By OBAKENG MAJE

Even though poetry is the most underrated genre across, the award-nominee, Tshepo Constance Letebele, believes that things might take a positive turn soon. An enigmatic poet (25) from Magogong village near Taung said she is ready to claim her niche in the industry and own her crown.

“I discovered my talent and passion during high school. I used to master essays, unprepared speeches, and oral presentations, then wrote my first ever poem, which I presented to one of my former teachers during a farewell ceremony.

“Since then, I became unstoppable and gave birth to numerous poems. Mostly, my poems are based on current situations because it is where I find content. We are faced with various challenges such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and I am also trying to bring awareness,” Letebele said.

The North West University (NWU) alumni and founder of Taung Yum Creamery further said, she is currently working on a project and named it Kgato. Letebele said she is featuring various artists from different genres.

“I have discovered so much talent in my village and I have already started with a dance group of young girls. The aim of this project is to eliminate socio-economic challenges facing our society, especially the youth such as teenage pregnancy, HIV, high rate of crime, alcohol and drugs abuse.

“I believe that taking the youth out of the street by keeping them busy with some activities they are passionate about, will have a positive impact. I am so grateful that I have received amazing support from my family and friends through my journey,” she said.

Letebele further said poetry belongs to the realm of emotions and imagination. She added that art plays a primordial role in shaping the individual and transmits human values.

“People assume that to become a poet, you will only need a book and a pen. However, they have not realised that the world evolves and things change. Remember, the ancient ways one uses to write poems, the lesser support you will get.

“Unlike music, poetry is not taken into consideration, but I believe that things will take a positive turn soon. Atleast, we now have a poetry category in some awards. I would like to work with poets like Lebogang Mashile and Botlhale Boikanyo in the future,” said Letebele.

As a proud member of Botaki le Bodiragatsi Taung Association (BBTA), Letebele has been nominated for the Best Poetry Category in Baruta Ngwao Music and Traditional awards that will be taking place in October 2022 in Taung. She also thanked those who continue to vote for her.

“We are celebrating Women’s month and to all women out there, please know that God trusted you so much that he could not choose anyone else, but you. So, own that title with pride because you are fearfully and wonderfully made.

“As we are counting down towards the finale of Baruta Ngwao Music and Traditional awards, I’d truly appreciate your support. So, to my supporters, please let’s continue to vote by simply SMS BN19 to 35959 and you can vote as many times as you can,” she said.

You can also follow her on social media platforms like Facebook: Tshepo Consty Letebele

Instagram: Tshepoconsty

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Police in Huhudi Township, near Vryburg needs your assistance in locating the parents or relatives of two toddlers. According to the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma, two toddlers, who identified themselves as Bokamoso Lephatse, 5, and

Thato Lephatse, 3, were found abandoned in the early morning of Thursday at Mosiapoa Street in Huhudi Township.

“The two toddlers were found alone and they were brought to the Huhudi Police Station. They were taken to a place of safety, whilst the search for the mother or any relatives continues.

“Anyone who can assist the police with the whereabouts of the mother or any family members can contact Huhudi Station Commander, Lt Col Mbotho on 082 492 3806 or Sergeant Leepile Monyatsi on 082 416 0933,” she said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation welcomed the delivery of 20 mobile classrooms and the resumption of teaching and learning at Morokweng Primary School in Morokweng.

The North West Provincial Legislature deputy speaker, Viola Motsumi, and acting chairperson, Papiki Babuile convened a meeting with the Department of Education, school management, and School Governing Body (SGB), where the committee sort urgent intervention on the dilapidated school infrastructure.

Motsumi said the school building was not conducive to learning and teaching. She said parents and school management had informed the committee that, the department had promised to build them a new school since 2012, but nothing was done.

“The committee is happy with the resumption of teaching and learning as well as mobile classrooms. When we visited the school during oversight, we could see that there was no school there.

“The infrastructure was dilapidated and no one could allow their child to attend school because it was not safe. During the two intervention meetings with the department, school management, and parents, we instructed the department to develop a comprehensive plan that will ensure that the new school is built,” she said.

Motsumi further said that, the department provides mobile classes as a temporary measure. She added that they also needed to know how the department will cover the lost time as learners spent over a month without attending classes.

“The committee had also urged the department to fix its infrastructure directorate as there are too many internal quarrels that affect service delivery,” said Motsumi.

