Picture: (Vryburg-based author, Lesego Ndima)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Lesego Natalia Ndima (17) who is a young writer from Vryburg has published her second book. Ndima said people need to embrace reading especially school children to improve their literacy skills.

She is currently doing Grade 12 at Vryburg High School in Vryburg and stays with her father and siblings. She said reading plays a pivotal role in children’s growth, creativity and well-being in the widest possible sense.

“I started to develop the love for writing at the tender age. I was in Grade 3 when we were given an essay assignment and that is where I found my niche in writing. I started to write short stories and published my first book calledAdopted and Abducted in 2016.

“This novel narrates a story of a young girl who was adopted at the younger age, but met her real parents after she has grown up. Now, after she realised that those who raised her were not her biological parents, she decided to run away. Unfortunately, she was abducted by the same family that raised her,” Ndima said.

She published another book calledInside the Broken Soul in 2018. Ndima added that all her books are doing fairly-well in the market despite circumstances.

“I am working with a world-renowned writer, Freddy Nyama, who is my manager. I met Mr Nyama through my father and he assisted me a lot to develop my writing skills. I would like to write more books in the future. The aim is to touch more people through my writing skills and change the world for the better.

“I am not concern that many people do not read, however, I would like to encourage our youth to spend more time reading. We need to ensure that more people understand the wider role of reading in order to build a new, much more effective and holistic approach to life,” Ndima said.

She is also a young motivational speaker and stays with her father who works at the Public Works and Roads department in Vryburg. Ndima said she enjoys spending time with her family, but unfortunately her mother is based in Pretoria as she is working as a police.

“My family is amazing and it gives me a necessary support. My parents always encourage us to study hard and they believe in education. I want to study medicine next year after finishing my matric. Maybe going to Cuba will be a great idea.

“I am planning to visit schools to inspire the culture of reading. Reading contributes to children’s lives more broadly and we must also encourage government to build more libraries in our areas respectively,” Ndima said.

She said young children must use social media correctly and download books on various online websites. Ndima said it is also important to have Book Clubs across all areas.

“We are originally from Soshanguve in Pretoria, but we moved this side after my father was transferred here. I received a warm welcome and I feel part of the Vryburg community now. It is important to empower each other as individuals so that we can eradicate poverty, inequality and unemployment.

“We also have socio-economic challenges that are affecting young people such as crime, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, HIV and AIDS pandemic. We need to seek guidance from our parents and ensure that we work together to fight against these challenges,” Ndima said.

She said those who want to order her books can contact her Manager, Freddy Nyama on 0763941127/ 0767662129

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Picture: (DA Provincial leader, Joel McGluwa)

By REGINALD KANYANE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West is furious after the ‘Presidency’s office denied them access to the Inter-Ministerial Task Team report on the North West. However, the DA Provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they will appeal the decision.

“It is shocking how the African National Congress (ANC) denies communities the right to know how the problems within North West will be fixed. The report is in the public’s interest as it has a direct impact on their daily lives. It is important that our communities have access to all the findings by the IMTT.

“A month ago, we lodged a Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000 (PAIA) application to ensure that the people of the North West gain access to the IMTT report. The Deputy Information Officer in the Presidency, Lusanda Mxenge informed us of the decision to keep the report a secret,” McGluwa said.

He further said the decision by The Presidency to keep the IMTT’s report under wraps is in contradiction with the democratic principles of accountability and transparency. McGluwa added that the IMTT has, to date, done nothing to bring order to the province and North West will remain in shambles while they govern here.

“The people of the North West have been caught in the middle of an ANC factional battle, where the casualties are the people and service delivery. The fact that the North West is still without an elected Premier shows that South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa lacks the political backing and will to put the people of the province first.

“As we have long said, the IMTT along with the Section 100 intervention are a smokescreen used to cover up the fact that Ramaphosa clearly has no political will to deal with the deep-rooted problems here and he clearly does not want to act against Supra Mahumapelo and his cadres,” he said.

McGluwa added that while they play cat and mouse, it is the people who ultimately suffer. He said the communities need action that will bring order and change the lives of the people for the better.

“The ANC has failed the people of the North West and we are sceptical that the ANC will ever be able to put the people first and turn the province around. We will not be discouraged by their refusal to make the report public and will consider all avenues to get the truth out in the open.

The North West needs the kind of change that only a DA-led government can bring,” he said.

