Picture: The deceased, Matshidiso Cathrine Mojaki/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man who stabbed his wife to death in Kolong village, near Taung was sentenced to life imprisonment by Taung Regional Court on 18 July 2023. Thapelo Edwin Mojaki (41), who pleaded guilty to the matter, stabbed his wife, Matshidiso Catherine Mojaki (36) to death with a sheep shearing scissors back in 2022.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, on 9 October 2022, Mojaki approached his wife, who was on her way to catch a taxi to work, accompanied by their 16 and 18 years-old children respectively.
“He subsequently asked for money and when his wife, Matshidiso said she did not have any, Mojaki took out sheep shearing scissors and stabbed her several times.
“She was declared dead on the scene and Mojaki was arrested the following day. The court denied him bail until the completion of the case,” said Mamothame.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Tecia Khula urged the court not to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence, as there were no compelling circumstances to deviate. Khula further highlighted the trauma experienced by their children, who experienced their pregnant mother being stabbed to death by their own father.
In imposing the sentence, Magistrate Buti Zulu agreed with the state and remarked that the accused had a responsibility to protect his family and not be a perpetrator of crime towards them.
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 all role players for ensuring the perpetrator is brought to book.
They further called on strong advocacy against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) in communities.
Picture: The missing man, Basil Smith who is mentally challenged/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Northern Cape police are requesting the public to assist them in locating Basil Owen Smith (35), who resides at 45201 Ivory Park in Roodepan. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Timothy Sam, Smith was last seen on 11 February 2023.
“He was wearing a black jean trouser and a white shirt. Smith is mentally challenged and likes walking from home to sit at the corner of Raven Street in Roodepan and he would normally return home.
“The police released a statement on 23 February 2023 appealing to the public to be on the lookout for him, but he has not returned home. So, anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Smith, can contact Detective Sergeant William Maenetja at 076 834 8758 or 08600 10112 or either sms anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS app,” he said.
Picture: The identikit of the suspect, who allegedly raped a woman/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A woman was allegedly raped while jogging in the vineyards, near the industrial area in Kakamas. It is alleged that, she heard footsteps behind her, and when stopped and turned around, an unknown man asked her for money.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt CJ Prins said the woman allegedly told the suspect that, she does not have money with her. Prins further said, the suspect then allegedly pinned the woman to the ground and raped her.
“The suspect then allegedly grabbed the victim’s cell phone and walked away. The incident took place on 26 June 2023 late afternoon. An identikit of the suspect was compiled and is between the ages of 20-25.
“He is approximately 1.55m tall, of medium build, and at the time of the crime, he was wearing a black beanie, denim pants, and a dark blue golf shirt,” he said.
Prins said anyone who could identify the suspect, is requested to contact the investigating officer at Kakamas FCS unit, Sgt Dippenaar on 079 6977836 and 08600 10111 or through MySAPS mobile application. He said all information will be treated as confidential.
Picture: The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje at the incomplete house built for an elderly woman
By OBAKENG MAJE
The executive mayor of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Motseokae Maje will hand over a house to an elderly woman in from Magogong village in Taung. Maje built a house using his own money for an elderly woman, Lele Seitshokelo (78), who stays alone in a mud two-roomed house.
This comes after a donor, who was supposed to build a house for Seitshokelo five years ago, disappeared in thin air.
“This incomplete house was abandoned by a donor five years ago and I decided to come and complete it using my own salary from the municipality. Remember, the late Dr Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker, and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.”
“On 18 July every year, everyone is invited to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in their communities. Each and every person has the responsibility to change the world for the better. International Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change,” he said.
Maje further said, as an activist, he lives among the people and the condition Seitshokelo found herself in is inhuman. He added that, one would not expect an elderly person for that matter or even anybody to be subjected to these conditions in this democratic dispensation.
“So, I saw it befitting to come and make a positive contribution as the deployee of the ANC. This will bring back the elderly woman’s dignity. I am using my own resources with support from my family. So, I encourage the youth not to lose hope, but to use various avenues to improve their lives,” said Maje.
