Monthly Archives: April 2018

‘Dear Oros, Thanks To You, The ANCYL Is A Joke’

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Open letter to Collen Maine: “You have no interest in the youth of this country, and, in addition, I am convinced that you have no inkling of the awesome responsibility thrust upon you.”

Open letter to Mr Collen Maine and the African National Congress Youth League [ANCYL] Leadership

Dear Mr Maine,

You might note that I chose not to refer to you as a comrade, let alone as president of the ANC Youth League. I will elaborate on this further in this letter.

For the record, I have long suspected (and I doubt that I am the only one) that you have no interest in the youth of this country, and, in addition, I am convinced that you have no inkling of the awesome responsibility thrust upon you. The Youth League used to comprise the best young people in society. Under your leadership, it has become the source of many jokes.

You, in particular, have become synonymous with a famous juice, and most recently the song “Confessions“. Come to think of it, to say under your leadership the ANCYL has been horribly diluted would be the perfect metaphor. Fortunately, as Marcus Cicero noted, “history is indeed the witness of the times and the light of truth”, and your incapacity is revealed by examining one recent historical event.

For instance, the Fees Must Fall protests must rank as one of the most pivotal examples of youth activism during your term. Instead of commending young people for seeking the fulfilment of the Freedom Charter, you condemned us. Put it this way: you parroted the words of the older generation, calling your own constituency “counter-revolutionary” and praised Comrade Supra [Mahumapelo, North West premier] for your mysterious rise to your position.

As you said: “What you must write when you write a story is that there is one leader who has made me who I am, and his name is Supra Mahumapelo. If you want to call him premier league, it is fine, but he has made me who I am politically” – so, while your constituents sought to fulfil the letter of the Freedom Charter, you were begging for a plate of curry in Saxonwold. I doubt Comrade Supra, the man you so deeply admired, dragged you there kicking and screaming – especially since you literally had more important things to do. Where was your revolutionary consciousness?

Call for an early congress in June and ask the Youth League to relieve you of the awesome responsibility you have treacherously failed to discharge.

And so, it is for this reason that you are simply not worthy of being referred to as a comrade. A comrade is someone who sacrifices their skills and time in order to achieve the collective aspirations of society. Moreover, this is someone who shares in the convictions of that particular collective. This clearly cannot be said of you – in fact, the opposite is true

You stand directly against the youth. As such, even at a conceptual level, you ought not to enter Luthuli House, let alone in the name of the youth.

In some way, I must admit, I think we are deeply indebted to the spirit of Mama Winnie Madikizela- Mandela (as her revolutionary soul rests in power) for sweeping through this nation and unravelling the hypocrites among us masquerading as vanguards of the people. Her passing has exposed a number of things that are severely problematic in our movement.

Foremost among those is the pervasive patriarchy in our movement – even mediocre, uninspiring males like you can lead this glorious movement. I shudder to imagine how society and comrades would have rejected and ejected you if you were female. I mean, your mediocrity is self-evident during this very sad time in the history of the liberation movement.

By the way, and I know you would not know this because you are not a youth, there is a poll doing the rounds on whether we should refer to your tribute (or lack thereof) as a remix of Usher’s “My Confessions” or the melodic sifila (church hymn) “Diphiri Le Makuntu” (the results are coming soon). Anyway, since you are in the mood for confessing – take it a step further and resign.

Call for an early congress in June, and ask the Youth League to relieve you of the awesome responsibility you have treacherously failed to discharge. I have no doubt that there are many ANCYL members out there waiting for a moment to realign the movement with society. Step aside so that the youth can ensure that membership in the Youth League becomes the highest honour for a young person in post-apartheid South Africa.

This country now more than ever needs an ANCYL that will fearlessly criticise the status quo and formulate answers for the future – not a Youth League that will cuddle between handlers for their security and self-enrichment and preservation. Under your watch, the ANCYL has become like a horribly diluted Oros that leaves a very bad aftertaste.

