expresses 20141119

8
TEL: 057 357 1304 WEDNESDAY 19-21 NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.EXPRESS-NEWS.CO.ZA FREE HET U KONTANT NODIG? HET U KONTANT NODIG? BENODIG VOERTUIG? BENODIG VOERTUIG? FAX VOLGENDE: *PAY SLIPS *INDENTITEITSDOKUMENT *BEWYS VAN ADRES * 3 MAANDE BANKSTATE *RYBEWYS INDIEN NODIG Skakel: Hanlie 082 356 4343 of Zelda 079 133 1188 Faks: 086 226 3285 E-mail: [email protected] BENODIG VOERTUIG? MOTOR FINANSIERING X1PEFCU6-ES191114 ADCOL DEBT ADVISORS ADCOL DEBT ADVISORS O patala ka Moo o kgonang ka teng. O patala ka Moo o kgonang ka teng. NCR De NCR Debt Counselling no bt Counselling no wa wavaila vailable ble Do you battle to pay your accounts?? Are there deductions against your salary for debt??? Do you battle to pay your accounts?? Are there deductions against your salary for debt??? We can help you with your debt - just bring your payslip, ID and all the statements of your debt. We can help you with your debt - just bring your payslip, ID and all the statements of your debt. COME AND VISIT US T COME AND VISIT US T ODAY. ODAY. One installment for all your debt!!! One installment for all your debt!!! NOW OPEN ON SATURDAYS NOW OPEN ON SATURDAYS O sala o se na letho ha kgewdi e fedile?? Re ka o thusa ka tsietsi ena. Re etele kapa o re letsetse. Re hloka payslip, ID le mangolo ohle a dikoloto tsahao. Na o nale mathata a ho patala dikoloto tsa hao?? Ho nale batho hulang ho tswa mogolong wa hao?? Odendaalsrus: Bloemfontein: Welkom: Botshabelo: Thaba Nchu: 057 354 3892 051 447 7864 057 352 7360 051 534 2004 051 873 2992 Lydia: Disebo: Thabo: Phenyo: 074 637 6557 071 987 3986 074 382 5725 078 773 1818 X1PFEU69-ES191114 } Teboho Setena LT GEN. THABETHE MPEMBE, Free State police commissioner, has called for a complete shutdown of dysfunctional mine shafts in the Goldfields, as well as the tightening of security at such shafts. He expressed these strong sentiments last Tuesday at the media briefing in Welkom following the police’s intensive anti-illicit gold crackdown which resulted in the busting of about 38 illegal gold dealers. The suspects were arrested in the Gold- fields towns of Welkom, Virginia and Odendaalsrus by the joint task team compris- ing Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team, as well as the Mining Industry and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. The suspects, some of whom have been identified as foreigners from Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe, began appearing in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court last Thurs- day. They are facing charges of illegally dealing in gold. “What needs to be done, is to completely close down unused mine shafts and beef-up security there, as some people have been requesting. These shafts are a fertile ground for criminals and elicit gold syndicates,” Mpembe said. “Integrated forces that will include the Department of Mineral Resources and local municipality, as well as the police, have to come together in closing down these shafts and also demolish all unoccupied mine hostels which are used to harbour criminals and illegal gold dealers. “We are confident we are making signifi- cant progress in dealing with the challenge of illicit gold mining in the region.” Mpembe said the busting of 38 suspected gold dealers, including underground diggers, was a breakthrough in curbing illicit gold that has also seen police officers involved. The arrest of the suspected illegal gold dealers was preceded by the busting of 25 people, which included 19 police officers and 6 civilians in the Goldfields town mid-Sep- tember. They are facing charges ranging from corruption to money laundering. Mpembe attributes the success in arrests to the ability of the anti-crime system of the law enforcement agencies. “The arrest of civilians, illegal gold dealers’ syndicates and members of the police who we believe have been colluding in illicit gold crimes is an indication that we have improved ways of detecting criminals. “We are improving in all methods of investigation and use of technology to break into the sophisticated methods of crime syndicates. We are very confident that we are going to get to the bottom of illicit gold mining and dealing in the Free State. It is a fact that crime syndicates use sophisticated means too in their mission. “The police have further clammed down on suspected illegal gold dealers, impounding their various luxury vehicles, some of which are believed to have been utilized in the transit of gold and purchased with cash generated from elicit gold transactions.” Butana Komphela, MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, said they were gunning for the kingpins. “More arrests will follow. The public will see what luxurious lives these people live in their houses when the Asset Forfeiture Unit confiscates their assets,” said Komphela. ‘Close these shafts down’ Mpembe lauds strides made in curbing illicit gold dealing CRACKDOWN: Representatives of the Free State police law enforcement are from the left Butana Komphela, MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Lt Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, Free State police commissioner, and Maj. Gen. Lerato Molale, Thabong Cluster commander. Here they are inspecting impounded vehicles of suspected gold dealers at the Virginia pound. Photo: Teboho Setena For more photos and news visit www.express-news.co.za

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Page 1: Expresses 20141119

TEL: 057 357 1304 WEDNESDAY 19­21 NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.EXPRESS­NEWS.CO.ZA FREE

HET U KONTANT NODIG?HET U KONTANT NODIG?

