By OBAKENG MAJE

The alleged widespread corruption and fraud within the school transport system continue to plague the North West Community Safety and Transport Management department.

It is alleged that, some bus operators defraud the system by inflating the kilometres travelled when rendering the service in terms of the contract and as a result, claimed excess payment prices from the department.

The SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said, their investigations revealed that one of the service providers, Maczola Tours inflated the kilometres travelled when rendering the service in terms of the contract. Kganyago said the service provider claimed excess payment from the department when they provided scholar transport services to the Kopanelo Primary School in Delerayville between October 2010 and June 2017.

“The SIU’s evidence suggests that Maczola Tours benefitted unlawfully from the department by an excess amount of R180 793.20. However, there is still a process to be followed before the ill-gotten money is paid back. The

Special Tribunal ordered the SIU to file an affidavit explaining how it determined the figure in question by 28 October 2022.

“The Maczola Tours also needs to submit an affidavit responding to the costs in line with the SIU’s calculations by 4 November 2022. The Special Tribunal will make a final decision on the payable amount after the submission of the affidavits,” he said.

According to Kganyago, the Special Tribunal order is a continuation of the implementation of the SIU investigations outcomes and consequence management to recover monies lost by the department. He further said, there are other cases enrolled in the Special Tribunal awaiting adjudication and will result in recoveries for the department.

“On 19 October 2022, the Special Tribunal order ruled that Maczola Tour should pay back the money it unlawfully gained from the department and pay for the SIU’s legal costs.

“The judgment comes after the SIU was authorised to investigate the awarding of scholar transport contracts by the President of the Republic under Proclamation R.2 of 2018, following widespread allegations of irregularities concerning the appointment and overpayment of service providers contracted in terms of the tender,” Kganyago said.

He said the SIU investigated to establish whether there were any irregularities and unlawfulness in the procurement process, that led to the appointment of service providers in terms of the tender, and lack of departmental oversight in respect of services rendered.

The SIU investigations revealed that Maczola Tours inflated the kilometres travelled when rendering the service in terms of the contract and as a result, claimed excess payment from the department.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said: “We note the judgment of the Special Tribunal, which was brought by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). I believe that this will serve to encourage all businesses to be sincere. 

“We also wish to encourage all those who have contracts with the department to conduct their business honestly and claim what is due to them.”

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A tuck-of-war is looming between the ANC and its tripartite alliances in the North West. This comes after the newly-elected ANC provincial leadership submitted the gazetted replenishment list to the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) yesterday without consulting them.

According to the SACP, COSATU, and SANCO, they were shocked to see the list in the media and various social media platforms. The ANC provincial leadership under the tutelage of flamboyant, Nono Maloyi, allegedly instructed its five members, who are Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the North West to resign.

Those who are expected to receive a wielding axe are the embattled North West MEC for Arts, Sport, Culture and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi, MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho, MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono and the MPL, Mmoloki Cwaile.

These are officials, who are believed to be staunched supporters of the North West Premier, Bushy Maape. Those who are on the gazetted replenishment list are ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi, his deputy, Lazarus Mokgosi, Wendy Nelson, Jostinah Mothibe, and Elizabeth Mokua.

It is also alleged that, the ANC provincial leadership is doing this as a preparation to reshuffle the current cabinet.

However, the SANCO provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso came out guns blazing and said, what is currently happening within the ANC in the province is foreign. Seaketso further said, this will create unnecessary conflicts and divisions.

“You must look at the gazetted list because it is extraordinary. The list shows that people are in a hurry to do it. We were never consulted as the alliance.

“Remember, the list is a product of branches and provincial list conference. So, the people on the reserve list must all resign before they can replace them, then you can bring in the new list,” he said.

Seaketso said, it is surprising because the newly-elected ANC leadership is hardly three months in office, but they want to remove people without any performance assessment report.

SACP provincial secretary, Madoda Sambatha shared the same sentiments. Sambatha said, they just saw the list like any other members of the public when it was publicised at the legislature.

“That means, we have not been served with the list by the ANC. We were never in any fashion, given the information of the intention and names. The alliance we have with the ANC is not an alliance for convenience and personal happiness.

“It is an alliance based on the programs. However, there is a weakness that we need to indicate, failure to consult pushes alliance partners to be responding to the public because we have not been consulted,” he said.

Sambatha added that, they will not comment on the reshuffling issue for now, but they will do so after they were consulted. Cosatu provincial secretary, Kopano Konopi said, they were also not consulted as the alliance partner.

The ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said: “We can confirm that, indeed, the names that appear on the gazetted replenishment list were submitted and is part of strengthening the legislature.

“Look, the ANC provincial elective conference just concluded last month, and ordinarily, the issue of reshuffling is inevitable. However, the ANC provincial leadership has not reached that point.”

Maruping said, they had two meetings with the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) EXCO including the ANC Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs). He said, this was part of monitoring, evaluation, and accountability.  

“So, we are still in the process, but we have not yet reached the point where we are saying, there will be a reshuffling anytime soon. Indeed, there is a new leadership of the ANC in the province and it is inevitable that such leadership must be reflected in the legislature.