Meanwhile, Seitshokelo said she is grateful that Maje came to her rescue. She said it is heart-warming to see people like Maje still in their midst.
“I am happy to see the executive mayor coming to my rescue and spending his 67 minutes of humanity here. I stay with one of my children, but in most cases, I stay alone because she is seldom home.
“I had no hope that one day I’ll receive a decent house after the donor, who was supposed to build me a house disappeared. I am not sure what happened, but I had incomplete structure outside for almost five years,” she said.
Seitshokelo said, when Maje visited her home last year and promised to finish her house, she was skeptical. She said she regained her confidence when indeed he came to do an assessment.
“Finally, he is here with local people to finish the house. Truly, I feel honoured, and may Almighty bless him,” said Seitshokelo.
According to Seitshokelo, she originally comes from Dithakwaneng village, near Kuruman and she relocated to Magogong village during her time while working on the farms. A mother of four said she does not feel safe because there were a few break-in attempts at her house previously.
Meanwhile, the National Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said: “Mandela Day is more than an annual global celebration of the birth date of democratic South Africa’s founding father and the first Black President. It serves as a resounding call to action for individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide to reflect on Mandela’s timeless values and principles and make a tangible and positive impact in their own communities.
“This day holds profound significance for Parliament, as it not only pays tribute to the founding father of our democracy but also commemorates a man who endured 27 years in prison to liberate South Africans from the shackles of race-based oppression.”
Six people were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Mogwase Regional Court for murder. Fanie Maphonkolo (29), Tumelo Masisi (37), Neo Lebeloane (29), Aupa Mosesi (35), Goitsemang Khunou (28) and Esrom Mafoko (42), were also sentenced to further 10 years for an attempted murder.
The North West Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the conviction of the accused persons emanated from an incident that occurred at Ramokala village on 27 December 2018, where Andries Mabula and Mogomotsi Mojela were taken from their homes to a bus stop and brutally assaulted by community members.
“They accused them of having been paid R3000 to kill Maphonkolo and Masisi. The two sustained serious injuries from the ordeal and they were rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Mojela later succumbed to his injuries.
“The surviving victim had to be relocated to another province as a result of the threats made towards him prior to the commencement of the trial. The court ordered that, five years from the attempted murder charge should run concurrently with the 15 years,” said Mamothame.
He further said this means, the accused persons will serve an effective twenty years of direct imprisonment.
In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, William Lebelo urged the court to impose a sentence befitting to the crime and one that will send a strong message that members of the community should report all crimes to authorities and not take matters into their own hands.
In imposing the sentence, Magistrate Herbert Modiba agreed with the state and remarked that the accused violated the deceased’ right to life, the surviving victim’s right to bodily integrity and security, and his right to be free from being subjected to violence.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo, together with the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded Warrant Officer Molefe and William Lebelo for their collaboration leading to the conviction. They urged members of the public not to take the law into their own hands but to report crimes to authorities.
Today, we commemorate President Nelson Mandela’s birthday. Such is his towering legacy that it is a day celebrated around the world, with its international observance having been declared by the United Nations in 2009. This is in testament to his role as a revered statesman, unifier and above all, as a peacemaker.
Striving for peace in the world, for an end to conflicts everywhere, and for a true international fellowship of humankind are the ideals that Nelson Mandela stood for.
They were relevant when he was a statesman on the world stage, and they are even more relevant today with many parts of our continent and the world embroiled in conflict.
As South Africa we hold fast to the ideal that a better world can be achieved through engendering peace. This derives from negotiation and compromise over violence, the use of force and resorting to war.
South Africa’s contribution to world peace is through supporting societies in conflict, and this is largely as a result of the Nelson Mandela legacy.
Our experience with negotiating an end to apartheid and with building a multiparty democracy is regularly sought out by parties seeking to bring conflict to an end.
Since democracy we have played such a role in Northern Ireland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Eswatini, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Ethiopia, and most recently, in Sudan.
