Thursday 24 March 2016Year 6 170th Edition Tel: 013 262 4416

In 2007, dozens of Moutse residents were overthe moon when receiving news that their longawaiting RDP Houses will be built. The contrac-tor was appointed and the project immediatelystarted the same year. But according to thebeneficiaries, the houses have never been in agood state since the project was completed.Residents claim that the asbestos roof that wasused by the contractor was cheap material andstarted cracking a few days after the houseswere completed.Frans Magopa, a Kolofane Malaeneng resi-dent says his house started developing cracksjust after the roof was constructed. He told theDispatch that the family reported the damage toconstruction workers who were still on sitecompleting other houses but they did nothing.Magopa said the roof of his house is justwaiting to collapse.“This roof is like a ticking bomb that can ex-plode at anytime. I am afraid the roof could beeasily blown by wind anytime. I can’t put heavyobjects on top of it because I fear for the safetyof myself and that of my family,” he said.

Shoddily built RDP houses in Moutseare falling apart

Magopa said they would have moved back tothe mud house that they owned before thehouse was built but it was turned into rubblejust after the RDP house was completed.“The gaps on the roof are so big that you caneasily see the moon and the stars while you aresleeping. Water is pouring like we are sleepingoutside. Our appliances are damaged where wehave to replace our TV set in a very short spaceof time,” he said.Another resident, Johanna Ngomane describedher RDP House like a swimming pool duringrainy days. She said at first, she thought herhouse was the worst built RDP house in thecountry.“I later noticed some other houses around thevillage with the same problem. I lost count ofhow many complaints I raised to governmentofficials about the state of my house,” she said.Morris Magopa’s house is amongst those af-fected. He said his family suggests that theymove out of the house before the roof collapseson them. He said they spend sleepless nightsduring the rainy and windy seasons.

Magopa said is a pity that a person is qualifyingfor an RDP house only once.“If they would have agreed to register us for thesecond time, I would have gone to apply foranother RDP house and leave this one as it istoo dangerous to me and my family,” he said. Elias Motsoaledi Spokesperson MbusiMahlangu was not available to comment. Histwo contact numbers rang unanswered.

Frans Magopa inside his leaking RDPhouse at Kolofane Malaeneng Villagein Moutse.

2 DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016

The Students Representative Council caused adispute between students and management atSekhukhune TVET College CS Barlow Campusin Motetema. The dispute resulted in studentsremoving the college management from thepremises on Wednesday 16 March, followinga protest by students that started on Monday7 March. Students demanded that the collegeshould arrange SRC elections with immediateeffect. The college has reportedly operatedwithout students’ representatives for a periodof two years. Furious students budged into themanager’s office, Mrs Mphela, demanding thatshe leaves the college premises with immediateeffect. They then continued to other officesinstructing the rest of the staff to leave thecollege premises immediately. A student, whodoesn’t want to be named, told the Dispatchthat the problem started last year when thecollege management refused learners to electSRC members. He said the management is citingwith SASCO, which represents ANC in thecampus. The majority of students prefers Demo-cratic Alliance’s DASO and EFF to representthem. “We can’t rise complaints in the collegebecause we do not have SRC members. Themanagement is keeping on postponing SRCelections in the college and this is the reason weare angry. When we personally approach themanagement to lodge complaints, we are told tosend SRC members which we do not have,” hesaid. He said the school management recom-mended the sharing of seats in SRC electionswhile learners disagree and recommended thecriteria that the winners of the elections shouldbe in control of all seats in the college.He added that the situation has also badly

Studies suspended atSekhukhune TVET CS Barlow

Campusaffected their studies as some students did notwrite their final examinations. “Students whoare doing trimester did not manage to write theirfinal examination. I was also affected as I failedto write my first test on 7 March,” he furthersaid. He said they were told the classes aresuspended until 4 April, following the disa-greement between students and management.Sekhukhune TVET College SpokespersonAbicky Kgolane said the dispute is amongststudents, not between students and the col-lege management. “Two criteria, winners takeall and sharing of seats were recommendedwhere students have to chose the most suitableone. This resulted in a dispute between learnersfrom different movements in the college as theydid not agree with each other’s recommendedcriteria,” he said. He added that none of thestudents missed exams at the college. “Thecollege is operating normally at this stage andstudents are visiting to take their examinationtime tables as we speak. Students were told tocome back on 4 April because we closed forEaster Holidays,” he concluded.

Some of the staff members atSekhukhune TVET College being es-corted by students after they were toldto leave the college premises.

DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016 3

4 DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016

A suspected fraudster Caiphus Maelana (57),was arrested by the police for allegedly usinga Sekhukhune District Municipality letter headto try and defraud unsuspecting people mil-lions of rands. The suspect was successfullytrapped and arrested when he was trying tosolicit a bribe of R12 Million in return for a R305Million water reticulation projects from a civiland construction company. He was found us-ing forged appointment letters of the munici-pality to lure his victims to pay the bribe. By thetime of his arrest, the fraudster was on a missionto receive an initial payment of R500 000,00 fromthe unsuspecting representatives of the con-struction company scheduled to be handed inPolokwane. However, a trap by officials of theDistrict Municipality, SAPS, HAWKS, andother business people from Sekhukhune Dis-trict Municipality led to an easy arrest of thesuspect when he was trying to collect themoney. A case of fraud was immediately openedby the District Municipaity at Polokwane Po-lice Station. "We view this arrest as a break-through in a situation that has been disturbingus since 2009. The arrest of this suspect who isalso a civilian from our district will send a strongmessage of how we are intolerant of fraud andcorruption. We have so far opened three casesof this nature in Groblersdal Police Station andwe are looking for positive results. We appealto other victims of this scam to come forwardand confidentially brief us about this cases sothat we can get law enforcement agencies toapprehend these criminals. We are sympatheticto all the victims of this fraudulent activities andwe commit to support them,” said ExecutiveMayor of Sekhukhune District MunicipalityMogobo David Magabe. Magabe went on:“We are making a call to all citizens of ourcountry to refrain from clinching deals in thedark places of the night. We stand for account-able governance and clean administration,”Magabe added that all tenders are publiclyadvertised in newspapers, followed by openbriefing sessions. Selling of tender documentsto all the bidders and qualified bidders areappointed duly and appointment letters aresigned by Municipal Manager Mme Mokoko.“It can't be correct that a company can win atender without bidding fairly and openly withothers. So we request anybody who has beenapproached by these fraudsters to come to ouroffices in Groblersdal or contact the nearestpolice station.” concluded Executive MayorMagabe. The suspect appeared at thePolokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday 14March and was granted a R1 500-00 bail. He willappear again on Tuesday 19 April.

FakeSekhukhune

employeearrested inPolokwane

The police search is still on-going for threesuspects who escaped from Groblersdal Policecells on Tuesday 8 March. The suspects,Somandla Makarapa (22), Vincent Marutla (22)and Simon Chauke (23), were arrested in con-nection with armed robbery charges and housebreaking. “The suspects escaped from thepolice holding cells at about 23:00 after over-powering on duty police officer who went toinvestigate a disturbance in the holding cells,”said Limpopo Police Spokesperson, ColonelRonel Otto. Otto said a manhunt had beenlaunched by the police for the three fugitives.“The police appeal to community members tocome forward with information that could leadto the arrest of the suspects. The circumstancesaround the escape are being investigated,” shesaid. Otto requested people who might haveinformation on the whereabouts of the escap-ees to contact Warrant Officer Mokonyane on0799093352.

Manhunt ongoingfor escapees

A 37 year old suspect was arrested by theMotetema Police at Leeufontein Village in pos-session of a stolen police service firearm. Thesuspect was arrested on Sunday 20 Marcharound 14:20. According to the police report,the suspect was arrested after a tip off bycommunity members. “The police rushed to thescene after receiving information about thesuspect carrying a police service firearm. Hewas traced and arrested immediately and foundin possession of a Z88 9MM Parabellum with 15live ammunition,” said Constable BoitumeloMatlala, Motetema SAPS Spokesperson.Matlala said the police also recovered a policewallet containing a police appointment certifi-cate and also a POPCRU (Police Union) card.“The firearm was found with its original serialnumber. The suspect was charged with pos-session of unlicensed firearm and illegal ammu-nition. He will appear before the MotetemaMagistrate’s Court soon,” he said.

