Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Baagi ba motse wa Moretele ga mmogo le metse e mabapi ba ikuela mo pusong go ka tlisa ditirelo kwa motseng wa bone. Go ya ka baagi bano, metsi ga mmogo le ditsela tse di sa tsamaegeng segolo bogolo jang fa fa dipula dinele ke tlhoba-boroko.

Mongwe wa baagi, Lolamisang Mosegeleng are ba lekile go buisana le molekgotlha ka ditletlebo tsa bone, mme go bontsha fa a itshetse moriti o tsididi.

“Nna ke tla itumela fela fa puso e ka re direla tsela e tswang mo motseng wa Ntswanahatse go leba kwa motseng wa Maganeng. Tsela eo, ga ya diriwa sentle, gonne e kgaogantswe mo magareng.

“Se sengwe se re lelang ka son eke tlhokego ya metsi. Tlhokego ya metsi ke tlhoba-boroko mo motseng wa rona. Re mo mathateng a go tlhoka metsi, mme re tshwanelwa ke gore re a latele kgakala. Ga jaana, dipeipi tse re ne re digogile go tsena mo matlung dikabetse ga di sa ntsha metsi,” Mosegeleng wa tlhalosa.

O kaile gape fa pompo e e ba neelang metsi e le nosi fela, mme e sa lekana, gonne motse go godile.

Moagi o mongwe ke Keaobaka Motsi o kaile fa gona le dilo dile dintsi tse ba sa kgoneng go di fitlhelela mo motseng wa bone. Motsi are, kolotsana ya kliniki (mobile clinic) kliniki e ba e abetsweng mo motseng wa bone ele ka ntlha ya go tlhoka kliniki mo motseng, e goroga morago ga nako.

“Seo se dira gore re se bone ditirelo tsa boitekanelo ka nako fa re di tlhoka. Se sengwe se re lelelang ka sone ke se molekgotlha wa rona a fetsang go se dira. O kaile fa a tlile go re tsenyetsa mabone (high mask light) tse di sa lekanang. Gape, re le baagi re tlhoka tsela, gonne fa pula e nele, ga go tsamaege,” Motsi wa tlhalosa.

O kaile fa ba ikuela mo pusong go ka ba agela madutelo a metsi mo motseng wa bone, gonne metsi ele tlhoba-boroko.

Fela, molekgotlha wa kgorwana eno ya bobedi, Tumi Tabe are ba tsweletse go samanagna le mathata a otlhe a baagi ba kopanang le one mabapi le thebolo ya ditirelo.

“Ke ikutlwa kele motlotlo ke itumetse le gore mo nakonyana hela e ke simolotseng ka yone go nna molekgotlha wa kgorwana eno ya bobedi, puso e e re eteletseng pele ga e nthobatse ka go nketela, mme e tla go bona le go batla go itse gore ke eng tota se baagi ba se tlhokang.

“Puso e tlile, mme ke kgotsofetse. Fela, se nka se tlhagisang ke gore, kene ke eleditse fa tonakgolo, Bushy Maape a ne a tlile. Re ne re itsisitse baagi ba rona ga mmogo le bagodi gore tonakgolo o tla nna gone mo keteleng eno, fela maswabi ke gore seo ga sa direga,” Tabe wa tlhalosa.

Tabe o kaile fa a ka bua a sa kgale mathe ganong gore ditirelo tse di tlhokegang jaaka metsi ga mmogo le ditsela, ba samagane le tsone. Are ha ba setse ba tshimolotseng ka kago ya tsela kwa motseng wa Maganeng.

“Tsela eo, key one e baagi ba ne ba eletsa gore e ka agiwa, gonne e tsamayang mo gare ga motse, mme e isa baagi kwa ditheong tse difarologaneng tsa puso jaaka kwa kliniki ga mmogo le kwa dikolong mtse di farologaneng.

“Jaanong, ha re tla mo ntlheng e nngwe e eleng tlhoba boroko ya metsi mo kgorwaneng e ya rona e, re buisane le masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, mme go fitlha ga jaana re itumelela tirisano mmogo ya bone ka go tla ka toga-maano ya go rebola metsi mo motseng wa rona ka ditanka tsa di JoJo, Tabe are jalo.

Gape, Tabe are masepala o thusa baagi ka metsi fa go na le diphitlho. Are, seo se thusa thata, gonne baagi ba kgona go tsamaisa diphitlho tsa bone sentle gona le metsi.

