By OBAKENG MAJE

Some community members classified the situation at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), as being at medium risk for deterioration. This comes after the suspended Director of Corporate Services, Dikagisho Mokoma returned to work without facing any disciplinary hearing.

Mokoma was implicated in the Matshego Ramagaga Attorneys’ findings. The independent law firm was appointed by the municipality to investigate allegations of misconduct against Mokoma after she allegedly misled the previous council on danger allowance for the COVID-19 pandemic.

This resulted in the municipality ‘illegally’ paying senior managers and directors a monthly R2500 as danger allowance, instead of a standard flat rate of R1500.

According to the Magagane report, the municipality has lost R508 500 due to Mokoma’s alleged conduct.

Now, community activist, Benjamin Mashuga said there is a grim reality in the municipality, which is a direct result of municipal mismanagement. Mashuga further said the future of the residents looks bleak if the municipality is not going to be guided by the Municipal System Act.

“As members of the community, we have been attending council meetings as observers. So, we know that there was a council resolution that agreed to suspend Mokoma pending investigation.

“What surprises us is that she is back at work, while there is no council resolution that took that decision. The Municipal Structure Act 17 of 1998, Section 5, talks about the rights and duties of community,” he said.

Mashuga added that, they need answers and to see if the municipality is being run accordingly. He said it will be only fair for them to be furnished with municipal council resolution including the recordings of the meeting that agreed upon to bring Mokoma back to work.

“We also want the attendance register of all those councillors, who attended the meeting and took that resolution. However, the response that we got from the acting municipal manager, Andrew Makuapane Makuapane is not satisfactory.

“Firstly, he said there was a resolution, but when we asked him to refurbish us with it, he said we should write to the council. According to the law, if the council has taken a resolution on anything, that document becomes available for public consumption,” said Mashuga.

He also alleged that, Mokoma’s disciplinary hearing was not conducted timeously to allow her to go back to work without facing any disciplinary hearing.

Meanwhile, the GTLM mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said: “Initially, Mokoma was not disciplined accordingly. There is a regulation that outlines how to hire and fire Section 56 and 57 managers. So, her suspension was irregular.

“Mokoma has returned to work even though is not official at the level of the council. The Magagane report was tabled before the council, but it was deferred. So, the council has never sat and entertained that report.”

Gaoraelwe said, however, if there is a need for Mokoma to be disciplined, that must be procedural.

“Only municipal council can discipline Section 56 and 57 managers. So, the status quo is, she is back at work and she was not even supposed to be disciplined anyway.

“The municipal manager cannot discipline Section 56 and 57 managers outright,” said Gaoraelwe.

On the other hand, the opposition parties in the municipality, have opened a fraud case against Mokoma. The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the case is still under investigation.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

A man was sentenced to life imprisonment by Vryburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for raping a woman (30). The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, Tshepiso Brown (33) was arrested on 21 September 2020 for raping his neighbour.

“On 19 September 2020, in Huhudi township near Vryburg, Brown hosted the victim, who was his neighbour and other friends at his home. The other friends left at a later stage and the victim indicated that she will leave after finishing her drink. 

“Shortly after the friends had left, Brown asked the victim to have sex with him, to which she refused. Brown subsequently assaulted her and dragged her to his bedroom, where he repeatedly raped her before freeing her the next morning,” Mamothame said.

He further said, the victim went home and told her mother about the ordeal. Mamothame said, the mother immediately advised her to report the matter to the police.

“The victim reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested on 21 September 2020. Brown, who was denied bail until the completion of the matter, pleaded not guilty to the charge and insisted to the court that he had consensual intercourse with the victim.

“In aggravating the sentence, the state prosecutor Adv Baakeleng Mothibi urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment,” said Mamothame.

He added that, Mothibi argued that the accused had previous convictions of assault with grievous bodily harm, as well as one of culpable homicide.

“Mothibi further argued that this has destroyed the trust that the victim had in the accused,” he said.

Magistrate Patricia Rangwako agreed with the state and highlighted the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the responsibility the courts have in sending a strong message to offenders and wannabe offenders.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo lauded the prosecutor and the investigating officer for a collaboration that yielded a desired outcome.

“Rape should never be tolerated and the criminal justice system should continue dealing harshly with perpetrators of this offence”, she concluded,” Sekhaolelo said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula, who is facing a murder case is back at Orkney Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application. Kula (34) was arrested on 20 January 2023 for allegedly stabbing his wife, Jennifer Motlhomi (31) at their matrimonial house in Kanana Township, in Orkney on 27 November 2022.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “On 27 January 2023, the state and the defense attorney read affidavits in their arguments. Kula further took a stand in his pursuit of being granted bail.

