Picture: Three of four accused persons, Bakang, Phenyo Katong, and Katlego Mosimege in a murder trial/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against an alleged drug lord and his co-accused persons is ready for trial. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the state has received the results of the DNA sample that was taken from one of the accused persons, Phenyo Katong’s vehicle.
The presiding officer, magistrate Boy Zulu highlighted that, the state has acquired the services of the new magistrate to preside over this case. Zulu has since excused himself from this case as he presided over a rape case involving one of the accused persons, Bakang Katong.
Katong was found guilty of rape and Zulu is expected to sentence him on 6 June 2023.
Bakang Katong (32), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo Katong (34), and Katlego Mosimege (31) were arrested a year ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.
The four accused persons briefly appeared at the Taung Regional Court on Wednesday and their case was postponed to 24 May 2023 for trial.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused for medical attention, however, he was declared dead upon arrival. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Tselanyane said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. Seven people have been arrested regarding the incident and charged with arson and looting.
Picture: Prof Binu Luke receives honorary award in UK/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha lauded Prof Binu Luke on his achievements. This comes after Binu was conferred with Honorary Fellowship award by the Royal College of Physicians. Sambatha said that even though the honorary award was conferred back in 2020, the ceremony was held last week in London, United Kingdom.
“Prof Luke is one of our best specialist clinicians and has demonstrated his
capabilities as the Head of Clinical Services at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital. His expertise has benefitted the rest of the province, as our hospitals refer patients to Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital.
“It is not surprising that his expertise and contribution have caught the attention of the international community. We encourage other clinicians in the province to emulate Luke,” he said.
Sambatha further said, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District is fortunate to have
a brilliant mind like Luke and that the province is truly proud to see his work being recognised by his peers in the international community. He added that, this award comes after a rigorous peer review by international peers and it is based on contribution to medicine and Royal College over many years.
“An honour like this is a wonderful tribute to one of the best medical minds we have in the department. It comes hot on the heels of a bitter battle Luke led against the COVID-19 pandemic. Luke is currently the Head of the clinical department at Klerksdorp/Tshepong Complex Hospital Complex since 2014.
“He is also a Tertiary Medical Co-ordinator, serving as a medical advisor to the Deputy Director-General for clinical services in the province,” said Sambatha.
Picture: North West MEC for Social Development, Boitumelo Moiloa
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Social Development is under siege after it is accused of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) after it ‘irregularly’ awarded an R130 million security tender. According to the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance and Cooperative Government, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, the department proceeded with the awarding of the tender, despite being warned by the Provincial Internal Audit after it highlighted some discrepancies in their bid documents.
The chairperson of the Committee, Aaron Motswana said, they will urgently write to the North West Treasury to investigate the possibility of reviewing and setting aside this tender. Motswana further said, according to the information at their disposal, the department had advertised for the panel of security companies for 36 months (NW/DSD/07/22) on 31 August 2022.
“However, the same tender advertised for 36 months, is now awarded for eighteen months. On 2 May 2023, the department awarded ten companies, six of which are based in Gauteng, a tender valued at more than R130m. The department had earlier in September 2022, given the same ten companies, contracts varying at R566 000.
“This simply implies that, the adjudication process of this bid was already pre-conceived from September 2022. Between that time and now, these companies had earned R 4 528 000 for eight months on site. The Provincial Internal Audit report is very clear on inconsistencies applied in advertising, evaluating, and adjudicating this tender,” he said.
Motswana further said, they implore the North West MEC for Finance, Motlalepula Rosho to pull all the stops and investigate whether there was compliance.
“This irregularity confirms the view held by the majority of Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) that, companies of the North West are being deprived and throttled by their own government in favour of other provinces. The economic opportunities are exported at a grand scale.
“The Office of the Premier has to date, failed to respond on how a person who in the Public Service Commission (PSC) report of 6 March 2019, possessed only a matric, but suddenly had qualifications by September 2020 when he applied for a post of Head of Department (HoD) of the North West Social Development,” said Motswana.
