North West businessman who brutally assaulted a boy and got away with just a R300 fine by a local court could soon be back in the dock.

On Wednesday Sowetan reported about the plight of a 14-year-old who was stripped naked, tied to a coffee table and severely assaulted in full view of his friends by a local businessman in Itsoseng, Lichtenburg, for allegedly stealing a PlayStation console.

The Ditsobotla Magistrate’s Court freed the businessman on a R300 fine last Thursday after he had pleaded guilty.

But the family of the boy – who is now struggling to urinate and is bunking school – has cried foul over the handling of the case.

The video showing the whole incident in September 2014 has since gone viral and could become crucial evidence in the case.

It had not been considered when the case went to court.

Those who helped the businessman beat up the boy could also face charges.

This after the National Prosecuting Authority in the province ordered the control prosecutor at the Ditsobotla Magistrate’s Court to provide the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with the relevant police docket and a full report regarding the procedure followed when issuing the fine.

NPA spokesman Frank Lesenyego said the DPP would take a decision on the next course of action after receiving all the information.

“Consideration will be given to what’s in the docket and the procedure that was used to come to that decision,” Lesenyego said.

He said the DPP was going to carefully consider all the facts in the video and make a decision on what should be done.

In the video, seen by Sowetan, there were people who helped the businessman to assault the boy.

“We need to separate the two powers of the police investigation and the prosecution,” Lesenyego said.

“If they say the video is legitimate, the people who we see helping the man in that video could also be charged.

“We are going to consider all the information available to us,” Lesenyego said.

Meanwhile, the family of the boy said they want the case to run its full course.

They are also thinking of taking civil action for compensation while the businessman is tried for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

They believe that the compensation will ensure that the boy finds closure as well as take care of his medical and educational needs.
Source: Sowetan

Taung- A doctor has urged the matrics to focus on their dreams.

The 29-year-old Boitumelo Phakathi is South Africa’s youngest black female surgeon.

“I just completed my masters in general surgery. I see it as a great achievement, especially to achieve it at such a young age, because many people quit along the way. It’s been a challenge. It takes a minimum of five years to complete a masters degree and you spend long hours at the hospital,” said Phakathi.

Phakathi, from Taung in the North West, said her dream of becoming a doctor was inspired by her desire to contribute to improving the health services in South Africa.

Phakathi said although she did not have the money for university, she researched how she may be able to get funding.

“In my first year I struggled, but I used a loan from NSFAS, but towards the end of my first year I got a bursary from North West Province.”

– Sapa

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West provincial legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Roads, Transport and Community Safety will meet with MEC for public works, Madoda Sambatha.

This came about after the committee’s findings over road inspections between Tlapeng and Manthe village in Taung.

Chairperson for portfolio committee, Wendy Matsemela said: “The committee went on an oversight visit to inspect the road as part of “O re bone re go bone” programme on Tuesday.

The committee discovered that the road was full of potholes. Matsemela said the road was not conducive for motorists to drive on. She said the motorists opted to drive on the unpaved side of the road to avoid potholes.

“We want to take the legislature to the people. We also strengthened oversight and public participation. We want to promote accountability and transparency in government.

“The road does not comply with road regulations. There is no road signage.

We have to engage with MEC Madoda Sambatha regarding the findings. We want to know whether the department is doing oversight into their projects or not,” she said.

Matsemela further added that they will investigate whether the contractor also followed the specifics of the tender.

“Lives have been lost on this road and these problems have to be taken seriously. We will arrange an urgent meeting with MEC Sambatha and his department to engage on the findings,”she said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

PROVINCIAL MEC for rural, environment and agricultural development department, Manketsi Tlhape said they will continue to empower women and youth. Tlhape visited women and youth various food projects in Dr Ruth Mompati region this week.

“It is a befitting honour and gesture from our department as we commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the Women’s march and 40^th anniversary of the Class of 1976. It is our belief that all their efforts were not in vain. We will continue to recognise the gallant contribution made by these groups.

“We are aware that women and youth specifically on agriculture and rural development are making an effort to establish them. We have lot of cooperatives in the names of these groups so far. It is our role as government to keep on encouraging them,” Tlhape said.

She added that women and youth from these projects remain exemplary to others. She further added that their contribution towards economic growth of the province was immensely.

