Table of contents for 2021-07-09 in DFA News

Sandi Kwon Hoo SOL PLAATJE Municipality is the top contributor of irregular expenditure in the Northern Cape, with R258 million out of the total irregular expenditure in the Province of R810 million. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke, who tabled the consolidated general report on the local government audit outcomes for the 2019/20 financial year, said that three municipalities in the Province failed to pay Eskom on time, resulting in interest being charged on their accounts. The Province is in arrears to Eskom and the water boards to the tune of R1.2 billion. Gamagara (R135 million) and Hantam (R59 million) municipalities, together with Sol Plaatje, made up the top three contributors of irregular expenditure. Unauthorised expenditure amounted to R836 million while irregular and fruitless expenditure rose to R184 million in the Northern Cape.…

Benida Phillips WITH more than 200 police officers having lost their lives to Covd-19, the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, in partnership with the provincial Department of Health, kicked off the vaccination programme for police officers and support personnel yesterday. The acting provincial commissioner, Major-General Johannes Kers, was the first to get the jab and urged all others in his portfolio to follow his example. “We are hoping to vaccinate 500 members and support staff with this programme today (Thursday),” said Kers. “The vaccine programme is vital as we have been experiencing an increase in infections in the country and that has affected our service delivery to communities negatively. “In the Province, we have more than 30 000 members and support personnel. We unfortunately had more than…

Sandi Kwon Hoo THE SACP has expressed its support for its provincial chairperson and MEC for Health Maruping Lekwene. Lekwene obtained an urgent interim interdict last week to prevent the implementation of the findings of a public protector’s report that recommended that the premier take disciplinary action against him for the irregular appointment of the chief executive officer of the Northern Cape Liquor Board, Vincent Mothibi. He was the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism at the time of the appointment. Lekwene turned to the court, as he pointed out that the premier could only dismiss an MEC and not merely take disciplinary steps against him. SACP provincial spokesperson Patrick Bosiame said Lekwene had provided a detailed account and explanation on the matter to the party. “As the matter…

Dave Alexander THE BUS trip from Cape Town to Kimberley can be long; the trek through the Karoo usually drains the most seasoned travellers. But for the Tafel Lager Griqua team that were returning after beating a strong DHL Western Province team in their backyard this trip was different – they were flying high. This Griqua team had shown amazing guts and determination to beat the more fancied and stronger WP side 30-28 in a historical fourth round Carling Currie Cup fixture at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday. The win was the first for Griquas in 110 years. The last time the Kimberley team beat WP in Cape town was back in 1911. To put that into context, it was on June 18 of that year that John Weston…

Matshelane Mamabolo JOHANNESBURG – It makes sense that Pitso Mosimane should be a little conflicted as he anticipates the Champions League final on July 17. How can he not be when he is on a mission to break the hearts of his fellow countrymen? As coach of African superpower Al Ahly, Mosimane is tasked with delivering the “aleushria/El Ashra” – a 10th title – for the Egyptian giants. And winning titles is after all what ‘Jingles’ does. But the fact that he has to do it against a team from South Africa complicates things a wee bit. “There’s a little bit of a conflict,” Mosimane said yesterday as he looked ahead to the clash with Kaizer Chiefs in an interview with members of the SA Football Journalists Association (SAFJA). “I…

Reuters EUROPEAN football’s governing body UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against England yesterday over a laser pen shone at Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel during the deciding moment of their Euro 2020 semi-final. Television footage showed Schmeichel was targeted by a spectator using a green laser as England captain Harry Kane stepped up for a penalty in extra time to give the home side a 2-1 win during Wednesday’s match. The keeper saved Kane’s initial effort but could not stop the rebound which sent Gareth Southgate’s side into Sunday's final against Italy. UEFA said it was also investigating England over fans’ lighting of fireworks and disrupting the national anthem. Fans booed when the Denmark anthem was played before kickoff. Jeers were also heard when the German anthem was played at Wembley last…