BENODIG VOERTUIG?BENODIG VOERTUIG?FAX VOLGENDE:*PAY SLIPS*INDENTITEITSDOKUMENT*BEWYS VAN ADRES* 3 MAANDE BANKSTATE*RYBEWYS INDIEN NODIG

Skakel: Hanlie 082 356 4343 ofZelda 079 133 1188 Faks: 086 226 3285

E-mail: [email protected]

BENODIG VOERTUIG?MOTOR FINANSIERING

X1PEFCU6-ES191114

ADCOL DEBT ADVISORSADCOL DEBT ADVISORS

O patala kaMoo o kgonang ka teng.O patala kaMoo o kgonang ka teng.

NCR DeNCR Debt Counselling nobt Counselling now aw availavailablebleDo you battle to pay your accounts?? Are there deductions against your salary for debt???Do you battle to pay your accounts?? Are there deductions against your salary for debt???

We can help you with your debt - just bring your payslip, ID and all the statements of your debt.We can help you with your debt - just bring your payslip, ID and all the statements of your debt.COME AND VISIT US TCOME AND VISIT US TODAY.ODAY.

One installment for all your debt!!!One installment for all your debt!!!

NOW OPEN ON SATURDAYSNOW OPEN ON SATURDAYS

O sala o se na letho ha kgewdi e fedile??Re ka o thusa ka tsietsi ena.

Re etele kapa o re letsetse. Re hloka payslip,ID le mangolo ohle a dikoloto tsahao.

Na o nale mathata a ho patala dikoloto tsa hao?? Ho nale batho hulang ho tswa mogolong wa hao??Odendaalsrus:Bloemfontein:

Welkom:Botshabelo:Thaba Nchu:

057 354 3892051 447 7864057 352 7360051 534 2004051 873 2992

Lydia:Disebo:Thabo:Phenyo:

074 637 6557071 987 3986074 382 5725078 773 1818

X1PFEU69-ES191114

} Teboho Setena

LT GEN. THABETHE MPEMBE, Free Statepolice commissioner, has called for acomplete shutdown of dysfunctional mineshafts in the Goldfields, as well as thetightening of security at such shafts.

He expressed these strong sentiments lastTuesday at the media briefing in Welkomfollowing the police’s intensive anti-illicitgold crackdown which resulted in thebusting of about 38 illegal gold dealers.

The suspects were arrested in the Gold-fields towns of Welkom, Virginia andOdendaalsrus by the joint task team compris-ing Crime Intelligence, the Tactical ResponseTeam, as well as the Mining Industry andDirectorate for Priority Crime Investigation(DPCI), also known as the Hawks.

The suspects, some of whom have beenidentified as foreigners from Mozambique,Zambia and Zimbabwe, began appearing inthe Welkom Magistrate’s Court last Thurs-day. They are facing charges of illegallydealing in gold.

“What needs to be done, is to completelyclose down unused mine shafts and beef-upsecurity there, as some people have beenrequesting. These shafts are a fertile groundfor criminals and elicit gold syndicates,”Mpembe said.

“Integrated forces that will include theDepartment of Mineral Resources and localmunicipality, as well as the police, have tocome together in closing down these shaftsand also demolish all unoccupied minehostels which are used to harbour criminalsand illegal gold dealers.

“We are confident we are making signifi-cant progress in dealing with the challengeof illicit gold mining in the region.”

Mpembe said the busting of 38 suspectedgold dealers, including underground diggers,was a breakthrough in curbing illicit goldthat has also seen police officers involved.

The arrest of the suspected illegal golddealers was preceded by the busting of 25people, which included 19 police officers and6 civilians in the Goldfields town mid-Sep-tember. They are facing charges rangingfrom corruption to money laundering.

Mpembe attributes the success in arreststo the ability of the anti-crime system of thelaw enforcement agencies.

“The arrest of civilians, illegal golddealers’ syndicates and members of thepolice who we believe have been colluding inillicit gold crimes is an indication that wehave improved ways of detecting criminals.

