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.
Picture: A poet, Tshepo Constance Letebele/Supplied
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The award-winning poet, Tshepo Constance Letebele said winning the Best Poetry Category in Baruta Ngwao Music and Traditional awards is a boost to her career. Letebele (25), who originates from Magogong village near Taung said this will strengthen her market including her support base.
“I am over the moon because winning is a big step for me. It means I got a huge fan base now and that gives me a push because I see that people love what I do. I will keep writing, reading, and giving people what they love, but above all, I will add more to my writing skills.
“As an artist, one needs to be creative at all times, hence I add orchestration into my poetry. Now, I have to add something new for my fans and spread my wings to achieve more. Yes, I am working on a project called Kgato, which is so exciting because the aim of this project is to address socio-economic challenges facing our society, especially the youth such as teenage pregnancy, HIV, high rate of crime, alcohol and drug abuse,” she said.
Letebele further said, she has brought almost every local artist together on the project to share their ideas. She added that, they have already made inroads as some of the young girls, whom she is working with, have already been booked across.
“So, to my supporters, words are not enough to show how much I appreciate you. Thank you for your unwavering love and continuous support you always show. Ke le rata kesa ikhutse and may Almighty continue to bless you all.
“Even though poetry is the most underrated genre across, I believe that things might take a positive turn soon. I discovered my talent and passion during high school. I used to master essays, unprepared speeches, and oral presentations, then wrote my first ever poem, which I presented to one of my former teachers during a farewell ceremony,” said Letebele.
She said: “Since then, I became unstoppable and gave birth to numerous poems. Mostly, my poems are based on current situations because it is where I find content. We are faced with various challenges such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and I am also trying to bring awareness.”
The North West University (NWU) alumni and founder of Taung Yum Creamery said poetry belongs to the realm of emotions and imagination. She said art plays a primordial role in shaping the individual and transmits human values.
“People assume that to become a poet, you will only need a book and a pen. However, they have not realised that the world evolves and things change. Remember, the ancient ways one uses to write poems, the less support one will get.
“Unlike music, poetry is not taken into consideration, but I believe that things will take a positive turn soon. Atleast, we now have a poetry category in some awards. I would like to work with poets like Lebogang Mashile and Botlhale Boikanyo in the future,” said Letebele.
You can also follow her on social media platforms like Facebook: Tshepo Consty Letebele and Instagram: Tshepoconsty
Picture: Local artists and business persons boycotting Taung Cultural Calabash/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Taung Cultural Calabash event organiser is facing a criminal case. This comes after the organiser allegedly failed to follow the proper procedure to organise the whopping R4 million Taung Cultural Calabash that was held at Mmabana Centre in Taung on 19 November 2022.
The criminal case was laid by the Taung Police Station station commander, Colonel Tshupetso Mojahi.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “The station commander opened a case of non-compliance on 19 November 2022 against the organiser of the Taung Cultural Calabash. This comes after the organiser was informed to follow the proper procedure to apply for the event and he failed to do so.
“A case of organising an event without obtaining a valid certificate contemplated in Section 8 of the Safety and Sports and Recreational Events Act was opened against him.”
However, Botma said there are no arrests thus far.
The Taung Cultural Calabash event organiser, Molefi Setlatlaleng from Mega Works and Showtime Entertainment, which is a company that was awarded a tender, disputed the allegations and said it is news to him.
“I was not aware that you can open a docket after the event. I am hearing this for the first time from you,” Setlatlaleng said.
Meanwhile, some aggrieved local artists and business persons, who previously boycotted the event welcomed the move. One of the bidders, Kwaame Communication JV Designs by Caylos, Kenosi Kehiloe said this clearly shows that there was a discrepancy surrounding the whole fiasco.
“This will strengthen our case against the department and event organiser. We decided not to go and stop the event because it could have been bloodshed.
“We are still fighting for what is rightfully ours even though some artists created divisions amongst us. We allowed the event to continue because we did not want to be labelled as hooligans,” he said.
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 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).
“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. 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,” Nkonyana said.
Meanwhile, the Mmabana Foundation spokesperson, Kelebogile Modiselle failed to respond to our WhatsApp messages and calls.
Ditshwantsho: Baithuti ba sekolo se segolwane sa Pudimoe ba tsenetse tirelo ya matshidiso
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Baithuti ba kwa sekolong se segolwane sa kwa motse-setoropong wa Pudimoe gaufi le Taung, bane ba tsenetse tirelo ya matshidiso kwa holong ya baagi moletsatsing la maabane.