Tlhape also added that the visit was to assess all projects. She said they wanted to ensure that agriculture remains the key provincial economic driver.

“We want to see your businesses being sustainable. We will act upon and ensure that inclusion of women and youth in mainstream economy takes place. We will continue to visit other projects in various districts,” she said.

Tlhape also visited Matshediso Mooketsi and Thandeka Moseki farms. They were the previous winners of Female Entrepreneur Awards.

Both women have grown their farming since their winnings. They have both used the funds to expand on their infrastructure, livestock and inputs for their produce.

Moseki said despite challenging market distance from her Driekiesrus farm which is 40km away from Stella, she is still in business.

“I am not deterred by distance. I continue to look for other markets for my produce. I sell spinach, cabbage and carrots and potatoes and fruits. I am currently using my 3,6 hectares and looking forward to expand,” Moseki said.

Mooketsi said: “I have employed six employees permanently. I envisage that my business will flourish and will employ more people. My business has received support from government and grown in bounds. I also have 121 Nguni cattle and 30 Bonsmara breeding cows. We have another 61 Boer and Kalahari Red Goats and 1500 Layer Hens. I have also started with vegetable production.”

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MORE than 35 000 small business across North West has benefited from small business development department thus far. The spokesperson, Cornelius Monama said they will continue to support SMMEs.

“The department will continue to work with various stakeholders to support small businesses. We have also pumped more than R8m to assist. We know that small businesses contribute immensely to the main stream economy.

“We have other entities that we working with. We have SEDA and others. So we urge our small business owners to visit those areas for any assistance,” Monama said.

The department of Small Business Development has been allocated R1.3 billion for the 2016/17 financial year. Monama said of this allocation, 17 percent goes to administration and personnel.

He said the remainder, which is 83 percent goes to the core business of the department, strengthening small businesses and cooperatives.

“The Black Business Supplier Development is allocated R245 million. Cooperatives incentive scheme have been allocated R75 million. For National Informal Business Upliftment Scheme the allocation is R96 million and the Enterprise Incubation Programme is allocated R46 million. For the craft sector, the department has allocated R10 million.

“The department has allocated R634 million to the Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) of which R140 million will go to Technology Support Programme. A R13 million will capacitate in building for small businesses. The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) has been allocated a budget of R213 million for the current financial year,” he said.

Monama further added that consistent with the undertaking made by Minister Lindiwe Zulu last year, Sefa will approve a further R3.4 billion of loan financing facilities to SMMEs and Co-operatives over the next three years.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo said they will continue to support small, medium and micro enterprises especially in rural areas. Mahumapelo said they targeted the SMMEs sector as an economic empowerment vehicle for previously disadvantaged people.

“SMMEs will receive significant attention and investment. This will range from establishment of state-initiated projects. We will provide necessary skills to village business owners. We have already implemented village developmental programme,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects sentenced to a combined 28 years imprisonment by Klerksdorp Regional Court on separate charges of rape on Tuesday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the first accused, 22 was incarcerated to 18 years after raping a 14-year-old minor.

“This incident occurred in January 2011 in Jouberton Township near Klerksdorp. The minor was sent to the shops by her mother when she came across the accused who raped her. In another separate incident, a 43-year-old accused was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for raping a seven year-old minor,” he said.

Mokgwabone said the incident took place in September 2015 in Khuma Location near Klerksdorp.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed the sentences. She said that the sentences will serve as an indication that the law will not hesitate to deal with heartless criminals.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 29 YEAR-OLD man was arrested for dealing in drugs in Vryburg on Wednesday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said a Nigerian man was arrested by Crime Intelligence together with Traffic Officials.

“The police approached a suspicious vehicle along the gravel road just outside Vryburg. The driver allegedly ran into the bushes after realising the police were behind him. The police chased and arrested him.

“He was found to be in possession of drugs after he was searched. The police found various types of drugs such as KAT, rock-cocaine, and heroine hidden along the road. The drugs estimated to the value of R327 000 were confiscated,” Mokgwabone said.

He said the suspect will appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

-TDN

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Picture: (North West health department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MANY patients across North West will now access their medication in various pharmacies. This was part of Central Chronic Dispensing and Distribution programme. MEC of health Dr Magome Masike said the programme was piloted in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district and will be implemented across.