“We have noted the concerns of the COSATU and SACP. There is an internal engagement that we are having and we do not want to divulge that to the media, for now,” Maruping said.      

On the issue of SANCO, he said there are issues that they are still resolving because there were two SANCO leaderships emanating from their national conferences. Maruping said they have also received a mandate on how they should resolve that issue concerning SANCO.

Meanwhile, the ANCYL provincial secretary, Tshiamo Tsotetsi said, the list indicates a clear intention on the part of the ANC to reconfigure the current setup of its caucus and change some MPLs.

“We affirm that the ANC in consultation with its partners is well within its right to change its deployees to government. Especially if such is done with a view of strengthening the government to deliver quality services to the people of this province.

“However, we remain concerned about the exclusion of the youth in the legislature. The failure by the ANC to include capable youth in the legislature has by now evolved into being a norm,” Tsotetsi said.

He said, the ANCYL in the province has been consistent in calling for the inclusion of young people in all strategic centres of power and influence. Tsotetsi said, they have capable young people in abundance such as Stella Mondlane, Wessels Morweng, and Tumelo Maruping, who are well-educated, skillful and highly creative.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The case against 21 suspected illegal miners who were arrested during a well-executed operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team at a mining shaft in Stilfontein near Klerksdorp on 10 October 2022 was postponed.

According to the Hawks, the operation followed weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the accused. Fifteen AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns, and one R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives, and an undisclosed amount of money were confiscated during the raid.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, one of the accused who was arrested at his home, is suspected of transporting food and goods to the illegal miners, while on site. He further said the accused vehicle was also seized.

“The state is studying the docket’s preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition, and contravention of the immigration act, and not ruling out a possibility of adding more charges.

“The accused appeared briefly at Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court and the case was postponed to 31 October 2022 for a formal bail application. Five of the accused have been confirmed to be South African citizens, while 16 are verified to be illegal in the country,” he said.

Mamothame added that, all twenty suspects have sourced the services of one private attorney while the remaining accused will source his own attorney.

He said the state intends to oppose bail.

“The Hawks were assisted by members of the Hawks’ Tactical Management Section, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, District Illegal Mining Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Bidvest Protea Coin, and Harmony Gold mine during a raid.

“All the suspects will remain in police custody until the next court appearance,” said Mamothame.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A murder case against Thabiso Moswane was postponed to 13 December 2022 by the Koster Magistrate’s Court. Moswane, who was arrested after he allegedly stabbed his mother numerous times and suck her blood will remain in custody. 

The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said a horrific incident took place in Mathopestad on 9 May 2022. According to Mamothame, a fight ensued between Moswane and the deceased, Kedisaletse Elizbeth Moswane (53).

“On arrival at the scene, police found Kedisaletse’s body inside a shack with numerous stab wounds. The police were informed that Thabang was allegedly seen drinking his mother’s blood after stabbing her.

“He was immediately arrested and appeared before the Koster Magistrate’s Court. The was postponed for a new legal aid attorney to be appointed and consulted,” he said.

He further said, Thabang’s previous attorney has relocated and withdrawn his services. Mamothame added that, in the next court sitting, the state is expected to share all necessary documents with the defense team in preparation for the trial.

Moswane has abandoned his bail and he will remain in police custody until the next court appearance.

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By REGINALD KANYANE
A man has been arrested for a murder of a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke. Bongane Shebi (24) was nabbed on 15 October 2022 for allegedly killing Irish Mohokare,47, who was a nurse at Charon clinic.

Mohokare was just promoted to the position of Facility Manager two days before her untimely death. She was found dead with her throat slit open by her sister in a backroom that she was renting on 13 October 2022.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the murder case was postponed to 25 October 2022 for a formal bail application. 

Mamothame further said, the accused became a person of interest after police received information while doing investigations, that he was spotted not far from where the incident took place walking on with bloodied clothes. 

“The police then started looking for the accused and ultimately arrested him on 15 October 2022. Upon arrival at the police station, Shebi informed the police that he wants to tell the truth.

“He was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police to point out where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing,” he said.

Mamothame added that Shebi alleged that, he was in the company of another person, but the motive only became clear in the accused person’s confession that, he and another person intended to rob the deceased. He said, the accused also alleged that he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but it was the person whom he was with.

“However, the police’s evidence obtained at the scene, indicates that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commission of the crime. The police investigations on the matter are continuing, while the accused will remain in custody until the next court appearance,” said Mamothame.

Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape said: “We are saddened by the brutal murder of Mohokare. It is shocking to continue to learn of brutal murders of women, despite the condemnation of these barbaric incidents.

“The new cases of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) continue to be registered with the police. We cannot continue in this manner and we must create safer communities for women.”

He said it is gloomy that, Mohakare was killed only two days after assuming her new role of ensuring the provision of dignified healthcare to the people of Schweizer Reneke and neighbouring communities. Maape highlighted that, communities need to protect women and children by fighting the scourge of GBV&F.

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