Picture: A furrow at Khibitswane village near Taung
By OBAKENG MAJE
The community of Taung is whirling with shock after a body of a woman found floating in a furrow at Khibitswane village near Taung on Thursday. North West police spokesperson in the Dr ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sergeant Tryphosa van Rooyen said the police were called after the discovery of a body by a passer-by.
“The deceased was identified as Motlalepule Gaeaya by her family. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. The police have opened a case of inquest,” Van Rooyen said.
A month ago, the body of the former Vaaltar FM presenter and socialite, Tshepang Seelo was also found dumped on the same spot.
Picture: Some of customers at the entrance of the ablution toilets at the mall
By OBAKENG MAJE
Most shoppers said they cannot continue to bear the brunt after the Taung Mall management charges them R5 for the usage of the ablution toilets. They said the cost of living is too high and Taung has a high rate of unemployment.
One of the shoppers said, she has an autoimmune disease and she needs to use the ablution facilities more often.
“We would like to request the mall management to reconsider their decision because R5 is too much. I am a diabetic person and need to use the toilet more often. Now, imagine if I come here for more than two hours. How much will I spend?
“If, one is coming to the mall with children, each person is expected to cough R5? This was the bad decision and we urge the mall management atleast to charge us R2. Remember, most of us here are unemployed and Taung is a rural area,” she said.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Eddie Mogorwe shared the same sentiments. Mogorwe said it does not make any ‘business’ sense because the users of those toilets are customers.
“I personally confronted the mall manager who in turn referred me to the Eris Property Group Manager, Carina Roux. I explained to her that most of our people come to the mall to collect their social grants and it is senseless for them to pay exorbitant fees to use the ablution facilities at the mall.
“I was so surprised when Ms Roux said they charge this amount of the money because they provide customers with clean toilets. It is surprising because it is their responsibility to provide our people with clean toilets,” he said.
Mogorwe further said the Eris Property Group should know that the water they use belongs to the community of Taung and it is a crime to charge customers this exorbitant amount.
He also alleged that the mall manager said the Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority was ‘aware’ of the matter and allegedly gave them a ‘go-ahead’ to charge customers R5.
Meanwhile, Eris Property Group manager, Carina Roux said that charging customers is in line with all other privately-owned properties in the area. She said it is unfortunate and unsustainable for the landlord to keep on maintaining the only free ablution facilities for the entire community.
“We benchmarked with other retail properties in the area and also considered that we offer a higher grade of ablution facilities than any other party in the area. The money is banked into the landlord’s account which is audited.
“The funds are used to facilitate the purchasing of toilet papers, maintaining the facilities and purchasing water for the facilities when Sedibeng cannot deliver a service. To date, the landlord has purchased water to the amount of R116. 550 since July 2021 in order to ensure there is water supply when Sedibeng has failed,” she said.
According to Roux, they have only commenced charging for the facilities since 22 November 2021. She added that her company has spent R240 000 towards COVID-19 Food Parcel relief in Taung as part of their social responsibility.
“We have also spent R65 340 00 towards supply of COVID-19 face masks and R52 163 00 towards fleece blankets for pensioners. Further roll-out to Home for the Aged was disrupted due to COVID-19 regulations.
“However, plans to support girl child scholars in early 2022 with feminine hygiene products are being finalised. These initiatives were facilitated through the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices,” she said.
Roux added that the mall also pays monthly rental towards the Taung Community Trust. She said the mall opening motivated the upgrade of a formal Taxi Rank and Long Distance bus terminus.
“Essential services such as electricity, water and sewerage in the area were upgraded and new retail offering afforded community members to save on transport to larger, further located towns to facilitate better shopping options.
“The development brought much needed more and safer local banking facility options to the community. Also, stores created 364 direct new full time job opportunities and the centre auxiliary service staff created 18 further full time jobs,” said Roux.
She said a number of temporary positions also become available during festive trading periods. Roux said the mall also offers a free area for vaccination and monthly onsite UIF facilities for community members.
Picture: The deceased, Thabang Chupane (26)/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A family of Thabang Chupane (26) from Cokonyane village near Taung said they were shocked by her untimely death. This comes after Chupane was allegedly stabbed to death by her boyfriend (34) on Wednesday evening.
Chupane’s aunt, Kgomotso Lekaowa said she received a call from one of the neighbours informing her that Chupane has been stabbed.
“Immediately, I came running to the house and on my arrival, I found Thabang lying in a pool of blood outside the yard. According to Thabang’s children, their father arrived and found them sitting outside.
“He allegedly lured Thabang into the house and that’s where the commotion started. The children said they were shocked to hear Thabang screaming in agony, while blood was dripping out of her chest and stomach,” Lekaowa said.
She further said the children ‘ran’ to the neighbours to ask for help.
“As a family, we really do not know what had transpired between the two. However, this is not the first time the couple experienced challenges. In 2017, the suspect allegedly beat Thabang to the pulp, but she decided not to lay a criminal case against him,” said Lekaowa.
She added that they hope justice will prevail and Thabang’ soul finds peace. It is alleged that the suspect was also attacked by mob justice and has been hospitalised.
The North West police spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sergeant Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The duo was having an argument at the deceased’s residential area and a fight broke out.
“During the fight, the woman was stabbed with an unknown sharp object. She was taken to a local clinic for medical attention and unfortunately succumbed to her injuries at the clinic. The suspect was arrested and will appear in court after he received medical attention,”
Meanwhile, the Sonke Gender Justice Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Manager, Given Sigauqwe urged men to stand up against Gender-Based Violent (GBV). He said in a statement that, through #MenEngage Africa initiative, they will continue to advocate for and promote fundamental human and women’s rights.
“This will include engaging community leaders, faith leaders, traditional and government officials to challenge and address harmful practices, calling for an end to sexual and gender-based violence.
“We will be also working with decision-makers to advocate for better policies that affect women’s well-being, and collaborating with other organisations whose mandate addresses women’s rights,” Sigauqwe.
He further said the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated GBV against women and girls in Africa. Sigauqwe said the pandemic has shed a light on existing gender inequalities and has also seen a sharp increase in violence against women and girls especially domestic abuse.
“Women, particularly those who lost their jobs and earnings as a result of the pandemic and became completely dependent on their husbands or partners, and girls who were confined in their homes with no access to protection and treatment services faced increased levels of sexual and physical domestic violence,” he said.
The Guardian 