Facebook: Lesego Sweetness Matshetshe who was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 30-year-old alleged serial rapist was arrested on Friday. This comes after the suspect allegedly lured his credulous victims on Facebook and subsequently raped them. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said a team made up of the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit and the Provincial Organised Crime Unit investigators were assembled to hunt the “cyber rapist” who used the same modus operandi.

Myburgh said a woman (27) was allegedly befriended by the suspect via Facebook and they also had conversations on WhatsApp. She added that the complainant agreed to meet with the suspect in the evening at a grocery store in Klerksdorp on 30 May 2020.

“It is alleged that the suspect who pretended to be a pastor, met with the victim as agreed and ultimately took her to an open field behind the Technical High School where he allegedly threatened her with a knife, raped, and robbed of her personal belongings.

“In another unrelated incident, a 29-year-old victim also met the suspect via Facebook. They allegedly arranged to meet in the afternoon at Boikhutso Village on 7 November 2019. Subsequently, the suspect allegedly took the victim to an open field where he threatened her with a knife and raped her. He also robbed the victim of her personal belongings,” said Myburgh.

She said investigations into the matter continue as the police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the suspect to other cases. Myburgh said the police will work tirelessly in an effort to bring to book those who perpetrate acts of violence against women.

In another separate incident, Taung police arrested a suspect aged 31 at Tlapeng village for assault and intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) on 16 June 2020. It is alleged that Lesego Matshetshe’s boyfriend assaulted her after a commotion ensued between the two.

“We can confirm that Taung police are investigating cases of intimidation and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm. This comes after the suspect allegedly assaulted his 27-year-old girlfriend in Tlapeng Village in Taung, and intimidated her and her family at their home.

“The suspect was arrested on Wednesday and appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court. The police are committed to ensuring the safety of all the citizens in the province. It should, however, be mentioned that crime committed inside a family circle/home is very difficult to police as the home or family should be a safe place where women are protected,” she said.

Myburgh said police would once more like to condemn the incidents and urge the communities to strengthen the hands of the police by ensuring the protection of the vulnerable, women, and children.

“The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the team for their diligence which resulted in the arrest. He urged the public to exercise extreme caution when honouring initial appointments with potential friends, especially after meeting them through social media. Furthermore, he discouraged individuals not to meet strangers alone for the first time, but at public places where there are people who can protect one from harm,” said Myburgh.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 50-year-old man appeared at Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on Friday for house robbery, attempted murder, and theft of a motor vehicle. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Joseph Bernard Kulelaphi was arrested by police after he allegedly committed a crime on a farm in Leeudoringstad a week ago.

Myburgh said a farmer (77) was allegedly overpowered at his residential area after two suspects forced entry through a locked door. She added that during the ordeal, the victim was hit with a panga on his head and tied-up.

“The suspects took six firearms from a safe as well as a cellular phone and fled the scene with the farmer’s Mercedes Benz. The victim managed to free himself and pressed the alarm that alerted the police and emergency services.

“The police and emergency services personnel rush to the scene and found a farmer with serious head injuries. The victim was ferried to the hospital for medical attention. The stolen vehicle was found abandoned on the Leeudoringstad and Orkney road few hours later,” she said.

Myburgh said following an intensive investigation, a suspect was identified and subsequently traced and apprehended at his house on a farm in the Leeudoringstad on Wednesday. She said all six stolen firearms were recovered and police also found a .38 special revolver with a serial number filed off.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena congratulated the police for a job well done and recovering the stolen firearms, which he said was likely to be used to commit serious and violent crimes.

Meanwhile, Kulelaphi was remanded in custody until Tuesday for formal bail application.

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Picture: Manthe-based Non-Governmental Organisation, Obakeng Disability Centre 

By REGINALD KANYANE

A group of students from the North West University (Potchefstroom campus) has partnered with the Obakeng Disability Centre in Manthe village, Taung in quest of introducing it to the digital world. Seolebaleng Mashodi who is a postgraduate (Diploma in Management) student at the university and a group leader said it is important for organizations to have a digital footprint.

Mashodi said having an online identity makes the organization unique.

“We were tasked to do a group assignment for Information and Management Systems module which required us to identify a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and introduce it to available technologies that would best put them in a better position to be more efficient and effective.

“We therefore chose to collaborate with Obakeng Disability Organisation given their technological needs. So, we have created social media platforms including a website. It is still a work in progress though,” she said.

Mashodi added that they have also created a new logo and a brochure for advertising. She said they have also assisted the organization to apply for funding from various financial institutions.

