Friday 30 October 2015Year 6 161st Edition Tel: 013 262 4416

After hearing reports that learners at ThakgudiSecondary School will have to pay an amountof R100-00 in order to receive their matric finalyearly examination time tables, SekhukhuneCongress Organization immediately intervened.Grade 12 pupils from Thakgudi SecondarySchool did not receive their time tables by theschool principal Mr KP Matau, apparently be-cause they failed to pay the R100-00 school feethat was initiated by SGB members.Some of the parents find it difficult to pay themoney as most community members live belowthe poverty line. Sekhukhune Congress leader,Pastor Derrick Mosoana said: "We insisted towrite a cheque to settle the amount owed bylearners but we were told by the principal thatthe school can only accept the money only iflearners were able to pay the amount individu-ally" He said the party was disturbed by thereports that learners will not be able to sit fortheir final examinations and they requested anurgent meeting with the principal and SGBmembers without any success. He said thecongress ended up engaging the Limpopo MECfor Education Ishmael Kgetjepe through itslawyers. The principal ended up agreeing to

Pupils urged to pay R100-00 to sit for theirfinal matric examinations

hand matric time tables to learners."The government declared Thakgudi as a nofee school and pupils are not supposed to payfor their studies. We demanded the MEC toimmediately intervene in the matter and also toinvestigate how the school can ask pupils topay while it receives a grant from government,"he said. "They complain that an amount of R800000-00 is not enough to run the school but theyhave no right to make learners pay in order toget their time tables. By this they deny theseyoung ones the right to education," he said.He said there is no proof to those who paid themoney as the school is not issuing any receipts.This resulted in some learners paying R200-00or more as they fear that they will not be allowedto write their examinations. He went on andsaid: "It is clear that the school's financialrecords are not audited. We want to make itclear that this incident only affirms our call tohave all school's financial records and accountsindependently audited. The party has vowedto settle all students' debts and will be visitingthe other schools to ensure that their right tolearn is not compromised by such greedy andselfish agendas." He said they requested a

meeting with the MEC for Education to resolvethe matter and they are still waiting for his officeto respond. " We will soon organize road showsvisiting schools around Sekhukhune to makesure that they are not affected with such prac-tices where the children's rights are violated bygreedy educators," he concluded. The LimpopoDepartment of Health Spokesperson DrNaledzani Rasila said all learners wrote theirexaminations at Thakgudi Secondary School.He told the Dispatch that the school principalwas only reminding the learners to pay theamount by threatening them to refuse thementry in the examination room. "The schoolprincipal was only making sure that all learnerspay the amount. He did not mean it but theytook it seriously and started to panic," he said.Rasila said they met with the school principalwhere the matter was easily resolved. He saidthe SGB, school staff members and parentsagreed earlier this year that the school will raisemoney for additional costs."That is when they agreed that each learnershould pay the amount of R100-00. This is a nofee school but they have a right to raise fundsas long as it will not affect the learners," he said.

S e k h u k h u n eCongress leaderDerrick Mosoanasays they will or-ganize road-shows to makesure that final ex-aminations arerunning smoothin Sekhukhune.

2 DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015

A case of corruption was opened by the Mpumalanga Party against the Elias MotsoalediMunicipal Manager Minah Maredi at the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday 21 October.This comes after the Elias Motsoaledi Municipal Manager Minah Maredi made an 8% increaseon her salary earlier this year. According to Mpumalanga Party, the increment was authorized bythe Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Mayor Cllr Julia Mathebe without a council resolution.By the time the municipal manager adjusted her salary, she was still on a one year probation thatis stated in her contract with the municipality. The adjustment was immediately taken to the councilto be resolved and it was objected by opposition parties during the meeting. The matter was laterwithdrawn from the council after the ruling party councillors who form the majority in the councilsided with the municipal manager's salary increment decision. A case of corruption was openedby Mpumalanga Party against the municipal manager in Groblersdal Police Station. But the policefailed to investigate and make convictions. The case was later handed over to the BranchCommissioner in Groblersdal SAPS. The organization then took the matter to other parties forresolution including the office of the Limpopo MEC for Coghsta, Makoma Makhurupetje.According to Mpumalanga Party, the MEC and the parties involved failed to investigate the matterto come with resolutions. Now the Mpumalanga Party demands that the parties that sided withthe irregular salary increment of the municipal manager must be held accountable for corruptionby the Pretoria High Court. This includes the police, Coghsta MEC, mayor, CFO and some of thecouncillors. "We vow that all parties sided with the municipal manager's increment must pay theprice for promoting the acts of corruption in the municipality," said Mpumalanga Party Councillorin Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Seun Mogotji. Mogotji said the municipal manager's salaryincrease was a violation of the prescribed salary as gazetted for senior managers in category 3.He said the Maredi's actions were forms of unlawfully and irregularly self-enrichment. He addedthat Mpumalanga Party has tried unsuccessfully to take the matter to the relevant departmentswithin Limpopo Province. "We then decided to take the matter to the Pretoria High Court"explained Mogotji. He said the municipal manager was aware that increasing her salary while stillin a one year probation and without the council's resolution was fraudulent. "It was stated clearlyin her contract and letter of appointment that she has to follow a proper procedure before she canadjust her salary. The Municipal Manager acts like a dictator and now we want her to face the courtfor her incompetency as the administration head within the Elias Motsoaledi Local MunicipalCouncil," added Mogotji. He added that Mpumalanga Party demand the removal of Maredi fromher position for contributing in the maladministration of Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality."We will fight until we have good accountable and transparent governance from the officials. Wedemand all that failed to act in this matter be held accountable and brought to book with the fullmight hand of the law," concluded Mogotji. Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Mayor Cllr JuliaMathebe told the Dispatch that the municipality cannot comment at this stage as the matter is inthe hands of the court. She confirmed that the municipality received a letter from the Pretoria HighCourt regarding the case of corruption against the Elias Motsoaledi Municipal Manager MinahMaredi. "We are waiting for the outcomes of the High Court before we can comment about thismatter," she said.

