Table of contents for 2022-10-28 in DFA News

THE FAMILY of former ANC provincial chairperson John Block have indicated that they have been left destitute since his imprisonment, where requests for support for his dependants have fallen on deaf ears. Block started serving a 15-year prison sentence in 2018 after he was convicted on charges of corruption and money laundering in relation to leases that were concluded with the Trifecta group of companies for government offices in the Northern Cape between 2006 to 2008. An Asset Forfeiture Unit order was made to seize R59.8 million of the companies’ assets. Family spokesperson Kenneth Khumalo said this week that Block had requested to be transferred to the Upington correctional facility so that he could be closer to his elderly parents. “Contrary to the public claims of ANC provincial chairperson and…

YOU ARE aware of what to anticipate when applying for a position at a sewage works facility. You are aware of what you will see and, most definitely, what you will smell. On the other hand, seeing poop and smelling poop shouldn't be part of the experience when you go to a government building for help. Unfortunately, this is the daily reality for staff and members of the public who go to the Department of Labour in Postmasburg. Right in front of the building, raw, untreated sewage is seen bubbling out of a drain, causing sewage to build up and flow down the street. The sewage drain has been a problem for more than two years, according to a department employee. "The municipality would arrive to unblock the drain, but…

THE PROLONGED sexual assault trial involving construction contractor Hansie Galloway, which was finally concluded after a seven-year trial, has had a devastating impact on the family, according to the community group Optimystic Bikers against Abuse. Galloway was sentenced to a fine of R12 000 and a two-year suspended sentence in the Sexual Offences Court this week. He was convicted of sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl during 2014 and 2015. The family of the complainant approached Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services (SSS) private investigators when progress on the case came to a standstill. SSS private investigator Cecil Benadie said they assisted with the investigation in 2019. “At that stage, the case was pending for five years, while there were numerous delays in the criminal investigation. Werner Koekemoer and I travelled to…

I RECENTLY heard a story about a man, one of questionable morals, who found himself before the pearly gates. “Have you ever done anything of particular merit,” the attending angel asked as he scanned through the records for the man’s name. “Well, I can think of one thing …” the man offered. “Once I came upon a gang of high-testosterone bikers who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn’t listen. “So I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker. I smacked him on the head, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring and threw it on the ground, and told him, ‘Leave her alone now or you’ll answer to me!’ ” The angel looked up from the records, “That’s…

FOUR years after the devastating Kimberley shutdown, which saw the RC Elliot Hall in Galeshewe torched and the Social Centre in Galeshewe and the Motswedimosa Hall in Ritchie damaged, insurance payouts for repairs are gathering dust in government coffers. This is according to the DFA in the Northern Cape, which has called for community halls in the Sol Plaatje municipal area to be restored. According to DA councillor Eleanor Badenhorst, this includes making repairs to the Florianville Recreation Hall, which requires security due to frequent break-ins. Badenhorst said that it was discovered during Community Service Committee meetings that R3.7 million in insurance proceeds paid to the municipality are still in Treasury and the delays in applying this funding is concerning to the DA. "Construction costs are rising and Sol Plaatje…

THE SEXUAL Offences Court has expressed concern over the decision of a mother to return to reside with the man who was found guilty of sexually assaulting her daughter. The girl was seven years old at the time of the incident and is now 12 years old. Her mother was romantically involved with construction contractor Hansie Galloway, where during pre-sentencing procedures she had left for Postmasburg but has since returned to his residence in Kimberley. Galloway, 55, was sentenced to a R12 000 fine and a suspended sentence this week. Arrangements were made to allow him to pay off the fine in instalments of R1 000 per month. His name will be listed on the National Register for Sex Offenders and he will not be permitted to work with children.…

BECAUSE of the numerous collisions and extremely dangerous driving conditions brought on by enormous potholes and edge breaks, the R31 road between Koopmansfontein and Danielskuil has earned the moniker "road of death". Every time I had to drive on that road, which I frequently had to, I feared for my life because of how bad the condition of the road was. The huge potholes and edge breaks along the road forced me to swerve into the lane of oncoming trucks numerous times and I often saw my life flash before my eyes. Driving on that section of road began to feel like a death wish. But that has all changed since repair work on that stretch of the R31 began a few months ago, gradually shedding the ominous cloud that…

