By OBAKENG MAJE

A 44-YEAR-OLD man briefly appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court for murder on Wednesday. Christopher Koketso Melore was arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Tshegofatso Mabebe (38) in Rooiwal village, Taung.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Melore was arrested on Monday after the initial investigations identified him as the alleged perpetrator. Myburgh said the police were summoned to a murder scene earlier on Monday after a lifeless body of Mabebe was found in the streets with multiple head injuries at around 7:15 am.

“It is alleged that Melore found the girlfriend with another boyfriend at his house on Sunday night and assaulted her. The preliminary investigation revealed that at the time of the arrest, Melore was on parole after being sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment for murdering his then-girlfriend, Babuang Portia Ramose (34) in Pudimoe in December 2009,” she said.

North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said: “We are saddened by the incident. We request couples to resolve their differences peacefully rather than resorting to violence and to seek professional assistance from social workers and other professionals.”

Meanwhile, Melore was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on 6 October 2021.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Former bank employee sentenced to eight years for fraud and money laundering by Swartruggens Regional Court on Monday. Nonhlanhla Matinyane (29) defrauded an unsuspecting victim (49) R536 000.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Matinyane was charged with three accounts of fraud and seven accounts of money laundering.

“Whilst working at the bank in Swartruggens, Matinyane illegally transferred money amounting to R536 000 to three different accounts belonging to family members and to an unsuspecting account holder, from one of the bank account holders who won the lottery.

“This was done without the account holder’s knowledge. The bank investigating team noticed these huge transfers and contacted the account holder. The victim had no knowledge of these transfers because she did not receive any notifications as the accused blocked her phone from receiving bank notifications,” Myburgh said.

She said all transactions were traced to Matinyane and cases of fraud and money laundering were opened. Myburgh further said Matinyane pleaded guilty on all charges and she was sentenced to five years imprisonment for fraud and three years imprisonment for money laundering.

“The sentences were wholly suspended for five years and the court also ordered her to pay R17 500 that could not be retrieved back to the bank,” she said.   

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed sanctions handed down to Mtinyane. Kwena also applauded the investigative officer, Colonel Peter Phale, and the Provincial Commercial Crime Unit for working tirelessly in cooperation with the bank investigation team in ensuring the arrest and sentencing of the accused.    

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Three suspects including a police officer were arrested for theft in Mahikeng on 19 September 2021. According to the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, Constable Meshack Masiza (26) along with other suspects, Motlamedi Lekalake (24) and Jabufor Ngwa (39) allegedly entered the Vehicle Safeguarding Section (VSS) pound in Rooigrond under false pretense.

“Masiza allegedly lied to the security guard about him being officially on duty and entered the VSS pound accompanied by two males driving in a vehicle. The trio proceeded to an impounded vehicle, then removed a front bumper and replaced it with the one from their vehicle.

“They allegedly took the impounded vehicle’s bumper and fit it in their vehicle. Unbeknown to the accused, the security guard had already informed the police who pounced on the trio before they could leave the pound,” Mokgwabone said.

He said the accused made their first appearance at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on 21 September 2021. Mokgwabaone further said Masiza and Lekalake were each granted R500 bail upon the second appearance on 23 September 2021. 

“Ngwa remains in custody pending verification of his residence status. The accused will re-appear at the same court on 28 September 2021. Investigation into the matter continues,” said Mokgwabone.

North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest of the police officer and two civilians. He also lauded the security guard for the vigilance that led to the arrest.

“This will certainly sound a warning to all SAPS employees who are engaged in criminal activities. If caught, will have to face the consequences including internal disciplinary processes,” he said. 

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By STAFF REPORTER

Four senior officials aged 47 and 66 from the Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, The Hawks for fraud, contravening the diamonds Act and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) on Wednesday.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Philani Nkwalase said the department received funding surpassing R6.7 million from the European Union during the 2010/2011 financial year.

“The funds were intended for training students in cutting and polishing uncut (unpolished) diamonds. The diamonds were bought in March 2011 from a private entity without the necessary licenses to buy rough diamonds.

“However, consequently, these diamonds were stored at the premises of the same private entity. Forty students were enrolled in the same year, to undergo a mining qualification course in cutting and polishing of diamonds facilitated by Kimberley Diamonds International Jewellery Academy (KIDJA),” said Nkwalase.

However, he said it was established that the diamonds were missing and unaccounted for in July 2012. Nkwalase said this was discovered during the random inspection by the Auditor General (AG).

“We launched an investigation into the matter and this resulted in the arrest of these senior officials. The team executed (J50) warrants of arrest early on Wednesday morning.  The suspects are expected to appear at the Kimberly Magistrate’s Court soon,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A naked body of a girl was discovered in an open veld in Mokassa 2 village near Taung on Monday. North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the police identified the deceased as Botlhale Maruping (14).  

“We can confirm that a murder case was registered. This comes after the police were called on 20 September 2021 at around 8am where a naked body of a girl was discovered in the forest.  

“The paramedics were also summoned to the scene and certified her dead. No suspect has been arrested and the motive of the killing is still unknown. However, investigation continues,” he said.

Tselanyane refused to comment further on whether the deceased was raped, stabbed or strangled to death.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Service delivery at Phokwane continues to be affected after municipal workers embark on a week-long unprotected strike. This comes after the embattled Phokwane Local Municipality failed to pay their September salaries.

Now, residents in the area call for the Northern Cape Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA)’s intervention.  

