Senepe: Mongwe wa dingaka a bontsha bokgabane jwa gagwe/Google
Ka REGINALD KANYANE
Baagi ba Taung ba itsisiwe fa tiro ya tlhatso kwa Dikgageng gaufi le Mokgareng mo Taung e weditswe. Seno se tla morago ga gore moithuti wa tsa bongaka jwa setso, Boitshepo Sapelo (32), a tlhokafalele kwa lefelo la tiragalo mo dibekeng di feta tharo tse di fetileng.
Go begwa fa moithuti, Sapelo yop o ne a ithutela tsa bongaka, mme a setse fela ka malatsi a le mabedi go ka konosetsa dithuto tsa gagwe tsa bongaka, a ne a nwela kwa tamong eno.
Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi sa Bokone Bophirima mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Sarasanta Tryphosa van Rooyen, sepodisi sene sa bilediwa kwa tamong morago ga dipego tsa go nwela.
“Go begwa fa Sapelo yo one a na le morutabana wa gagwe wa tsa bokgaka ga mmogo le baithuti ba bangwe, o ne a nyelelela mo metsing ka motsi wa tlhapiso ya gagwe. Go ya ka dipego, setopo sa ga Sapelo se ne sa tlhagelela morago ga metsotso.
“Sepodisi se se thumang sene sa itelekela kwa tamong go ka ya go ntsha setopo sa moswi, mme kgetsi ya morago ga loso ene ya bulwa ke sepodisi sa Taung,” van Rooyen wa tlahlosa.
Kgabagare, Pooepadile Tas o ne a kopa batho ga mmogo le dingaka tse dingwe go se etele lefelo leo pele le tlhapisiwa. Jaanong Tas are tiro ya go tlhapisiwa ga le felo e weditswe, mme o sentse a ikuela go dingaka le batho go ka efoga lefelo leo go fitlhela ba itsisiwe gore le siametse go ka dirisiwa gape.
“Madume ke se Afrika morahe wa Taung. Kelo itsise fa re kgonne go fitisa tiro ka ko Dikgageng, mme ke rata go leboga losika la ga Power Seleke go re ema nokeng ka go nna teng. Ka maswabi, dingaka tsone dine di seo bagaetsho, re tshwaraganetse tiro eo le Otlhagile Maetso/Maine re patilwe jaalo ke Rremogolo Keonyaditse go tswa Cokonyane.
“Ke sa lebale tshegetso ya ga Kgosi Ntokwe le tirisano mmogo ya ga Kobela ene o o tlhagetswe ke bothata jo. Ka mohau wa Modimo le tshireletso ya sedimo, go weditswe ntle le kgaruru epe. Ka jaalo baagi le dingaka re sa lo kopa gape go emisa go ya ko Dikgageng go fitlhelela lo lokololwa go ya teng,” Tas wa tlhalosa.
A female teacher (45) was allegedly shot dead outside the gates of Rutanang Primary school in Geelhout Park near Rustenburg on Tuesday.
It is alleged that the teacher who was in her Toyota Fortuner vehicle in front of the school gate was accosted by two unknown suspects and shot her at close range.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The teacher was allegedly approached and shot dead by suspects at close range. The suspects who did not take anything from the car, walked away from the scene on foot.
“Subsequently, the police and paramedics were summoned to the scene. The teacher was declared dead at the scene and the motive of the incident is yet to be determined. Investigation into the matter continues and no arrest has been effected at this stage.”
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena called for mobilisation of the 72-hour Activation Plan following the atrocity. Kwena expressed his shock over the callous act of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and urged members of the community to work together with the police to ensure that the suspects are brought to book.
He requests anyone who may have information that can assist in the investigation to contact Lieutenant Colonel Partson Chomela on 082 772 8124 or call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop number: 08600 1011. Alternatively, tip-offs can be shared via MySAPS App.
Meanwhile, North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said she is extremely gutted by the atrocity. Matsemela said she is extremely angry by the situation and strongly condemns the gruesome killing of the teacher.