Rilee’s passion for Sydney reignites Proteas’ World Cup challenge Brian Lara named his daughter after the famous east coast town of Australia. If Rilee Rossouw has any more children he may well call them Sydney too. There seems to be something about the famous old ground that appeals to dashing southpaws. Lara, of course, struck his maiden Test century that morphed into a mammoth 277 at the SCG. On Thursday morning, through his talent and fearlessness, Rossouw added to the legend by striking South Africa’s maiden T20 World Cup century. It was a compilation of ramps, switches, reverses and uncomplicated power that lit up this buccaneering innings of 109 off 54 balls (7x4, 8x6). To put Rossouw’s dominance into context, he outscored the entire Bangladesh team by eight runs as…

THE BAIL application of the man accused of raping and murdering 11-year-old Relebogile Segami will be concluded in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court today. The accused, Itumeleng Machabe, is also facing a further charge of raping a 15-year-old girl. Machabe was arrested on March 31 after Relebogile’s body was found in the veld near the Northern Cape legislature. He was the last person to be seen with Relebogile. The bail application started on October 3 following various postponements due to pending DNA results and waiting for the case to be referred to the Northern Cape High Court. Machabe was represented in court by advocate Marcus Mafaro, instead of his lawyer, Chwaro Kgotlagomang, during the bail application on October 13 and 14, where the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Bonolo Masao, opposed bail.…

THE LATEST daily conservation tariffs for national parks in arid regions were recently released. According to South African National Parks (SANParks), conservation fees are discounted for South African citizens in view of the financially disadvantaged status of the majority of people and the contribution made by taxpayers to government funds. All funds generated from conservation fees are used for the primary mandate of SANParks, which is to oversee the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes, seascapes and associated heritage assets through a system of national parks. A community fund levy of 1% will be added to the cost of all accommodation and activity reservations. The objective of this levy is to respond to the diverse needs of communities as well as to design sustainable and strategic partnerships with various communities…

THE FORMAL bail hearing of a man accused of a drive-by shooting will be heard in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court next week. He was arrested following a shooting in Impala Road, Verwoerdpark, on October 23. A Grade 12 Kimberley Boys’ High School pupil, Amogeleng Assegaai, 19, was killed during the incident. The accused, Mbubanzi Zwakala, 48, appeared in court yesterday. The State explained that the post-mortem report had been completed on Wednesday and that bail would now be opposed as the autopsy had indicated that deceased had died as a result of a gunshot wound. The State on Tuesday initially did not oppose bail during the accused’s first appearance. The accused was arrested on Monday. The legal representative for the accused, Riaan Bode, acknowledged that the investigating officer was not…

A ST PATRICK’S CBC high school teacher has been dismissed following allegations that he sent pornographic material to a pupil. It is alleged that the educator sent nude pictures of his genitals to a Grade 9 pupil who then reported the incident. The executive head of St Patrick’s CBC, Craig Neave, confirmed that a case of sexual harassment had been made at the high school. “The incident was reported to me as the executive head. We immediately suspended the alleged suspect and reported the case to the police. The SAPS Child Protection unit will investigate the case,” said Neave. “This case is now in the hands of the relevant authorities.” He added that the educator was dismissed from the employment of St Patrick’s CBC following an internal disciplinary hearing.…

Checo can’t expect any favours from Max in Mexico Max Verstappen will be seeking a party-pooping record this weekend when he aims to beat Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in front of his passionate home fans at the Mexican Grand Prix. The 25-year-old world champion, whose triumph in Texas last Sunday secured the constructors’ world title for Red Bull 24 hours after the death of team founder and co-owner Dieter Mateschitz, is bidding for an unprecedented 14th win of the season. He currently shares the mark of 13 successes in a year with two Germans, seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, but knows another victory, especially at Perez’s expense, might wreck a famous fiesta. The popular Mexican, who has won twice for Red Bull this season – on…

Kaizer Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane, who had the privilege of playing in Soweto derbies for both Amakhosi and Orlando Pirates, recalled the halcyon days when South Africa came to a standstill. Zwane was addressing the media at yesterday’s Soweto derby press conference along with his key player Keagan Dolly. Zwane said people were talking about Saturday’s derby long before last weekend’s MTN8 semi-final second leg against AmaZulu. “Because people start taking long before the game (the derby), and many things start going through the players’ minds,” said Zwane. “Some players find a way to ease the situation for themselves by playing music. Some pray a lot, and I used to play gospel music to calm my nerves. “We all had ways of calming the nerves, and making sure we can…