Table of contents for 2023-07-07 in DFA News

THE NORTHERN Cape Civics Organisation (NCCO) will approach the court to overturn the electricity tariffs that were implemented on July 1. The chairperson of the NCCO, Ross Henderson, invited local businesses to pool resources and contribute towards the interdict as it would benefit the entire city and business community. “We will apply for an interdict against Sol Plaatje Municipality to stop the increases that are clearly unaffordable. We, as a collective, accepted the reality that the majority of our businesses in Kimberley have always complained about the tariff increases . . . but did nothing about it. Therefore, we have decided to go to court instead of just complaining.” He stated that under no circumstances would their members participate in today’s planned shutdown. “Our experience is that such demonstrations have…

AFTER years of drought, the Northern Cape was hit by torrential rains that caused extensive flooding. Floods in the Buffelsriver area this week destroyed roads, bridges and infrastructure, which resulted in approximately 10 000 residents from Kamiesberg, Nama Khoi, Richtersveld, Komaggas, Kleinzee, Buffelsrivier, Rooiwal and Vioolsdrif being affected. It was also confirmed that five people have died. The chairman and founder of the humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said this week that the Karoo Hoogland Municipality had also requested assistance for communities in Calvinia, Nieuwoudtville, Middelpos and Sutherland. “Gift of the Givers has been in constant communication with the municipalities and disaster management in the various regions,” Sooliman said. “They have requested humanitarian assistance from us and helicopters from the Northern Cape government and the South…

A BLOEMFONTEIN pastor, Lerato Raphael Mokoteli, was ordered to repay the Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSeta) an amount of R1.9 million after entering into a plea agreement with the State. Mokoteli was charged for fraudulent claims made between 2016 and 2019, where he submitted invoices for offering training and mentorship to a food garden operation in Kimberley. In a joint statement by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), it was indicated that Mokoteli paid R1.9 million to AgriSeta on June 15. “In March 2015, Mokoteli and Anthony Dywili fraudulently applied to AgriSeta for R1.9 million funding to provide training and mentoring for a food garden operation in Kimberley. Mokoteli and Dywili claimed that the application was a joint venture between Business Against Crime…

Strangers, friends, family – everybody is suckling on the teet of tribulation and teetering on the top of the tower of torment. On Thursday last week, the service station attendant – as he pumped the fuel into my car’s tank – was determined to let me know that my car was rubbish and he would never, ever make the mistake of buying one. As I listened to him, I was tempted to say that I was relieved that he felt that way, seeing as I had no intention of selling my car to him and walking home from the filling station. But the distress was not limited to the filling station forecourt. I was receiving distressing text messages. I was hearing from friends of rumours – just unsubstantiated rumours –…

Nestled in the heart of Kimberley, the Beaconsfield Park Bowling Club has, over the years, become a cherished destination for lawn bowling enthusiasts and a hub for community engagement. Officially opened in 1927, this club has a rich history and a commitment to promoting the sport of lawn bowls within Kimberley and beyond. Tecnically, Beaconsfield Park Bowling Green Club was founded on october 21 1926, at a meeting at the Halfway House Hotel, under the chairmanship of C Vincent Hartley, the then president of the Griqualand West Bowling Association. Situated just off Carrington Road, the club offers a warm and inviting atmosphere for players of all skill levels. The meticulously maintained greens serve as the perfect backdrop for friendly matches and tournaments, and the club’s facilities make for inviting social…

IN A HIGHLY anticipated semi-final clash of the Griquas Super League, Kimberley Rugby Club (KRC) left no doubt about their dominance as they demolished visitors Upington Dorp on Saturday. The game, held at the KRC grounds, saw an impressive display of skill and determination from the dominant home team. The hosts ran Upington ragged, scoring 11 tries and converting nine of them, leaving the final score at 73-11 in KRC’s favour. Right from the kickoff, both teams made it clear that they were not going to back down easily. However, it was KRC who drew first blood, crossing the visitors tryline just 10 minutes into the game. This early breakthrough set the tone for the rest of the match. To their credit, the Upington team’s scrums proved to be dominant…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of June 28 - July 1, and what’s on next week’s programme. Results for the week of June 28 - July 1 The Wednesday, June 28 John Dory’s sponsored 18-hole IPS was won by Chris Gordon on 40 pts on count-out with Siewert Wiid 2nd on the same score. Unfortunately, there were no results recorded in the Thursday, June 29 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options. The Friday, June 30 Flamingo Casino niner was won by Chris Gordon on 23pts. Second, winning the count-out on 20 pts was Parks Mashabao. William Wepener was 3rd also on 20 pts and 4th was Bernard Turton with 20 pts as well. The Saturday, July 1 Club Sponsored Bokkedag had Gilles van der…

