By REGINALD KANYANE
FORMER Mahikeng councillor, Gasitwe Eunice Legalatladi, 44 was found guilty of conspiracy to murder North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo.

Legalatladi was sentenced to five years in prison by the Lehurutshe Regional Court on Monday.

The court heard that she was arrested at Mmasebudule village on the 1st of December 2014 by the Hawks after she seeked assistance from a traditional healer to kill Mahumapelo.

The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said the accused allegedly also intended to kill the then, Executive Mayor of the Mahikeng Local Municipality, Gosiame Seahlolo.

“The accused appeared at the Mmabatho Regional on 28 January 2015 where she was released on R3000.00 bail and made a series of court appearances until ultimately being found guilty,” Rikhotso said.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Linda Mbana welcomed the conviction and applauded the investigation team for ensuring that the law prevails.

The defence legal team intend to appeal against the sentencing.
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A Fraud case against three suspects from Free State province was postponed until Tuesday by Taung Magistrate’s Court.

Mojalefa Springkan (30), Kgosana Tladi (49) and David Mokonyane (52) were arrested three weeks ago in Taung by South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence in partnership with Taung Police Station cluster for card-skimming.

Magistrate Olaotswe Bojosinyana heard how suspects allegedly defrauded unsuspecting victims their hard-earned cash at the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across Dr Ruth Mompati district. The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Kagiso Phemelo was cross-examined and explained how the suspects were eventually arrested. Phemelo said the suspects were followed by crime intelligence police from Vryburg to Taung after a tip-off.

“The suspects allegedly robbed another woman her sassa card at Pudimoe complex in Pudimoe Location, near Taung. Police followed the suspects until Taung Mall where they were allegedly stopped and searched. The police found loads of various bank cards in their possession.

“The suspects were arrested and police confiscated the vehicle that was used during the commission of crime. Two of the suspects who took the stand previously committed various accounts of fraud cases,” he said.

Phemelo also told the court that first accused in this case, Mokonyane has six cases against him such as malicious damage to property, common assault and fraud. He added that the suspect has also lied to court after he alleged that his passport has expired.

“I have obtained the details of Mr Mokonyane’s passport and it expires in 2018. The suspect is a former police officer and he is unemployed. He is a flight risk because he once visited his family in Lesotho. It will be perilous to grant him bail because the society will also lose hope in the justice system.

“I still need more time to obtain statements from the people who their cards were found in possession of the suspects. Some of them do not stay around Taung and it will be difficult to trace the suspect if he is granted bail. Two of the suspects have a pending fraud case against them at Ficksburg in Free State province. They were supposed to be in court on the 4^th of October 2017, however, they were arrested a day before their court date in Taung for fraud,” he said.

Phemelo also told the court that there were other cases opened against the suspects for card-skimming after some of victims came forward and positively identified them as perpetrators.

Bojosinyana postponed the matter until Tuesday because of time constraints.

Taung Police Station cluster spokesperson, Sergeant Tebogo Thebe said: “We have increased police visibility in Taung CBD. We urged bank users to be wary of criminals because we have realised that card-skimming operators ascend to our areas ahead of festive season.

“We are working together with other law enforcement agencies to curb this criminal activities. There are many fraud cases being reported thus far and we will work tirelessly in arresting the perpetrators. The majority of card-skimming incidents in South Africa are recorded around ATMs and, to a lesser extent, at retail merchants when bank cards are presented for payments.”

He further said card users should never give their card to someone at an ATM for any reason. Thebe added that the card users should never let anyone assist them at an ATM, even if they appear to be a bank official or security personnel.

“Beware of people standing close to you when you are concluding transactions at an ATM. Ensure you hide your pin when keying it into an ATM and never use an ATM that looks tampered with or damaged. Card users must always use an ATM in a well-lit area or use an ATM that is monitored by a CCTV camera if possible,” Thebe said.-Newsote