“We are improving in all methods ofinvestigation and use of technology to breakinto the sophisticated methods of crimesyndicates. We are very confident that weare going to get to the bottom of illicit goldmining and dealing in the Free State. It is afact that crime syndicates use sophisticated

means too in their mission.“The police have further clammed down on

suspected illegal gold dealers, impoundingtheir various luxury vehicles, some of whichare believed to have been utilized in thetransit of gold and purchased with cashgenerated from elicit gold transactions.”

Butana Komphela, MEC for Police, Roadsand Transport, said they were gunning forthe kingpins.

“More arrests will follow. The public willsee what luxurious lives these people live intheir houses when the Asset Forfeiture Unitconfiscates their assets,” said Komphela.

‘Close these shafts down’Mpembe lauds strides made in curbing illicit gold dealing

CRACKDOWN: Representatives of the Free State police law enforcement are from the left Butana Komphela, MEC for Police, Roadsand Transport, Lt Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, Free State police commissioner, and Maj. Gen. Lerato Molale, Thabong Cluster commander.Here they are inspecting impounded vehicles of suspected gold dealers at the Virginia pound. Photo: Teboho Setena

For morephotos andnews visit

www.express-news.co.za

Page 2: Expresses 20141119

2 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014

NEWS

THE Women’s Network of the Lejweleput-swa region, comprising members ofvarious law-enforcement agencies, reflectedon strides made this year at a gala dinnerheld at the Goldfields Casino last Friday.

In attendance were members of theSouth African Police Service (SAPS), unitsof Matjhabeng Security, Traffic andBy-Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue, aswell as the Provincial Departments ofTraffic and Correctional Services. TheEmergency Medical Services also attended.

Apart from acknowledging the achieve-

ments reached during 2014, the womencelebrated and appreciated womanhood.

Women attending the event were encour-aged to continue with the mammoth taskof carrying responsibility in the communi-ty. Speakers included Apaphia Modise,provincial champion brigadier, andMathabo Leeto, MEC for Sport, Arts,Culture and Recreation.

“Women as law enforcement officialsplay a vital role in the social and mentalhealth of our communities. A big responsi-bility rests on their shoulders,” said Col

Cynthia Molale of the Thabong ClusterWomen’s Network.

“Women work long hours in difficult anddangerous environments, ensuring that thecommunities of Lejweleputswa are safeand secure. They also carry the responsi-bility of being mothers, wives and sisterswho take care of their families.”

Further encouraging the women, Modiseemphasised the importance for women tostudy further.

“Women must study in order to be instrategic positions in the police ranks,”

said Modise.She also highlighted the significance of

women’s dress code in the work place.“Women must stand together against

the rape of women and children,” Leetosaid.

“Women must appreciate the way theyare and their looks.”

Also gracing the occasion were JeminaMtimkulu, representative of the Free StateDepartment of Education, and Rito Madin-gana, the newly-crowned Vista MissGoldfields 2014.

Women’s role in community salutedCOL CYNTHIA MOLALE of the Thabong Cluster Women’s Network and Rito Madingana,Vista Miss Goldfields 2014. Photos: Supplied

JEMINA MTIMKULU, representative of the Free State Department of Education, and Brig.Apaphia Modise at the Women’s Network of Lejweleputswa’s gala dinner.

Farmer’s murder suspect in courtOne of the murder suspects of the

Odendaalsrus farmer Pule JosephMotsamai is expected to re-appear in theOdendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on 21November while the police are stilllooking for four accomplices who are stillon the run. He is facing charges ofmurder, house robbery and rape. Thesuspect is one of the five men wantedregarding the killing of the 69-year-oldfarmer, robbery and the alleged rape offive daughters of his on 30 October. TheHawks caught Motsamai earlier thismonth – thus making a breakthrough inthe crime in which the assailants shotthe deceased three times and thereafterallegedly sexually assaulted the de-ceased’s daughters.

Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokespersonof the Welkom police, said the attackershad taken the deceased’s belongings, asafe with an undisclosed amount of cash,revolver and a vehicle which they hadused to flee after the brutal attack. Thevehicle was found abandoned on theErdeel Road towards Thabong inWelkom. Anyone with informationhelpful in the arrest of the four suspectsand their prosecution and conviction,must contact the investigative officer,WO Sechaba Mahlatsi of the Hawks, on082-453-0806.

Police looking for killers of elderlycouple

The Welkom police are appealing tomembers of the community with informa-tion about two African men who brutallyattacked and robbed the elderly coupleJack and Aletta Johanna Smith inBedelia on 7 November. The assailants,who were wearing black clothes, killedthe 73-year-old man, injured his wife andthen took a safe with an undisclosedamount of cash. The survivor, the

72-year-old woman, who sustained severeinjuries, was admitted to a hospital inWelkom. Anyone with informationhelpful in the arrest, prosecution andconviction of the two suspects, mustcontact the investigative officer, WO PietSehloho, on 082-255-9682.

