Picture: The community of Modimong village picketing outside Taung Magistrate’s Court
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.
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.
Picture: The former policeman, Itumeleng Setatwe facing stock-theft case/Facebook
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.
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.
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.
Picture: One of the trucks torched during a protest in Blydeville, near Lichtenburg
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.
Picture: Mothelesi Secondary School in Shaleng village, near Taungtorched/Supplied
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.”
The Guardian 