By OBAKENG MAJE

Opposition parties at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) said, they will ensure that there is transparency and good governance at the embattled municipality. 

This comes after the municipality lost a case to interdict a court order filed by opposition parties at North West High Court in Mahikeng on Tuesday.

The opposition parties at the municipality, wanted municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai to convene a physical statutory council meeting to unpack the proverbial concept and make an adoption.

However, according to the Patriotic Alliance councillor, Mmoni Letele, Moipolai opted to convene the anticipated statutory council meeting visually. Letele said they approached the high court because they wanted to do away with the ‘dictatorship’ displayed by Moipolai and ensure that the democratization process is followed.

“I am happy and feel on top of the world because this is victory. Now, the people of Taung will be able to attend the physical statutory council meeting. The attempt to have a visual meeting was a way to deprive them of their rights.

“The municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi and Moipolai wanted to deny our people their rights to attend this anticipated statutory council meeting. However, this is only the beginning in our quest to ensure that there is accountability at the municipality,” Letele said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Sam Nape shared the same sentiments. Nape said opposition parties are key role players in ensuring that, there is good governance and respect for the rule of law.

“We highly commend the judiciary system and this is a victory for the people of Taung against corruption, malfeasance and maladministration that prevails in the municipality. Those who are responsible wanted to use a visual platform to execute resolutions that are marred with corruption and do not have the interest of the people,” he said.

Nape said they are fighting corruption at the municipality and they will pursue that, those who are responsible pay the cost from their own pockets. He further said this will be a great lesson that, in future, they should not misuse the taxpayer’s money.    

One of the analytic topics expected to be discussed during the next statutory council meeting ‘scheduled’ for Thursday is the adoption of traffic officer learnership. The selection process of the learnership caused an outcry as some opposition parties accused ANC councillor, Pinkie Mosinkiemang of corruption.

Mosinkiemang was seen on a video that went viral having a list of those individuals selected for traffic officer learnership training.  

It is alleged that, only those who have close proximity to some municipal officials and politicians were elected.

Meanwhile, Moipolai said, she was advised not to comment on the matter as there are steps that the municipality is planning to embark on.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owners in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr Kenneth Kaunda regions benefitted from the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) empowerment fund.

The equipment and machinery that were handed over in both districts were valued at approximately R1.2 million and were for SMMEs which mostly operate in manufacturing, catering, baking, décor, cleaning and environmental services.

One of the beneficiaries, Tshepiso Jantjies from Jantjies Boerdery said the machinery he received from the department, will come in handy. Jantjies said his enterprise is a multi-agricultural company, which specialises in crop production and animal feed manufacturing in the Taung area.

“We are grateful after we have received a wheel rake and drum mower through the departmental empowerment fund. We started to turn our company into an enterprise back in 2019. We are specialising in agro-processing.

“We had some challenges with machinery after our storeroom was gutted by fire. Our old machinery was dysfunctional and we were so happy to receive new machinery. These ones will improve our turn-around strategy,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Lancelot Koos from Ganyesa village, near Vryburg shared the same sentiments. Koos, who is the owner of Lanzito’s Buy and Braai said his business model entails car wash services and a complementary Shisa Nyama/ Braai business.

“I conceptualised the business line after I identified a market gap in Ganyesa Business Centre, whilst working for the bank in Pretoria. Since its inception, the business was operating informally until 2018 when I decided to leave my full-time job to focus more on it.

“Since then, the business has been doing well except during the lockdown period. Most of my customers are within Ganyesa and neighbouring villages such as Tlapeng, Tlakgameng and Morokweng,” he said.

Koos received a walk-in freezer room, gas griller – turn burner radiant free-standing, wrapping machine, price computing scale, glass meat chiller and countertop pie warmer.

Meanwhile, North West MEC for DEDECT, Kenetswe Mosenogi said: “We have embarked on an ongoing programme of handing over business equipment and machinery to successful applicants of the departmental empowerment fund for the 2021/2022 financial year.

