By OBAKENG MAJE

The world-renowned author, Mpho Sabata Mokae said he was shocked to see the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture allegedly violated copyright rules by photocopying his book, Moletlo Wa Manong. without consent.

Mokae, who shared his disappointments on his Facebook page said, it is a disgrace to see the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture violating the rights of writers, instead of advancing and promoting writing and literacy development as the custodian.

It is alleged that, the department made copies of the book, Moletlo Wa Manong for a certain book club in Jan Kempdorp that will embark on the Funda Mzanzi National Book Club competition to take place in George from 2 until 7 October 2022.

“Friends, this has been a very difficult week. In my entire blessed life of writing, I have never seen a photocopy of my book anywhere, until the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture photocopied my novel and that of my sister, Mohale Mashigo.

“The National Library of South Africa (NLSA) has issued a public statement (not an apology). After being dead quiet for days, the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has finally invited sister Mohale and I, as well as our publishers to a meeting.

“The DSAC’s invitation possibly follows a call I received late last night on 15 September 2022 from the Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul. In a call, brother Saul understood the hurt and disappointment caused by the violation of our copyright and promised to get on to the matter this morning,” he said.

Disappointed Mokae said their meeting with the DSAC has not taken place yet, but he appreciates a gesture from the NLSA, a call from Saul. He said, he also hopes the meeting with the DSAC will have positive outcomes.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape MEC for Sport, Arts, and Culture, Desery Finies said: “On behalf of the department, we would like to take this opportunity to first and foremost apologise to both authors for the indiscretion, unbecoming and shameful act of the officials, who made copies of the books.

“It is indeed a setback for the department who are the custodians and guardians of promoting, protecting, and advancing literacy development in our province.”

Finies said the authors are both aspirant and renowned writers. She said Mokae and Mashigo remain their key partners and stakeholders in advancing and promoting social development through reading, writing, and literacy development.

“As the department, we need to emphasise that the copying of the books was not made for financial gain and there was no malicious intent to undermine the authors.

“Unfortunately, the book club has not received the original copies of the books as yet from the National Library Services, hence a copy was made of each book. A copy of the books was thus made in a reaction of over-eagerness to assist the book club, which led to the fact that oversight took preference over compliance,” she said.

Finies said they are also mindful of the fact that ignorance of the law is no excuse. She said, as the department, they do not justify the act of copying any books nor do they condone it.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 22-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to eighteen years’ imprisonment by Potchefstroom Regional Court for rape. It is alleged that, the accused raped a girl (14) in Ikageng Township, near Potchefstroom in 2019.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, the victim was walking from school in the afternoon and waited for her parents at their neighbours’ house. The accused’s mother, who was playing cards at another neighbour’s house, sent the minor to go and fetch her sniff in her room.

“The accused, who was watching television, directed the minor to his mother’s bedroom. He then followed the minor to the bedroom. The minor was about to leave the room when the accused called her back and instructed her to take off her clothes.

The terrified girl refused, the accused assaulted her with a belt and forced her to undress. The accused then raped the child and instructed her not to disclose the incident to any person,” Funani said.

Later in December 2021, the minor was home with her brother and reading about rape in her textbook. She cried uncontrollably when she recalled what happened to her in 2019.

She said the brother ultimately called his parents, with whom the minor disclosed the rape incident. Funani said the matter was reported at Ikageng Police Station and the accused was arrested.

“He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, of which two years were suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of rape or any sexual offence committed during the period of suspension.

“The accused’s name will be included in the National Child Protection Register according to the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005). Moreover, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” said Funani.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the sentence handed down to the accused.

“We want to congratulate Sergeant Jacob Ranoko of the Potchefstroom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, who worked hard together with other role players.

“This includes the Criminal Record and Crime Scene Management (CR&CSM) officials as well as prosecution to ensure that the accused was sentenced although the case was reported after a year. The case will serve as an indication that the rule of law has no deadline,” he said.

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