“I am totally disappointed that all the social ills from the community are finding expression in our schools. Our communities are the reflection of what is happening in our schools.
“Now, it is time for society to reflect on these challenges facing our schools. I believe the police will find those behind the horrible incident. We want to convey our heartfelt condolences to the family of the bereaved and the entire school community,” she said.
Matsemela added that the department has sent a team of counsellors, who have already started counselling of both the learners and the educators affected by the incident.
Picture: The house where alleged drug lords were burnt to death/Screengrab
By OBAKENG MAJE
EIGHT suspects aged between 22 and 42 who are accused of torching three men to death at Ga-Mokgopha Section in Morokweng village near Ganyesa were arrested on Friday.
The suspects allegedly kidnapped and torched Bonakele Sabasaba (32), Khayalethu Sabasaba (22) and Zanaflex Sabasaba (26) to death after they accused them of selling drugs to community members. It is alleged that the suspects and some community members went to a rented house where the deceased were staying and pelted it with stones.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “This forced the alleged drug lords to flee and in the process of escaping the attack, they allegedly stabbed and injured some of the attackers.
“The group then chased the trio and took them back to the house, where they eventually set them alight. Sadly, the victims succumbed to death. The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Friday morning during a crime intelligence driven operation by a multi-disciplinary team composed of Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Police (POP) and Detectives.”
Mokgwabone further said during the arrest, the police managed to confiscate a vehicle that was allegedly used during the commission of the crimes. He added that all eight suspects are expected to appear at the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday on three counts of murder, another three of kidnapping and one of arson.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest of the suspects and commended the police for their dedication that resulted in the arrest.
The police’s high visibility is still present in the area.
Picture: Some of community members donating shoes and sanitary pads to disadvantaged learners at Monch Primary School in Dryharts/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Many learners across the country, especially in deep rural areas, continue to suffer during this winter season as they are forced to go to school either without shoes or wear worn-out shoes to protect themselves from the cold breeze.
Also, some female learners suffer double challenges as they mostly miss out on school every month because of menstruation. Now, community members in four villages such as Maganeng, Ntswanahatshe, Moretele and Khaukhwe near Taung, came together and donated over 150 shoes and 100 sanitary towels to underprivileged learners at Moitsemang Primary School in Maganeng, Moncho Primary School in Khaukwe, Motlhamare Primary School and Jerry Mahura High School in Ntswanahatshe.
Philanthropist and social activist, Mothusi Dikwelane who is the coordinator for the project said, they have realised that there was a need for school shoes and sanitary pads at these schools. Dikwelane further said even though menstruation is a natural phenomenon, female learners often do not have enough money to buy sanitary pads.
“As community members, we have realised that there is a need of school shoes and sanitary pads for some learners, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. So, we met and started a campaign to assist them.
“We are grateful because we managed to get something even though it was not enough. Eish, there is a serious challenge at Moncho Primary School. Some learners there are in disarray and you could see that they need more than shoes and sanitary pads,” he said.
Dikwelane pleaded with community members and business people to support their campaign, so that they can assist as many learners as possible. He said some adolescent girls are struggling to buy sanitary pads and resorted to rags, socks, even newspapers and that is not good for their hygiene.
“We know that talking about menstruation might be regarded as a taboo in many cultures, but what young girls are experiencing is a shame and embarrassment. Principals at these four schools welcomed the donations and applauded those who contributed.
“So, we need to work together to ensure that they get resources to manage their menstruation hygienically. This does not just affect their education, but some of them ended up dropping out of school because of this,” said Dikwelane.
He said the campaign was led by Othusitse Thabo Moroka as the chairperson, Fredah Mosepele as Secretary, Keitheng Kodisang as the Deputy Secretary including himself as coordinator through the help of the community at large.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) president, Thabang Mokoena said: “We have not engaged the Department of Basic Education (DBE) regarding the provision of sanitary towels to female learners in schools. However, we understand that there is a shortage of sanitary towels in most schools.
