Picture: The trio, Captain Godfrey Nogaga, Sergeant Kenny Tshilo and the alleged police informer, Thuso Mehlo arrested by the Hawks/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two policemen and police informer, who were arrested by the Hawks for fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice, were granted bail by the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Captain Godfrey Nogaga (41) was granted an R5000 bail, Sergeant Kenny Tshilo (42) received an R4000 bail, while the alleged police informer, Thuso Mehlo (37) was granted an R500 bail.

Nogaga was arrested by his colleagues from Kimberly Serious Corruption Investigation on Thursday, while on duty in Upington.  

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, in 2021, Nogaga allegedly submitted and recommended an informer’s reward claim of R100 000. Thebe said the police’s claim committee approved a payment of R80 000 to the benefit of the said police informer.  

“It is further alleged that, the accused failed to hand the full amount of R80 000 to the informer, but rather paid him an amount of R5000. He also paid Tshilo who is stationed at Kuruman Police Station R5000 and kept the rest of the money amounting to R70 000 for himself.

He said Tshilo is an accomplice and has been charged alongside Nogaga. Thebe added that, a probe by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team revealed that, the informer’s reward claim was fraudulent.

“The so-called informer, allegedly recruited by Tshilo, was also charged for defeating the ends of justice connected to the main charge,” said Thebe.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Hawks in Northern Cape, Major General Steve Mabuela welcomed the arrest of Nogaga, who is attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Serious Organised Crime unit based in Kathu.

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Picture: Grade 12 learners sitting for the National Matric Certificate examinations/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

A total of 21 802 matric candidates across North West wrote an English paper during their May/June examination in the 499 examination centres across the province as of Wednesday. The supplementary examination consists of the Class of 2022 learners, who are supplementing certain subjects, including older people who registered through the second chance matric program because they could not complete their matric in the past years.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) introduced a Second Chance Matric program to help those who want to obtain their matric certificates.

“I take this time to wish good luck to all the candidates who are writing their supplementary examinations. I want them not to panic when they write, but rather read the questions thoroughly and answer as required.

“You cannot answer the question if you do not fully understand it. However, I am confident that our candidates have been receiving tutorials at school, where they were studying matric in 2022. The departmental officials from corporate and districts will be deployed on a daily basis to monitor the conduct and administration of the examinations,” she said.

Motsumi further said the supplementary examinations are scheduled to end on 14 June 2023.

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Picture: Jonas Tebogo Mpete who allegedly shot and killed his estranged wife/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

A policeman, Jonnas Tebogo Mpete (39) who is facing a charge of premeditated murder for allegedly killing his estranged wife, who was pregnant at the time, Ntombizodwa Khumalo (35), has abandoned his bail application at the Brits Magistrate’s Court. 

On 5 April 2023, Mpete, who was stationed at Rapid Rail Unit in Silverton, allegedly went to Brits Hospital, where the ex-wife worked as a switchboard operator at the entrance of the hospital.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said: “When he arrived, it is alleged that he fired several shots at the deceased and handed himself over to the police at the Brits Police Station. 

“It is also alleged that in 2021, the deceased had obtained a protection order against the accused. The matter was adjourned until 27 July 2023 for further investigations.”

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Picture: The late Professor Dan Kgwadi/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Former Vice Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) and North West University (NWU), the late Professor Dan Kgwadi was described as a ‘giant of empathy’. According to speakers who paid homage to Kgwadi during the memorial service held at the North West University in Mahikeng, Kgwadi was instrumental in shaping many careers of students and helped them to rediscover their purpose in humankind.

Kgwadi (56), passed away last week Sunday after a long illness.  

One of the speakers, Simian Taole, said Kgwadi was a man of strong conviction and courage. Taole said Kgwadi was driven by the desire to ensure that there is a development of students.  

“It is a fact of life that when you get to the age that I am in, you have short days ahead. I expected Kgwadi to be the one who spoke at my funeral, but little did I know that it would be the opposite. May Almighty Lord grant me the serenity to accept things that I cannot change.

