Newspaper printed by NMG Printers Telephone: (015) 293 9400 2-8 August 2017 Computer literacy for all is William’s goal - Page 3 ‘We want fairness’ Taxi drivers, owners ask department for fairness Sizziling Sun Meropa Hotel over impound fees Sun Meropa Hotel is offi cially open for business and - Page 2 it brings with it a taste of Moroco. Exclusive guests attended the opening on Saturday. A twist to the normal ribbon cut, the Sun Meropa Hotel sign was The ‘love doctor’ set alight as the offi cial opening. Story and photos on page 2. - Page 5 Author passionate about spreading the love through his work Muni’s ‘minor’ expenditure Nelie Erasmus diffi cult to compile, acquisitions of animals to allow service providers to fi nalise a It was however in the majority of cases for a zoo and exceptional cases where it is project. A panel of service providers will listed stated, that the deviation was the result THE Polokwane Municipality tabled a impractical or impossible to follow offi cial be appointed to deal with council support of supply chain process was 'impractical'. report before council on Thursday for procurement processes. as it is a vital part of municipal governing More than 100 long service award the ratifi cation of 'minor' breaches of The accounting offi cer must record structures. watches were purchased from two suppliers procurement processes, unauthorised, reasons for the deviations in terms of sub- Unauthorised expenditure is said to be for municipal employees during the two irregular and fruitless and wasteful regulation (1) (a) and (b) and report them to incurred due to impairment and depreciation fi nancial years, amounting to R988 234. expenditure to the value of R641,85 million the next council meeting and include as a of assets which are non-cash items, and It was proposed that the irregular during the 2015/6 fi nancial year and R222,5 note to the annual fi nancial statements. irregular expenditure is due to a historical expenditure be referred to the Municipal million for the 2016/17 fi nancial year. The report stated that deviations are only project appointed during the previous Public Accounts Committee for The supply chain management policy processed after a memo by the business unit fi nancial years and expenditure is therefore investigation to determine if the expenditure and regulations state that goods or services has been approved by the CFO. reported each fi nacial year until the end of is recoverable or irrecoverable and that it be may be procured, dispensing of the offi cial If not acceptable, the ratifi cation is the contract or completion of the project. disclosed in the annual fi nancial statements procurement process in an emergency, rejected. Minor breaches is ratifi ed only A large percentage of the expenditure for the fi nancial year ending 30 June 2016 if there is a single provider only, for the where no bidder qualifi ed for evaluation was for catering and stationery, for which it and 2017, and it be reported to the MEC for acquisition of special works of art or on functionality and also to avoid cost would not have been problematic to acquire Local Government. historical objects where specifi cations are of advertising. Contracts were extended three quotations. [email protected] 2 Bonus | News 2-8 August 2017 Sun Meropa Hotel lights up night sky Maretha Swanepoel promote and encourage tourism to the city. The Chief Executive Offi cer of Sun BLAZING fi reworks announced the International, Anthony Leeming, was among offi cial opening of the Sun Meropa Hotel the honoured guests at the opening. on Saturday, 29 July as guests to this “The build-up to this opening has been prestigious event were greeted by a group fi lled with excitement, most specifi cally of African dancers and friendly hotel for the team here on the ground at Sun personnel. Meropa. Over the nine months they have Guests included the Chief Executive been witness to the evolution of this Offi cer of the Limpopo Gambling Board, exquisite hotel. The opening of this hotel is Serobi Maja, members of the Meropa board, the fruition of a promise that Sun Meropa members and representatives of the Domba has nurtured since the opening of the Trust and tourism stakeholders and service casino. A promise that has created an all- providers. encompassing world class entertainment and Taxi drivers and owners protest the impound fees they have to pay to have their vehicles Miss South Africa, Demi-Leigh Nel- hospitality hub in Polokwane,” he said. released. Peters, was the master of ceremonies Raleigh Maesela, Chairperson of the and explained that in the 15 years of Sun Meropa board, said Sun Meropa takes Meropa's existence, it is the fi rst Sun to heart its obligation to contribute to International hotel in the city. building a sustainable community in Taxi drivers