die kole gestap het nie," sê Yvonne Mostert.

Raymond het hierdie week uit sy hospitaal vertel hoe een van sy maats gehardloop het om hulp te ontbied nadat hy in die warm kole ingesak het.

"Die velle was afgebrand, maar ek het in die rivierwater gespring om die brand te stop. Mense het gekom en my uitgedra tot by 'n polisievoertuig by Langstraat."

 Die seun is na die Paarl Hospitaal gehaas waar hy gestabiliseer is voordat hy per ambulans na die brandeenheid van die Tygerberg Hospitaal geneem is.

Raymond se bene is tot by sy knieë verbrand. Sy regterhand is ook lelik gebrand soos hy homself probeer bevry het. Veloorplantings is reeds op sy voete en hakskene gedoen.

"Die pyn is vreeslik erg," sê Raymond skaars hoorbaar. 

"Hy sal nog meer as 'n maand in die hospitaal moet bly," sê Yvonne.

Sy en haar dogter het die Sondag ook langs die rivier, en toe oor die treinspoor, gestap om te probeer vasstel waar Raymond ingesak het.

"Ons het nog so gestap toe ek skielik in geel sand ingesak het. Dit was vuurwarm en ek het uit my skoene gespring om na koeler grond te kom. Ons het toe besef die hele plek is gevaarlik, en ons is daar weg."

By nadere ondersoek die volgende dag, het Yvonne haar skoene weer gekry, heeltemal gesmelt.

Volgens Carbon Fuels word die grond van Spoornet gehuur. Alhoewel die ingang uit Voorschotenstraat versper is, is groot gedeeltes van die steenkoolbergplek nie omhein nie.

"Ons kan nie die hele plek omhein nie, want treintrokke van ander maatskappye gebruik dit ook vir rangeerwerk," het Denise Kroon van Carbon Fuels verduidelik.

"Dis 'n raaisel hoe die seun gebrand het. Daar is geen teken dat die steenkool aan die brand was nie."

Sy kon ook nie verduidelik hoekom die geel grond so warm was dat dit skoene kon smelt nie. Dié grond is glo deur 'n vragmotor daar gelaat, op 'n plek waar die gras twee weke voor Raymond se ongeluk gebrand het.

Volgens die bestuurder van Carbon Fuels, Bram Maree, kan hy niks aan die saak doen voordat hy 'n formele klag ontvang en hy presies weet waar die seun seergekry het nie.

"Ons het simpatie met Raymond en ons wens hom spoedige beterskap toe, maar ons kan nie nou kommentaar lewer nie," het Maree gesê.

"Carbon Fuels ontken egter enige bewerings van nalatigheid."

Verlede week, ná Raymond se ongeluk, was werkers besig om omheiningsdrade wat onder die steenkoolhope verberg was, regop te trek en nuwe waarskuwingstekens op te rig.

"Ons is nie net oor Raymond bekommerd nie," het Yvonne hierdie week gesê.

"Ons weet hy moes seker nie daar ingedwaal het nie, maar baie mense loop langs die rivier en die treinspoor, en ons vrees dat ander ook daar kan seerkry.

"Is dit nie nalatig van die maatskappy om so 'n onveilige plek so oop  te laat nie?"

VERSKEIE plaaslike raadslede het hoër politieke ambisies, geoordeel aan die NNP se kandidatelys wat Drakenstein uitvoerende burgemeester Herman Bailey insluit.

Altesame ses NNP-raadslede is op die provinsiale en nasionale kandidatelys van die NNP.

Hulle is Bailey (tiende op die provinsiale lys), dr Kobus Victor (19de op die nasionale lys), Chris Leander (22ste op die nasionale lys), Bernardo Maralack (25ste op die nasionale lys), Titus Williams (29ste op die nasionale lys), Deon Swart (32ste op die provinsiale lys).

Nog plaaslike NNP-kandidate is Jeff Scheepers (26ste op die provinsial lys) en Basil Andrews (37ste op die provinsiale lys).

Veral Bailey en Victor staan 'n goeie kans om verkies te word. Bailey het vinnig opgang gemaak nadat hy in 2002 by die NNP aangesluit en burgemeester van die Drakenstein stadsraad geword het.

Voor dit was hy leier van die AFC (Alliance for the Community).

Bailey was geruime tyd lid en ook burgemeester van die vorige Wellington stadsraad.

