Committee: ‘Three provinces have a high vacancy rate of HODs’


By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration (PSA) calls on Premiers from three provinces, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and North West to fill the positions of the Heads of Departments (HODs) and comply with policy stipulating the performance management development system.

The Chairperson of the committee, Tyotyo James said the report flagged that these provinces are having a high vacancy rate for the HODs positions.

“On 3 March 2021, the Portfolio Committee received a report from the DPSA on the turnover and filling of the Directors-General/Heads of Departments in the public service, as well as the Public Service Commission.

“This has resulted in the Portfolio Committee taking a decision to extend an invitation to the provinces with high HODs vacancy rate in order to understand their challenges in filling those critical positions,” James said.

He further said the National Development Plan (NDP) states that many of government’s best performing institutions are characterised by stability in leadership positions. Jame added that the committee appealed to all three provinces to ensure that HoDs positions are filled within the required stipulated time frames as per the Public Service Act of 1994 and its regulations.

“Furthermore, the committee cautioned the provinces to act within the law in terms of acting positions.  The committee observed that suitably qualified heads of departments with proper relevant experience lead to the better implementation of departments’ predetermined objectives in line with NDP’s observations.

“The committee heard that in Northern Cape, there were four vacant HoDs positions, the same in North West, and six vacant posts in Mpumalanga. The committee heard from the premiers that the posts will be filled in accordance with the guidelines by August 2021,” said James.

He also said the committee welcomes the commitment because in order for a department to operate optimally and efficiently, it should not be without a head of department for a lengthy period.

The committee heard that the Head of Department for the Department of Sports, Art and Culture in the Northern Cape has been on suspension since September 2020, following the report from the Public Protector where she was directly implicated for misappropriation of funds.

 The next hearing is on 19 July 2021 and until such time, she is on precautionary suspension.

“The committee raised its concern that suspensions should not take longer than six months as the state will be paying twice for the same position (once for the incumbent on suspension and the other for the person acting in that position) and this, therefore, increases the budget for personnel expenditure,” he said.

Recently, the North West Social Development appointed Emannuel Mofokane as the new Head of Department, but this did not sit well with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) together with Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the province.

It is alleged that Mofokane does not have the necessary qualifications to be appointed as the HoD.

NEHAWU provincial deputy secretary, Ignatius Msoki said’: “We were not part of the process during Mofokane’s appointment. We also want to put it on record that, the leader of the government has taken a decision to exclude us as the union in the recruitment process of the Head of Department of the Department of Social Development.

“NEHAWU received a letter that introduced Mokokane to us as the new HoD. This was followed by the allegations that he was not qualified for the position. We then requested a meeting with North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to engage him on this issue.”

COSATU also shared the same sentiments. COSATU provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said they have called on the North West Social Development MEC, Boitumelo Moiloa and Mokgoro to give this matter urgent attention.

“We urge Moiloa and Mokgoro to address this matter in a dignified manner as soon as possible and for stability purposes, but to put the appointment in abeyance until matters are settled.

“If the panel knows better that the appointed candidate does not meet the requirements then it must do the right thing and re-start the process from the beginning,” Konopi said.

However, Mokgoro alleged that he took no part in Mofokane’s appointment.

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NWPL Speaker, Dantjie accused of flouting the legislature’s rules


 

By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela tabled a departmental budget at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) through a virtual on Tuesday. However, over R18 billion departmetal budget presentation was in turmoil after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) walked out of that seating after accusing the NWPL Speaker, Sussana Dantjie of contravention of the rules.

EFF provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said they have noted with concern the demagogic and desperate decision by Dantjie to allow the tabling of a budget vote that did not follow due processes of adoption.

Botswe said on the 25 May 2021, Dantjie convened a house seating that had to debate four budgets from different departments in the province.

“On the eve of the seating, the legislature circulated an order paper that only had two budget votes. The reasoning behind the disregard for the others was that, the respective committee of those two departments had not adopted the Annual Performance Plans (APP).