“Gone ke nnete gona le mo go tlhaelang teng, mme re tsweletse go netefatsa fa baagi ba fitlhelele thebolo ya ditirelo e namatsang. Ga jaana, re tswa go tsenya di pale tsa mabone (high mask light) tse pedi kwa motseng wa Khaukhwe ele go leka go fokotsa lefifi le le kana-kana mo motseng,” Tabe wa tlhalosa.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Learners at Kebinelang Secondary School in Manthe village, near Taung said the career expo that was held on Thursday at their school will play a crucial role in their career choices. The school organised the career expo and invited stakeholders to share their knowledge and expertise in their various fields.

A Grade 8 learner, Kelebogile Goitseone, whose aspiration is to become an accountant said, she has learned a lot about her career of choice and this will ensure that she chooses the right subjects to achieve her goal.

“I am an aspiring accountant, so I think getting more knowledge on what kind of subjects I must study plays a crucial role. Many learners especially from rural areas ended up dropping out of tertiary because of the wrong career choices.

“So, I would like to applaud the school management for coming up with this initiative. As a learner, you will think you know more about your career aspirations until you get to university,” she said.

Another learner, Rebaone Retshepaone Tshweu shared the same sentiments. Tshweu said she wants to study medicine because of her love to assist patients.

“I was daunted at first by my career choice, however, I am now ready and motivated after this career expo. I’m now itching to go study medicine and meet with real patients. I believe that education is very important because it is a key to success. So, for all other learners, it is important to continue to study hard and produce good future leaders within our society.

“The career expo gave me a motivation to get through university, of course after finishing my matric. This will really help to become the image of the doctor I want to be in the future. I believe I have what it takes because I am someone who is both up-to-date with knowledge and capable of building a strong personality that is needed for the career of my choice,” she said.

Meanwhile, Departmental Head and General Education and Training (GET) coordinator, Kediemetse Baisistse said: “Remember, our school specialises in Tourism and Hospitality, so we invited various stakeholders from different sectors to come and share their expertise. It is imperative for learners to know which career choice they embark on.

“We have realised that many learners especially from rural areas experience challenges when they get to university because of wrong career choices. So, this initiative will assist them enormously to make good career choices and know what is expected from them.”

She said it is important to expose learners early to different kinds of careers so that they can make noble decisions. Baisitse said this will be an annual event and they have also invited learners from lower grades.

Other stakeholders who came to the fore were the South African Police Service (SAPS), Vuselela FET College, Assupol including the legendary Taung Hotel School.   

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

Most state-owned companies in North West are faced with a mammoth task in ensuring that they are self-efficient. They are either faced with maladministration, corruption, or malfeasance.

Now, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape has come up with strategic measures to improve oversight over state-owned enterprises (SOEs) by appointing a panel of experts, who will be responsible to look at the status of the provincial SOEs and make recommendations to the provincial government on how these institutions can contribute in driving the provincial economy to fully recover.

Among other recommendations, the panel will also help the province lure investors and drive the economy to its full recovery. Maape said this will be done through the resuscitation of the Growth and Development Strategy (GDS).

“With the provincial unemployment rate currently sitting at around 34 %, the government believes that SOEs can play a meaningful role in repositioning the provincial economy by partnering with various financial and commercial institutions to attract investments.

“The panel will also be expected to advise the government on the feasibility of resuscitating old and abandoned projects by turning them into mega projects. This includes exploring and devising strategies in initiating new mega projects through various infrastructural projects,” he said.

Maape further said, the appointment of these experts forms part of a broader strategy by the government to create employment and address the scourge of poverty and income inequalities afflicting many communities across the province. He also maintained that the resuscitation of the GDS is a step in the right direction in attracting investments and creating opportunities for locals.

“There is a glimmer of hope in what we are trying to achieve. In the past few months, I’ve been crisscrossing the province speaking to different stakeholders about how we can resuscitate the economy.

“All of them have made a commitment to work with us in achieving our intended objectives. We believe that, through infrastructure development, the provincial government will be able to respond to a number of challenges confronting the province. But critically, to reposition the province as a viable destination for investments,” said Maape.

He added: “Through this initiative, we will be able to contribute to the province’s GDP and this will in turn create opportunities for upcoming entrepreneurs. This will put us in a better position to create jobs for our people so that they can be self-sufficient.”

He said the panel of experts includes professionals from various academic backgrounds as well as industries and organisations. Maape said they will work for hand in glove with senior government officials in seeing to the full implementation of the aforementioned plans.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) continues to be marred with corruption, malfeasance and mismanagement of funds allegations. This comes after the municipality allegedly finished up the R450 000 budget allocated for free basic services just in two months.

Now, some allegations are levelled against the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) national chairperson, Mika Moeti, who is also the municipal chairperson for finance for ‘putting his hands’ in a cookie jar.

Two months ago, the municipality put aside R450 000 for a free basic service programme. The programme that was launched in Reivilo, was intended for the provision of free basic services to poorer households.

