Setshwantsho: Ntlwana e lakailwa ke molelo kwa Lokgabeng
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Beng ba ntlo nngwe kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng, gaufi le Taung, ba kaile fa ba setse ba gamaregile morago ga gore go runye molelo kwa ntlwaneg ya bone. Go ya ka sebueledi sa lelapa, Oneilwe Seleho, molelo o, o runtse kwa ntlwaneng e e dirisiwang go baya dilwana (spare room).
Seleho are, mo teng ga ntlwana eo, gone go na le di audrop tse tharo tse dintsha, malao (bedroom suits) a le mararo a mantsha, ga mmogo le disamente dile 20. Go ya ka Seleho, ene ele ka ura ya bone fa molelo o, o runya.
“Tota ga re itse gore sebakwa sa molelo ke eng, gonne re ne re ntse re dutse kwa ntle, mme rene ra tsena mo ntlung e tonna. Ene ya re morago ga metsotso ele tlhano re fetsa go tsena mo ntlung, rene ra utlwa batho ba gowa kwa ntle ba re gwa sha.
“Re ne ra itelekela kwa ntle, mme rene ra fitlhela ntlwana eo re beileng dilwana mo go yone e lakailwa ke molelo. Re ne ra bula ntlwana eo, mme ra fitlhela fa kgabo ya molelo e setse e lakaitse dingwe tsa dilwana tse di neng di beilwa foo,” Seleho wa tlhalosa.
Sehelo are, fela se se ba makaditseng ke gore, ekare molelo o, kgale o ntse o tshimolotse, mme one tukela kwa tlase. Are ga go gotsetswe mo ntlwaneng eo, mme sebakwa sa molelo e ka tswa ele eng.
The arson case against seven accused from Manthe village, near Taung was postponed by the Taung Regional Court to 25 May 2023. This comes after the state highlighted that, it still has to submit the outstanding documents with crucial evidence against the accused persons, before it could continue with the case.
The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32) were arrested and charged for arson.
The seven accused were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation.
In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest, torched three houses and looted the Disoufeng tavern belonging to Katong’s family. They accused the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (32) of killing the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
Meanwhile, Bakang, and his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested for Mothibedi’s murder.
The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung. Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
Picture: The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha cautioned the members of the public and communities in the province about the outbreak of mumps diseases. According to Sambatha, the province has experienced an increase in the outbreak and the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District has the highest
Prevalence.
“The cases have risen to a total of 342 in no time and further spread to other districts. The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District alone has reported 276 cases thus far, out of the 342 which are prevalent at JB Marks, Maquassi Hills, and Matlosana.
“The Ngaka Modiri Molema District has reported 30 cases, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has 27 cases, while Bojanala has recorded 9 cases. The outbreak follows confirmation of laboratory results by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),” he said.
Sambatha further said the NICD has described mumps as an acute viral infection caused by the rubulavirus, also known as mumps virus. He added that it is sometimes called ‘infectious parotitis’, as it causes painful swelling of the parotid and or salivary glands.
“Mumps is generally a mild childhood disease, mostly affecting children between 5 to 9 years of age. However, younger and older children as well as adults, can become infected with mumps.
“People who have had mumps are usually protected for life against another mumps infection. However, second occurrences of mumps do rarely occur. So, we call on the members of the public, parents, and caregivers to heed the call for immunisation of children against mumps,” said Sambatha.
He said, parents and caregivers should bring along the “Road to Health”
immunisation cards to the nearby health facility to ensure that their children are immunised against mumps. Sambatha said their outbreak response teams are also working hard to contain the spread.
“We will also work with the North West Department of Education to take
the campaign to learners through the School Health Programme and parents
and caregivers are urged to give consent for immunisation of their children,” he said.
Picture: The residents in Vryburg queuing for water/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance in Naledi Local Municipality calls for an investigation into the water tanker contracts awarded the by the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality to supply water to residents in Vryburg. The DA’s caucus leader at Naledi Local Municipality, Hendriëtte van Huyssteen said the residents in Vryburg are faced with a humanitarian crisis, because both the local and district municipalities fail to supply dependable and sustainable piped water to their homes and businesses.
