By OBAKENG MAJE

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase for murder. Kamogelo Molorwe stabbed his girlfriend, Busisiwe Jaki (34) to death with a knife in the early hours of the morning on 30 June 2022 after an argument.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the atrocity took place at the victim’s rented room in Unit 4, near Mogwase. Myburgh said Jaki was working as a teacher at the time of her death.  

“Molorwe was traced and arrested the same day. He has been in custody since his arrest after bail was successfully opposed. The convict was found guilty on 5 June 2023 after pleading guilty and eventually given a life imprisonment term. Molorwe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” she said.

The State Prosecutor, Advocate Jessica Molefe, argued that the accused grossly deprived the children of the deceased of their right to have a mother. Molefe further said the actions of the accused were devoid of mercy.

“His actions against the deceased were perpetuated, whilst a child (4) was present in the house. Such a child still harbours vivid memories of the mother, whose life was cut short at the hands of the accused,” she said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the life term handed down to Molorwe. Kwena and Makhari applauded the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Masego Kgake of Mogwase Detectives and the Prosecutor, Advocate Jessica Molefe, for their collaboration and dedication that resulted in the conviction.

They added that sentence will definitely send a clear message that crime, including Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), will not be tolerated.

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Picture: The sewage spillage at Meshack Keameditse’s house/Facebook   

By OBAKENG MAJE

A resident at Extension 6, near Taung said the sewage spillage next to his house affects his livelihood including his children. Meshack Keameditse said, it’s been three months since he reported the sewage spillage to the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), but nothing has happened.

“There are service laterals in the back opposite house. Now, the sewage spillage has occupied my yard. I have reported the matter to the municipality, however, nothing has happened. Only yesterday, after I posted this on a social media platform, the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) contacted me.

“The sewage spillage poses health risks such as respiratory sickness. I also tried to speak to the owner of the house, but my plea fell on deaf ears. I hope the municipality will finally attend to this matter,” he said.

Keameditse further said, the sewage system carries wastewater from inside residences and if it flows into other people’s houses it becomes a problem. He added that, according to his understanding, even though property owners are responsible for the maintenance of service laterals from their buildings, the municipality should be held responsible for pipe transition.

“With cholera outbreak, we might be exposed to health risks and I might approach the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) if nothing happens because this is a violation of human rights,” said Keameditse.

Meanwhile, the supervisor in the Water and Sanitation unit at the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Olehile Nthapelang said: “We have dispatched our team from the water and sanitation unit to unblock the drainage system. We have also done an assessment and we were only aware of the matter on Wednesday.

“So, we urge our residents to report these things timeously because most of the time, we are on the field. It only cost R230 to unblock the service laterals. We also encourage our people to pay for their services. We understand that, in this matter, the spillage was from the neighbour and we have fixed the drainage system.”    

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Picture: Acting Infection Prevention Coordinator at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, Phemelo Nthomeletsa/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg has recorded few cases of mumps since the outbreak. According to the acting Infection Prevention Coordinator at the hospital, Phemelo Nthomeletsa, the spread of mumps can be attributed to droplets of saliva or mucus of an infected person.

He said the hospital wishes to caution members of the community regarding the outbreak of mumps, which was declared on 11 May 2023 by the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD). Nthomeletsa further said, the hospital has currently recorded a few cases of mumps and this has resulted in the activation of the preventative measures.

“We would like to increase the awareness amongst the community we operate in. This will also ensure that the hospital personnel is compliant in addressing cases of mumps and adhere to the correct use of personal protective equipment. e.g correct wearing of surgical musk.

“The symptoms include headache, fever, malaise, loss of appetite and the glands near the ears swell resulting in puffy cheeks and swollen jaw, which causes severe pain. While predominantly the virus affects children, we advise that as a preventative measure, sharing of things that have saliva should be avoided to curb the spread of the virus,” he said.

Nthomeletsa added that covering the mouth and nose while a person is coughing and sneezing will reduce the spread of the virus drastically. He said most importantly, they advise people to wash their hands often with soap and water including maintaining high hygiene through cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

“Signs and symptoms of mumps can develop within 16 – 18 days after one is exposed to it. Children aged 5 to 9 years old are most commonly affected, but it can also affect people of any age. There is no cure for mumps, only supportive treatment such as bed rest, fluids, analgesia, and fever reduction.