However, Mxenge said: “I wish to bring to your attention the provisions of section 12 of PAIA which reads as follows. This ACT does not apply to a record, (a) of the Cabinet and its Committees. I have considered the aforementioned request and made the decision to refuse the access to the record.

“Kindly be advised that you have the right to appeal against the refusal for access in terms of section 74 of PAIA within the prescribed period.”

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) welcomed the signing of the public sector wage settlement agreement granting between 6%-7% increases. SANCO spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said the civic organization also welcome the de-linked housing allowances for spouses of civil servants employed in government who were denied the benefit.

Mahlangu further said they urge government as well as unions to focus on resolving outstanding labour disputes and improving service delivery.

“We commend parties for appreciating the economic challenges, budget constraints, competing development priorities as well as external factors facing the country as it strives to address poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“Some communities have in recent months been negatively affected by unprotected strikes that stems from alleged corruption and maladministration. These will need to be urgently addressed to remove impediments to service delivery and avoid a re-occurrence,” he said.

Mahlangu added that labour peace will contribute positively towards the country’s economic recovery, efforts aimed at attracting foreign direct investments and creating jobs.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A Taung-born mother, Evelyn Garesape said she was relieved after the killer of her son received a hefty sentence. Tefelo Dikole (31) attempted to rape Evelyn and brutally stabbed Kutlwano Garesape to death on 12^th of August 2016.

The atrocity took place at Jan Kemdorp in Northern Cape where Evelyn was residing. Evelyn, who originates from Manthe village in Taung, relived what happened on that fateful day.

“I was walking with Kutlwano and his brother to school when we came across Dikole. He requested R2 from me and I said I did not have. However, Dikole grabbed and shoved me around in quest to rape me.

Picture: (Tefelo Dikole, who brutally stabbed Kutlwano Garesape sentenced to life imprisonment)

“I screamed for help and Kutlwano came to my rescue. He pelted Dikole with stones. Furious Dikole chased him and brutally stabbed him multiple times. He also tossed Kutlwano’s tiny body in the air and put it along the railway lines,” she said.

According to autopsy, Kutlwano’s intestines were protruded because from stabbing wounds.

“I sometimes blame myself for the death of Kutlwano. However, I believe that wherever he is, he is relieved. This is a befitting gift for him because he could have celebrated his 8^th birthday today if he lived,” she said.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Olebogeng Tawana said Dikole was also sentenced to seven years for attempted rape.

“The sentences will run concurrently. Kutlwano was dubbed a “Hero Boy” for dying in defence of his mother. The young man took upon himself to defend his own mother when Dikole attempted to rape her.

“He could have turned 8 years-old on the 5^th of June 2018 if he lived. Kutlwano was robbed of his life at the young age. His family lost a light of future in him too,” Tawana said.

Dikole appeared to be very oblivious in court and not seem to know what was happening around him.

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A key witness in the Coligny murder trial broke down as he testified in the North West High Court in Mahikeng on Wednesday, forcing the judge to briefly adjourn the matter.

Bonakele Pakisi told the court how he witnessed 16-year-old Matlhomola Moshoeu being pushed from a moving vehicle on April 20, 2017. He broke down and lost his composure as he relived the incident.

Judge Ronnie Hendricks was forced to adjourn the matter for a few minutes to allow the 28-year-old to recover as he battled to speak.

Pakisi was testifying in the trial of farmworkers Pieter Doorewaard 27, and Philip Schutte, 34, who are accused of killing Moshoeu in Coligny last year. The pair claim they caught Moshoeu stealing a sunflower on April 20, 2017.

Doorewaard and Schutte said they intended to drive him to the local police station, but that he jumped off their bakkie along the way and broke his neck.

Dressed in a maroon shirt and blue jeans, Pakisi told the court that on the day of the incident, he heard gunshots coming from the sunflower field.

‘He was bleeding through his mouth, nose and ears’

He also claimed that he heard Moshoeu crying and screaming: “Mama help, I am dying.”

Pakisi said he saw the accused assaulting Moshoeu and then pushing him from a moving vehicle. He said when the accused saw him, they apparently asked him what he had seen.

“I told them I saw nothing,” he testified.

Pakisi also alleged that the accused drove him around with Moshoeu, who was severely injured.

“He (Moshoeu) was injured on the face. He was bleeding through his mouth, nose and ears. I couldn’t speak to him because I was told to lie down,” he said.

He said while Moshoeu lay in the bakkie injured, the accused “did nothing to assist him”.