One source said: “We urge the COGHSTA department to disband the municipality. The infights between the mayor, Chief Whip and the acting Municipal Manager continue to affect service delivery and plague the municipality in disarray.

“Nothing has changed since the new leadership ascended to the helm hence we call for an overhaul. These people do not care about service delivery, but instead, they put their own interests at the forefront.”  

It is alleged that mayor, Olebogeng Tumodi and the Chief Whip, Remaketse Selogilwe forcefully took the key of the acting Municipal Manager, Kealeboga Gaborone’s office. This allegedly caused her not to pay the salaries of the municipal workers.

Now, municipal workers allegedly poured faeces at the reception and blocked the entrance of the municipality with refuse bags.

The Democratic Alliances (DA) councillor at the municipality, Annette van Wyk said they are concerned about the lack of service delivery.

“The DA will now make good on our threat to lay criminal charges against the municipality in respect of NEMA 107 of 1998 Section 49A (1) in an effort to enforce some kind of accountability.

“No amount of criminal charges, however, will make up for the inherent inefficiency within Phokwane, where ANC-infighting continues to thwart service delivery. This has already been demonstrated by numerous failed government-driven interventions in Phokwane,” van Wyk said.

She further said the failure of the municipality to fix an affordable and easy to repair sewerage spill that is wreaking devastation on homes, schools and businesses in Jan Kempdorp, has again raised concerns about the ANC-run local government’s internal instability and poor financial state.

“The sewerage situation at the silos remains intolerable. Sewage continues to seep into boreholes, with at least two already contaminated with E. coli. Sewage in the road is already pushing up into houses in Andalusia Park and in a house at the “Lande”.

“Businesses, school and a creche in the industrial area are also badly affected. The DA further previously reported that two bodies have been found in the sewage that has dammed up at the silos,” said van Wyk.

Meanwhile, Tumodi said: “We have noted in dismay the ongoing unlawful demonstration by employees from the beginning of the week. As much as we are disappointed by the actions of our employees, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to timeously resolve the impulse.

“There is ongoing engagements between the employer and recognised stakeholders to expedite the resolve (sic). We wish to confirm that salaries of employees will be paid on time, other outstanding payments will be facilitated as a matter of urgency.”  

Tumodi added: “We wish to implore our employees to desist from engaging on unlawful strike and afford the leadership of the institution to resolve all concerns. We wish to express our utmost apology for any inconvenience caused, together we shall build a better society.”

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By STAFF REPORTER

Three suspects were arrested for business robbery at Tswelelang Location near Wolmaranstad on Tuesday. 

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Tshepang Boikanyo (22), Mosimanegape Malcolm Mokhutswane (33) and Katiso Mothupi (24) accosted a tuckshop owner (33) and threatened him with a knife.

“The trio allegedly overpoweredr shop owner in his shop at Tswelelang Location. The tuck shop owner was closing his shop, when the suspects grabbed him and held a knife against his neck. 

“They allegedly ransacked the place and took an undisclosed amount of cash before they fled the scene on foot,” Myburgh said. 

She said, however, the police managed to trace and arrest them shortly after the incident. 

 Myburgh further said the suspects were remanded in custody after they appeared at Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. She said the case was postponed until 22 September 2021 for formal bail application. 

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By OBAKENG MAJE

One of the patients who were admitted at Christiana Hospital has died. Monnaotsile Jacob Dire (52) from Khudutlou village near Taung was one of 22 patients who were ferried to nearby hospitals and Community Healthcare Centres (CHCs) after the hospital that was under construction engulfed by fire.

Now, Boitumelo Motswakae who is a nephew to the deceased said they believe that Dire who was transferred to Taung District Hospital, might have suffered from smoke inhalation and died.

“My uncle had swollen feet and we transported him to the hospital where he was admitted. However, on 8 September 2021, we received a call informing us that he has been transferred to Taung District Hospital after a blaze of fire ravaged the hospital.

“We received another call later on while we were preparing to go to the hospital to visit him telling us that he had passed away. What surprised us, the official who was on the phone instructed us to wait for three days before we could come to the hospital,” Motswakae said.

He said he went to the hospital to get more details the following day. Motswakae said he spent almost four hours at the hospital waiting to be assisted after being sent from “pillar to post.”

“There is something sinister about the cause of my uncle’s death. I was heartbroken seeing him in such a state. He was admitted to the COVID-19 unit even though he was negative, so we want to understand.  

“The hospital also refused to tell us what was the cause of his death. As a family, we suspect that he might have been killed by smoke inhalation from Christiana Hospital. So, we need answers,” Motswakae said.

However, the North West health department spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane refuted Motswakae’s allegations.  

“The department wishes to state categorically clear that the patient was not admitted on a COVID-19 positive ward. He was, however, admitted as a COVID-19 suspect because he had general body weakness, shortness of breath, and low blood sugar.

“Patients who are COVID-19 suspects cannot by any means be admitted in the same ward as those who are positive, but they cannot be admitted in the same ward as those who are negative, while their status is not yet known,” he said.

Lekgethwane further said Dire was admitted at the PUI ward and managed there while waiting for results. He said the COVID-19 PCR test was collected at 12H50, but sadly the patient passed away at 19H49 the same day.

“The results of the patient came back negative on 10 September 2021 after the patient had already passed away. The patient had a lot of complications coupled with uncontrollable sugar levels and this made his organs not respond to treatment.

“So, his death was not caused by smoke inhalation because all patients at the hospital were evacuated on time,” he said.

Dire will be buried on 18 September 2021.

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