Police looking for armed attackersof Bangladesh nationals

The Welkom police are appealing tomembers of society with informationhelpful in the arrest, prosecution andconviction of two armed suspectsregarding the fatal shooting of twoBangladesh nationals. The attackers, stillon the run, fatally shot the two Bangla-desh nationals in front of the Noor JahanRestaurant in Welkom’s central businessdistrict (CBD) on 28 July at about 19:50.The attackers fled the scene in a blackBMW with no registration number.Anyone with information must contactthe investigative officer, WO Riaan deLange, on 057-391-6271 (office hours).

Police on Modiko’s trailThe police in the Goldfields are

appealing to members of the communityin providing information that will behelpful in the arrest, prosecution andconviction of a Lesotho man known asModiko. The armed man is wanted re-garding the alleged shooting of a 34-year-old woman at the residential complex ofReahola in Welkom on 28 October atabout 19:15. Const. Kethabile Mofokeng,spokesperson of the Welkom police, saidthe woman had been shot in the upper-leg upon opening the door for the sus-pect. Anyone who has information aboutthe suspect’s whereabouts must contactthe investigative officers, WO DylanSaayman on 057-391-6265 during officehours, or 084-687-3014 or Lt Col ButiMatlhomola Matlhoko on 082-372-0423.

Help police incatching suspects

IN the Express Goldfields & NFS editionof 12 November the paper incorrectlypublished that the five police officerswho busted people regarding dagga intransit worth R300 000 were fromThabong, Welkom.

They were in fact from Ventersburg.Express Goldfields & NFS unreserved-

ly apologises for the error and anyinconvenience caused as a result of thismistake.

The content and the article werepublished in good faith and not toreflect wrong intent as it may haveappeared in the public eye due to themistake.

The newspaper’s main goal is toensure citizens’ right of access totruthful and important informationwhich allows them to form balancedopinions about social processes andtheir importance. – Ed.

Correction

} Motlalepule Mokgosi

YOUTH IN UNITY, a non-governmentalorganisation led by youth of the Odendaals-rus township of Kutlwanong, have organ-ised a prayer session themed Hour of Powerfor 26 November.

Organised in partnership with the SouthAfrican Police Service (SAPS) and theCommunity Policing Forum in the town,the event is open for participation byresidents, community organisations andchurches.

“The prayer session is an effort to helpset ablaze the bad spirits within thecommunity of Kutlwanong. It is a criticalmoment of reviving devotedness for thebeloved nation that is torn apart byrampant violence which erodes humanity,”said Thandoxolo Binda, spokesperson ofYouth in Unity.

According to Binda, members of thecommunity’s involvement in brutal crimes

relating to gangsterism, rape and domesticviolence, as well senseless killings, signal aloss of sense of humanity.

“We saw it best to organise the communi-ty to unite in prayer as another means tofight the scourge of crime.

“We are appealing to the community tosupport the event,” he said.

The proceedings of the prayer event areset to start at 14:00 with a march fromBlock 5, heading to the Kutlwanongcommunity hall where all the participantswill pray together for peace to prevail inthe greater town of Odendaalsrus.

Binda said the decision to host the prayerevent in the afternoon was to afford peoplewho work also time to participate.

Those interested in supporting andmaking the event a success can contactYouth in Unity’s members Zandile Khuz-wayo on 072-461-4112, Nono Mokhoanatsi on073-112-8582 and Thandoxolo Binda on073-050-3550.

Prayer session organisedto revive devotedness

For more photos and news visitwww.express-news.co.za

Page 3: Expresses 20141119

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014 3

X1PDMJQR-ES191114

NEWS

} Teboho Setena

AFTER two years on therun the long arm of the lawfinally caught up withMorena Khumalo andbrought him to book formurdering Matumelo PearlTshoeute.The accused was convict-

ed and sentenced to lifeimprisonment by theKroonstad High Courtrecently for the brutalmurder of Tshoeute whowas a learner at theKutlwanong High School inOdendaalsrus.Khumalo’s sentencing saw

him re-unite in jail with histwo accomplices, 22-year-oldLehohonolo “Hlokoloza”Maipato and 23-year-oldLeepo Kgamali, who wereconvicted and sentenced tolife terms in jail for sepa-rate murders, which includethat of Tshoeute.On that day the victim’s

lifeless body, which hadsevere burn wounds, wasspotted in the vicinity of theKutlwanong graveyard atabout 07:45 by a jogger whoalerted the police.Maipato and Kgamali