“Accused two (Schutte) instructed me to check if the child was still alive. They also instructed me to take off my jersey in order for me to wipe his blood. They said I should lift the child but his [head] was hanging, so I didn’t know if he was still alive,” he said.

‘The police told me that I was crazy’

Pakisi also alleged that the accused forced him to drink alcohol and when he refused, he was then assaulted.

He said after drinking the alcohol, he felt dizzy and started vomiting.

“They hit me with open hands and clenched fists. They hit me on the face…they forced me to eat my own vomit,” he said.

He said they then said they were taking Moshoeu to the clinic.

“I went to the police station the same day and the police told me that I was crazy,” he said, adding that another officer said he was drunk.

Moshoeu’s death sparked protests in the area as some residents believed he was killed because he was black. Several houses and businesses were burnt to the ground.

The accused have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, intimidation, kidnapping, theft, the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and pointing a firearm.

Doorewaard and Schutte are out on R5 000 bail each.

Source: http://www.news24.com 

By REGINALD KANYANE

A 29 year-old man was hijacked his Toyota Corrolla vehicle at Taung Dam in Manthe village, near Taung on Sunday. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the motorist was stranded next to the road after he ran out of petrol.

Myburgh said the motorist, who was with his friend at the time was approached by five occupants driving a white BMW. She said the suspects allegedly offered to assist the gullible motorist and ferried him to the local petrol station.

“The motorist filled his car and drove off to Cokonyane village, in Taung where he dropped off his friend. The motorist was allegedly stopped on his way back by the same white BMW with occupants who assisted him earlier.

“The suspects allegedly forced the motorist to drive towards Manthe village through Taung Dam route. They allegedly stopped and assaulted. The victim managed to escape from the claws of the suspects leaving his car behind at around 23:00,” she said.

Myburgh said a case of assault and car hijacking was opened at Taung Police on Tuesday. She also urged motorists to buckle-up at all times. Few car hijacking were reported recently at Taung and its surroundings.

Meanwhile, two suspects were arrested over kidnapping and hijacking in Taung in November 2017. Tshepiso Monyadiwa, who was driving his Hyundai 120i from Kuruman to Kathu said he is grateful that he is still alive.

“I picked three suspects who masqueraded as hitch-hikers. They hitch-hiked me and pretended to be going to Kathu. Along the way, one of the suspects drew a firearm and pointed it at me. They ordered me to get off the road before they tied me up and squeezed me in the boot of my car.

“They drove with me to Taung and we arrived there at around 4am. The suspects robbed me off my belongings including my cellphone, before they released me. They dropped me off at Taung circle and ordered me to walk away,” Monyadiwa said.

He further said he went to the local garage for assistance. Two suspects aged 35 and 38 were subsequently arrested and appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court and Hartswater Magistrate’s Court respectively. Monyadiwa’s red Hyundai 120i was also recovered.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A theft of a motor vehicle was opened at Taung Police Station on Tuesday. North West police said the unknown suspect stole Vincent Marwele’s Toyota Cressida 1.6 vehicle at Taung Complex in Taung.

“A 54 year-old motorist who took his sick father to the doctor, parked his vehicle at Taung Complex parking lot. According to Marwele, he looked back at his car before he approached the surgery. He saw someone in his car and ran back.

“A commotion ensued between the suspect and the driver. The suspect allegedly drove off and dragged Marwele few metres with the car. The victim suffered a broken leg and he was ferried to Taung Hopsital for medical attention,” she said.

Myburgh said the victim was later transferred to Klerskdorp Hospital in Klerksdorp after his situation deteriorated. She said the police are concerned about car hijacking and urged motorists to always avoid situations that make them vulnerable.

“Avoiding those situations is a step in the right direction to stop crime. There are tips motorists can apply when parking their vehicles. They should check their rear-view mirror to ensure that they are not being followed. They must always be on the look-out for suspicious vehicles or persons.

“Motorists must never leave the keys in the ignition when climbing out of their cars to open the gates. Never sit in your parked car without being fully conscious of your surroundings. Sleeping in a stationery vehicle is also dangerous. When exiting your vehicle, be cautious and aware of surrounding obstructions and bushes that may conceal a hijacker,” Myburgh said.

She further said motorists should familiarize themselves with their environment, especially in CBD and unmanned parking lots. Myburgh said those motorists who encounter challenges in Taung can call: Taung Police Station on (053) 994-9222/6 or Emergency number on (10111) or dial 112 on their cellphones.

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