A police officer (43) briefly appeared at Setlagole Periodical Court for fraud. It is alleged that, Kagiso Motlele who is working at Madibogo Police Station, handed a suspicious sick note to his commander in May 2023.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, the matter was reported to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU) for investigation, which confirmed that Motlele purportedly altered the sick note after he failed to report on duty.
“According to the information, the medical practitioner permitted him to stay home for three days to get fit for work, but he fraudulently extended the leave by a day. He was subsequently arrested at his workplace on 13 June 2023.
“He was released on a warning for further investigation and will appear before the Atamelang Magistrate’s Court on 7 July 2023,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and said that, Motlele’s action is absolutely unethical and intolerable as it impacts negatively on service delivery and tarnishes the image of the South Africa Police Service (SAPS).
Picture: Two awaiting trial detainees, Mandla Mongwe and Nemagovhani Thendo/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Two awaiting trial detainees escaped at Stilfontein Police Station on 13 June 2023. Mandla Mongwe (30) and Nemagovhani Thendo (36) were in detention for aggravated robbery and burglary.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said, Mongwe and Thendo allegedly escaped through the roof after cutting the holding cell’s burglar doors. Mokgwabone further said the circumstances surrounding the escape are still under investigation.
“The Stilfontein police request members of the community to assist with information that can lead to the arrest of two awaiting trial detainees who escaped from lawful custody between Monday evening, 12, and Tuesday morning, 13 June 2023.
“The members of the community are requested not to attempt to arrest the escapees as they are considered to be dangerous, but to call the nearest police station. Alternatively, the police request anyone who may have information regarding their whereabouts to call the Investigating Officer, Detective Captain Johannes Botes on 082 416 0961 or call the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be communicated through MySAPS App,” he said.
Picture: The winner of Comrade Marathon 2023 edition, Tete Dijana/SABC
By KABELO SELEBOGO
North West athletes were on top of their game at the recent Comrades Ultra Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban – clinching the top six in the men’s race, with one runner-up in the women’s contest. Elite runner, Tete Dijana from Signal Hill in Mahikeng, successfully defended his Comrades Ultra Marathon title – setting a new record on 11 June 2023.
Dijana won the 2023 down run race edition by clocking 05:13:58, smashing David Gatebe’s 05:18:19 record set in 2016. Dijana’s homeboy, teammate, and 2019 Comrades Marathon champ, Edward “Slender” Mothibi came in third position in a time of 05:17:34.
Four top runners from Taung secured the top ten places. Gordon Lesetedi came fourth, Johannes Makgetla six, the 2015 champ, Gift Kehele occupied ninth position, while Joseph Manyedi finished tenth.
The Potchefstroom’s finest and North West University (NWU) staff member, Adele Broodryk crossed the finishing line to end as a runner-up in the women’s race. In her debut in the Comrades Marathon competition in 2022, Broodryk came in third place.
Dijana’s exceptional performance earned him total prize money of R1.2m. The R500 000 is for bagging position one, another R500 000 for setting a new record, and an additional R200 000 for finishing the event as the leading South African on the day.
The Head of Department at North West Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Itumeleng Mogorotsi said, as part of ensuring that North West runners competed fairly at the global event, the department has sponsored 147 runners from the province with accommodation, transport, meals and other logistics to participate at the Comrades Marathon.
Mogorotsi further said, the runners gave their best performance by finishing before 12 hour-mark and reaching their personal best.
“The 87.7km down run, which attracted more than 18 000 runners from across the globe, kept cheering spectators on the side of the road. The television audiences were also glued to their screens. This year’s edition was regarded as more high-paced compared to the ones preceding it.
“As the department, we are pleased with the outcomes. We are thrilled with the superb performance displayed by the North West top runners and Dijana for defending his title with a new record. North West consistent dominance in this event showcases that, we have good athletes who should pass the baton from old to the new generation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dijana who is expected to receive a heroic welcome today said: “When I was looking at the time towards the end of the marathon, I knew that I have accomplished my goal of breaking the record. The reason why I kept looking back at my runner-up, Piet Wiersma was to maintain an open distance so that he does not catch up.
“I also reversed the energy to end the marathon with a high pace. Prior to the marathon, my coach advised me that I should not break the record with a high margin so that I can break my own record again in the future.”
The 2022 pace-setter, Onalenna Khonkhobe managed to finish this year’s edition in 37th place. The youngster from Maphoitsile village in Taung, is one of the South African top athletes. Earlier this year, he earned second place in the Nedbank Runified.
A young female runner who hails from Rustenburg, Galaletsang Mekgoe paced her way to position 11 in the women’s category.
Four people briefly appeared before the Springbok Magistrate’s Court for illegal dealing in drugs and corruption. Gherswin Van Wyk (35), Jasper Pretorius (40), Mothusi Molale (45), and Michael September (43) were arrested by the Upinton-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in a takedown operation in the early hours of Monday at Bergsig Township, near Springbok.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, the investigation on the activities of the accused persons commenced in December 2019. Thebe further said the investigation was full-fledged after the police officials were fingered to be involved.
“The investigation team allegedly observed the suspects moving drugs such as dagga, methamphetamine (tik), and mandrax worth approximately R13 000 over the observation period. Two of the accused persons, Mothusi Molale and Kelvin Brown were police officials at the time of the commission of a crime, the duo later resigned.
“The 5th accused person, Kelvin Brown (44) is currently in custody awaiting trial on an unrelated matter at a local Correctional Services Facility. The investigation team visited the facility to charge him with three counts of corruption,” he said.
Thebe added that, all accused persons were remanded in custody and their case was postponed to 20 June 2023 for formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Steve Mabuela lauded the investigation team on the sterling job achieved thus far.
“The law enforcement agencies cannot harbour criminals, when they are identified, we will flush them out,” concluded Mabuela.
The Guardian 