By BAKANG MAKOTO

The Sebolai family from Morokweng village, near Taung is looking for their mother, Matshenolo Victoria Sebolai (71), who went missing. The North West police said, Sebolai was last seen on 8 December 2022 when she left her home and never returned.

Now, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said, they request the community’s assistance in locating Sebolai. Myburgh further said a search was conducted around the village and surrounding areas after Sebolai’s disappearance.

“All leads were followed up without success. Sebolai is mentally ill and was wearing a green dress, with no shoes, nor hat. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts can contact the Investigating Officer, Capt Solomon Phemelo on 082 469 0329 or the local police station.

“They can also call the Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated via the MySAPS App on your smartphone,” she said.

Meanwhile, the police advised the public to report missing persons timeously. According to www.gov.za, people do not need to wait for 24 hours.

“You can contact the Bureau for Missing Persons to report a missing person or go to your nearest police station and report that the person is missing as soon as you know they are missing. Take with you a recent photograph of the missing person so that it can be scanned into the National Bureau for Missing Persons database.

“This database is a Crime Stop project and police all over the country use it. Give any information that might help to identify the person, such as their age, height, hair colour, eye colour, and any identifying marks such as scars or tattoos. You may be asked to fill in forms giving all this information,” the statement said.

The www.gov.za website added that a detective will be assigned to the case and people should make sure that they have the name and contact details of the detective. According to the website, people should keep in contact with the detective who is assigned to the case and should give them any new information about the missing person that they get after they have reported the case.

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Motshameka-pele o di phatsa wa maloba wa setlhopa sa selegae sa Mighty Boys FC kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung, o boela kgotlha-tshekelo ka Labobedi go lopa beile. Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31) yo jaanong eleng rakgwebo, gape a latofadiwa ka go rekisa seritibatsi sa nyaope, o latofadiwa ka go bolaya Thabiso “W” Mothibedi (35) kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung.

Go begwa fa Bakang ga mmogo le balatofadiwa nae, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le morwa rragwe, Phenyo Katong (34), ba ne ba bolaya Mothibedi setlhogo fa kgwedi ya Mopitlwe ene e tlhola matsatsi ale 29 mono ngwaga.

Go begwa fa Mothibedi yo go kaiwang fa a ne a goga seritibatsi sa nyaope, a ne a tsena kwa ntlung ya ga Katong, mme a utswa matsebetsebe a madi a balelwang go R20 000 ga mmogo le motsoko wa boleng jwa R600. Go begwa fa morago ga tiragalo eno, Mothibedi one a le botsa phokoje le go leba kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Capt Sam Tselanyane, go begwa fa segongwana seno sa banna ba ba neng ba tshakgetse, ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go batlana le Mothibedi. Go kaiwa fa ba ne ba mo fitlhela ale ko ga mothakga kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

“Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa segongwana seno sa banna, sene sa thopa Mothibedi ka dikgoka, mme ba leba le ene kwa motseng wa Manthe. Go begwa fa bane ba fitlha ba mo gokelela mo genereiteng mme ba mo digela dingalo go utlwala.

“Mme go begwa fa ba ne ba mo itlhaganedisa kwa kliniking ya selegae morago ga go lemoga fa a neela mowa. Go begwa fa Mothibedi a ne a netefadiwa fa tlhokofetse kwa kliniking. Balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwarwa le go latofadiwa ka polao,” Tselanyane wa bega.

Tiragalo e, e ne ya tshakgatsa baagi ba motse wa Manthe. Ene ya re ka di 1 Motsheganong 2022, baagi ba ne ba tswa letsholo le go fisa dintlo dile tharo tsa balatofadiwa ga mmogo le go ja sejanaga sa bone sa mabaibai ka molelo.

Banna ba, ba ne ba tswelela go ka shadikanya matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo makgetlho a le mmalwa. Fela kgetsi ya bone ene ya busediwa morago go fitlha di 15 Tlhakole 2023. Go kaiwa fa banna bano ba ba kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, ba ne ba tsenya kopo ya beile e potlakileng.

Ba ne ba neelwa tshono eo, mme ene ya re ka Labobedi wa beke e fitileng, balatofadiwa ba ne ba tshwanelwa ke go ipobola. Fela go ne ga dira jalo Lenyai ga mmogo le Mosimege morago ga gore Katong a latlhegelwe ke bana ba basimane ba le babedi. Go ya ka tshedimosetso ya sepodisi, bana ba ga Katong, ba ne ba le magareng ga basimane ba le bane ba ba magareng ga dingwaga dile 5 le 7, ba neng ba nwela kwa molapong fa ba ne ba ile go thuma.  

Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung, e tla reetsa maiteko a beile a banna bano gape ka Labobedi.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Two men aged 53 and 36 were arrested by Vryburg police for being in possession of suspected stolen copper worth R164 892 on Sunday. The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, warrant officer, Tryphosa van Rooyen said, the bakkie was stopped by crime prevention police who were conducting patrol on Market street.

“During the search, copper cables and copper rods were found at the back of the vehicle, which the driver and the passenger could not account for. The copper weighed 1208 kilograms with an estimated value of R164 892. The copper was confiscated and both suspects were immediately arrested.

“A case of possession of the suspected stolen property is under investigation. The suspects briefly appeared in the Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday,” van Rooyen said.  

Meanwhile, the acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng commended the police for their vigilance and swift response, which led to this success.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Some community members in Morokweng village, near Taung accused the police of being incompetent. This comes after a Tanzanian businessman (41) was allegedly shot and killed during a business robbery in the early hours of the morning.

According to one of the community members, Lesego Phakedi, they heard the businessman screaming for help at around 4am and went out to investigate. Phakedi said, on their arrival, they found the businessman in a pool of blood, but still alive.

“We called the Emergency Medical Response Services (EMRS) and the police, but they kept on saying they are coming. We actually wanted to transport the deceased to Manthe clinic using a private vehicle, but some community members insisted that we should wait for the police.

“We believe that, if the police and EMRS came on time, the deceased would be still alive. He screamed for help after being shot, but we felt helpless. He was a good guy who had a few shops around and was so humble. So, we call on the police to ensure that those perpetrators are behind bars,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West police said, investigations of murder, business robbery, and kidnapping case is underway.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “The incident was reported in the early hours of this morning. We cannot name the deceased for now as his next of kin still needs to be informed. It is true that his wife and children were also kidnapped.

“They were left abandoned by the suspects at Graspan village inside their vehicle. An undisclosed amount of money was stolen during the armed robbery as well as airtime vouchers, cellular phones, and the electrical equipment from the deceased’s house and business.”  

Myburgh further said the deceased was taken to a local clinic in Manthe village by one of the community members using his private vehicle, however, he was declared dead upon arrival. She added, the police management is committed to delivering a professional service to the community.

“In the event that the community is dissatisfied with our service, the local Station Commander must immediately be contacted or they can phone the following number for service complaints on Cell: 082 856 0995,” she said.

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By Reuters

LUSAIL, Qatar – Argentina won their third World Cup in an extraordinary final on Sunday as they beat France 4-2 on penalties after Lionel Messi scored twice in a 3-3 draw and Kylian Mbappe grabbed a hat-trick to bring the holders back from 2-0 and 3-2 down.

It was an incredible night of drama, high emotion and fluctuating fortunes, delivering one of the all-time great finals to cap a wonderful tournament as its two star players delivered command performances on the biggest stage of all.

Argentina had looked to be cruising to a one-sided victory after Messi’s penalty and a brilliant goal by Angel Di Maria in the first half put them in total control but Mbappe converted an 80th-minute penalty and volleyed in a sublime equaliser a minute later to take the game to extra time.

Messi put Argentina ahead again but Mbappe levelled with another penalty, becoming the second man to score a World Cup final hat-trick after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966.

In the shootout, Argentina keeper Emiliano Martinez saved Kingsley Coman’s effort and Aurelien Tchouameni fired wide. That gave substitute full back Gonzalo Montiel, who gave away the penalty for France’s third goal, the chance for the ultimate redemption, which he duly took by calmly sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way.

It meant that after his record 26th World Cup match, at the fifth and final time of asking, the 35-year-old Messi claimed the trophy his talent and commitment to his country demanded, elevating him alongside Diego Maradona, Argentina’s first football god, who carried them to their emotional second triumph in 1986 following the first in 1978.

“I wanted to close my career with this, it was the one that was missing so I can no longer ask for anything else,” said Messi, who has played 172 times for his country.

“I was able to get the Copa America and now the World Cup that I had fought so hard for. I’ve got it at the end of my career. But I love football and I want to continue living a few more games being world champion.”