BY BAKANG MOKOTO EIGHTEEN Schools across Taung embarked on a peaceful march to address socio-economic issues affecting learners. The march was organised by Care and Support, Teaching and Learning (CSTL) structure which is part of North West Education and Development department. The initiative commenced from Anglican Church towards Batlhaping High School on Friday. Learners from various schools held placards depicted with various messages like stop bullying, HIV and Aids affect us and others. CSTL coordinator in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Simon Nenzani said many learners are facing socio-economic challenges especially at schools. He said that affect their studies and the initiative was inevitable. “It was imperative for the North West Education and Sport Development department to come up with this initiative. The aim of the programme was to raise awareness within the community of Taung. The initiative addresses socio-economic issues as well as health related matters affecting the society. “Our learners are members of the communities and we want them to be aware of those challenges. This will assist them to stay in school and know what is expected from them. The structure has also engaged with various stakeholders to address these societal issues,” he said. Nenzani further said the engagement also strengthen relationship between educators, learners and communities at large. He added that the department believed that societal issues need to be addressed broadly to build a better society. “We have issues like drug and substance abuse, crime, bullying, teenage pregnancy, HIV and Aids. The initiative addresses all those barriers that contribute to lack of concentration on our learners. It is also important to remove all risky behaviour associated to our learners. Parents play a pivotal role in their children’s lives. They are first line of educators from home before learners come to educational system. “We need to work collectively and ensure that we take care of our learners before is too late. The education system also works together with Social Development, Health departments including the South Africa Police Services (SAPS) and National Interfaith Council of South Africa (NICSA). When learners are equipped with education, no darkness can creep in. We have empowered all schools across the Dr Ruth Mompati region and they are implementing Peer Education and Soul Buddies programmes,” Nenzani. According to research,schoolchildren are particularly vulnerable in classrooms. Two 2012 Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention surveys showed that 44.3% of threats, 51% of assaults, 54.2% of sexual assaults, 60.2% of robberies and 91.5% of thefts all took place in a classroom. The next highest place of danger was a sports field, where 25% of threats took place, 24.8% of assaults, 13.2% of sexual assaults, 14% of robberies and 4.6% of thefts took place. Other locations included corridors, toilets, school gate areas, other open grounds, halls and a small proportion in a principal’s office. Grade 11 from PH Moeketsi High School, Tebogo Dibakwane said: “We learnt a lot through this initiative. It is a blessing to talk about things that affect our daily life. We also learnt on how to socialise with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. I also urge those learners who experience bullying to report it.” “Koketso Moncho, 14 from Pinagare High School said: “Our society is faced with many challenges especially learners. We have peer pressure where a learner will engage in other things that are irrelevant simply because his/her friends are doing them.” Kgosietsile Lethola High School learner, Rebaone Diseko shared the same sentiments. Diseko said learners should take a stand and ensure that they improve their lives. “The future is in our hands and we need to work hard before we engage in things that can ruin our lives. Sometimes it is hard to avoid the temptations, but I believe with our parents guidance, we can produce future leaders,” Diseko said. taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

A Conspiracy case against former Mahikeng councillor, Gaasite Legalatladi is expected to sit today at Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court for judgement. The case was postponed indefinitely after the defence team submitted their ‘heads of argument’ late.

Legalatladi was arrested back in 2014 following allegations that she conspired to kill North West Premier and ANC Provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo.

The case was scheduled for judgement, however National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) spokesperson, Luvuyo Mfaku said: “The case was postponed until 30th October 2017 because the defence brought their heads of argument late. The court has considered that and postponed the case.”

ANC in Bokone Bophirima welcomed the postponement. The ruling party provincial spokesperson, Gerald Modise said they were disappointed after the case postponement. Modise further said they still have confidence in the judiciary system.

“As the ANC in Bokone Bophirima, we will await the judgement on the scheduled date. In this case, an ANC member and former councillor, Gaasite Legalatladi stands accused
of conspiring to kill Mahumapelo and former Mahikeng local municipality mayor, Gosiame
Seatlholo.

“It is alleged that Legalatladi consulted a traditional healer in Mmasebudule village near Zeerust in November 2014 to solicit assistance in executing the murder. She was arrested during her second consultation and she has been on trial at the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court,” Modise said.

He added that the ruling party support its provincial chairperson. Modise further said they also want to commend Mahumapelo for continuing to execute the ANC mandate in both the party and in the provincial government despite many attempts to divert his attention and derail him.

“Mahumapelo is commitment to work selflessly for the ANC and the people of Bokone
Bophirima. We also want to commend him for continuing to preach and practice Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR) amidst all efforts negatively targeting him.

“The ANC in Bokone Bophirima want to reiterate once more its appreciation to the vigilance of law enforcement agencies on this matter and many other matters affecting our
society. We are looking forward to the justice system meting out an appropriate decision on this matter,” he said.