Bailey het vandeesweek gesê hy glo hy het 'n goeie kans om die provinsiale wetgewer te haal.

"Ek het wel my naam laat deurgaan vir nominasie en dit is goed om te weet dat ander meen jy is bruikbaar op 'n hoër vlak.

"Maar my hart is nog steeds by plaaslike regering."

Daar bestaan 'n ooreenkoms met die premier dat hy na die verkiesing sal besluit waar Bailey die beste aangewend kan word.

"Indien hy so besluit, sal ek aanbly by Drakenstein."

Victor, 'n oud-predikant woonagtig in die Paarl, is ondervoorsitter van die Afrikanerbond.

Hy was voorheen as inwoner van Wellington voorsitter van die Hugenote Kollegeraad, adjunk-uitvoerende hoof van Lux Verbi uitgewers en was ook lank lid van die Wellingtonse stadsraad, waar hy ook onderburgemeester was.

Hy is die afgelope vier jaar lid van die Boland Distriksraad, waar hy ook as Speaker gedien het. Hy werk ook tans as adviseur in die kantoor van die Wes-Kaapse premier.

Die huidige streeklid vir die nasionale parlement, Johnny Schippers van Wolseley, is nou goed geleë in die agtste plek op die nasionale lys.

Nog 'n plaaslike inwoner wat politieke aspirasies het, is dr Audrey van Zyl van die DA, wat 23ste op die voorlopige provinsiale lys is.

Dr Van Zyl het voorheen in die NNP se provinsiale kabinet gedien, maar het haar posisie verloor weens haar steun aan Gerald Morkel wat kant gekies het teen die NNP se alliansie met die ANC.

Sy het ook 'n klagte van seksuele teistering gelê teen oud-premier Pieter Marais. Hierdie saak moet nog verhoor word.

Die politieke partye se finale lyste moet Vrydag ingedien word.

* Six local councillors have been nominated for the provincial and national elections by the NNP.

THE Drakenstein Town Council has adopted the final proposed draft policy framework on the Ward Committee System for Drakenstein, for public input.

The object of a ward committee is to enhance participatory democracy in local government and as such is meant to be an institutionalised channel of communication and interaction between communities and municipalities.

Such a committee is an advisory body, is independent and must be partial and perform its functions without fear, favour or prejudice.

A ward committee does not carry any mandate from a constituency and therefore has no mandate to govern the ward, and as such may not impede, interfere or hamper with the right of the municipal council to govern its affairs.

The system may not impede on any individual's rights to participate in matters provided for by any statute and also may not exclude such participation of individuals in the broader community in government affairs.

A ward committee may make recommendations on any matter affecting its ward to the ward councillor, or through the ward councillor to the council, or the executive mayoral committee.

A ward committee consists of the councillor representing that ward in the council who must also be the chairperson of the committee and not more than ten other persons.

The procedure for election must take into account the need for women to be equitably presented, as well as for a 'diversity of interests' in the ward to be presented.

Interest groups such as youth, women, religious groupings, sports & culture, health & welfare, business, environment, education, senior citizens, ratepayer's associations and traditional leaders should be included.

The draft policy will be available for perusal at all the Municipal offices, housing offices and libraries in Drakenstein, as well as the Safmarine multi-purpose hall in Wellington, the Paarl and Wellington RDP offices and Rondeheuwel Primary, Hermon.

Comments in writing can be handed in at the Civic Centre in Paarl or be mailed to PO Box 1, Paarl 7622, marked for the attention of Rodger Oerson, Office of the Speaker. The closing date is 11 March at 15:00.

Both the ACDP and the DA have submitted commentary on the draft policy which will be considered along with the commentary of other political parties and the public.

A FRANSCHHOEK member of the Stellenbosch Municipal Council, James Morgan, must refund Stellenbosch Municipality for expenses paid to him in excess of his costs, a disciplinary committee has decided.

This follows an investigation of alleged transgressions brought against six ANC councillors in the period August 2001 to November 2002.

"Councillor Morgan was using municipal office space in a bona fide execution of his official functions, and has agreed to rectify the error regarding allowance payments for councillors who work from home, by volunteering that an equal amount be recouped from his salary."

The investigating commission found in favour of councillor JC Anthony of Klapmuts on charges that he had exerted undue influence in housing matters and had benefited financially.

