By Obakeng Maje

Mahikeng-Molopo Magistrate Court is expected to sanction a woman who robbed unsuspecting clients at Absa bank in Mahikeng.

Dineo Molete is due to appear before court after she was arrested a month ago. Molete went through into Absa bank wearing a t-shirt depicted with a bank logo and pretend to be for the bank.

Police said Molete only targeted clients who deposited bulk cash.

“Molete allegedly took a man who came to deposit money to her “office” and pretend as if she is helping him” police said.

She allegedly left office with cash and ran out of the bank. The victim started to suspects something is wrong after the latter fails to return.

He stormed out of the bank and noticed the perpetrator. The businessman chased her and discover his cash from Molete.

Molete was subsequently arrested and according to police’s preliminary investigations, Molete was found in possession of 13 IDs.

Molete is connected to other fraud cases in Gauteng and is expected to be sanctioned by Molopo Magistrate Court.

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The triple medals that Stephen “Tshipi-Tshipi” Mokoka’s scooped at the 27

th Summer Universiade / World University Games in Kazan, Russia is a great achievement that should boost his morale and confidence for yet another sterling performance at the Commonwealth Games, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday.

“Tshipi Tshipi is maturing with each race, is a worthy champion and our ambassador who continues to prove that with determination, aspirant athletes from rural communities can rise to dominate the international marathon platform. He is an inspiration and a role model for our youth,” said Premier Modise.

The Premier said that the provincial government joins the Mokoka family and the community of Ramatlabama village outside Mahikeng in the North West Province in congratulating Tshipi Tshipi who scooped the men’s 10 000m final in Kazan, and grabbed individual silver and team gold in the half-marathon recently.. 

The 27-year-old Mokoka ran away with title in 28:45.97 after toying with the Rybakov brothers (Anatoly and Evgeny) from Russia throughout the race.Mokoka  had also finished in eighth position at the World Half-Marathon Championship held in Kayama, Bulgaria in October last year and  at the global half-marathon  championship in Birmingham ,England in 2009. 

The incident in which a teenager allegedly stabbed his father to death and wounded his 8-year-old sister is stark reminder of the extend to which drugs are destroying families and calls for intensified united action against drugs, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in expressing shock on Sunday.

“We are saddened by the incident and call on our communities to blow the whistle on those who are destroying our youth and families, support collaborative efforts of crime prevention structures and police to uproot drug dealers and to reclaim their schools, streets and neighbourhoods from criminals,” emphasised Premier Modise in condemning the incident.

According to police, the 17-year-old arrived late at home in Hartbeespoortdam and when his father questioned him about this, an argument ensued between the two before the suspect who was allegedly under the influence of drugs stabbed his father on his back and chest. The victim reportedly died on the scene. 

The suspect who was later arrested and is police custody pending his appearance in the Brits Magistrates Court tomorrow reportedly also stabbed his 8-year-old sibling on the throat and waist when she tried to intervene.

She was rushed to hospital. 

It should be a shame to men that incidents of gender based violence continue during men’s month they are supposed to be committing themselves to promoting gender equality, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in condemning the strangling of a woman to death by her boyfriend who later took his own life in Klipgat near Mabopane over the weekend.Premier Modise urged men who are insecure in their relationships to seek urgent counselling and professional help instead of resorting to violence which results in dire consequences for all parties involved.

“Prevention of violence against women should be supported by real men who understand it to be key to achieving gender equality as well as women’s access to human rights in general and sexual and reproductive rights in particular,” stressed Premier Modise.

According to police, the suspect went to his girlfriend’s house at Odineburg /Bheki Township Settlement at around 21:00 and allegedly grabbed and strangled his 35-year-old girlfriend after an argument that led to a fight.

The mother of the victim reportedly tried to stop the suspect from strangling her daughter, but was unsuccessful. The suspect fled the scene and allegedly hanged himself at another house around the vicinity after he learnt that the woman had died on arrival at the nearby Odi District Hospital.

Police are investigating a murder and inquest case.   

North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the attack of a man wearing a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) T-Shirt at Nkaneng Informal Settlement and called on police not to leave any stone unturned until those responsible are behind bars.

According to police, that the man was attacked while heading to the Wonderkop stadium, where NUM was holding a membership recruitment rally on Sunday.

“The faceless instigators of violence within these communities have to be unmasked and brought to book soonest so that violence does not become a way of life in these communities,”Premier Modise emphasised in appealing to members of the public to come forward with information that might assist police in their investigations

 Modise called on rival unions NUM, Amalgamated Mining and Construction Union (AMCU) to desist from acts of provocation, violence and intimidation and to respect the Marikana Peace Accord and the Framework for Peace and Stability in the Mining Industry they had signed on 25 February 2013.