A WELL-KNOWN businessman and owner of a local liquor store will apply for bail in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court today after being arrested on a charge of rape. The alleged incident took place in Hillcrest, Kimberley, on April 19, 2020. The accused made his first appearance in the Kimberley Magistrate's Court on July 4, where the matter was postponed until July 7. The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the accused was charged with the rape of a 38-year-old woman in Hillcrest in 2020. “The accused is in custody and the matter was remanded until July 7 for bail information and possible bail application,” said Senokoatsane. He indicated that the accused was the brother-in-law of the complainant and therefore could not be identified.…

SEARCH and rescue operations for missing persons are still continuing in the flood-stricken Namakwa District. Heavy rainfall during the last week of June flooded several towns in the district and resulted in many roads as well as bridgesbeing damaged. Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the police are still searching for one person who was reported missing after a vehicle carrying five people was submerged during the floods. “The police’s Search and Rescue team searched for five persons who went missing in the Buffelsrivier after their vehicle was submerged. They retrieved the bodies of four unknown men and are still searching for a fifth missing person. “The recovery operation is being conducted in the Schaap and Buffelsrivier area. Anyone with information regarding the matter can contact Detective…

THERE is an array of social ills that South Africans must contend with every day: poverty, endemic unemployment, gender-based violence (GBV), and drug and alcohol abuse are daily occurrences. In collaboration with non-profit organisations, Families South Africa (Famsa), Tshantsabane Alcohol and Drug Services (Tads) and LoveLife, Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore addresses different social issues in the Northern Cape, including men’s health, road safety awareness, food shortages and GBV. Gamagara and Tsantsabane local municipalities have been working with Kumba's Kolomela and Sishen mines since 2012. Kumba says it’s mission is to build thriving communities where it operates and the company has supported thousands of vulnerable men, women and children suffering from rape, loss, abuse and neglect. Kumba’s executive head of corporate affairs, Pranill Ramchander, explained that it is essential that…

ANGLO American said this week that the De Beers Group and the government of the Republic of Botswana have reached an agreement in principle on a new 10-year sales agreement for Debswana’s rough diamond production, through to 2033, and a 25-year extension of the Debswana mining licences, through to 2054. In a statement, the group said De Beers, its subsidiary, and the government of Botswana will work together to progress and implement the formal new sales agreement and mining licences. “In the interim, the terms of the most recent sales agreement, which expired on 30 June, will remain in place,” it said. The talks have been going on for a while and Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi had criticised the 54-year-old partnership, saying his country will not back down on demands…

THE KIMBERLEY Action Group said 800 community members are expected to take part in a “shutdown" today to call for the removal of Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni, Speaker Nomizizi Maputle and all mayoral committee members if exorbitant electricity prices are not halted. Residents will start gathering at the One-Stop centre in Roodepan, the Galeshewe circle and Shoprite in Colville from 7am, while Greenpoint and Ritchie residents will meet directly at the municipality. The organisers said the march, which would proceed from the Kemo Hotel parking lot to Sol Plaatje Municipality, would be peaceful and that no vandalism or looting would be permitted. Taxis and businesses have been requested not to operate for the duration of the march. An ordinary council meeting is scheduled to take place today at…

STEP onto the pristine green grass of a lawn bowls club, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a world where skill, strategy, and camaraderie blend seamlessly. The sport of lawn bowls, often associated with leisurely afternoons and well-dressed players, carries a rich history that spans centuries. From its humble beginnings to its status as a beloved pastime enjoyed by millions around the world today, lawn bowling continues to captivate players and spectators alike. The origins of this timeless sport can be traced back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptians played a rudimentary form of lawn bowling over 5,000 years ago, directing stone orbs at a target some distance away. The Greeks and Romans refined the game, introducing more polished spheres and establishing dedicated playing areas. However, it was during the 13th…

