Heart-broken: (Kagiso Otumiseng left with only three sheep after criminals stole more than 10 sheep from him)

BY STAFF REPORTER

TAUNG- THE residents of Maphoitsile village, near Taung are living in fear after some of criminals steal their livestock daylight without any fear.

Thapelo Moroke(41) who is livestock owner was left with only three sheep on Thursday after criminals made way with more than 10 sheep.

“Last year I lost my sheep and were left dead after some jealous people poisoned them. I went on to buy eight lambs last year after the incident and this year I bought 10 sheep, but I lost them through theft this time” Moroke said.

He said he since launched a case of livestock theft at Taung Police Station, but since then he never heard from them.

Another victim was Kagiso Otumiseng(39) who lost all his livestock. He said criminals stole his livestock during the night in its kraal.

“I am very sad and dejected after losing all what I had. Those livestock was my life, my bread and butter. The criminals does not know when they steal our livestock they are actually destroying our kids’ future because we’re not working and we rely on that to generate income” Otumiseng said.

Pudumoe Police spokesperson Tebogo Thebe said they experienced stock theft during festive season and requested those who are owners to take care of their livestock as livestock theft statistics gone viral in Taung area.

“We are aware of that issue and would like to advice livestock owners to make sure they take care of their stock. Livestock theft is a problem in Taung as it consists of rural areas.

“Taung people rely on livestock to make living and by stealing from them, criminals actually cripple the economy of the area. We have a strategic plan to tackle stock theft issue and we will make sure we monitor the issue” sergeant Tebogo Thebe said.

Police advice the residents to make sure that they do not leave their livestock unattended as some criminals steal them after they realize they are stray animals as some of them are always found roaming on N18 between Vryburg and Hartswater.

-TDN

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Desponded: (Grace Pebe on crutches after she was beaten by her husband over Aloe Vera medicine)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MAPHOITSILE- A 52 year-old woman was left crippled by her husband after a quarrel erupted between the two over an Aloe Vera herbal medicine.

Grace Akanyang Pebe from Maphoitsile village, near Taung lived to tell her ‘fairy-tale’ after her husband , Joseph Pebe nearly killed her.

“My husband abused, beaten and insulted me. We were staying together since we got married when I was only 19 year-old. He started to abuse me, but last year October it was my last straw” Grace Pebe said.

According to Gladys, they bought a bottle of Aloe Vera herbal medicine and they drunk the medicine the whole week both of them.

“We were drinking that medicine the whole week and on Friday, the day he assaulted me, he asked me where is the medicine. I told him that the medicine is finished, but that angered him a lot.

“He assaulted me and threw me against the wall. He broke my bones and that is why I am crippled. I now rely on this crutches to move around” said Grace Pebe.

The GBH assault case was opened at Taung Magistrate Court. against the suspect.

Grace’s husband, Joseph Pebe(58) was arrested and appeared before court on Thursday.

He was granted R300 bail and the case was remanded until 04 February 2015.

Grace’ sister, Mary Seetsi(65) said her sister can’t do anything for herself now.

“I stay in Magogong village, but I am forced to visit my sister often as she can’t bath nor cook for herself. Pebe left her and stays with another wife” Seetsi said.

Some of those who attended the case were South African Civic Organisation (Sanco) members in Taung and according to the chairperson of the organisation, Boitumelo Gaojelwe, they condemn domestic violence and said they will support Grace through and through to see justice prevails.

“We real condemn the domestic violence and we will fight tooth and nail to see justice prevails. This is not the only case we fighting, a 5 year-old boy was hanged by his father during Christmas eve, and we want to advice all couples to seek professional help if they experience rough patch in their relationship” he said.

The case continues and police investigation continues.

-TDN

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Devastated: (ANC newly-elected Branch Secretary, Nonofo Maroke with broken hand)

BY STAFF REPORTER

Taung- A CHAOTIC event unfolded at an elective conference held by African National Congress at Manthestad village, near Taung a week ago.

The ANC on Friday expressed disappointment at the collapse of its Kgantlapane Branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that also served as elective conference.

The conference turned into chaos and violence a week ago and that forced comrades to duck and dive in evasive.

The chairs were flying around few minutes after the conference started and that left the newly elected branch secretary Nonofo Maroke with a broken hand.

The faction within the ANC forced the elective conference to be halted for hours before it could commerce.