were caught, put to trial,then convicted and sen-tenced by the KroonstadHigh Court for murderingTshoeute (then 17 years old)

in November 2013 – eightmonths after they had beenconvicted and sentenced foranother murder.At this time the third

accused, 22-year-old Khum-alo, had been on the run fortwo years since October2012 following Tshoeute’sbrutal murder.Following persistent

probing by the investigativeofficer, WO Hasemotho-hasengwana Ramongalo,Khumalo was busted inAugust this year inWesselsbron where he hadbeen hiding.He was charged and found

guilty of the murder ofTshoeute.Ramongalo received a

thumbs-up for his sterlingwork that ensured justicewas served for the deceasedand her family.“I’m very proud to have a

seasoned investigator likeRamongalo. He never gaveup, but persisted until thethird suspect was alsoarrested to face the might ofthe law.“My appreciation once

more goes to the residentsof Kutlwanong who gaveinformation leading to thearrests of these murderers,”Col. Disebo Cezula, stationcommander of Odendaals-rus, said.

Murdererfinally caught

THE South African National BloodService (SANBS) in the Goldfields isappealing to the public to supportthe blood collection initiative of theWelkom Business Blood Bonanza.It aims to increase awareness of

blood donation and collect otherdonations from businesses ahead ofthe festive season.This year’s initiative starts on 27

November in the Welkom Mediclin-ic’s foyer. Members of the public candonate blood between 11:00 and 17:00.“To ensure that the Goldfields and

surrounding areas have enough safeblood, we urge you to consider anyform of sponsorship that youpossibly can provide by marketing

your business with your logo andbusiness information that we canprovide for each donor,” says AltaPienaar, public relations practitionerat the SANBS’s Welkom branch.“This year the Welkom Business

Blood Bonanza will stretch over thewhole of November and December.During 2013’s bonanza we collected95 units of blood, which was beyondour expectations. With the help ofbusinesses and the community weaim to increase collections to 300blood donations throughout Novem-ber and December.”Businesses can also make their

donation at The Strip, Shop 36,Stateway, on a time that suits them

or phone the SANBS Welkom branchto arrange to set up an on-site blooddonation campaign in this period.Pienaar says participating busi-

nesses will be entitled to luckydraws while people will receive giftsfor their contributions.

Facts about the blood drive:) Every 35 seconds a blood transfu-sion takes place in South Africa.) A single “whole-blood” donationcan help as many as three patients,because blood is separated intoplasma, platelets and red cells.) A total of 26% of blood goes togynaecological cases, and 4% tocasualty and trauma patients.

Business Blood Bonanza is here

ALTA PIENAAR (middle), public relations practitioner at the South African National Blood Service’s (SANBS)Welkom branch, with blood donors Theunis Botha and Annetjie Meyer who made their 120th and 47th unit’sdonation of blood respectively on Monday. Photo: Teboho Setena

Page 4: Expresses 20141119

4 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014

Matjhabeng Local Municipality hasbeefed up its finance department with theappointment of three new managers in abid to improve revenue collection.

Council resolved recently that revenuecollection rate for 2014/2015 financialyear must be beyond 75% and the needto reinforce the revenue collection teamwas eminent.

According to the Chief FinancialOfficer, Mr. Thabiso Tsoaeli the newappointees have what it takes toimplement revenue enhancement strategyand achieve set targets by Council. “Thesegentlemen have relevant and combined25 years experience in local government

including the office of the

Auditor General, and their qualificationsare unquestionable”, said Mr. Tsoaeli.

Mr. Saint Moleleki Sejake (34) bornand bred in Meloding, Virginia attendedBoitekong Primary before completingmatric at Mamello Secondary School inMeloding. He further obtained a B.ComAccounting Degree at University ofthe Free State and holds a certificatein Municipal Finance ManagementProgramme from and Audit Firm Deloitte& Touche. He is also the member of theSouthern African Institute for BusinessAccountants since 2011.

His professional career began as anAudit Clerk at Ramathe and AssociatesChartered Accountants in January 2006before joining the University of Free State

as a financial advisor in June

2007 until December 2008. Mr. Sejakealso had a stint at Marais and CrowtherChartered Accountants in Betlehem. Atthe firm, his immediate task was to auditMafubeLocalMunicipality.He left thefirmfor greener pastures and joined SovereignBMWDealership in Bloemfontein. Beforejoining Matjhabeng, Mr. Sejake was aFinancial Accountant at Dihlabeng LocalMunicipality in Bethlehem.