In honour of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and other female revolutionaries we should probably look at the many capable female comrades in our movement to lead us. This should start with the youth.

I (and I am prone to think many others as well) can no longer muster the courage to mention your name in the same sentence as luminaries and former presidents of the ANCYL such as Anton Lembede, Robert Sobukwe, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Ashby Mda, Jackie Selebi, Peter Mokaba, Lulu Johnson, Malusi Gigaba, Fikile Mbalula and even Julius Malema.

P.S. There is a great deal of masculinity in that list. In honour of Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and other female revolutionaries, we should probably look at the many capable female comrades in our movement to lead us. This should start with the youth.

Yours in restoring the people’s youth movement

Chrispin Phiri

@PhiriCJ is a member of the African National Congress and the ANCYL and writes in his personal capacity.

I will repay Denel for my son’s bursary if I have to – Supra Mahumapelo

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Beleaguered North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo says he is ready to repay Denel for his son’s pilot training bursary if such a decision is taken.

Mahumapelo has also urged his detractors to leave his son out of their political battles and face him directly.

It was reported over the weekend that Mahumapelo’s 20-year-old son, Supra Jr, applied late for a bursary only after the final deadline of October 2016, but his application was approved nevertheless and he was awarded with a bursary of just over R1 million to train as a pilot for 17 months.

Addressing a group of “ANC members” who marched to the North West legislature to express their support for him to remain as premier amid an Economic Freedom Fighters sponsored motion of no confidence on him in Mahikeng earlier on Tuesday, Mahumapelo said he was setting the record straight.

He said his son had “applied like any other child so he can fly an aircraft … now they’re after him because they hate his father”.

“Young man wants to become part of the few black pilots; but we want to ensure we destroy him before he can even start with his studies. I think we should not be subjecting other politicians’ children to this kind of a situation when we don’t like their parents,” he said.

“They must leave (my son) out of these political battles. They must face me and not go fiddle with what my son is doing at Denel.”

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has reportedly ordered an investigation into the bursary saga.

Mahumapelo denied he could have used his stature to influence the outcome of his son’s application, saying his son applied on his own and as a father he congratulated him when informed him he was successful.

But he said he would repay Denel if that decision was ever reached.

“… If the Denel board and the minister can decide we must give back what belongs to Denel, I will talk to my family and we’ll give them what belongs to them. But it will be very odd that there are other children that were children in the same category, subjected to the same process and were given bursaries,” he said.

“They’re trying to defocus my son from his studies (but) I told him to be like his father – remain unshakable and focus on his studies. I urge people not to come after my son … they must come directly to me; I will face them. I am not afraid of anyone. Sometimes when you’re quiet people think you’re a coward; we need to fight this thing politically and not physically.”

Meanwhile, Mahumapelo said there were people in the ANC who were jackals in sheepskins and were gunning for him and working with the opposition.

“The problem we have is ANC members who are members of the provincial legislature (MPLs) who go around under the cover of darkness to ask the EFF to push for a motion of no confidence because they can’t face (me). They say to the EFF, ‘we can’t face this leader of the ANC, please try him that side and ask the speaker to allow us to vote in secret so we could work with you to remove him,’” Mahumapelo said.

“There are ANC MPLs who are just a little number; not more than 10 of them. Those are the ones who are working with the EFF to remove me. Who do they think they are?”

He said the biggest mistake the ANC made was not acting against those Members of Parliament who voted with the opposition for President Jacob Zuma’s removal.

“Today they think they can do it anywhere in the country because they did it in Cape town and they think they can do it here and in municipalities. There is order and discipline in the ANC and so we can’t allow people to do as they please in the ANC,” Mahumapelo said.

He said he was not having sleepless nights over the EFF’s motion because the opposition did not have the required numbers to oust him.