“It is worth noting that even the two budgets votes that were tabled for debates had not been adopted by a committee. The Chairperson of the Committee, Kabelo Matoboge signed and submitted the APP to the legislature under a disguise that the committee had adopted the budget vote,” he said.

Botswe further said the EFF in the legislature raised this matter with Dantjie before the commencement of the debate for the budget vote. He added that all other opposition parties raised the same concern with Dantjie who acknowledged their concerns and stated that she will investigate the matter.

“Dantjie being delinquent, she further went on and ruled that the debate must continue irrespective of the concerns raised by the MPLs. All opposition parties in the legislature placed it on record that they will not validate and legitimize an unlawful process to take place as the legislature cannot debate a budget vote that was not adopted by the committee,” said Botswe.

He alleged that Mataboge was ‘deliberately’ absent for this particular seating as he knew that his constitutional delinquency and thuggery would be exposed. He said they call on Dantjie to desist from her demagogic tendencies in a quest to lobby support for herself in the party politics of the ANC by compromising the decorum of the legislature.

The DA provincial Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile shared the same sentiments. Sonakile said despite the strong objections, Dantjie played her usual bulldoze tactic by ignoring all legislative processes and irregularly proceeding with the budget votes without blinking an eye.

“The Framework for Strategic and Annual Performance Plans (APP) as outlined by National Treasury, clearly stipulates the processes that APPs have to undergo. 

“The Rules of the House further make it clear that there needs to be a quorum before any matter is adopted or rejected by a Portfolio Committee, a rule that the ANC Speaker and Chief Whip, Paul Sebegoe, have seemingly forgotten today,” he said.

Sonakile alleges that the Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation did not quorate and could therefore not adopt the APPs of the respective departments. He said Dantjie’s decision to ignore this contravention of due processes not only emphasises her thirst for lawlessness, but also underscores her ineptitude to accomplish proper oversight of government action as per the legislature’s mandate.

“This is precisely why the DA submitted a motion of no confidence against her in February 2021, which she flatly refuses to table. Dantjie is not fit for the important position that she holds and we will seek legal advice to take further action against her,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dantjie told the seating that she will investigate these allegations and will revert to them afterward.

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A Zimbabwean man nabbed for possession of firearm abandoned bail


  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A Zimbabwean man briefly appeared at the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane, near Rustenburg for possession of unlicensed firearm, ammunition and explosive gel.

Paulos Chitoto (34) was arrest by the police after a tip-off by members of the community on a planned house break-in on a farm in the Swartruggens. According to the National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the case was postponed until 11 October 2021 for further investigations.

“The accused was intercepted by the police near Rietvellie graveyard in Phokeng outside Rustenburg and two of his accomplices managed to flee. The police are on a manhunt for the two men.

“A 9mm pistol, live ammunition magazine and explosive gel were found inside the Toyota Prada the suspects were travelling in. The accused will remain in police custody until his next court appearance after he abandoned bail,” Mamothame said.

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‘Non-disclosure of pending cases cost a man bail’


By STAFF REPORTER

A 32-YEAR-OLD man will remain in custody after being denied bail by the Taung Magistrate’s Court recently. A Manthe-born man, Tshepo Lenyai was arrested for murder after he allegedly stabbed Kamogelo Lekaota (18) to death during Easter weekend this year.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said in a statement that the commotion between the two allegedly ensued over alcohol. 

“Taung police received a call from the Manthe clinic at around 3:30am. The police rushed to the scene and found Lekaota’s lifeless body in a pool of blood with stabbing wounds. He was stabbed on the left side of his chest.

 “According to information, the deceased was ferried to the clinic for medical attention, but he succumbed to his injuries. A man was arrested and charged with murder,” he said.

