A 28-YEAR-OLD man is expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court today for a formal bail application. Phodiso Serolong was arrested two weeks ago in connection with the murder. According to the North West police, Serolong allegedly assaulted Gosego Mahura (28) at 2bob tavern in Mokgareng village, near Taung on 3 December 2022 at night.
The North West police spokesperson, Warrant Officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The untimely death of Mahura was reported to the Taung Police on 4 December 2022. According to the information at hand, Mahura was at a tavern when he was assaulted and sustained serious injuries.
“He was taken to his parental home after the assault. Later on Sunday, the family discovered that he had passed on. A case of murder was opened and the accused was arrested.”
Picture: A businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
An urgent bail application in a murder case against four accused was postponed to 20 December 2022 by the Taung Magistrate’s Court. This comes after two children of the local businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (31) died on Tuesday afternoon after drowning.
Kabo Tshipane (5) and Kagoentle Phiri (6) were among four children who drowned while swimming in Manthe village near Taung. North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, Phiri, Tshipane, Oratile Sereo (7), and Omaatla Sereo (7) were playing in the water and drowned.
Only Katong’s co-accused persons, Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31) took the stand. Bakang and Phenyo Katong could not take the stand because of the tragedy that has hit their family.
Four men were arrested for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35), who was one of their loyal customers after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house at Manthe village, near Taung.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng 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, which was granted.
Picture: People queueing outside a Drivers Testing Centre/Genereic
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Eight people were arrested for fraud and corruption after they allegedly conducted a number of unlawful driver’s and learner’s license transactions in exchange for money. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said suspects were arrested on 14 December 2022.
Mokgwabone further said a takedown operation was organised by the Provincial Organised Crime Unit, Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit, Crime Intelligence, and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
“The suspects consist of six males and two females aged between 35 and 49. They were apprehended at the Vryburg and Ganyesa Municipal Licensing and Testing centres, Letlhabile near Brits and Kuruman in Northern Cape following the termination of “Project Cross Road”, which commenced in October 2021.
“All suspects are expected to appear in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court today on various corruption and fraud-related charges,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and applauded the team members for their tireless efforts that led to the arrests.
A stock-theft case against a well-known lawyer has been postponed to 20 December 2022 by Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a formal bail application. Advocate Tebogo Letloleng (42) was arrested on 2 December 2022 for being in possession of the suspected stolen livestock.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said: “We are investigating a case of possession of the stolen livestock. A suspect was arrested after he was allegedly found in possession of a suspected stolen cow.
“Letloleng briefly appeared in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 7 December 2022. He will be back in court on 15 December 2022 for a formal bail application.”
The court postponed the matter to give Letloleng’s lawyer enough time to familiarise himself with the case.
Other pending criminal cases against Letloleng came forth during the court proceedings. It is alleged Letloleng has pending criminal cases in Gauteng Province.
TaungDailyNews 