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

• SMS 32312

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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.

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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.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The buoyed residents of Ganyesa, near Vryburg said they will continue to close down Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality offices. The service delivery was affected on Monday and Tuesday after some community members allegedly stormed into the municipal building and demanded that the municipal manager, Olaotswe Bojosinyana resign.  

The residents accused Bojosinyana of maladministration and mismanagement of funds. They alleged that Bojosinyana awards contracts to his cronies and continue to be the ‘law unto himself.’

One of the community leaders, Omphemetse Phillips said, they will continue to shut down the municipal offices until their grievances are addressed. Phillips said the municipality received an equitable share to the tune of R40 million two weeks ago, but there is no accountability.

On Monday, Bojosinyana was injured during a confrontation with some of the residents and he was hospitalised. However, he said, he will only respond after being released from the hospital.

“Morning I think we should meet. I am still in the hospital to be released shortly,” he said through WhatsApp messages. 

The Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality mayor, Tshireletso Marabutse failed to respond to our telephone calls and WhatsApp messages at the time of publishing the article. The North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and North West Department of Treasury also failed to respond.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that two cases of assault (Common and Grievous Bodily Harm) were opened in Ganyesa on 12 September 2022 by complainants who alleged that they were assaulted, while protesting at or near Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality offices. 

“Still on the same matter, one of the suspects in the assault cases and who is alleged to be a senior municipal official, opened a case with charges of assault, malicious damage to property and theft out of a motor vehicle. All cases are still under investigation and no arrests have been effected.”

Meanwhile, the mayors and executive mayors in North West participated in the recent South African Local Government Association Council of Mayors (SCoM) at The East London International Convention Centre in East Cape on 8 and 9 September 2022. SALGA chairperson in North West, Khumalo Molefe said they deliberated on key local government matters to enhance good governance in municipalities.

“We need to move swiftly towards one public service under common regulations and legislations. So, there should be uniformity in the recognition and remuneration of all office bearers across three spheres of government.

“Councillors do more groundwork and are exposed to more risks, but are the least recognised and remunerated. The inconsistency in the benefit allocation of councillors, where Members of Provincial Legislatures (MPLs) and Parliament are provided with housing, and vehicles, while councillors’ benefits are limited to a point where they are unable to carry out their duties,” he said.

Molefe calls for the law to be responsive to the motion of no confidence which has become a fashionable and haphazard process in the province. He suggested that before a motion of confidence can be served before the council, there should be an intensive public participation process.

“This is because a motion of no confidence undermines the democracy of the people who voted the person being removed into power. Additionally, a motion of no confidence leads to instability in local government.

“Furthermore, the current legislation needs to evolve to deal with this instability effectively. Until the matter is dealt with through legislation, local government leaders might not be able to bring about the necessary stability to the sector,” he said.

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By STAFF REPORTER

Many Teaching and General Assistants, who participated in Phase III of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) across the province alleged that, they have not received their pending stipends from the North West Department of Education.

It is alleged that, some schools could not capture all appointed Teaching and General Assistants on the data management system, and this caused the department to transfer more or less money to schools.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said they have been inundated by calls from aggrieved beneficiaries. He further apologised to those affected and said the department is giving the matter serious attention.

“As the department, we will be conducting investigations on the matter and get to the bottom of this. On 13 September 2022, the department transferred the money to schools for their payments. So, at the moment, the department has embarked on a verification and mop-up process to check on all those who have been overpaid or underpaid.

“We wish to assure all those who participated in Phase III of the program that, all their outstanding stipends will be processed after the verification and mop-up process. The contracts of the General Assistants and Education Assistants ended on the 31 August 2022,” he said.

Malindi said Phase IV is expected to resume at the beginning of 2023. The youth between the ages of 18 – 34 are encouraged to apply from 26 September 2022 until 16 October 2022. More than 850 000 job opportunities have been created through the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI).

Meanwhile, the Minister for Department Basic Education (DBE), Angie Motshekga said: “The initiative was designed to assist young people’s livelihoods and acts as a means of addressing South Africa’s high rates of youth unemployment. The youth had numerous opportunities to gain more skills through training opportunities offered by partners such as the University of Johannesburg (UJ), NEMISA, Digify Africa, and 2Enable.

“Schools across the country have enjoyed hosting a group of enthusiastic and dedicated young South Africans, whose contribution to teaching and learning have been immense.”

Motshekga added that, the end of Phase III of the PYEI-BEEI does not mark the end of the road for the youth. She said the initiative has created a platform for many to chart a path towards better prospects in the labour market.

“The skills and experiences gained will impact positively on future career prospects of the youth. The department wants to encourage all youth to take advantage of the many opportunities that are available on the SAYouth.mobi platform.