EM Municipal Manager'scorruption case in High Court

DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015 3

4 DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015

The body of a 4 year old boy named Itumeleng Phokane was found floating inside a sewerage tankthat was abandoned by the municipality a few year ago. The discovery was made by Itumeleng'sparents and the police on Monday 19 October at his home in Leeuwfontein Village, EphraimMogale Local Municipality. It is alleged that the boy went to play with friends on Sunday 18October when he disappeared. His friends came back but he never returned. His mother startedsearching for him without any success and she then reported him missing at the Marble Hall SAPS.The community was told about the incident and some residents alleged that the child was seenkidnapped by unknown people travelling with a white bakkie."We followed the information and later we did find out that the information supplied by thoseresidents was wrong. A search continued and the child was found floating in a tank at his home.The body was taken to the government mortuary for post-mortem. An inquest docket is underinvestigation," said Constable Lethunya Mmuroa from Marble Hall SAPS.Mmuroa said other rumours erupted in the village where it was alleged that the boy was bewitchedby two elderly people living in the area. "This resulted in the torching of the elderly people's houseon Saturday 24 October by a group of Leeuwfontein residents. Fortunately, the elderly residentswere not at home by the time it was set on fire. A docket of arson is under investigation," he said.Mmuroa warned people to stop supplying wrong information where innocent residents endedup being hurt. He said wrong information also delays police investigation."The pensioners narrowly escaped to be burned with their house when they left after hearingrumours that they were suspected to be causing the death of the little Itumeleng. Their house wasburned down with all their belongings. All damages are estimated to the value of R150 000-00. Thecommunity must stop supplying wrong information. Some people will ended up being victimizedfor things that they do not even know about. No one is arrested at the stage, investigationscontinue," he said.

Body of 4 year old found in ansewerage tank

The Motetema Police are looking for a 23 yearold suspect named Elvis Moragelang Skhosana.The suspect was arrested last year in connec-tion with murder, four counts of armed robbery,attempted murder, possession of and ammuni-tion and pointing of firearm. Elvis is fromNyakelang Section in Tafelkop Village. Ac-cording to the police report, all crimes linked toElvis were committed in the Tafelkop area.The suspect was released on bail last year andhe failed to attend the court between the 25 and29 May this year. Since then the police aresearching for him. His accomplice is still behindbars after he was denied bail by the court.

Help the police to find ElvisMoragelang Skhosana

According to the police, the suspect is some-times using the Makua surname, calling himselfElvis Makua. He was last seen in the Belfastarea but his whereabouts are not known at thestage. The police appeal to community mem-bers to provide the information that can leadthem to the whereabouts of Elvis MoragelangSkhosana or Makua to please come forward.The community is advised not to approach thesuspect as he is dangerous. Anyone with infor-mation can please contact investigating officerSergeant Mabitsela on 073 207 5252 or 082 7303085. The community can also call the nearestpolice station.

DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015 5

6 DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015

Mampana Primary School at Ga-Mampana in Eenkantaan, Makhuduthamaga Local Municipalitycelebrated its 50 year anniversary on Thursday 22 October. The school was built in 1965 just afew months after the Ga-Mampana Village was established. The anniversary also marked the Ga-Mampane Village's 50 year anniversary.Community members came in numbers to attend when the school unveiled the plaque and themonument at the Royal Kraal. The parading of successful graduates who attended MampanaPrimary was part of the day. The former school principals, former educators, circuit managers andthe class of 1964 to 1967 were honoured during the event.The school was an initiative by Kgoshi Lekoko Lekhine Mampana III in 1965 when he becameconcerned after people were travelling about 8 kilometers to attend school at Ga-MarishaneVillage.Kgoshi Lekoko then approached Mrs Francinah Mampane who was a qualified teacher and theschool was started under the Mokgalo Tree. She then became the principal of the school a fewyears later.The school was later moved to Koko Annah Mmakobeng Mampana’s yard (Francinah’s mother)where learners schooled under a big Marula Tree.The school was officially registered in the 1970's under Mosotho Kolokolo who was the schoolprincipal at the time."We are glad that our 50 year of existence is has been honoured by contributions from differentinstitutions around Sekhukhune," said Mampana Primary School Principal Mr Onesimus Phokanokawhen addressing the people."The importance and the history of the school is been told everywhere and that makes us feelspecial. We are humbled that today the school celebrates 50 years of service and educationalrenaissance ever since it was established in late 1964," he concluded.

