Picture: (F4SD PR councillor, Mika Moeti)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Taung struggle icon, Mika Moeti was sworn-in as PR councillor. Moeti left the African National Congress (ANC) back in 2016 just before Local General elections, where he served the ruling party as a PR councillor.

It is alleged that Moeti was calamitous after the ANC in the Greater Taung sub-region did not submit his name to be nominated as a councillor for 2016 Local General elections.

He joined and lobbied support for the ‘unknown’ National Freedom Party (NFP) in Taung. However, he left the party after it failed to register for 2016 Local General elections.

Moeti allegedly joined Democratic Alliance (DA) before jumping ship to join F4SD where most people believe that he will now end his ‘political prostitution.’

However, buoyed Moeti said he does not care much about what people say. He said he is adamant that the F4SD will do well during 2019 General Elections and will continue to represent the masses.

“I was sworn-in as a PR councillor at the Greater Taung Local Municipality along with Keneilwe Kgosimore. We replaced Soleni Gasetlolwe and Mothusi Montwedi respectively. Our colleague, Dipuo Itumeleng will be a member of Exco. We are still waiting for the GTLM Speaker to allocate us accordingly to various Portfolio Committees,” he said.

A 52 year-old politician was once charged for treason by Bophuthatswana government for his participation in a struggle. He was appointed as the Chief of Staff at North West Social Development department under the stewardship of the then MEC, the late Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi.

Greater Taung Local Municipality Speaker, Ebusang Tladi said: “We can confirm that the F4SD submitted a letter to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa. We then received a letter from IEC confirming that the F4SD wants to replace two councillors.

“We have not allocated them to various Portfolio Committees and we will do that soon. We wish them the all best and hope that their presence will be necessary in ensuring that they serve their mandate accordingly.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A 36 year-old man briefly appeared at Bloemhof Magistrate’s Court in Bloemhof on Tuesday. Buti Senatle was arrested after he was linked to 22 burglary cases and theft case in Christiana and Hertzogville respectively.

North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele MyBurgh said those cases were committed between August 2017 and April 2018.

“The Christiana police in collaboration with the Provincial Tracking Team arrested Senatle during an intelligence-driven operation on Thursday. During the operation, various household items such as kitchen utensils, linen, tools, clothing and a compressor were recovered.

“The electrical equipment, car batteries and clothes allegedly used by Senatle during the commission of these offences were also recovered.  He was remanded in custody until 12 June 2018,” Myburgh said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Baile Motswenyane commended the police involved in the operation for their efforts that resulted in the arrest. Motswenyane said the police will continue to work hard to stamp the authority of the State and bring down the level of serious crimes.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

FOUR suspects were arrested for dealing with dagga in Batlharos, near Kuruman on Tuesday. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said the John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) Cluster Crime Intelligence unit, JTG Highway Patrol, Kuruman K9 unit and JTG Trio Crime unit all embarked on an intelligence-driven operation regarding dagga sales in Batlharos.

“The police raided a house in Maruping village, in Batlharos and found dagga estimated to the street value of R123 000 stashed in the bedroom and toilet of the premise. The dagga weighed 12.430kg and police confiscated undisclosed amount of money from the suspects. All suspects are Swaziland nationals,”Kock said.

The JTG Cluster Commander, Major Gen Johan Bean lauded the police for a sterling job. Bean also commended the community for their assistance in this regard.

“The police will continue in their quest to uproot the drug dealers and traffickers from our society and they will leave no stone unturned. One female suspect (33) and three male suspects aged 32, 33 and 52 respectively will appear at Kuruman Magistrates Court on charges of dealing in dagga soon. The investigation continues,” he said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Taung Agricultural College is the only institution in South Africa accredited to offer Diploma in Irrigation Management course at NQF level 6 and one of two state-owned agricultural colleges in the province tasked with training and producing agricultural technicians to serve communities of the province.

A total number of 27 students graduated and received Diploma in Irrigation Management after they completed a three year programme recently. Back in 2012, the college obtained accreditation to offer a diploma in agricultural irrigation management.

One of top achievers, Badudule Kolisi who was born and raised in Centane in the Eastern Cape acquired 93% in his final year. Kolisi said the top achiever status came as a bonus to sleepless nights and hard work he went through.

“What really kept me motivated was the unshakeable support that I received from my family. My parents always told me that I can achieve great things if only I put enough effort in everything I do. I also want to applaud the college for the quality of service rendered during my stay.

“TAC is one of student-friendly institutions and it offers good quality of education. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree at Tshwane University of Technology and plans to further my studies by pursuing a Master of Technology or Master of Science Degree immediately after completing my BTech,” he said.

Kolisi said he wants to publish atleast one peer-reviewed article in a reputable scientific journal someday before going into farming. He added that many people do not know much about the irrigation management programme and that will assist.

“I had to do a lot of research about irrigation management before I could understand what does it entails. We do not have more female counterparts in the industry, so I encourage young women to choose agriculture as a career.

“We need to relinquish the stigma associated with the field of agriculture. I am going to do my best to assist women in rural areas. Truly, women have always been the backbone of subsistence farming. Empowering them with knowledge or necessary resources will make them to be more productive in the industry,” Kolisi said.

North West MEC of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development department, Manketsi Tlhape said: “In order to realise the National Development Plan vision 2030, we expect agricultural colleges in the province to improve the ratio of graduates. We highly-appreciate the quality of skill and knowledge that is imparted by the Taung Agricultural College.

“We encourage the new graduates to continue working hard and ensure that they participate efficiently in our economy, especially the agricultural sector which is currently faced with a variety of challenges in this climate change conditions. They are well placed to develop water efficient farming models.”

Tlhape added that they also acknowledge the progress made by the college’s community outreach programme that has donated fresh produce to non-governmental organization and schools around Taung. She said the college also provides technical advice to emerging farmers.

The college’s Director for Structural Training and Education, Dr Karabo Mabe expressed gratitude towards the college advisory council on the guidance they continue to give the institution and the efforts put by the staff to ensure that they equip students with knowledge and technical know-how to be ambassadors of agriculture in Bokone Bophirima.

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Picture: (Two suspects arrested in Pudimoe for possession of illegal firearms) 

By REGINALD KANYANE

Three suspects are expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court soon. Taung Detective Branch, SAPS Crime Intelligence and K9 units in Hartswater and Kimberley SAPS Tactical Response launched a joint ad-hoc operation on Monday after a recent robbery of a well-known bottle store in Hartswater and other business in Taung.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Segio Kock said: “The armed robbery took place over the weekend in Hartswater and soon led to Pudimoe and Vryburg in the North West. Police followed up on information and spotted the suspects in black VW Polo in Pudimoe, where they were stopped and searched.

“Police found and confiscated two firearms, 3 live 7.65 rounds, one firearm magazine, three cellphones as well as the black VW Polo. The three suspects are charged with possession of illegal firearms and ammunition. The possibility of linking them to the business robberies that took place in Hartwater and Taung cannot be ruled out,” Kock said.

Kock said the investigation continues. Greater Taung Anti-Crime Organisation applauded the police for their swift arrest. GTACO chairperson, Peggy Molatlhegi said: “We want to applaud the police for their swift arrest as crime affects our people’s lives. We also urge people to continue to work together with the police in combating crime.

“Criminals have turned Taung into a nest where they practice their criminal activities. However, we will continue to ensure that those who are involved are arrested. There is no place for criminals within our society and people should report any criminal activity taking place within their vicinity.”

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