ask for fairness Sun Meropa General Manager, Peter Polokwane and surrounding areas. “From Anne Molope R11 000. It often happens that the vehicles Guthrie, explained to the guests the new the very beginning, Sun Meropa put in are impounded because as per traffi c hotel is only the fi rst project in the expansion place numerous social and environmental COMMUTERS were left stranded last offi cials we are driving on the wrong routes. of Sun Meropa. responsibility programmes, striving Thursday when taxi operators and owners We want the matter to be investigated and “Looking back, it is hard to believe it was wherever possible to support organisations embarked on a protest action at SABC Park resolved,” Ledwaba said. less than a year ago that we gathered on and initiatives with causes close to its heart, to object 'unfair treatment'. During the protest Santaco Treasurer, this site on the occasion of the sod turning and the heart of the community. In addition The protesters marched from SABC Park Selaelo Serepa, addressed the protesters for this hotel. Our construction team and to ongoing community building efforts, Sun to the Department of Transport to hand over on the contents of the memorandum. the various departments from within Sun Meropa strives to contribute tot he economic a memorandum with their grievances to the Among the other grievances listed in the Meropa and Sun International have indeed upliftment of the local community through MEC, Nandi Ndalane. memorandum, the protesters demanded achieved an incredible feat in delivering this job creation.” South African National Taxi Council that the department refrain from breeding project ahead of schedule.” After the speeches Georgia Hirst and (Santaco) Chairperson, Solomon Ledwaba, operational confl icts between taxi He explained that not only does this hotel Adrian McLeash from Dreams of Fire, lit said among the grievances listed in the associations and they want to be a part of enhance the experience Sun Meropa is able Sun Meropa Hotel's sign while belly dancers memorandum was the fees associated with discussions around the Land Transport to offer guests, but they believe it to be added to the entertainment. having a vehicle released once it had been Framework and Rural Transport Strategy a strategic investment which will help to [email protected] impounded. as they say there was never stakeholder “To have impounded vehicles released we engagement with the taxi industry. have to pay a fi ne of between R10 000 and “We demand the MEC to put an end to this senseless behavior of law enforcement offi cials and to stop harassing taxi operators about permits. We further demand the imposed impound fee be reviewed,” Ledwaba added. Department of Transport Spokesperson, Tel: (015) 293 9400 / Fax: (015) 293 2296 Joshua Kwapa, said they will give Santaco Address: 46 Fosfaat Street, Laboria, Polokwane 0699 a response within 14 days as they have OFFICE HOURS: MON-THURS: 08:00 - 16:30 / FRI: 08:00 - 16:00 mentioned and stated in the memorandum. “We will respond to them within the Branch Manager Journalists time they requested and we would like Hannes Cilliers Roelof de Jonge to advise and educate them on the terms 078 672 7306 Group Editor Riana Joubert and conditions regarding taxi permits and Joline Nash 082 972 1683 076 359 3561 impound issues. We think we need to engage [email protected] Maretha Swanepoel with the taxi industry about how these 076 878 6724 conditions work. Taxi drivers complain Deputy Editor Anne Molope Hilda Pretorius 084 430 8111 about permits, but they don’t know how [email protected] Nelie Erasmus the permits and issuing work. With regard News Editor 082 963 4365 to the Department of Transport not issuing Cheryllee Hannam Thabitha Mahlangu permits, this information is not true as we 078 425 7592 079 586 6217 do issue permits based on the needs of the Sales & Marketing Manager Sales Representatives new taxis, for example, taxis drivers that Karen Botha Karin Botha 082 699 7313 [email protected] Sonnika Fox 082 045 1204 need to collect commuters in new areas. We Kallie Pillay, Bridgit Miller and Doreen Helene Short as the department think it our responsibility Gooranah, in front, and Kelvin Pillay, Zaine Online 079 865 4238 to educate taxi operators with as much Miller and Ruben Gooranah enjoy the offi cial Colleen Woller Jolene Venter [email protected] 079 615 6821 information as possible,” Kwapa said. opening of the Sun Meropa Hotel. Insert: Raeesa Kimmie Adri Burr-Dixon [email protected] Dolly Mosotho enjoys the entertainment. [email protected] 084 664 9306 Code of Conduct This newspaper has committed itself to report news truthfully and accurately, and to publish comment that is fair, in accordance with the highest standards of journalism as set out in the Press Code of South Africa.