By REGINALD KANYANE

A centenarian, Julia Mamorwadi Mocumi celebrated her 100^th birthday with style along with her circle of family and friends at her home in Magogoe Khoi-Khoi village, outside Mahikeng in North West on Saturday.

The elegant Julia was in a jovial mood as she danced with the aiding stick into her hand to keep balance. It seems Julia has a ‘special bond’ with almost everyone within the community because she was cheered up by the young and old.

“I am happy today that I am celebrating 100 years. This is actually 100 years of God’s grace and I will always appreciate it. However, I am too old now and I am ready to leave this world because I believe I have played my part.

“I want to send my gratitude to God and say thank you to my children, who made this possible. There is no special recipe to live longer and I just want to tell the young generation to stop indulging in alcohol and look after themselves,” she said.

Julia also encourages people to eat healthily and stop using a lot of spice in everything. She only has two biological children, but only left with one after the death of her firstborn.

“I was devastated when I lost my husband because of death, but I managed. If you have a good heart as a person, God will continue to bless and protect you. So, thank you to everyone who came through to celebrate this milestone with me,” said Julia.

Rekgonyane Mocumi (73), who is Julia’s only biological child alive said, he learned a lot from his mother. Rekgonyane said, they originate from the West of Johannesburg, Kagiso Township in Krugersdorp, but moved to Mahikeng during Soweto Uprising.  

“I am a responsible man because I was raised by this queen. She showed pedigree and is also loved by many,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sandra Mocumi (60), who is one of Julia’s grandchildren shared the same sentiments. Sandra said her granny is the humblest person she ever came across.

“My granny does not like going out in the streets. She is also still strong physically and does not have chronic diseases. Imagine at my age, I am using medication for chronic disease, but my granny does not.

“She can still bathe, takes herself to the toilet, which is outside, and makes tea for herself without any assistance. Indeed, we are truly blessed to have her as a granny. She also encouraged us not to drink alcohol and sometimes we will joke with her and gives her some alcohol, however, she will resist after finding out that indeed is alcohol,” Sandra said.

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Picture: Julia Mocumi celebrates 100 years/Mpho Bilwane

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa bemoaned the spike in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases and urged men to come out in support of initiatives aimed at fighting the scourge of violence.

Moiloa said it is worrisome and disturbing to note that 13 000 women were victims of assault with intent to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) between July and September 2022.

“More than 10 000 rape cases were opened in the same period by the police. This is according to the recent crime statistics and we make a clarion call to all stakeholders, including the religious sector, businesses, and every community member to play a role in protecting women and children.

“As the country marks 16 days of activism on no violence against women and children, we called for concerted efforts in curbing the scourge of GBV. Society must take part in mentoring and teaching young boys to always value and respect young girls and women,” she said.

Moiloa further said, they also need more men to stand up and make a difference. She added that, the voices and actions of men are crucial in the fight against violence and abuse.

“Changing behaviour and ingrained attitudes will not be easy, but men must take the lead in this drive. It is time for men to join the fight and become the vanguard of our common struggle to end violence and abuse.

“The 16 Days Activism Campaign continues to generate a heightened level of awareness amongst South Africans on the deleterious effect and impact of GBV and femicide in society,” said Moiloa.

She said over the past two decades, all partners especially the government, working with civil society, have been making concerted efforts in raising awareness about the 16 Days of Activism campaign within a broader approach of 365 days of action to address the scourge of GBV and femicide in the country.

Moiloa is also scheduled to lead a series of awareness campaigns on GBV across the province during the festive season.

Meanwhile, the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus (MPWC) has welcomed the focus on economic emancipation in the government programs planned for the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children.

Committee Chairperson, Nkhensani Kate Bilankulu said, the MPWC was briefed by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services.

“We note that the campaign is a year-long, but that the 16 days between 25 November and 10 December is a period for focused reflection on violence and abuse experienced by women and girls in all their diversity.

“The committee heard that the campaign takes place annually from 25 November – International Day of No Violence against Women – until 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day,” Bilankulu said.

She said the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities said that, given the heightened levels of violence in South Africa against women, girls, children, people with disabilities, the elderly, the LGBTQIA+ community, women migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers and sex workers, the campaign has over the years evolved into a 365-days-a-year programme to fight GBV and Femicide (GBVF).

Bilankulu said the department told the committee that the proposed theme for this year is “Socio-economic Rights and Empowerment to build Women’s Resilience against Gender-based Violence and Femicide: Connect, Collaborate, Contract”.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A MURDER case against a man who allegedly killed a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke was postponed until 24 January 2023. Bongane Gregory Shebi (24) was arrested on 15 October 2022 after the body of Iris Mohokare was discovered with her throat slit open in her rented back room by her landlord on 13 October 2022.

The landlord subsequently informed the police, who immediately started investigations. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the case was postponed pending the DNA test results. Mamothame further said Shebi abandoned his bail application and he will remain in custody until the matter is concluded.

“Shebi became a person of interest after he was spotted not far from the crime scene walking in bloodied clothes. Then the police started looking for him and he was ultimately arrested on 15 October 2022.

“Upon arrival at the police station, he informed the police that he wants to confess. Shebi was subsequently taken in so that the confession can be obtained and later took the police to the scene, where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing,” he said.

Mamothame added that, the accused 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, Shebi further alleged that he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but the person whom he was with.

“However, the police have indicated that evidence that was obtained at the scene, indicates that only one person was at the crime scene at the time of the commission of the offense,” said Mamothame.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A FORTY-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for allegedly tampering with Essential Infrastructure. Felix Ndoti was arrested after allegedly breaking and gaining entrance into a Vodacom container and stealing batteries in September 2018 in Schweizer Reneke. 

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aaftje Botma said, consequent to an intensive investigation by the Provincial Organised Crime, the accused was linked with the break-in through fingerprints. Botma said, Ndoti was further linked to the two incidents in Coligny, wherein he allegedly broke into a container and stole batteries.

“He was ultimately arrested on 21 November 2022 in Delareyville. Ndoti briefly appeared in the Schweizer Reneke District Court on a charge of tampering with Essential Infrastructure.

“The case was postponed until 29 November 2022 for a formal bail application. The accused will also appear on 28 November 2022 in the Coligny Magistrate’s Court on two counts of malicious damage to property and theft of tower batteries,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the police for Ndoti’s arrest and pointed out that this will serve as a warning to those who tamper or destroy essential infrastructure.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A murder case against a man from Extension 4, Kgakala Township in Leeudoringstad was postponed until 17 January 2023. Lazarus Chaka Hambone (38), who is a parolee was arrested after he allegedly killed a five-month-old boy with a spade.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the atrocity took place on 6 November 2022. Mamothame further said, a mother (16) to a five-month-old infant allegedly had an argument with Hambone on 5 November 2022, while carrying the baby on her back.

“Hambone, who is an uncle to the mother of the deceased, then went outside and came back with a spade, and tried to assault his niece, but ended up hitting the five-month-old baby boy.

“The baby was taken to a local clinic where he was transported to Wolmaransstad Hospital and ultimately transferred to Tshepong Hospital, where he died, due to head injuries. The state successfully opposed bail through its statement, noting among other things that the accused is a parolee, on a murder case that occurred in 2011,” he said.

Mamothame added that, Hambone will remain detained in police custody until the matter is concluded.

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