Table of contents for 2023-08-25 in DFA News

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - The two learners from Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School in Kimberley who this week represented South Africa in the Stockholm Junior Water Prize competition have been praised for flying the Northern Cape and the country’s flags high at the international event. The two 14-year-olds, Keolebogile Abrahams and Mahlohonolo Mosia, were among the youngest participants in the competition. While the pair were not among the final winners named at an awards ceremony at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre earlier this week, they were still lauded as “champs” for making it to the final stage of the prestigious competition. Keolebogile and Mahlohonolo were the national winners of the South African Youth Water Prize competition, hosted by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) earlier this year, and went on to…

A DEMONSTRATION was held at Luka Jantjie House on August 23, when student representative council (SRC) president Mawethu Yona was summoned to appear for a disciplinary hearing at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) following student protests. Five SRC leaders were suspended on August 8. They stated that they were left without shelter or food. “We were forced to sleep on the streets for nine days. No consideration was made for our safety,” they said. Charges against Yona include intimidating, being “grossly disrespectful” and challenging management and executive members of SPU, including calling the vice-chancellor “a small boy”; finger pointing and shouting the name of SPU officials in the presence of a large group; disrupting the academic programme; damaging the reputation of the university; and approving the action of students who damaged…

THE WIDOW of 35-year-old Constable Okaetse Mandindi, who was fatally shot on Tuesday after tracing a stolen vehicle, said she does not want to think about the details of her husband's passing. A weeping Kelebogile Mandindi said she cannot imagine a future without her husband in it. “He was my best friend … we were always together. We met in high school and have since then been inseparable. We were together for 17 years and married for six years. I cannot see a tomorrow without him. I do not even know where to start,” said Kelebogile. “I have not been sleeping or even thinking that he is gone. I do not want to sleep as I might just find myself thinking about him and realise that he is never going…

WITH all our modern conveniences, you’d swear that we’d be getting more done these days. However, that’s far from what we are experiencing. I remember how, back before everyone had microwave ovens and electric stoves, a host would churn out 12 cups of tea for visitors in what seemed like the blink of an eye, after boiling the water and heating the milk on the ol’ Welcome Dover. It was like all of a sudden a huge tray, with rattling cups and a steaming teapot, would be carried into the room where the company was gathered. This would be followed by the ‘tinkly-tinkly tink-tink-tink’ sound of the tea being stirred. But after that short pause the conversation would carry on full steam. And when it came to tea for the…

THE MALOOF Skate Park hosted a basketball tournament over the weekend, with teams competing in hard-fought, intense matches. The event featured exciting plays and close finishes, capturing the spirit of competitive basketball. The Sishen Cobras were the standout performers of the day, impressing everyone with their exceptional performances. They secured two convincing wins, first against the Super Bulls and later against the SPU first team. The Cobras’ skilled play and teamwork demonstrated their dominance on the court, securing their top position on the log. The Galeshewe Rebels then stepped into the spotlight, enhancing their chances for a play-off spot. Their match against the Greenpoint Panthers was intense and highly competitive, resulting in a 55-38 win for the Rebels. This victory not only solidified their position but also conveyed a strong…

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, as well as the religious leaders of the two Kimberley Flying Squad members who were fatally shot on Tuesday, sent condolences and prayers to the families of the two deceased police officers. Constable Okaetse Mandinidi, 25, and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo, 45, were tracing a stolen vehicle when they were shot and killed by a 38-year-old suspect. The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, said the officers had laid their lives down and acted selflessly to try and apprehend the suspect. "We must have appreciation for the commitment and diligence of our members who place their lives on the line to secure our safety. We commend the undertaking of the national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, to work hard towards…

THE CHIEF director of human resources at the Northern Cape Department of Education, Thomas van Staden, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week on two charges of sexual assault. The two complainants are also employed at the Department of Education. The sexual offences court was advised that the internal disciplinary hearing was not finalised yet, where the complainants would have to be cross-examined as there were differences between interviews that were conducted during the hearings and evidence in chief. The State requested time to make copies and go through 100 pages of transcripts. The legal representative for the accused, who is out on bail, Riaan Bode, indicated that the defence was ready to proceed. The case was postponed until October 24 as one of the complainants was not feeling…

THE HAWKS’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit conducted a search-and-seizure operation at Sol Plaatje Municipality yesterday during which two laptops and two desktop computers were seized for further investigation. Hawks provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe did not divulge any further information, other than to indicate that it was for the purpose of “gathering information/documentation to aid them in an investigation”. Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said the local authority was offering its full co-operation in the investigation. “It is still premature to divulge the details as these are still allegations,” said Riet. Meanwhile the DA, during a council meeting earlier this week, requested a detailed report into the breakdown of costs and the extent of work completed during the emergency water shutdown that took place from August 9 to 14.…

