By OBAKENG MAJE

The HIV activist and Community Development Practitioner, Dimakatso Moalusi, who runs the Greater Taung People Living with HIV and Aids organisation (GTPLHAO) said, even though the government has made significant inroads in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, more needs to be done to curb the scourge.

Moalusi, who has been living with HIV for more than 23 years said, most men are afraid to go and test for HIV. She said, it is better for people to know their status because that will encourage them to live a healthy life.

“Mostly, men do not want to go and test for HIV. Sometimes they go and test, but refuse to take medication when they are positive. Some of them do not even reveal their status to their partners.

“Unfortunately, they end up infecting other people knowingly. So, we want to discourage that because South Africa and the world does not need new infections anymore,” Moalusi said.

She further encouraged people to work together in quest of having an HIV-free society. Moalusi added that there is a 95-95-95 strategy used as a target since 2022.

“We encourage people to know their status and take their medication when they test positive. Truly, this will boost their immune system and the virus will be suppressed. I also encourage those who go to various universities to go out there and ensure that they do great.

“They should not adopt certain lifestyles, while in tertiary. They should know their reasons to be in various institutions and fly the Taung flag high. I also urge them not to succumb to peer pressure and stop degrading themselves,” said Moalusi.

Meanwhile, the former deputy president, David Mabuza told www.sanews.gov.za said: “We must intensify our programme on prevention by employing every method possible to end this epidemic. For our part as a country, our journey and contribution to the vision of zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths, has been long and difficult.

“The pain of losing someone to AIDS-related illnesses every week in our communities was a common phenomenon. However, we are today acknowledged by UNAIDS and others as a global and continental leader in HIV response.”

Mabuza said, this is precisely because they have adopted and implemented the right and comprehensive policies to respond to this epidemic. He also expressed gratitude for the partnerships and support received, saying the contributions galvanised political leadership, civil society and the private sector into coherent action.

“In particular the United Nations family, the United States Government through its PEPFAR programme and the Global Fund. We wish to thank you for your continued support and emphasise that your support is not in vain.

“Through the South African National AIDS Council, the country has seen the impact of collaborative efforts in moving the response forward. We take pride in the fact that in South Africa, the government remains the main funder of the country’s comprehensive response by contributing close to 80% of the resources,” he said.

Mabuza said, the council counts among its victories the fact that South Africa has the biggest HIV treatment programme in the world, with more than 4.5 million people on life-saving antiretrovirals.

“Our anti-retroviral treatment programme has resulted in an increase in life expectancy of our people and low levels of mother-to-child HIV transmission rates. This means that millions of South Africans who previously had no hope of sustained quality of life, now live longer and are able to contribute to building a South Africa of our dreams,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged 26 and 16 were arrested in Shaleng village, near Taung for a business robbery. According to the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, the police in Kgomotso responded to a complaint of an alleged business robbery in Shaleng village.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the owner of the shop badly assaulted and he was taken to a local clinic for medical attention. Two suspects were identified and the Station Commander immediately assembled a team comprising Visible Police and Detectives.

“They started to trace the suspects and during the search for the suspects in their residential area, a relative granted access to the premises. The search was conducted under the supervision of the relative,” van Rooyen said.

She further said the police managed to recover property on the premises that were stolen in two separate business burglary cases. Van Rooyen added that those items that were recovered, were allegedly stolen from two local schools in Shaleng.

“Amongst the property retrieved, were two overhead projectors, five Education Solution Tablets, and groceries. The suspect (26) will appear in the Kgomotso Magistrate’s Court on 13 February 2023 on charges of an alleged business burglary.

“The suspect aged 16 was released into the custody of his parents. The Acting District Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng applauded the Kgomotso Station Commander and her team for their swift response to the robbery that led to the arrest and confiscation of the stolen items,” she said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged 28 are expected to appear before the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly bombing two ATMs. The two suspects are facing charges of alleged damage to essential infrastructure, and possession of explosives, ammunition, and firearm. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the suspects were at Madibogo village, outside Mahikeng on 8 February 2023.

“This comes after the police of Setlagole and Madibogo Police Stations, as well as Mahikeng Crime Intelligence, followed up on information regarding wanted suspects in Automated Teller Machines (ATM) bombing case.

“The suspects allegedly bombed two ATMs on 6 February 2023 in a complex and fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. Subsequent to the incident, the police spotted a suspicious vehicle at Madibogo village leading to a car chase,” Funani said.

She further said, the suspects’ vehicle ultimately stopped and two men were arrested. Funani added that further investigations led the police to a house in Dikgatlhong village, where explosives, a firearm, ammunition, and other items were recovered. 

“With the arrival of Mahikeng Tactical Response Team (TRT) members, the hunt for more suspects led the team to an RDP house in Madibogo, where ink-stained notes were recovered. Investigations into the matter, including tracing and arresting other suspects continue,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the units involved in making sure that the suspects were arrested and pointed out that, criminals will not be allowed to walk free.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A Lesotho national is set to appear at Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for being in possession of endangered species. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani said the suspect was arrested during a crime intelligence-driven operation by the Vryburg K9 Unit in Tlakgameng village, near Ganyesa on Friday.

“This comes after intelligence gathered information about a man who was in a possession of endangered species. During the operation, a search was conducted in a house leading to the discovery of two pangolins, two dead rock pythons, and two dead monkeys. 

“As a result, the suspect was arrested after failing to give a reasonable explanation for the possession. He is expected to appear in the Ganyesa Magistrates’ Court on 13 February 2023 for contravention of Section 57(1) of the National Environmental Management Bio-Diversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004),” Funani said.

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