Aggrieved parents, prohibited their children to attend school since June 2022, calling for the department to build a new school. They cited that the current school building is dilapidated and is a ticking bomb as learners are not safe.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Department of Education, Wendy Matsemela said: “We can confirm that there is a resumption of teaching and learning at the school. This is due to an outcry by parents who complained about the conditions of the school.

“Classes resumed on Wednesday with a recovery plan in place to cover the lost classroom time. Since the beginning of the third quarter, on 19 July 2022, learners could not return to school because parents wanted a new school.”

Matsemela further said the school has received 20 mobile classrooms to mitigate the challenging school environment. Two more will be delivered as soon as they arrive to be 22 in number. She also lauded the community for their patience during this time.

“We are thankful to the school community of Morokweng Primary School for their patience during this time. Indeed, our learners deserve better, safe, and dignified spaces for learning.

“Currently, processes are unfolding for the building of a new school. In terms of lost teaching and learning time, extra classes are being administered to meet the lost time,” she said.

Matsemela added that the school will not close during the September break as part of a recovery plan to catch up and conclude the syllabus.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Department of Education, Wendy Matsemela said the tragic death of five learners at Vyfhoek Primary School in Potchefstroom is devastating.

Learners were allegedly run over by a mini truck inside their school premises on Thursday afternoon. According to the ER24 spokesperson, Russel Meiring, five learners were killed and four others injured when a truck crashed through a school fence and stopped in the parking area.

Meiring said ER24 and several other services responded to the scene along the N12, approximately 10km outside of Potchefstroom.

“On arrival, paramedics found the truck parked near several small container buildings. Upon closer inspection, paramedics found three children lying under the truck while several others were around the vehicle.

“All the children were believed to be aged between 7 and 11. Medics quickly assessed the patients and found four children had shown no signs of life. Unfortunately, nothing could be done for them, and they were later declared dead,” he said.

Meiring said three other children were in critical condition, while two others had severe injuries. He said paramedics treated the patients and provided them with advanced life support.

“Unfortunately, after a short time, one critically injured child succumbed to their injuries. Once treated, paramedics transported the three other children to a nearby hospital for urgent care.

“The driver of the truck escaped injury. The exact details surrounding this incident are unknown, but local authorities were on the scene for further investigations,” said Meiring.

Meanwhile, Matsemela said: “The mini truck is reported to have been traveling from Potchefstroom towards the Johannesburg direction on the N12 road and capsized after a front wheel tyre burst.

“The driver lost control of the vehicle, then went straight through the school fence plunging on four learners and killing them on the spot, while one died in the ambulance.”

Matsemela said according to the school report, the learners were waiting for their school transport after school. She further calls for cooperation during this difficult time.

“This is the most devastating news to share. Losing five learners in this manner is not easy to accept- as a parent and as a caretaker to these learners.

“We are truly lost for words and we plead with the public to treat the matter with sensitivity as parents are still trying to get to terms with this sudden loss. I wish to send a word of comfort to the bereaved families and for those whose learners are hospitalised,” said Matsemela.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Teaching and learning have resumed at Morokweng primary School in Morokweng village, outside Ganyesa. This comes after the North West Department of Education reached an agreement with the parents of the learners.

Aggrieved parents, prohibited their children to attend school since June 2022, calling for the department to build a new school. They cited that the current school building is dilapidated and is a ticking bomb as learners are not safe.

However, the North West MEC for Department of Education, Wendy Matsemela said: “We can confirm that there is a resumption of teaching and learning at the school. This is due to an outcry by parents who complained about the conditions of the school.

“Classes resumed on Wednesday with a recovery plan in place to cover the lost classroom time. Since the beginning of the third quarter, on 19 July 2022, learners could not return to school because parents wanted a new school.” 

Matsemela further said the school has received 20 mobile classrooms to mitigate the challenging school environment. Two more will be delivered as soon as they arrive to be 22 in number. She also lauded the community for their patience during this time.

“We are thankful to the school community of Morokweng Primary School for their patience during this time. Indeed, our learners deserve better, safe, and dignified spaces for learning.

“Currently, processes are unfolding for the building of a new school. In terms of lost teaching and learning time, extra classes are being administered to meet the lost time,” she said.

Matsemela added that the school will not close during the September break as part of a recovery plan to catch up and conclude the syllabus.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour into the families of five learners, who were killed by a truck at Vyfhoek Primary School near Potchefstroom on Thursday.

It is alleged that the driver of a heavy truck traveling on the N12 road, lost control and ploughed through the school fence, and hit 11 learners. Five of the learners were killed instantly, while the other six sustained injuries.

