Picture: Five bags of dagga worth R1.2 million/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three men were arrested for being in possession of dagga worth R1.2 million near Swartkopfontein Port of Entry. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime spokesperson, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said, on Wednesday, the police allegedly intercepted the transportation of dagga from Swaziland to Botswana.
Three accused, Mothusi Ramogerisa (33), Siphesihle Magagula (30), and Melvine Gule (23) were arrested, and charged with dealing in dagga and contravention of the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act.
They briefly appeared in Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on 15 September 2022.
“The investigation team operationalised information regarding dagga that was allegedly being transported from Swaziland to Botswana. The vehicle was spotted and stopped on Zeerust road just before the Swartkopfontein Port of Entry.
“When the vehicle was searched, five bags of dagga weighing over 100 kilograms were found. The vehicle and the dagga were seized for further investigation,” she said.
Rikhotso said the matter was postponed to 20 September 2022 for a formal bail application.
Financial mismanagement and poor governance at the embattled Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality allegedly forced the North West Premier, Bushy Maape to send a notice of invocation of Section 139 (1) (b) intervention letter to the municipality.
According to the letter seen by TDN, on 7 September 2022, the provincial EXCO has resolved to invoke Section 139 (1) (b) intervention at the municipality with immediate effect for a period of six months.
“The invocation follows a report of systematic failures by the council to carry out its executive and other legislative mandates as articulated in Sections 152 (1), 152 (2) and 153 of the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, including the supporting legislative mandates.
“Since the inauguration of new councils in the province after the November 2021 elections, the council of Kagisano Molopo has never stabilised and not concentrate on developing plans to provide service delivery to the constituents of the municipality,” the letter said.
It also highlighted that, councillors fought amongst themselves as they contested for political power, which now has resulted in parallel council structures being formed each with a mayor and speaker.
Another arising matter was councillors taking their contestation to the court of law and trying to legitimise their differences by obtaining court interdicts etc. The beleaguered municipal manager, Olaotswe Bojosinyana also came under fire as other councillors alleged that, he was the driver of sowing disunity within the council.
“Instead of advising council and trying to mend disagreement of the council in order to benefit service delivery, seems he has influenced the divisions in council.
“The municipal manager has even hired bouncers to control access to municipal premises. The speaker, mayor and other councillors opposed to him are denied access to the municipal offices.”
It is alleged that, the role of Bojosinyana over the council is clearly compromised. On another hand, the speaker has taken his case of being ousted to court and on 24 June 2022, the case was heard in the North West High Court in Mafikeng.
“Service delivery is severely affected in the municipality and the community has complained that the bouncers be removed. Persistent infightings with the council as there are some allegations of councillors being threatened to attend illegal council meetings.
“The council has embarked on an unlawful process of tabling the draft budget as the presiding officer was found by the courts to be unlawfully appointed by the municipality,” the letter said.
It is also alleged that, the accounting officer, perpetually misled the council and this affect the entire decorum. The council is allegedly always divided in decision-making, which leads to council resolutions not being implemented as the council cannot unanimously agree on matters of compliance.
The letter also highlighted that, there is a weakened oversight over administration and non-compliance with the MFMA.
“There are challenges with financial management as there is unfunded budget, tabling of an unlawful draft budget and IDP as found by the courts. Failure to establish a disciplinary board in line with the municipal regulation on financial misconduct procedure and criminal proceedings.
“The allegations of irregular appointments of bouncers, non-compliance with the MFMA, possibility of fraud and corruption also weakened oversight on administration. There is non-implementation of consequence management in line with Chapter 15 of the MFMA.”
It is alleged that, service delivery issues are not prominently discussed, planned and executed by the municipal council and this led to the community’s unarrest.
Three suspects were granted bail of R500 each by Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court for extortion, trespassing, and intimidation. Aron Mphosela (29), Daniel Malinga (36), and Mojalefa Pule (42) were arrested on 12 September 2022 for entering a construction site without authorisation.
It is alleged that, they also threatened employees with violence and forced them to down tools.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the trio also allegedly threatened and forced the contractor to leave the construction site, Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court, where he was appointed to do renovations in March 2020.
“Although the construction work was delayed, it resumed in July 2022. The Provincial Organised Crime Unit, allegedly received information on 7 September 2022, that a group of unknown men forcefully entered the construction site and threatened the employees with violence.
“An inquiry was opened for investigation. On 12 September 2022, a tip-off was received that the same group went back to the construction site to intimidate employees,” he said.
Subsequently, Mokgwabone said, a prompt response by the Provincial Organised Crime Unit apprehended the accused. He said, they are expected to re-appear at the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 28 September 2022.
Mokgwabone said, the police would like to encourage contractors, who are intimidated by gangs in various parts of the province to report such occurrences.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said: “We would like to laud the Provincial Organised Crime Unit members for their swift response and the subsequent arrest of the accused. We want to reiterate that, those who intimidate employees and interrupt operations at construction sites will be shown no mercy.”
One of the most wanted criminals has been arrested by police, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone. According to information, the suspect, who is known as Chris Sithole, but sometimes calls himself Leon Nkomo, is facing seven separate cases of rape, three robberies, housebreaking, and theft.