According to injured branch secretary, Nonofo Maroke the other faction disrupted the meeting because their favourite individuals were not elected.

“Those members who caused uproar, did not agree with the decision taken so they went berserk. They started throwing chairs around and a fight broke. I grabbed the package and in the package was attendance register, ballot papers and other important documents.

“One of the members saw me holding that package and he started to punch, kicked and hit me with a chair. He actually wanted to kill me because he hit me on my head several times before I used my hand to block the chair” Maroke outlines.

However the accused in this case who Maroke said he wanted to kill him, Baker Mosimege did not want to dwell on this matter and said it is very sensitive to talk about it through media.

“I do not want to comment for now because the matter is very sensitive. I would like us to address the matter through proper channels as this issue is very sensitive” Mosimege said.

The ANC in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region said they have received the reports and the matter will be dealt with soon.

“We have written the reports on the violence and disruption of the meeting. Also damage to property issue will be looked into and we will ensure that remedial action is undertaken” Mika Moeti who was a convenor at the meeting said.

The meeting was attended by Klerksdorp Mayor Micheal Khauoe and  Ontlametse Motshwari  who were deployed to oversee things.

Moeti said those who are responsible for violence against members and damage to property, will be dealt with harshly.

Maroke who is also a Personal Assistant to a newly-elected Chief Whip, Morutsile Olifant at Greater Taung Municipality added that the conference commenced smoothly afterwards even though he was rushed to the local hospital after a broken hand.

“The leadership was elected and the conference commenced smoothly afterwards. I was elected as the branch secretary and the representatives who will be attending Provincial Executive Committee conference next week were elected too” he said.

The criminal charges were laid against the accused and is expected to appear before Taung Magistrate Court on the 16th of February 2015.

-TDN

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Pic: Emeldah Pule(30) with Reginah Moitshinye(72)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

COKONYANE- THE family of Dibako in Cokonyane village, near Taung was left dejected after their mentally-ill son was bludgeoned to death by another mentally handicapped man. Reginah Moitshinyetsi (72) said Aobakwe Dibako’s untimely death left them crestfallen and it will take time for them to digest the atrocity.

“I received a call at around 10:00am morning on Friday from the neighbor next to where our son died. They said Aobakwe was stabbed to death by another man who is also mentally unstable after an argument” Moitshinyetsi said.

According to eyewitness, Emeldah Pule, she was walking in the street with the victim when they came across the suspect.

“We were walking in the street on Friday at Cokonyane village, near Taung and we came across the suspect who is mentally-ill and well-known to the victim. “Aobakwe greeted Fenny Phakedi by calling him “Ramasimo” frivolously….loosely translated as farm-boy. I warned Aobakwe not to call suspect like that because he hates be called like that, but he continued anyway. The suspect drew a knife and stabbed him in his neck” Pule said.

A 30 year-old eyewitness said, Aobakwe tried to escape from the suspect but it was already too late and he collapsed few minutes after the stabbing. The victim’s family said the family of the accused is willing to help regarding the burial of Aobakwe.

The suspect was arrested on Friday and will appear before Taung Magistrate Court on Monday to face murder charge.

North West police spokesperson, captain Pelonomi Makau confirmed the incident.

“Taung police are investigating a case of murder after a 33 year-old man stabbed a 42 year-old man to death after an argument. The atrocity took place in Cokonyane village, near Taung on Friday” Makau said.

Police investigation continues.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
TAUNG- Police in Taung are investigating a case of murder after a 33-year- old man stabbed a 42-year- man with a knife on Friday, in Cokonyane village.

“It is alleged that both men who are  mentally not stable had an argument that led to the suspect stabbing the victim in his ribs” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

Police and Emergency Services were called and the deceased was certified dead at the scene.

The suspect was arrested and he will appear in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday, on charges of murder.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
Tlhabane- Police are investigating a case of malicious damage to property after a 35-year-old man died after he allegedly attempted to commit suicide by setting fire on his estranged wife vehicle on Tuesday, at about 05:00 near Tlhabane Police Station.

According to information received, the suspect who was allegedly aggressive had domestic violence-related problems with his estranged wife.

North West police said the man drove to the Tlhabane police station where
he followed his wife who went to lay a charge of malicious damage to property against him.

“This was after an argument ensued at the woman’s place of dwelling. It is alleged that the deceased had damaged his wife’s cellphone by throwing it on the floor. 

