By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against four men from Manthe village in Taung was postponed until 4 July 2022 by Taung Magistrate’s Court for further investigations. The alleged drug lord Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34) and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested two months ago in connection with the brutal murder of the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).

It is alleged that Mothibedi stole R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house two days before his ‘untimely’ death.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said: “The preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village near Taung, when the suspects fetched and transported him to Manthe village. Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted.

“After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to Manthe clinic by a group of men and requested nurses to check if he was still alive. However, Mothibedi was certified dead upon arrival.”

One of the community leaders, Ali Sakiele said they are sick and tired of drug lords who sell drugs to young people. Sakiele further said they have attended the court proceedings because they have taken a decision as a community of Manthe that they do not want to see anyone selling drugs anymore in their area.

“We urge the magistrate to deny the alleged perpetrators bail. We came to court to show support and to address our grievances in a coordinated manner. Drugs destroy many lives and livelihoods including dividing families, so as the community, we say #EnoughIsEnough,” he said.

The deceased’ sister, Boingotlo Mothibedi (37) said: “It is difficult to see my brother’s life being cut short by alleged drug lords. Even though Thabiso was not perfect, he was a peaceful person, who loved to engage positively with people. 

“So, what happened to him is inhumane. We call on the justice system to deal harshly with the perpetrators. It is not only Thabiso’s life that has been lost because of drugs, but so many lives of young people are being destroyed in daily basis”

She alleged that the perpetrators used her brother and killed him afterwards.

Meanwhile, three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family were torched by irate community members on 1 May 2022. Another community member, Mothusi Motimeng said: “I blame Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority including incompetent police for all these shenanigans happening in our area.

“Everybody can see what is happening and as community members, we have been complaining about these drug lords, who sell nyaope to our youths. Now, these nyaope addicts broke into our houses, stole properties and sold them, so that they can get money to feed their cravings.”

Motimeng further accused the alleged drug lords of using the deceased for their own benefits and killed him afterwards. He said as a community, they say #EnoughIsEnough because many communities are suffering from the effects of drug addiction and its wide-ranging impact.

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Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Tshega e ne e fapogile metsetelo morago ga gore baagi ba Kolong mo no Taung, ba ntane ka noga e leba-leba. Seno, se tlisitswe ke tlhokego ya metsi go baagi ba ba dulang kwa ko karolong ya thaba.

Go begwa fa setlhotshwana sengwe sa baagi ba kwa thabeng, ba ne ba itelekela kwa karolong e e kwa tlase ya motse, mme ba tsaya dibante tse di pompelang baagi bano metsi. Motsetsi o ne aja ka seatla morago ga gore go runye ntwa e matlho mahibidu magareng ga baagi bano.

Mongwe wa baagi, Phemelo Marake wa tlhalosa: “Tota, matsapa ke tlhokego ya metsi ka gore mo kolong, go na le dikarolwana di le pedi. Jaanong, re itemogetse gore metsi a fitlhelela baagi bangwe, fa ba bagwe a sa ba fitlhelele.

“Jaanong, re ne re ikuela go puso go ka tla ka tharabololo gonne seno se lwantsha baagi. Re kopa puso e re rekele motshini o o pompang metsi, mme o isiwe kwa moditelong o o kwa godimo.”

Marake are, seno se tla thusa thata, mme ebile baagi batla bona metsi botlhe ka gangwe.

Maserame Magare o go begwang fa mabante a pompang metsi a ne a le kwa ga gagwe are, ba na le dingwaga di feta pedi ba itemogela tlhokego ya metsi. Magare a re ba ikuetse kwa pusong go ka tla ka tharabololo, mme yone ene ya itshela moreti o tsididi.

“Re ikuela mo pusong gore e dire ka go akoga, gonne kgang ya metsi ke tlhoba boroko. Go na le motshini o mongwe o o pompang metsi kwa Makwating. Jaanong, ha ele gore puso e ya tlholega go ka baakanya dipeipi tse di tlhatlhosang metsi go ya kwa godimo, e ka nna ya re baakanyetsa motshini,” Magare wa tlhalosa. 

Moagi o mongwe, Lucas Modise le ene o latlhetse la gagwe la motla-pitsong.

“Jaaka re le baagi ka kakaretso, re tsweletse go itemogela tlhokego ya metsi ka ntlheng ya gore maditelo a teng ga sa tlhole a kgona go neelana ka metsi ka tshwanelo, gonne motse o godile.

“Mme tharabololo ke gore puso e dire gore metshini e bereke e le mebedi ka gangwe. Seo, se tlile go dira gore re bone metsi rotlhe, mme se thibele dikgotlhang tse di leng teng mo ma gareng ga baagi,” Modise wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, majoro wa sedika sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae “Sense” Maje o ne a kuwa kopano le baagi le go ka tla ka tharabololo. Maje o kaile fa ba setse ba tlhomile setlhopha se se tlileng go dira ditlhotlhomiso tsa go bona gore tlhokego ya metsi e bakiwa ke eng.