“So, we are still going to approach them and ensure that every female learner in school gets them. We also want to call on private companies to come on board and have a positive contribution towards social responsibilities across villages they operate in.”
Mokoena said most parents are working in various private companies, but these companies tend to turn a blind eye in assisting the same communities. He said Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) is crucial for community development.
North West Premier, Bushy Maape said the province is now in a better position since the invocation of Section 100 1 (a) (b) by the national government in 2018.
Maape, who tabled the Office of the Premier’s budget for 2022/2023 financial year, said this has been shown through performance reports of various departments since last week and was further demonstrated through the performance report of his office.
“It is my privilege to table before this esteemed House for appropriation, the 2022/23 budget for Office of the Premier. The administration will be allocated R114.825m, while the institutional development will receive R251.097m.
“The policy and governance will be allocated R106.589m and the total will be to the tune of R472.511m. In February 2022, Cabinet approved the Inter-Ministerial Task Team’s (IMTT) plan for a phased exit. This decision was communicated to the National Council of Provinces by the Convenor, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on 23 March 2022,” he said.
Maape further said no opposition was raised by the NCOP with regards to the decision of cabinet to support the phased exit started on 31 March 2022. He added that it is expected that all departments under section 100(1)(b) will complete their exit activities by the end of June 2022.
“A detailed hand-over report will be submitted to the Minister responsible for each department as well as the coordinator, who is the administrator in the Office of the Premier.
“Amongst the issues to be included in the report, will include the achievements and progress made to address the reasons for the intervention, outstanding matters, issues of concern and recommendations to address lessons learnt, progress against the original implementation plan, as submitted to the NCOP in the 5th administration,” said Maape.
He said the report will also include a list of directives to be issued to the provincial executive to address outstanding priorities and areas vulnerable to regression, if required.
Maape said as part of the phased exit approach, they continue to carefully manage the transition and de-escalation of certain elements of the intervention, providing for the transfer of management and control of aspects of provincial administration previously assumed by national government departments since 2018.
He said the province is also working with the national government through the Inter-Ministerial Task Team led by Dlamini-Zuma to manage the transition and the eventual lifting of the intervention in a manner that does not erode and undermine the gains made by the province.
“We welcome the lifting of section 100, though we must say we are anxious and worried about it, as we understood and appreciated the need for such intervention on the part of the national government.
“As we build internal capacity to deal with these historical cases, the Office of the Premier is also working with Provincial Treasury to assist the provincial departments to address their own cases,” he said.
Maape said this strategy has been adopted in order to transfer knowledge and skills to officials and to solidify an engine of internal control in and across the province in order to rid the provincial administration of the negative image of poor financial management.
“I wish to report to this house that during the period under review, the Office of the Premier paid 96% of service providers within 30 days as prescribed with the under-performance translating to only R3.812 million from a total spending of R305 millions of allocated operational budget.
“The office spent 83% of its allocated budget and allow me to conclude by providing key highlights and justification for the appropriation we wish this house to make for the Office of the Premier in the 2022/23 Financial Year,” said Maape.
He said ICT Transformation Programme is budgeted at R116.8 million, while the provincial communication services are budgeted at R8 million and the bursary funding is budgeted at R4.4 million.
Maape said the review of the provincial spatial development framework is budgeted at R1 million.
“We will also increase the support of the Foundations such as Moses Kotane, Mama Ruth Mompati, JB Marks and Onkgopotse Tiro from R100 000 to R200 000 this financial year.
“Women and Rights of Children activities/intervention is budgeted at R1.1 million, disability and older persons’ activities/intervention is budgeted at R1.2 million, while mega and infrastructure programmes are budgeted at R1 million,” he said.
The residents said they have lost hope after the anticipated Old Age Home construction project worth R73.6 million in Pudimoe Township, near Taung is slowly ‘turning’ into a white elephant.
The state-run facility, which was constructed back in 2013, consists of 100 bed capacity, frail care unit, independent living unit, recreational hall, a kitchen, dining area, staff accommodation, laundry, gym and a TV room was expected to provide statutory services to the elderlies around the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region and the entire province. ty.