Last week I met with the Deputy President of the Transitional Sovereign Council of Sudan, where we discussed the support South Africa can lend to the convening of an inclusive dialogue process towards a permanent peace.
Earlier this month I was in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where South Africa is playing a key role in facilitating dialogue, conflict resolution and providing technical assistance under the 2013 Peace and Security Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Great Lakes.
Last month marked six months since the signing of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in Pretoria on the 2nd of November 2022.
This peace agreement that South Africa played a role in brokering under the auspices of the African Union, continues to hold.
President Mandela said that ‘the heroes are those who make peace and build.’ We will continue to follow in his footsteps by calling for political solutions to conflicts. We are fortified by the towering moral courage of great leaders like President Mandela.
That is why on this Nelson Mandela Day I call on each and every one of us to promote peace everywhere. The peace-making and peacebuilding processes we are called upon to get involved in are the fruit of Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Picture: The Phalaborwa Consultant company allegedly abandoned the water project
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality said it might terminate the R1 billion Water project contract awarded to the Phalaborwa Consultant company. This comes after the contractor allegedly abandoned the project for the past three months without paying its employees.
Phalaborwa Consultant was appointed to install pipelines for the abstraction of water from the iconic Taung Dam to the Taung Water Treatment Plant and reservoir in Morokweng village. However, on 14 July 2023, the aggrieved employees embarked on a protest and barricaded a road between Manthe and Kolong villages, near Taung after they were allegedly not paid their three months’ salaries.
According to one of the employees, Sparks Tshisi, they have tried to get in hold of the company’s representative, Simon Malatjie but to no avail.
“It’s been three months since last we received our payments. So, we decided to barricade the road in order for the company to pay us. We do have families to feed and we cannot continue to work without being paid.
“We need our salaries and we urge the municipality to intervene. Our Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) are nowhere to be found. The other one said he is in Johannesburg looking for a job, while the other one is in Kuruman also job-hunting,” Tshisi said.
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joe Motlhasedi said: “Yes, it is true that employees barricaded the road because the contractor has not paid them for three months. The contractor is off-site.
“He has not been on site now for three months due to the non-payment of labourers. His guarantee has lapsed in February 2023 and the engineer has made him aware on several occasions but did not renew it. The engineer requested the intervention from the municipality and we wrote them a letter of intention to terminate should they not provide the guarantee.”
Motlhasedi further said, the municipality requested to have a meeting with the contractor on 11 July 2023, but they did not honour the invite. He added that, again on 14 July 2023, the municipality requested the virtual meeting, and still the contractor did not honour the invite.
“The remedial action is to request the contractor to relinquish the works to the other contractor, who has recently completed his portion of the same phase. If that fails, then we have to terminate the contract,” he said.
Meanwhile, on 19 March 2022, the R1 billion Taung Bulk Water Supply project was brought to a grinding halt after community members alleged that, the contractor was not properly introduced to them.
In a statement, the Water and Sanitation Department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said the project is funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), with approximately R1 billion allocated to the project.
“The project is one of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) major infrastructure projects in the North West, aimed at developing water infrastructure that will meet the needs of the community and ensure water security.
“The construction of an adequate infrastructure such as the Taung Bulk Water Supply that can support and supply efficient safe water to communities in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, therefore, is a critical input to sustainable growth and development,” Ratau said.
He said the scheme, which is implemented in phases, has created 304 jobs thus far and 189 139 households in more than 55 villages have been targeted to benefit from this water project.
A man who is linked to three hijacking cases in Sun City, Phokeng, and Mogwase, near Rustenburg was remanded in custody until 20 July 2023. Abraham Mkhabela (31) was also charged with being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said these cases were reported between June 2016 to June 2023. Myburgh further said Mkhabela was traced and arrested after a motorist (33) was allegedly hijacked on the R565 road in Sun City on 3 July 2023.
“The victim was allegedly driving in a silver Mercedes Benz. He stopped to pour petrol at a filling station in Ledig. He just pulled out of the filling station when he was approached by three armed men, who were also driving a Mercedes Benz.
