Monthly Archives: May 2015

Four appear in court for stock-theft

NEWS Leave a comment

Mokgareng stock

BY BAKENG MAJE 

Four stock-theft suspects were remanded in custody amid bail application after being arrested for stock-theft in Mokgareng village, near Taung on Tuesday.

Boitshoko Ephraim Mogapi(19), Philisile Funani(21), Mogomotsi Bookie Molaowa(21) and Tshepang Matthews Seitshiro(19) where arrested by community members after they were allegedly found in possession of suspected stolen livestock.

Police preliminary investigations show that, 13 cows that were in possession of this four boys were stolen from Manthe village, Mabereng village in Tlapeng, and others from Mokgareng village.

Community members called police and the suspects were arrested and charged with stock-theft.

Anti-crime organisation, Kgomo Modimo Wa Gae representative Tom Monnahela said they applaud community members who reacted swiftly in arresting the suspects.

“We would like to advice live-stock owners to be careful regarding their livestock because criminals are making meal out of them. They need to tattoo their stock so that can be easy for police to identify them,” he said.

Four suspects will be back in court on 01 June 2015 for bail application.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_ 

North West police discover decomposed bodies near mines

NEWS Leave a comment

60c5c766737548e993e5bf0c3decec40

BY OBAKENG MAJE
A body of a 39-year-old missing taxi driver was discovered by police on Wednesday, near mines at Kroondal, North West police said.

Captain Paul Ramaloko said, the security guards were allegedly chasing a cable suspects in the veld outside the mines when they stumbled across a decomposed body of a man aged between 23 and 30 which was thrown in the hole.

“The man’s hands and feet were bounded with a rope and belt and without shoes. The police decided to contact a search around that area, and discovered a body of a 39 year-old taxi driver who went missing a week ago,” Ramaloko said.

According to police, both bodies were decomposed and could not be linked to the taxi unrest that were experienced two weeks ago.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_ 

Taung model plans to make it big in the modelling industry

NEWS Leave a comment

 

 

Akanyang Kalamore#2 (1)

BY OBAKENG MAJE

SHE is still doing her matric but Akanyang Kalamore plans to make it big in the modelling industry.

At 21, the Dryharts-born model believes she has what it takes to be successful.

“I’m a big dreamer and very passionate about life, I believe in my ability and always follow my dream and what I strive for until I achieve my objectives.

“I want to be someone that the young people can look up to. I believe that with God by my side, nothing is impossible,” she said.
Kalamore is inspired by her cousin, Boingotlo Magabe who played a pivotal role in launching her modelling career.
“Boingotlo helped me with my first modelling portfolio and being a model made me see things differently. I am now a different person altogether. I was little bit shy when I grew up, but now I believe in myself, I feel so good about me and love everything about me,” she said.

It has not been without challenges though as her father disapproved of her going on the catwalk ramp.

“I faced a lot of challenges with dad not approving me being a model. I forced to get on the stage for a catwalk even while I hid it from him until I decided that I can’t go on like that anymore.
“Even though Taung does not have any agencies around, I believe that will change in no time because there is abundance of talents in the area,” she said.
Akanyang is the reigning Miss Greater Taung Municipality.

“I want to go far in modelling and fulfil my dream. I want to see myself as an independent woman, a world renowned journalist and a radio personality in the next five years. Being beautiful and skinny does not mean you can become a model; it has to be something within. It takes time, effort, commitment and patience to become a top model. Success does not happen overnight, so it takes someone with confidence, good attitude and friendly personality,” she said.
The tall and slender beauty wants to change circumstances that affect youth in her area.

“Poverty, crime, drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy and crime are rife amongst the youth especially in Taung. All this issues are there but our youth are very ignorant. At this time we all know the consequences of these, but we still indulge ourselves in them and risk our lives,” she said.

Lack of guidance was the major challenge facing young people and that too has to be changed.

“Together we can do much more and change the mindset of the youth especially in Taung. We’re the future generation, the leaders of tomorrow so education is the only getaway vehicle to alleviate poverty,” Akanyang said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West Speaker to Host Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal Programme

NEWS Leave a comment

The North West Provincial Legislature will be hosting the Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programme to be held on Wednesday, 27 May 2015,  at Mmakau Tribal Authority at the Madibeng Local Municiplaity at 09h00am. 