Suspect arrestedin possession of

police pistol

DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016 5

Residents at MabenaVillage in Dennilton,Elias MotsaolediWard 7 say a trench isthreatening lives oftheir children.The trench wasformed by water com-ing from the main roadafter the contractorsfailed to install stormwater controls toavoid the occurrence.The flood trench isabout 1.3 meters deepand flowing directly tothe nearest stream,which is about 1.5 kilo-metres away.Sometimes the trenchfills up with waterwhen it rains, makingit difficult for residentsto cross when goinghome after getting off

Flooded trench, adanger to community

members

taxis from the main road. Community membersfear that the trench could swallow their animalsof even their children who cross everyday tothe football fields. A resident, BusisiweMagolego told the Dispatch that they told thecouncillor that a bridge is needed in the area forresidents to cross to the main road.She said it puts lives of children who live nearbyin danger and parents have to ensure they aresafe at all times. “The ward Councillor, LucasPhala refused and told us the area is not yetformalized, yet some services are taking placehere. We are concerned about the safety of ourchildren,” she said. “The trench has been herefor years now and despite us reporting it to the

councillor, no action has been taken since. Thetrench is also dangerous to us adults, espe-cially at night when people pass by not know-ing there is a hole,” added Busisiwe. A commu-nity leader, Vusi Ndlela, said the municipalitymust act and build a bridge to ensure safety ofthe community. He said the deep trench isgrowing every time and will soon claim lives ifnot taken into consideration by the municipal-ity. Elias Motsoaledi Ward 7 Councillor LucasPhala told the Dispatch that he didn’t knowabout the problem. He said the area is not yetformalised but perhaps the municipality wouldhave done something if the issue was ad-dressed.

A community leader, Vusi Ndlela, showing the depth of thetrench that was caused by flowing water following thecontractor’s failure to install storm water control in the mainroad.

6 DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016

Three year old boy drowns in TafelkopA 3-year-old drowned at Tafelkop Mashitaneng Section on Wednesday16 March around 16:00. The toddler drowned inside the hole that is usedby his family to fetch drinking water.His father was still too upset to speak to the Dispatch. According to acommunity member who wishes to remain anonymous, the toddler wasplaying with other children outside when the incident happen. “He toldthe children he was playing with that he is going to fetch water from thehole. Unfortunately he drowned. The children went to inform his mother

who was inside the house watching TV at the time. She managed to pullhim out of the hole still alive. But unfortunately the young boy died whenhis mother tried to take him to the local clinic in Tafelkop,” she said. Sheadded that the unfortunate incident took place as the deceased wasvisiting his father at the time. Constable Boitumelo Matlala, MotetemaSAPS Spokesperson said that an inquest docket is under investigationfollowing the drowning of a 3 year old toddler in Tafelkop, MashitanengSection.

MakhuduthamagaLocal Municipality

mourning speaker’sdeath

The Council Speaker of Makhuduthamaga LocalMunicipality Mme Magdalene Mpilo Makalengpassed away on Saturday 12 March. Memorialservice to pay tribute to the late speaker washeld on Thursday 17 March where people fromSekhukhune District Municipality attended.The Mayor of Makhuduthamaga Local Mu-nicipality Cllr Alfred Matlala has highly praisedthe late speaker for her sterling performanceduring her term in the council. He urged every-one to support the late speaker’s family duringthis difficult time they are going through.Makaleng was laid to rest on Saturday 20 March2016. May her soul rest in peace.

Former Makhuduthamaga Local Mu-nicipality Speaker Mme MagdaleneMpilo Makaleng, has been laid to reston Saturday 20 March 2016.03.22

A cigarette transporting vehicle was robbed byunknown suspects on Wednesday 16 March.According to eyewitnesses, the victims arrivedin their delivery vehicle at one of the shops inTafelkop Village on mid-day. “They starteddelivering cigarettes as usual when a whiteToyota Quantum arrived and parked inside theyard. Two occupants got off the Quantum andapproached the victim’s vehicle. Suddenly bothvehicles drove off and that’s when we realizedthat they were hijacked,” said one of the eyewit-nesses who doesn’t want to be named. Headded that the Fidelity escort vehicle that wassupposed to be with the cigarette vehicle at alltimes was not nearby when the incident hap-pen. “The escort vehicle arrived a few minuteslater and tried to give a chase. But, the twovehicles were already kilometres away,” hesaid. He said the police were called and thecigarette vehicle was found robbed and aban-doned a few kilometres away. ConstableBoitumelo Matlala, Motetema SAPS spokes-person said a docket of armed robbery is underinvestigation. “Robbers managed to flee withboxes of cigarettes estimated to the value ofR120 000-00. No arrests made at this stage, aninvestigation is underway,” he said.