Sandi Kwon Hoo AUDITOR-General Tsakani Maluleke stated that Renosterberg Local Municipality was in a “dire” financial position. The municipality was placed under administration in September 2020, while R5.5 million was spent on the use of financial reporting consultants. Income received by the municipality included an equitable share of R24 million and conditional grants of R16.9 million, while the total bank balance at year end was R700 000 according to the unaudited annual financial statements note. Maluleke said that they were auditing the financial statements of Renosterberg for the past two years. “The audit outcomes are thus still outstanding. The late submission of financial statements shows a lack of leadership accountability and a blatant disregard for legislative timelines and oversight processes. Without an audit, it is difficult for oversight structures to…

Sandi Kwon Hoo THE ROODEPAN police are investigating a case of pollution to the environment due to recurring sewage spillages in White City, Roodepan. Police spokesperson Captain Bashaobile Kale said a criminal case was opened by the DA against the executive mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality. “The matter has been handed over to the Department of Environmental Affairs for further investigation,” said Kale. Roodepan resident David Kok said yesterday that while the spillages had been temporarily fixed, the problem had started again and made the area “uninhabitable”. DA Member of Parliament Delmaine Christians said that 26 families were affected by sewage overflow that was believed to have been caused by a broken pump. “It caused unimaginable damage to property and disruption to their daily lives. This forced many of them…

Benida Phillips THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Education said yesterday that 9 067 teachers and education staff in the Province have been vaccinated. Department spokesperson Geoffrey van der Merwe said that more than 60% of teachers across the Province had been vaccinated. Van der Merwe assured staff members who are hesitant to take the vaccine that it is safe to do so. “It is understood that this is a voluntary programme, but we want to emphasise that it has proven to be safer for all those who have already been vaccinated. There are no reports of any adverse effects from the vaccine. This programme is aimed at safeguarding the lives of educators and support staff at schools and to limit their chances of being fatally affected by Covid-19.” He said…

Mike Greenaway DURBAN – It has already been dubbed the “tour like no other” and now the British & Irish Lions’ visit to South Africa has got a little crazier with the confirmation that there is to be a sequel to Wednesday night’s Lions’ match against the Sharks, tomorrow af Loftus Versfeld at 6pm. The Lions vs the Sharks Take 2 will replace the Lions’ scheduled match against the Bulls, which had to be called off because of Covid cases in the ranks of the Bulls. That had left the Lions short of a precious warm-up opportunity – they have only five build-up matches before the Test series begins on July 24 – so now playing the Sharks a second time is a case of necessity being the mother…

AFP COPENHAGEN – Denmark captain Simon Kjaer said he was disappointed their unforgettable Euro 2020 run came to a halt in the semi-finals following Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to England. “It’s been a fantastic adventure. I’m sorry that it’s now finished but that’s how it is,” Kjaer told Danish public television station DR1. “The support we’ve received goes beyond anything we hoped for. I’m proud but I'm also disappointed that we’re not going all the way to the final.” Denmark took the lead at Wembley through a brilliant free-kick from Mikkel Damsgaard, but Kjaer scored an own goal before Harry Kane hit the winner in extra time. “We played very well in this match. If we had been a bit sharper at certain points in the first half we could have…

AFP LONDON – Novak Djokovic can reach a seventh Wimbledon final today, driven on by the desire to capture a sixth title at the All England Club and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title. The world number one will be overwhelming favourite to defeat semi-final opponent Denis Shapovalov, the Canadian player he has already beaten six times out of six. Victory for the Serb would send him into a Sunday championship match against either Italy’s Matteo Berrettini or Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, the man who sent eight-time winner Roger Federer crashing in the quarter-finals. Djokovic is playing in his 10th semi-final at Wimbledon and 41st at the majors. None of the other three pretenders have ever got this far at the tournament. Only Berrettini has tasted the experience of a semi-final at…

Sandi Kwon Hoo DA PROVINCIAL spokesperson for finance, Fawzia Rhoda, said the latest auditor-general’s report for the 2019/20 municipal financial year revealed that Northern Cape residents were still paying the price for municipal incompetence and poor revenue management. She pointed out that 11 municipalities in the Province owed creditors more money than they owned. “Emthanjeni Local Municipality agreed to pay performance bonuses in May instead of settling its outstanding Eskom account, resulting in load shedding,” Rhoda noted. She added that despite cash flow constraints, municipalities in the Province paid consultants more than R97 million for financial reporting. “The money, which could have gone a long way towards fixing potholes and burst pipes, was instead paid in addition to the R184 million spent on salaries for financial units. “Renosterberg and Phokwane…

