Table of contents for 2023-06-02 in DFA News

THE BEREAVED family of an inmate who was found dead in his cell at Kimberley Correctional Centre this week is convinced that he was assaulted prior to his death. It is believed that there were no visible injuries on his body. This is the second inmate who has died at the facility this month, after an inmate was found dead on May 13. Sources stated that according to an autopsy report the first inmate was strangled to death while there was also evidence that he might have been raped. A relative of the inmate who died this week stated that Edward Bartlett, 36, was a mental patient who was waiting to be transferred to the Kimberley mental health hospital. “He was in good health when he was taken into custody…

HARD-hit city consumers will have to pay 15 percent more for electricity as from July 1. Property, refuse removal and water tariffs will increase by 5.3 percent and sanitation services by 4.9 percent. Sol Plaatje Municipality’s operational budget for 2023/24 to 2025/26 is projected to generate R8.8 billion over the next three years. This will be generated from service charges of R5 billion, rates of R2.1 billion, unconditional grants of R912 million and other own-revenue sources of R749 million. The budget was tabled on Wednesday with a few objections from some councillors who pointed out that cash-strapped residents could ill-afford exorbitant electricity prices. It was indicated in the budget that the basic charge for electricity was not charged during previous years due to protest action during the 2018/19 financial year…

ANOTHER payment has been made to the contractor who was awarded a R25.8 million tender to upgrade the Eagle Street and Legaeng pump stations in Roodepan, despite the site being largely abandoned for some time. The contractors had sought clarity from Sol Plaatje Municipality last week regarding whether the project would still proceed as workers were not paid. The R4.2 million payment was signed off by the municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, on May 9 in his capacity as the acting director of infrastructure and services. An amount of R500 000 was deducted from the main amount, to pay the SA Revenue Service (Sars) on behalf of the service provider, to assist them in becoming tax compliant. The acting director of infrastructure and services, Phetole Sithole, was suspended on April 24,…

Griquas know what needs to be done against Western Province THE UPCOMING weekend marks a pivotal stage in the battle for the coveted Currie Cup semi-final spots, as it will bring a bit more clarity to which teams are still in the play-off picture. The Windhoek Draught Griquas, currently placed seventh, refuse to be written off in the play-off race. Merely one log point adrift from the Lions, Western Province and the Bulls and six points behind the third-placed Pumas, the Kimberley kings still harbour aspirations of ascending the rankings. A potential upset against Western Province in the upcoming round today could significantly bolster their chances. The race for the coveted fourth position took a captivating twist last weekend. Surprising defeats for the home teams in Cape Town and Nelspruit…

ON A COLD 10-degree Celsius Tuesday night in winter, most people are home with their families, warm inside, under a blanket, taking shelter from the biting cold outside. But that is not the case for the Universals Rugby Club who find themselves out on the rugby field at the AR Abass Stadium, training in the dark because the stadium lights don’t work, as they prepare for the upcoming match against Douglas tonight. Tonight, under the floodlights of Douglas Rugby Club, Universals will take to the field for the 8pm kick-off, ready to give their all. Their love for rugby will fuel their every move, their dedication will shine through every tackle, and their unity will be evident in every pass. The 137 year-old Rugby Club, is a team filled…

Bobbie Alexander ‘Bobby’ 21 years old, born in Paarl plays at scrumhalf Previous Teams: Maties Young Guns, Maties Seniors, WP Under-20 and Under-21 and WP Currie Cup, Junior Springboks • What sports do you enjoy apart from rugby: I like to watch cricket • Who was the one person that inspired you: Definitely my mother! • Your biggest rugby hero: Aaron Smith • Your biggest sporting hero outside of rugby: Virat Kholi • Favourite movie: Lone Survivor • What type of music do you enjoy? I listen to a variety of music • Top three favourite songs: In My Life – Nelly, Lifestyle – Rich Gang, Can’t Give Up Now – Mary Mary • Droëwors? Biltong? Chillibites? Biltong • Water – still or sparkling: Actually, a bit of both •…

THE FF+ has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) regarding the non-functioning pump stations throughout the city. FF+ councillor Johan Smit said work was halted again at the Carters Glen pump station in January due to payment discrepancies. “Raw sewage is running into the veld as a result of leaks around the Petrus Street pump station, Gariep hospital and Hillcrest. The stench of sewage lingers in the air in residential areas including Hadison Park, El Toro Park and Carters Glen. “Only one pump is working at Gogga pump station out of seven that are supposed to be operational. Another shock is the Homevale wastewater treatment plant where only one section is working.” Smit said he was concerned that leaking sewage may contaminate borehole and groundwater…

EVEN in this ever-worsening economic climate, readers would be relieved (though some may be envious) to know that I still have a pretty fat wallet. Yes, despite all the pay cuts and rising prices of grocery, fuel and buckskin oil to keep my head shiny, people still have to take a step back to make space for my bulging wallet when I whip it out at the tills. Unfortunately, things are not as they seem on the surface, as that fat wad I produce each time has very little actual cash in it. All that fatness is simply my vain hope that an ever increasing number of stores, supermarkets and dealers are going to treat me a little more special. Sigh … loyalty cards! Someone please point me in the…

