis how the boys are allowed to enter the school premises with knives and dangerous weapons,” he said. “But I guess the teachers cannot do anything, fearing for their safety.” He quoted an article he read in
another publication of how children from ten years old, including girls, were involved in gangsterism in Dealesville, a neighbouring Free State town. According to his knowledge, gangsterism started after a group of boys in his neighbourhood, who attended a nearby school, started to challenge boys from other areas on the school premises. “They started victimising the ones from the other neighbourhood until the latter also formed their own gang. Then another gang formed, then another . . .” He believed there was hope to fight gangsterism in Kimberley, even though the killings continue. He encouraged community members to speak up and stand together in fighting this scourge. He also hoped the CPF could speed up their programmes to address the issue as he believe it was an attention-seeking tactic by youth involved in substance abuse. In response to whether the police are aware of any gangsterism in schools, they said: “We are not aware of any gangsterism activities in the schools in the Northern Cape. However, we engage schools in crime prevention programmes and crime prevention awareness.”
Sports stars wanted ARE you good at sport – or is someone in your school or place of education good at sport? Are you motivating or training others to be good at sport? Are you a young coach who is coaching future stars? Are you getting people active at your school, community or gym? Express Northern Cape wants to hear from you. SuperSport’s Let’s Play identified the need amongst the youth to get more sport active. With this in mind SuperSport and Let’s Play, in association with Express Northern Cape, have launched a special initiative. We want to find and give recognition to learners at either primary or high school level who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active. The SuperSport’s Let’s Play Star of the Month is a competition for anyone aged six to 18. You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a friend or any teacher, lecturer or coach at your school or place of education. You can even be nominated by a family member or friend who knows
how good you are. The winner is chosen from all the nominations received for that month. The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper filled with goodies. From all the entries received each month, one player will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Month. At the end of the year one player from all the monthly winners will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year. Send your nomination today (nominations received before the 20th of every month will be included in that month’s selection. Nominations received after the 20th of every month will be carried over to the next month’s selection). Your nomination must include your name, age and a short paragraph (less than 200 words) on what you have achieved, as well as your contact details. You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or send a fax to 086-552-4922. For more information contact Lynne or Juanré at Z PR on 051-522-9574.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2014
} Boipelo Mere
FNB DEVELOPMENT SOCCER COACHES still regard themselves as squatters at their Galeshewe FNB astro turf. That is because they do not know whether the stadium is completed for usage or not, because they have still not heard anything from the Sol Plaatje Municipality. It is difficult for the community members to stay away from the beautiful soccer pitch because there are few soccer pitches in Galeshewe. The artificial soccer pitch was completed in 2012 but nothing was done by the municipality on the pitch since then. There has been no installation of water, toilets or changing rooms at the stadium, which was expected from the Sol Plaatje Municipality. The concerning part is that the soccer pitch was donated to them by FNB who rolled out the pitches in different regions as part of their 2010 Legacy Programme, alas it seems as if it is a hassle for the municipality to run development programmes. Three Kimberley soccer coaches attended training for grassroot development programmes with 15 other coaches from rural areas in 2011 thanks to FNB. After the layout of the pitches, the municipality was expected to take over and complete the stadium. The Sol Plaatje Municipality did not give coaches permission to use the pitch. The coaches went ahead and used it to run development and grassroots programmes in an effort to save it from vandalism. The locked gate was broken and community members started to abuse the pitch because there is also no security to guard the turf. The artificial grass is damaged and there is wild grass overgrowing onto the pitch due to lack of maintenance and water.
ANOTHER SAD SOCCER TALE: This beautiful artificial soccer pitch might go to waste if the Sol Plaatje Municipality does not act soon. Photo: Boipelo Mere Winston Mondela, the chairperson of the Sol Plaatje Local Football Association, refused to comment on the issue and directed all enquiries to the Sol Plaatje Municipality. He said he could not comment because he did not know whether the stadium was supposed to be completed as it is or if more needed to be done.
“The pitch was completed in 2012 but there is no water, toilets or changing rooms for the players, of whom some are girls,” is all that Mondela said. One of the coaches pointed out that they would love to proudly tell the beautiful story about soccer in the province but it was difficult at this
‘Ajax a force to reckon with’ } Boipelo Mere
AARON BUFFEL, the coach of Ajax FS in Greenpoint, warns other coaches to watch out as there are bigger games to come. Although his team was beaten 2-0 by the K&B Club over the weekend in Greenpoint, he guarantees that
they will work on their mistakes. According to Buffel, it is clear that his team did not make use of the opportunities to score. “The team’s players were all right and had enough possession of the ball. “We should have won, but the best team won at the end of the
AJAX FS (maroon) had enough access to the ball, but made the biggest mistake of allowing the opposition, the K&B Club, to beat them 20. Photo: Boipelo Mere
day because they were more clever than us,” says Buffel. He does not say much about his second game against Silver Stars because it ended in a fight. “They picked a fight after we had scored the first goal. “The game had to end with that score (1-0).”
stage as they did not even play their part as expected. ) Sello Matsie, the spokesperson of the Sol Plaatje Municipality could not be reached for comment due to his phone being off. Stay updated, visit our website www.express-news.co.za. ) Share your opinion on our mobisite www.expresspaper.mobi.
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Astro turf runs to waste