The aim of the programme is to reconcile, heal and renew the people of Madibeng working together towards peace, service delivery and economic prosperity.

The programme will be attended by political parties, faith based organisations, non- governmental organisation and members of the community.

There will be various speeches by denominations in attendance and performances by gospel choirs to inspire the attendees.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
 

Fifa chiefs arrested on corruption charges

NEWS Leave a comment

Six football officials were arrested in Zurich in the early hours of Wednesday on suspicion of receiving bribes worth millions of dollars, Swiss authorities said. The arrests were made at the request of US officials investigating corruption charges.

“The bribery suspects – representatives of sports media and sports promotion firms – are alleged to have been involved in schemes to make payments to the soccer functionaries – delegates of Fifa … and other functionaries of Fifa sub-organisations – totaling more than $100-million,” the Swiss justice ministry said in a statement.

The New York Times reported that Fifa officials were among those arrested.

The officials, part of international soccer’s top body, face extradition to the US following their arrest at an expensive Swiss hotel, the paper said.

More than 10 officials are to be charged with “wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering” in New York by the Department of Justice.

The charges are a major challenge for Fifa that comes as its head Sepp Blatter looks to secure a fifth term in a Friday vote. The organisation has been dogged by bribery allegations.

Blatter, a powerful figure in sports, is not a target of the US case.

In May, Blatter denied he was a target of an FBI corruption investigation.

The denial came after an ESPN television documentary said the Swiss official stayed away from the US over a FIFA investigation. – AFP

Bloemfontein taxi accident leaves 14 injured

NEWS Leave a comment

A rear end collision between a taxi and a truck along the M10 in Bloemfontein has left fourteen people injured this morning at around 07h12.

Reports indicate that the taxi slammed into the rear of a truck, however, the exact details to the cause of the accident id still speculative and will form part of the police investigation.

“Netcare 911 paramedics and other services arrived at the scene and found the injured at the side of the roadway. After medics treated the injured at the scene, they transported them to various hospitals in the area for the care that they required” Netcare 911 spokesperson, Chris Botha said.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

CALL FOR YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE TO REGISTER ENTERPRISES

NEWS Leave a comment

Mahikeng – As the efforts to place agriculture at the apex of economic contribution in the North West province intensify, the Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development is using this prospect to ensure that young people are not left behind.

The department is calling on all Youth in Agriculture to register their enterprises.

The department would through the entries establish a databank for young farmers in the province. The database would also expose these farmers to youth opportunities that are available locally and nationally.

“The department through this initiative gives recognition of the efforts young people as active participants in the Agriculture sector and rural development as is also aimed at embracing the interests of the young people,” said Thandiwe Moripe-Thabethe, the Special Programs manager in the department.

She said due to a believe that “young people are not only the inheritors and beneficiaries but also the architects of a better life.

Agriculture and Rural Development are currently operating in a globalized business environment, where technological advancement and rapidly changing consumer demands are creating new opportunities, while at the same time increasing challenges to all market participants.

“The department plans to use special youth development initiatives to ensure that local young people are empowered to meet these sector demands,” she said.

Registration forms are obtainable in all local, district and the Head Office of the department. The closing date for registration is on Tuesday, 30 June 2015.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

13 cows recovered, four arrested in Mokgareng for stock-theft

NEWS Leave a comment

Mokgareng stock

BY REGINALD KANYANE
TAUNG- NORTH West police arrested four suspects after they allegedly stole close to 13 cattle.

The incident took place on Monday night where four men allegedly stole 13 cows from Manthe village, in Ba-Ga Maidi area and led them to Mokgareng village, in Taung where they were suspected to be sold.

According to Major Pelonomi Makau, four men were spotted with 13 cows by villagers at around 10:30pm and could not explain where they got them.

“We can confirm that four men were arrested and charged with stock-theft after they allegedly stole 13 cows from Manthe village, in Taung,” Makau said.

She said four men will briefly appear in Taung Magistrates Court.

The chairperson for a local anti-crime organisation, Tom Monnahela said the four men were spotted at Mokgareng village with 13 cows.

“Some of the villagers saw four men guiding the cows towards Reivilo direction, and became suspicious. They confronted them and the suspects were unable to prove the cows belong to them,” Monnahela said.

Police were called and four men were arrested after interrogation.

Meanwhile Taung Magistrates Court sanctioned two men to six years behind bars after they were found guilty of stock-theft in a case took place back in 2008.