However, this statement was vehemently refuted by the deceased’s family and alleged that the atrocity was orchestrated by criminal activities. According to Lekaota’s family, Lenyai allegedly robbed Kamogelo and his friends of their personal belongings before stabbing him to death.  

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “Lenyai briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday for formal bail application. However, he was denied bail after he failed to disclose his previous convictions, outstanding evidentiary evidence, and the state argued that he might intimidate state witnesses.

“The degree of violence in the charge against the accused was also taken into consideration including a pending case of assault GBH against him. The community will also not be pleased and his safety might be in jeopardy if released on bail.”

Lenyai is set to be back in court on 23 June 2021, while investigations continue.

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‘Selling of former Bophuthatswana assets is a daylight heist’


By OBAKENG MAJE

Residents of Mahikeng are up in arms after the announcement of disposing of properties that are in the former Bophuthatswana areas outside the North West province.

According to information, the North West Housing Corporation CEO, Sello Mogodiri announced that they intend to auction movable and immovable assets such as properties located within municipalities like Tshwane, Mangaung, John Taolo Gaetsewe areas including farms.  

However, the announcement was not well-received as some of the residents in Mahikeng embarked on protests.

One of the community leaders, Thato Molosankwe said: “As the residents of Mahikeng, we saw it fit to take our grievances to the streets. We call on the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa to come and hear our grievances because the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro’s silence on the matter is deafening.

“We understand that the NWDC CEO, Sello Mogodiri is selling all properties of the province that were built under the former Bophuthatswana.”

Molosankwe further said they rather question the procedure applied because it ‘flaws’ the PFMA processes. He added that public participation must be allowed before any decision is taken.

“The worst part, Mogodiri is also selling farms. The government is busy with the land distribution process and the land must return to its rightful owners.

“Now, they are selling those farms to the highest bidders without any consultations. It is clear that those who are poverty-stricken would not benefit from these transactions,” he said.  

North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile said they would not continue with a process until all relevant processes such as public participation have unfolded.

“Some of the said properties include land and immovable properties around Winterveld, Mabopane, and Garankuwa have been invaded or illegally occupied.

“It is our view that Gauteng government should procure that land or properties from the NWDC and put it for good public interest,” Cwaile said.  

He further said the Gauteng government must also find a way to make those who occupy the residential houses of the NWHC outside of the province to be able to acquire them at market value and become rightful owners.   

He added that the Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) advised that the mandate of the NWHC is to house the North West communities and seek to resolve the historical dilemma, where already most of the families grew in the said houses they are occupying in areas such as Pampierstad, Kuruman, Mabopane, Winterveld, Atamelang, Ganyesa, Thabanchu and many other areas.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs chairperson, Aaron Mocwana said they were shocked by the reports citing the intention of the entity to auction properties of NWHC in Gauteng and other provinces.

“The Portfolio Committee views this as an ‘act of fraud and theft of government assets at a grand scale’. The entity in the first place has failed to adhere to numerous request of the portfolio committee to declare locations of these properties.

“It is disturbing that all of a sudden there are hastened plans to auction the very same properties they failed to point out to the committee. The public pronouncement is nothing but a pyramid scheme designed to sidetrack accountability to the legislature and to conduct procurement processes through a media space,” he said. 

Mocwana further said these talks continue to disrespect the legislature and its processes. He said the portfolio committee is going to write to both Mokgoro and Cwaile to halt ‘this daylight heist of North West communities’ assets by a well-coordinated cartel masquerading as Gauteng business investors at the expense of the people of the North West’.

“The Portfolio Committee will leave no stone unturned to protect and defend the gains of the people of the North West from power mongers, daylight exploitation and collusion of government officials with business.

“Cwaile should ensure that he acts on this contravention of Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act of Parliament and ensure full accountability, fairness and transparency to the people of the North West,” said Mocwana.

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‘We support a robust economic stimulus package for Africa’


By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Last week media around the world carried heart-rending images of a young boy adrift off the coast of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. He was clinging to a makeshift buoy made of plastic bottles and desperately trying to make it to shore.