However, Moeti had squashed these allegations levelled against him and said they are absurd.

“I do not know of any corruption at the municipality, but what I am aware of is that, there is a challenge regarding the budget for the free basic services programme. According to the administration, the budget for that is finished.

“However, we have a different view that the budget cannot be depleted in two months. We took the free basic services campaign to only four wards thus far. Now, when we look into the report…. actually, I’ll be more comfortable if we talk about this matter after the council sitting because it is not even aware of it,” said Moeti.

The defiant Moeti further said these are baseless allegations against him because he is not the administration. He said the allegations do not have grounds because he is only the chairperson for finance and does not implement the budget. 

“I also do not procure and this matter is in relationship with the budget process,” he said.

During the launch, Moeti said this programme will assist many households, who are subjected to poverty, inequality and unemployment. He said all councillors in various wards have token machines and can assist those needy.

“The free basic service policy encapsulates that the registration is renewed annually. This is to ensure that relevant individuals benefit from this programme. The programme has made a positive impact and we are happy with the turnout.

“We have 18 771 individuals already registered on our database. We had a successful launch in Reivilo and afterwards, we donated food parcels to 10 elderly people. We also proceeded to Modimong village, near Taung where they handed over food parcels to elderly people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the GTLM mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe shared the same sentiments. Gaoraelwe said the municipality was tasked to identify indigent households that would receive services – such as water and electricity – for free or at substantially subsidised rates.

“Our municipality is providing insight into those households that struggle to afford access to basic services. Those who are eligible will get R50 electricity and 50kl of water. A free basic service is a national programme, that was established back in 2001 and the aim of the launch was to create awareness.

“We encourage those who are regarded as indigents to come forward and register in order for them to benefit. We will need a certified ID copy, marriage certificate, payslip and affidavit. The beneficiary should also be the owner of the household and have an income of lesser than R4930 per month,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Two accused, Rebaone Malekanyo (32) and Tumelo Tlonkwe (31), who were arrested for premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice will be back in court on Thursday.

Malekanyo and Tlonkwe were arrested for allegedly killing the former Vaaltar FM presenter and a socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend in Modimong village near Taung.

The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and called them out. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village near Taung.

Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that his body was mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing.

The two accused were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Seven accused who were nabbed for arson and looting are back in court. The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), former Taung Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32), Ali Sakiele (50) and Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) were arrested for allegedly torching two houses and a bakkie belonging to the alleged drug lord and businessman, Bakang “Mahommed” Katong during protests.

In May 2022, the community members from Manthe village near Taung, embarked on a violent protest and accused Katong of murder.

It is alleged that Bakang, his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) brutally killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood. The police preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung and Katong along with his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.

Upon arrival, the group of men allegedly chained the deceased to a generator and assaulted him. Subsequently, the accused allegedly transported Mothibedi to Manthe clinic where he was declared dead on his arrival.

Meanwhile, advocate Tebogo Letloleleng, who is representing all seven accused said, his clients are out on R500 bail each and charged with three counts of arson including looting.

“When we discuss the matter from a legal point of view, there is what we call a recent possession. For example, you burn the house now and you are arrested immediately. However, the incident took place three months ago, and only now, have the police arrested my clients.

“In actual fact, it took them three months to make arrests. All along, the police went out to look for statements, which might be true or not,” he said.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality mourns the death of its auditor, Boitumelo Molapo. This comes after Molapo met her demise on 21 September 2022. According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, a lifeless body of Molapo was found at her rented place on 22 September 2022 at around 6:38pm in Vryburg.

“A judicial inquiry (inquest) is under investigation. The body of Molapo was allegedly found on Thursday inside her house on top of her bed. The cause of death is still under investigation,” Myburgh said.

According to the online newspaper, North West Times, Molapo was found dead and bleeding through her nose. at her rented house. The newspaper alleged that in January 2022, Molapo almost lost her life after she was poisoned.

Meanwhile, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joe Motlhasedi said, the municipality will release a media statement soon.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A driver of a bakkie was hospitalised after he was involved in an accident with a train on a railway line near Matolong village in Taung on Friday. According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, a case of reckless and negligent driving is under investigation by Taung police.

“A bakkie driver allegedly crashed with a train on 24 September 2022 at around 9:30am. Only the driver was inside the bakkie and he was admitted to the hospital. The police investigation will determine the cause of the accident,” she said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), The Hawks which targets organised crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crime is allegedly swooping on the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) over the traffic learnership program.

This comes after the matter was allegedly reported to the Hawks for investigation after an outcry from political parties including the public over the ‘flawed’ selection process. It is alleged that, those who were selected either have close proximity with politicians or municipal officials.