Seno, se tla morago ga go tlhokafala ga baithuti bale bane mo kotsing ya sejanaga mo tseleng ya N18 kwa motseng wa Dryharts gaufi le Taung ka Lamatlhatso. Go begwa fa sejanaga se seneng se kgweediwa ke mongwe wa baithuti bano, sene sa sa amega mo kotsing le go menoga.
Go begwa fa Oratile Mogorotsi, Orapeleng Madutla, Reaobaka Mocumi ga mmogo le Fafa Mosimanegape ba ne ba tlhokafala. Ba lelapa la ga Goitsemodimo ba mo kaile jaaka ngwana o o boikobo ebile a ne a reetsa.
Mamogolwagwe Orapeleng, Kamogelo Modutla wa tlhalosa. “Orapeleng one a tsena ko sekolong se segolwane sa Pudimoe, mme ene one a feditse sekolo mo ngwageng o fetileng. Go tlhokafala ga gagwe go re utlwisitse botlhoko thata re le ba lelapa.
“Tota, rene re sa solofela gore go tla diragala tiragalo e entseng jaana. Gape, jaaka lelapa, re ne re setse re solofetse go le gontsi go tswa mo go ene, gonne one a setse a tsentse kopo ya tsweletso-dithuto kwa kholejeng ya selegae ya Vuselela,” Kamogelo wa tlhalosa.
Naomi Leeuw, ke sebueledi sa lelapa la ga moswi, Reaobaka Mocumi. Leeuw o kaile fa ba tswa kwa motsaneng wa Matlhako 2 gaufi le Pudimoe, mme ba amilwe ke tiragalo e.
“Reaobaka one a tsena kwa sekolong se segolwane sa Pudimoe, mme a dira mophato wa 11. Re ne re solofetse fa Reaobaka ka tsena sekolo le go tsweletsa dithuto tsa gagwe, mme are direle morago ga moo. Ene e sentse ele ngwana fela o kwa tlase ka dingwaga, mme ale boikobo,” Leeuw wa tlhalosa.
Letlhogonolo Mogorotsi are le ene o latlhegetswe ke setlogolo sa gagwe mo tiragalong e. Mogorotsi are, Oratile (21) ene ele setlogolo sa gagwe se se tonna, mme one a mo rata thata.
“Oratile one a rata go ka dira ka diatla, gonne rremogolo wa gagwe le ene one a rata go ka dira ka diatla. Jaanong, kene ke solofetse dilo dile dintsi thata go tswa mo go ene. Le fa rene re kgaogana ka Labotlhano kwa Motimalenyora, go ne go le monate, mme ene, o ne a le maitseo thata.
“Le fa a ne a dira dilo dingwe tse di tswileng mo tseleng, one o ka seka wa mo bona a di dira mo pele ga batho. Le fa rele koo, ene ere fa a ka mpona, one a itshuba,” Mogorotsi wa tlhalosa.
Moruti Lerato Lebona go tswa kwa sekolong se se potlana sa Botshelo one a neelana ka letswe la go ritibatsa maikutlo. Lebona are ngwana mongwe le mongwe o botlhokwa go ya ka tsela ya gagwe.
“Modimo ke lorato, gonne o ile a bopa motho mo setshwanong sa gagwe. Kotsi e e diragaletseng bana ba, ke kgwetlho fela mo matshelong a rona. Fela fa Modimo a le teng, ga a yo mathata.
“Re rapela gore baithuti ba marematlou ba amogele, ebile ba kgone go ka tswelela sentle ka ditlhatlhobo tsa bone go se sepe se se ba emang ko pele,” Lebona wa tlhalosa.
Kgabagare, mokhuduthamaga wa Tshireletso ya Baagai le Dipalangwa mo Bokone Bophirima, Sello Lehari are: “Re ikuela go bakgwetsi le badirisi ba ditsela go nna kelo-tlhoko, mme ba itlhokomele mo ditseleng tse di farologaneng tsa porofense segolo bogolo jang ka motsi wa dipula.”
Picture: Learners at Tamasikwa High School in Taung
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Grade 12 learners at Tamasikwa High School in Tamasikwa village, near Taung said they are demoralised and do not think they will perform well in their national final examinations.
The Grade 12 learners who were kept at the school during camp said, they were allegedly forced by a teacher, Reokopile Mothibuseng to go to the veld and fetch firewood every afternoon so that they can be able to cook and prepare hot water every morning.