“Through this platform, youth can access earning, learning, and entrepreneurial opportunities that are provided by private partners. The youth can also access other beneficial information such as CV writing and interview tips on the eCubed WhatsApp called Teacher Connect, through this number; 060 060 3333,” said Motshekga.

She said the youth can also access scholarship and bursary opportunities that are made available through the eCubed WhatsApp Bot. According to Motshekga, the youth and their employers have made contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) throughout their tenure as School Assistants in the PYEE-BEEI.

“The UIF is an essential safety net to which employees and employers contribute, and from which employees who become unemployed are entitled to benefits, and in so doing, alleviate the harmful economic and social effects of unemployment,” said Motshekga.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Mmila o mogololwane o golaganyang motse wa Manthe le toropo ya Taung o butswe morago ga di buisano ma gareng ga majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. Baagi ba motse wa Kolong, ba ne ba parega mmila o morgao ga go ip[elaetsa ka porojeke ya go tsenya dipeipi tsa metsi.

Go begwa fa rakontereka wa Phala Borwa a thapilweng ke masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati go ka tsenya dipeipi tsa metsi go tswa kwa modutelong wa metsi kwa motse wa Morokweng le go kgabaganya motse wa Manthe, Makwating, Kolong ga mmogo le Ranstad.

Go begwa fa rakonteraka a begile fa a tlile go thapa baagi ba le tlhano ga mmogo le mogokaganyi a le mongwe mo porojekeng kwa motseng wa Kolong. Fela, baagi ba ne ba nna kgatlhanong le seo, mme ba parega mmila o matsatsi a le mabedi le go batla tharabololo mo morerong ono.

Gaoralwe o tlhotse a kopane le baagi le go ka reetsa matshwenyego a bone, mme go nnile le tumalano ya gore porojeke e tla emisiwa nakwana kwa motseng wa Manthe go fitlhela go nna le tharabololo. Go begwa fa go rulagantswe kopano ya baagi mo letsatsing la Labotlhano, mme maphata otlhe a amegang a tla tsenela kopano eo.

“Baagi ba kwa Kolong ba ikuela gore rakonteraka a thape baagi ba le 15 eseng ba le ba 5 jaaka a kaile. Rakonteraka o thapetswe go ka tsenya di peipe tsa metsi kwa motseng wa Kolong, mme porojeke ke ya ngwaga.

“Jaanong selelo sa baagi ba kwa Kolong ke gore, rakonteraka one a thapa baagi ba le 15 kwa motseng wa Makwating, fela o batla go thapa baagi ba le tlhano kwa motseng wa bone. Mme se ba sa se tlhaloganyeng ke gore seno se diragetse ka nako eo fa porojeke e tshimolola,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.

O kaile fa motse wa Makwating, Ranstad ga mmogo le wa Kolong e kile ya wela kwa kgorwaneng ya bo 14 ko Baga-Maidi. Gaoraelwe are jaanong go thapiwa ga baagi bale 15, ba ne ba kopane le metse ya Baga-Maidi yotlhe, eseng fela kwa Makwating.  

“Ga jaana, motse wa Makwating, Ranstad ga mmogo le wa Kolong wa di ikarabela kwa kgorwaneng ya 12. Jaanong ha baagi ba Makwating ba thapiwa, ba thapiwa jaaka baagi ba kgorwana ya bo 12, eseng y abo 14 jaaka go ne go ntse mo malobeng.

“Ga re kake ra re ka gore gone go thapilwe baagi ba le 15 ka nako ele, jaanong go tshwanetswe ga thapiwa baagi ba le 15 gone jaanong. Rakonteraka o na le sebaka sa ngwaga go ka dira tiro e a e thapetsweng, mme o tla tshimolola ka go thapa baagi ba le 5 le mogokaganyi go tswa mo baaging, mme o tla laolwa ke tiro ya gagwe fa e ntse e tsweletse,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.

Gape Gaoraelwe are gongwe go tla diragala gore ha tiro entse e tsweletse, rakonteraka o tla boa gape a thapa baagi ba bangwe go oketsa palo. Gaoraelwe are gongwe e tla re ha porojeke e ya kwa bokhutlhong, ke gone gape ha rakonteraka a tla boelang kwa botlhanong jo one a bo thapa ha a tshimolola.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Majoro wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe o ganeditse magatwe a tletse-tletseng mo maranyane a boitapoloso, mme a kaya gore basha ba ba tsenetseng thupiso ya go nna borra le bo-mmapharakano ba buseditswe gae.

Go ya ka dipego, masepala ga wa latela molao fa one o tsweletsa lenaneo leno la ithutela-tirong (learnership). Jaanong go kailwe fa college e basha bano ba leng ko go yone e ba buseditse gae gonne go sena lekwalo la maitlamo go tswa kwa masepala.