“I am elated to have joinedMatjhabengLocal Municipality as Manager RevenueCollection, the biggest local Municipalityin the province and I promise everyoneassociated with the institution to servethem diligently. I have acquired a lot ofexperience along the way and will use it tobenefit Matjhabeng.

Mr. Thabiso Abcia

Goralotse (31) is from Klerskdorp andhe matriculated at Potchefstroom HighSchool for boys. In 2008, he obtained aBaccalaureas Honors in Accounting withUniversity of the Free State.

He started working forAuditor Generalas SAICA trainee auditor from February2011 to December 2013. His clientswere amongst others the Department ofEconomic Tourism and EnvironmentalAffairs; Free State Gambling and LiquorAuthority; Fezile Dabi District. Mr.Goralotse who has assumed his newmanagerial role tasked with expenditure,joined Matjhabeng following a shortstint at Dihlabeng Local Municipality asManager Assets.

He has gained experience on assetscounting, compiling and monitoring thefixed assets register. “I understand andcan apply treasury compliance regulationswhich relate to the procurement of goodsand services. I also gained valuableexperience on internal controls, regulationsand process in place for processing,capturing and approving expenditure”,said Goralotse adding that he will give hisall to add value to Matjhabeng.

Mr. Kenny Mokhonoane (37) was bornat Koppies Goralotse and matriculatedat Kwakwatsi Secondary School. Hefurthered his education at Universityof South Africa where he obtainedBA Degree in Public Management.He also holds a Municipal FinanceManagement Programme certificate withPretoria University.

His career began in 2003 at NgwatheLocal Municipality as a Sub Accountant-Credit Control before heading RevenueEnhancement and Debt Collections.

“I am honoured to have been affordedthe opportunity to serve the people ofMatjhabeng and I intend to fulfill myimmediate task which is to collect revenueby more than 75% in this financialyear”, said Mr. Mokhonoane. He hasstrategic capability and leadership skills;programme and project management;financial and budget management;change Management; problem solvingand Analysis; knowledge management;service delivery innovation; peoplemanagement and empowerment; clientorientation and customer focus; honestyand integrity.

FinanceDepartmentStrengthened

MATJHABENG LOCALMUNICIPALITy

?

Chief Financial Officer,Mr. Thabiso Tsoaeli

Mr. Thabiso Abcia Goralotse Mr. Saint Moleleki Sejake Mr. KennyMokhonoane

Matjhabeng Local Municipality has beefed up its finance department team

Page 5: Expresses 20141119

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014 5

“Alone I can go fast, but togetherwe can go further”, these are the wordsthat were uttered with great convictionby Ms Ying Qi, the CEO of the BeijingAfrica Centre (BAC) during a visit inMatjhabeng recently.

The Matjhabeng Local EconomicDevelopment and Planning Directoratehosted a three day visit for Chinesedelegates as part of the implementationof the on-going plan to attract andretain investors to the MatjhabengLocal Municipality.

The BACwas established in the hope to

build a gatewaybetweenAfrica andBeijingin order to promote trade, investmentand tourism between the two countries.BAC specialises in Economic and TradeExchange; Niche and Tailor-made Travel;Exhibition and conference; as well Cultureand Arts. Under the leadership of Ms YingQi, who is affectionately known by herSesotho name, Nthabiseng, the BAC hasshown great interest in Matjhabeng andSouth Africa as a whole; she hopes toestablish strong long lived relations withthe Municipality.

The three day visit was aimed at

introducing BAC to the different industrieswithin the Matjhabeng Local Municipalityas well as to encourage a relationshipbetween the Chinese business communityand the Municipality.

The Executive Mayor, Cllr. SebenzileNgangelizwe, received the Chinesedelegates on 3 November along with thelocal government leadership and businessfraternity. Executive Mayor indicatedthe 37% unemployment rate withinthe Municipality and how the potentialinflux of funding from Chine woulderadicate unemployment and promote

entrepreneurship within the Municipality.“Since 1994, the government has

persuaded new investors to invest inthe country to strengthen the businesssector and stimulate its demand forcommercial growth; as the MatjhabengLocal Municipality we have developeda strategy to locate ourselves on theglobal scale to ensure economic growth,”said Executive Mayor.

On the second day, the Local EconomicDevelopment (LED) Department, underthe leadership of Executive Director MrXolile Msweli took the delegates on abrief tour of Matjhabeng and among thesites visited were the Harmony JewellerySchool, The Savanna Taxidermy as wellas the Dihoai Corporative Farm. The visitto Matjhabeng concluded on Wednesdaywith an art exhibition at the WelkomCasino that showcased the arts communitywithin the Municipality.

