DFA News 2021-05-14

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPOTER THE PORTFOLIO committee on health will visit public health facilities in the Northern Cape to assess the state of readiness of the roll-out of Phase 2 of the Covid-19 vaccination programme to include the elderly and persons with comorbidities in the Province as from May 17. The chairperson of the portfolio committee on health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said they would visit Seoding Clinic in Kuruman and the medical depot in Kimberley today. He said the committee would inspect whether vaccines were properly and securely stored and if facilities were adhering to the proper disposal of vaccine vials. “Also important is to assess the transportation plans for the vaccines especially to rural areas in a vast province such as the Northern Cape. It is important that…

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter SEWAGE is still leaking at the intersection between Mataleng and De Beershoogte despite R5 million being allocated by the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation to repair sewage leaks in Barkly West. According to the minutes of the site handover contract meeting, dated June 2019, a R5 million contract was awarded to MVD Kalahari Consulting Engineers and Town Planners (Pty) Ltd for the refurbishment of the sewage pump stations in Barkly West. Work was to commence in June 2019 and be completed by September 2019. Dikgatlong Local Municipality independent councillor Mently Bezuidenhout said yesterday that sewage leaks in Spitskop Road and at Barkly West Primary School had only been temporarily fixed. “The stench of sewage lingers in the air and is unsightly and unhygienic. It…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORTER ANC BRANCH members in the Northern Cape are heading to court to interdict the upcoming ANC provincial conference and to challenge the outcome of the Frances Baard regional conference that was held this past weekend. During the Frances Baard regional conference, ANC regional chairperson Mangaliso Matika was elected to serve a second term. Neo Mase was elected as the deputy regional chairperson, along with regional secretary Wende Marekwa, deputy regional secretary Mock Lehoko Mocumi and regional treasurer Nondumiso Buda. Rerani Mdludla Incorporated attorneys confirmed yesterday that legal papers would be served to the ANC secretary-general/deputy secretary-general, the ANC national executive committee and the national dispute resolution committee, as well as the Northern Cape provincial executive committee, ANC provincial secretary and provincial dispute resolution committee, on…

Sandi Kwon Hoo CHIEF REPORTER COMMUNITY members from Valspan and Jan Kempdorp have vowed to continue to protest until their pleas regarding poor service delivery are attended to. Northern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi said yesterday that the situation was “currently calm”. “Roads were opened after protesters barricaded roads in Jan Kempdorp on Wednesday and forced their way into the municipal chambers. Stun grenades were used to disperse the group. No injuries were reported. The police will continue to monitor the situation,” said Mooi. The protesters meanwhile distanced themselves from incidents of looting at tuck shops in Valspan and an incident where a store was apparently broken into at Andalusia Park on Wednesday night. Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul sent a delegation from provincial government to meet with…

Sandi Kwon Hoo chief reporter COMMUNITY members are manning the entrance of Umsobomvu Local Municipality in Colesberg and said yesterday that they will prevent anyone from entering the premises, unless council is dissolved within the next seven days. They indicated that high-ranking municipal officials who were implicated in acts of fraud, nepotism and maladministration, following an investigation that was conducted at the municipality, to be suspended and that any benefits that they unduly received be recouped. Community members are angry that, to date, no action has been taken against the implicated officials despite the investigation report recommending that disciplinary action should follow, while a criminal case has been opened by the EFF. “It appears as if they are being protected. We will shut down the municipality until someone listens. No…

Sandi Kwon Hoo staff reporter THE SISHEN Iron Ore Community Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) recently handed over 273 sets of uniforms to 15 schools in the Northern Cape as part of its Kanako social responsibility programme. CEO of the SIOC-CDT Vusani Malie was hopeful that the provision of school uniforms, would encourage pupils who did not have uniforms not to miss school and to motivate them to achieve academically. “The schools with pupils who are most in need were identified with assistance from the Department of Education. The school uniform project, is an extension of its annual school shoe project and distribution of female sanitary hygiene products,” said Malie. He added that this initiative served to restore the beneficiaries' self-esteem and confidence. “Some learners would stay at home simply…