SIBANYE-Stillwater this week announced that it had concluded its first power purchase agreement and achieved financial close for an 89-megawatt (MW) wind energy project. This clean energy will be generated by the Castle Wind Farm, located near the town of De Aar in the Northern Cape. This will supply the mining firm’s South African operations via a wheeling agreement with Eskom. This will be the largest private wind farm constructed in South Africa to date. Construction of the Castle Wind Farm is expected to commence in June 2023 and is scheduled for commercial operation in early 2025, Sibanye-Stillwater said in a statement. The project consortium consists of African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), through its renewable energy project development and delivery platform, African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) and Reatile Renewables. Under…

Kimberley Golf Club results and a look ahead to next week’s programme Results for the week of May 24-27 are: It was another busy week at the Club. The Wednesday, May 24 John Dory’s sponsored 18-hole IPS was won by Barend Burger on 38 pts on a count-out with Bernard Turton 2nd also on a count-out 38 pts. Third was Zayied Suliman on 36 pts and 4th Phillip Maritz with 32 pts on a count-out. The Thursday, May 25 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was won by Johan Herselman with 27 pts. Second was Pete van Zyl with 26 pts and 3rd Keith Brown with 25 pts. The Friday, May 26 SAICE Golf Day was a highly anticipated and successful event. The 18-hole 4 ball alliance format…

IN A THRILLING basketball match held last weekend, the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) women’s team emerged victorious, defeating the Greenpan Wolves and earning their first win of the season. The highly-anticipated game at the Maloof Skate Plaza showcased the determination and skill of both teams, but it was the SPU team who ultimately claimed the hard-fought 48-16 victory. Fans had been eagerly awaiting the clash between these two teams and the Sol Plaatje supporters had reason to cheer when their team secured their first win of the season. In the senior men’s section, the Kimberley Super Bulls team also delivered an outstanding performance, handing the Greenpoint Panthers their heaviest defeat of the season. The Super Bulls dominated the game from start to finish and nailed down an emphatic 124-11 victory,…

THE LEGAL representative of a 34-year-old Kimberley business owner who is accused of the attempted murder and assault of his life partner and their two minor children stated that the complainant is the one who should be in the dock. This came out during the bail application of the accused, which has been ongoing in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court for the past two weeks. The accused is facing one charge of attempted murder, two charges of assault, one charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), one charge of malicious damage to property, one charge of providing a firearm to a person who is not allowed to be in possession thereof, failure to lock a firearm in a safe and one charge of being found in possession…

KIMBERLEY Harriers, a well-known running club established in 1969 and renowned for their commitment to community service, has embarked on a mission to fight hunger in the city. Under the banner of ‘Run Against Hunger’, the club raised funds and collected food donations for Kimberley Meals on Wheels, a local organisation that provides meals to 4,000 people each day from Monday to Friday. Kimberley Harriers Running Club has always believed in the power of running to bring people together, and this year marks the fourth consecutive year that they have chosen to support Meals on Wheels. The club’s secretary, Ria Janse van Vuuren, expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to assist such a worthy cause. “It’s truly heart-warming to see the Kimberley community come together to support Meals on Wheels.…

NORTHERN CAPE residents will have the opportunity to add their voice and input to the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, which aims to, among others, criminalise or penalise parents who do not ensure that their children are in school, allow schools to sell alcohol outside school hours, and give the heads of government departments authority over the language policies schools should adopt. These matters will be discussed when the portfolio committee on basic education hosts its public hearings on the amendment bill in the Northern Cape this week. The public hearings will start in Upington, at the Toll Spellman Community Hall, on Friday and move on to the Wrenchville Civic Centre in Kuruman on Saturday. On Sunday it will be Kimberley’s turn, with the hearings to be held at the…

FOLLOWING their grading held recently at their club located at the Kimberley Big Hole, members of the Kumgang Taekwondo Club put their skills to the ultimate test at the Uteg Open competition in Vanderbijlpark. The event drew participants from various taekwondo clubs across the region, with the club from Kimberley sending a contingent of 12 students under the watchful eye of their 6th Dan Sabunim Thomas du Plessis. The Kumgang students put on a remarkable performance across different categories and brought home an impressive haul of medals. According to Du Plessis, the students’ performance was especially impressive when gauged against the difficult competition and skilled competitors at the event. “These students showed true sportsmanship and excellent behaviour, winning three of the six trophies that were up for grabs,” he said.…

Diamantveld High School hosted Duineveld High School over the weekend. The schools clashed on the rugby and hockey fields. Here are the results from the weekend’s action. Rugby Diamantveld U-14B 17-24 Duineveld U-14B Diamantveld U-14A 10-0 Duineveld U-14A Diamantveld U-15B 19-14 Duineveld U-15B Diamantveld U-15A 17-14 Duineveld U-15A Diamantveld U-16A 58-3 Duineveld U-16A Diamantveld U-19C 62-7 Duineveld U-19C Diamantveld U-19B 48-12 Duineveld U-19B Diamantveld U-19A 30-15 Duineveld U-19A Girls Hockey Diamantveld Under-16B 1-1 Duineveld Under-14B Diamantveld Under-16B 0-9 Duineveld Under-14A Diamantveld Under-16A 3-0 Duineveld Under-14A Diamantveld Under-19A 1-1 Duineveld Under-19A Boys Hockey Diamantveld Under-16B 2-0 Duineveld Under-14A Diamantveld Under-16A 2-1 Duineveld Under-19A Diamantveld Under-19A 1-2 Duineveld Under-19A…