Chinese Delegates Keen ToInvest In Matjhabeng

MATJHABENG LOCALMUNICIPALITy

?

Page 6: Expresses 20141119

6 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014

Government officials paid a surprisevisit to tuck shops in Hennenman andPhomolong Township as they inspect theirmerchandise to identify, remove rotten andexpired goods.

A joint initiative by the MatjhabengLocal Municipality, SAPS, Department ofHealth and Home Affairs officials paid asurprise visit to shops belonging to foreignnationals on a cleanup campaign to ensurethe health and safety of the residents.

These shops were inspected for healthreasons and the citizen statuses of theforeign nationals were probed. Uponinvestigation it was discovered that mostof the food sold in the tuck shops hadexpired and the meat, which sells forbetween R10 and R20 is of unidentifiedorigin which poses a massive health risk.

Officials from theMunicipality verified

whether the residents that house these tuckshops have the necessary permits to havetuck shops in their yards. Defaulters werefined accordingly and told to acquire thenecessary permits.

The expired food, which constituted thebulk of the stock in most of the tuck shopswere confiscated and fines were issued bymunicipal officials. Further fines relatingto hygiene and the environment werealso issued, as prompted by findings fromthe Department of Health. Counterfeitcigarettes were also ceased with fines tobe paid by defaulters.

SAPS officials said they would carryout other operations in other parts ofMatjhabeng and asked municipal officialsand the Health Department to assist inthis regard. In addition, regular randomchecks on previous offenders are said to

be carried out in the near future to ensurethat all shops meet the required standards.Many of the employees of the foreignnationals are under paid and work ingross conditions.

The residents of Phomolong, many ofwhich are poverty stricken complainedabout the aggressive nature of these foreignnationals and how they unfortunately areleft with no other option but to purchasegoods from these tuck shops as they areclose by. Others added that they had oftenpurchased good that were expired andwere not afforded to opportunity to returnthem. It is unclear as to whether any of theresidents have experience health problemsdue to the consumption of the goods fromthese tuck shops.

Community’s Health At RiskShop Owners Premises Inspected

MATJHABENG LOCALMUNICIPALITy

?

Rotten: expired food confiscated from foreign nationals’ tuck shop.

Nabbed: Foreign national tuckshop owners arrested for sellingillegal cigarettes

Page 7: Expresses 20141119

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014 7

In less than a month after Welkom’sCentral Business District (CBD),Industrial Area as well as Bronville wasleft in the dark due to copper cable theftat the Matjhabeng’s main bulk powerstation supply; a second attempt was madeto rob the Municipality of millions.

According to Manager of ElectricalServices, Mr. Zacharia Mabaso, copper

cable theft is having a devastating effecton the Matjhabeng Local Municipality’seconomy, resulting in the Municipalityspending millions of rands a year.

He said this time perpetrators enteredthe plant by breaking the concrete palisadesand digging a hole in the ground wherethey crawled under the electric fence thatis mean to safeguard the plant.

They managed to cut some of the

control cables, when the security onguards realised what was happening whilemaking their rounds. The perpetrators thentried to drag the cut cables out while theywere running away, but fortunately gotaway with nothing.

He added that harsher penalties will beimposed on cable thieves, who were partof organised crime syndicates, since thisis the 5th time the plant has been underattack this year.

In October, underground cablestotalling 770 meters were stolen thatamounted to a value of approximately R8000 when sold on the black market, butcosts the Municipality thousands more toreplace them.

Contingency measures were put intoplace in order to restore the power supplyto the Welkom CBD as well as otheraffected areas. Local business suffered ahuge financial loss before these measurescould be put in place.

One of the easiest and most effectiveways for the public to help in the fightagainst illegal power use is to reportelectricity theft.

It can be reported anonymously bysending a detailed SMS to Primedia CrimeLine at 32211. The cost is R1/SMS.

It is important that certain detailsare included when reporting a suspectedincident of electricity theft such as:

Address of the crime or descriptionof the place, including pole numbers,street names and sections where possible.Directions to the premises where there areno stand numbers also helps a lot.

Description and/or name of suspect/sif known.

Nature of the crime, if possible, egillegal connection, meter tampering,cable theft, etc.

Crime Line is for reporting crime.Please do not abuse this number.

People can also report electricity thefton Eskom’s reporting line 0800 11 27 22(toll-free and confidential).

Remember to sendasmuch informationas possible. There have been more than3 000 tip-offs of electricity theft so far,but the lack of information has made itdifficult to follow up onmany of these. Theinformation provided to Crime Line is sentto Eskom or municipalities for follow-upand to take action such as disconnection,fines and/or criminal prosecution. Wherecriminal action is required, cases aresent to the South African Police Service(SAPS) for further investigation.