Staff Reporter AFTER temporarily closing the doors to all but two of Sun International’s hotels in South Africa during the Level 4 Covid-19 lockdown, staff at 10 properties around the country last week donated R160 000 worth of perishable food from their kitchens to charitable organisations. “The level 4 restrictions introduced last week made it difficult for us to operate, so we had to make the decision to close all properties until 11 July, with the exception of The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town and The Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha. But we are pleased that many of the charities which we support regularly, were able to benefit,” said Heidi Edson, Sun International’s Group Socio-Economic Development Manager. “Instead of going to waste, the many kilograms of fruit and vegetables from…

Sandi Kwon Hoo THIRTY-seven suspects were arrested on charges of illegal mining in Oubeep and Nuttabooi during a multidisciplinary, crime intelligence driven operation that was conducted on July 6 to 7 in the Namakwa District. Northern Cape police spokesperson Colonel Mashay Gamieldien said yesterday that a team, which included Crime Intelligence, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, the Provincial Operations Command Centre, Operational Response Services, Provincial Vispol, Springbok K9, Upington and Kuruman Highway patrol, Springbok and Upington POPS and the Department of Home Affairs, conducted raids in the Oubeep, Tweepad mine, Nuttabooi mining areas as well as in Port Nolloth and Kleinzee. “During these actions, 35 men and two women were arrested in the mining areas of Oubeep and Nuttabooi. They were charged for illegal mining. Five vehicles were also…

Boipelo Mere THE DA in the Northern Cape will raise its concerns regarding the decision taken by Sol Plaatje Municipality to block electricity at the next ordinary council meeting (OCM), scheduled for July 12. The DA caucus leader at Sol Plaatje, Christopher Phiri, yesterday pointed out that some residents who were up to date with their accounts also had their meters blocked. “The decision was an ill-informed blocking of electricity meters, which exposed serious flaws in how the institution operates. To aggravate the matter, these up-to-date residents have been left with a surprise penalty fee. This is unfair and must be immediately corrected,” said Phiri. “The metre blocking was stopped after it resulted in a massive gathering outside the municipality, and has exposed serious flaws in how the institution operates.…

Herman Gibbs CAPE TOWN – NIGERIAN goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi may be one of three players in the Kaizer Chiefs squad that have had the privilege of playing in a CAF Champions League final – but the only one not to have won it. The other two Chiefs players – both formerly of Mamelodi Sundowns who have Champions League winners' medals are Zimbabwean Khama Billiat and Colombian Leonardo Castro. These two marksmen formed a potent combination with midfielder Keagan Dolly in the fearsome ‘CBD' triumvirate, who left opponents powerless in Sundowns' slipstream. Akpeyi, the 18-time capped Super Eagles goalkeeper, was a member of the Heartland FC, a Nigerian side that played and lost to Congolese club TP Mazembe in the 2009 two-legged final. Now 12 years later, Akpeyi again has a…

AFP LONDON - Raheem Sterling said a foul on him that led to England's winning goal in their 2-1 extra-time victory over Denmark in Wednesday's Euro 2020 semi-final was a "clear penalty". The Manchester City forward went to ground following a challenge by Joakim Maehle after bursting into the Denmark area in the first half of extra time. Harry Kane had his spot-kick saved by Kasper Schmeichel but the England captain tucked away the rebound to send his team through to Sunday's final against Italy. "I went into the box and he stuck his right leg out, and it touched my leg so it was a clear penalty," Sterling told ITV. "It was a top performance - we had to dig in deep after the first goal we conceded in…

Reuters TOP SEED Ash Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the Wimbledon singles final for 41 years after beating former champion Angelique Kerber 6-3 7-6(3) yesterday. The 25-year-old will now aim to emulate Evonne Goolagong who won the second of her two Wimbledon crowns in 1980. After saving a break point in a nervy opening game on a sunny Centre Court, world number one Barty was supreme in the first set as her all-court game flowed on the grass. The 33-year-old Kerber used all her experience on the surface to hit back in the second set and looked poised to take it into a decider when serving at 5-3. But Barty got back in the groove and broke to love. Kerber's game went off in the tiebreak and…