BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 16 year-old model, Taahirah Zungu kept North West province and South African flag high after she became Miss Teen Universe.
Full interviews will follow-up.
taungdailynews@gmail.com
Monthly Archives: October 2016
Cash-in-Transit vehicle robbed, security guard shot in Taung
BY REGINALD KANYANE
TAUNG Police are investigating an armed robbery case after a cash in-transit vehicle was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash in Taung Shopping Centre on Monday. North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Pelonomi Makau said a security official was about to enter Absa Bank at the Shopping Complex when unconfirmed number of suspects fired shots at him.
“They allegedly took bags containing cash and fled the scene with a blue Audi vehicle with unknown registration numbers. No one has been arrested and investigation into the matter continues.
“The incident took place at approximately 12:00pm. We are investigating a case of armed robbery and attempted murder,” Makau said.
No one has been arrested and the security guard was taken to hospital for medical attention.
Pudimoe man sentenced to 15 years in jail
BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 41-year-old man was sentenced to fifteen years in jail by Taung Regional Court recently. Pudimoe Police Station spokesperson, Sgt Tebogo Thebe said Mothibi Tikologo was sentenced for murder committed on July 11 back in 2015 in Mase village near Pudimoe.
“The court convicted Tikologo after he was arrested for murdering his girlfriend. Tikologo stabbed her girlfriend with a screwdriver after an argument ensued between the two. The suspect was arrested immediately and has never been granted bail during trial after the police successfully opposed bail,” Thebe said.
MEC Williams Launches Transport Month Campaign In NC
BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
MEC for transport, safety and liaison department, Pauline Williams officially launched the Northern Cape Province’s October Transport Month. Williams said the focus of the transport industry across the country is under the theme: “Together we move South Africa Forward.”
“This is not only a great honour and privilege but also an essential platform to share ideas and exchange thoughts on road safety. We also highlight our plights and initiatives. Today and this month present us as the department of transport and stakeholders with an opportunity to highlight our endeavours.
“Today is not the start of road safety initiatives, law enforcement and awareness on the important work we do as department, but rather a month we give focus to. We talking about the mandate of the department and the important role transport plays in all our everyday lives,” she said.
Williams added that the messages does not exclude anyone but is for all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and users of all forms of transport be it air, land, water or rail.
She further said road safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“We will not seize as department in our efforts to educate our public and all road users of this important fact. This means that each and every one of us has an important role to play and something to contribute towards safer roads and curbing the loss of lives on our roads.
“That starts with me and you. We all have a responsibility to abide by the rules of the road. I am starting with this important reality as it is crucial to any safe, sustainable and cost effective transport system. Let us be cognisant of the fact that the cars do not drive themselves, people do. People walk on the streets, people own livestock that are at times the cause of accidents, people speed and drive under the influence of alcohol,” Williams said.
She said the changing of behaviour and education was imperative. Williams added that people need to maintain good road usage as road users and curb the loss of life on the roads and injuries while creating an environment where all are and feel safe.
R2K lambasts police brutality over #FeesMustFall campaign
BY REGINALD KANYANE
Right To Know organization said they work to protect and advance the right to protest. R2K spokesperson, Alex Hotz said they note with concern the situation on various university campuses across the country.
“Tensions have risen to an all-time high with the shutdown of many universities across the country. There is a widespread use of force, interdicts, arrests, private security and police brutality on campuses.
“In the past weeks we have been seriously concerned about widespread reports of peaceful student protests across the country being met with repression and intimidation. This unfortunately echoes the use of coercion (including the use of interdicts) to prevent and stifle any protest action, including peaceful protests, over the past year,” Hotz said.
He said the constitution protects the right to protest, peacefully and unarmed. Hotz added that this includes protests that are non-violent but disruptive of normal activities.
“Our organisations have been inundated with the need to respond to arrests of students at various institutions as well as documented cases of police and private security brutality. In many of the cases, it is clear that the arrests are arbitrary and unjustified,” Hotz said.
The use of interdicts
He said the practice of universities obtaining wide-ranging court orders that effectively ban any disruptive protest appears to be continuing this year, despite the fact that such measures contribute to an escalation of tensions at universities.
“It deserves reiteration that these interim orders are problematic because they prevent students from engaging in actions that are necessary to give effect to their constitutionally-protected rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Their very existence evidences a preference for court sanctioned quashing of legitimate protest instead of listening to students and addressing their concern.
“The wide-ranging court orders are wrongly used as a basis to invite police onto campuses who unlawfully arrest any person engaged in protest action on the grounds of contempt of court,” Hotz added.
He said furthermore, universities in the past have instituted internal disciplinary processes against students for engaging in peaceful protest.
“We have also had experiences of universities frustrating and delaying the release of arrested students. These processes often happen without attention and proper representation of students. The cumulative effect of which amount to tactics of coercion and creates an environment on campuses that is hostile to student political expression.
“We are especially concerned about violence that has been meted out on student protesters, and now also journalists, especially by private security who are not accountable to the public. The conduct of the authorities and private security has already deepened tension and conflict, and escalated the responses from many protesters,” Hotz said.
“All students’ rights should be protected, including the right to protest and the right not to partake in protest. We note with concern incidents where certain protesters’ conduct and tactics have gone beyond the protected right to protest. We do not condone these incidents, but in many cases they can be understood as an almost inevitable response to securocratic approaches on many campuses to ‘deal’ with the return of #FeesMustFall protests through clampdowns.