“The long arm of the law caught up with Chris Sithole, who is one of the Top 50 Most Wanted Suspects in the province. Sithole, who also calls himself Leon Nkomo, was arrested by the police in Musina, Limpopo.
“He was then handed over to the North West Provincial Tracking Team on 13 September 2022 and taken to Brits to face seven separate cases of rape, three of robbery, and one of housebreaking and theft,” Mokgwabone said.
He said these crimes were committed between January 2012 and February 2021 in the policing area of Brits. Mokgwabone said in one of the cases, the accused allegedly raped a woman in May 2012.
“A couple was travelling in their vehicle when they saw stones placed on the N4 road in the vicinity of Bokfontein, near Brits. The husband then reduced the speed in order to stop, but the vehicle overturned just after the couple heard the sound of car tyres bursting.
“They were rescued out of the vehicle by three men, who then took turns to rape the woman. Following investigations conducted on this case and others, Sithole was also linked with a house-breaking committed in February 2021 in Brits,” said Mokgwabone.
He said the occupant of the house was woken up by an activated alarm. Mokgwabone said on the investigation, he realised that the intruder gained entrance into the house and stole clothes and various electrical appliances worth R20 500.
“Upon appearance before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 14 September 2022, the accused was remanded in custody. He will make his second court appearance on 7 October 2022,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena pointed out that the arrest will definitely send a clear message that no place is difficult to get to in the country for the police to bring offenders to book. Kwena also lauded the police in both provinces for their collaboration, which resulted in the arrest.
Picture: Some of the learners during the drug and alcohol abuse in Vryburg/Facebook
By STAFF REPORTER
Young people between the age of 15 and 34 are the most vulnerable group of using drugs and this trajectory is predicted to grow in the next decade, particularly in countries with low income.
According to the World Drug Report 2021, the average age for drug dependency in South Africa is a staggering 12 with 50% of South African teens drinking alcohol.
In its efforts to curb substance abuse, especially in schools, the Naledi Local Drug Action Committee Awareness Campaign (NLDAC) embarked on a campaign and engaged learners on the matter from various schools.
The Naledi Local Municipality mayor, Cooper Groep said: “Over the past three weeks, we embarked on the campaign trail talking to school learners about substance abuse and Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The aim is to change the perspective of learners regarding substance abuse.
“We also educated them about the danger and negative impact drugs have on the communities. It is disadvantageous of substance abuse, especially at an early age.”
Groep said they visited local schools like Bopaganang Secondary School, Moeti Primary School, John Frylink, Mokgosi Primary School, Retladira, Tiger Kloof, Colinda Primary School, Colinda High School, Pule Leeuw, Thuto Lesedi, Kismet, Floradene, Vryburg High School, Setumo Intermediate, Rekgaratlhile, and Modisakoma.
The campaign was attended by various stakeholders such as departments, victims of substance abuse, and pastors from different churches including community members, which form part of the committee. Groep said, the objective of the initiative was to reduce the number of minors who end up being victims of substance abuse.
“We wanted to make them aware of the positive future possibilities they can have if they were to live free of substances. The campaign also highlighted how it can be beneficial to them to focus on their faith and studies, instead of being part of the existing statistics such as high rate of crime, GBV, and high rate of poverty that result in the slacking economy,” he concluded.
The South African Anxiety and Depression Group (SADAG) in partnership with the National Department of Social Development has launched South Africa’s first WhatsApp chat platform, Ke Moja WhatsApp Chat Platform – 087 163 2025 to address the scourge.
According to SADAG Project Manager, Dr Busisiwe Twala, they have seen an increase in adolescents and young adults.
“Between April 2021 and March 2022, we have had 89 992 youths contact us through our existing helplines, an increase of 107% from 2020. Younger people use WhatsApp frequently and we believe that this new platform will offer more options when seeking support, guidance, or help whether for themselves or a family member.
“Admitting there is a problem, is the first step in overcoming addiction to alcohol or drugs, but deciding to reach out for help is the necessary second step. Young people do not know where to go to find assistance for various problems, which includes substance abuse,” Twala said.
The Ke Moja WhatsApp Chat Platform is available seven days a week, from 8am to 5pm. WhatsApp 087 163 2025 for a live chat with one of the counsellors.
Alternative contact resources:
• The National Department of Social Development 24-hour Substance Abuse Helpline – 0800 12 13 14
Picture: The Ditsobotla Local Municipality building in Lichtenburg/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in North West welcomed the disbandment of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in Lichtenburg. This comes after the North West Premier, Bushy Maape allegedly took a decision to dismantle the municipality last night.
The situation at the embattled municipality has been dysfunctional, despite numerous attempts by the North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs to solicit the situation.
The municipality had two mayors, two speakers, and two acting municipal managers. In July 2022, the municipal employees were prohibited by a newly appointed security company’s bouncers from entering the municipal buildings.
This irked some municipal employees, who clashed with the security guards, and gunshots were discharged in the process.
COSATU provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said: “We have learned with excitement that the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has last night taken a decision to disband the municipal council.
“This is a move we welcome as COSATU as that council has failed from its inception in 2021 and has always been marred with infighting amongst the councillors.”