Van Huyssteen further said, in a bid to alleviate the water crisis, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality contracted the services of water tanker operators.
“However, the allegations have been made that the same water tanker contractors meant to supply emergency water are stealing piped water from either the water reticulation infrastructure and/or municipal fire hydrants or deliberately sabotaging the municipal infrastructure to benefit from this crisis.
“To add insult to injury, Vryburg residents are required to pay R300 per refill of their JoJo tanks. The ANC in Naledi and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati have created a water crisis due to their incompetence and neglect, then contracted water tankers to alleviate the crisis, and then force residents to pay for the emergency relief,” she said.
Van Huyssteen added that the alleged theft contributes to various problematic factors that prevent the supply of piped water. She said they request an investigation into the water tanker contracts.
“This will include tabling a report identifying each water tanker contractor, the duration and cost of the contract, the details of the owner(s) and/or board of directors for each company and whether any local or district municipal officials of political office bearers hold any interest in any of the water tanker companies.
“Each contractor must also be investigated for the possible theft of water. In addition, the DA requested the establishment of a central access-controlled point for all water tanker contractors for the monitored refill of water to prevent further theft,” said van Huyssteen.
She said they have made several requests to the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Naledi Local Municipal administrations to address the constant water supply interruptions residents continue to endure. Huyssteen said, however, instead of fixing the problem, both municipalities only offer excuses, blaming either the Magalies Water Board, which is unable to supply water for a number of reasons, ranging from a lack of chemicals to pipe bursts along the main water supply line, or claiming that repairs on municipal infrastructure are to blame.
Meanwhile, the executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Sense Maje who met with the North West Premier, Bushy Maape a few weeks ago to address water challenges in the district then said, there are strategic measures in place in quest of addressing water challenges across the district. Maje said, they are the first to admit that, there is water scarcity in the district.
“However, there are strategic measures in place to address the matter. You will remember that, some time ago, there was some unrest here in Vryburg due to water challenges.
“But, we can confirm as the district that, we have ensured there is provision of water to our people in Huhudi Township and other areas. We have also embarked on a campaign of appointing various service providers across our district to ensure there is a provision of water in those areas,” he said.
Maje said, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District is one of the municipalities that were put under administration. He said there were many challenges they inherited when they took over back in 2021.
“Actually, the decision to put the municipality under review took place in 2018. But, as the new municipal council, we have noted that and we will work together with EXCO representatives in quest of improving our finances.
“The aim is to ensure that, we provide services to our people accordingly. What triggered the situation in our municipality, is a debt from Sedibeng Water. There is a debt of R650 million that Sedibeng Water alleges that the municipality owes them,” said Maje.
He said there is a disparity on how much exactly the municipality owes Sedibeng Water. Maje said they will work together with Sedibeng Water and ensure that the debt is removed and the municipality pays what is due.
Meanwhile, Maape said then, the Taung Dam project is almost completed. Maape said he had an oversight visit at the water augmentation plant in Taung.
“The project is at 98% to be completed and this will assist in ensuring areas like Cokonyane village receive water. However, at the moment, the majority of areas receive water. We are also looking at the pipeline from Bloemhof to Schweizer Reneke.
“Again, the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has just signed a contract with service providers for Bona Bona Water Project. The project will provide water to Ganyesa and Morokweng villages,” he said.
The ANC has disputed allegations made by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that, it has put in place race quotas, banning coloured population group from being employed in certain provinces. Last week, the DA leader, John Steenhuisen said they were appalled by the draft Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEA) regulations published for comment over the weekend.
Steenhuisen further said, the regulations set out racial employment quotas across eighteen economic sectors and across all nine provinces. He added that this will affect every part of the South African economy.
“The regulations apply to all companies with more than 50 employees. They signal a new low for the ANC government, constituting a naked attempt to expand state control over the economy, deepen social divisions and ban certain communities from employment in particular sectors and parts of the country.
“The social perversion created by these targets constitutes a clear and urgent threat to the social fabric of South Africa. The implication is that, companies operating in certain parts of the country are banned from employing even a single coloured or Indian person in a particular position,” said Steenhuisen.