Over the years we have become accustomed to seeing images of African men, women and children crammed into boats and makeshift rafts trying to reach Europe. According to relief organisations more than 20,000 people have lost their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean since 2014.

As we observe Africa Day tomorrow, these tragic stories remind us of the huge task we have to build a better life for all the people of Africa.

While we celebrate the progress we have made towards building a peaceful and prosperous continent, events in faraway North Africa show that we still have a long way to go.

Life is so difficult for millions of people on our continent and opportunities so few that they would risk their lives crossing the sea in pursuit of a better future.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made people already suffering from the effects of conflict, under-development and poverty even more vulnerable.

African economies have been severely damaged and growth prospects are greatly diminished. Many of the continent’s developmental gains may be reversed as the fight against the pandemic takes precedence over other national priorities like poverty eradication.

Although low-income countries are especially vulnerable, middle income countries like our own have also been severely hit.

To support the continent’s economic recovery, African governments have been working through the African Union (AU) to mobilise significant financing to meet their developmental goals.

Last week, I joined several African leaders at a summit in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron on the financing of African economies in the post-COVID-19 era.

South Africa reiterated its support for a comprehensive and robust economic stimulus package for Africa to aid the recovery. But we said this should not be a substitute for official development aid.

We welcomed the steps taken by financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support low- and middle-income countries, and called for further measures to support vulnerable countries. This would include an allocation by the IMF of what are known as Special Drawing Rights, where on the basis of membership quotas, around $33 billion will be released to increase the reserves of African countries. African leaders have however argued that an amount of $33 billion, while welcome, is not sufficient to meet the challenges that the continent faces. As the more developed economies are set to receive much of the $650 billion of Special Drawing Rights to be issued, we believe that 25% (which equates to $162.5 billion) should be made available to African countries.

Other measures would include increased concessional financing by international institutions and development agencies, and additional measures led by the G20 countries to provide African countries with debt relief.

In what was described as a New Deal for Africa, leaders and international organisations recognised that we share a collective responsibility to implement financial relief measures for African countries in distress.

The international experience with COVID-19 has been a lesson in the importance of collaboration between African countries and with our international partners. Our gains as a continent have been because we have both drawn on our own capabilities and worked with the international community.

As African countries, we want to help ourselves and not be told what is good for us. The principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ should be applied. It is important that we affirm our sovereignty as free and independent states capable of determining the destiny of our continent.

While countries have immediate financing needs, a sustainable economic recovery can only be assured if we increase levels of investment on the continent. Investing in African economies will contribute to making Africa the next champion of global growth.

The African Continental Free Trade Area will play a key role in the continental recovery. We also envisage a greater role for the continental network of African public development banks to mobilise funding to support key projects in health, education, infrastructure, green growth and other sectors.

African leaders acknowledge the centrality of good governance, public debt management, financial integrity and creating a more favourable climate for private sector investment in their economies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented levels of unity and cooperation between African countries. It has seen the continent strengthen its ties with the broader international community and global institutions.

As we observe Africa Day, let us deepen our efforts to achieve a sustainable and lasting social and economic recovery for the citizens of Africa. Ours must become a continent that is thriving and prosperous, not one from which its people are dying in an attempt to leave.

As a country, we are part of Africa and Africa is part of us. What happens in one part of our continent affects us all, and so we must work together to recover from this crisis, and to ensure that our continent grows and thrives.

I wish you all a happy Africa Day.

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A man in court for kidnapping, rape and murder


By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A-26-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear at Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court for rape and murder of Tshimologo Lotshabeng (4) on Monday. It is alleged that the suspect kidnapped, raped and murdered Lobatsheng and dumped her tiny body in the near bushes afterward.

