Ka KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Baagi ba rotlwediwa go ikela tlhoko le go itlhokomela kgatlhanong le ba ba dinalanyana, mme ba tsweletsa bogodu ka mokgwa wa tsietso. Seno se tla morago ga gore banna ba le babedi ba ba magareng ga dingwaga dile 22 le 49 batshwarwe kwa Kuruman ka Mosupulogo.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi la lephata la dipatlisiso jwa bogodu jo bo rulagantsweng, The Hawks kwa Kapa Bokone, mokaptein Tebogo Thebe are go begwa fa banna bano, ba tsieditse monna mongwe matsebe-tsebe a diranta di ka nna R350 000.

“Go begwa fa balatofadiwa ba, bane ba supetsa monna o matsebetsebe a diranta a eseng a nnete le go mo kaela fa madi gagwe a tla ntsifala fa a ka tlisa kwa go bone. Go ya ka dipatlisiso, balatofadiwa ba ne ba dira ga mmogo le ngaka nngwe ya setso.

“Go begwa fa ene ya re yo go bona matsebetsebe a diranta, monna yo one a itokolola kwa tirong le go rekisa sejanaga sa gagwe, mme a neela balatofadiwa madi ao. Go ya ka dibego, monna yo, one a ya go kopa thuso kwa sepodising morago ga go lemoga fa a tsieditswe,” Thebe wa tlhalosa.

Go ya ka Thebe, balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwarwa mo metseletseleng ya dipatlisiso tse di neng di boloditswe ke sepodisi. Thebe are, sepodisi sene sa gapa ditlankana tse di dirisitsweng go ka dira madi a eseng a nnete ga mmogo le megala ya letheka ya banna bano.

“Go begwa fa ngaka ya setso yone e ile ya lebotsa phokoje, fela sepodisi se kaya fa sele mo motlhaleng wa gagwe. Balotofadiwa ba solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Kuruman ka Laboraro,” Thebe wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, tlhogo ya lephata la sepodisi la The Hawks kwa Kapa Bokone, Major General Kholekile Galawe o kopile baagi go ikela tlhoko gonne matsatsi a khunulogo a setse a atamela, mme seo se dira gore ditsietso di ntsifale.  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

More than 400 suspects were nabbed during suspect raiding operations executed on 15 and 16 September 2022. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said 277 suspects were arrested for assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and assault common.

Myburgh said other arrests include 26 for common robbery, 9 for rape, 32 for contravention of protection orders, 31 for burglary residential, 10 for business burglary, 10 for possession of suspected stolen goods, 7 for murder, and 8 for stock theft, while others were apprehended for many other offenses.

“The suspects were arrested at all four districts in the province and they appeared at various courts on 16 and 19 September 2022,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said: “We would like to laud detectives and point out that the arrests will certainly send a clear message that those who perpetrate crime, will be traced and brought to book.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Various stakeholders believe that commercialisation of cannabis will be a burgeoning opportunity for economic growth. The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development held a much-anticipated two-day hybrid Cannabis Lekgotla at North West University in Mahikeng.

The North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said the aim of the Cannabis Lekgotla was to ensure that the Cannabis Master Plan finds space in agriculture transformation in the province.

She said the event was widely welcomed and appreciated by various cannabis advocacy groups, which amongst them included the Cannabis Council of South Africa, the Rastafarians formations, traditional leaders, academics, interest groups, and individuals as well as farmers.

“This event was the first of its kind in the province and our objective was to discuss the way forward on the rollout of the National Cannabis Master Plan and engage on the economic purpose of commercialisation and development of the herb.

“The department provides a stark reminder that every avenue to create employment and fight poverty must be pursued. This will also allow businesses to grow, emerge and thrive while using the capabilities of the state to create a conducive environment for farmers,” she said.

Mohono further said, this is a dream come true for people of the North West because they too, deserve to benefit from the value chain of this herb. She added that, as government, they always appreciate the direct, considered, and constructive approach that higher institutions of learning take in responding to the challenges facing the country.

“That is why we saw it fit as government to rope in the North West University (NWU) in particular, looking at their research output, which is amongst the best in the entire country.

“This Lekgotla unlocked many opportunities through commissions and the education drive. Going forward, we will march to our traditional leaders as the department in forging a partnership and making sure that our people in communal land are not left behind by the train of this economic hub,” said Mohono.

Meanwhile, the North West University Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mzubanzi Bismark Tyobeka said: “We must all work with the government to assist in the review of policy and regulatory framework that will fast-track the industrialisation of hemp and cannabis towards the realisation of economic investment and job creation.

