Picture: The fireman extinguishing a fire/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

A man who allegedly burned four people at Lower Majeakgoro village, near Pampierstad is set to undergo a mental evaluation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria. It is alleged that, Thapelo Modise (25) stabbed and burned four people in the house and two of them succumbed to their injuries.

According to a family member, Thandi Oliphant, her cousin who stays with the victims was on his way home, when he saw the smoke coming out of the house.

“He allegedly ran towards the house and found the doors locked. He said he forced entry by breaking the door with a spade and found four of our family members burning on the bed.

“The attacker also stabbed them with the knife and we only realised that after rushing them to the local clinic for medical attention. Even though we do not know what might be the cause of the attack, the suspect is a neighbour who is known to the victims,” she said. 

Ward 19 councillor, Michael Makwati said: “The atrocity left us dejected and we condemn it. We also urge the police to ensure that, the victims get justice. The Greater Taung Local Municipality officials visited the bereaved family.”

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Sergio Kock said the atrocity occurred on 23 May 2023 at around 1:30pm. Kock further said the man allegedly entered the house and stabbed four persons with a knife, while robbing them of a cell phone.

“He then locked the female victims up in a room and set the place alight. An elderly woman (71) and a girl (3) died on the scene, while two victims aged 28 and 62 respectively, were transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The suspect is allegedly a known neighbour to the victims and was arrested hours later,” he said.

Kock said the police are investigating a double murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property and robbery case. 

The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola is saddened by the tragic and heinous incident and reiterated that GBVF remains a priority to the SAPS and cases of this nature will be dealt with harshly.

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said: “The accused abandoned his bail application and the matter was postponed for 30 days for accommodation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.”

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Picture: A firearm image/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

A case against the beleaguered prosecutor at Taung Magistrates’ Court postponed to 2 August 2023. Lebogang George Mashigo (51), who is out on R1000 bail, was arrested for being in possession of an unlawful firearm. It is alleged that, on 8 September 2022, Mashigo entered the Taung Magistrate’s Court building and proceeded to fetch a bag.

Upon departure, he allegedly fired shots at the entrance of the court building 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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Setshwantsho: Baagi ba Manokwane ba gwantela kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Baagi ba kwa motseng wa Manokwane gaufi le Taung, ba mina ka nko ele nosi morago ga go bolawa ga bagodi ba le babedi kwa motseng wa bone ka letsatsing la Lamatlhatso. Go begwa fa Kelebogile Mirriam Mokgalagadi (70) le Mapulana Polinah Mmusi (80), ba ile ba tlhaselwa le go bolawa ke batho ba ba sa itsiweng.  

Go ya ka dipego tsa sepodisi, ene ya re ka Labotlhano mo mosong, Mmusi le Mokgalagadi ba ne ba tswa kwa malapeng a bone go ya go rwalela dikgong kwa nageng. Fela, ba masika a bone ba ile ba se nnisege fa Mmusi le Mokgalagadi ba palelwa ke go boela gae ka tlatlana.

Baagi ba ile ba bolotsa letsholo la go ba batla, mme ene ya re ka ura ya bongwe masigo a sa, bane ba bona ditopo tsa bone tse dineng di na le dikgobalo tse di masisi kwa nageng. Gape go kaiwa fa baswi ba ka tswa ba beteletswe gonne, ditopo tsa bone di ne di sa apara marokgwe a kha teng.

Gone ga tshwarwa banna bale bararo ba batswa-kwa, kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, fela go fitlha ga jaana, ga go bopaki jo bo ba golaganyang le kgetsi e ya polao. Go begwa fa banna bao, ba sena ditlankana tse di maleba go ka nna mo nageng ya Afrika Borwa, mme ba tshwaretswe go tlola melao ya boditshaba.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Col Adele Myburgh wa tlhalosa: “Ga gona ope yo o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana mo dikgetsing dile pedi tsa polao kwa Manokwane. Re le ba sepodisi, re sentse re ikuela go baagi go ka re thusa ka tshedimosetso e ka lebisang kwa go tshwarweng ga balatofadiwa mo kgetsing e.

“Mongwe le mongwe yo o nang le tshedimosetso, a ka letsetsa mobatlisisi mo kgetsing e, eleng Warrant Officer, Peace Babe mo dinomorong tse di latelang 0824438680. Gape ba ka letsetsa dinomoro tsa 08600 10111. Mongwe le mongwe o sa batleng leina la gagwe le itsiwe a ka romela molaetsa go MySAPS App.”