"It appeared that his motivation for becoming involved with the Klapmuts housing process was bona fide."

The independent investigation found that none of the allegations could be backed by evidence that would stand up in court. Furthermore, it found that none of the allegations revealed any dishonesty or bad faith. 

Said Speaker William Kalazana, "Upon review of the cases, it was recognised that Council unfortunately does not yet possess adequate procedures to deal efficiently and rapidly with allegations of such apparently politicised nature (differentiated from cases of dishonesty, corruption, theft and the like, for which procedures are in place).

"As a result, the normal disciplinary process can be abused.

"It has also been learnt that it is important that the roles and functions of Council, its officials and Councillors be properly defined even more so now, under the new dispensation of an executive mayoral committee. 

"This declaration serves as a recognition by all concerned of the lessons to be learnt.

"All concerned recommit themselves to promoting efficient and transparent governance, and maintaining the highest standard of conduct by office bearers, building on the lessons learnt in the present cases."

PRAAT nou van 'n storie met twee kante: aan die eenkant is daar 'n sport-klub wat desperaat kop bo water hou, aan die anderkant inwoners wat veg om hul omgewing stil en rustig te hou.

Die klub is die Du Toitstraat Ontspanningsklub in die Paarl, wat reeds sedert die sestigerjare van die vorige eeu daar nesskop.

Die inwoners is ontsteld oor die geraas met sosiale funksies, terwyl die klub volhou dat dit die enigste manier is om die saal te onderhou.

Die woordewisseling kom al verskeie jare aan en het einde verlede jaar 'n keerpunt bereik met 'n hofaansoek van die inwoners teen die Munisipaliteit en die klub.

Die inwoners kla oor geraasvlakke tydens sosiale funksies, die misbruik van alkohol en gekuier wat buite die saal voortgesit word tot laatnag.

Daar word ook beweer dat eiendom en selfs lewens by tye in gevaar was en dat onooglike en gevaarlike afval gereeld ná funksies in die omgewing gestrooi lê.

Op grond hiervan, het die inwoners verlede jaar 'n siviele hofgeding teen die Munisipaliteit en die klub aanhangig gemaak.

Die saak is uitgestel tot Februarie en nou weer tot 11 Maart, terwyl die klub en die Munisipaliteit onderhandel oor 'n kontrak en aanspreeklikheid vir onderhoud van die gebou. Intussen het die inwoners ook die skikking wat hulle deur die hof wil laat afdwing aan die klub en Munisipaliteit gestuur.

Hiervolgens eis hulle dat die saal net gebruik mag word vir die beoefening van sekere sportsoorte en verwante aktiwiteite, soos toernooie, vergaderings en prysuitdelings van geaffilieerde liggame. Die saal mag aan die publiek verhuur word vir die hou van konferensies, lesings en ander funksies waartydens geen musiek ná 20:00 gespeel sal word nie.

Uit betroubare bronne word verneem dat daar selfs rassistiese ondertone is met een van die inwoners wat glo by 'n openbare vergadering gesê het hy soek nie mense van kleur daar nie.

Die penarie van die  klub is dat hulle die ekstra inkomste nodig het om enigsins 'n bestaan te kan maak.

Op die oomblik is ses klubs geaffilieer - stoei, skopboks, gimnastiek, ritmiese gimnastiek, pluimbal en ballet - met 'n ledetal van 155. Die ledegeld is nie genoeg om  instandhouding van sowat R16 000 per jaar te doen nie.

Die klub is nie ongevoelig oor die inwoners se probleme nie. "Ons probeer ons bes om kwessies aan te spreek," sê voorsitter André Nieuwoudt. Hulle het 'n sekuriteitswag wat 'n ogie hou by funksies en die sekretaresse of 'n bestuurslid is ook gewoonlik teenwoordig.

"Mense moet egter seker maak wie die sondebokke is. Ons is al na 02:00 in die oggend uitgeroep en as ons hier kom, is die lawaai by een van die woonhuise. Van die mense wat petisies teen ons geteken het, het ook al saam met die lawaaimakers in die straat gekuier."

Nieuwoudt sê die sosiale verhurings is noodsaaklik vir hulle. "As ons nie funksies kan hou nie, kan ons nie die plek aan die gang hou nie. Ons moet ook dringend kyk na die toestand van die vloer. As ons al die werk en aankope self doen, sal dit R72 000 kos, terwyl 'n kontrakteur R180 000 vra."

