Picture: One of the murder accused persons, Tlotliso Segwabe/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

A mother and her disabled son accused of murder were granted R500 bail each by Taung Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Kelebogile Segwabe (41) and Tlotliso Segwabe (21) from Extension 7 in Taung, were arrested last week Thursday for allegedly killing a Zimbabwean man (26) during a mob justice.

The duo is facing murder, kidnapping, and malicious damage to property. It is alleged that, on the night of 28 June 2023, Tlotliso arrived at his house from a local tavern. He was allegedly attacked by the deceased person with a spade while trying to open the door. According to allegations, Tlotliso ran and screamed for help.

Some community members allegedly woke up and came to his rescue. It is alleged that, the deceased person was chased and knocked at one of the houses, but the occupants refused to open for him. The community members allegedly did not catch him, but woke up early morning and embarked on a witch-hunt.

They allegedly found the deceased person and severely assaulted him with a sjambok. He was ferried to the Taung District Hospital for medical attention but allegedly succumbed to his injuries.

North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “It is alleged that the deceased victim was at the suspect’s home, where he was in an altercation with the son of the accused. He was overpowered and chased by a group of people and assaulted. The two accused persons were charged with kidnapping, murder, and malicious damage to property.”

The murder case was postponed until 2 August 2023 for further investigations.

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Picture: Schweizer Reneke-born politician, the late Essop Pahad/Google

By OBAKENG MAJE

Heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the death of ANC struggle icon, Dr Essop Pahad. The former minister passed away in the early hours of 6 July 2023 in his sleep at the age 84. The Pahad family spokesperson, Dr Faizel Randera said the Schweizer Reneke-born politician served the people of South Africa throughout his life.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr Essop Goolam Pahad. He was a dedicated member of the ANC and SACP. Pahad was appointed as a Member of Parliament (MP) and Minister in the Presidency after 1994.

“He was a dedicated and loving family man and leaves behind his wife, brothers, children, grandchildren, and extended family members. He is also mourned by countless friends, comrades, and colleagues,” said Randera.

The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi described Pahad as an activist and a politician, who had an illustrious career as an academic. Maloyi further said Pahad served as the Parliamentary Counsellor and Minister in the Presidency during the tenure of former President Thabo Mbeki.

“Pahad belonged to a cohort of selfless leaders, who dedicated their lives to the struggle for liberation. He was unflinching in his pursuit of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous South Africa. A committed activist and patriot, who championed the socio-economic rights of the poor and economically marginalised.

“Pahad served the country with pride and he was relentless in his advocacy for a free and equal nation, but critically he shall be remembered as someone who was ethical and lived truthfully to the ideals of what encapsulates a people’s centered democracy. May his soul rest in peace and as the province, will take guidance from the Presidency and the Pahad family on arrangements for the send-off of this gallant hero,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ANC national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said: “Pahad hailed from a family of political activists. His father, Goolam Hoosain Ismael Pahad, was a prominent figure in the Transvaal Indian Congress and the South African Indian Congress. Following in his father’s footsteps, Essop joined the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress in 1958, where he became a vocal advocate for the cause, fighting for the rights of all South Africans, regardless of race.

“However, he faced persecution for his efforts, compelling him to flee the country in 1964. Despite being in exile, he remained steadfast in his mission, working tirelessly with members of the international community to raise awareness about the struggles of South Africa.”

Bhengu-Motsiri added: “This experience gave him a profound appreciation for diverse perspectives and an unwavering commitment to fighting for justice. Upon his return to South Africa in 1990, Essop played a pivotal role in shaping the new South Africa. He played an instrumental role in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) negotiations.

“He held several notable political positions, including serving as a member of the National Assembly from 1994-2008, as Parliamentary Counsellor to the Deputy

President from 1994 to 1996, and later as Deputy Minister from 1996 to 1999. In 1999, he served as a minister, focusing on key issues such as the Rights of the Child and the Status of Women.”

Dr Essop Pahad will be laid to rest this afternoon with Muslim Rites at West Park Cemetery, in Johannesburg at 2pm.

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Picture: Some of the incomplete RDP houses in Kgomotso village, near Taung

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 2000 RDP houses were left incomplete across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. Some residents said they have now lost hope in the government as nothing has been done since the contractors abandoned these projects without any accountability.