Mongwe wa baagi, Eddie Mogorwe are se ba se itseng jaaka baagi ke gore, balatofadiwa ba ba tshwerweng ba golagangwa le kgetsi ya polao ya bagodi ba. Mogorwe are, Manokwane Community Forum e ne ya tsamaya le mapodisi go ya go tshwarwa balatofadiwa bao.

“Re tlhaloganya gore diaparo tsa mongwe wa balatofadiwa di ne di na le madi. Gona le bopaki jo bo tsepameng jo bo ba golaganyang le dipolao tse. Gape go dilo di le dintsi jaaka dipolao tse di diragalang mo Taung, mme rele baagi, re tshwanetse go ema ka dinao. 

“O mongwe wa balatofadiwa, o ntshitswe kwa kgolegelong mme ga re itse gore jang. Gape gona le mme mongwe o o neng a tlhaselwa le go bolawa kwa sekgweng kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile mo dikgweding tse di fetileng.      

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Picture: Mrs South Africa semi-final contestant, Berlina Lekgethwane/Supplied   

It’s been a whirlwind five months since Mrs South Africa contestant, Berlina Lekgethwane joined the renowned women’s empowerment programme and received a coveted semi-finalist title.

Hailing from the North West Province, Lekgethwane was motivated to join Mrs South Africa by her passion to see the lives of people transformed and a childhood dream. Since then, she has been a part of a series of empowering workshops from leading experts on topics ranging from health and fitness to building financial acumen.

But one of her greatest lessons has been the power and importance of personal branding in achieving her individual aspirations, she says.

“I believe personal branding is the ability to establish and build a reputation to influence public opinion of any member of the society by helping to assert themselves as credible players in their trade,” she said.  

To guide her personal branding evolution, Lekgethwane and the other Mrs South Africa semi-finalists, received professional coaching from #PRGuru Madelain Roscher, the founder and CEO of award-winning marketing-communications agency PR Worx.

Roscher notes that a strong and distinctive brand is one of the most powerful weapons in an individual’s arsenal, no matter their unique goals.  

“A brand is not a logo – it’s about people’s experience of you and your reputation. In a noisy world, a strong personal brand allows individuals to differentiate themselves and stand out by consistently articulating and leveraging their unique value proposition.

“In other words, by consistently communicating who you are, your values, and your areas of knowledge or expertise to others, you can get a significant leg up in your career or business. By sharing who you are and building your personal brand, you can increase your public visibility, establish stronger and more authentic relationships with other people, and expand your influence – all to your benefit,” she said.

With this in mind, personal branding has been one of Lekgethwane’s greatest focus areas as she seeks to build her profile and use her voice to effect positive change.

Some of her greatest achievements since joining Mrs South Africa have been to motivate learners and build their confidence, help expand a local bakery that now delivers bread to prisons, help and mobilise businesses for local charity programmes.

“To have done this much in a very short space of time has left me grateful for the mentoring and coaching that the organisers of this beauty pageant have invested in me. It has made me believe in my capabilities but most importantly it has made me believe that I can add value to society and help change lives for the better,” said Lekgethwane.

Top three branding tips from South Africa’s #PRGuru

As advice to others seeking to build their personal brands, Roscher offers her top three branding tips:

1. Take inventory: Before you can communicate your brand to others, first reflect and define what your brand is and what you would like to communicate, or how you would like others to see you.

2. Make yourself findable: Choose social media channels that are best suited to your brand and brand goals, and begin actively updating and engaging on your profiles to boost your visibility.

3. Donate your expertise to a cause: Not only will this allow you to enjoy the heart-warming joy of giving back but will also allow you to develop a more visible platform for good.

To support our Mrs South Africa Semi-Finalist in her journey, vote for her. SMS “Berlina Lekgethwane” to 47587. SMS cost R3 and you can vote as much as possible.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

The ANC in Greater Taung has elected its new structure during the Sub Region Conference held at Taung Depot Hall on 17 June 2023. According to the newly-elected sub-regional secretary, Mogoje Dichakane, the conference was successful.

“The conference was attended by branch chairpersons and secretaries as delegates to elect a Sub Regional structure that will oversee and coordinate the work of the ANC in the length and breadth of the entire Greater Taung and its 24 branches in 107 villages.