“He was pointed with a firearm and instructed to get out of his vehicle. Furthermore, he was robbed of his vehicle and personal belongings, and left unharmed next to the road,” she said.
Myburgh added that Mkhabela was allegedly arrested by the members of Rustenburg Public Order Policing (POP), Visible Policing, and Crime Intelligence after operationalised information received on Sunday evening, 9 July 2023.
“The team proceeded to an identified flat, in Rustenburg, where Mkhabela was found sound asleep. He was immediately arrested and police seized a police reflective jacket.
“Mkhabela briefly appeared at Mogwase Magistrate’s Court and he was remanded in custody until 20 July 2023 for bail application,” said Myburgh.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the teams for their dedication and diligence that lead to the arrest. Kwena also emphasized that, police would leave no stone unturned to ensure that, hardened criminals are put behind bars.
Picture: The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General, General Koliswa Otola donates gifts to school children/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola donated gifts including a baby cot, sanitary towels, nappies, groceries and stationery to school children at Tlhabologo Inclusive Day Care Centre in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberley on 17 July 2023.
“We celebrate the birth of the world icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Remember, people all over the world celebrate Mandela Day and contribute 67 minutes of their time for community service to honour the legacy of the late icon.
“I was accompanied by delegates comprised of the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Major General Luntu Ngubelanga, Women’s Network, policewomen and men, as well as civil servants from various provincial components in Galeshewe and Kimberley SAPS,” she said.
In her response to the good deeds of the police, the Tlhabologo Inclusive Day Care Centre principal, Maureen Tsiu, expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the team.
Mandela Day will be celebrated under the theme: “The legacy lives on through you: Climate, food and solidarity.”
According to Wikipedia, Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, which is Mandela’s birthday. The day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010.
However, other groups began celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2009.
On 27 April 2009, the 46664 concerts and the Nelson Mandela Foundation invited the global community to join them in support of an official Mandela Day. Mandela Day is not meant as a public holiday, but as a day to honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former President, and his values, through volunteering and community service.
Mandela Day is a global call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, and the ability to make an impact.
The Mandela Day campaign message is:
“Nelson Mandela has fought for social justice for 67 years. We’re asking you to start with 67 minutes. We would be honoured if such a day can serve to bring people together around the world to fight poverty and promote peace, reconciliation and cultural diversity,” according to a statement issued on Mandela’s behalf.
To mark the first global celebration of Mandela Day on 18 July 2009, Mandela’s 91st birthday, a series of educational, art exhibit, fund-raising and volunteer events leading up to a concert at Radio City Music Hall on 18 July were organised by the 46664 concerts and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
In November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formally declared 18 July to be “Nelson Mandela International Day.” In 2014, the UN General Assembly established the Nelson Mandela Prize, a quinquennial award recognizing the achievements of those who dedicated their lives to the service of humanity.
Picture: A firearm confiscated from a suspect/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man in Schweizer Reneke was arrested for allegedly being in possession of an illegal firearm. It is alleged that, during routine patrols on 14 July 2023, the police in Amalia allegedly noticed a vehicle with three occupants, who looked very suspicious.
The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The police allegedly went to their station to get back-up. With the additional manpower, the vehicle was traced.
“The driver of the vehicle allegedly sped off after realising that the police are pouncing on him. The suspect allegedly jumped out of the vehicle and tried to flee, but he was immediately apprehended.
“The vehicle of the suspect was allegedly searched and a rifle was found inside it. The suspect (55) appeared in the Schweizer-Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023, where he is facing a charge of illegal possession of a firearm,” van Rooyen said.
She said the case was remanded until 24 July 2023 for a formal bail application.
Meanwhile, the acting District Police Commissioner, Brigadier Tshenolo Tlotleng lauded the police involved in the apprehension of the suspect. Tlotleng said, if the cooperation between the community and the police can be strengthened, greater successes will be achieved.
TaungDailyNews 