North West police spokesperson, Lit Col Amanda Funani said on 14 May 2021, the mother (32) of Tshimologo took her to her friend’s place, where she left her with six other children and went to a local tavern. Funani further said it is alleged that the mother came back drunk in the early hours of Saturday morning accompanied by two friends. 

“The mother who found the children asleep, apparently slept in her friend’s bedroom. She woke up in the morning and realised that her daughter is missing. As a result, she went to her residential place to look for the girl, but did not find her.

“A missing person inquiry was ultimately reported on 15 May 2021. Subsequently, the search was conducted in the area and Tshimologo’s clothes and her naked body were found in the bushes on 16 May 2021,” she said.

Funani added that the preliminary investigation revealed that the young girl was allegedly raped and strangled to death. She said the suspect was arrested on Thursday at his residential area in Jan Kempdorp.

“The suspect allegedly waited for the mother to fall asleep, then kidnapped the child and took her to the nearby bushes where he raped and killed her. The suspect is expected to appear in the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” Funani said.

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Opinion: The ANC must renew and rebuild to morally regenerate the society


By ORAPELENG MATSIDISO

Organisational renewal means among other things, the ability of the ANC to be a beacon of hope and genuine leader of the society through the deployment of its ethical and capable leaders in pursuit of its historic task of serving the people, fighting corruption and maleficence so as to effectively and efficiently lead the process of social transformation.

“At core of the ANC’s task in the current period is the renewal of the organization for it to exercise societal leadership in a changing environment…ANC cadres need to be located in all these centres (sites of powers), exercising leadership not by decree or through arrogance; but in terms of logic of their ideas, through their organizational acumen and from exemplary conduct. Honesty, hard work, humility, ethics and respect for the people are some of the core attributes that they should evince”- ANC Strategy and Tactics of 2017

The ANC must as a leader of the society renew and morally regenerate to inspire hope to the people of South Africa.  In its 54th National Conference, the ANC as a leader of the society has resolved to lead the renewal and the moral regeneration of the society.

The reality is that, the ANC must be the mirror of the society it envisages, it is only renewed and morally regenerated ANC that could lead the societal renewal and its moral regeneration program.

An ancient philosopher and a thinker, Plato has in his writings taught us that the “philosopher kings” meaning leaders are deployed into positions of responsibility to set up systems of government that serve the “city” society, but as they do so, they are somehow guided by their different kinds of personal desires; the desire for material benefits, honour and good reputation, and the desire for knowledge and truth. Plato believes that, the “philosopher kings” (leaders) might take advantage of the “city” society to attain and satisfy their desires.

In his argument, to avoid corruption, all members of the society must be training and socialized through education. In my view, corruption has always been a societal problem and there must be a strong system of government that genuinely fight corruption and maleficence.

As part of its efforts to enhance its integrity and fight against corruption, the ANC has in the 54th National Conference deliberated and amongst others resolved that provincial and National Executive Committees should “Demand that every cadre accused of, or reported to be involved in, corrupt practices accounts to the Integrity Committee immediately or face DC process. Summarily suspend people who fail to give an acceptable explanation or to voluntarily step down, while they face disciplinary, investigative or prosecutorial procedure”.

Just like the “philosopher kings” cadres have used state resources meant for service delivery to attain and satisfy their desires for material benefit, therefore, all cadres implicated into corruption must step aside or down for the ANC to renew and reassume it position of unquestionable moral standing in the society and be able to lead the process of social transformation and moral regeneration of the society.

*Orapeleng Vanilla Matshediso is a member of the ANC in Dr Ruth Mompati Region, the Deputy Executive Director of Higher Education Transformation Network and an employee of Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality, this article represents his personal view. The issues raised here does not necessary represent Taung DailyNews.

Opinion: The renewal project of the ANC must encapsulate nipping political clientelism in the bud


By SELLO TATAI

The political literature of Africa’s independence is awash with many case studies of malfeasance. This administrative conundrum has had an adverse impact in the socio-political and economic stability of many post-colonial countries.

