Table of contents for 2022-10-07 in DFA News

UNITED National Transport Union (Untu) members employed by Transnet embarked on industrial action yesterday in demand of a 13.5% increase and a R2 500 medical aid and R2 500 housing allowance. The road leading into Transnet in Kimberley was barricaded with a burning tyre and rocks while entry into the premises has been obstructed. Untu provincial executive council member Lincoln Visagie said they rejected the employer’s offer of 3%. “We don’t buy the argument that there is no money in the fiscus to pay for increases. Negotiations started in April and a non-resolution was taken on August 25 where 29 percent of our members rejected the employer’s offer. The employer increased their offer from 1.5% to 3% on October 5.” An Untu trade union representative in the Northern Cape, Quinton…

SOL PLAATJE Municipality will issue penalties for electricity meter tampering and disconnect inactive meters. Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet said yesterday that the local authority had noted that a number of power meters have not reflected the purchase of any units over the past 90 days. “Users are informed of the decision to deactivate meters that are suspected to be inactive. Once deactivated, users will not be able to make further purchases. Meter inspectors will visit affected users to remove the meter, which will be subjected to engineering tests for bypass or tampering,” said Riet. She added that the affected customers would have to provide reasons why the meter was inactive. “If the meter is found intact with no signs of tampering, a new meter will be installed within seven days…

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Health has called for nominations for candidates to serve on hospital boards, community health centre committees and clinic committees in all five districts of the Province for the next three years. The MEC for Health, Maruping Lekwene, said the members that would be appointed would represent diverse communities and should come from the community structures, organised sectors, non-governmental organisations and churches to ensure the effective provision of health services to the community. “The candidates will attend to concerns raised by the community, hold community meetings, advocate healthy lifestyles and ensure a smooth interaction between the community and management.” He stated that candidates had to be at least 18 years old, be of sound mind and not suffer from any mental illnesses. “The appointed person should…

SOUTH Africa’s United Rugby Championship teams are looking to dominate Europe this weekend, with all four teams playing abroad in the competition. Taking the tournament by storm in the first few weeks, the only South African team to lose a match so far is the Lions, who lost their season-opener to the Bulls. The seventh-placed team from Joburg has since gone on to win their next two games on the road and kick off SA’s weekend in Scotland where they face Edinburgh tomorrow night at 8.35pm. Next up is the fourth-placed Stormers, who face Zebre in Italy at 4pm, before the Sharks face tough prospect in top-of-the-log Leinster at 6.05pm. The Bulls, currently in second place after three wins from as many games, then round of Team SA’s action when…

Max Verstappen aiming for ‘perfect weekend’ in Japan to clinch Formula One driver’s title Max Verstappen said yesterday that he needs “a perfect weekend” to clinch his second straight Formula One championship at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. Red Bull’s runaway championship leader can secure the title at Suzuka if he gains eight points on nearest rival Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and six on teammate Sergio Perez. That would happen if Verstappen wins the race and claims the fastest lap, or if he finishes first and Leclerc finishes lower than second place. The flying Dutchman is trying not to think too hard about wrapping up the title, despite 12 previous Formula One world champions having been crowned at the Japanese Grand Prix. “It would be very nice if it was…

RESIDENTS and businesses have braced themselves for the city-wide water shutdown that got under way last night. Residents have filled up their baths, buckets and pots and pans as they prepare to be without water until Monday. Sol Plaatje Municipality explained last week that the water shutdown from October 6 to 10 is needed to repair leaks on infrastructure that is 72 years old, where water losses of 60 percent have been incurred. The local authority said it will start setting up JoJo tanks and supplying residents with water from today. Many residents had already started filling up from Wednesday night “just in case” they found their taps dry when they returned from work yesterday. Several businesses are expected to close earlier today due to the water cuts. Residents and…

SOUTH Africa has submitted an investment plan to donors who have pledged more than R150 billion to accelerate the country's transition to renewable energy that could serve as a model for other emerging economies, two sources familiar with the matter said. This massive investment could significantly speed up the progress of solar power and other renewable energy projects in the Northern Cape. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed the proposal was ready, but declined to say whether it had been submitted. "A draft of the investment plan, which outlines the investments required to achieve South Africa's ambitious climate targets . . . has been finalised and will be shared with key stakeholders before it is submitted to Cabinet for approval," he said yesterday. Negotiators are racing to conclude the deal before…

DURING South African National Parks Week, which ran from September 12 to 18, a total 72,166 people visited participating parks for free. Under the theme "Know Your National Parks”, this programme gave locals with appropriate identification documents the opportunity to spend a day at a national park of their choice, for free. According to SANParks acting CEO Hapiloe Sello, the goal of the week was to provide all South Africans with the opportunity to enjoy and experience the beauty and majesty of our spectacular national parks. "We had over 72,000 individuals visit the parks during the focal week this year, which is 81% more than in 2021," said Sello. “National Parks Week strives to instil a sense of pride in all South Africans regarding the country's natural, cultural, and historical…

THE POLICE have launched a manhunt for four prisoners who escaped while being transported in a police van from Kathu to the Correctional Services facility in Kuruman. Northern Cape police spokesperson Captain Olebogeng Tawana said the incident happened at around 10am on Tuesday. “The four were arrested for a business robbery in Olifantshoek,” said Tawana. He did not give details on when they were arrested, and whether they were sentenced or on trial. There were also no details as to why they were being transported to the correctional facility. “Preliminary investigations indicate that the four detainees had forced their way out of the police van transporting them to prison.” Tawana warned the public that the escapees are deemed to be very dangerous and should not be approached. Any person with…