One of the victims, Themba Ngoma from Kgomotso village, near Taung, said there was no communication at all after the contractor abandoned the project in their area. He said, they hope that the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi will ‘walk the talk’ and restore their dignity.

“You will remember that, the aim of RDP houses was to provide housing to the poor. However, it seems that was not as clear-cut as it looked because there is a backlog now. We are left with incomplete RDP houses, while there was no communication at all from those who are in power. I think this project was halted back in 2016 and we were left in the dark for the longest time.

“We call on the government to ensure that, the RDP houses projects are viable and sustainable. It cannot be correct that, in the face of poverty, we continue to be ill-treated by contractors who do as they please. We call for accountability and the government should take a stern warning against those who deliver shoddy work,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi who visited the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District on Wednesday, has committed that his department will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that communities receive proper houses.

Maloyi had a consultative engagement with mayors, speakers, and ward councillors from various municipalities that constitutes the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.

“The purpose of the meeting was to present all blocked, incomplete, and abandoned projects within the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality and further introduce 12 contractors, who have been appointed to fast-track the completion of these blocked projects.

“There are over 8700 blocked projects in the province, some of which date back to as far as 2002. So, it is the responsibility of the government to oversee their completion as this prompts a lack of trust and confidence from community members. We have a contract with the people of the province, where we committed to providing sustainable human settlements for them, which will bring and restore their dignity,” he said.

Maloyi further said, they are selfless in this approach and committed to ensuring that the people have proper houses above their heads. He added that, ward councillors will monitor the progress on a daily basis, citing that it is their duty to ensure that government funds are being used for their rightful purposes and effectively.

“We also warn contractors who delays the completion of projects or abandons project intentionally that the department will not hesitate to downscale, or even terminate their contracts for non-performance.  

“Our government takes the issue of monitoring and providing quality work very seriously, therefore, if a contractor is found not to be performing well, the department must look for one who is capable and can complete the project within the stipulated timeframe. Preference will be on those who are already on-site and performing well, then increase their scope,” said Maloyi.

In addition, Maloyi acknowledged that, some of the delays are due to the department not processing payments of service providers on time. He said, they will engage as the department and try to resolve the matter as he would like to see payments for all the blocked projects being made within 15 to 30 days period.

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Picture: The CEO of Magalies Water, Sandile Mkhize/The Citizen

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Magalies Water has welcomed the contract extension of its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sandile Mkhize. This comes after a recent cabinet resolution to have Mkhize’s term of office be extended by another five years. Magalies Water’s Board of Directors chairperson, Dr Lydia Sebego said, Mkhize joined the water utility company in 2014 and has previously held numerous positions, including General Manager of Water Services and Chief Operations Officer (COO).

Sebego further said, as the Board, they are pleased with the cabinet’s decision for several reasons, which include among others, stability in the top echelons of the executive which is critical to business continuity.

“It is common course that, our organisation has just come out of a sensitive and difficult period, which came as a result of the disestablishment of the now erstwhile Sedibeng Water. Our biggest challenge has been managing the transition key which, was the consolidation of assets and liabilities which have been duly transferred to us.

“As such while a lot of work still lay ahead, the appointment of any person to this position required an agile and experienced appointee, who knows the sector and the peculiar challenges, which Magalies Water is faced with in becoming profitable and sustainable,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mkhize said: “I am humbled by the vote of confidence bestowed on me by the government’s highest decision-making authority. This is nothing short of an honour. The water sector has been experiencing numerous challenges and we have been to make significant progress in addressing water supply issues in our area of operation.

“Our biggest task is to close rank with all stakeholders from the private sector as well as across all levels of government to ensure that, we fast-track our plans in ensuring that communities and all facets of the economy continue to receive the highest quality of potable water as prescribed by the constitution of the Republic and the Water Services Act.”

Following the disestablishment of Sedibeng Water by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation last year, Magalies Water currently operates in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipalities as part of the transferred responsibilities of the now erstwhile Sedibeng Water, which was previously servicing the two districts.