“Our children are also God’s children and when it is time, he will come and take them one by one. I first knew Kgwadi when he was an undergraduate in his early years and noticed that he was very keen on the laboratory. We assessed Kgwadi’s potential and after completion of his first degree, he applied for a scholarship in the United States of America (USA),” he said.

He further said, Kgwadi led one of the most remarkable transitions under difficult circumstances in the modern history of the NWU. Taole added that Kgwadi left a big gap that was difficult to fill when he left the university.

“He understood the challenges and was a man of strong conviction. Kgwadi also had the desire to develop students. He clearly not only appreciated the enthusiasm of the youth but respected the elders too. Kgwadi made good use of the opportunities he was given and his life should inspire the students to reach for the sky,” Taole said.

The NWU’s Deputy Dean for Natural Sciences and Agriculture, Professor Helen Drummond said, she came across Kgwadi as a chemistry student and worked with him when he came back to the university. Drummond said Kgwadi was always respectful and he would call for advice.

The NWU Vice Chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka shared the same sentiments. Tyobeka said Kgwadi was a true humanitarian, a friend and mentor that he has known for 30 years.

“We have lost a remarkable and very compassionate man who was willing to listen to other people. He helped many people he never knew and he made it a mission to give assistance to those in need. He took action to make a positive impact in life.

“Kgwadi was known for his kindness and generosity, especially to those underprivileged. So, his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. His personality and approach brought stability to the university and he was an outspoken and at times very provocative person,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande said Kgwadi’s leadership has been most profound with unwavering determination.

“He had a profound passion for serving and empowering the underprivileged youth, particularly from rural and township backgrounds. He further demonstrated this commitment to serve others by nurturing emerging academics and leaders,” he said.

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Picture: The former Municipal Manager at Ratlou Local Municipality/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A fraud case against the former Municipal Manager at Ratlou Local Municipality, Cassius Sejake has been postponed by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to 12 June 2023 for pre-trial and legal consultation. In 2020, Sejake (46) was arrested by the Hawks on charges related to the contravention of Section 173 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

This comes after he allegedly flouted tender processes to the value of R7.8 million between 2018 and 2019, while he was the acting Municipal Manager at the municipality. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame, Sejake allegedly failed as the then accounting officer to take reasonable steps to ensure that procurement processes were followed and observed.

“The service providers were allegedly appointed without a competitive bidding process. The state intends to file a notice for the court to investigate the numerous delays resulting in a series of postponements, attributed to Sejake withdrawing the services of his attorneys and appointing new ones.

“The NPA deems these delays to be unreasonable and hopes the court will make a ruling to halt further postponements on the matter. The investigations have long been completed and the state is ready to proceed with a pre-trial conference for the trial to commence,” he said.

Mamothame said Sejake’s bail of R5000 was extended until his next court appearance.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The case against Taung Magistrates’ Court prosecutor, Lebogang George Mashigo (51) has been postponed to 6 June 2023 for further investigations. Mashigo, who is out on R1000 bail, was arrested for being in possession of an unlawful firearm.

On 8 September 2022, Mashigo allegedly entered the Taung Magistrate’s Court building and proceeded to fetch a bag. Upon departure at the entrance of the court building, he allegedly fired shots and subsequently left.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “It is alleged that earlier during the day, Mashigo had an argument with his supervisor, where he is employed as a district court prosecutor, but the motive for his shooting is still under investigation.

“The police investigations have revealed that Mashigo has no license or permit to possess the firearm as its license expired in 2019. Meanwhile, the NPA has served Mashigo with a notice of a precautionary suspension, pending the completion of internal disciplinary proceedings.”

Mamothame further said, Mashigo was charged with negligently discharging a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. He added that the court ordered Mashigo not to interfere with investigations, as well as state witnesses.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari has expressed disappointment with the behaviour of the prosecutor, who is bestowed with the responsibility to always uphold and defend the law. Makhari has assigned a senior state prosecutor to oversee the case, owing to its serious nature.

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