Source: http://www.cypress.co.za

Young people encouraged by VTSD Entrepreneurship Development opportunities

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BY THEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE

Aspiring young entrepreneurs in and around Maquassi Hills Local Municipality were encouraged by the information sharing session during the VTSD Entrepreneurship Development campaign, to seek assistance and start or grow their businesses. The municipality was implementing the campaign as part of the Roma Setsokotsane 10×10 Campaign which is continuing in the municipality.

Tefo Vincent Kgang of Rulaganyang Basha Cleaning Services Cooperative in Tswelelang Township was funded by the Department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development – FEED to purchase a machinery for his business.

“We needed funding to kick-start our recycling business. Through FEED we managed to locate the machinery that we needed in the Eastern Cape and it was bought to the tune of R120 000” said Kgang.

Kgang is aiming at developing a Buyback Centre and to recycling the recyclable and non-recyclable materials and generate power out of that. He’s aiming at getting more funding to get a suitable site for the business.

“Our ideal site is the official municipal dumping site which has the quantity of waste that we need. The site that we are currently occupying does not have all the necessities to make our business flourish but we remain hopefully that we’ll get the necessary assistance” said Kgang.

Opportunities available for business people like Kgang, were explained to young entrepreneurs by Thabo Ramogogane of FEED during the session, including the importance of registering in the Central Supplier Database.

“We offer funding which we call Economic Empowerment Fund, Access to Markets to expose their products to a larger and broader market in the country as well as training. We have partnership with NYDA and SEDA for training. Our funding starts from R100.00 to R100 000.00 and all you need to do is to send through your proposal with all the necessary documentation for assistance” said Ramogogane.

Young female entrepreneur Tsholofelo Khonyane who’s also aiming at penetrating the recycling industry particularly of non-biodegradable waste, was impressed by the session.

“Through FEED programmes especially Access to Market, I’m able to find places where I can supply my rubber once my business in operational. All young people need to do is to set up different business to eliminate unnecessary competition which create tensions amongst local business people” remarked Khonyane.

Roma Nna Setsokotsane 10×10 Campaign continues this week in Maquassi Hills with the municipality implementing different campaigns such as Roads and Street Lights fixing; Rates and Taxes; Education; Greed, Crime and Corruption; Human Settlements as well as Water and Sanitation.

SaamWerk-SaamTrek efforts yields two new state of the art schools

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Picture by: (Otukile Mosimanegape)

By THEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE
Contributors who built two new state of the art schools in Rustenburg Local Municipality expressed their gratitude saying they firmly believe in the spirit of working together to change the living conditions of ordinary people in different communities.

Impala Platinum, Impala Bafokeng Trust and North West Provincial Government successfully completed R130 million worth of schools in Sunrise view of Boitekong including that of R 86 million primary and secondary of Impala village.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony on Friday, Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) Chief Executive office, Mark Munroe said the mine is proud to have made this contribution as part of working together with government to better the lives of the communities hosting their employees.

“Our investment in these educational projects demonstrates our commitment to developing viable communities that can live close to work but also have access to high-quality facilities. We believe that learning is the foundation for a successful future and as such, ensuring that children in these communities receive quality education is a critical component of our social and labour plan” he said.

Sunrise View Primary and Secondary Schools include state-of-the-art classrooms equipped with interactive boards and Wi-Fi access, a school hall, a computer room, a library, an administration block, as well as sports and ablution facilities. Together they accommodate 1 800 learners from Grade R to Grade 12.

Platinum Village Combined Primary and Secondary Schools has the capacity to accommodate 1 700 learners and is equipped with 47 classrooms, a shared school hall, computer rooms, libraries, administration blocks, sports amenities and ablution facilities.

Chief Director, Mineral Regulation from the Department of Minerals and Energy, Rebone Nkambule expressed that among mining companies in the North West province, Impala is one of the most complying companies in responding greatly to public private partnerships call made by government.

Chairperson of Impala Bafokeng Trust, Queen Semane Molotlegi also voiced her satisfaction and encourage learners and parents to work together in producing good quality results. “This is a good work done by all of us and now we must take care of these facilities and produce best performers in learning and teaching,” she said.