Mkhize Qualifications

Mkhize is an engineer by profession and has several qualifications including, an MBA from Milpark Business School, an MTech in Environmental Biotechnology from Durban University of Technology, a Management Advancement Programme from Wits Business School, a BSc in Chemistry and Microbiology from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, BTech Biotechnology from Durban University of Technology, Senior Executive Programme from Harvard Business School and Diploma in Advanced Project Management from Damelin.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Kgetsi ya go tlola molao wa bofaladi kgatlhanong le monna mongwe wa naga ya Zimbabwe, Dito Aurelio Chongo (39) e buseditswe morago go fitlha 10 Phukwi 2023. Chongo one a tshwarwa mo kgweding e e fetileng kwa motseng wa Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung ga mmogo le motswa-kwa jaaka ene, Vusi Ndlovu (37) mabapi le go tlola melawana ya bofaladi.

Chongo o tla nama a letile kwa ntlo-lefitshwaneng go fitlhela a boela kwa kgotlha-tshekelo. Kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung, e arogantse banna ba mo kgetsing, mme e kaile fa mongwe le mongwe a tla lebagana le ditatofatso tsa gagwe.

Fela baagi ba ba shakgetseng ba kwa Manokwane, ba dumela fa Ndlovu ga mmogo le Chongo, ba amega mo polao ya basadibagolo ba le babedi ba ba ne ba lobelwa dintshi kwa sekgweng kwa Manokwane fa bane ba ile go rwalela dikgong mo kgweding e e fetileng.

Go begwa fa Kelebogile Mirriam Mokgalagadi (70) le Mapulana Polinah Mmusi (80), ba ne ba tlhaselwa le go bolawa ke batho ba ba sa itsiweng. Go ya ka dipego tsa sepodisi, 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 tswa letsholo la go ba batla, mme ene ya re ka ura ya bongwe masigo a sa, bane ba bona masetlapelo. Go kaiwa fa ditopo tsa bone tse dineng di na le dikgobalo tse di masisi dine tsa bonwa 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.

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: Taung Magistrate’s Court

By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against a mother and her son from Extension 7 in Taung, is expected to resume today at Taung Magistrate’s Court. Kelebogile (41) and her disabled son, Tlotliso Segwabe (21) were arrested last week Thursday for a murder of a Zimbabwean man (26), who was killed during a mob justice.

The duo is facing murder, kidnapping, and malicious damage to property and they are expected to apply for bail.

It is alleged that, on the night of 28 June 2023, Tlotliso arrived at his house from a local tavern. He was allegedly attacked by the deceased person with a spade, while trying to open the door. According to allegations, Tlotliso ran and screamed for help.

Some community members allegedly woke up and came to his rescue. It is alleged that, the deceased person was chased and knocked at one of the houses, but the occupants refused to open for him. The community members allegedly did not catch him, but woke up early morning and embarked on a witch-hunt.

They allegedly found the deceased person and severely assaulted him with a sjambok. He was ferried to the Taung District Hospital for medical attention but allegedly succumbed to his injuries.

North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “It is alleged that the deceased victim was at the suspect’s home, where he was in an altercation with the son of the accused. He was overpowered and chased by a group of people and assaulted. The two accused persons were charged with kidnapping, murder, and malicious damage to property.”

The case against the accused persons was postponed to Thursday for a formal bail application. Kelebogile was ferried to Taung District Hospital after she collapsed while taken to police custody.

One of the family members, Telekelo Mahura, said they are worrisome with how the police have handled the matter. Mahura alleged that, there is a disparity in the case because the accused persons only had their day in court on Monday after being arrested last week Thursday.

“We call on the police to do their job diligently the way we expected. I am saying this because the two accused persons were arrested last week Thursday and only appeared in court on Monday. Now, the case has been postponed because the police said, they still have to go and arrest other suspects.

“However, it is not Kelebogile and Tlotliso’s responsibilities to ensure that is done. The police were supposed to arrest other suspects timeously and stop using that as an excuse. What if they have not arrested other suspects come Thursday? Kelebogile and Tlotliso will be denied bail again?” said Mahura. 

He further said, what they know is that the deceased person was allegedly attacked and killed by mob justice. Mahura added that they do not understand why would the police only arrest Kelebogile and Tlotliso.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the social activist, Oratile Segosapelo, who also resides at Extension 7 said: “I am so disappointed that the police arrested the mother and her son, Tlotliso who is disabled. We do not know the motive behind the arrest, but we call on the police to be competent enough. Kelebogile’s health has deteriorated, while Tlotliso is disabled.

“Yes, justice must be served, but at least if the accused persons were given a free bail due to their conditions. So, as the community members of Extension 7, we will submit a petition to the court calling for the release of the accused persons pending investigations.”

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