By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari has condemned the brutal killing of Mmatiro Dithato (61) and her granddaughter (5) at the New Stands Section in Ganalaagte near Delareyville.

It is alleged that on 29 January 2022 at about 06:36, Dithato had a telephone conversation with her son (21). The deceased allegedly told her son not to come home anymore as they were supposed to go to town that morning.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said a few moments thereafter, the son allegedly received a text message from his mother’s phone informing him that he can come and collect money at about 9am.

“At around 9:22am, the son went to his mom’s house only to find that the sitting room’s window pane was broken. Upon entering the house, he allegedly found his mother’s lifeless body with multiple stab wounds and a rope around her neck lying in a pool of blood in the sitting room’s floor.

“Furthermore, the granddaughter’s body was found drowned head first in a big bucket full of water in the kitchen. The son called for help and the deceased were transported to a local clinic where they were both declared dead on arrival,” Tselanyane said.

He said the motive for this attack is currently unknown and no arrests have been made as yet.

Lehari said: “We are devastated by the atrocity and we would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved. This is tragic news and to the family, I am sorry that you had to lose your grandmother and granddaughter in this manner.

“I wish you strength in this tough time. Furthermore, I would like to plead with the members of the community to work with the police. I ask myself what has become of our society. We try day and night to fight the scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), but yet, here we are.”  

He further encouraged members of the community to assist the police with any information that will solve the matter and lead to the arrest of the perpetrator/s.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, has condemned in the strongest possible terms the gruesome incident. Kwena said the police in the province will not be deterred in the fight against GBV & Femicide.

“Investigation into the matter continues and police request anyone who may have information regarding this incident, to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Tebogo Galetlhobogwe on 078 161 7736 or 082 373 7619.

“Alternatively, Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via My SAPS Application. All information received will be treated with strict confidentiality,” he said.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 29-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for being in possession of mandrax. Mopeli Ramachakela was arrested by the Schweizer- Reneke police and Vryburg K9 members during a crime prevention operation on 26 January 2022.

North West police spokesperson in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said the aim of the operation was to combat drug abuse. She said during the operation, police on patrol in Migdol, saw a suspicious looking male carrying a plastic bag and approached him.

“When he saw the police approaching him, he threw the bag down and started running. This suspect was caught and the police found substances suspected to be drugs in the bag during the search.

“The drugs that were found on the suspect are suspected to be 39 Mandrax tablets, tik, nyaope and dagga with an estimated street value of R3 654. The accused briefly appeared at the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 27 January 2022,” she said.

Van Rooyen said Ramachakela was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on February 1 2022 for a formal bail application.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, van Rooyen said two Nigerians were arrested during another K9 operation that was conducted in Christiana on 28 January 2022. 

“More suspects were arrested during stop and search operations conducted.  Two Nigerians aged 45 and 33 respectively, were stopped and searched.

“Upon searching them, the police found the first suspect in possession of 100 grams of suspected  methamphetamine (crystalmeth) with an estimated street value of R24 000 and 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine (crystalmeth) with a street value of R 14 000 on the second suspect,” she said.

Van Rooyen said both suspects were arrested and will appear in the Christiana Magistrate’s Court on 1 February 2022 facing charges of possession of dependence producing substances(crystalmeth). 

The acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng expressed his appreciation toward members of Vryburg K9 and Visible Policing who portray such commitment towards their duties and applauded them for their sterling work in ensuring that all communities within the region are being rid of the drugs that are destroying young lives.

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