COMMUNITY members and unions are calling for the removal of the HOD for the Northern Cape Department of Education as well as educators and officials implicated in sexual offences. Parents, as well as the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), handed over a memorandum of concerns to the Department of Education on June 20. A picket was staged outside the Department of Education offices in Kimberley this week as no feedback was received in response to their grievances. A community member, Lash Oliphant, believed that perpetrators of gender-based violence were being shielded as the allegations of sexual abuse involving educators were being taken “too lightly” by the department, while the safety of children was placed…

WITH four people confirmed dead and one person still missing in the flooded Namakwa District, the Northern Cape Department of Co-Operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) has indicated that urgent interventions in the form of repairs to damaged roads and damaged houses and the supply of humanitarian relief have already commenced. Community members in areas such as Kommagas, Vioolsdrift, Rooiwal, Kleinzee and Buffelsrivier were affected by damaged roads that made it impossible for residents to move out of their respective towns. The Richtersveld area and the towns of Lekkersing, Sanddrift, Koeboes and Eksteenfontein, Soebatsfontein and Nourivier also suffered severe flooding. Coghsta MEC Bentley Vass said flooding has left many people stranded and unable to access health facilities and retailers for food supply. Vass said a Disaster Management Committee…

CASES were lodged with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Department of Basic Education and the Equal Employment Law Centre as pupils attending Colesberg Combined School are apparently being subjected to a bathroom ban during classes. Parents indicated that young children, including Grade 1 pupils, were only permitted to make use of the ablution facilities during break. “During break time there are long queues outside the restrooms and pupils miss out on the feeding scheme meal. For some children this is the only meal that they have for the day,” parents pointed out. According to correspondence, the school took a decision on May 5 that teachers should “assess the urgency” of each pupil, after cleaners complained that children were scribbling graffiti on the walls, stuffing toilet paper in…

JUNIOR miner Copper 360 says metallurgical test results have confirmed a high copper recovery and concentrate grade at its Rietberg copper mine drill core in the Northern Cape. Copper 360 is the only pure copper player on the JSE and was created through a merger of the Northern Cape copper rights and projects headed by mining entrepreneur Shirley Hayes’ SHIP mining company and the SX-EW, solvent extraction electrowinning plant set up by Jan Nelson to recover copper from dump material on the site of the former O’kiep Copper Mine at Nababeep. The group was listed on the bourse only about two months ago and shares surged by up to R20. When it listed it traded at R5 per share and this week the shares traded at R4.15 and had increased…

WHO WOULD have believed that tossing a ‘spike’ just more than two metres across a room could take you over 12,000 kilometres from home? Well, that is exactly what is about to happen for Kimberley’s Bradley Pillay, who is headed to Kissimmee, Florida, in the United States of America, to take part in the Dart Players of Florida League from August 17-20. Bradley, now 28 years old, took up darts at a young age, after watching others play the game. But ask anyone who has tried their hand at darts, it looks much easier than it is. But Bradley’s passion for the sport was ignited at a tender age while accompanying his father and brother to the De Beers Stadium, where they would engage in friendly dart competitions. Fascinated by…

BASKETBALL hit Bloemfontein with a bang when the highly-anticipated Under-18 national Basketball championships kicked off with an almost frenzied excitement as all nine provincial teams gathered to compete in this thrilling tournament. The tournament started on Sunday, July 2 and ends today (Friday, July 7), and thus far the Northern Cape teams have bravely displayed remarkable determination and heart in the face of some formidable opponents. In the girl’s category, the NC team faced a daunting challenge when they went up against the well-oiled and physically superior KwaZulu-Natal squad. Undeterred by the odds stacked against them, the NC Under-18s fought valiantly throughout the match. Yet, despite the effort they put in, they ultimately succumbed to their opponents in a crushing 55-14 defeat. However, undeterred by this initial setback, the NC…