Konopi said the immediate task for the ANC in the province is to apply rule 25 of the ANC constitution to its members, who have been deployed in that council and have contributed to the collapse of the municipality. He said this conduct has put the ANC in disrepute.
“COSATU also calls on the ANC to immediately set up all-inclusive election machinery to start to prepare for the by-election, which will come in the next 90 days.
“While doing that, the ANC should make sure that no one who has ever played a role in the shenanigans, which have been taking place in that municipality makes it into its list.
“As COSATU, we would also call on the law enforcement agencies to closely monitor the situation in that municipality, as we know that it has a potential to deteriorate into chaos which might be driven by some anarchists,” he said.
Maape is expected to address the media on the municipality saga at 2pm.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Mocwana said then that, the political interference, maladministration, misappropriation of funds, and corruption have contributed to the demise of the municipality.
“The municipality is in distress and experiencing systemic dysfunctionality. There is also resistance to intervention due to hasty political interference in administrative issues. The instability in the municipality can be traced back to 2006.
“There is also lawlessness at the municipality, where Supply Chain Management (SCM) issues are openly being discussed by councillors. The municipal council is also sitting on top of the Public Protector and Forensic report findings that need to be implemented, but that is not happening.” Motswana said.
Setshwantsho: Sarasanta wa sepodisi, Kgalalelo Ntlolokwane a buisana le baithuti kwa sekolong se sepotlana sa Saku kwa Modimong
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Go ya ka dipatlisiso, go begwa fa bontsi jwa bana ba ba tsweletsang tshotlakako kgotsa go kgerisa bana ba bangwe, ba ka tswa ba tlile ba tlhekefadiwa ba sale bannye. Sekolo se se potlana sa Saku kwa motseng wa Modimong, se ne se rulagatse metseletsele ya twantsho kgatlhanong le go kgerisiwa ga baithuti ga mmogo le tiriso e botlhatshwa ya diritibatsi le nnotagi mo letsatsing la maabane.
Mokgokgo wa sekolo, Bitsang Tumelo are, ba dirile seno morago ga go itemogela fa gona le bana ba ba kgerisiwang kwa sekolong. Tumelo are, bontsi jwa bana ba ba kgerisiwang, ga ba bue mme ba itemogela go dira bokoa fela ga bone mo dithutong tsa bone.
“Mo matsatsing a fetileng, re ne ra itemogela matsapa mo sekolong sa rona. Gona le ngwana one a kgerisa ba bangwe, mme kene ka ikuela mokgosi kwa sepodising gore se ntlhage thuso. Go ne go na le ngwana o kaileng fa a tshoseditswe ka thipa, mme kene ka lemoga gore ke tsenye ba sepodisi go tlisa tsireganyo.
“Rene ra feleletsa re tlile ka lenaneo le, go tsweletsa metseletsele ya go ruta bana kgatlhanong le go kgerisiwa. Se re se itemogetseng jaaka barutabana ke gore, bontsi jwa bana ga ba bue fa ba kgerisiwa mo sekolong. Ke bua jaana gonne kgang e ya go kgerisiwa ga morutwana, ke tswa go e utlwa kwa lapeng,” Tumelo wa tlhalosa.
Gape o kaile fa morutwana one a kgerisa ba bangwe, a feleleditse a itokolotse kwa sekolong. Tumelo are ba ne ba iponela diphetogo morago ga seno.
“Morago ga seno, re ne ra bona phaphang, mme ke fela gore maitsholo a baithuti bangwe ga se a namatshang. Fela, relemogile fa botlhoko-tsebe bo wetse kwa tlase mo sekolong, mme re tshepa fa seemo se tla tokafala,” Tumelo wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, Sarasanta kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi kwa Taung yo a dirang kwa lephateng la thibelo ya bosenyi jwa mo malapeng le tshireletso kwa dikolong (Social Crime Prevention and School Safety Unit), Kgalalelo Ntlolokwane are go botlhokwa gore batsadi ba tseye karolo mo go netefatseng fa bana ba bone ba dula ba sireletsegile ka dinako tsotlhe.
“Ke nagana gore eo, e ka nna maikarabelo a batsadi jaaka re itse gore ditshwanelo tsa bana ga di a tshwanelwa ke go gatakakiwa. Fela, ditshwanelo tsa barutabana di lekanyeditswe gonne ga ba kgone go ka puruputsha baithuti. Jaanong, re bona go le botokwa gore gongwe eo e nne maikarabelo a batsadi kwa malapeng.
“Batsadi ba tshwanetse go netefatsa gore ba puruputsha dikgetsana tsa dibuka tsa bana ba bone. Seo se tla thusa go bona gore baithuti ba tswa ba tshwere eng mo dikgetsaneng tsa bone tsa dibuka ha baya kwa sekolong,” Ntlolokwane wa tlhalosa.
Ntlolokwane gape o kaile fa barutabana ba leke go kopa baithuti ga ka puruputsha dikgetsana tsa bone tsa dibuka fa ba tsena kwa sekolong pele ba tswelela ka dithuto tsa bone tsa letsatsi.
The Guardian 