Picture: The makeshift Dome constructed at Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng/Twitter

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari appeals to motorists to buckle up as Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival gets into full swing. A three-day event kick-started last night at the Mmabatho Stadium parking lot with a gospel show.

Lehari also urges communities, in general, to be cautious and cooperate with law enforcement agencies over the weekend, including Monday and Tuesday holidays.

MEC Lehari says the Department and law enforcement agencies led by the South African Police Service are on high alert to ensure the safety of residents over the weekend and the first two days of the week.

“On weekends like these, criminals continue to victimise our people in their residing places including motorists. However, our law enforcement agencies will be highly visible and do their best to protect our communities, and we also need them to come on board to work with us.

“So, we alert communities to be extra cautious during load shedding schedules. Criminals check the schedule and target households during load shedding, especially at night,” he said.

Lehari further appeal to the community members to ensure they have locked their doors and closed windows. He added that the Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival is taking place in the capital city of North West this weekend and it comes with an increase in traffic as well as a hive of activity in and around town.

“There will be an increase in the deployment of law enforcement officials in strategic areas within Mahikeng. This is to ensure that, discipline and compliance of the highest order are maintained.

“We are expecting an influx of people to Mahikeng this weekend for the various events which are taking place. So, in order for people to have fun and still be safe, we have ensured there is an increase in police visibility,” said Lehari.

The highly-anticipated Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival has returned after a three-year hiatus, owing to COVID-19 restrictions and a

postponement.

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Picture: The police in Christiana attending a crime scene, where a customer was allegedly assaulted by a Bangladeshi business owner/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

A commotion ensued between a Bangladeshi business owner and a customer at Marikana Section in Geluksoord, near Christiana on Thursday. This comes after a customer allegedly went to the local tuckshop owned by a Bangladeshi businessman to buy bread.

However, it is alleged that, there was price confusion on the bread and that led to the commotion. According to an eyewitness, the customer left the shop, only to be attacked by the same Bangladeshi tuckshop owner with a knobkerrie a few metres away from the shop.

The eyewitness said: “Apparently, this guy went to the tuck shop to buy either Albany bread or biscuit. However, he found out that the pricing was abnormal and inquired from the shop owner.

“The shop owner allegedly hauled at him and told him that he does not know anything about business. So, he had no right to ask him about his pricing. The Bangladeshi business owner allegedly swear at him and there was an exchange of words.” 

It is alleged that, the customer then left the shop, but the Bangladeshi businessman called his brothers. The Bangladeshi businessmen allegedly attacked the man and community members intervene by rescuing the alleged victim.    

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “The assault incident was reported to the police by a member of the community. The Community Service Centre (CSC) vehicle attended to the crime scene and found that the business owner has assaulted the victim.

“However, the victim indicated to the police that, he does not want to open a case, but only wanted medical attention. The respondent came to the Christiana Police Station and the Vispol Commander personally warned him not to take the law into his own hands and rather report the incident to the police.”

Botma said, the community also wanted to take action against the shop owner but did not. She said the situation was back to normality.

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Picture: The bodies of two police officers were found at the back of a burnt police vehicle/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

A trial in a double murder case against four men who allegedly killed two policemen in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg has been postponed to 24 July 2023 by the North West High Court in Mahikeng. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the trial was set to start from 13 to 17 March 2023, however, the matter had to be rolled over on the first day to allow some defense attorneys to make final consultations with their clients.

Mamothame said, on 15 March 2023, the defense attorneys submitted a guilty plea proposal to the state, which was ultimately rejected as it was deemed not to be in the interest of justice.

“This resulted in a new date being agreed upon by the court and all parties involved. The court sitting was declared a juvenile court, owing to the age of the 16-year-old accused, who is also standing trial in this matter.

“Benjamin Jacobs (42), Jeremiah Mongale (26), Rapulana Keikantse (25), Matthews Modukane (20), and a 16-year-old boy, are charged with the murder of Constable Simon Ngakaemang Ntsekeletsa (50) and Sergeant Mojalefa Horatius Molete (42),” he said.

Mamothame further said, the accused are facing charges of malicious damage to property, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of ammunition, possession of a semi-automatic firearm, kidnapping, possession of ammunition with intent to commit an offense, and defeating the ends of justice.

He added that, a 16-year-old minor was granted R1000 bail in October 2021 and was left under the supervision of a guardian.

Meanwhile, the other four accused were denied bail and will remain in police custody until the matter is completed. According to the police report, the two deceased officers attended a stock theft incident in Mareetsane, however, the pair failed to return to the station and were declared missing.

A search operation was subsequently conducted and their remains were later discovered at the back of their burnt state vehicle on 27 July 2021 in Ganyesa. Upon arrest, police discovered the deceased’s firearm, two cell phones as well as SIM cards that were destroyed and thrown in a pit toilet at the home of one of the accused.

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Picture: Gospel singer, Bucy Radebe during Mahika Mahikeng Gospel show in Mahikeng/Rapula Mancai

By OBAKENG MAJE

Most revellers were happy to see the return of the prestigious Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival after a three-year hiatus, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-day flagship event kicked-started on Friday evening with a gospel show featuring the gospel heavyweights like Bucy Radebe, iconic Joyous Celebration, David The King and others.

The event was held at Mmabatho stadium in Mahikeng, North West.

One of the revellers, Rebaone Masibi from Tshidilamolomo village, outside Mahikeng said, the event boosts tourism and hospitality sectors accordingly.

“We are more than happy to see this event taking place as it boosts the economy of the province. I was also happy to see my idol, Bucy Radebe performing live on our shores. Gospel music is an important aspect of every person and in most cases, it is the language that speaks to the inner being. So, I want to applaud the organiser including the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation,” Masibi said.

The world-renowned gospel artist, Busy Radebe who gave a prodigious performance said, she was happy to see the crowd eating from the palm of her hand.  

“It feels good to be here and it was epic on the stage. I feel like the people in the North West were really thirsty for gospel shows. They were very thirsty for the presence of God. Many revellers gave me a warm welcome. I said, oh my God, I’m in heaven right now. I always tell God that, it is not about me, but is about you and your children,” she said.

Radebe further said, she always calls for God’s guidance. She added that, even if she rehearses a song when she gets on stage, God will instruct her which song to sing.

Another gospel singer, David Sejake who is affectionately known as David The King shared the same sentiments. Sejake said it was good to be back on stage after the COVID-19 restrictions.

“This is an international event that is loved by many. An event like this keeps people together. People are going through a lot, so once you speak the word of God to them in a form of melody, people get revived.

When I went on stage, I was happy to see that, the crowd was ready to accept what I was about to unleash. I have shared the stage with many gospel heavyweights such as the late Vuyo Mokoena, Rebecca Malope and Bishop Benjamin Dube, so I have learnt a lot,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said: “As the department, we are satisfied with the turnout. Indeed, people of the North West and neighbouring countries were so looking forward to this event.

“We experienced so many challenges prior to the event. However, we want to assure our people that, this kind of event is important because it contributes immensely to the economy of the province.

“So, let’s work together and if there are any criticisms, we are willing to learn from them going forward. As part of ensuring that the local artists are given a platform, the festival features many artists from the province.”

According to Sebolecwe, on Saturday, the Jazz enthusiasts are set to enjoy the melody of Zonke, Ringo Madlingozi, as well as Setswana Traditional music artists, MmaAusi and Mosekaphofu. He said the festival will close with a popular genre, Amapiano with Kabza De Small, Maphorisa Foculist, Toss and Kelvin Momo among others.

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