An HIV and AIDS Awareness activist, Motivational Speaker and Life skills & Health Coach, Neo Letlhogela said: “Most elderly people are vulnerable because they either stay alone or with their grandchildren. This exposes them to various crimes and danger as people know that they stay alone.
“We urge the North West Social Development department to ensure that the completion of the centre is imminent as it was also expected to create job opportunities, especially for the youth. Our senior citizens are the pillars of our communities, so it is important to acknowledge them and take care of them by ensuring that they remain safe and well looked after during their twilight years.”
The Re Aga Taung Civic Organisation chairperson, Modisaotsile Lebitse shared the same sentiments. Lebitse said crime is rife in that part of the world and the department needs to take that into consideration.
“It is entirely up to us to be devoted to helping our older people. Sometimes our elderly people continue to be abused by their grandchildren either emotionally, financially and physically for their own social grants.
“We call on the department to complete the structure because some of elderly people stay alone, not because they want to. Sometimes their children are working far away from home and they are left vulnerable. So, the centre will assist in ensuring that they get decent care,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said: “I would like to put it on record that the Taung Old Age home has not turned into a white elephant. The official opening of this centre has been delayed due to some structural defects.
“Secondly, the heavy storms damaged the roof of the centre twice in November 2021. So, the department has since postponed the opening of the centre in order to conduct a comprehensive structural assessment in line with Occupational Health and Safety Act.”
Siko further said the second state-run old age home after Sonop, which is situated in Madibeng was established in Taung following reported incidents of vulnerability of older persons in the district. He added that the facility was established in line with the White Paper on social welfare services, which advocates for transformation and equitable distribution of resources among elderly people.
“The department is working around the clock to open the old age home in the first quarter of 2022 financial year, albeit the procurement challenges that were brought by Constitutional Court ruling on Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and subsequent National Treasury advisory on procurement of goods not exceeding R30 000,” concluded Siko.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is scheduled to announce the final squad to take on Morocco in the capital Rabat on 9 June 2022. The announcement will take place at 12pm on Thursday at SABC Radio Park and will be broadcast live on SABC 1.
The Bafana Bafana versus Morocco match will take place at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the North African country’s coastal city of Rabat.
South Africa is in Group K, which includes Liberia, while the fourth team, Zimbabwe, is suspended from international tournaments and won’t participate in the qualifiers. Last week, Broos announced his provisional squad of 37 players and will name his final list on Thursday before the team goes into camp.
Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality evicting illegal hawkers at a taxi rank/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some of enraged street hawkers who were evicted yesterday and today at Taung Taxi Rank including town, accused the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) of being discourteous. This comes after the municipality implemented the court order to evict ‘illegal traders’ and demolished their shacks.
One of the illegal traders who refused to be named for fear of reprisal alleged that the municipality never gave them an alternative, instead all stalls were allocated to municipal officials’ cronies. He said he had been trying to apply for a stall through the municipal Local Economic Development (LED), but his attempts were futile.
“As a street hawker, I have employed two people to assist me. And I also employ more people when the need arises. Now, my shack has been demolished because the municipality alleged that I have occupied the land illegally.
“I understand that some municipal officials alleged that our businesses contribute to crime, litter, loitering and uncleanliness in the area. However, I always make sure that I remove all traces of trading on a daily basis,” he said.
Another illegal trader shared the same sentiments. She said it will be in the best interest of the municipality to consider street vendors as entrepreneurs, because that will contribute positively to growth of the economy.
“I am a hair-dresser and all my customers consider my business reliable, convenient and competitive compared to others. I have been trying to apply for a stall, but I was sent from pillar to post by municipal officials.
“Remember, the informal economy contributes immensely to Taung’s revenue. So, I would like to urge the municipality to ensure that there is a close cooperation between them and us. This will create a better understanding because not all occupations are undertaken by choice,” she said.
She said, there are personal, economic and social factors influencing participation in any occupation, so a comprehensive approach is needed when appraising them.