50 year anniversary for Mampana Primary School

Three suspects were given the beating of theirlives after robbing a taxi driver at the ATM inJane Furse Crossing Shopping Complex. Thesuspects are believed to be criminals who swopbank cards of unsuspecting community mem-bers when withdrawing money from ATMs.They will then withdraw the victim's moneywithout his/her noticing.But on Saturday 24 October, the suspects ranout of luck when they swop a bank card belong-ing to a local taxi driver at Jane Furse CrossingShopping Complex. Three of the suspects werecaught and the other four managed to flee."The taxi driver was withdrawing money at theATM when his card got stuck inside the ma-

Bank card thieves beaten by community in Jane Fursechine. He then asked for assistance from aperson who was behind him and that's when hiscard was swopped," said a community memberwho doesn’t want to be named.He said the taxi driver started noticing thatsomething was wrong when he received noti-fications that his money has just been with-drawn at Jane Furse Plaza, a few meters awayfrom Jane Furse Crossing Shopping Complex."He then managed to trace the person whoassisted him at the ATM and he was found withsix other men at Jane Furse Plaza. The suspectstried to flee but their vehicle was stopped by thecommunity members after the taxi driver raiseda alarm.

The former school principals, former educators, circuit managers and the class of1964 to 1967 were honoured with medals, certificates and trophies. With them isthe current school Principal Onesimus Phokanoka (seated).

"Three of the men were caught and their otherfour accomplices disappeared into thin air. Theirvehicle was searched and a number of differentbank cards were found. It was also discovereda number of different registration plates fordifferent provinces. The community becameangry and started assaulting the suspects," headded.He said more community members joined in theassault and the suspect agreed of robbingpeople off their money at the ATMs. The sus-pects also claimed that more bank cards were inpossession of their four accomplices who fledthe scene. He said some of the communitymembers' cellphones were damaged by the

angry crowd when they were trying to takevideos and pictures of the incident."They were rescued by the police and theywere taken to hospital in critical conditions," hesaid. Constable Lesufi, the Jane Furse PoliceSpokesperson confirmed to the Dispatch thatthree men were assaulted by the communitywhen suspecting them of being ATM thieves.He said the men were rushed to Jane FurseHospital after the assault and they are in criticalbut stable conditions."A case of assault was opened at out station bythe men who were assaulted by the community.No one is arrested at the stage, an investigationcontinues," he said.

DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015 7

8 DISPATCH FRIDAY 30 October 2015

Twenty-eight Tafelkop Karate Academy (TKA) grading graduatesdemonstrated their karate skills to their fellow pupils at Kenneth MasikelaPrimary School in Tafelkop. The graduates displayed their knowledgeand understanding of karate as a form of art to the learners from KennethMasikela and from other local schools on Friday 16 October.Learners who attended the demonstration became attracted when thegraduates were showing off their certificates and belts they receivedduring the grading (promotions) held at the Tafelkop Gymnasium earlierthis month. "The demonstration we held at Kenneth Masikela gave usthe good platform to attract more learners from other schools in Tafelkopand other surrounding areas. We saw a number of new students arrivingto register with our academy on Monday 19 October," said the TKAinstructor Sensei William Mohlala. He said the academy has realized thatthere is a lack of parental support but many young people becameinterested in what the academy is doing and came to register for their freekarate training and lessons. "After the demonstration, we managed toregister 23 students from Kenneth Masikela Primary School, 5 studentsfrom Rite Primary School, students from Abraham Serote SecondarySchool and the other two are from Motetema," he said. Mohlala said theyhad an opportunity to discuss challenges encountered by pupils andeducators in terms of academic and sport related issues. He said a lackof parental support seems to be the main problem that leads to childrennot performing well academically and in sporting activities. "Parentsmust allow and encourage their children to participate in sport and

A fruitful demonstration by TKA atKenneth Masikela Primary School

academically in the school. This will improve the child's skills develop-ment and they will end up progressing in life. It was discovered that someof the parents do not even know which grade their children are attending.They just pay the needed amount at school and forget about everything.They also do not know which activities their children are taking part in,"he said. He went on and said: "It is our responsibility as elders, parentsand community members to see to it that our youth grow in an environ-ment that allows them to be the best in their field of expertise. Let's strivetowards an environment that protects our youth from immoral andharmful activities. "We also like to invite young people that are inter-ested in boxing as we have added a retired professional boxer from Vendaby the name of Craig Malungani. He joined TKA Youth Academy as aboxing coach and trainer and he fought and trained under JamesMatumba as his promoter. Our plan is to host the amateur boxing fightsaround June next year," he said.

TKA gradinggraduates show-ing off their cer-tificates to edu-cators and par-ents.