By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 38-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend (33) in Lomanyaneng village, outside Mahikeng on Thursday. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said the suspect and the victim, who are both residing at Lotlhakaneng village had an argument on 30 October 2022.

Funani said the argument ensued after the girlfriend refused to accompany him to Kimberley in the Northern Cape. She further said, the boyfriend allegedly visited the girlfriend at her home on Wednesday and stabbed her in her upper body.

“He then fled the scene and went to his employer’s house in Matlhonyane village. Consequent to being told about the incident, the employer called the police, who arrested and transported the suspect to a local hospital after he told them that he drank poison after stabbing his girlfriend.

“The suspect is currently under police guard at the hospital and is expected to appear in court as soon as he is released,” said Funani.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident. Kwena congratulated Lomanyaneng Detectives for acting fast in arresting the suspect to ensure that he faces the full might of the law.

Meanwhile, the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa said: “We agreed to develop a National Strategic Plan (NSP) to guide our national response, to coordinate the various sectors involved in the fight against GBV, to strengthen the state’s response, and to align the efforts of government, the private sector, and civil society.

“We decided to embark on a number of interventions to deal with the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide in our country. The first step was the development of a GBVF Emergency Response Action Plan in 2019.”

Ramphosa added that, he requested Parliament’s presiding officers to call a special joint sitting of both houses of Parliament to announce the action plan. He said the plan was embraced by members of Parliament representing all political parties.

“This was a significant moment in that GBVF was seen as a non-partisan matter on which all political parties demonstrated their preparedness to act together to address this scourge.

“This was followed by the release in April 2020 of the National Strategic Plan, which had been carefully drawn up together with civil society. Yet, despite our efforts, violence against women and children continues unabated in our country,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

SIX men were sentenced to handed hefty sentences by the Vryburg Regional Court following a foiled armed robbery. Kagiso Jeremiah Mothibe (33), Benny Mooketsi (37), Khulekile Brian Maphati (38), Thabo Mokone (39), and Tshepo Charles Modise (49) were arrested on 26 July 2018 by Vryburg Public Order Policing (POP) after a tip-off regarding a planned armed robbery.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said: “The accused were all found inside a BMW with a false registration number. The vehicle was parked opposite Capitec and Absa banks in Vryburg. Following a search of their vehicle, ammunition and firearms with obliterated serial numbers consisting of a Remington 9mm pistol, an Arcus pistol, a Glock pistol, a CZ 75 pistol, and an LR rifle were found.

“The firearms and the vehicle were seized for further investigation. The Members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Mahikeng took over the investigation.”

Rikhotso said further probing into the incident revealed that the vehicle that the accused persons were driving had been reported stolen in Mondeo in June 2018. She said one of the accused was allegedly also linked to another incident of hijacking.

“During the first appearance, the bail was successfully opposed and all accused were remanded in custody until they were ultimately convicted. Maphati was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for possession of firearms, eight years imprisonment for possession of the stolen property, 10 years imprisonment for possession of ammunition, and five years imprisonment for defeating the end of justice.

“Other four accused were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for possession of firearms, eight years imprisonment for possession of the stolen property, 10 years imprisonment for possession of ammunition, and five years imprisonment for defeating the end of justice,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in North West, Major General Patrick Mbotho lauded the police for arresting the accused. Mbotho said this sentence will surely send a strong message to criminals.

The sentences will run concurrently.

taungdailynews@gmail.com