Table of contents for 2023-09-15 in DFA News

THE CEO of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, Dr Alistair Kantani, has been appointed as the acting head of the Northern Cape Department of Health while officials who were recently arrested have been deployed, pending internal investigations. Seven officials were charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) relating to the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the value of R16.9 million by the Department of Health. The head of department (HOD), Dr Dion Theys; the chief financial officer (CFO), Daniel Gaborone; the deputy director of finance, Victor Nyokong; supply chain management officials at the Department of Health, Montgomery Lifa Faas, a director, and Siyabolela Booi, an assistant director; assistant director Goitsemodimo Piet Moseki and the deputy director in the nursing directorate, Elizabeth Dibueng…

THE NOUPOORT community recently celebrated the 100th birthday of one of its most cherished elders, Sara Thomas, who is fondly known as Ouma Fytjie. Born on August 23, 1923, on Arundel Farm close to the small Northern Cape Town, Ouma Fytjie has been an integral part of this community for more than 70 years, where she is lauded for her care and commitment to the lives of others. Noupoort Wind Farm generously sponsored this momentous occasion in partnership with the Inam Inkosi Home for Elderly and Sick People and the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa). The festivities included a hearty lunch at a local restaurant, a beautifully crafted birthday cake, a skilled photographer capturing the precious moments and thoughtful birthday gifts. Ouma Fytjie's life of selflessness and community building…

AN URGENT call to appeal and relook at the sentences handed down to five men who were convicted of gang-raping and assaulting an 18-year-old woman has been made to the National Prosecuting Authority in the Northern Cape. Outrage erupted after the Hopetown Regional Court sentenced four of the accused –Joseph Kasper, 32, Pieter Visser, 21, Elcardo Demas, 22, and Kobus Daniels, 32 – to 15 years imprisonment each for rape and assault. The fifth accused, Elton van Rooyen, 30, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for attempted rape and assault. The complainant said that the sentences were “a bitter pill to swallow” as they were far too lenient. “This sentence is just a slap on the wrist to the accused compared to the pain and trauma I am forced to…

INDEPENDENT power producer Enernet Global (Enernet) this week announced it had signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) to build, own, operate and maintain a 12MW DC solar photovoltaic (PV) plant with Vedanta Zinc International’s (VZI) Black Mountain Mining operations in the Northern Cape. The plant will generate 29 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, substituting a portion of the current Eskom supply. This will reduce carbon emissions by circa 12 244 tonnes per annum compared to Eskom supply. Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2024 and take roughly nine months to complete, it said in a statement, adding that the project would also generate direct and indirect employment within the Khâi-Ma municipal area and Namakwa District, both in the construction and 25-year operational tenor of the plant.…

AMIDST the relentless rhythm of balls crashing into stumps, wickets tumbling, and the graceful arc of every swing, Hoërskool Diamantveld (DHS) is blazing a trail toward cricketing greatness. The Kimberely high school’s fervour is palpable as they prepare to etch their names in history at the inaugural T20 school cricket tournament, poised to unfold on the hallowed grounds of an international cricket stadium. The spotlight will shine on this cricketing extravaganza from Friday, September 22, to Monday, September 25, as Hoërskool Diamantveld partners with Northern Cape Cricket to host eight schools from across the nation at Kimberley’s international cricket stadium, the Kimberley Diamond Oval. In a series of battles aimed at securing their dominance as the best school cricket team in the country, these nine prestigious institutions are ready to…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of September 6 to 9, and what’s on next week’s programme. Results for the week of September 6 to 9 are: The Wednesday, September 6 Konica Minolta sponsored 18-hole BBS competition was won by the team of Harry Welham and Jason Barnes with 44pts on a count-out over Barend Burger and Gavin Schafer also with the same score. Third were Zayied Sulliman and Fuhad Mahri on 41pts. The Thursday, September 7 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Kevin Wakeford with 25pts. Second was Zayied Sulliman on 24pts and 3rd Shane Arthur on 23pts. The Friday, September 8 Sealing Solutions Golf Day BBS Scramble drive was won by Kyle and Justin with 50pts. Second was Zayied Sulliman and Cedric…