“The state also pleaded with the court not to grant Kula bail, as it saw no compelling circumstances. The state further argued that the offense being a schedule 6 criminal matter, should warrant the court not to grant him bail as he is charged with premeditated murder.”

According to Mamothame, the police reports reveal that Kula’s wife was found murdered on 27 November 2022, in what seemed like a robbery. He further said, Motlhomi was allegedly found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.

“The matter was reported by the medical facility, where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. He told the police that he was not present at his home when the incident occurred.

“Following thorough investigations by the police linked to the alleged murder, he was arrested and charged with murder. Police investigations are still underway,” he said.

The ANCWL Provincial Task Team (PTT) Convenor, Bitsa Lenkopane said, Motlhomi’s brutal murder depicted another disturbing picture of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among many women, who are subjected to it in the locale.

“This is another case of women abused, violated, and brutally attacked in the comfort of their living spaces. A complexity painted by one of the police reports in the year, where these vile activities happen among acquaintances and or romantic partners.

“Motlhomi was a vibrant young woman, who spent her entire life participating and leading the struggle structures of the youth and students in the ANC,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in the North West also welcomed the arrest of Kula.

The EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said: “We are concerned with the sad state of affairs and rise of patriarchal relations perpetuated by the political elites in the province and the country at large.

“Undisputedly, our country has been through a long history of systematic subjugation, violence, and abuse. Sadly, to date, women and children are yet at the receiving end of heinous and horrific acts of hetero-patriarchy, sexism, rape, rampant GBV, Femicide, and infanticide, not only by habitual criminals in general but also men tasked with the responsibility to lead, protect and shower them with love.”

Babuile said the high levels of victims in cases of this nature is proof enough that the criminal justice system ceased to exist and protect the vulnerable members of society. He said it is quite dismaying that political elites in this country enjoy impunity at the expense of the lives of the people.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against two accused from Modimong village, near Taung was postponed until 22 February 2023 and transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng by Taung Regional Court. 

Rebaone Malekanyo (33) and Tumelo Tlonkwe (32) were arrested for allegedly killing the former Vaaltar FM presenter and a socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021.

They were allegedly charged with premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend.

The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and blew the whistle. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village near Taung.

Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that his body was mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing.

The two accused were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police.

Meanwhile, the South African Police Service (SAPS) in North West allegedly appointed a Provincial Task Team a few months ago to investigate the case from scratch after a ‘shoddy’ done by the previous investigation team.

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung e tlhotse e ganetse ka beile kgatlanong le banna ba le bane ba ba latofadiwang ka polao ba kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung. Jaanong, motshameki wa maloba o diphatsa wa setlhopa sa kgwele ya dinao sa Mighty Boys FC, Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), yo ga jaana eleng rakgwebo, mme gape go begwang fa a rekisa seritibatsi sa nyaope, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34) ba tla nama ba letile ko ntlo-lefitshwana go fitlhela ba boela gape kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ka 15 Ferikgong 2023.

Kgetsi ya banna ba, gape e shutiseditswe kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya kgaolo. Balatofadiwa bano, ba ne ba tsenya kopo ya beile e e potlakileng. Ene ya re ka kgwedi ya Moranang 2022, balatofadiwa ba, go kaiwa fa ba ile ba bolaya setlhogo Thabiso Mothibedi (35).

Go ya ka dipego, 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 diratnta tse di balelwang go R20 000 ga mmogo le motsoko wa boleng jwa R600.

Go begwa fa morago ga tiragalo eno, Mothibedi ane a le botsa phokoje le go leba kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Capt Sam Tselanyane, o bega 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.

“Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa banna ba, 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.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The former policeman, Godfrey Itumeleng Setatwe (45) is expected to appear at Vryburg Magistrate’s Court today. Setatwe, who was working for the stock-theft unit and stationed at Vryburg Police Station, was arrested on 20 August 2022 for being in possession of suspected stolen livestock.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Aafje Botma, the accused was arrested by Vryburg police, while travelling on the N18 road towards Pudimoe. Botma said, the police spotted a suspicious-looking bakkie and stopped it for a search.

“During the search, 21 goats worth R42 000 were found at the back of the bakkie. The driver was questioned but failed to give a proper account for the possession. It was also established that he did not have transportation documents.