The victory seems all the more incredible coming a month after his team began the tournament by suffering statistically the biggest upset in World Cup history when they lost to Saudi Arabia.

“I cannot believe that we have suffered so much in a perfect game. Unbelievable, but this team responds to everything,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.

“I am proud of the work they did. With the blows we received today. I want to tell people to enjoy, it’s a historic moment for our country.”

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Lekoko la sepolotiki la Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) kwa masepaleng wa selegae wa Lekwa-Teemane, la re le amogela tshwetso ya masepala ya go ka fedisa ditulo tse di sa tlhomamang. Go ya ka lekoko, bontsi jwa baagi ba tshelela mo tshotlhegong, mme seno se ama maemo a bone a botshelo.

Sebueledi sa lekoko mo porofenseng ya Bokone Bophirima, Fanon Moema are, tshitshinyo (motion) eno, e tlhagisitswe ke lekoko la gagabo la EFF kwa khanseleng ya masepala ka di 5 Sedimonthole 2022.

“Maitlhomo le maikaelelo a tshitshinyo e, ke go netefatsa fa baagi ba rona ba ba dulang mo ditulong tse di sa tlhomamang go ralala masepala, ba bona ditlhabologo jaaka metsi, kgelelo-leswe, ga mmogo le dipone mo ditulong tsa bone. Ga se bofitlha gore lekoko la sepolotiki la ANC, le ikgatolositse bontsi jwa baagi ba rona, segolo bogolo jang ba ba dikobo dikhutsane.  

“Seno se ntse se diragala dingwaga dile dintsi, mme re itemogetse fa ANC e tsweletse fela go ka kgotsofatsa setlhotswana fela se se rileng sa batho. Fela lekoko la EFF le ne la tsaya tshwetso le maikano gore le tlile go ka fetola seo. Jaaka lekoko, re tlile go ka lwela ditshwanelo tsa baagi ba ba dikobo dikhutswane le go nere ditlhabologo mo matshelong a bone,” Moema wa tlhalosa.

Moema are, jaanong ba itumeletse gore baagi ba kwa Extension 12 le 13 kwa motse-setoropong wa Boitumelong gaufi le Bloemhof, go akaretse le baagi ba kwa Extension 4 kwa Geluksoord, gaufi le Christiana, ba tlile go bona ditlhabologo morago ga dingwaga dile supa. 

Are ditlhabologo tse, di tlile go tlisa seriti mo baaging, ebile di tlile go netefatsa fa maemo a bone a boitekanelo a tokafala.     

Kgabagare, majoro wa masepala, Sebang Motlhabi are, tshwetso eno e tla morago ga gore masepala o e tsenye tirisong. Motlhabi are, masepala one o setse o gatetse pele mo go fediseng ditulo tse di sa tlhomamang ka diperesente di le masome a supa.  

“Re mo letsholong la go fedisa ditulo tse di sa tlhomamang. Jaanong tumalano e, e tla mme masepala o sentse o gatetse pele le go ka tsweletse porogorama eo. Re tlile go tlhoka baitsanape ba ba tla tlang go lekola lefatshe le re tlileng go aga matlo le go hudusetsa baagi kwa go lone. Baitsanape bao, ba tlile go ka tla ka mmepe le go netefatsa fa tulo eo e sireletsegile go ka dula batho.  

“Mme seo, se tlile go thusa masepala gore o itse fa tulo e batho ba ba tlabe ba hudisediwa go yone e tlabe e ntse jang. Se se setseng ke gore re itse lenane ga mmogo le palo ya batho ba ba tla hudisediwang kwa go lone. Jaanong, se se tlileng go diragala ke gore, masepala o itse gore madi a tla dirisiwang mo porogorameng eno ke bokae,” Motlhabi wa tlhalosa.  

Are masepala o tshwanetse o neelane ka ditirelo jaaka metsi, dipone ga mmogo le kgelelo-leswe go baagi bao. Motlhabi are fela seo, se tlile go tlhoka tirisano mmogo ya masepala wa sedika ga mmogo le lefapha la matlo mo porofenseng.       

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Taung community-based radio station, Vaaltar FM scooped three awards at the North West Media Awards recently. The North West Media Awards prestigious event was held in Brits near Letlhabile.