“The programme is part of the department’s interventions aimed at leveraging enterprise funding through procurement of equipment and machinery for start-ups, as well as growth and expansion of enterprises, which will result in job creation and poverty alleviation.”

Mosenogi further said the applicants must have been operating a legally registered business and be residing in the North West province. She added that, in order to reverse the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses and cooperatives, they ought to urgently provide some support to these entrepreneurs.

“Through this hard-headed intervention by the department, we will certainly improve their competitiveness and bring up profitability. Through this programme, the government is only re-affirming its commitment to support and sustain enterprises through operational tools.

“This is also proof to all entrepreneurs in the province, especially young people that, the department’s financial assistance is not designed for a certain group of people, but for any entrepreneur who meets the qualifying criteria required for funding,” said Mosenogi.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A murder case against Monnapula “Mabele-bele” Williams (34) was postponed by the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court until 8 August 2022. Williams allegedly shot and killed a former Mothelesi Secondary School teacher, Galotlwaele Jaqueline Motabogi (67) at her home during an armed robbery.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani, Williams allegedly forcefully gained entry into the house of Motabogi through the kitchen door in the early hours of Sunday morning, 7 February 2022 in Shaleng village, near Taung.

“The suspect allegedly stole the keys of Motabogi’s Toyota Fortuner. However, the deceased allegedly heard her vehicle’s engine running and went to investigate. When the suspect saw her, he allegedly shot her in the face.  

“The Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS) paramedics were called to the scene and declared Motabogi dead. Furthermore, the suspect fled the scene with the victim’s car, and a manhunt was launched,” Funani said.

She further said the suspect was traced to Pretoria through the assistance of Gauteng police. Funani said police seized the Toyota Fortuner, five cellular phones as well as a hunting rifle.

“The accused is facing charges of murder, being in possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle, being in possession of suspected stolen property, and possession of an unlicensed firearm. The accused was transferred back to North West,” said Funani.

The accused will remain in custody pending investigations.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena thanked the Gauteng police for their cooperation in arresting the suspect. Kwena also condemned the incident and instructed the detectives to make sure that they oppose bail when the suspect appears in court.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO  

A 44-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to two lives of imprisonment by the North West High Court in Klerksdorp for two counts of murder. On 3 April 2021, Tshediso Koetsi went to his lover’s house, Keitumetse Mjijwa (43) in Jouberton Township, in Klerksdorp where he demanded to speak to her.

Koetsi suspected that Mjijwa was cheating on him. So, when he arrived at the house, an argument ensued between the two. However, Koetsi left and later returned. 

Two lovebirds were again seen arguing outside the house, but Koetsi eventually left. 

The regional spokesperson for National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “On the third occasion, on the same day, Koetsi came back and gained entry, where he started to pour some liquid substance inside the bedroom, which had occupants and set it alight.

“Keitumetse and her sister Dineo (36), sustained burn injuries and later died in hospital. Three of Dineo’s children aged between 5 and 13, also sustained burn injuries, while two more children also sustained injuries caused by the fire.”

Mamothame said Koetsi sustained minor burn injuries, which he showed to the police, claiming that the deceased tried to burn him. He said the convict was taken to a nearby medical facility to receive medical attention and subsequently arrested after police investigations revealed that he is the perpetrator.

“He also received a cumulative 50 years for attempted murder, 3 years for arson, and three years for malicious damage to property. The state prosecutor, advocate Xolisile Philisane argued that Koetsi’s offense was premeditated and urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment.

“Judge Mahlangu agreed with the state and alluded that Koetsi’s actions have a long-lasting negative effect on the children. Mahlangu registered his disappointment at Koetsi’s remorseless posture and said it is the responsibility of the criminal justice system to deal harshly with Gender-Based Violence and femicide cases,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo, lauded Adv Philisane and Sergeant Itumeleng Moreo, for their collaboration in ensuring that they obtain a successful conviction.

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