WATER tanks and emergency water supplies will be made available around the city for the duration of the water shutdown this weekend. Sol Plaatje Municipality spokesperson Thoko Riet said the water supply at Riverton and Newton reservoirs was switched off on Thursday at 6pm to allow the system to drain. “Repairs will be done on the pipeline and various sites from Friday until Sunday. Once repairs are completed we will start filling the line for the restoration of water on Monday morning,” said Riet. She added that emergency water supply arrangements were in place in all wards around the city. “Roaming trucks will distribute water in all wards, while JoJo tanks have been placed at various strategic points. Dedicated tankers will be made available at school hostels, hospitals and funeral…

Springbok women will look for scrum dominance over France in World Cup opener Springbok women assistant coach Eddie Myners is confident that they can dominate France with their scrum in their World Cup opener in Auckland tomorrow (3.15am kick-off). A familiar look The South African team has a familiar look to it, with only prop Sanelisiwe Charlie not a regular starter in the 2022 season. Myners, the Bok women’s forwards coach, said their set-piece will be a weapon against the physical French. “We have a very strong scrum and if we get the rewards for that, it will give us many options and we have the ability to upset France in that facet of play,” Myners said. “Our line-outs are also a dangerous weapon. We can still move better on…

IT was commendable that Safa secured an international friendly against world-ranked No.12 Australia, but it is regrettable that Banyana Banyana are not taking full advantage of the occasion. Instead of Banyana fielding their strongest line-up, red tape has robbed the team of players who have been earmarked for World Cup duty next year. Spain-based defender Noko Matlou and France-based midfielder Noxolo Cesane did not secure the required travel documents to England and are forced to miss the match. Paperwork problems Locally-based player Cynthia Makete processed her passport application late and failed to secure the required paperwork. Another key player missing on the trip is goalkeeper Andile Dlamini who has a family bereavement. The spate of withdrawals has opened the way for UK-based midfielder Faith Nokuthula to earn a call-up. She…

AS CITY residents endure another water shutdown, the Sol Plaatje Municipality has yet to provide councillors with a report on the work carried out during the last scheduled shutdown in May 2022. According to the DA, they are also getting no feedback on the costs involved. This is despite the use of contractors in May and a specialist consultant appointed to assist in an advisory capacity with the weekend’s shutdown. “The lack of transparency in respect of the city’s water infrastructure maintenance plan is of growing concern, given that no councillors have been made privy to it,” the DA said in a statement. “Given the endless water interruptions, nightly water shutdowns and additional 24-hour emergency water shutdowns on the 10th and 27th of September, Sol Plaatje cannot expect us, or…

THE SAPS held its annual Provincial Prayer Day Service at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Roodepan, Kimberley, on Wednesday. The service was attended by the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Koliswa Otola, and several senior managers. The day commenced with a procession of the SAPS drill platoon, with the SAPS band and the mounted unit, marching through the streets of Roodepan to the church. The opening interfaith prayers laid the spiritual foundation while the purpose of the day was delivered by the provincial commander of Employee Health and Wellness, Colonel Reverend Sello Colane. A message of support was rendered by the chairperson of the Provincial Community Police Board, Ephraim Homan, who commented that the community and the police will together “squeeze the space where criminals operate”. A representative from the SAPS…

IN THE Kalahari region, the spring and summer of the preceding two years were marked by two years of above-average rainfall, leaving everything lush and beautiful in the Kgalagadi. In the Kalahari, heavy rains are always appreciated. Still, they also bring about natural processes that, although they appear destructive to us as humans, are really just another organic process. One of the naturally occurring processes that plays a crucial role is fire. If not brought on by external factors, it is typically initiated by lightning, which at this time of year most frequently causes veld fires. Fires can be beneficial to the veld because they revitalise the vegetation by encouraging new growth, recycling nutrients back into the soil, assisting with seed germination, and reducing parasite loads. In some regions, it…

THE LONG road, open skies sometimes dotted with clouds, sometimes completely overcast, but mostly clear. The African veld with its varieties of vegetation depending on how far you travel from home … Oh yes, I really, really enjoy travelling by road. However, the main disadvantage of being the driver, as far as I am concerned, is that you don’t really get to take in the awe-inspiring, breathtaking scenery in all its glory. While passengers can gaze off into the distance and swoon at the beautiful terrain, you, as the driver, are limited to quick glances into the veld, forest, mountains or sky. I have never considered myself to be a “safe” or even a “good” driver. I always feel as if I am living on borrowed time. That is why…

PATIENTS at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, who were granted a pass out for the weekend due to the water shutdown from October 6 to 10, were informed that they would forfeit their beds. They indicated that they had been waiting for several weeks to undergo surgery where they felt isolated from their families. “We were informed that the backlog is due to a shortage of theatre nurses, a lack of linen, beds, resources and water. This is while the surgeons are willing to perform surgeries. We requested to go home for the weekend but were told that we would lose our beds and that we would be placed at the bottom of the theatre waiting list. There is no water at the hospital when the supply is cut by…

Results from the Kimberley Golf Club for the week of September 26 to 2 October 2 are as follows: The Wednesday OBC sponsored IPS competition was won by Jason Barnes with 37 pts on a count-out over Francois Richards also on 37 pts with Frankie de Nobrega 3rd also on 37 pts. The KWV sponsored Thursday Niner was won by Jock Robey with 25 pts. Second was Braam Botes on 22 pts and third on a count-out was Kevin Antill on 21 pts. The Friday Flamingo Niner was won by Jackie Beukes on 19 pts with Fred Wyngaardt 2nd on 18 and Shane Arthur 3rd on a count-out with the same points. The Saturday Horseshoe/Airport/Kalahari Lodge sponsored Medal/IPS competition was won by Andries Kori with the best gross of 69.…