“The work of Sub Regional structure will also be monitored by the Regional Executive Committee (REC) of the ANC through submission of reports on a monthly basis encompassing organisational and governance status of all branches. The Top 5 are, chairperson, Gladys Molamu, Deputy Chair, Lesego Maqandela, Secretary, Mogoje Dichakane, Deputy Secretary, Kereeditse Mogolwane and Tebogo Morweng was elected as Treasurer,” he said.

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Picture: The former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane, who was found guilty of rape by the Vryburg Regional Court, is expected to be sentenced today. Shoarane, who was working as Assistant Manager in the security department at the municipality, raped a woman in Vryburg a few years ago.

It is alleged that the woman in question is a well-known prostitute in Vryburg. According to information, the woman was hitchhiking to go to Huhudi Township when she met Shoarane. Shoarane promised the woman to take her safely to Huhudi, but instead, he headed to a dilapidated building, where he raped her.

After the ordeal, Shoarane dumped the woman in the streets and left. The woman went to the Vryburg Police Station where she opened a rape case against him.

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Picture: Pile of books donated to learners/Google

By REGINALD KANYANE

More primary schools across North West will benefit from the AVBOB and Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUP). Both entities are planning to donate thousands of books to primary schools across South Africa. The AVBOB CEO, Carl van der Riet together with OUP Managing Director, Hanri Pieterse, announced the 260 beneficiaries of the AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign on 15 June 2023.

Riet said access to books and reading for meaning is critical for children to acquire foundational literacy and progress through school. He said AVBOB, Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUP), and government mark the second year of the AVBOB Road To Literacy trolley library campaign.

“A tripartite partnership aimed at stimulating and promoting a passion for books and reading. Adjudicators had a tough task sifting through the more than 8 000 nominations submitted by South Africans throughout the country to determine the final and deserving beneficiaries of the 2023 campaign.

“The national AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign, aimed at instilling a culture of reading and improving the numeracy skills of primary school children across the country. Each trolley will be delivered with 500 books, which is an increase from the 430 books in 2022. Each AVBOB Road To Literacy trolley library has a value of R50 000 and the total investment value for the 2023 initiative is R13 million,” said Riet.

He further said, a recent global study on children’s reading ability put South Africa in the spotlight when the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study ranked South Africa last out of the 57 countries assessed. Riet added that, in 2021, the study tested the reading ability of 400 000 students globally and showed that 81% of South African children could not read for comprehension in any of the country’s 11 official languages.

“As part of AVBOB’s ongoing commitment to support literacy, van der Riet explained that the AVBOB Road To Literacy campaign with OUP and the government is a critical collaboration in response to a pervasive need in schools and society.

“The need to work together in both the private and public sectors to address universal challenges for the betterment of communities and future generations. AVBOB exists because of our members, and everything we do is for their benefit and for their communities. We do this by creating and sharing value through social investments like the Road To Literacy campaign,” he said.

The Minister of Department of Basic Education (DBE), Angie Motshega who delivered a keynote address said: “This campaign is a crucial step in our journey to instill a culture of reading and enhance the numeracy skills of primary school children across our beloved country. I am particularly delighted to share that this year’s campaign places special emphasis on reading resources in mother tongue languages.

“Extensive research has shown that teaching in a child’s mother tongue language reduces dropout rates and makes education more accessible and engaging. Moreover, we recognise the critical importance of developing numeracy skills during a child’s formative years. Together, let us ignite a love for reading, strengthen numeracy skills, and empower our children to reach new heights of knowledge and achievement.”

Some of the schools that benefited from the initiative are Ganyesa Primary School, Maphoitsile Primary School, Modimokwane Primary School, Mohajane Primary School and Oratile Kujane Charitable Foundation.

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Picture: The Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region said, it has established a committee to investigate, if the disgraced Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe is fit to hold office. This comes after a string of leaked audios depicting Gaoraelwe’s voice, where he confessed that he was allegedly drunk during the accident and also solicited money from two contractors.

On 3 October 2022, Gaoraelwe crashed the municipal luxurious BMX X3 worth R700 000 in an accident between Schweizer Reneke and Wolmaranstad. 

“You do not have phones with you and you are not recording? In the issue of the accident, this is what happened. I was travelling with my ex-wife and two children. Benz, my children are 3 and 2 respectively.