“We have an agreement with some pharmacies around the province. The aim of this initiative was to reduce backlog and queues in our hospitals. We have already piloted this project in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district. The department experienced queues on daily basis at various hospitals.

“This is part of speeding up basic service delivery. We will inform our patients how the process works. We have patients who fetch ARVs, diabetes and TB medications at the hospitals. The process will make collection of medication easy and accessible,” Masike said.

He said patients will have unique code and will be provided with their medication at their nearest pharmacies. Masike further added that the patients will collect their medication for six months then they will be referred to hospitals afterwards for check-ups.

“We have also bought bicycles for our community healthcare workers in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district. Many patients will wake up at around 3am in the morning just because they want to avoid queues. So we believe together with community healthcare workers we can win the fight,” he said.

Masike said if the programme is successful in Dr Kenneth Kaunda municipality district it will be rolled out to various municipalities. However he said it was also implemented at Ratlou local municipality. He said patients collected their medication at local clinic because there is no pharmacy in the area.

-TDN

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JUSTICE and constitutional development department in North West said they were ready to rub shoulders with their counterparts across the country. The department honoured their provincial employees. The department will also host National Service Excellence Awards soon.

Acting regional head of justice and constitutional development department, Joseph Makutle said they hosted regional awards to honour employees who dedicated themselves to their work. The second edition of Service Excellence Awards in the region was hosted recently. (Friday last week) in Mahikeng.

“This is our second annual service excellence awards. We want to honour those employees who showed dedication and selflessness. They played a pivotal role towards service delivery.

“The awards will inspire greatness within their performance. We also believe they will uplift the morality at work place. We also want to applaud all nominees and also want to encourage all staff to participate in the future,” Makutle said.

He also urged all employees to continue to practice Batho Pele principles at all time. Makutle further added that the employees were at the cutting edge while dealing with clients.

Justice and constitutional development department national chief-director for programme support, Mosalanyana Mosala was part of the proceeding. Mosala commended those who were nominated too.

“We want to applaud you for your unwavering dedication towards your duty. You form the integral part of this institution. I also want to encourage you to work harder. Just bear in mind that your participation is noticeable. To all those who have been awarded must continue to work hard too,” he said.

One of the recipients, Seledu Moloko said: “I have learnt a lot from you guys over the years. And I believe our contribution will continue to inspire others. We learn new things daily.”

Manager for Language Practice, Billy Molele commended Moloko for his dedication.

“He is very profound, dedicated and eloquent in most languages. He had a unique quality for interpretation services. The department pride itself by having you. We hope upcoming and young interpreters have learnt from you,” Molele said.

Madikwe Magistrate Court scooped the best model award and Taung Magistrate Court was honoured as the best model sub cluster court. Other individuals were also recognised.

-TDN

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NALEDI local municipality mayor, Langa Modise was instructed to take firm action against municipal manager. This came about after municipal manager, Modisenyane Segapo walked out of the meeting on Wednesday at legislature. The municipality appeared before North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts to account on the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) outcomes of the 2014-15 financial year.

Chairperson for the committee, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng said Segapo’s behaviour was uncalled for.

“Segapo appeared before the committee without having the MFMA documentations. When I asked him about it he took exception. We requested the mayor to speak to ask him to come back, but he still refused. We cannot have officials who refuse to account. This is taxpayers’ money.

“In terms of the Constitution, Sec 114(2)(a)states that a provincial Legislature must provide for mechanisms to ensure that all provincial Executive Organs of the state in the province are accountable to it. Furthermore provisions of the North West Provincial Legislature Standing Rules, Rule 239, provides that Segapo is in contempt of the Legislature as he had actually interfered with the ability of the Legislature to perform its function, more so by failing to report to the Committee when required to do so and by failing to obey any ruling, order or resolution of the Legislature,” Mahlakeng said.

He said they rescheduled the meeting until Wednesday.

According to the provincial Auditor General’s office, the Naledi local municipality is struggling to pay their debtors including Eskom. It was also discovered that most of the officials owe the municipality a lot of money for rates and services. Some of officials and councillors are doing business with the municipality too.

-TDN

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