“As a result, he was arrested for stock theft and taken to Vryburg Police Station. Upon arrival, he allegedly tried to run away and assaulted two police officers who were detaining him. He was subsequently restrained and detained,” she said.

Botma said the livestock was given back to the lawful owner after he was successfully traced. Setatwe is also having a pending case of fraud, where he allegedly connived with a convict, who alleged that his cellphone was lost.

Setatwe allegedly made a false affidavit for the convict, but he was arrested after the police preliminary investigation and the case is still on trial.

Meanwhile, the North West police said stock-theft cases have increased in the province. The Provincial Head Crime Registrar, Brig Jeanette Sakalengwe Ntshabele said: “There is an increase in property-related crimes such as stock theft, theft out of motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles, and burglaries in both residential and business premises.

“We have experienced a 10% increase in stock theft and the most affected districts are, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, and Bojanala, while Dr Kenneth Kauda managed a decrease. North West is also amongst the top four provinces in the country experiencing property-related crimes.”

Ntshabele also urges households, especially in rural areas to beef up their security as criminals are now infiltrating rural areas.

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Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Magistrata kwa Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung o solofetse go ka tsaya tshwetso mo theetso ya beile e e potlakileng mo kgetsing ya polao kgatlhanong le motshameki wa maloba o diphatsa wa setlhopa sa kgwele ya dinao sa Mighty Boys FC, Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), yo ga jaana eleng rakgwebo, mme gape go begwang fa a rekisa seritibatsi sa nyaope.

Katong ga mmogo le balatofadiwa jaaka ene, Thabang Lenyai (23), Katlego Mosimege (31) le Phenyo Katong (34) ba ikuela go gololwa ka beile. Fela, magistrate o utlwile fa Bakang gape a lebagane le kgetsi ya petelelo e a e sekang, mme a le mo beileng.

Balotofadiwa bale bane, ba ne ba tshwarwa ka kgwedi ya Moranang 2022 le go latofadiwa ka polao e setlhogo ya ga Thabiso Mothibedi (35). Tiragalo e, e diragetse kwa motseng wa Manthe gaufi le Taung.

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 diratnta tse di balelwang go R20 000 ga mmogo le motsoko wa boleng jwa R600. Go begwa fa morago ga tiragalo eno, Mothibedi ane a le botsa phokoje le go leba kwa motseng wa Longaneng.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Capt Sam Tselanyane, o bega 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.

“Dipatlisiso tsa sepodisi di supa fa banna ba, 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. Mme fela, banna bano, ba ba kwa ntlo-lefitshwana, ba ne ba dira kopo e potlakileng ya beile.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Recently, various communities across the North West province have embarked on service delivery protests. Now, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape said, they have created a strategy to address service delivery backlogs.

Maape said, his coordinating council has resolved to initiate a Rapid Service Delivery Monitoring and Intervention Strategy. He further said, communities will also have an opportunity to report and alert the government of any service interruption through a web-based free access online application, that has been developed by his office.

“We recently held a meeting following inconsistent provision of services in some parts of the province sparking outrage by residents. Aging infrastructure, vandalism, as well as ongoing electricity power cuts continue to have an adverse impact on the provision of water in various localities across the province.

“While the situation has returned to normalcy, a permanent solution is being sought. As part of ongoing efforts by the government to find a solution to these matters, the Premier’s Coordinating Council has resolved to initiate a Rapid Service Delivery Monitoring and Intervention Strategy,” Maape said.

He added that, at the centre of this strategy, is to give focused attention to the inconsistent provision of basic services, improve information availability on service delivery challenges as well as develop a system that will help the government resolve identified service delivery challenges.

 Maape said communication by various government departments and institutions will be strengthened to keep residents abreast of intervention measures employed by the government to address service delivery backlogs.

“The strategy will be implemented through the Provincial Accelerated Service Delivery Plan. So, we urge various levels of government to work together and ensure the full implementation of the strategy.

“This strategy is aimed at intensifying our efforts to expedite the delivery of services in municipalities and avert violent protests over the provision of services. The municipalities are also considering alternative energy sources to ensure uninterrupted provision of water in many of our localities,” he said.

According to Maape, a technical team has been assembled and is currently undertaking visits in localities across the province to monitor the provision of services in various government departments and institutions. 

He said the initiative is also aimed at developing remedial action plans to find solutions to a number of service delivery challenges confronting communities across the province.