The Vaaltar FM’s Board of Directors deputy chairperson, Omphemetse Leshobo said: “It is yet another year-end of greatness for the station. We have wrapped it nicely at the 2022 North West Media Awards and we have normalised being the biggest achievers.  

“We did it in two consecutive years and as we wished every participant the best of luck, it is now befitting to congratulate them. So, congratulations to Remmogo Re Iketlile show for winning the best radio program of the year award, while Irish Motswamere won the best newsreader of the year award.”

Leshobo also congratulated Katlego Moncho after winning the best presenter of the year award. He further said, they will continue to strive to pursue the best in broadcasting and stays relevant in delivering suitable content.

The founder and organiser of the North West Media Awards, Ananias Ndlovu said the event is set to honour and recognise exceptional and innovative excellence in the media industry in the province.

“We are actually doing it out of passion. What I like about these awards is that they are organised by people from North West, recognise the people of the province, and they are supported by the people from this province.

“We cannot wait for other provinces to pave the way for us. We are tired of people from other provinces like Gauteng, who come to the province, take the money and go,” he said.

Ndlovu also lambasted the North West Provincial government for not supporting these awards. He further said, they went to many departments including the North West Provincial government, but they refuse to support them.  

“Instead of supporting the local events, our provincial government will rather spend millions of rands on events like SAFTA, SAMAs, and others. There are a lot of challenges within the industry, but we are pushing.

“So, this day is to say, we see the hardships that you’re subjected to. The media industry is slowly dying in the province and the communicators are contributing to its death. Many newspapers did not come back after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ndlovu.

Meanwhile, the media mogul, Baba Gaoganediwe shared the same sentiments. Gaoganediwe, who was one of the judges said they are happy that the North West is pioneering this.

“So, we need to stop looking down on ourselves and grow to greater heights. This is similar to what the North West province used to do, by setting positive narratives and leading the country.

“So, congratulations to the nominees including the winners. I want to take a minute and speak to the nominees. The organizers can do all they can to ensure that the awards are successful, but if you submit substandard submissions, you will contribute to the downfall of these awards,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Temo Foundation chairperson, Tebogo Mosito said, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) pandemic remains the most widespread and pervasive human rights violation. Mosito, who organised a men’s dialogue at Palms Hotel in Mahikeng, invited various stakeholders to map a way forward in addressing this issue.

“Our aim is to ensure that we create a sense of urgency and spark a mass mobilisation in quest of responding to GBV. So, this was just an introduction to the unprecedented awareness campaigns and momentums that we are going to embark on.  

“This pandemic is ravaging our communities, especially in deep rural areas. I am once a victim of GBV, so I saw how it affect children hence this dialogue. We want to understand the root cause from men’s perspective,” she said.

Mosito said, the GBV pandemic is a historical issue and more education among both genders is essential. She said, the pandemic mostly affects children emotionally and psychologically at a later stage in their lives.

A representative from Uhuru School Shoes Organisation, Ntombi Koloti shared the same sentiments. Koloti said this is a historical pain that happened in families and people should find an amicable way to resolve it.

“We must find a way on how are we going to talk about the pains that were endured even as uncomfortable as they may be. Another issue is economic empowerment, which needs to be addressed.

“Not only girls or women should be empowered because by so doing, we still widening the drift between both genders. In most cases, a girl child is given more support, while most of the time our boy child is left vulnerable, taking to the street and indulging in drugs,” she said.

Koloti further said, men should be taught that it is fine to cry when they are in pain. She added, women should also understand that men deserve to be respected and loved, despite their economic status.

A social worker, Johannes Thetane said: “I think the pandemic starts at an early age, especially in primary school. So, we suggest that social workers should be deployed in schools.

“This will assist because if any child misbehaves, the social worker will be there for intervention. GBV is mostly experienced in rural areas and we have also realised that most perpetrators cry after abusing their victims. This might be a sign that those perpetrators may have experienced abuse in their lives at one stage.”

The vice chancellor at the Vaal University of Technology, Professor Dan Kgwadi said GBV is a very complicated issue.

“Even though I’m not an expert in social issues, my experience so far taught me that one’s upbringing might be the cause. There is also violence from a social and emotional point of view that might have duped the situation.  

“Another issue is masculinity that comes from men, but emotional abuse, we are all guilty of it. It is also important to look at the root cause of the abuse because you might actually be dealing with two victims here,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

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.”

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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.

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