“Re kopane le baagi, mme re setse re tlhomile setlhopa se se tlileng go ka samagana le kgang ya tlhokego ya metsi ko Kolong. Fela ga re felele foo, re tlile go dira ditlhotlhomiso tsa go batla bothata jo bo tlholang tlhokego ya metsi ka kwano.  

“Gape, re itemogetse gore baagi ba ba dulang kwa thabeng, kgale ba itemogela tlhokego ya metsi, jaanong go tshwanetse re tle ka tharabololo. Jaaka masepala, re tla lebelela gape le setlamo se re se dirisang gore a sena le bokgoni jwa go ka abela baagi ba rona metsi,” Maje wa tlhalosa.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Potchefstroom will host the 2022 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs from 14 – 19 June 2022 and the two finalists have the added carrot of gaining promotion to the Glad Africa Championship for the 2022/2023 season. The draw for the round robin fixtures was conducted at SAFA House and will see three groups of stages scheduled for 13 – 16 June 2022 at the North West University in the Potchefstroom campus.

The semi-finals will be played on Friday 17 June 2022 at Olen Park Stadium, with the final to be played at the same venue on 19 June 2022.

The two finalists will gain automatic promotion to the first division of South African football. The champions on the day will walk away with R1 million in prize money, while the runner-up will receive R600 000.

All other participants of the national play-offs will return to their provincial leagues.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A man (36) has been sentenced to life imprisonment for rape by the Ditsobotla Magistrate’s Court in Itsoseng on 8 June 2022. According to the evidence presented in court, on 9 December 2019, Reginald Medupe Pholoholo attacked and assaulted the victim with his fists, then threw her on the ground and ultimately raped her.

The incident took place in Mareetsane village, near Sannieshof.   

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “Subsequently, a case of rape was registered leading to the arrest of Pholoholo two days after the incident was reported. Upon sentencing the convict, the court declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Comissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Tshepiso Herbert Makunye of the Mmabatho Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit and other role players including prosecution for securing this sentence. 

Kwena said the police will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that perpetrators of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide are brought to book.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A local philanthropist, Mothusi Dikwelane from Ntswanahatse village, near Taung said sports plays a crucial role in developing the mind-set of learners. Dikwelane, who organised soccer and netball tournament competitions for under 15s at three schools, said he is also using sports to discourage learners against the use of drugs.

“Even though sports have been viewed as a way to stay healthy and fit, its importance goes beyond that. I have organised these tournaments because I know that sports help in the overall development of learners. Remember, playing sports teaches lessons of life such as teamwork, accountability, self-confidence, responsibility, and self-discipline.

“So, I came up with this idea after realising that young people are not fully participating in various codes of sports. The other reason, sports can assist our young people to stay away from drug and alcohol abuse, including crime,” he said.

Dikwelane further said three schools such as Moitsemang, Motlhamare and Moncho Primary participated in these tournaments. He added that Taung has an abundance of talent, but it should be nurtured earlier.

“I’ve seen that, in Taung and other areas, there is a high rate of drug abuse by very young boys and girls. So, I want to take part in fighting that. These competitions were supposed to take place back in 2019, but we were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am planning to embark on this initiative atleast twice a year, where we will have indoor games. This will include other sporting codes too and we will bring on more primary schools to participate. So many schools across the Sub-region showed interest and we hope to make it bigger and better next time,” said Dikwelane.

He added: “I’ve got a bigger picture regarding this initiative and I’d like to turn it into an annual event like we do with the Mothusi Dikwelana Annual Sports Tournament in Ntswanahatshe village, near Taung during September. So more details will be revealed soon on how we are going to tackle this and we are grateful that teachers and learners from all three schools praised us.”

“The Motlhamare Primary School were winners of both soccer and netball tournaments, while Moitsemang Primary School came second in both netball and soccer tournaments respectively. The winners scooped a soccer kit, trophy and ball. I am pleading with individuals or business people to support this initiative and contribute in nurturing our youngsters.”

Meanwhile, since last year, the Department of Education gazetted that schools could resume contact sports and non-contact sports. The DBE spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga said in a statement: “The physical education, extracurricular activities and inter-school, district, provincial and national school sport tournaments are, among others, permitted to resume without any spectators. 

“However, the organisers and participants are still required to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety measures aimed at preventing and combating the spread of COVID-19. Co-curricular and enrichment activities in the context of care and support are intended to support and augment curriculum implementation in and outside the school.”

Mhlanga said these activities play a significant role in providing a useful diversion from undesirable and destructive behaviour amongst the learners. He said these programmes also allow vulnerable learners to form healthy relationships with supportive peers and adults and ultimately are empowered to develop community networks.

The Director for Sport and Enrichment in Education, Mr Sifiso Ngobese, indicated that the resumption of school sport has been highly anticipated in the Basic Education Sector. “But, it remains the responsibility of every province, district and school to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 amongst participants.  On that note, the DBE outlined critical safety measures to be considered when resuming sport activities. 