By Obakeng Maje

Klipgat-Police are investigating a case of murder and inquest after a suspect allegedly strangled his girlfriend to death.

“It is alleged that on Friday at about 21:00, the suspect went to his girlfriend’s house at Bheki township. They alleged had an argument that led to a fight” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

A suspect allegedly grabbed his 35 year-old girlfriend and strangled her.  

“According to the information, the mother of the victim tried to stop the suspect from strangling her daughter, but without success” she said. 

The victim was taken to hospital where she later died, and the suspect fled the scene.

Police said a man allegedly hanged himself at another house at Bheki Section after learning about the death of a woman. Police are investigating a case of Inquest.

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By Obakeng Maje

Hartbeespoortdam: Police have opened a case of murder and attempted murder after a 45 year-old victim was allegedly stabbed to death with a knife by his 17 year-old son on Saturday.

“It is alleged that both the victim and the suspect had an argument after the victim questioned the suspect for coming home late” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

The suspect who was allegedly under the influence of drugs, stabbed the victim on his back and chest and the victim died on the scene. 

“According to the information, the suspect’s sister(8), who tried to intervene was also stabbed on her throat and waist. She was taken to the hospital where she is recuperating” Makau said.  The suspect was arrested and will appear at the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

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By Obakeng Maje

Motswedi- North West police arrested a suspect for allegedly stabbing a victim with a knife in his chest at Borakanelo village at Motswedi village.

“It is alleged that both the suspect and victim were at a tavern when they had a fight. According to the information, the suspect took out a knife and stabbed the victim in his chest” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

The victim died in the scene and a 41 year-old suspect will appear before magistrate on Monday at Zeerust Magistrate Court.

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By Obakeng Maje

Tlokwe-The Democratic Alliance held a meeting today at Ikageng,in Tlokwe municipality to listen to the hopes and concerns of residents and to discuss the DA’s plans for governance.

“Residents are giving the DA the full go ahead for our programme of delivery and stability in Tlokwe municipality” DA Chris Hattingh said.

Democratic Alliance Hattingh said this is because the DA remains the only political force that can bring stability to the municipality given the severe divisions within the ANC.

“The community’s concerns about corruption findings against former ANC Mayor Maphetle Maphetle was addressed at the meeting.

“Residents have the full assurance that the DA will take action on the forensic audit commissioned during our last period in government in Tlokwe” he said.

DA also shared their plans to act immediately to deal with housing being affected by unsafe dolomite rocks beneath the surface threatening to endanger residents in Ikageng location.

“We also plan to continue the project of making communities safer through a 24 hour safety service”. 

“Importantly, we will fill all vacant positions with officials committed to delivery in Tlokwe” DA said.

The court hearing to end the ANC’s illegal occupation of the Tlokwe municipal offices is set down for Tuesday, 23 July.

“Thereafter more details about the DA’s governance plans in Tlokwe will be made available” Hattingh said.

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By Obakeng Maje

PRETORIA– The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa today commended the police, for their ‘never give up spirit’ in pursuit of a serial rape suspect who has been committing various murder and rape crimes around the Tongaat area, in KwaZulu-Natal.  

The suspect was arrest in the early hours of this morning.

Over the past few months, there have been five murder cases of women that were investigated, who were all lured by a particular suspect through promising to offer them job opportunities. 

“The victims were then raped and murdered around the bushes in the Tongaat area in KwaZulu-Natal” minister spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said.

As the investigation continued, a girl who was an accomplice to the prime suspect was arrested last month, whilst the prime suspect has been on the run ever since.  “Between last night and this morning a team of police investigators, assisted by the Crime Intelligence team narrowed down the search to Port Elizabeth, where suspect was arrested at 3am this morning” Mnisi said.

“As the police leadership we want to commend our police officers who worked tirelessly over the past months. Their never give up spirit led to this arrest” Minister Nathi Mthethwa said. 

Mthethwa said the arrest further testimony of what they have been emphasizing that, through integrated approach of working together as different units within South African Police Service (SAPS), they shall ensure that those who commit crimes are apprehended.  “Through specialized investigations police will be able to move beyond arresting such perpetrators but move towards securing harshest sentences.”

“As government we remain resolute in ensuring that perpetrators of crimes against women, children and the elderly are heavily punished. That is why in 2009, I instructed that we re-establish the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units, to specifically investigate such crimes” Minister said.  

To date since its re-launching this unit has trained specialized police officers and to deal with crimes such as rape.  

“In addition, we continue to prioritize capacitating of detectives so that we can ensure that we secure harsher convictions in courts,” added the Minister.

The suspect has already been linked to three cases of murder as well as rape. The investigating team has already taken various samples from the victims’ bodies and these have been transmitted to SAPS forensics, for further verification. 

The investigation continues and the suspect is expected to appear at the Verulam Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

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