North West Provincial Government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said: “The North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo is adamant that the judiciary will take its course. Mahumapelo is also not deterred by those detractors who want to derail him from realising the vision of changing the lives of the people in Bokone Bophirima.
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BY BAKANG MOKOTO
A Fraud case against three suspects from Free State province will resume in court today. Mojalefa Springkan (30), Kgosana Tladi (49) and David Mokonyane (52) were arrested three weeks ago in Taung by South African Police Service (SAPS) Intelligence in partnership with Taung Police Station cluster for card-skimming.

The suspects were followed by police intelligence while driving from Vryburg to Taung after a tip-off. Police stopped and searched their vehicle and allegedly found loads of bank cards in their possession.

They confiscated the vehicle belonging to the suspects and the bank cards. The trio appeared briefly at Taung Magistrate’s Court last week Thursday.

Magistrate Olaotswe Bojosinyana heard on how the suspects allegedly robbed unsuspecting victim her hard-earned cash at the ATM in Pudimoe Location, near Taung before they proceeded to Taung Mall.

One of the suspects, Mokonyane was cross-examined and he revealed that he had previous convictions regarding card-skimming back in Free State and Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng Province. The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Kagiso Phemelo is expected to take the stand to give more evidence on Monday.

The suspects were remanded in custody until Monday amid formal bail application. The community of Taung packed the courtroom with placards depicted ‘No Bail For Them’ while others were written #CrimeMustStopInTaung.

Many card-skimming victims came forward and positively identified some of the suspects as perpetrators.

According to http://www.banking.org.za, card skimming or card cloning uses a card skimming device to fraudulently copy bank customer details stored on the magnetic strip (brown/black strip at the back) on a debit or credit card.

Whenever you present your card for payment you run the risk of being skimmed. However, the majority of skimming incidents in South Africa are recorded around ATMs and, to a lesser extent, at retail merchants when bank cards are presented for payments.

The customer and card information stolen with skimming devices is often used to manufacture counterfeit (duplicate) cards which criminals use to make fraudulent transactions on a victim’s account.

The organisation says card fraud perpetrators use various scams and social engineering tactics to trick naïve ATM users and skim their bank cards. These are some of the most widespread scams.

“The perpetrators approach unsuspecting ATM users prior to or after concluding a transaction and claim to work for the bank. The target is advised to ‘re-activate’ their cards by swiping the card through a ‘card reactivating device’.

“The ‘card reactivating device’ is actually a hand held skimming device. This type of skimming requires accomplices to loiter around the ATM shoulder surfing for the customer PINs,” http://www.banking.org.za wrote on their website.

The perpetrators use the stolen card information to manufacture a counterfeit card and match the customer PIN to the new card to make fraudulent transactions.

Customers should never use ATMs that seem damaged or tampered with because this creates opportunity for card fraudsters to take advantage:

When a customer is confronted with an ATM that is damaged or tampered with, the perpetrator will approach the customer and use social engineering tactics to take the customer’s ATM card. The customer is often escorted to another ATM in order to assist the customer to make a withdrawal.

The card is then secretively skimmed on the way to the second ATM with a hand held skimming device. The victim is handed back their card without noticing that it has been skimmed. The interaction between the perpetrator and the customer creates trust and the perpetrator often stands next to the customer while the transaction is conducted. The perpetrator will memorise the customer’s PIN when it is keyed in.

The unsuspecting customer will only realise they have fallen victim to a scam when money is withdrawn from their account.

CARD SKIMMING AT RETAIL MERCHANT POINT OF SALES

Criminals often collude with staff working at retail outlets such as waiters or cashiers. The card fraud perpetrators provide business staff with hand held skimming devices and reward them for skimming customers’ cards.

TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF CARD SKIMMING THEFT:

ATM SAFETY TIPS:

Never give your card to someone at an ATM for any reason.Never let anyone assist you at an ATM, even if they appear to be a bank official or security personnel.Beware of people standing close to you when you are concluding transactions at an ATM.Ensure you hide your pin when keying it into an ATM.Never use an ATM that looks tampered with or damaged.Always use an ATM in a well-lit area.If possible, use an ATM that is monitored by a CCTV camera.

SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS:

Ensure your card never leaves your sight. Most restaurants and shops have portable card swipe machines so there should be no reason for your card to leave your presence. If the person needs to use a different machine always accompany that person.Ensure that your card is not swapped for another card after paying.Use cash instead of your card if you have any suspicions.Monitor you bank statements for any unusual transactions.If married, reconcile your account transactions with your spouse on a regular basis.
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