The case against the alleged serial rapist in Wolmaransstad has been postponed to 16 October 2023 by the North West High Court sitting Klerksdorp for trial. Johannes Ontsheketse Tshabile (43) is facing 22 charges of rape, 9 of robbery with aggravating circumstances, 5 of attempted murder, 17 of assault, 7 of attempted robbery, and 5 of theft.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, all 65 charges are related to incidents that occurred between December 2012 and May 2018 in Wolmaransstad. Mamothame said the suspect would allegedly accost unsuspecting women holding a knife or a sharp object and start threatening them.
“He would subsequently assault, rob and rape them before fleeing the scene. In some instances, he allegedly would confront women walking in a group and start throwing objects at them, ordering them to run. He would thereafter target one of them, assault, strangle and rape the victim.
“Evidence gathered indicates that, in some instances, he was assisted by an unknown accomplice who is yet to be arrested. He was apprehended in 2019 after evading arrest and the court denied him bail,” he said.
Mamothame further said both the state and Tshabile’s defense attorney, assured the Judge President, Ronald Hendricks that, all documents relating to the trial have been shared and both are ready to proceed.
Meanwhile, Tshabile will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded.
The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will be conducting the third leg of nationwide public hearings on the Preservation and Development of Agricultural Land (PDAL) Bill at Mmabana Taung in North West on 21 July 2023.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, land Reform and Rural Development, Zwelivelile Mandlesizwe Dalibhunga Mandela said the committee had successful hearings in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
According to Mandela, the North West hearings will take place at Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr Kenneth district municipalities from 21-23 July 2023.
“The PDAL Bill seeks, among other things, to provide that the Sub-division of the Agricultural Land Act (SALA) of 1970 applies to all agricultural land in the country, to provide principles for the management of agricultural land.
“To provide for agricultural land evaluation and classification, to provide for the preparation, purpose and content of provincial agricultural sector plans and to provide for the declaration of protected agricultural areas,” he said.
Mandela said, the Bill further aims to address SALA shortcomings and other identified weaknesses. He added that SALA is currently administered only by the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and, as such, does not conform to the constitutional requirements of cooperative governance where national, provincial and local spheres of government have a role to play.
“Furthermore, SALA is only applicable to privately owned land and thus, the department cannot protect high-value agricultural land owned by the state, statutory bodies, communal land and land administered by traditional authorities.
“An attempt was made in 1998 to repeal the SALA Act of 1970 through the Subdivision of Agricultural Land Repeal Act, 1998 (Act No. 64 of 1998). However, the repeal Act, which was passed by parliament, was assented to by the then-acting president, but not the president. Therefore, it was never promulgated,” said Mandela.
He said the committee is conducting the public hearings to ensure that, the final Bill reflects the views of the people and the affected stakeholders. Mandela said public participation is very important in the development and processing of legislation to ensure that laws that parliament passes are progressive and responsive to the needs of every citizen and do not infringe on their rights.
Details of the public hearings programme in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District are as follows:
Date: Friday, 21 July
Time: 10:00 – 14:00
Venue: Mmabana Arts Culture and Sports Foundation, Taung
Details of the public hearings programme in Ngaka Modiri Molema District are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 22 July
Time: 10:00 – 14:00
Venue: Lonely Park Multipurpose Centre, Mahikeng
Details of the public hearings programme in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District are as follows:
Picture: The jewellery was stolen during armed robbery/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
Jewellery worth thousands of rands has been stolen during an armed robbery at a shopping mall in Kimberley on 18 July 2018. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Molefi Shemane, five unknown men dressed in black, entered the store and demanded the jewellery from the owner and fled the scene.
Shemane said the incident took place at around 10:50am.
“No injuries were reported during the incident. The police have launched a manhunt in search of the suspects. It is believed that, the suspects fled in a Toyota Etios and the public is urged not to approach the suspects as they are deemed armed and dangerous,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Provincial Organised Crime unit is investigating the case.
Setshwantsho: Baagi ba neelwa mantlo a nakwana kwa Magogong
Ka OBAKENG MAJE
Bangwe ba baagi ba mantlo a bone a ne a digiwa ke diphefo le morwalela kwa motseng wa Magogong, gaufi le Taung, ane ba amogela matlo a nakwana go tswa go masepala o mogolwane wa Taung mo letsatsing la maabane. Majoro wa nama-o-sa-tshwere, kwa masepaleng o mogolwane wa Taung, Itumeleng Maribe are, ba tlile go agela baagi bao matlo a saruri mo nakong e e sa fediseng pelo.