Micheal Mosimane from Lokaleng village, in Taung and Thembalihle Ndaba from Kwazulu-Natal province were found guilty of stock-theft by Taung Magistrates Court last week.

Monnahela said stock-theft is rife in the area and advice the stock owners to always make sure they monitor their livestock.

“We have a challenge within our region because it seems criminals found a nest to run their criminal activities. We need to unite in fighting this because livestock is our life,” he said.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Mom slams Taung police over a rape case

NEWS Leave a comment

Crime-Scene.jpg

BY OBAKENG MAJE

A 36-year-old mother is furious at incompetent Taung police after she opened a rape case against her neighbour who allegedly raped her 9 year-old daughter.

 

Kedibone Semakaleng (Not her real name) from Lokaleng village, in Taung said the atrocity took place a month ago after she sent her daughter to call her elder son in the streets where they were playing.

 

According to the dejected mother, she discovered about the rape after she experienced strange behaviour from her 9-year-old daughter and confronted her.

 

“I experienced bizarre behaviour from my child; I never thought that she might have been raped. On the 18th April 2015 while we were sitting at my house, I saw a mark on her short and asked her what was that mark for. She was afraid to tell me, but I forced her to take off that short.

 

“I saw a mark with blood on it and confronted her. She told me that she was raped by our neighbour (Who is known to TDN). My daughter said a 46-year-old neighbour ordered her into his house and took her to his bedroom,” she said.

 

“She said our neighbour, who sells electricity, took her clothes off and penetrated her into her rectum. What made matter worse is that, I went to open a rape case against him, but police are dragging their feet to arrest him. He is now threatening to kill me because I went to the school and inform the principal about what transpired,” said.

 

The accused, who is also part of School Governing Body (SGB) where the victim is attending, now filed a protection order against the mother of the rape child.

 

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that the case was indeed opened, but however refutes the claims that the police are dragging their feet in arresting the perpetrator.

 

“It is not true that the police are dragging their feet in investigating and arresting the suspect.  Following registration of the case, the investigating officer took it to court for advice and it came back with instructions including that the child should be taken to Thuthuzela Care Centre for assessment and obtaining of the suspect’s warning statement.  It is expected that it will be presented before court again early next week.  The complainant is advised to lay a separate charge of intimidation, if the suspect threatens or intimidates her,” Mokgwabone said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Taung family ‘inconsolable’ after murder

NEWS Leave a comment

DSC_5046

BY OBAKENG MAJE
A 40-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death by his friend on Sunday at Molelema village, near Taung after a fight ensued between the two.

The family of Moatlhodimang Willie Seleke (40) said they were touched by the passing of their son because this was untimely. According to Moatlhodimang’s brother, the two were sitting at a local shebeen drinking sorghum beer.

“We received a phone call from some of the locals who saw what really happened and we rushed to the scene. According to the information, the two were sitting at a local shebeen drinking sorghum beer when the suspect (52) allegedly gave my brother R2 for refill as their beer was finished and cost R5.

“The massacre erupted after Moatlhadimang allegedly left the shebeen with the suspect’s R2 amount instead of refilling the beer. The suspect allegedly ran after him and drew a knife and stabbed him on his upper body” Joseph Seleke said.

The victim was rushed to the local clinic for medical attention, but died shortly after that.

Moatlhodimang’s sister, Tshidiso Motingwe said this is not for the first happened as the suspect was stabbed the victim before.

“Andries Godirwang and my brother were always working together as carpenters, but he always complained about the suspect and alleged that he robs him after getting paid. The suspect once stabbed him thrice, but this time he made sure he took him to the grave. My brother was humble person who loved his beer” Motingwe said.

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Emelda Setlhako confirmed the event and said a case of murder was launched at Taung Police Station.

“Taung police were called to a crime scene on Sunday (24 May 2015) at Molelema village in Taung after a 40 year-old man was stabbed to death. The two were allegedly fighting over R2 after the suspect gave the deceased R2 to do refill for sorghum beer, but the victim allegedly left the local shebeen and decided to go home. The suspect chased after him and stabbed him in the chest and the victim was taken to local clinic where he shortly passed away after arrival. The suspect was arrested on the crime spot and is expected to appear at Taung Magistrates Court for murder soon” she said.

Godirwang briefly appeared before court at Taung and the murder case was postponed.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_