COPE national committee member Pakes Dikgetsi has criticised Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul for purchasing himself and provincial cabinet members brand new vehicles ahead of next year’s local government elections. He indicated that Saul’s “out of the box” Audi Q8, which was delivered on July 17, was valued at around R2 million. “He also bought all the MECs new Audi Q7s. Upon taking up office he preached that he would cut all the frills, do away with red carpets, sell the premier’s residence, fight corruption and ensure effective service delivery. He refused to ride in the vehicle used by his predecessor. But he is now on a spending spree,” said Dikgetsi. “A leader’s actions must align with their words and promises to the people. They must have integrity and…

THE KIMBERLEY police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after a Platfontein man stabbed his girlfriend and then later killed himself. Police spokesperson Sergeant Timothy Sam said preliminary investigations indicate that the deceased couple - a 22-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, Lee-Aan Kgomotso Mutshavanga - were involved in an altercation in Platfontein that resulted in Mutshavanga being injured on September 8. Sam said Mutshavanga was transported to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley but later succumbed to her injuries after being discharged. “Upon hearing the news of her death, the 22-year-old boyfriend allegedly committed suicide,” said Sam. Both of them died at their respective homes in Platfontein on September 10. The Mutshavanga family meanwhile plans on taking legal action against the Northern Cape Department of Health as they blame the…

IN A HEART-warming ceremony that resonated with the spirit of inclusivity and progress, the Kenilworth Utility Company proudly inaugurated the Sam Goldblatt Complex yesterday. The new complex, comprising a state-of-the-art kitchen and dining facility, is set to serve as a crucial hub for Yonder, a skills development centre in Kimberley for adults with intellectual disabilities located on the Kenilworth Estate. The Kenilworth Utility Company constructed the impressive facility and handed it over to the residents of Yonder, where up to 350 individuals will have the opportunity to enjoy their daily meals. The complex's strategic location, nestled behind the residential units, ensures accessibility for every Yonder resident, making it convenient for them to access the dining hall. Yonder, established in 1966 by the Northern Cape Mental Health Association, has been instrumental…

RESIDENTS staged protests in Galeshewe and Colville this week after their electricity was blocked, while they stated that the annual municipal games event that was attended by councillors amounted to frivolous expenditure. EFF chief whip Thandeka Landella said that communities were shown no mercy while they were still struggling to obtain their social grant payments due to a number of delays and technical glitches. “The community is willing to pay but they do not have the money. They have been plunged into darkness for over a week. The municipality should grant a reprieve until the South African Social Security Agency rectifies its mistakes,” said Landella. ANC regional secretary Wende Marekwa indicated that a decision was taken last week that ANC councillors in the Frances Baard District should not participate in…

THIS PAST weekend, the Saints men’s team and the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) women were crowned Senior League hockey champions after each team doggedly fought their way to their respective titles and the honour of having bragging rights as champions for a year. The highly-anticipated Senior League Hockey play-offs got under way at the Cassandra Astro Turf, setting the stage for thrilling encounters between the league’s top contenders. Fans turned up in their numbers and eagerly watched as the men’s and women’s teams battled it out to claim the coveted titles on offer. In the first women’s semi-final clash, Protea Hockey Club and SPU were engaged in a fierce on-field contest, with SPU emerging victorious with a 6-3 scoreline. The second women’s semi-final featured a close duel between William Pescod…

Northern Cape Bowls is preparing to compete in the highly anticipated 2023 Bowls South Africa Under-30 Inter District Championship. This esteemed event, sanctioned by Bowls South Africa and hosted at the prestigious Klerksdorp Bowling Club by North West Bowls, promises an exciting display of emerging bowling talent from across the country. Two formidable teams are gearing up for top-tier competition. Team one, led by the shrewd Charles Peter Mathewson, includes Driaan van Niekerk, Charl Labuschagne, and Andrei Matthee. The second team, captained by Skip Le Roux Fourie, features the formidable talents of Japie Steyn, Danie Herholdt, and Janet Brand, with the seasoned guidance of Team Manager René van Niekerk. In 2018, NC Bowls secured the coveted Under-30 Inter District Championship title, and now in 2023, they are hoping to bring…