“We approached institutions such as the Open for Society of South Africa and Telkom foundation. However, a response was received from the Open for Society of SA that applications have closed for the period. Feedback from Telkom foundation has not been received.

“The project will continue beyond this stage to ensure that the organisation is fully capacitated in terms of using technology for different operations, including access to funding. We worked with people like Joram Mongalea who is a software developer. Mongalea is currently a Cloud Support Engineer based in Cape Town.

“We were also assisted by Taung-based photographer, Kenny Diloke with photography for the website content. With the introduction of the tools that we have created and developed for the NGO, we believe they will increase its marketing footprint and raise more awareness about Obakeng Disability Centre,” said Mashodi.

She said with all mechanisms in place, they expect the NGO to attract more funders or sponsorships. Mashodi added that the tools will also aid Obakeng Disability Centre to improve its brand identity and networking opportunities.

Meanwhile, the founder of the Obakeng Disability Centre, Lasita Tong said: “The centre was established back in 2001 and caters for more than 30 beneficiaries across Taung. I came up with the idea because many disabled persons are treated differently especially by communities. It was difficult in the beginning to establish the centre, but I soldiered on.

“As the founder of the centre, I am very grateful to see our significant growth over the years. Now, the centre has 27 beneficiaries and 21 volunteers. The aim was to uplift our disabled persons within our community. We are also grateful to receive assistance from a group of students from the North West University.”

Those who want to access the Obakeng Disability Centre can go to www.obakengdisabilityorganization.co.za or check their Twitter handle at @obakengdisorg

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Picture (Supplied): Moja Chicken and Kemisetso Cleaning and Pest Control owner, Lehlogonolo “Tloks Lepara” Motseeng 

By OBAKENG MAJE

Taung-born entrepreneur, Lehlogonolo Motseeng (32) celebrated Father’s Day by lending the helping hand to the impoverished. Motseeng donated food parcels to ten families at his hometown, Magogong village near Taung on Friday.

“I am a compassionate person by nature and this initiative was part of my social responsibility. You will be aware that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected many livelihoods especially those who are from destitute backgrounds.

“I was assisted by the leadership of the community to identify those families and I hope this will lighten up their faces. Most people are struggling to make ends meet especially during this pandemic. We cannot always rely on the government for assistance,” he said.

Motseeng who is the founder and owner of a food outlet, Moja Chicken and Kemisetso Cleaning and Pest Control companies also encouraged other business persons to come on board. He added that even though the country is faced with treble challenges such as poverty, inequality and unemployment it is paramount to turn the deluge.

“I saw the magnitude of contributing as a responsible citizen. I know what it means to be subjected to poverty as I have experienced that a while back. So, this initiative will not be a once-off thing, but an ongoing project,” said Motseeng.

Tloks Lepara as Motseeng is affectionately known to the music fraternity also encouraged men to take a stand against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). He said South Africa experienced a haemorrhage after shocking GBV statistics.

“South Africa has one of the world’s highest gender-based violence cases. It is heartbreaking to read about horrendous tales of young girls and women going missing, being raped and killed on a daily basis.

 “So, my message to both women and men is simple. Let’s respect each other as fellow human beings and I urge men not to use their masculinity to oppress women and children. May we rather protect and love them than killing them,” said Motseeng.

He called on men to stand together and fight the plague. Motseeng also said it is significant to teach young boys how to love and protect women and girls.

“May we teach them that women are not punching bags and they should be loved and be protected. As a father, it is imperative to take responsibilities because you are not only doing it for oneself, but for the whole society,” said Motseeng.

Meanwhile, the Sonke Gender Justice Communications and Strategic Information Unit Manager, Given Sigauqwe calls on neighbours to be under the constant watch of an abusive member of the household. Sigaugwe said making a phone call to get help is not always possible either.

“Unwatched and unchecked – women, children and other vulnerable groups are finding themselves at the mercy of their abusers. This is not the time to be quiet. We must be loud enough to make a difference to those who are impacted by domestic violence.

“There is no doubt that as a nation we are stronger together, so now we have another national call of solidarity. To greatly reduce the frequency and severity of domestic violence attacks in this period, we need to call on our neighbours to help protect each other.”

Sonke is calling on every woman and man next door – to #SPEAKOUT on social media and pledge their commitment to watch out for gender-based in their neighbourhood. Domestic violence can be reported to toll-free Gender-Based Violence Call Centre on 0800 428 428 or 1207867#.

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