In a solid display of precision and skill, local prodigy Leané van der Walt has secured her place in darts history by clinching the mixed double pairs gold at the prestigious International Darts Live Tournament held in Kissimmee, Florida in the USA. Van der Walt, whose exceptional prowess at the oche has already earned her widespread acclaim, teamed up with the renowned South African master darts player Devon ‘The African Warrior’ Petersen. The dynamic duo kept their cool and utilised clever strategies to triumph over their opponents in the nail-biting final. Speaking about her experience to the DFA, the jubilant Van der Walt said that winning was the cherry on the top as her main goal at the tournament was to gain experience. “I really enjoyed meeting all the new…

For a remarkable four decades, the Kyokushin Karate Sako Juku Club has been a strong pillar in Kimberley's community, teaching discipline, self-defence, and self-improvement through martial arts. Led by 7th Dan black belt Kancho Lawrence Booi, the club focuses on nurturing local youth. On August 19, the Kyokushin Karate Sako Juku Club demonstrated its commitment to its young students by participating in a development tournament at Tetlanyo High School in Galeshewe. Sixteen of its own students participated, making it a special event. This tournament had a twofold purpose. It boosted female club members while also preparing all participants for a national tournament in Cape Town on November 25. The significance of this event goes beyond the physical aspect of martial arts, as it underscores the values of determination, teamwork, and…

AN OFFICIAL employed at the Department of Education in the Pixley ka Seme district office has to appear before the De Aar Magistrate’s Court next week after he allegedly impersonated a union official. A case was opened by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) after workers employed at the Smith Broers Paneelkloppers Quest Garage approached the accused, Ferdinand Bitterbosch, and were apparently told to pay him more than R35 000 to represent them at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). After losing the labour dispute, the workers discovered that he was not a union representative. The National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the accused first appeared in court on January 30. “He was charged with fraud involving R37 445 and was released on…

SOL PLAATJE Municipality has requested homeowners and occupants to allow meter readers access onto their property in order to read, install, inspect, relocate or repair any meter. Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet advised that if no access was gained for three consecutive months, the municipality would install a prepaid meter. “As part of a data cleansing exercise and revenue enhancement and protection drive to ensure efficient billing, the municipality will verify customer information. Notice of 14 days will be served to any person who is in contravention of applicable legislation and municipal policies. The municipality will disconnect the supply of electricity to any premises where the provisions of legislation and municipal policies are contravened,” said Riet. She indicated that property owners could submit their own meter readings, including photographs of the…

THREE officials from the Northern Cape Department of Health will remain in custody this weekend, following their arrests in connection with the alleged irregular procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders valued at R16.9 million. Judgment on the bail applications of the head of department, Dr Dion Theys, 56, the chief financial officer, Daniel Gaborone, 54, and the deputy director of finance, Victor Nyokong, 41, was postponed until August 28 in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Six of the accused in the matter were granted bail of between R5 000 and R50 000 on August 23. Nine people were arrested earlier this week on charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) following an investigation by the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Special Investigating Unit…

Kimberley Golf Club results and next week’s programme Results for the week of August 16 to 19 are: The Wednesday, August 16 OBC Chicken sponsored 18-hole IPS competition was won by Phillip Maritz with 39pts. Second was Muzapher Allie on 38pts and third Willie Delport with 37pts on a count-out over Siewert Wiid also on the same score. The Thursday, August 17 KWV sponsored 9-hole IPS with power play options was again won by Shane Arthur on 24pts with Parks Mashaboa second on 21pts and Andre Williams third with 20pts on a count-out. The Friday, August 18 Kidney Awareness Golf Day was won by P Salo with 43pts. Second was PM Salo on 40pts with Andries Kori third on 38pts. Fourth was Clive Korope with 35pts on a count-out over…

Kevin Nkoane primary school’s girls’ soccer team has been making waves in the local football scene. In fact, the introduction of girls’ football at Kevin Nkoane Primary School has brought about a transformation that is both overdue and remarkable. The school had not fielded soccer teams since 1959, making this resurgence all the more extraordinary. Recently, the team clinched victory at the Sol Plaatje Local Football School Structure, with the Under-14s sealing their success as overall winners and then the same team followed up that triumph by playing in the Under-15s division and claiming victory at the FNB Festival. A noteworthy aspect of this accomplishment is the emergence of the girls’ team which was initiated just last year but has already achieved remarkable results. The team captured the Sol Plaatje…