Go begwa fa masepala o beetse thoko dimillione tsa diranta, mme ene ya re dikgwedi dile tharo tse di fetileng, one wa tsaya basha ba ka nna 30 go ba isa kwa college kwa porofenseng ya Free State go ka rupiseditswa tiro ya pharakano.

Fela, lenaneo leno le ne la tsosa dipuo-puo, morago  ga dipego tsa gore bontsi jwa basha ba ba tlhopilweng, ba tsentswe ka bokukuntshwane. Molekgotlha wa lekoko la sepolotiki la Patriotic Alliance (PA), Mmoni Letele one a ntsha mosi ka sekhurumelo, mme a gatisa video fa basha ba, bane ba rorwa ka dipalangwa gotswa mo Taung le go leba kwa Free State.

Letele o ane a mina ka nko ele nngwe, one a utlwala mo video a tsatsanka molekgotlha wa lekoko la ANC, Pinkie Mosinkiemang o go begwang fa a ne a digoga kwa pele ka dipotso tse di tlhokileng di karabo.

Letele one a tlhalosa fa khansele ya masepala e ise e tseye tshwetso gore basha ba ba thapiwe, mme a botsa gore basha ba bone ba thapilwe jang. Letele one a itelekela gaufi le sepalangwa se sene se rwele bash aba, mme le bone a ba tlhoma ka dipotso.

Fela, one a tswa ka ngobo e sa fotlhwa gonne, basha ba, ba ne ba  mo shebela go mo itse mme ba didimala fela jaaka ngwana a lailwe.

“Magatwe a tletse-tletseng, ebile a tlhalosa fa basha ba ba tsenetseng thupelelo ya go nna borra le bo-mmapharakano ba boetse gae, ga se nnete. Jaaka masepala, ga se re tsamaye re bolelelwe gore bana bao ba tshwanetse gore ba boele gae.

“Mme ke tla go netefaletsa gore le gompieno jaaka ke bua le wena jaana, bana bao ba tsweletse ka di thuto tsa bone tsa ikatiso kwa college.  Ga go kgonagale gore re le masepala, reka isa bana kwa ikatisong gape e be e nna rona ba re ba busetsang morago,” Gaoraelwe wa tlhalosa.

Mme Gaoraelwe o kaile fa basha ba, ba tla tswelela jalo kwa college go fitlhelela ba fetsa thupelelo ya bone. Gaoraelwe are ga gona lekwalo lepe le le tlhokegang le le netefatsang gore bana bao ba tlile go tlhapiwa fa ba fetsa ka thupelelo ya bone ya go ithutela-tirong.

“Ga go tlhokagale lekwalo le le netefatsang gore bana bao ba tlile bo thapiwa go ya ka molao. Jaaka rele masepala, re ka netefatsang gore go ile ga tsewa tshwetso ya gore go nne le lephata la pharakano mo masepaleng, mme seo ga se amane gope le thupelelo ya ithutela-tirong ya bana ba.

“Jaanong, tumalano e e teng ga e kopane gope le go thapiwa ga bana ba ba ileng college. Fa gona le tlhokego ya gore go nne le netefaletso ya lekwalo le le shupang gore go tlile go nna le phatlhatiro ya borra le bo mmapharakano mo masepaleng, ke tla leka go bona lekwalo leo go tswa mo go ba ba maleba,” Gaoraelwe o kaile jalo.

Gape are, ga itse sepe ka lekwalo le le tshwanetswe gore le romelwe kwa college go shupa gore bana bao ba tlile go thapiwa fa ba fetsa ka thupelelo. Gaoraelwe are go ka be go se botlhale go ka ntsha lekwalo leo, le mororo ba sa itse gore a basha ba, ba tlile go feleletsa thupelelo ya bone ka botlalo.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

Two men have been sentenced to life imprisonment for murder by the North West High Court sitting in the Klerksdorp. Three men, Thabo Thakampana (29), Katleho Ramuthalane (33) and the third suspect who is still at large, kidnapped and shot dead David Mahlapa Sekhola on 14 April 2019 in Klerksdorp.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame, three men were drinking at a local tavern in Kanana Township, however, they decided to go and drink in Klerksdorp CBD.

“So, they then requested David Mahlapa Sekhola, who was operating a public transport service in Kanana to go and drop them in town and agreed to pay R150. Sekhola was with two friends at the time, Mthakathi January Vicane and Fezile Kraai.

“Along the way, the three decided to disembark near Vaal Maseru Bus Depot. In his confession statement, Ramuthalane alleges that upon stopping the vehicle, Thakamphana shot Sekhola in the head and they started to rob him and his friends,” Mamothame said.