“As he arrived at the parking in front of the police station gate and allegedly poured petrol all over the vehicle he was driving” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

Ngubane said as the deceased parked the car he allegedly bumped into the police vehicle which had parked next to his vehicle.

“This made the police to register a case of malicious damage to state property against the deceased.

“As the Police asked the man to step out of his vehicle, he refused the instruction and allegedly set the vehicle alight as he was inside” Ngubane said.

Police  responded immediately as they were next to the vehicle and rescued the deceased without visible injuries.

Emergency Medical Services were summoned to the scene in order to  give him first aid and take him to the local hospital for medical treatment, but he allegedly refused profusely.

The suspect was then arrested.

“He was allegedly reported vomiting at about 05h00 in the morning and EMRS services were called again and he was certified dead on arrival. His death is still unknown as police are still waiting for the post-mortem results and an inquest docket has been opened” he said.

The investigation by IPID to establish the course of death are underway.
-TDN
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Hartswater- The PEC embarked on an extensive process of engagements with the structures of ANC, councilors ftand community members in the Phokwane Municipal area. These engagements commenced early last year when the PEC got a report that the working relationship between the Municipal Mayor, comrade Vuyisile Khen and the Municipal Manager, Moeketsi Dichaba has deteriorated to intolerable levels.

The conflictual relationship between the Mayor and Municipal Manager adversely affected the proper functioning of the municipal. This led a political logjam and the general interest of the community played a second fiddle to political infighting in the municipal.

This political infighting also affected the functioning of ANC branches in the sub-region and divided the Regional Executive Committee. The situation in the Phokwane sub-region was just untenable.

“The tensions in the municipality culminated in the Mayor hastily convening a special Council Meeting last week Thursday (15 January 2015) to put the Municipal Manager on a three months special leave. The ANC is of the view that this decision was not well thought off but an emotional response to the political difficulties confronting the municipality.  The placing of the Municipal Manager on a special leave triggered the intervention by the PEC” ANC Northern Cape spokesperson Zamani Soul.

The PEC also discussed the situation in the municipality with the Secretary General of the ANC, Gwede Mantashe. The SG expressed his disgust at the manner in which the comrades conduct themselves and the affairs of the municipality.

The expectation of the PEC is that 2015 is the penultimate year to the 2016 Local Government and it is crucial for everyone deployed in the local government sector to work towards stabilization of municipalities and to help inputting up measures to improve the performance and service delivery capacity of municipalities.

“This was not happening in the municipality as the comrades deployed to the municipality were overwhelmed by the tensions that found pre-eminence in the municipality, branches and the REC. Based on this, the PWC was left with no other option but to take difficult decisions with far-reaching implications” Saul said.

The PWC took the following decisions with the hope that they will help to restore normality and the dignity of the municipality:

• That, both the Mayor, comrade Vuyisile Khen and the Municipal Manager, comrade Moeketsi Dichaba must resign their positions with immediate effect.
• That, for the time being the current CFO must act as the Municipal Manager until the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs second a senior official to act as the Municipal Manager while the recruitment process for the appointment of the Municipal Manager is underway.
• That, comrade Dibuang Meza, who is a serving councillor, must be appointed as the acting Mayor of the municipality, while the PEC is processing the issue of the final deployment of the Mayor for the municipality.
• That, all the powers relating to governance matters delegated to the REC of Frances Baard Region by the PEC in terms of Rule 21.10 of the ANC Constitution are revoked.

“The PWC hopes that this intervention will bring the long-desired stability and also restore the dignity of the municipality. The only measure of success for the intervention will be the extent to which the municipality will manage to increase its capacity to swiftly respond to the developmental challenges in the municipality. Yesterday we met with all ANC branches, the leagues and the leadership from the broader Alliance Movement in the Phokwane sub-region and they all welcomed the decision and committed to respect it and work towards improving the situation in the municipality.

“It is important to note that both the Mayor and Municipal Manager have resigned. The former Mayor and Municipal Manager are resourceful comrades and have acquired extensive knowledge over the past years. The Mayor has been a Councillor since 1994 and the Municipal Manager has ascended through the ranks of the municipality to occupy the highest administrative position and is in possession of a Masters Degree from the University of the Free State. Therefore it will be appropriate for the ANC to utilise their skills and knowledge in other strategic areas in government to improve the quality of life of the people of the Northern Cape” he said.

-TDN

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