“We want to interact directly with communities to understand their plight and challenges. These visits will help us a great deal in making informed decisions about the number of projects we intend to implement.

“There are already various infrastructural projects that will be carried out between now and the next financial year and we want these initiatives to benefit locals in one way or the other,” said Maape.

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By OBAKENG MAJE  

Twenty-four suspects are set to appear at Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for public violence and malicious damage to property. This comes after community members at Blydeville, near Lichtenburg embarked on a service delivery protest that turned violent on 19 January 2023. 

Two trucks were allegedly torched by the protesters demanding water.

The North West police spokesperson, Adele Myburgh said: “The police arrested 24 suspects in connection with public violence and other crimes relating to incidents reported on 19 January 2023, in which two trucks were torched, then property looted and damaged.

“A total of 12 people between the ages of 21 and 32 were arrested and charged for public violence and malicious damage to property. They appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on 23 January 2023 and were remanded in custody until their next court appearance on 31 January 2023.”

Myburgh further said, nine more cases of which 12 accused persons aged between 19 and 34, were found in possession of the presumably stolen property and theft, are under still investigation. She added the police confiscated more than 50 bags of cement amongst others including various steel poles.

“All nine accused appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court. Three of the suspects paid admission of guilt fines of R800, R400, and R1000 respectively. All other remaining accused were remanded in custody and will appear in court on 31 January 2023,” said Myburgh.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the public violence incidents and asked members of the community to raise their dissatisfaction in a peaceful and lawful manner.

Moreover, Kwena warned that those who transgressed the law will be traced and arrested. 

Meanwhile, one of the residents, Thabiso Molale (42) said, they continue to live in squalor, while the municipality fails to deliver basic services such as clean and drinkable water.

“It has been over two years since we experience a lack of water provision. I do not want to talk about other basic services like electricity, accessible roads, refuse collection, and sewage disposal.

“We have been complaining as residents over the years, but nothing is happening. Also, our youths continue to be affected by socio-economic challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, high rate of unemployment including teenage pregnancy, while our government turns a blind eye,” Molale said.

Another resident, Ben Entshang shared the same sentiments. Entshang said they are sick and tired because of their living conditions.

“We have elderly people who stay alone here and their safety is compromised. There is no provision for clean and drinkable water including load-shedding.

“People are fed-up because of empty promises. So, we decided to take our grievances to the streets because this is the only language our government understands. We cannot even use toilets because there is no water to flush feaces,” he said.

According to Entshang, they are now forced to go to the nearest bushes to relieve themselves or go to the nearest petrol stations to use the toilets there.  

However, the executive mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, Khumalo Molefe squashed allegations that the residents have embarked on protests because of the lack of provision of water.

Molefe said the protests in Ditsobotla are not water-related.

“We have not received any complaints about the lack of water in Blydeville. Apparently, the protests in the area emanate from the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the Afri-Sam and the Ditsobotla Local Municipality signed regarding community projects.

“It is alleged that the Afri-Sam has not fulfilled its promises to hire locals. Instead, the company allegedly continues to appoint people from outside, hence protests,” he said.

Molefe said, they condemn the torching of trucks and barricading of roads because that alone is a violation of constitutional rights. He calls on law enforcement agencies to harshly deal with perpetrators because no one has any right to prohibit anyone to go anywhere in South Africa.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A learner from Mothelesi Secondary School in Shaleng village, near Taung, has been taken in for questioning by the police. This comes after the principal’s office and a classroom was torched on Saturday morning.

It is alleged that the learner in question, who is known to Taung DailyNews, allegedly torched the school after a fallout with the principal on Friday. According to our highly-placed source, the principal allegedly chased the learner out of school.

However, the learner threatened that he is going to burn the school.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, who condemned the incident said, the principal received a call from one of the learners residing near the school informing him about the fire.

“This is disturbing and I want to take this time to strongly condemn the incident. Such incidents, delay the delivery of quality education to the learners.  

“This incident is going to exacerbate the infrastructural backlogs faced by the province. I want to call the law enforcement agencies to apprehend anyone behind this horrible incident,” Motsumi said.

She further said, two photocopying machines, a printer, a fridge, classroom furniture, and school files were damaged by the fire. Motsumi added, the learners who were supposed to attend extra lessons on Saturday could not attend due to the fire.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said: “A case of arson and business breaking and theft is under investigation. We can confirm that a learner was taken in for questioning and no arrest has been made thus far.

“In another block, the staff room was broken into.”

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