Table of contents for 2024-08-23 in DFA News

THREE Kimberley SAPS members, including a high-ranking officer, were arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit this week on various charges including fraud, corruption, forgery and defeating the ends of justice. The commander of Kimberley Vehicle Safeguarding, Captain Gibson Manong, was released on bail of R5,000 by the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court following his arrest on August 20. The charges relate to a vehicle that was released from the police pound in December 2018. Two police officers stationed at the Kimberley Magistrate's Court, Sergeant Shawn Everyday and Sergeant Pule Thipe, were also arrested by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit on August 19 on charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. It is alleged that the two police officers received gratifications from suspects in the holding cells in exchange for…

A GREENPOINT family has been embroiled in a months-long battle with the Sol Plaatje Municipality over the removal of a hazardous tree from their yard. The tree’s roots have caused significant cracks in the house’s walls, and the family is now worried that if the tree falls, it could destroy their home. Despite repeated attempts to seek assistance from the municipality, the family’s efforts have been in vain, even though the house belongs to the municipality. The family said that teams of municipal workers have arrived at their home on multiple occasions, only to make empty promises. Gregory van der Linde, a member of the family, decided to take matters into his own hands. He hired a private contractor to remove the tree. However, despite paying R2,000 for the job,…

The Suzuki Griquas delivered a masterclass in Welkom on Sunday, overwhelming the NovaVit Griffons with a dominant 59-7 victory in their Carling Currie Cup Premier Division clash. This decisive win marked Griquas’ third triumph of the campaign, moving them within striking distance of the top half of the log. From the outset, Griquas were relentless, asserting their dominance in the set pieces and showcasing their attacking prowess whenever the ball went wide. By halftime, the visitors had already built a commanding 24-7 lead, thanks to clinical finishing and disciplined defence that kept the Griffons at bay. Their energy and determination were clear as they ran in nine tries, including tries from Sako Makata, Marco de Witt, and the electrifying Connor Mahoney. This victory has injected fresh momentum into the Griquas’…

DIAMANTVELD High School is gearing up to host another thrilling edition of the T20 School Cricket Festival, and this year the city of Kimberley can expect the tournament to be even more spectacular than the last. The proud hosts of this burgeoning event will welcome cricket teams, supporters and enthusiasts from all corners of the country for the second T20 festival from October 3-6. With 18 schools from seven different provinces heading to Kimberley, the excitement is palpable. The increase in the number of participating schools underscores the growing popularity of this event with this year’s festival poised to surpass expectations in every way. The teams, hailing from Gauteng, Boland, Freestate, SWD, North West, Grens, WP, and Mpumalanga, will bring with them a diverse array of playing styles and strategies,…

IN A GESTURE of community support, Crazy Slots, a gambling company, made a generous donation exceeding R108,000 to Sunflower Daycare Centre – an early childhood development (ECD) facility in Colville, Kimberley. The donation included a brand-new structure, learning materials and groceries, and was part of the company’s corporate social investment (CSI) initiative aimed at supporting the daycare, which has struggled for years without its own premises. The provincial general manager of Crazy Slots, Aaron Pule, said the donation highlights the company’s commitment to community upliftment. “We tasked some of our staff with the responsibility of identifying beneficiaries whom we can assist as part of our CSI project. We learned about the challenges Sunflower Daycare Centre experienced with regards to not owning a structure where they can accommodate children during schooling…

IN A RECENT ceremony held at St Patrick’s CBC in Kimberley, a group of dedicated learners were formally inducted as Rotary Club Interactors. This event marks a significant milestone in their commitment to various community initiatives, including their ongoing support for the Helen Bishop Home. The learners, who have shown exceptional dedication to both their academic and extracurricular responsibilities, are now poised to make an even greater impact within their school and community. They are now required to complete a specified number of community service hours, after which they will be formally recognised by the school. Upon achieving this milestone, they will become eligible to receive their prestigious colours blazers. The newly inducted committee members include Ammaarah Bahm, who will serve as Treasurer; Kiara Manuel, who takes on the role…

WHILE tenders to organise and promote the Kimberley Diamond Cup (KDC) have been advertised and cancelled multiple times since it was originally advertised in 2022, it is uncertain when the next skateboarding event will take place. Bids were invited from mega-action sports events management service providers with “suitable experience and sufficient own financial resources” to steer the Kimberley Action Sports and events management project from 2023 to 2026. The latest closing date was extended until August 8. The project was earmarked to create 150 job opportunities a year and generate economic spin-offs for SMMEs in the Northern Cape. The tender includes six Skateboarding for Hope events in Kimberley, De Aar, Upington, Springbok and Kuruman, with the final being held at the Kimberley Skate Plaza. Six grand slam events are intended…

A GAUTENG-based company, FM Infrastructure, has been appointed to construct the Kimberley nursing college academic campus, while local contractors are adamant that they should be prioritised for job opportunities. The local contractors have asserted that despite being overlooked in favour of out-of-province contractors, they possess the necessary expertise to handle the work. “We also want to be involved in this R600 million project because work is scarce in the Northern Cape. We are struggling to make ends meet. This will be the fourth contractor on site, while sub-contractors are still waiting for over a year for the payment of outstanding retention fees,” they said. The nurses’ accommodation site remains unoccupied because a certificate of completion has not been issued yet. This delay is reportedly due to electricity supply issues caused…

THE UMKHONTO weSizwe (MK) Party in the Northern Cape has invited Grade 12 pupils in Kimberley and surrounding areas to attend free academic tutoring to prepare them for their final examinations. MK Party provincial spokesperson Mzi Mdunge said Mathematics, Maths Literacy and Physical Science classes would be held at De Bingo in Phajane Street in Galeshewe from next week. He added that experienced tutors – Vusi Ngobese and Sbu Ngcobo – would offer personalised tutoring and academic guidance, and assistance with examination preparation strategies and techniques. “Revision classes and tutoring sessions will commence on August 26 and continue until the day before the last papers of both Mathematics and Physical Science are written. A detailed schedule will be provided upon registration,” said Mdunge. Interested pupils can register by contacting Vusi…

WORK has begun on the R1 billion presidential housing project that is expected to fast-track the delivery of houses and clear backlogs in the Northern Cape. Implementing agents have been appointed to oversee the construction of houses for the project that was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Roodepan, Kimberley, in January. Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) spokesperson Tebogo Monyo said that 13 local municipalities throughout the five districts of the Northern Cape would benefit from the project. “Coghsta has appointed Iceburg Brunnel joint venture and Bigen Africa as the implementing agents to oversee the entire project across the five districts in the Province,” said Monyo. He stated that 18 contractors had been appointed to date and had completed site establishments. “Work has commenced in…

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s T20 School Cricket Festival, organisers were determined to ensure that the competition doesn’t become stale. In fact, they have taken steps to boost it above and beyond what was experienced in 2023. To keep the competition fierce and the spectators on the edge of their seats, this year’s festival will introduce an exciting new format and match regulations. The 18 teams will be drawn into three groups of six, with the draw set to take place at a special function on Wednesday, September 25, at Diamantveld High School. In a first for the festival, the draw will be broadcast live on Supersport, adding an element of suspense and anticipation as teams await their fate. To ensure a balanced competition, the draw will be conducted…