By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A 23 year-old man who was arrested early last year for rape of a 14 year-old girl appeared briefly in Taung Magistrate Court.

Sokhupha(23) appeared before Taung Magistrate Court for raping Matlapaneng-born teenager.

His case was postponed until 15 May 2013 for formal bail application.

“Sokhupaha’s case was postponed yesterday after he acquired a new lawyer” police said.

He was subsequently arrested last year for raping a teen in Matlapaneng village said North West police.

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North West Acting Premier, Raymond Elisha is deliver the provincial government’s message of support at the COSATU-North West 2013 May Day Provincial rally to be held at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg tomorrow.

The rally to be held under the theme “united working class for a radical economic transformation.” where the Deputy President of the ruling party, Cyril Ramaphosa to commence as from11:00am is expected to attract thousands of workers.

In acknowledging the critical role that workers continue to play in building a prosperous country and economy and wishing workers who will be celebrations workers day across the province a joyous May Day, Acting Premier Elisha said that the celebrations should remind everyone that creating decent work is the most effective weapon in the campaign against poverty and that the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality are not insurmountable.

Elisha called for increased productivity and for workers to defend the strength of their unity, the gains of freedom and progressive labour laws, fight corruption wherever it raises its ugly head and the scourge of rape.

North West Acting Premier Raymond Elisha and MEC for Human Settlement

  and Public Safety, Nono Maloyi are to visit the homes of 11-year-old rape victim Odentse Mogale,13 –year-old muti killing victim Neo Ramaswe and the 92-year-old rape victim granny in Mmakau tomorrow morning.

The visits to the crime victims’ homes are to precede the Anti-crime prayer and commemoration service in honour of the late Kgosi Bazabaza Motsepe to be held as from 9:00 am at the Bakgatla Ba-Mmakau Tribal Kgotla in Mmakau.

The prayer and commemoration service for divine intervention is also aimed at mobilising the community for a partnership against crime which in recent months have claimed the lives of 11-year old rape victim Ofentse Mogale and 13-year-old muti killing victim Neo Ramaswe. Another crime victim in the area was a 92-year- old granny who was repeatedly raped by a parolee.

The service at which Acting Premier Elisha is to deliver the keynote address is also intended at praying for peace and unity within the community and promoting harmonious relationship between the community and the police which is at its all time low given escalating crime in the area.

Premier Thandi Modise has called for united action against crime and the scourge of rape and for crime prevention efforts involving Community Policing Forums, Street committees and neighbourhood watch to prioritise elderly women and orphans who are staying on their own.

In response to the Premier’s call, the province has started with distribution of a crime prevention safety kit that includes whistles and pepersprays to elderly women and intensified mobilisation for the one million signature anti-rape campaign.