He added that, the PSC report has not been taken on review to date, yet the Office of the Premier ignored that the report was adopted and tabled. Motswana said it remains a House Resolution and by implications, not only they are dealing with a fraudulent HoD, but the department is in contempt of parliament.
Meanwhile, the North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said he is still gathering more details on the matter.
“Look, I’ll look for answers and come back to you,” he said.
A man has been sentenced to double life imprisonment by the North West High Court in Mmabatho on Tuesday for killing his ex-girlfriend (29) and her mother. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, in 2018, Boitshoko Abednigo Swanepoel (36) went to his then ex-girlfriend’s house at Lonely Park, outside Mahikeng to speak with her regarding a court interdict issued against him, but an argument ensued between him and his ex-girlfriend’s mother (52).
Funani further said, Swanepoel then took out a firearm and shot the ex-girlfriend, the mother, and their daughter.
“Upon hearing the gun sound, the ex-girlfriend’s brother went to check at the house, but Swanepoel also shot at him. The daughter (2) was ferried to Baragwaneth Hospital in Johannesburg with serious injuries.
After the shooting incident, Swanepoel fled the scene and the police searched for him. He was arrested on 28 September 2018 at Setlagole village, outside Mahikeng. Swanepoel has been behind bars ever since his arrest,” she said.
Funani added that Swanepoel was also sentenced to a further 20 years imprisonment for two counts of attempted murder. She said this comes after he attempted to kill his daughter and his ex-girlfriend’s brother.
“The court ordered that all sentences imposed run concurrently with the two life imprisonment. Swanepoel was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” said Funani.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, and the Director for Public Prosecution, Advocate (Dr) Rachel Makhari welcomed the sentence. Kwena applauded the Mahikeng Flying Squad Unit, Detective Unit, especially the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Kebaabetswe Chabaemang, and the business watch who assisted the police in effecting the arrest.
“We would also like to laud the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutor, Advocate Goloda for his cooperation with other role players for the meticulous handling of the matter and subsequent securing of the conviction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Makhari expressed her gratitude for the securing of the conviction, which she attributed to collaborations of the South African Police Service (SAPS), NPA, and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). She said the sentence will definitely send a clear message that crime, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), will not be tolerated. taungdailynews@gmail.com
Picture: The NWU students and SAPS members embark on a GBV campaign/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West University (NWU) management said it is concerned about Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases taking place at the institution. According to statistics, the most affected campus is Mafikeng, compare to other campuses such as Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark.
The member of the North West University council, Pego Kgomo said the GBV cases keep increasing. Kgomo further said they have realised that most students including community members do not want to speak up.
“They experience these cases but tell themselves that once they speak up, people will laugh and mock them. However, through this campaign, we are saying to them that, instead of keeping quiet, let us try and involve certain organisations that will assist them.
“For instance, the NWU has appointed a former police officer who works mainly with GBV cases. Because she is a woman, then it becomes easier for women to speak up. I do not think at times men are too empathetic when it comes to GBV cases than women themselves,” he said.
Kgomo added that women feel the pain of others, so it is easier for another woman to relate. He also called on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that GBV cases are properly prosecuted.
“The reason I called out the law enforcement agencies is that, in most cases, there are GBV cases that are thrown out of court not because the victims did not present a winnable case, but because certain cases are being bought.
“Sometimes evidence is destroyed for nefarious reasons. So, we say, these things need to stop. We are not doing this for the benefit of students only, but for the upcoming generations, so that they can have safer campuses and country,” said Kgomo.
He said everyone has a pivotal role to play and be involved. Kgomo said it is the responsibility of every citizen to ensure that GBV statistics go down.
“We can play a crucial role by raising awareness. Most importantly, if we can share love, we will win this pandemic. Cases are being reported at the campus all the time and the management is doing its best to assist the affected students.
“Our only challenge is that, when these cases leave the institution and are taken over by the law enforcement agencies, there is nothing that we can do. I do not have figures with me now, but what I can tell you is that this campus is leading when it comes to GBV cases compared to other campuses,” he said.