MEMBERS of the Central Northern Cape Business Forum were left waiting in the cold after they marched to the Premier’s Office to hand over a memorandum to Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul pertaining to racial discrimination and “jobs for friends” on September 12. A march took place from the civic centre in Kimberley and they arrived at the premier’s new offices at the Derek Corns building shortly before 11am, where they were informed that the premier was at the Northern Cape provincial legislature. The chairperson of the Central Northern Cape Business Forum, Graham Ross, stated that they were told that the premier would avail himself at noon. “We waited until 2pm and then decided to leave. It was disrespectful to make us wait for three hours. We handed a…

LONGLANDS community members are demanding that a road improvement project in the Dikgatlong municipal area be stopped due to the alleged unfair recruitment of workers. EFF members alleged that the ward councillor had only employed ANC members on the project. “We were told that if we don’t vote for the ANC then we will not be hired. This is not an ANC project - it belongs to the government,” the angry community members said. Stun grenades were fired on the R31 near Barkly West on September 11 after the road was blockaded with rocks, while the Dikgatlong mayor’s house was stoned that evening. The protest was redirected from the R31 back into Longlands after a meeting was arranged by the municipal manager to meet with representatives from the EFF and…

THE POLICE have opened an inquest into the death of a pedestrian whose body was found next to the train tracks near Cassandra in Kimberley this week. It is believed that the unidentified man was killed after he was hit by a moving train on September 11 at around 10pm. Police Sergeant Timothy Sam said the deceased was an unknown male who was estimated to be between the ages of 50 and 60 years old. “The police are investigating the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident. The identity of the deceased is at this stage unknown and the police are requesting the public who may be missing a male family member to contact the investigating officer, Detective Constable John Ross Webb, at 069 703 9826 or 08600 10111 or…

ROADS in Colville and Floors were closed off to traffic yesterday morning during a service delivery protest, while rubber bullets were fired in St Peter’s Road. Pupils at Endeavour Primary School were dismissed early due to safety concerns. Former councillor Martin le Grange gave the Sol Plaatje executive mayor, Kagisho Sonyoni, 48 hours to respond to the community’s grievances, failing which he warned that Colville and Floors would come to a complete standstill. The community became rowdy when Sonyoni told them that they should wait nine weeks for the implementation of service delivery programmes. He indicated that 55 shacks in Colville would be electrified and took strong offence to allegations that he was “a puppet on a string” and that he was being controlled by the ANC regional chairperson, Mangaliso…

BOY OH boy, do I have a buttload of useless trivia for you this weekend? As the week unfolded, I thought to myself, “Look, it’s the Rugby World Cup, so no one is reading the newspaper anyway, are they?” But if you are, congratulations. But may I also ask why you are not watching the rugby? Anyway, all that aside, how about that useless trivia I promised? Firstly, the ‘core myth’. Did you know that the long-held belief that you should eat an apple but discard the core is wrong? The next time you eat an apple, take the time to slice the fruit into thin slices across. You will find that if you cut five millimetre slices you will not find a ‘core’. At one point you will see…

Excitement is reaching fever pitch among cricket enthusiasts in the Northern Cape as the Northern Cape Heat cricket team braces for an epic showdown tomorrow, at 10am on their home turf. In a clash of titans, the Heat will go head-to-head with the formidable Limpopo Impalas in their opening CSA One-day Cup clash at the Kimberley Oval. The Kimberley-based team’s camp is abuzz with anticipation, and both teams’ supporters are holding their breath for what promises to be a scintillating start to the season. Head coach for the NC Heat, Mark Charlton, has expressed his confidence in the team’s readiness for the upcoming clash. With a determined glint in his eye, Charlton told the DFA, “The boys have really trained hard these past weeks in preparation for their first game…

The sleepy town of Ulco, hidden away just 80 kilometres northwest of Kimberley along the R31, underwent a remarkable metamorphosis this past weekend. The town evolved into an adrenaline-charged utopia for mountain biking fanatics as the 19th Tour de Ghaap Ultra Mountain Bike Race, orchestrated by the awe-inspiring Berg Farmers Association, unleashed its thrilling might upon the rugged landscape. With September 9 and 10, etched into the annals of history, Ulco played host to an electrifying spectacle that had both pedal-pushing heroes and spellbound spectators at the edge of their seats. Two action-packed days of heart-pounding thrills and spills awaited those brave enough to venture into the heart of this mountain biking marvel. The Tour de Ghaap is not just a race; it's a family experience that pushes riders to…