“The DBE will conduct consultation meetings with the relevant officials across all nine provinces to develop a proper plan and strategies for effective resumption of sport activities. I am glad that finally the Minister has given a directive in terms of how school sport activities should unfold in the context of COVID-19. I therefore encourage officials at provincial level down to school level to assist the government in the fight against the resurgence of Coronavirus.”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The small scale farmers in Taung are up in arms and demand that the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono release the alleged forensic report that implicates many politicians over the ‘illegal’ leasing of Lesedi Building Storage facility. 

One of the farmers, Aobakwe Gaobuse alleged that some politicians conspired with the departmental officials and hijacked the building, before illegally leasing it to unsuspecting tenants. The agitated Gaobuse said the storage facility was built during the former homeland, Bophuthatswana government to be utilised by small scale farmers. 

“As the small scale farmers in Taung, we lack proper storage facilities and this has severely affected our businesses. Our products deteriorate before it could even reach the consumer because of some shenanigans taking place here.

“Currently, some government officials are outsourcing this facility and swindling money from unsuspecting tenants. What is inconsolable is that, there was an investigation conducted to probe the matter. We understand that the forensic investigation was completed and its results were handed over to the office of the MEC,” he said.

Gaobuse alleged that Mohono refuses to release the report for public scrutiny because it implicates many politicians who have been involved in corrupt activities.  He further said, they want the report to be made public so that they can lay criminal charges against those involved.

“We have given those who occupied the facilities an ultimatum. They need to vacate the facility or else. These unbecoming actions have affected many local farmers. We want to see our co-operatives properly functioning and growing.

“To all those tenants, who have been occupying this facility, they are doing so illegally. Now, we want to utilise this facility, so they should vacate them. Again, there was a former Chief Director from the department, who illegally leased this building for over 20 years and swindled money from unsuspecting tenants. Unfortunately, he resigned after being implicated in the forensic report,” said Gaobuse.  

However, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako refuted these allegations and described them as absurd. Setlhako said the department is not coercing any farmer to pay rent for the storage.

“None of the individuals currently utilising the storage facility are paying rent to the department. There is no rental money being paid into the department’s official account, unless being paid illegally to some individuals outside or within the department without our knowledge.

“If this is truly happening, then individuals with that information should come forward to substantiate these allegations. As far as the department is concerned, there was no forensic investigation conducted and anyone with information regarding this allegation, is free to approach us and furnish details pertaining to the investigation in question,” she said.

Setlhako said any evidence to substantiate these allegations should be forwarded to the department to investigate.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A Vaaltar FM juggernaut radio personality, Michael “King Mike SA” Thebe said, he wants to use radio as his oyster to leave an indelible mark in this world. Thebe, who presents a weekend breakfast show called Rise and Shine from 6am- 9am, said it is not easy nowadays to keep your listeners tuned in because of high competition and internet.

“As a presenter, one should be versatile and well-informed to keep your listeners intrigued.  Bring your show to life and inspire your listeners. I am presenting one of the most awe-inspiring shows at Vaaltar FM. So, I always ensure that I paint pictures with words to captivate my audience.

“Remember, radio is a theatre of the mind and as a kid, I listened to it. I always had dreams, but being a radio presenter was not part of them. However, that changed over the years and I’ll safely say I am now more passionate about listening to the radio more than watching TV,” he said.

King Mike SA (34), who was born in Austrey village near Ganyesa said he was inspired by the late Chris Matshaba to become a radio presenter.  

“I fell in love with Matshaba’s radio skills, creativity and since then, I also saw myself as a radio presenter. As a typical boy from the deep rural area, that kept my spirit alive and described my passion. I had always been a music fanatic from a tender age and I read a lot.

“So, I use music, reading and researching as my daily dose. I am very patient and a go-getter as I strive to make life better for me and those around me. I was raised by a single parent and that inspired me to work harder in life. I am currently a full time employee at the North West Department of Health, however, I would love to venture into business one day and own radio station including the King Mike SA brand,” he said.

King Mike SA further said he was grateful when Vaaltar FM gave him a platform to become a presenter. He added that even though it was not easy, atleast he found individuals like the late Tshepang Seelo, who nurtured him to become the best presenter.

“I went through auditions back in 2015 and I was the second-best presenter after Seelo. Even though I had self-doubts when I started, I was fortunate enough to meet people who assisted me to grow. I was grateful to find my niche as my confidence grew over the years.

“So, to those aspiring radio presenters, it does not happen overnight to become a great radio presenter. One needs to hone his/her radio presenting skills and improve their show by engaging with your audience. Well, there are many challenges because the radio industry is unpredictable,” said King Mike SA.

He said usually there are no show producers at most community radio stations and that means as a presenter, you need to master the art of doing everything alone. King Mike SA said even though he struggled a lot at first to put all that together, he had learnt to master those skills over the years.

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