He said if companies defy these regulations, they will be severely punished by being disqualified from government contracts or doing business with the state. According to Steenhuisen, the quotas seem especially targeted at the groups defined by the regulations as “coloured males,” “coloured females,” “Indian males” and “Indian females.”
“People from these communities suffered discrimination under the previous regime, and now they are being re-victimised by a democratic government that has learnt all the wrong lessons from the past. In sectors like agriculture, forestry and fisheries, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, finance, arts, and science, the “targets” set for coloured employees in provinces like Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West is 0.0%, effectively banning these groups from employment.
“Even in Gauteng, the country’s economic heartland, employment by people classified by the state as coloured is sometimes limited to below 1%. In the case of employees classified by the state as Indian, the targets are often as low as 0.1% across economic sectors,” he said.
Steenhuisen said, for the ANC, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and even certain sectors in Gauteng are now “no-go zones” for coloured and Indian South Africans seeking employment. He said the DA maintains that the EEA is the most dangerous piece of racial engineering the country has seen since the dawn of democracy.
Meanwhile, the ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said: “The ANC has noted propaganda by the DA that the ruling party is advancing crude race politics. The propaganda suggests that the ANC is promoting new race laws that suggest, which prohibit the employment of specific racial groups in certain provinces and sectors. The ANC rejects this notion with contempt.
“Such a policy would be inconsistent with the entire ethos of the ANC, particularly the pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), which seeks to democratise our society and all spheres of the economy including the labour market.”
Bhengu-Motsiri said the ANC-led liberation movement has always been consistent in its pursuit of a non-racial and just society. She said, building a non-racial labour market is a fundamental aspect of the NDR.
“It is high time political parties across the right-wing spectrum desist from using race politics as a means of fear-mongering, instead they must reverse cultures of racial denialism.
“Our constitution and the Freedom Charter are emphatic that South Africa can only succeed if it dismantles systemic racism and accelerates the pace of action towards a National Democratic Society. We are confident that the employment equity act as amended is consistent with our constitution and will help us transform the labour market and ultimately society,” said Bhengu-Motsiri.
Picture: The ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale in court/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The statutory rape case against ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale has been postponed to 26 June 2023 by the Orkney Magistrate’s Court. The National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the case was postponed for further investigations and possible bail application.
Mamothame further said, Sepale (43) has appointed a private attorney to represent him in the matter and the state will oppose his bail application.
“The state is awaiting further details on the investigation to possibly add more charges against the accused. He is facing eleven provisional charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape and one for sexual intimidation.
“Sepale’s court appearance emanates from a report by the police indicating that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape, after they were reported at Kanana police station, respectively,” he said.
Mamothame added that, in one of the cases, the accused allegedly shared a nude picture of his private parts with the complainant. He said in the second and separate case, but involving Sepale, two counts of statutory rape were laid on 6 May 2023 by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17.
“The public is urged to refrain from circulating sexual content of any form through all mediums as it may compromise the victims and their families, as well as the investigations into the matter,” said Mamothame.
Two men were sentenced to two life imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp for the murder of an elderly couple in Christiana. Quinton Brits (38) and Mabote Ernest Lishea (31) were further sentenced to 5 years for housebreaking with intent to rob and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said on 30 August 2020 morning, two customers entered Madeira Shop in Christiana and found an elderly couple murdered in their shop.
“The duo also found the place to be in disarray with the husband tied with cable ties, dried blood on both the couple’s noses and money tills opened. The police were immediately notified.
“The daughter of the deceased later came and confirmed the cellphones and money to be missing. The post-mortem reports revealed that, the elderly woman died as a result of strangulation, while her husband died as a result of coronary artery disease,” he said.
Mamothame added that, the police investigations led them to the arrest of Brits at Jan Kempdorp on 1 September 2020. He said some items were found in Brits’ possession.
“They were later identified by the daughter of the deceased as stolen. Brits subsequently took the police to a house in Christiana, where the loot was shared. On 3 September 2020, Leshea, who is a Lesotho national, was arrested at Durban Deep near Roodepoort in the Gauteng Province.