The Hawks allegedly visited the embattled municipality on Tuesday last week to gather more details and confiscated some documents prior to investigations.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, who was cagey regarding details surrounding the matter, confirmed that there are ongoing investigations they are conducting at the municipality, but failed to shed more light.  

“We can confirm that we do have ongoing investigations at the municipality in question just like in other municipalities. However, we cannot furnish details surrounding any investigations until the finalisation thereof,” she said.

In June 2022, the Patriotic Alliance councillor at the municipality, Mosadiotsile Morapedi posted a video that went viral on social media, where individuals who were selected for the program were seen in a minibus taxi with luggage going for a training in Welkom in Free State province.

According to Morapedi, the municipality advertised the learnership, and no recruitment processes have been conducted. She was seen confronting ANC councillor, Pinkie Mosinkiemang, who was seen assisting in directing the process.

“We have kept quiet for so long, now these individuals are doing corruption with impunity. In February 2022, the council decided in a strategic planning meeting because the municipality is failing to collect its revenue, so we should come up with strategic measures to ensure an increase in our fiscal. 

“So, the council took a resolution that the municipality should have its own traffic officers to implement the by-laws and assist in collecting revenue. Remember, the GTLM is a rural municipality and mostly collects its revenue from Reivilo, Pudimoe, and Extension 6 only,” she said.

Morapedi further said the council is still waiting for a report on the traffic learnership, but she was shocked to hear that there were individuals selected already.

Meanwhile, The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe, who was also accused of including his former girlfriend in the program said, he is not aware of any ongoing investigations at the municipality by the Hawks over the traffic learnership program.

“I have never been contacted physically or telephonically by the Hawks regarding the issue, neither have I been informed by anyone. So, I don’t know whether the Hawks are investigating the program or not.

“Maybe, you should contact the Hawks investigators, so that they could tell you whom they have asked questions to in regard to the issue. That will also be informative for me too,” Gaoraelwe said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The residents of Khaukhwe village near Taung welcomed the cordial visit by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management. This comes after the area experienced a high rate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and stock theft.

One of the community members, Seanokeng Modisakoma said, they continue to experience a high rate of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in their area and urged the government to come up with a strategic measure to combat it. Modisakoma said many cases might have been caused by treble challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty.

“In many instances, most households are either child-headed or occupied by elders. We are subjected to poverty and unemployment. Many youths in our area are unemployed and heavily rely on their parents for survival.

“This sometimes creates mayhem where they will forcefully abuse their grandparents and demand their pension money. So, we urge the government to create job opportunities for the young people, so that they can be able to fend for themselves.,” she said.

Another resident, Kgosietsile Mogapi said: “There is a high rate of crime in their area and that needs to be dealt with decisively. We have livestock that we use for survival, but criminals are stealing them. We need the high visibility of police and ensure that the law deals harshly with these criminals.

“Most of them steal knowing that the law will be too lenient on them. Imagine, losing your livestock that one used to earn a living and no justice prevails? I have lost over six cattle and 10 goats without any trace. The police are dragging their feet in investigating the matter.”

The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management (DCDTM) Programme Co-ordinator from Crime Prevention Partnerships, Keitumetse Motlhatlhedi said, the visit was part of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) campaign coordinated by the Crime Prevention Partnerships Directorate in the department.

“Khaukhwe is one of the villages serviced by Pudumoe Police Station and is experiencing high levels of assaults and stock theft crimes. The activities of the campaign include refurbishing house numbers in the village. We have also profiled households in terms of their needs too.

“This will make it easy for the stakeholders to execute their jobs easily without the hassle of identifying specific houses due to faded house numbers by the time of service delivery,” Motlhatlhedi said.

The department said it will continue with the GBV&F campaign in all parts of the province.

The Pudumoe Police Station Commander, Captain Tshidiso Leboiho shared the same sentiments. Leboiho said they are happy with the outcomes of the campaign in Khaukhwe, which forms part of previous campaigns held recently in their precinct of work.

“We urge the community to report any cases to the police station and grant police officers space to deal with reported cases lawfully and refrain from taking the law into their hands. We have various stakeholders, who also embraced the campaign such as Pudimoe CPF, Love Life, Department of Health, Department of Community Safety and Transport Management and Department of Justice,” he said.

Meanwhile, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa in February 2022 said: “The National Strategic Plan (NSP) provides a cohesive framework that will guide the national response to the GBVF crisis. The plan outlines a comprehensive strategic response to GBVF with a specific focus on violence against all women – across age, physical location, disability, sexual orientation, sexual and gender identity, and national identity – as well as violence against children, and how these serve to reinforce each other.

“In strengthening the plan, earlier this month, we have approved the amendment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act Amendment Bill; the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill, and the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill.”

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