They were ferried to the hospital for medical attention.

The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Social Development, Gavin Edwards, extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

“The incident occurred while the department of health was unveiling new ambulances allocated in the province. Due to the number of patients involved, The MEC for health, Madoda Sambatha immediately dispatched new ambulances to attend to the multi-casualty incident together with local emergency services.

“The committee extends its gratitude to all the private emergency medical and rescue services, who together with the provincial EMRS responded to the multi-casualty incident,” he said.

Edwards further said all services worked tirelessly to stabilise the injured learners, who were transported to the Potchefstroom Hospital. He said, they will request a report on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event, once the authorities have concluded their investigation.  

“As the committee, we join the families in mourning the loss of young lives in the province, while wishing the injured learners a speedy recovery,” said Edwards.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said this is a tragedy because these children could have been future leaders. Lehari said as a government, they are deeply devastated to hear of the loss.

“We will continue to offer a message of condolences to the bereaved families. We pray that they find comfort in this dark time and that they accept our sincere condolences.

“We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured. A case of culpable homicide is currently under investigation,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

Five learners aged between 5 and 13 were killed after being hit by a truck. This happened at Vyfhoef Laerskool near the N12 road, a few kilometres outside Potchefstroom. The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said six more learners were injured and were rushed to the hospital.

Lehari said the truck driver allegedly lost control and drove towards the learners, who were standing by the school gate, and hit them. He said they are saddened by the tragedy.  

“This is indeed a tragedy because these children could have been our future leaders. As a government, we are deeply devastated to hear of the loss. We will continue to offer a message of condolences to the bereaved families.

“We pray that you find comfort in this dark time and that you accept our sincere condolences. We also wish a speedy recovery to the injured. A case of culpable homicide is currently under investigation,” he said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Four suspects were arrested for being in possession of abalone without a permit. Emelio Saal (29), Keith Saal (34), Conwald Wyngaard (37), and Hubert Felix (39) were arrested by the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigative unit working together with the local K9 unit and the Department of Environmental Affairs officials.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Capt Tebogo Thebe said the incident took place in Springbok on 16 August 2022

Thebe said the suspects briefly appeared before The Springbok Magistrate’s Court on 18 August 2022.

“The police followed up on information after four males were observed diving into the sea at Kleinsee village on the West Coast of the province. Four diving suits and a bag containing 30 units of abalone valued at the estimated amount of R84 000 were found at the scene. 

“The team further seized a vehicle, which was used during the commission of a crime. The case was postponed until 22 August 2022 for formal bail application,” he said.

Thebe added that the case was also transferred to Port Nolloth Magistrate’s Court.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A former policeman in Northern Cape, who was arrested for fraud, pleaded guilty. Johan Frederic Burger, 62, who was a Lieutenant Colonel appeared before Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Capt Tebogo Thebe said: “Burger committed fraud while working at Provincial Crime Intelligence in Kimberley. He was supposed to attend a work session in Pretoria, but it was postponed before he could travel.

“However, in November 2019, he submitted a fraudulent travel claim of more than R3 000 purporting to have attended a work session. Burger was served with summons during December 2021 by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team.”

Thebe said, Burger made a series of court appearances until he ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges. He further said, Burger was sentenced to a fine of R10 000 or 12 months imprisonment, which is suspended for a period of 5 years.

“He was further ordered to pay back an amount of R3 974.60 to the South African Police Service,” said Thebe.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A business robbery case against three men that took place at a Shoprite store in Taung was postponed by the Taung Magistrate’s Court until 24 August 2022 for a formal bail application.

Three accused, Belcarid Salvadon Malate (39), Mosimanegape John Sebolao (49), and Monnapula Tshabadira, who were arrested on 1 August 2022, will remain in custody.

It is alleged that Malate, Tshabadira, and Sebolao entered the store, while it was about to close and held staff captive. They allegedly robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of money and some belongings.

However, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the police in Taung quickly reacted after receiving a call about a business robbery in progress at the store.

“The Community Service Centre and Crime Prevention Unit members were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival at the scene of the crime, the police found three suspects who were about to exit the store.

“The suspects were immediately arrested and the stolen property was confiscated. A case of business robbery was opened and the suspects appeared in the Taung Magistrate’s Court on 17 August 2022,” van Rooyen said.

According to information presented before court, the accused have other pending cases of business and armed robberies committed in Klerksdorp and Vesselbron in Free State respectively.  

Meanwhile, the acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng lauded the police for their swift response, which led to the arrests of these suspects.

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