Meanwhile, the municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said, even though the municipality aims to promote sustainable workplace democracy, the fundamental problem is those who do not adhere to the municipal by-laws. Gaoraelwe further said everything should be done in accordance with the institutional framework through which the law is applied.
“As the municipality, we have obtained a court order to evict illegal hawkers at the Taung Taxi Rank and around town. In the past, the municipality did analysis and identified 52 illegal hawkers in the vicinity.
“These hawkers were rendered illegal because of the municipal by-law that we have in place. We implemented by-law 8 of 2005, which is called Street Trading and Control and by-law 2 sub-section 18, which says no person shall do business as a street trader, except with a prerogative permission of the municipality and in accordance with conditions set out in the permission,” he said.
He further said, as the municipality, they realised that there were illegal shacks mushrooming in town and taxi rank. Gaoraelwe added that some buildings were allegedly extended by makeshift shacks.
“The municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED) previously had a consultative engagement with these illegal hawkers and urged them to follow procedure, if they want to trade as hawkers. However, no one from them showed any interest and came forward.
“We gave them a notice on 17 February 2022, informing them to vacate their illegal stalls within seven days, but they did not heed to the call. So, the municipality applied for a court order to evict them,” he said.
Picture: Accused nabbed for allegedly defrauding municipality over R2.5m released on bail/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The six accused who were nabbed for allegedly defrauding the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality over R2.5 million released on R5000 bail each. Nkhensani Ndengeza (45), Mabaso Nazo (39), Rotshidzwa Khazamula (37), Vuyelwa Matshangaza (38), Mangaliso Matshangaza (37) and Lazarus Matshangaza (43) who are facing fraud, corruption and money laundering case, briefly appeared at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The Hawks spokesperson, Col Katlego Mogale said, the probe of the accused emanates from the VBS mutual Bank scandal investigation, wherein investigators noticed suspicious transactions on the account of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipality.
“The probing allegedly revealed that between 2017 and 2019, money was allegedly continuously deposited from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipal accounts into the accounts of three municipality officials.
“One of the three officials who has since left the municipality would allegedly routinely make payments into the bank accounts of his wife and brother. He reportedly also routed more funds into an account belonging to a woman in Johannesburg allegedly under the guise of a tender that was awarded. The woman would subsequently send the money back to him,” Mogale said.
She said the six suspects were arrested simultaneously in Johannesburg, Vryburg, Orkney and Klerksdorp respectively on 24 May 2022. The matter was postponed to 1 August 2022 for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya expressed his gratitude for a job well done to both the investigation and prosecution in ensuring that these suspects are brought before court.
“No efforts will be spared in ridding the country of corruption and related activities,” Lebeya said.
Picture: Five suspects arrested for allegedly defrauding municipality over R2.5 million/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
FIVE suspects aged 37 and 45, who were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Unit, the Hawks for fraud, corruption and money laundering to the tune of R2.5 million are set to appear at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, while the sixth suspect is still under police guard at the hospital where he was arrested.
The Hawks spokesperson, Col Katlego Mogale said the probe emanates from the VBS mutual Bank scandal investigation, wherein investigators noticed suspicious transactions on the account of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipality.
“The probing allegedly revealed that between 2017 and 2019, money was allegedly continuously deposited from the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Municipal accounts into the accounts of three municipality officials.
“One of the three officials who has since left the municipality would allegedly routinely make payments into the bank accounts of his wife and brother. He reportedly also routed more funds into an account belonging to a woman in Johannesburg allegedly under the guise of a tender that was awarded. The woman would subsequently send the money back to him,” Mogale said.
She said the six suspects were arrested simultaneously in Johannesburg, Vryburg, Orkney and Klerksdorp respectively on 24 May 2022.
Meanwhile, the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya expressed his gratitude for a job well done to both the investigation and prosecution in ensuring that these suspects are brought before court.
“No efforts will be spared in ridding the country of corruption and related activities,” Lebeya said.
The Guardian 