Picture: North West Premier, Bushy Maape

By OBAKENG MAJE

As the Easter holiday continues to be in full swing, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape has made an appeal to road users and those who will be visiting the province to be vigilant and cautious on the roads. Maape said hundreds and thousands of people will be travelling to different destinations to spend time with family and friends.

“Thousands in the Christian-faith-based organisations and various denominations will also be travelling to different churches and holy places for divine intervention and spiritual rejuvenation.

“Our roads will be inundated and abuzz with high volumes of traffic. I would like to appeal to all road users to exercise caution, stick to the speed limit, take rest intervals, be tolerant towards each other on the road and desist from drinking while driving,” he said.

Maape also urged road users to work together with law enforcement authorities and ensure that they all arrive alive. He has also appealed to leaders of faith-based organisations to pray for the province and its leaders.

“Prayer has been the most vital instrument used in a time of need. Our forebears relied on prayer when confronted with various challenges. Our communities continue to grapple with challenges such as poverty and unemployment.

“While there are ongoing efforts to deal with these problems, we need God to be on our side and guide us in this journey,” said Maape.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said: “We have already activated the Easter Weekend Plans, which among others encapsulate a thorough monitoring of arterial routes such as N4, N12, N14 as well as N18.

“Priority will also be given to provincial roads as well as rural areas where there is a growing trend of accidents. This is primarily aimed at reducing road fatalities in the province.”

Lehari said, there is a significant drop in fatalities, but more focus will be centred on enforcing the law in townships and villages, where they continue to experience accidents. He said they are hopeful that these plans will yield desired outcomes.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambata condemned the gruesome killing of a pregnant woman at the parking lot of Brits Hospital. This comes after an employee (35) was allegedly shot dead by her ex-husband on 5 April 2023. Sambatha, who visited the hospital on Thursday, requested the hospital management to urgently meet with the affected family to redress them.

The suspect (390, who is a policeman, has handed himself over to the police.

“This a gruesome experience that has shocked the family and our staff. Thanks to the hospital management, who acted swiftly to provide counselling and support.

“I believe the police and other law enforcement agencies will not let the family down, but will ensure that justice is served. The department offers its sincerest condolences to the affected family and the Brits District Hospital staff at large,” he said.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “It is alleged that the police officer, who is stationed at Rapid Rail in Silverton, Pretoria and residing in Ga-Rankuwa, went to Brits hospital where her ex-wife was working.

“According to information, the wife who was working as a switchboard operator, was at the hospital entrance when the suspect fired several shots and instantly killed her.”

Mokgwabone said the suspect, who handed himself over to the police after the incident, is expected to appear soon before the Brits Magistrate’s Court. He said, the motive of the incident is unknown at this stage and investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) are underway.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the incident and conveyed his deepest condolences to the victim’s family, friends and colleagues. Kwena once more, urged employees to utilise the services of the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) and other professionals, bearing in mind that this is the second incident involving police officers in less than a month. 

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Picture: The missing elderly man, Khikothi Michael Matala/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West police request the community’s assistance in locating Khokothi Michael Matlala (78), who is residing at Selepe village in Cyferskuil, near Makapanstad. According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Amanda Funani, the missing elderly man stays alone, and he was last seen by his neighbours on 20 March 2023.

“The search mobilised by community members was conducted in Selepe village and its vicinity without any success. Matlala is dark in complexion, tall in height with a well-built body structure and grey hair.

“Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is requested to contact the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Edward Moeng of Cyferskuil Detectives on 082 569 4455,” she said.

Funani said anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS Application or phone Crime Stop on ‪08600 10111.

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Picture: 16 suspected sheep loaded in a minibus taxi/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Three men were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen sheep worth R48 000 on R510 road in Rustenburg on Thursday. 

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, the Rustenburg Public Order Police (POP) were conducting patrols along the road in the policing area of Phokeng on Thursday morning when they spotted a suspicious Toyota Quantum minibus with tinted windows.

“The vehicle was stopped for a search, that resulted in the discovery of 16 sheep worth R48 000, which were later positively linked with a case of stock theft in Northam in Limpopo Province.  

“Investigations into the matter including the tracing of the fourth suspect, who managed to evade the arrest. Three occupants aged 20, 36, and 59 were arrested after failing to give a proper account of the sheep,” Funani said.

She further said, the arrest of the suspects was in line with one of the focus areas of a safer Easter holiday. Funani added that, the suspects are expected to appear in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on 11 April 2023.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended the police for their vigilance that resulted in the arrest and recovery of suspected stolen sheep.  

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By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said as part of the ongoing Safer Easter Holiday, they will ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe. Lehari said the South African Police Service (SAPS) working together with other law enforcement agencies that included Provincial and Matlosana Local Traffic, Immigration, South African National Road Agency, Matlosana Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and College, Road Incident Management System (RIMS), Stilfontein Community in Blue members and North West Public Transport Intervention Team held a joint roadblock along the N12 road in Stilfontein near Klerksdorp on Thursday.

“The operation, which focused on enforcement of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996, interception of suspected stolen or illegal property including unlicensed firearms and other offenses, was attended by the executive mayor of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, Nikiwe Num.

“Taking into cognisance the ever-increasing traffic volumes, high accident rates, congestion, and the negative impact of incidents on the road systems, the RIMS participated in the operation to restore normal capacity and safety levels to all affected road facilities as quickly and efficiently as possible,” he said.

Lehari further said, subsequent to the roadblock, 120 vehicles were stopped, inspected, and searched while 360 persons were also searched. He added that 49 road traffic fines worth R19 950 were issued to motorists, while a man was apprehended for possessing counterfeit goods.

“Three undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials. In order to create awareness, crime prevention safety tips and other informative leaflets from various stakeholders were handed out to motorists and other road users.

“Similar operations will continue throughout the province to ensure the general safety of travellers,” said Lehari.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said: “The police in cooperation with other role players, will continue with crime prevention and combatting operations. This will ensure that they intensify the fight against opportunistic criminality, including all serious crimes affecting the lives and property during this Easter holiday.

“Lehari has ordered law enforcement officers to apply the law strictly while being professional in their approach. He also urged them not to be lenient on any deviancy, but to do so within the confines of the law. North West has registered a 21% reduction of fatalities during the festive season and we want at least 25% this time.”

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