“Mumps is an acute viral infection caused by the rubulavirus, also known as mumps virus. It is sometimes called “infectious parotitis’ as it causes painful swelling of the parotid and salivary glands,” said Nthomeletsa.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccine-preventable diseases monitoring system’s 2019 global summary, only two Southern African countries (eSwatini and Zambia) frequently reported cases of the mumps between 1999 and 2018, whereas South Africa only reported 24 cases in 2002. WHO says mumps reporting has been inconsistent and limited reports on mumps epidemiology in South Africa.

“Mumps is not a notifiable medical condition (NMC) and is not included in any formal surveillance programs. Since February 2023, the NICD has received a number of queries related to possible clusters or outbreaks of mumps in different provinces. To confirm the existence of an outbreak of mumps, national public sector laboratory test data for mumps PCR positives and IgM positives over the period 2013 to current, was requested from the NICD surveillance data warehouse and analysed as an ad hoc surveillance activity.”

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Picture: The Post Office/Generic  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Five suspects were arrested for business robbery at Kanana Post Office in Kanana Township, near Orkney on Wednesday. It is alleged that the armed suspects aged between 28 and 33, allegedly entered the Post office at around 9:25am and overpowered three employees.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the victims were allegedly held at gunpoint and robbed of three cellular phones as well as cash. She further said, the suspects then fled on foot.

“Following the incident, the Manager contacted the police who immediately reacted and mobilised units. The police consequently apprehended five suspects and seized a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, a cellular phone that was allegedly robbed during the incident as well as three firearms with ammunition.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that the serial numbers of the firearms were filed off. The suspects will be arraigned at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Friday. They are facing business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition charges,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police involved for their speedy reaction and collaboration that led to this success. Kwena said the police will continue to work hard to ensure the safety of all citizens and that illegal firearms are removed from the wrong hands.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, warns the community members about the bogus Human Resource (HR) personnel calling them with the prospect of getting employed at the hospital. The hospital spokesperson, Kagiso Mbaiwa said, the management has observed inquiries circulation in various media platforms, especially on Facebook.

“We have gone to a great length to verify the claims levelled by the community. The community is advised not to entertain any calls from this cell phone number: 0608868097, as the aim is to solicit money under the false pretext that, they will get placement or hired at the hospital.

“Therefore, the hospital categorically confirms that, the said individual who has been masquerading as an agent or an employee of Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital is just scamming people with their hard-earned money. The management takes a firm stance against the said individual, hence advising the community to report such claims to the nearest police,” Mbaiwa said.

He further said, the hospital is a government entity and is guided by government recruitment policies. Mabiwa added that, vacant positions are advertised both in local and national newspapers and also through the Department of Public Service circular, which can be accessed online.

“Furthermore, the public can verify with Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital Human Resources at 053 928 9136 to authenticate the validity of positions advertised. The public is advised to ignore such calls as it is a scam and government recruitment drives do not involve financial payments from job seekers,” he said.

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the construction of R268 million Coligny Special School boarding project will bring good quality accommodation to learners and uplift the economy of Coligny. Motsumi, who conducted a sod-turning yesterday, said the project will also create job opportunities, especially for young people who already possess the essential credentials.

“We conducted a sod-turning today to officially launch the Coligny Special School boarding project. This project has a R268 million budget to demolish asbestos buildings in the special school. Approximately, 300 local people will be employed in this project.

“This project will improve living conditions and the dignity of learners. Today’s sod-turning is an exciting moment for the people of Coligny, particularly the vulnerable learners living with disabilities. Their lives will drastically improve and the project will restore their human dignity,” she said.

Motsomi further said, this is only the start of the commitment they made to the communities in May during her maiden Budget Speech. She added that she is grateful that the DBSA is an implementing agent of this multi-million project.

“I urge every participant involved to make sure that this project is not further complicated or delayed. We are collaborating as the provincial and local spheres of government. We also believe that the neighbourhood will actively participate in this growth.

“The department invests heavily in infrastructure to advance the quality standards of teaching and learning spaces, as well as to meet the demands for new schools in the province. The construction of this project is expected to be concluded in a period of 30 months,” said Motsumi.

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