Ramutlhalane said they took the victims belonging including the deceased’s Kingdom of Lesotho driving licence, keys, wallet with cash, USB dongles and a cellphone. He further confessed that, he removed Sekhola from the vehicle and kidnapped his friends.

Mamothame said the convicts drove off to an unknown location and two kidnapped occupants, Vicane and Kraai managed to escape when the vehicle approached the railway section.

He said they then ran back to the crime scene where Sokhela was shot dead and found the police already there.

“They subsequently reported the incident and a search was conducted. The vehicle was traced through its tracking device and found at a house in Bophelong location in Vanderbilt Park. Thakampana was arrested while Ramuthalane and the third suspect managed to outrun the police.

“However, Ramuthalane was apprehended in Kanana Township the following day. Thakampana was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, fifteen years in each of the charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances, five years for kidnapping, seven years for possession of an unlicensed firearm and three years for possession of ammunition,” said Mamothame.

According to court, the sentences will run concurrently. Thakampana was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

Ramuthalane pleaded guilty to robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping. He was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment for the offence and five years for kidnapping.

Mamothame said the court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

“The two sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The court also ordered that the one year eleven months he stayed in police custody while awaiting trial be factored into his jail term,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thakampana pleaded not guilty to all charges and his trial was separated. In aggravation of sentence, Adv Benny Kalakgosi urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, equalling life imprisonment.

Judge Andre Pietersen indicated that the courts have a responsibility to promote respect for the law through appropriate sentencing. He described Thakampana as a remorseless individual, whose nefarious action brought enormous devastation to the family of the deceased, as well as the two surviving victims.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo lauded Kalakgosi and Warrant Officer, Menzile Sokhwemba for securing a favourable conviction on all charges.

“Serious and violent crimes need to be rooted out of our communities and we hope this conviction will demonstrate the seriousness in which the criminal justice system intends to deal with such offences,” she said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The wounded Banyana Banyana will try to redeem themselves when they face Australia in a friendly international match to be played in London next month. This will be historical as the two sides will be crossing swords for the very first time ever.

This encounter comes just days after the SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana hosted eight-time Copa América Femenina winners Brazil in two friendly internationals played in Johannesburg and Durban.

Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis said, this match is part of her team’s preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup. Ellis further said her players will get a chance to test themselves against the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts in a potentially mouth-watering encounter in London on 8 October 2022.

“We are excited to be playing against another top side so soon after facing Brazilians. Australia is the co-host of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup along with New Zealand. So, this gives us an opportunity to rectify our mistakes as well as test and challenge ourselves.

“It is another opportunity for improved performance and for players to raise their hands. We want to thank South African Football Association (SAFA) and SASOL for getting us strong opponents in our preparations for the World Cup. We are really looking forward to this fantastic game,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship, Nozipho Mbatha said: “We are happy that Banyana Banyana will be travelling to London to participate in another international friendly, where they will face the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-host, Australia.

“Australia is currently ranked 12^th in the world and we know they are a formidable team that will push our squad to dig deeper, even though is a friendly match. Banyana Banyana needs all the game time possible ahead of the World Cup – we know that coach Des and the technical team are working tirelessly to ensure the players are well prepared.”

Mbatha said they will continue to encourage the team to seize every opportunity presented to them and wish them all the best. She said Banyana Banyana will play their hearts out knowing that all South Africans are behind them.

Banyana Banyana had an eventful 2022 as they became WAFCON champions after beating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the continental tournament final in Rabat in July.

Ellis was named Women’s Coach of the Year at the 2022 CAF Awards also in July. It was the third consecutive time that she has won the award.

Andile Dlamini won the Goalkeeper of the Year Award, while Banyana Banyana was named the National Women Team of the Year. To put the cherry on top, Ellis’ charges were also named the Fair Play Team.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two illegal immigrants were convicted by Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court for unlawful possession of precious metals on 9 September 2022. Samuel Bandi (30) and Hardlife Makoto (28) were arrested by mine security guards outside the Rustenburg mine.

They were found to be in possession of platinum that they had stolen from the mining pipeline. The Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, the Hawks were roped into the investigation.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Tlangelani Rikhotso said: “Both accused made their first appearance at the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court, where they were remanded in custody owing to their illegal status in the country.

“They then made a series of court appearances until they were each sentenced to seven years’ direct imprisonment years for unlawful possession of precious metals, of which two years were suspended for five.”

Rikhotso said Makoto and Bandi were further sentenced to twelve months’ direct imprisonment for contravention of the Immigration Act. She said, therefore, convicts will each serve five years’ effective jail term.

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