“So, our divorce settlement is that, I’ll see my children every month. So, it is normal, when she is around, I see my children. If she is not around, when I go to my current partner, I leave her and go to see my children in Pretoria and that’s the tradition,” he said.

He further said at the time, his ex-wife, Sindisiwe Nkonyana’s mother had an emergency and he had to rush her back to Pretoria.

“So, after the accident happened, the first person I called was Katlego Gabanakgosi the person I trusted. The police who arrived at the accident scene found me in the car. I was drunk, but the police had no reason to believe that I was drunk.

“I was able to speak properly and it was the same as now. So, he cleared (cleaned up) the scene. Have you seen somebody clearing the scene? He cleared everything and he said, my man….” Gaoraelwe said.

He also confessed that, he allegedly solicited bribery from two contractors and also wanted the beleaguered Director of Cooperative Services at the municipality, Dikagiso Mokoma to become the acting Municipal Manager because he is going to benefit from that.

In an exclusive interview with Taung DailyNews, Gaoraelwe vehemently denied that, it is his voice depicted in those audios.

Now, ANC regional secretary, Walter Mabogola said the constitutional obligation of the committee is to verify the authenticity of those audios and determine if Gaoraelwe acted in an ethical manner.

“It is true that, we have already appointed an investigative team regarding that matter. What is left now, is to give them guidelines and a time frame. That means, we will prioritise this matter starting this week,” he said.

Meanwhile, CONTRALESA regional secretary in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Thato Mampane said: “What is happening at the municipality regarding the appointment of Municipal Manager is intentional. We cannot go back and forth in putting different people in acting roles without appointing the Municipal Manager.

“You will recall that, there were recordings of Gaoraelwe circulating on social media declaring that, he would want Mokoma to become the Municipal Manager because he will personally benefit. So, we believe that he wants Mokoma to become the Municipal Manager at the ultimate end.”

Mampane said this agenda is driven by a former ANCYL president. He said the acting Municipal Manager does not have any powers and on the other hand, the municipality is wasting taxpayers’ money on court cases.

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Picture: The brave policeman, Sergeant Gaolatlhwe Joel Masilo/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two men are set to appear at Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court for robbery. This comes after they were arrested for robbery on Saturday. 

According to the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh, the off-duty policeman, Gaolatlhwe Joel Masilo, who was driving in his private vehicle on the N12 road between Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp noticed a suspicious incident in which two men, both aged 20, confronting another man.

Myburgh said, the alleged victim was walking home next to the N12 road towards Ikageng township.

“Masilo immediately pulled off the road and engaged the victim, who indicated that the two suspects allegedly threatened and robbed him of his cell phone.

“He courageously confronted the suspects, who were close by, and managed to retrieve the cell phone. Masilo went on to arrest both suspects and they will appear before the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court today on a charge of robbery,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended Masilo for his bravery and commitment in ensuring that, the victim was protected and his property retrieved shortly after the crime was committed.

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Picture: The firearms confiscated from a murder suspect in Orkney/Supplied  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

More than 200 suspects were arrested across North West during the High-Density Operation Shanela over the long weekend. The suspects were among others, 89 arrested for allegedly being illegally in the country, 36 for assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), nine for assault common, 10 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 14 for burglaries at residential and business premises, 12 for malicious damage to property and four for murder.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police were called to a scene, where a man (52) was allegedly found in possession of a shotgun, which he pointed towards the police. Myburgh further said the incident took place in Orkney at around 12:30.

“He was successfully convinced by the police to put the firearm down. Thereafter, the suspect was immediately arrested for attempted murder. Furthermore, the suspect informed the police that he shot his wife (50). Upon arrival at the nearby house, the body of his wife was found on a sofa with a gunshot wound to her head.

“She was declared dead by Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS). The suspect will appear before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on a charge of murder on Tuesday. The police seized a total of 7 firearms from the murder suspect,” she said.

Myburgh added that, Operation Shanela further led to the search of 2765 persons, 1678 vehicles, 56 premises, and the closure of 13 unlicensed liquor premises. She said a variety of drugs, ammunition, counterfeit goods, and a firearm were seized.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said the police will continue to focus and intensify operations on detecting and tracing illegal firearms to remove them off the streets to ensure the safety and security of all communities.

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