North West police have launched a manhunt after an armed robbery at a local tavern in Wolmaranstad. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, the armed robbery allegedly took place in the early hours of Monday.
“During the incident, three men were shot at and two of them aged between 30 and 35 passed away on the scene. A third victim, who is the owner,50, who is the owner of the business was hospitalised with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.
“Five suspects were playing pool in the tavern and just after midnight proceeded to close the premise’ main gate. They robbed the tavern owner after shooting him and took his firearm and an undisclosed amount of money,” Myburgh said.
She further said, the wife of the owner was hit with a bottle during the ordeal and was released from the hospital shortly after being admitted.
“Two more victims were allegedly assaulted by bystanders after the suspects fled the scene on foot as they were suspected to be part of the robbers. They were assaulted by the angry mob and their vehicle parked outside the tavern, was also damaged.
“Both victims were admitted to a local hospital and discharged after receiving treatment. The police request anybody who may have information that can assist in the investigation to contact the Investigating Officer, Detective Captain Sello Mochwaiwa at 082 416 3608. Alternatively, the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop can be called at 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via MySAPS App,” said Myburgh.
The North West Premier, Bushy Maape reshuffled his cabinet on Monday. Maape appointed the ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi as the new MEC for the Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) and Keneetswe Mosenogi as the North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR).
He said the ‘tide of change’ to his cabinet follows extensive consultation with the leadership of the ANC in the province as well as its alliance partners.
“The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism will be under the stewardship of Virginia Tlhapi. These changes are aimed at strengthening the work of the government in expediting service delivery and addressing a number of challenges confronting the province.
“Since assuming office, the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has been stable and where there have been challenges, there have been appropriate actions to respond to such matters,” said Maape.
He added that, these appointments call on all of them to champion the interests of the poor and marginalised, but critically to promote good governance, which includes ethical leadership.
Maape also congratulated the new MECs and wish them well in their new responsibilities.
Meanwhile, the ANC in North West welcomed the changes effected in the NWPG’s Executive Council (Exco) by Maape. The ruling party has also thanked North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela, and Lenah Miga who was heading the department of COGHSTA.
The ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said they wish to thank Matsemela and Miga for their sterling contributions as EXCO members.
“The following outstanding cadres have been appointed in the Provincial Government in the following portfolios. The Department of Local Government and Human Settlement: MEC Nono Maloyi, Department of Education: MEC Viola Motsumi – to be sworn in on 7 December 2022.
“The Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, MEC Keneetswe Mosenogi and Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, MEC Virginia Tlhape.”
Maruping said, the ANC further congratulates new members of the PEC and wishes them well. He said the newly re-configured executive council is a product of thorough consultations and engagements with all structures, alliance partners and represents the best amongst ANC members of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL).
“The province is confronted with many challenges and the immediate task of the new EXCO is to make sure that, the ANC manifesto is implemented to the latter, acceleration of service delivery becomes a priority, and most importantly stabilize our municipalities.
“The re-configured executive council represents continuity, strengthening other departments and infusion of new ideas,” he said.
Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality employee, Dikagiso Mokoma who allegedly owns Motheo Guesthouse/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A grim picture of corruption and funds misappropriation continues to show its ugly head at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). This comes after allegations that the municipality has been doing business with the Motheo Guesthouse, which is allegedly owned by one of its employees, Dikagiso Mokoma.
The controversial Mokoma was suspended a few months ago for allegedly misleading the municipal council over danger allowance. Now, it is alleged that, the municipality has spent millions of rands on the facility.
According to our sources, this was allegedly done through the traveling agency appointed by the municipality.
“We know that the municipality has allegedly booked the Motheo Guesthouse on numerous occasions to host meetings and book accommodation. Even though this was done through the travelling agency, it was still wrong because the guesthouse is allegedly by owned Mokoma.
“These individuals are now committing corruption with impunity because they know that they are highly protected. It cannot be correct that individuals do business with the municipality, while they are listed as employees,” our source said.
The municipal mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe and Mokoma failed to respond to our telephone calls and WhatsApp messages before publishing this article.
In March 2022, the Public Service Commission (PSC) highlighted that, most government employees in North West are either doing business with the state or sit on various bid committees to award tenders to their cronies.
The PSC Commissioner in the North West, Dr Moeletsi Leballo: “Every government employee is expected to fill the financial disclosure form to be scrutinized. As the PSC, we have realised that there are many government employees, who are doing business with the government or sit in bid committees that award tenders.
“If they do so, this constitutes a conflict of interest. This has led many government entities or departments to have incurred irregular, unauthorized, wasteful, and fruitless expenditure in consecutive years.”
Leballo further said, more than R76 million (R76 629 940.07) has been frivolously spent during the 2020/21 financial year. He added that R1 957 615.20 was squandered during the 2017/2018 financial year and has not been recovered yet.
“It is a concerning factor to see departments under-reporting financial misconduct cases in the province. So, we are of the view that the accounting officers responsible should be held accountable for non-compliance,” he said.
The Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on oversight of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Jacqueline Theologo said: “We will write a letter to the North West Premier, Bushy Maape to submit a report to the committee to reply to all financial misconduct cases.
“This will assist us to get a complete reflection of what is actually happening. There is a discrepancy in the process because not everything is forwarded to the PSC and recommendations are not fully implemented.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West, Papiki Babuile said, corruption is dire in the province and all those who are in power are not there to serve the people but to execute their own interests.
Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape said during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) that he had set up a forensic unit that will assist his government to fight malfeasance, corruption, and fraud.
“The anti-corruption strategy will include various components such as lifestyle audits on MECs, MPLs, and senior managers including council members,” he said.
Two suspects aged 18 and 25 to appear at Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on 21 November 2022 for stock theft. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said, on 15 November 2022, the owner of Buffelsboch Farm discovered that his Simbra bull was stolen from the grazing camp, where it was left the previous day.
“The complainant contacted Piet Plessis Police and a stock theft case was opened. On 17 November 2022, the police received information about possible stock-theft suspects.
“The information was immediately operationalized by the Vryburg Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit and two suspects were arrested in Logageng village, near Mahikeng,” van Rooyen said.
She further said, the meat was recovered from three different houses in Logageng village and positively identified as being that of the stolen bull.
The police in Upington are requesting the assistance of the public in locating a missing person, Petrus Job (40) who was last seen near Bo-Plaas farm about 60km outside Upington on Olifanthshoek road on 11 November 2022.
According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Omphile Masegela, Job was last seen wearing a green shirt, blue overall pants, and brown boots. Masegela further said anyone with information on the whereabouts of Job can contact the investigating officer Captain Elsie Benade on 076 021 8440.
“Remember there is no waiting period to report a missing person,” she said.
TaungDailyNews 