Picture: Taung Agricultural College principal, Prudence Matlhoko arrested by the Hawks
By REGINALD KANYANE
A fraud case against Taung Agricultural College principal, Prudence Matlhoko has been postponed to 14 April 2020, reported our sister publication, The News Pulse. Matlhoko (38) briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after she was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption investigation team at the college on 4 May 2020 for fraud.
The Hawks spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said: “The suspect allegedly submitted fraudulent travel claims exceeding R17 500. The investigations revealed that she allegedly used a state vehicle in October 2017 and fraudulently claimed official kilometres although she used her private vehicle whilst executing work-related duties.
Matlhoko’s R1000 bail was extended and witnesses in this case were also urged to avail themselves when needed. The case was also transferred to the Taung Regional Court.
The African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature, Paul Sebegoe on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of an independent investigators to assist provincial departments and public entities to fast track investigations into financial irregularities.
This comes after the North West Premier, Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro’s response to questions asked by Sebegoe for an oral response on measures to tackle corruption during the special sitting of the Legislature held on Tuesday.
Mokgoro said that the project instituted by the Provincial Treasury has commenced and is in progress. He added that the new internal control models were introduced in the supply chain process to ensure the procurement complies with all laws and regulations.
“The compliance of the control environment is being monitored regularly by various stakeholders. Independent verification of the system for tenders valued above R10 million prior to awarding was introduced as from 1 April 2019 in order to reduce possible fraud or corruption in the procurement system.
“The roll out of risk management strategies in departments and entities by the Provincial Risk Management will pick up any possible gaps in the controls and other service delivery processes,” he said.
Mokgoro also pointed out that the province has pushed a drive to intensify the fight against fraud and corruption by raising awareness in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies and civil society and business. He added that the province has continued to promote whistleblowing as part of encouraging the public to report cases of fraud and corruption to the National Anti-Corruption number (0800 701 701)
Sebegoe said: “Consequence management introduced for non-compliance must be tracked, early warning systems put in place regularly monitored to ensure that service delivery happens without compromise of value for money and a systems bleed.”
(Picture Supplied: Taung Agricultural College principal, Prudence Matlhoko arrested by the Hawks
By REGINALD KANYANE
A trial against Taung Agricultural College principal, Prudence Matlhoko is expected to resume at Taung Regional Court on Wednesday. Matlhoko (38) was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption investigation team at the college on 4 March 2020 for fraud.
The Hawks spokesperson in the Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said: “The suspect allegedly submitted fraudulent travel claims exceeding R17 500. The investigations revealed that she allegedly used a state vehicle in October 2017 and fraudulently claimed official kilometres although she used her private vehicle whilst executing work-related duties.”
A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment for rape. Richard Senelo was found guilty of rape by the Kimberley Sexual Offences. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lt Colonel Dimakatso Mooi said Senelo raped a girl (17) at his shack back in 2018.
“The incident happened on 26 May 2018 at about 18:00 when the accused accosted the victim while she was on her way to her boyfriend. He forced her to a shanty at Madiba Shacks where he raped her. The victim managed to escape and the matter was reported to the police.
“The accused was found at his shanty still asleep and was arrested on the same day of the incident. The Unit Commander of Galeshewe Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Lieutenant Colonel Marli Strydom, commended the Investigating Officer, WO Reginald Zephe, on a sterling investigation which secured a conviction,” she said.
In another separate incident, the Northern Cape High Court in Hartswater sentenced Elvis Malebo (26) to 25 years in prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Evelyn Mocumi (27). According to information, Malebo bludgeoned Mocumi to her death with a panga and stabbed her 34 times with a knife.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said: “The incident happened on 14 June 2020 at about 07:30am when the accused found Mocumi with a 33-year-old male in her shanty at the Asgat Informal Settlement in Hartswater.
“Malebo went to his house to fetch the weapons and threatened the male with the panga. The male fled the scene and the accused murdered the female. He was arrested by Hartswater SAPS minutes later and remained in custody up until his sentencing.”
Kock added that Malebo pleaded guilty and received 25 years for the murder and 12 months for assault on the male. He said the sentences will run concurrently.
The acting commissioner for the Northern Cape Police, Major General Phiwe Mnguni commended the investigating officer, Sgt Abraham Mokae from Hartswater Detectives for a job well done. Mnguni also condemns the incident and reiterated that the sentence will send out a stern message to all persons who think of committing GBV crimes.
The Guardian 