Picture: The deceased, Reotshepile Medichane/Facebook
By REGINALD KANYANE
The family of Reotshepile Medichane said her death left them crestfallen. Medichane was allegedly severely assaulted and left to die. The incident took place at Manokwane village, near Taung on 8 October 2022.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Sgt Tryphosa van Rooyen, the police were called after a case of assault was reported on Sunday.
“On 9 October 2022, the police of Taung were requested to attend to an assault after a victim of the assault was rushed to the Taung District Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, they found a victim, who was severely assaulted and suffered head injuries.
“According to information provided, the victim was found at her place of residence in Manokwane village by her mother who ensured that she was taken to hospital,” van Rooyen said.
She said, Medichane passed away on Wednesday and her death was linked to the assault that she suffered. Van Rooyen further said a case of murder was opened and is currently under investigation.
She added: “No suspect has been arrested and investigation into the murder continues. Anyone who can assist the police with information can contact the Taung Detectives on 053 994 9255.”
Picture: The murder accused, Bakang “Mahommed” Katong/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some aggrieved community members in Manthe village, near Taung, threatened to march to the Taung Police Station. This comes after the murder accused, Bakang “Mahommed” Katong (31) was seen walking ‘freely’ with three detectives at Taung Mall last week Saturday.
It is alleged that, Katong had challenges with his bank card and he was escorted to the bank to fix it.
However, this did not sit well with some community members. One of the dazed residents said the ‘incident’ confirms their suspicions that Katong is receiving ‘special’ treatment at Taung Police Station.
“Firstly, we are not happy at all regarding the special treatment these alleged murderers continue to endure. Our police are so incompetent and we cannot let anything pass them by.
“We were so startled to see Katong walking around with police instead of being incarcerated. Secondly, why the accused are kept at Taung Police Station holding cells, instead of being at the correctional services facilities?”
Katong was arrested along with his brother, Phenyo, Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) after they allegedly killed Thabiso “W” Mothibedi (35).
It is alleged that Mothibedi stole R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house two days before his ‘untimely’ death. The preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village near Taung, when the accused fetched and transported him to Manthe village.
Upon arrival, they allegedly chained the deceased to a generator and assaulted him. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to Manthe clinic by the accused for medical attention.
However, the deceased was certified dead and a murder case was opened.
NPA regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the suspects abandoned their bail application and the case was postponed until 18 October 2022.
Meanwhile, three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family were torched by irate community members on 1 May 2022.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the accused was booked out. The station management is currently trying to establish what necessitated the action. We will therefore respond fully soon after establishing the facts.”
Taung Cultural Calabash which was scheduled to take place on 15 October 2022, has been postponed indefinitely. The event was brought to a grinding halt after the boycott of the aggrieved local artists and business people.
These individuals alleged that the bidding adjudication process was flawed and accused the North West Arts, Sports, Culture and Recreation (ASCR) and Mmabana Foundation of corruption and favouritism.
A whopping R4 million was allocated for the event during this financial year.
The TCC was established back in 1994 as an annual youth-based arts festival and soon found a sponsor in the Transnet Foundation.
However, it was marred with corruption, mismanagement of funds, and maladministration. This forced the country’s transport parastatal, Transnet to pull the plug.
One of the local business persons, Xolani Nkonyana said, the event was supposed to encompass the culture and heritage of the community, instead it has lost its value.
Nkonyana further said, the event was also supposed to create job opportunities for local people, but it does not serve that purpose anymore because it has been ‘hijacked’ by criminals.
“We are happy that the event has been postponed. We have been trying in vain to have consultative engagements with the ASCR and Mmabana Foundation to iron out our grievances, however, our plea fell on deaf ears.
“There is a discrepancy in the awarding of the tender, so we called on Mmabana Foundation to conduct investigations, especially from the supply chain management (SCM),” he said.
Nkonyana added that it cannot be correct that the Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival and Taung Cultural Calabash events continue to be awarded to the same service provider over and over again. He said there are allegations that the local company, Kwaame Communication JV Designs by Caylos has been removed from the list even though it performed way better than the appointed service provider.
One of the bidders, Kwaame Communication JV Designs by Caylos, Kenosi Kehiloe shared the same sentiments. Kehiloe said even though they bid for the tender, they believe the tender processes were flawed.
“We did not even receive a call from the Mmabana Foundation to tell us where did we go wrong. We believe that would have assisted us because we will know where to improve in the future. However, we were surprised to see the appointed service provider having a piece of first-hand information before even the winner could be announced.
“So, we suspect that there might be a personal relationship between him and some government officials. It is also alleged that, the service provider submitted two different quotations of R3.5million and R6million using different companies,” he said.
Kehiloe also alleged that the same service provider wanted to pay semi-professional artists a meagre R5000.
Meanwhile, the Mmabana Foundation spokesperson, Kelebogile Modiselle said: “The postponement of the event emanates from the disruptions at the Mmabana Taung Centre. This is to ensure safety amongst all Mmabana stakeholders.
“The entity will issue out an invite to its patrons for a stakeholder engagement to try and find an amicable way to preserve the flagship festival. So, dates and venue will be communicated soon on the entity’s website.”
The Guardian 