“This is a good work done by all of us and now we must take care of these facilities and produce best performers in learning and teaching,” she said.

Commending private sector, North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo stated that the partnership has yet again produced good facility for communities on the ground.

“I want to congratulate Impala and Bafokeng Trust for working together with us in ensuring that we have these important infrastructures for our people. We have closed the old chapter and opened a new one taking us to the better future,” he said.

National Basic Education Deputy Minister Enver Surty said his department was also pleased with the ongoing partnerships which ensures that country produce quality facilities conducive for teaching and learning.

“The new developments here is line with the new 262 schools we have put throughout the country which include mud schools we have replaced with the state of the arts schools so we are very inspired to do the same in other communities,” he said.

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Nurses are ‘forced’ to work under bad condition

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Nurses at Taung Gateway Clinic are complaining after they were allegedly being forced to work under bad condition. One nurse who did not want to be named said the department forced them to work under bad condition even though they complained numerous times.

“The clinic is under renovation and there is also burst sewerage in the yard just in front of the main door. Patients are exposed to this bad smell and that affects their health. We are also not given masks to cover our noses.”

Another nurse said: “The management refuses to listen to us and said if we stay away from duty, we will be penalized. We cannot be subjected to these conditions and when we complain we are threatened.”

Economic Freedom Fighter coordinator in Taung, Eddie Mogorwe said: “We are aware of the condition our people are subjected to. The clinic cannot be renovated while is operational. If anything happen to patients, the department will refuse to be held accountable.

“I have personally complained about the sewerage that has burst, but the management did nothing. We are sick and tired to see our people being treated like animals. Imagine being sick and being exposed to bad smell? The North West Health department has collapsed and we will be marching against bad service at Taung Hospital on the 30th April 2018.”

North West Health department spokesman, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “The clinic was under renovation and patients were going direct to the hospital. However, the matter has been attended to. Sewage pumps are working well no more smell at the Gateway clinic.”

One patient, Magauta Montsho (38) said the smell was so bad that most patients left. Montsho said some of the patients said it was useless to come to the clinic seeking medical attention, but they find situation complicated.

“We hope the department will fix this mess. How can you let the clinic to be operational while is under renovation? The roofing is not safe and it can fall at any given time. The clinic is the only one that is closer. The nurses refuse to help us if we directly go to the hospital because we are supposed to be referred.”

Meanwhile, most clinics across the province are closed because of ongoing strike and they are also out of medication.

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Bua le Puso community meetings amplify service delivery 

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By THEBETSILE KEAMEDITSE Residents of Maquassi Hills Local Municipality have lauded Bua Le Puso community meetings as an effective platform to get their concerns across and be serviced better by the municipality.

This emerged in one of the meetings at Tswelelang township, in Wolmaranstad on Wednesday.

The initiative was part of the Roma Nna Setsokotsane 10×10 Campaign programme.

North West Provincial Government representatives descended to the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies ( VTSD) areas within the municipality to intensify the monthly Roma Nna Setsokotsane 10×10 Campaigns which will unfold for a period of 10 days with the implementation of different campaigns.

One of the eldest residents of Tswelelang Ext4, Tseko Motaung (78) said the Bua Le Puso community meetings have made a difference in the area.

“We come to the meetings to raise our concerns and in some instances we make meaningful proposals which are intended to change our lives. We can’t go anywhere if we don’t engage in these meetings and resolve issues,” Motaung said.

While some took the opportunity to thank government for the services provided recently in their area, others complained about shortage of water in some areas, lack of employment in the community projects, poor internal roads, dysfunctional streets lights and poor waste management.

A resident in the area, Nombulelo Maseko (41), who encouraged community members to attend Bua Le Puso Community meetings, said they have resolved many issues through these platforms and residents received feedback on developments in their ward.

“It is through these meetings that we have developments such as houses, high mast lights, road maintenance, and other developments. Everyone must attend these meetings to make the necessary contribution” said Nombulelo.