The Acting Municipal Manager, Mr.Motusi Lepheana, would like to thankmembers of the Fire Rescue Services whowere on duty on the 7th of Novemberwith their efficient response to extinguishthe fire that erupted at the Welkom MiniWholesalers at Bok Street in Welkom.

The team headed by Mr. FransciousKlaassen, Assistant Fire Chief, did sterlingwork by preventing what could havefurther damaged adjacent shops. “Wewould also like to extend our gratitude toHazquip Company and other members ofthe Fire Rescue Services from other unitswho were off duty but sacrificed theirfamily time to assist the community ofMatjhabeng”, said Mr. Lepheana.

The cause of the fire has not yetbeen established but is suspected that anelectrical fault might have caused the fire.

Matjhabeng LeftIn The Dark Again

Excellent Work Commended

MATJHABENG LOCALMUNICIPALITy

?

Fire Rescue Service responded promptly to the fire at WelkomMini Wholesalers at Bok Street

Perpetrators entered the plant by breaking the concrete palisades inorder to steal copper cables

Page 8: Expresses 20141119

8 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2014

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} Tladi Moloi

PHUTHADITJHABA. – Maureen Dladla(35) and Potso Khomo (31) are the newwinners of the 2014 Setsing Super SparQwaqwa/Golden Gate Half-marathon.

Dladla and Khomo were crowned champi-ons of the marathon that started in GoldenGate and finished at the Super Spar inPhuthaditjhaba on Saturday. The newchampions came in to replace the 2013champions, Chabeli Nyelimane fromBotshabelo near Bloemfontein and MantiMabizela from Qwaqwa.

Nyelimane could not defend his title ashe was taking part in the South AfricanChampionships while Mabizela was beatenhands down. The winners won a floatingtrophy, gold medals and R1 000 in cash.

Apparently, Mpho Mokoena (30) fromBohlokong near Bethlehem was the winnerof the marathon in the men’s division, buthe was disqualified since he had taken partwithout registering.

This gave Khomo, who came second, achance to win the first spot even though hedid not hit the ribbon with the chest.Express Eastern Free State was reliably

informed that Mokoena had known that hehad not been registered for the competitionand that he would be disqualified should hewin the race.

He did not seem worried even when thetournament organisers told him to give thewinner’s Coca-Cola towel to Khomo whocame second. However, after the raceMokoena denied that he had taken part inthe competition knowing that he had notbeen registered. “My coach told me that hehad done everything for me. I was unawarethat I was not registered. I was not hurtwhen they told me that my name was noton the list. I had to give the championshiptitle to Khomo. These things happen inathletics,” he said. The interesting thing isMokoena and the winner of the women’sdivision, Dladla, come from the same team,the Maluti Marathon Club from Bethlehem.Dladla was registered for the tournament.Khomo said that Mokoena had told himthat he was just running for fun and thathe had not registered.

“I was surprised when he told me that he

had not registered for the tournament.After he had told me that, I told myself thatI should just close the gap between him andmyself.

“I knew that it would mean I would bethe winner of the tournament,” said theathlete from Radius Park in Welkom.

Khomo said he was, however, happy towin the race and added that it had beentough because he had not known the routewell. “There are more hills, but I am surethat next year I’ll do better,” he said.

Dladla said she regarded the race as thebiggest in the Free State. She said winningwas more than what she had expected.

“I usually compete in longer distances. Ihave never run on that road before, butwhen other athletes started to up their paceI told myself that I should keep calm untilthey became tired. “I increased my pacewhen I was 17 km from the finish. Afterthat I never looked back. I hope to comeback next year to defend my title,” shesaid. Ray Thakhudi, the head of communi-cation: South African National Parks, saidhe was happy with the turnout and organi-sation and added that the participationshowed that the competition was growing.“It is the second time that we have present-ed this competition. “We want to connectwith the community and this is one of theways to bring them closer to us. “We arelooking forward to making this one of thebig marathons in the country,” he said.

A win,but no medal

WINNER: Maureen Dladla from Bohlokongnear Bethlehem is the 2014 Setsing SuperSpar Qwaqwa/Golden Gate Half-marathonchampion in the women’s division.

DISQUALIFIED: Mpho Mokoena from Bohlokong near Bethlehemcame first during the 2014 Setsing Super Spar Qwaqwa/GoldenGate Half-marathon, but hewas disqualified due to not registering.

CHAMPION: Potso Khomo from Radius Park in Welkom, winner of the 2014 Setsing SuperSpar Qwaqwa/Golden Gate Half-marathon in the men’s division. Photos: Tladi Moloi

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