Cigarette vehiclerobbed inTafelkop

DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016 76

The annual Makanyoga Easter Challenge Soc-cer Tournament will be taking place this EasterSeason. The tournament, that sees soccer teamsfrom as far as Gauteng, will kick off on Friday 25March at Tafelkop Stadium.This year, a number of 16 teams will be battlingto win the first prize in this annual Easter SoccerTournament sponsored by Steve Makanyoga.With a joining fee amount of R1 200-00, theteams booked a place to take part in the tourna-ment. The tournament coordinator, Daniel‘Chukwu’ Mokwena, told the Dispatch thatparticipating teams will be coming from differ-ent parts of Sekhukhune and also from GautengProvince. “Participating soccer teams will becoming from Tafelkop, Dennilton, Monsterlus,Moteti and also as far as Tembisa in Ekurhuleni,Gauteng. By inviting teams from different ar-eas, our aim is to expose skills sharing amongstplayers coming from different environment,”he said.Chukwu said as it is a top 16 tournament, thefirst 8 teams will play in the Friday’s first knock-out where only teams will qualify to go throughto the quarter finals. The other 8 teams will clashon Saturday where another four winning teamswill qualify to play in the quarter finals. “Thequarter finals are scheduled to take place onSunday 27 March where four teams shouldremain to play in the semi finals on Monday,”he said. He said the tournament sponsors allo-cated an amount of R40 000-00 in cash and otherprizes are also up for grabs for teams andplayers who will perform well in the tournament.

Annual Makanyoga Easter ChallengeSoccer Tournament

“Two soccer kits, a big Trophy and medals willbe awarded to the teams that play well. Otherprizes are also going to be determined by themanagement when thetournament is ongo-ing,” added Chukwu.He called on commu-nity members to comein numbers to supportthe tournament asthey usually do. “ForR10-00, a person willbe able to watch thematches for the rest ofthe day. We appeal tocommunity membersto come with their fam-ily to attend the tour-nament as entertain-ment will be available,”he said. Chukwuthanked the commu-nity at large and allparties involved in-cluding sponsors fortheir support in theprevious years.“The communityplayed an importantrole in the past twoyears to support thetournament. We hopeto see them in num-bers supporting usfrom start to finish. Ourmain sponsor, SteveMakanyoga played

an important role in keeping the spirit of soccerhigh in our community and we thank him a lot,”he concluded.

Brothers FC is amongst teams that willbe participating in the AnnualMakanyoga Easter Challenge SoccerTournament.

Red Aces FC will also be seen with itsbright colours taking part in the An-nual Makanyoga Easter Challenge Soc-cer Tournament.

DT FC will also be playing in the tour-nament.

8 DISPATCH THURSDAY 24 March 2016

According to statistics, many young SouthAfricans are exposed to alcohol and substanceabuse. Activities such as sports seem to befading these days as a result of a large numberof young people’s engagement in doing drugs,drinking alcohol and involvement in criminalactivities. Some community members are stillconcerned and realize a need to bring backyoung South Africans to the playing grounds.A Jane Furse resident, Moshiko Matebane, isone of these concerned South Africans.Matebane organized a Sports Against CrimeCampaign that will take place at Jane FurseSports Complex. The sporting campaign willtake place on 16 April.“We invited local government officials to comeand take part by playing soccer in order to bean example to young people of Jane Furse andother surrounding villages,” he said.Amongst the invitees that will possibly betaking part in the campaign are; Jane FurseHospital, Jane Furse SAPS andMakhuduthamaga Local Municipality.He said they are also aiming at engaging localschools to come and take part as the campaignwill be continual. Matebane called on anyoneinterested to come and take part in the cam-paign.“In future we want to see a number of youngpeople joining us on the field as we will beintroducing other sporting codes. We want toengage as many people as we can by introduc-ing other sporting activities. We want to re-move young people from the streets in order todefeat criminal activities that seem to be in-creasing daily in our community,” he said.

Sports AgainstCrime

Campaign totake place inJane Furse

The recently resigned COPE Councillor inMakhuduthamaga Local Municipality DanielKaledi Maabane has joined Sekhukhune Con-gress. Maabane resigned as Ward 26 Council-lor and COPE representative inMakhuduthamaga Local Municipality onThursday 3 March.Maabane officially declared himself asSekhukhune Congress Political Organizationmember on Wednesday 16 March.Sekhukhune Congress leader, Pastor DerrickMosoana told the Dispatch that the party ishappy to welcome Maabane as their member.Mosoana said as part of the party’s commit-ment to the liberation of people’s future, theyhave committed to build a viable communitycentered organization which needs people likeMaabane.“His performance is great in the municipality ashe managed to bring to the party 430 out of 452audited COPE memberships inMakhuduthamaga Local Municipality. He willbe serving as engineer of this vehicle,” saidMosoana.Maabane told the Dispatch that he is happy tojoin the political organization with focus andstrive to serve the interests of the people.

ResignedCOPE

councillorjoins

SekhukhuneCongress.