Ward Councillor, Nanisi Seakane believes the residents’ cooperation and constructive criticism of the municipality will go a long way in changing the lives of local residents.

“As the municipality, we work together with the ward committee to address all concerns raised. Where we are failing, we seek assistance from the district municipality or from the relevant provincial government department. “We’ll never cease to hold these meetings even if we disagree with our people in some of the issues” said Seakane

“We’ll never cease to hold these meetings even if we disagree with our people in some of the issues” said Seakane,” Seakane said.

Roma Nna Setsokotsane 10×10 campaigns are rolled out in all local municipalities in the province from the 11th to the 20th of every month. The Programme starts with campaigns such as Bua Le Puso community meetings, VTSD Entrepreneurship Services, Pothole Patching and Street Lights Fixing as well as Human Settlements and Sanitation Services.

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‘Motion of No Confidence against Mahumapelo will be through Open Ballot System

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BY BAKANG MOKOTO

A motion of No Confidence against North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo will be conducted thhrough Open Ballot System.
North West Provincial Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie announced on Thursday. Dantjie said the legislature will hold a Special House Sitting on the 17 April 2018 at 9h00 to debate a ‘Motion of no Confidence’ against Mahumapelo.

The motion was tabled by the EFF on the 8th of March 2018.

“In terms of the process followed, the motion was first discussed at the Rules Committee on 27 March 2018 and in that meeting all parties agreed that the motion will be tabled for debate in the mentioned day. “The matter was further processed and programmed by Programming Committee held in Klerksdorp on 11 April 2018 and was accordingly programmed for the said date,” Dantjie said.

“The matter was further processed and programmed by Programming Committee held in Klerksdorp on 11 April 2018 and was accordingly programmed for the said date,” Dantjie said.

She said she met with the Whips of Political Parties represented in the Legislature to convey her decision on the request by the EFF to subject the motion to a secret ballot. “In making a determination on whether the ballot on the motion should be an open or secret ballot. I had to take into consideration all facts surrounding this motion and to ensure that members will be able to express their views without being subjected to undue influence, intimidation, fear of disapproval or anything like that

“In making a determination on whether the ballot on the motion should be an open or secret ballot. I had to take into consideration all facts surrounding this motion and to ensure that members will be able to express their views without being subjected to undue influence, intimidation, fear of disapproval or anything like that.

“It must be noted that it has not been easy for me to arrive at the decision and that although it was not easy, the EFF could not share at the meeting on the reasons for requesting a secret ballot on the motion except for their continuous uncontrolled urge to pursue legal avenues should I not respond to them by the 10 April 2018,” she said.

Dantjie further sais she take note of the fact that ‘Motion of No Confidence’ in the Mahumapelo is one of the available tools of oversight for members of the Provincial Legislature to hold the Executive accountable.

She added that this avenue and many other processes of holding the Executive accountable has always been practiced in the Legislature without any fear or favour.

“We have since 2014, when I took over as the Speaker of the Legislature, never experience any situation where members of the Legislature are obstructed, intimidated, threatened, disapproved or in any manner influenced to take decision or action that would somehow make it difficult for them to express their constitution mandate of playing oversight on the Executive.

“In closing, she said there seem not to be any risk by allowing the motion to be proceeded with in a democratically permissible voting procedure like it has always been done in this Legislature,” Dantjie said.

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Kolong community barricades road over service delivery

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The community of Kolong village in Taung embarked on basic service delivery protest on Tuesday. They barricaded the R77m newly built Kolong Bridge that links Taung and Schweizer Reneke with tree branches and stones.

The community alleged that ward councillor, Paseka Sedupane continue to ignore them even though they wrote numerous letters to him for intervention.

Community leader, Lucas Modise said: “We demand developments and job opportunities in our area. There are lot of projects taking place in our ward, but Sedupane sideline us. There is a bush-cutting project, construction of Indoor Centre in Manthe village and a phase 2 pipeline project that is underway. No one is employed in all those projects.