Die klubgebou is in 1960 met geld van die sakesektor en 'n lening van die stadsraad opgerig op munisipale grond. Die lening is binne drie jaar terugbetaal.

Sou die klub nie verder kan voortbestaan nie, val die gebou terug na die Munisipaliteit, wat hulle die waarde van die verbeterings (sowat R1,7 miljoen) moet uitbetaal. Die klub het nou 'n versoek aan die Munisipaliteit gerig om die instandhouding oor te neem.

"As ons teen die einde van die maand nog nie 'n antwoord het nie, gaan ons voort met die verhurings."

* Residents of Du Toit Street in Paarl are up in arms about  noise  in the recreation hall in their street.

A SPECIAL task team is putting the brakes on car theft in the Paarl area.

After nearly 20 vehicles had been reported stolen in Paarl during January, police decided to hit hard at car thieves.

Information gathered led police to believe that three syndicates might be operating in the area, each with its own particular target.

Apart from the cars stolen for parts or for resale in the Peninsula, statistics are grossly inflated by vehicles reported stolen, only to be found "lost".

Vehicles are also reported stolen when they are actually being used by acquaintances, but without the owners' knowledge or consent.

This happened at the weekend when a car was reported stolen from a shebeen in the provincial roads camp in Paarl South.

The police immediately mounted a search, but then the case was withdrawn by the owner.

Since the establishment of the task team a fortnight ago, only one pick-up truck had been stolen, from Alleman Street in Paarl South.

"We are on the verge of a breakthrough," said communications officer Capt Johnny May.

Seven arrests have already been made and several stolen vehicles recovered, some intact, others already dismantled.

"Many of the suspects have been positively identified with various other crimes, such as housebreaking as far afield as Durbanville and Bellville," Capt May said.

Anwar Mitchell of Mitchell's Plain, Rieduwan Benjamin of Wellington, Elfrendo Smit, Soundirajan Moodley and Veldico Borrins of Paarl East and two youths (15 and 16 years old) are in detention.

The task team swooped on possible "chop-shops", informal panelbeating firms in Mbekweni, Newton and Dal Josaphat on Thursday with the aid of a helicopter and the Crime Prevention Squad.

Evidence gathered there is being processed.

Addresses of suspects in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha were also searched.

Vehicle thieves have now moved from stealing cars at Huguenot railway station to targeting residential areas such as Courtrai, Vrykyk and Central Paarl.

Parking areas outside pubs in Huguenot are especially hard hit.

Said Capt May: "Many people are negligent. Cars are not even parked in driveways, but simply left parked in the streets at night."

Capt May requested the public to report suspects strolling through residential areas to him (807-4046) or to Capt Charles Daniels (807-4235). The after hours police number is 807-4000.

THE first group of beneficiaries of the new housing project at Lanquedoc moved into their brand new houses on Saturday. About 50 families, formerly residing on Boschendal farm, are now living in their own houses.

The new houses were constructed with grants from the Department of Land Affairs (R11,4 million) while Boland District Council supplied funding for the services (R4,36 million).

The hamlet is located in the picturesque Dwars River Valley near Pniel and its schools and shops.

The 445 new houses are located alongside the historic workers' houses designed by Herbert Baker and constructed more than a century ago.

The land of 39 hectares was excised from the core Boschendal lands by Anglo American Farms and developed in a project which aims to give land ownership to its employees without any cost to them.

They will however be responsible for the municipal accounts for rates and taxes on each property.

The total size of the village (including existing houses) will eventually be 611 houses with an estimated 3000 residents.

The project follows years of intensive negotiations with the employees and their elected representative committee. Each family receives a house with the same number of rooms as the one they inhabited on the farm.

The new homes, in a traditional style, have steeply pitched roofs with loft bedrooms and double volume living areas.

To date 94% of the families have signed the title deeds, while forty families have so far refused, complaining that the houses are smaller and not in a safe rural setting.

Boschendal farm is to be developed into an upmarket agricultural housing estate with manorhouses in a vineyard setting as well as a retirement village and hotel.

Part of the farm (600 hectares) on the slope of the Groot Drakenstein mountains is to be placed into a trust and run as a nature reserve from which the local community will benefit.

The Dwars River Community Development Fund will assist the previously disadvantaged residents of the area and promote tourism and job creation.