One of the learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “This is torture because we are expected to study afterward. At times, we are tired and we could not concentrate. We just wonder what happened to the budget allocated for gas.
“We will perform badly during this final national examination, simply because we were put through torture by our own teacher. She even told us to lie to the media when we are interviewed,” said a learner.
One of the concerned parents, Delilwe Tjali shared the same sentiments. Tjali further said she blames the North West Department of Education for all shenanigans taking place at the school.
“The department is undermining us including these teachers. We cannot be undermined simply because we come from a deeply rural area. When we raise our grievances, teachers become very defensive and rude towards us.
“Even one of the teachers, Reikupile Mothibuseng had the guts to call and insult me after raising concern about this matter. We know that they will try everything in their power to defend themselves. However, this is something that everyone is concerned about,” she said.
Tjali further said Grade 12 learners could have used this time to study, instead of fetching firewood. She added that it is flabbergasting to see the school forced to accommodate learners when they do not have the full capacity to do so.
Taung DailyNews also visited the school and Grade 11 and 10 learners that spoke to the newspaper confirmed that indeed, Grade 12s were forced to go to the veld to fetch firewood.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “The school manager and the School Governing Body (SGB) do not agree with the allegations made. The school made an agreement with the parents on 7 August 2022 and 21 October 2022 that they must come to prepare food for learners during camps.
“There is an arrangement that one of the community members brings wood for cooking and preparing warm water to save gas during weekends and when there is load shedding.”
Malindi said for cooking, there is a teacher who is sleeping with the learners and she is the one who serves learners in the morning when the SGB is still coming. He said the parents of learners are not cooperating at all to help the learners.
“The issue of insulting learners is not true at all. The educators are taking these learners as their children and ended up buying them food from their pockets. They have evidence, that they bought two Grade 12 learners’ school uniforms.
“The staff donated money for these learners during camp and the entire school is shocked and frustrated by these allegations,” said Malindi.
The police officer, Sgt Oaratwa Kgomotso (35) briefly appeared at the Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Kgomotso was charged with theft and defeating the ends of justice.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, Kgomotso who was working at Ganyesa Police Station, attended a burglary and theft crime scene on 3 February 2020. He said the accused recovered stolen goods from one of the suspects but failed to effect the arrest.
“Kgomotso allegedly registered some of the goods in the exhibit register and took others. Upon becoming aware of the allegations, police management tasked the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) to conduct an investigation and that led to the summoning of the accused to appear before the court. He is expected to re-appear before the same court on 15 December 2022,” Mokgwabone said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena firmly warned that police management will not hesitate to act against any employee who commits a crime.
“We express our disapproval of the police officer’s conduct. The arrest will serve as a warning to corrupt employees, who lack integrity and in the process tarnish the image of the South African Police Services (SAPS). That will indeed not be tolerated,” he said
A murder case against four alleged drug lords was postponed to 5 and 6 December 2022 by the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. A local businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo Katong (34), and Katlego Mosimege (31) were arrested in April 2022 for allegedly brutally killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35), who was one of their loyal customers.
They accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house at Manthe village, near Taung in North West. The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and transported him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival.
“The accused were arrested and charged with Thabiso’s murder,” Tselanyane said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in armed and allegedly torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. The murder case against the accused was initially postponed to 15 February 2022, but they made an urgent bail application for 22 November 2022 and was granted.
However, magistrate Edwin Letsapa postponed the matter until 5-6 December 2022. Letsapa said this was to give enough time to both defence and state to prepare for their ‘heads of arguments’ for bail application.
Meanwhile, community members packed the court to the rafters. They also submitted a petition calling for no bail against the accused.
Thabiso’s aunt, Kehilwe Modisakoma said: “We were not even informed as family about this urgent bail application launched by the accused. So, we just wonder why it made secret. However, we do not want to see these criminals getting bail because they selling nyaope to the youth.
“They turned Thabiso into their slave and killed him afterwards. Nyaope is killing the future of many young people and we hope that justice system will take that into consideration. We call for no bail against the accused and because we not sure what will happen if they are granted it.”
One of community leaders, Rapampiri Motshitshi shared the same sentiments. Motshitshi said they do not want to see the accused among their community because of their criminal activities they executing within the community.
“Our youth to do not have future because they are destroyed by nyaope. The only thing that we want is to see a clean community that is free from drugs. These young boys come to our houses and steal just to feed their cravings,” he said.
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.
The Guardian 