North West province

North West premier splurges R1,3m on new car

A BMW 7-series similar to the one bought for Modise

While the South African cabinet has prohibited extravagant expenditure, such as luxury vehicles, for government officials, the premier of North West, Thandi Modise, province has just bought a car worth R1,3 million (about $125 000).

The vehicle concerned is a high-end BMW 750i. South Africa’s black politicians can often be seen speeding along the highway in expensive black cars, surrounded by VIP escorts with flashing blue lights, burning taxpayers’ funds.

The provincial MEC for transport, Raymond Elisha, jas confirmed to the Sunday Times newspaper that such a car has been purchased by the province for use by Modise.

“No laws were broken,” he said. “The car was purchased in compliance with the ministerial handbook, which states that a car to the value of 70% of her annual salary can be purchased,”

With great fanfare, it was announced in October by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan that henceforth there would be a more frugal policy on vehicle prrocurement and travel by government officials.

But, according to Elisha, the decision to purchase the luxury BMW “had been taken long before the cost-cutting plans were announced”.

The provincial premier is on record as saying: “I do not determine whether a jet is procured or whatever. All I know is that I have been using a car that is constantly sent for repairs and finally I was told ‘we are buying a new car’.”

Premier Modise calls for clamp down on illegal initiation schools after death of two

North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on provincial authorities to clamp down on initiation schools that operate outside the law. This follows the death of two teens at an initiation in Makwaneng near Amalia since Friday.

“Chancers and those who commit atrocities at initiation schools undermine our tradition and culture and should be brought to book. We call on traditional leaders as custodians of our tradition and culture to monitor initiation schools within their areas of jurisdiction and report ill-treatment and illegal operations to authorities,” stressed Premier Modise

According to police, a 16-year-old started vomiting after drinking water on Friday. He reportedly collapsed and died

“The next day, a 17-year-old complained of stomach cramps after eating and was later declared dead by emergency services, The remaining initiates were taken to a hospital in Schweizer-Reneke,”said Colonel Emelda Setlhako.

While investigations are continuing,Setlhako said that no arrests had been made.

Cuba to be paid R6 billion to manage South African ground water

Raul Castro in the Cuban national assembly

The government has completed a groundwater strategy aimed at addressing water shortages across the country, Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa said on Thursday.

“[O]ur next step is to implement support mechanisms to help municipalities with technical expertise required to manage groundwater,” she told a service delivery summit in Rustenburg, according to a copy of her speech.

Molewa had met Cuban prime minister Raul Castro in her attempt to source the skills required to implement the strategy.

“We have agreed in principle that an agreement that will formalise this exchange of expertise will be signed before the end of the year.”

The department was aware of the water quality problems some municipalities faced, and would continue helping them to improve their standards.

Remediation programmes had to be undertaken to improve the water quality in the Hartbeespoort and Roodeplaat dams.

Efforts were underway to train water management experts, such as mechanical and civil engineers, scientists, and process control technicians.

Molewa said more than R734 million was needed to address the water infrastructure backlog in the North West.

The Bojanala Platinum district municipality had the highest backlog requirement of R404.8m. Ngaka Modiri Molema was second with a backlog of R273.8m.

Molewa said the water infrastructure grants were intended for areas without any safe drinking water.

“The intention is to provide interim services to these communities while they are waiting for services that are in line with our RDP standards.”

An amount of R6.2 billion over the next three years had been allocated to address problems in water infrastructure.

The money would be spent on the 23 district municipalities identified by the president and Cabinet as needing help.

North West was allocated a total of R122m over the medium-term expenditure framework period.

Molewa said another problem affecting supply was the illegal use of water through abstraction and illegal connections. – Sapa

ANC delegates end conference in a fist fight

North West ANC delegates had a physical fight on the last day of the party’s national policy conference, spokesman Jackson Mthembu says.

A North West African National Congress member was addressing the plenary session on Friday when another delegate tried to stop him, Mthembu said.

“One of the delegates grabbed the [microphone] from that person and a scuffle ensued… a scuffle ensued between two or four people. It was a physical fight,” he said.

Mthembu said the delegates had also fought about who was representing the North West at the four-day policy conference held at Gallagher Estate, in Midrand, Johannesburg.

The ANC’s national executive had to step in after five provincial executive committee (PEC) members were removed a week before the policy conference.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said national officials declared invalid and unconstitutional the removal of provincial chairman Supra Mahumapelo, treasurer Philly Mapolane, deputy provincial secretary Gordon Kegakilwe, spokesman Kenny Morolong and PEC member Matthew Wolmarans. – Sapa

The PEC was divided over several issues.

Mthembu said one North West delegate was kicked out of the conference.

“All those involved will be subjected to disciplinary measures,” he said.

These would be handled by the ANC national executive.

Mthembu said five people with fraudulent accreditation tags had also been found at the conference.

This was reported to the police and two of the five people were arrested.

“When there is an event as big as this one was, some people try to take a chance… but we were well prepared,” said Mthembu.

Apart from these incidents the conference was a “runaway success”, he said.