The North West University (NWU) Counsel psychologist and Manager for Student Development Centre, Lerato Wana said: “I think our students have lost faith either in the services on the campus or in the law enforcement agencies. So, it is important that we try and rebuild that faith and trust in the services that are available.
“At the campus, date rape is common and many of our students are violated by the people they know. Either close friends or those they are in a relationship with. Also, some of our students are trusty with their male friends or colleagues.
“There is a lot that we need to teach male students, who are going to serve in our communities one day as professionals. We need to spend more time on these students and teach them how to treat themselves with respect and exonerate that to female students.”
Wana said, generally, most victims across the country, do not report this kind of cases because they are thrown out of court.
The Crime Prevention Officer from Mmabatho Police Station, Sergeant Monica Kraai said they condemn the actions of the police officers who do not investigate the GBV cases thoroughly and deliver poor services to the people. Kraai said they will continue to work hand-in-hand with the members of the community because they are their ears and eyes on the ground.
“We encourage the affected victims to come and open cases timeously because the evidence is within their bodies,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West University (NWU) student, Oscar Mosenogi shared the same sentiments. Mosenogi said, the university is doing much to give support to the victims.
“We highly appreciate the support from the university and the community at large for their unwavering support. We need to stand together and say no to GBV. We need to stand together in solidarity with the affected students and tell them that, it is safe to report and speak up about their ordeal concerning GBV cases.
“We wanted to create the platform to break the silence and encourage students to report these cases. This is a great initiative and we want to encourage students to come to us and ensure that cases are reported,” he said.
Picture: The North West Premier, Bushy Maape along with Uni Jet representatives during a demonstration in Mahikeng
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West Premier, Bushy Maape said they are forging ahead in addressing potholes across the province. On Wednesday, Maape alongside the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads had a consultative engagement with the Uni Jet company that specialises in road rehabilitation.
“Today, we had to come and see how the jet patcher company is going to assist us in repairing potholes. As the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), we want to deal with damaged roads.
“This will assist us to have roads that are trafficable. Yes, I am impressed with the presentation, but we will give other companies an opportunity to come and demonstrate what they can do to join us in this campaign of repairing potholes,”
A few months ago, Maape came under siege after he allegedly said there were no potholes in North West province.
The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi shared the same sentiments. Molapisi said, Maape has directed them to ensure that they deal with all potholes across the province.
“We have given ourselves six months to deal with all potholes in the North West Capital City, Mahikeng. We are very much pleased that today, we have partnered with the jet patcher company, where they demonstrated their capacity.
“One of the unique things they are doing is the efficiency in what they are doing. Also, it is not time-consuming and in terms of the problem that we have with potholes, they go deeper than we normally do when fixing them,” he said.
Molapisi further said the Uni Jet company’s machinery is very unique and what is exciting is the time, speed, and efficiency they take in dealing with potholes. He added that they are partnering with Uni Jet company and of course, moving forward, they will engage them and see how they utilize them in re-sealing potholes in the province.
“For now, they are just demonstrating and obviously, they are in business. But, I am saying, they are coming in very handy. If they are bringing uniqueness to the services that they are doing, we might consider them moving forward.
“We will use their services where is necessary and we have identified five municipalities in the province, but it is not really our competence to deal with issues of potholes at the municipal level. However, we know that our municipalities do not have the capacity, so we will intervene and assist,” said Molapisi.
Meanwhile, the chairperson of Uni Jet company, Dr Bongani Mabizela said: “Let me start off by saying, we thank the opportunity to partner with the government. I think it is very important to understand the essence of a partnership between the private sector and the government on service delivery.
“More often, people think the private sector partners with the government because they want to make money. However, we are in for service delivery, and in this case of fixing potholes, we are in impactful accelerated service delivery.”
Mabizela said they are the only company in South Africa that manufacture jet patchers like theirs. He said they are bringing a unique method of re-sealing roads using automated machinery, which can create job opportunities.
The Guardian 