“We call on all universities and on government to respect and protect the right to protest, and to ensure that action is taken against the inappropriate use of force by police and private security,” he said.
‘Manokwane road to be tarred’
BY REGINALD KANYANE
North West premier Supra Mahumapelo will do follow-up on the bridge and housing projects in Taung on Tuesday.
Mahumapelo will do assessment and hand over three houses to beneficiaries in Kolong village.
Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said three people were relocated from their initial areas to make way for the newly built bridge.
“Mahumapelo will hand over new houses allocated to them. He will be joined by Batlhaping Ba-ga Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority Chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane.
“North West premier will also do sod-turning for D221 road between Manokwane and Maphoitsile road,” Setswambung said.
Mahumapelo is also expected to address the media about the outcomes of Exco meeting that was held recently.
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Bokone Bophirima scoops position 3 in National indigenous games
BY REGINALD KANYANE
NORTH West Education and Sport Development department has obtained position three in the South African Indigenous Games festival recently. The games were held on 25–28 September 2016 at Seshego Stadium, near Polokwane.
The department spokesperson, Elias Malindi said the results indicated that Bokone Bophirima has moved one position up from their fourth position they obtained back in 2015.
“The provincial team obtained two Gold and two Bronze medals which catapulted them to 28 points. Kwa-Zulu Natal obtained position one with 52 points followed by Limpopo province with 31 points.
“Bokone Bophirima obtained gold in the Driestokies Female and Gold medal in the Khokho ladies category. They also obtained two Bronze medals in the Driestokies ladies and Dibeke mixed team categories,” Malindi said.
A student from North West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Sibongile Ntshingila, 25 from North West University (Potchefstroom Campus) obtained maximum points in the Driestokies.
“I am very honoured and excited to have taken part in these games. I cannot believe that I obtained the highest points in our category. I owe this success to my teammates and the entire province. Next year I think we are going to work extra hard to obtain position one,” Ntshingila said.
The coach for Khokho, Johny Molifi said he was proud of the team’s achievements. Molifi highlighted that pupils should start to participate in the Indigenous games at an early age.
The Bokone Bophirima Education and Sport Development MEC, Sello Lehari could not hide his excitement on the results of the team.
The provincial team competed in 9 different codes namely; Kgati, Intonga, Diketo, Dibeke, Khokho, Jukskei, Driestokies, Morabaraba and Incuva. Last year Bokone Bophirima obtained position 3 and this year they hope to improve their position.
An illegal ‘poacher’ arrested in Mzwera
BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 50-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for being in possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Schweizer Reneke on Thursday. North West police said Sannieshof Stock theft Unit together with police in Schweizer Reneke arrested the suspect in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke.
Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Pelonomi Makau said for possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.
“The suspect who is from Ivory Park in Tembisa, Gauteng Province was arrested after the police acted on a tip-off. The suspect was on his way to Bloemhof and police followed him up. His vehicle was spotted near a tavern in Migdol near Schweizer-Reneke.
“The suspect was arrested after questioning and search at Schweizer-Reneke Police Station. Police found a rifle, a silencer, seven ammunition used to kill rhinos and elephants, an axe as well as a foil were found hidden inside the suspect’s vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation has shown that the suspect has an outstanding case of bribery and corruption in Honeydew, Gauteng Province. The police cannot rule out likelihood that he was planning to poach rhinos in the North West,” Makau said.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane commended the members for their cooperation that culminated in the arrest of the suspect.
Groot Marico residents receive title deeds
BY REGINALD KANYANE
LOCAL Government and Human Settlements department has rolled out a campaign to issue out title deeds to confirm home ownership to residents. The campaign was recently intensified when 360 title deeds were issued to home owners in Groot Marico under Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality.
North West local development and human settlements department MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe said 600 units were recently completed in Groot Marico. Gaolaolwe handed out 360 title deeds to rightful beneficiaries.
“It was a great honour to provide the beneficiaries in Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality with their title deeds. We believe there is nothing more empowering than owning an asset. These beneficiaries now have proof of ownership of their houses which is the necessary evidence for them to be able to leverage this asset.
“We urge the residents of Groot Marico not sell their houses to anybody as it remains illegal to do so. We also engaged with applicants were most of them were under the age of 25. We requested them not apply for houses but rather ask clarity on how best can the department be of assistance in getting bursaries for them to pursue through higher education,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries Ester Khethene, 50 of Groot Marico who has been staying with her family lauded the department.
Gaolaolwe further said a noticeable difference has been made into the lives of disadvantaged people in Bokone Bophirima. She said housing development provides underprivileged people with decent shelter which restored their dignity and provided them with security and comfort.
“However, the legality of home ownership of government subsidized Breaking New Ground housing units remained a thorn to owners and posed certain challenges.”
“I am grateful and highly appreciate what the department has done. I really never thought that one day I will have this title deed like many other residents. Getting a title deed was being offered a level of freedom and opportunity,” Khethene said.
Three ‘farmers’ arrested for murder
BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Three suspects aged between 68 and 76 will appear in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court on Monday for murder. North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Pelonomi Makau said Phokeng stock theft unit attended a complaint of stock theft at Mogono section cattle post in Luka, near Phokeng on Thursday.
“The police found a man, 24, unconscious after allegedly being severely beaten lying inside one of the suspects’ vehicle with body injuries and his hands tied. The man later passed away at the clinic,” Makau said.
The suspects who are suspected to be farmers were linked to the murder and were subsequently arrested.
The Guardian 