“During the arrest, police found items that were stolen in the shop during the robbery,” said Mamothame.
Leshea and Brits pleaded not guilty to all charges against them.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Kgalalelo Molefe urged the court not to deviate from the minimum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment on each of the counts of murder. Molefe insisted that the court to consider the seriousness of the offense as the victims were elderly people and the court imposes a sentence that would serve as a deterrent.
Judge Samkelo Gura, agreed with the state and imposed a double life imprisonment and 20 years for each accused.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded Molefe, the police, and other role players for their collaboration in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.
Picture: The accused persons, Paul Pokes Mabe and Aobakwe Matshela/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A stock theft case against two accused persons, Paul Pokes Mabe (46) and Aobakwe Matshela (24) from Tlola O Nyele Section in Khibitswane village, near Taung is set to return to court today. The case was postponed on Monday due to a water shortage at the Taung Magistrate’s Court and was rolled over to Tuesday.
However, on Tuesday, the case could not sit because the investigating officer had to attend to another case in Vryburg Magistrate’s Court.
The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said, initially, Mabe was arrested along with his wife, Gladys Machwe (40) on 6 May 2023 for allegedly stealing two cows back in November 2022, while the third accused was still at large.
However, she said, Machwe has been provisionally removed from the case pending investigations. Van Rooyen further said, the third accused person, Matshela who was at large, was arrested by the police.
“A stock theft case was opened by the rightful owner of two cattle after they were allegedly stolen in Cokonyane village. As the investigation progressed, information was obtained, which led to the recovery of the two cattle at Matsheng village in January 2023.
“Further investigation was done and led to the arrest of two accused, who were positively linked to the stock theft case. However, only two accused persons will briefly appear at the Taung Magistrate’s Court today, where they are expected to make a formal bail application,” she said.
Van Rooyen added, the alleged stolen cattle were handed back to the rightful owner after being identified by the brand mark.
Picture: Seven accused persons, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane, Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale, Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele, Ali Sakiele, Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang and Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane
By OBAKENG MAJE
The arson case against seven accused from Manthe village, near Taung will resume at the Taung Regional Court today. The former soccer star, Odiseng “Teenage” Komane (41), Obakeng “Prosto” Mogabale (46), Mothusi Motimeng, Pretty “Zero” Masibelele (36), Ali Sakiele (50), Ontiretse Patrick Gosenyegang (38) and the former Mega Stars FC goalie, Katlego “Makgasa” Tikane (32) were arrested by the police in July 2022 during an intelligence-driven operation.
In May 2022, the community members embarked on a violent protest and torched three houses belonging to the alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (32) after accusing him of murder. They also looted Katong’s Disoufeng tavern.
Bakang, his brother, Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), Thabang Lenyai (23), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) allegedly killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.
The police preliminary investigation revealed that, on 29 April 2022, Mothibedi was at Lenganeng village near Taung, and Katong and his cronies allegedly fetched and transported him back to Manthe village after accusing him of stealing R20 000 and cigarettes worth R600.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police have arrested seven suspects for arson and they were granted R500 bail each.”
Picture: The ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A statutory rape case against the disgraced ANC ward 25 councillor, Tebogo Sepale is set to resume at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today. This comes after Sepale (43) requested a week to appoint a private attorney to represent him.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the state intend to oppose his bail application.
“Sepale is facing 11 provisional charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape and one for sexual intimidation. The state is not ruling out the possibility of more charges being added.
“His court appearance emanates from a report by the police indicating that, the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape, after they were reported at Kanana Police Station respectively,” he said.
Mamothame further said, in one of the cases, Sepale allegedly shared a nude picture of his private parts with the complainant. He added that, in the second and separate case, but involving the same accused, two counts of statutory rape were laid on 6 May 2023, by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17.
“Investigations are still underway to gather more evidence against Sepale. The public is urged to refrain from circulating sexual content of any form through all mediums as it may compromise the victims and their families, as well as the investigations into the matter,” said Mamothame.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded the police for acting swiftly in arresting the accused. He said a senior public prosecutor has been assigned to the case, owing to its serious nature.
The Guardian 