“Sedupane never bothered to come to us and hold monthly meetings as stipulated by North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. We have also written numerous letters of grievances to the Greater Taung local municipality speaker, Ebusang Tladi and the mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane for assistance. However, they also continue to ignore us too.”

However, Greater Taung local municipality speaker, Ebusang Tladi refuted the allegations. Tladi said he has the minutes to show that the ward councillor held a monthly meeting with the community.

“We understand that the community of Kolong prohibited people from other areas to come and work in their area during the construction of a dual Kolong Bridge recently. No one from other areas that fall under ward 14, was allowed to be employed in that project.

“It seems the community had that agreement that no one from outside will come and work there, hence other communities also deny them that opportunity to work in their areas. However, we will engage with all communities in ward 14 to resolve this matter.”

MEC for Community Safety and Transport Mangement department in North West, Dr Mpho Motlhabane condemned with strongest terms the barricading of roads and stoning of vehicles during protests. Motlhabane said they have noticed a number of incidents across the province where roads were being barricaded with burning tyres, stones and other objects, thus, obstructing the traffic flow especially on national roads.

“In recent weeks, the community of Gopane barricaded the N4 following the protests march on their dissatisfaction police response to a reported case of crime. The trend continued in other areas such as Ganyesa, where the community was also angry, following number of cases of murder and rape which were reported to the station,” he said.

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Molelema community rejects the construction of 10km tar road

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The community in Molelema village, near Taung rejected the offer tabled by North West MEC of Public Works and Roads department, Mmule Maluleke regarding construction of tar road on D208 and D209.

Maluleke addressed the community on Thursday after they embarked on a month long strike. They demand proper roads in their area.

One of community leaders, Mothibi Makoro said: “We are not happy about the 10km matter. They promised atleast 71km road construction, but now they have changed their tune. We will now engage with the community and discuss way forward.”

School children are prohibited to go to school. The Molelema Primary School and local community hall were torched. Foreign-owned shops were also looted during protests.

Tshepang Diseko who is a Grade 12 learner from Letlhogile Secondary School said: “We urge for tranquility in the area because the strike affects our education. It’s been a month without attending any classes and that is a concern. We are left behind and our end-of-the-year-results will be affected.”

Maluleke said: “The department does not have money and will only manage to construct 10km road. We have a budget of R268m for the whole province. The department is faced with budget constraint because the budget is allocated according to the population.

“North West province is predominantly rural, but the needs are huge. We understand that the community received a letter that informed them that it is part of budget. However, that letter was not signed by Head of Department (HoD).”

Maluleleke said the government official who handed over the letter to the community is currently on suspension. She said the construction of 10km road will started soon after the engagements between the department, municipality and the Tribal Authority.

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Taung popular poet nabbed for murder

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Picture: (Deceased: Motsamai Matlawe)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A popular poet from Magogong village, near Taung and his girlfriend will briefly appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court in connection of murder on Tuesday. The two are accused of stabbing Motsamai Matlawe (31) from Magogong village to death after a drinking spree.

Matlawe’s family member, Goitsemang Tselaekae said: “The atrocity took place at around 3am in Sunday morning. It is alleged that Motsamai was drinking beer with a female suspect at a local tavern. They left the tavern to the woman’s house afterward.

“The stains of blood was found on the curtain at the house and also on a broken window. It seems the couple killed Motsamai and dragged his lifeless body to the street.”

Tselaekae also said they suspect that the couple drank Motsamai’s blood as there was a glass soaked with blood inside in the house.

“Those who were arrested will never ever find inner peace. They must not be released because we will kill and burn them. This is satanic deeds and we want answers. Motsamai was a hawker who tried to make a living by selling tomatoes and potatoes in Hartwater,” she said.

North West police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Moleko said: “A case of murder has been registered at Taung Police Station. Two suspects aged 39 and 30 will appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

“The motive behind the killing is unknown and the deceased sustained a stabbing wound. He was found in a pool of blood in the street. Police investigations are underway.”

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