“So, the NWU is ready to contribute towards the implementation of the National Cannabis Master Plan to unlock the economic potential of rural communities.”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West police confirmed that investigations are underway after two houses belonging to the embattled Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality speaker, Pretty Moirwagale and ANC Interim Regional Committee (IRC) coordinator in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Walter Mabogola were torched in the early hours of Monday.

According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen, the police were informed of arson that took place at house number B84 at Tlakgameng village on 19 September 2022.

“According to the information at hand, the owner received a call that informed him that, his house was burning. Upon arrival at his house, the owner, Mr Pretty Moirwagale, who is the speaker at the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality found that one bedroom had burned.

“Pro-active members of the community assisted and managed to put the fire out. A case of arson was opened and is under investigation by the Ganyesa Police Station,” van Rooyen said.

In a possibly related incident, she said it was discovered in the morning on 19 September 2022 that, the house of the ANC IRC coordinator in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Walter Mabogola had also been burned.

“According to information at hand, Mr Mabogola heard of what had happened and rushed back to Tlakgameng just to find that his house had also been burned.

“A case of arson was also opened and is being investigated. No damage assessment has been conducted yet and the estimated damages to both houses will be determined during the investigation,” said van Rooyen.

Today, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape is set to meet with ANC Provincial Elective Conference (PEC) leaders to inform them about his decision to invoke Section 139 (1) (b) at the embattled Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality.

On 7 September 2022, Maape put the municipality under administration for six months. This comes after turmoil, where the municipality’s offices were closed by aggrieved community members for the longest period and called for the removal of municipal manager, Olaotswe Bojosinyana.

The letter sent to the municipality states that, 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 concentrated on developing plans to provide service delivery to the constituents of the municipality.

“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,” the letter said.

Another arising matter was allegations against councillors taking their contestation to the court of law and trying to legitimise their differences by obtaining court interdicts.

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.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

South Africa continues to find itself in a catastrophic situation as the electrical grid buckles under pressure and Eskom fails dismally to keep the lights on.

Now, President, Cyril Ramaphosa has cut his international trip short and landed at Waterkloof Base this morning to address the quagmire. Ramaphosa said in his new letter that, solving the electricity challenge is vital for investment drive.

“A few days ago, I met with United State of America (USA) president, Joe Biden in Washington to discuss several issues of concern to both our countries, including peace and security, climate change, and food security.

“Most importantly, we discussed ways to deepen trade and investment between our two countries. Behind China and the European Union, the United States is South Africa’s third largest trading partner and is the second largest destination of our country’s exports,” he said.

Ramaphosa said there are around 600 US companies in South Africa and over the years, an increasing number of South African companies in sectors as diverse as mining, energy, chemicals, banking, health and wellness, and luxury goods have expanded their footprint into the US.

“We agreed with Biden that, we must do more to increase business between our two countries and have set up a joint task force on trade and investment to provide focus and direction to our efforts.

“While in Washington, we also spoke to several US business leaders who expressed a keen interest in investing in South Africa. The visits we undertake to various countries, be they working visits, state visits, or trade missions, are crucial for promoting investment and trade, bringing in investment and they create jobs,” said Ramaphosa.

He further said, they also improve their relations with the countries they visit thus creating great opportunities for South Africa. Ramaphosa added that, building strong partnerships with other countries is important, but it is not enough.

“That is why we are working to make our economy more competitive, more efficient, and more attractive to both international and local companies. First and foremost, we have to overcome the electricity crisis.

“Since late last week, Eskom has been forced to implement load shedding due to breakdowns at a number of power stations. The situation has been made worse by the depletion of emergency generation reserves such as pumped storage and diesel turbines and the need for these to be replenished,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the severe load-shedding of the last few days has reminded them of how unstable the aging power stations are. He said it has given greater urgency to the measures they announced two months ago to stabilise the electricity supply.

“On Sunday, I held an urgent virtual meeting with Ministers and officials on the reasons for the current load shedding and the steps being taken to reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding in the coming days and weeks.

“Eskom has already announced some of the measures it is taking and we will remain seized with this issue until the situation is resolved. Solving the electricity crisis is necessary if we are to realise the potential of our economy,” said Ramaphosa.

In 2018, the country launched an ambitious investment drive to raise R1.2 trillion in new investments over five years. To date, it has raised more than 90% of that amount in commitments from both domestic and foreign investors.

Ramaphosa said of these commitments around R330 billion, have already flowed into the economy, opening new factories, expanding product lines, and creating new jobs.

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