This has often resulted into civil wars, genocides, famine and human rights abuses.

Chinua Achebe in his much-celebrated novel, A Man of the People, augments this narrative through a dubious character named Chief Nanga whom after independence becomes the Minister of Culture.

His primary responsibility is to become a custodian of the country’s traditions and culture instead he uses his political power to only serve himself, his pals and some in his constituency.

He further uses his wealth to bribe law enforcement agencies and other officials in an attempt to amass more political power and enrich himself as well as his family. He also preys on vulnerable young women determined to overcome the post-colonial mirage.

South Africa’s post-Apartheid discourse mirrors a similar narrative and over the past few years provincial governments and municipalities have fallen prey to political clientelism. 

In its watershed Conference of 2017, the African National Congress committed to the renewal of the organisation. This as a consequence of cronyism, patronage and critically clientelism which have engulfed the organisation since at least the 2007 Polokwane Conference.

This has had a detrimental impact on the smooth running of government and in particular the country’s municipalities where the poor and economically disenfranchised reside.

In the North West the appalling state of municipalities has left many residents disgruntled.

Some maintain the ANC is vindicating those who are still clamouring for the

Bophuthatswana Administration. They allege a flourishing infrastructure which was inherited from Mangope’s government has been left to decay leaving hundreds of communities in a state of paralysis akin to many failed post-colonial democracies.

Under the banner of Khawuleza, an initiative by the ANC to expedite service delivery, the governing party maintains its members in public office need to be agents of change.

High on the agenda is to put emphasis on ethical leadership, fight corruption in all its forms, and to speed up the delivery of services with the sole purpose of improving the lives of South Africans.

While these intentions are noble and are aimed at putting the ANC in the right political trajectory, the diagnosis seems to be wrong. Issues ranging from corruption, mal-administration, fraud and patronage are variables of a broader malice which is political clientelism.

Political clientelism can be defined as a reciprocal relationship which provides political support in exchange for granting access to state resources.

This practice relies on the use of state resources to provide jobs and services for mass political support as access is in most instances conditioned on subordination, compliance and dependence on the goodwill of power brokers who have the money.

As the governing party gears itself towards this year’s local government elections the ANC must guard against the processes designed to nominate councillors being hijacked by political & tender-preneurs.

The country’s municipalities are currently riddled with councillors who first and foremost pledge their allegiance to business people who funded their campaigns and later their political bishops who have assisted them manipulate nomination and list processes.

Tenderpreneurs would later be rewarded with lucrative tenders while political bishops would be granted support with money accrued from state projects.

In the process service delivery is compromised due to shoddy work. As accountability fails to trickle down violent service delivery protests become the order of the day. 

This is not far from how Chief Nanga was toppled.

And as the masses turned their backs on him the post-colonial state was thrown into a state of disarray and consequently a civil war.

*Sello Tatai is an activist and a former journalist. He writes in his personal capacity and these views does not necessary represent Taung DailyNews.

Breaking News: A man nabbed for alleged rape and murder of a girl (4)


By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A-26-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of Tshimologo Lotshabeng (4) in Kgomotso village near Pampierstad. North West police spokesperson, Lit Col Amanda Funani said the suspect was arrested on Thursday at his residential areas in Jan Kempdorp.

“The apprehension comes after Lotshabeng’s naked body and clothes were found in the bushes on Sunday. It is alleged that the suspect is a colleague and one of the people who accompanied Tshimologo’s mother from the tavern to her friend’s house, where she slept. 

“The suspect allegedly waited for the mother to fall asleep, then kidnapped the child and took her to the nearby bushes where he raped and killed her. The suspect is expected to appear in the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” Funani said.

She further said the investigation into the matter including the possibility of charging the mother is underway.  

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Dintletse Molefe applauded the police for their sterling job. Molefe said the brutal killings such as this one cannot be tolerated and that the police will continue to work hard to ensure that the suspect is convicted.

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