By OBAKENG MAJE

FOUR suspects were re-arrested at Myra Village near Pudimoe on Thursday. Thabo Pita (24), Thabo Edward Bankies (31) Thabo Aaron Mokwena (46) and Lekhoa Methola (44) were part of nine escapees who escaped from the Amalia Police Station cells three weeks ago.

North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were arrested through the assistance of the community members. Mokgwabone said it is alleged that the escapees were re-arrested after law abiding citizens alerted the police about their presence in their village.

“The police reacted to the information and re-arrested them. Three of the re-arrested escapees are Lesotho nationals, while one is a South African. At the time of the escape, Thabo Pita and Lekhoa Methola were held as undocumented persons and awaiting deportation, while Thabo Mokwena and Thabo Edward Bankies were facing charges of robbery aggravating and attempted murder respectively.

“They are all expected to appear in the Schweizer- Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 29 November 2021. Meanwhile, the police are still working hard to trace and re-arrest the remaining five escapees, Refuoe Zwakala (30), Lebogang Makume (31), Isaac Polanka Ramotsapi (35), Lebajwa Raphael Sewete (29), and Thabiso Bereng (34),” he said. 

Mokgwabone further said Lebogang Makume was facing a charge of robbery aggravating at the time of the escape, while the other four were in detention as undocumented persons and also awaiting deportation. 

He added that the suspects allegedly escaped from lawful custody after they overpowered police officials.

“Investigation into the matter including circumstances that led to the escape continues. The police request anyone with information that can assist in the re-arrest of the remaining five escapees, to contact the nearest police station or the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Zwelinzima Ngwenya on 082 373 7194,” said Mokgwabone.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended members of the community for their information which led to the re-arrest of the four escapees.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The African National Congress in the North West has called for thorough investigations after the house of the North West MEC for Cooperative, Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Lenah Miga was gutted by fire at Makhubung village near Mahikeng on Wednesday night.

According to the Mahikeng Fire Station station commander, Michael Matlawe, people who were in the house at the time allegedly said the fire started in the part of the house where their bedrooms are situated.

“The family noticed a huge flame while they were watching television in the lounge, but they were fortunate enough to exit the house in time without suffering any injuries. The Mahikeng Fire Services was alerted by the incident at around 8:18pm.

“They immediately dispatched to the scene with their fire engine and managed to contain the fire. However, some parts of the house were completely destroyed, while the main structure also had some fire damage,” Matlawe said.

ANC IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said: “We have learnt with utter shock an incident of a fire that broke out at the private residence of Miga. The ANC wishes members of her family, who were inside the house a speedy recovery after they were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

“We call on law enforcement agencies to conduct a speedy and rigorous investigation into this incident.”

North West Premier, Bushy Maape also shared the same sentiments. Maape said he is pleased that despite this unfortunate incident, no life was lost and there were no injuries sustained by any of the occupants when the house caught fire.

Meanwhile, Miga spokesperson, Tsholofelo Mathibedi said Miga has been shattered by the incident.

“You will remember that a few years ago, Miga’s car was torched and now is the house. However, even though she is devastated, she still believes that justice will prevail. She was also grateful that no one has sustained injuries and her family members evacuated the house unharmed,” said Mathibela.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 22-YEAR-OLD boy is expected to appear at Vryburg Magistrate’s Court for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH). This follows a boy seen on a video that went viral on various social media platforms, kicking a girl (16) impenitently.  

North West police spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sergeant Tryphosa van Rooyen said the incident took place at Huhudi Township near Vryburg on 22 November 2021 at around 6:45pm. 

She said a case of Assault GBH was opened at the Huhudi Police station.

“It is alleged that the 16-year -old victim was at her parental home when she went outside to close the gate. The victim was met at the gate by the suspect who started to assault her.

“The suspect ended up kicking her whilst his friends were looking on. The victim managed to run into her home when the suspect was distracted. The suspect was arrested on 24 November 2021 and is due to appear in court soon,” said van Rooyen.

She said an investigation is underway to determine what the cause of the despicable actions was.

Meanwhile, the Young Communist League of South Africa YCLSA in Naledi Sub-District condemned the incident. The YCLSA Naledi Sub-District coordinator, Vuyani Mayedwa said: “We are saddened by the recent on-going circulating video of a young boy brutally assaulting a teenage girl.

“As the YCLSA, we would like to assure the community of Naledi that we’ll not rest until the victimised girl finds justice because it cannot be correct that in the mist of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves dealing with the arousal of another pandemic which is GBV.”

He further said the YCLSA challenges and condemns the barbaric behaviour of perpetrators of GBV as the country approaches 16 Days of Activism against Women and Children.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu and the North West MEC of Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa will join hands with Siyanda Bakgatla Platinum Mine to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in Swartklip.

North West MEC for Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said the event forms part of Minister Zulu’s 16 Days of Activism Programme, which is commemorated from 25 November to 10 December 2021 under the national theme: “The Year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke-Moving from awareness to accountability”.

“The recent quarterly crime statistics released by the Minister of Police, Gen Bheki Cele show once again the unacceptably high levels of crime against women and children, with almost 10 000 people brutalised and sexually violated within a period of three months.

“Of major concern is that these violent crimes are perpetrated by people that survivors and victims know and trust, and happen in their own homes. The formal programme will be preceded by a walk against GBVF organised by Siyanda Bakgatla Platinum Mine and ACT Now, a Non-Profit Organisation established by concerned men to fight the scourge of GBVF in South Africa,” he said.

Siko added that after the formal programme, Zulu and Moiloa will visit the bereaved family of the latest victim of GBV in Mabodisa Section, Moruleng Village. The victim’s mutilated body was recently found in a refrigerator in Soweto, Gauteng.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The inauguration of the municipal council for the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality will take place on Friday. This comes after the municipal council inauguration meeting was adjourned indefinitely on 23 November 2021 due to failure of the Mamusa Local Municipality council to send its representatives.  

Mamusa Local Municipality council meeting was marred with disruptions after some of ANC councillors voted with opposition parties and elected the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor, Olebeng Mogorotsi as the municipal speaker.

However, the council meeting was finally convened during the late night on 23 November 2021 and ANC councillor, Seitebaleng Chelechele was elected as the new mayor.

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality acting municipal manager, Collen Colane who chaired the meeting said: “We will adjourn the council meeting because the Mamusa Local Municipality has not sent its representatives to the district. So, we will adjourn to allow them the process to convene their council meeting.

“This is in line with the Municipal Structures Act. Remember, the district council has 14 days to convene after the last of the local councils has appointed its representatives to the district council,” Colane said.   

Former ANC regional secretary in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Gaolatlhwe Kgabo is expected to be elected as the executive mayor, while Kgalalelo Sereko is expected to ascend to the municipal speaker position. 

The former executive mayor, Elvis Tladinyane is expected to resume his municipal duties as the Chief Whip.   

Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape applauded all municipalities after convening its councils without hindrance. Maape said municipalities have this week been hard at work to set up new councils following the 2021 Local Government Elections.

“This process has unfolded smoothly in the province and I want to congratulate all the elected public representatives in this important sphere of government. The councils have now elected the mayors, speakers and whips and the most important task of service delivery to the communities should commence immediately.

“We want to assure all councils the support of the provincial government in their efforts to roll out services to citizens. To this end, we will next week convene the Premier’s Coordinating Council which is attended by all mayors in the province,” he said.

Maape further said the Premier’s Coordinating Council is expected to focus squarely on service delivery issues in municipalities across the province. When he was elected as the Premier of the North West in September 2021, Maape committed to prioritising service delivery and job creation.

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