“Re nnile le lenaneo mo mosong, mme re tshimolotse ka go neelana ka diaparo ga mmogo le go fepa jalo bangwe ba baagi ba ba dikobo di dikhutshwane ka sopo kwa renkeng ya ditekesi mono Taung. Mme diaparo tseo, ene ele kabelano go tswa go bangwe ba badiri ba rona ba masepala.
“O tla gopola gore letsatsi le, ke letsatsi le legolo le le tshwailweng lefatshe ka bophara go keteka botshelo jwa mogaka yo eleng molwelwa kgolo, Dr Nelson Mandela. Ka bokhutshwane, ene le letsatsi la kabelano. Mme morago ga moo, re ile ra nna le go neelana ga mantlo a nakwana go baagi ba dulang mo matlung a mmu,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.
Maribe are baunngwelwa ba ile ba itumela thata, mme masepala o ba tshepisitse fa o tlile go ka ba agela matlo a di RDP mo nakong e e sa fediseng pelo. Are, baunngwe bao, ba ile ba neelwa dijo ka borataro jwa bone.
“Re ile ra etela gape le lelapa la ra Molokwane kwa Madipelesa jaaka re itse ba latlhegetswe ke bana mo kotsing ya tsela ka Sontaga. Mme re tla boa gape re etele lelapa le lengwe la ra Mocumi kwa motseng wa Mamutla jaaka le bona ba latlhegetswe ke bana bale babedi mo kotsi yone eo ya tsela ka Sontaga,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi handing over a house to a beneficiary, Bakang Mahlangu at Chaneng village, near Rustenburg/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man who is the only surviving member of his family in Chaneng village, near Rustenburg said he is happy to receive a newly-built house. According to Bakang Peter Mahlangu (52), he has been living in a shack for many years.
“I have lived in a shack for many years and never thought I will own such a beautiful house. Today, my prayers have been answered. So, I am a happy man and this house will heal all the pain and suffering that I went through. I can’t thank the government enough,” he said.
The North West acting Premier, Nono Maloyi who handed over the house said, it was built with alternative technology methods by a good Samaritan.
“We have made a commitment to eradicate all mud houses in the province. This initiative will restore the dignity of many residents living in such conditions. This is part of the Nelson Mandela International Day. In line with this message, I believe it is possible to rid the province of all mud houses for the benefit of the poor, vulnerable, and marginalised.
“Mud houses are not safe as they can collapse, injure or even kill our people, especially during rainy weather. I have instructed my team at the North West Human Settlements Department that, we need to eradicate all mud houses and restore the dignity of our people as a matter of urgency,” said Maloyi.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono who accompanied Maloyi also donated goats to other community members and implemented food gardens as part of the government’s food security programme.
The School of Accounting Sciences at the North West University (NWU) has once again distinguished itself as an indisputable leader in its field with the recent announcement by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). The school’s Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy has been accredited for the purposes of SAICA’s Associate General Accountant [AGA(SA)] designation.
The NWU is one of only two universities to receive this accreditation from SAICA in 2023, with the accredited programmes being the Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy and the Extended Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Accountancy.
The role of an AGA(SA) is officially described as that of enhancing, driving and measuring organisational value thanks to their broad, future-focused, multi-disciplinary approach to driving operational performance.
According to Professor Heleen Janse van Vuuren CA(SA), Director of the School of Accounting Sciences at the NWU, the AGA(SA) designation is recognised professionally for equipping members with the professional values, attitudes and abilities and technical competencies that enable them to drive operational efficiency and quality in the value-creating process, thus enhancing organisational value.
After the completion of an extensive formal accreditation process, SAICA’s Executive Director for Learning, Development and National Imperatives, Robert Zwane said that SAICA is confident that the programme at the NWU met the formal regulatory accreditation requirements of the Department of Higher Education and Training and that the NWU has the “appropriate resources to deliver high-quality programmes at the required standard and quality to meet SAICA’s requirements for the AGA(SA) designation”.
Vuuren said: “This accreditation by SAICA is an exciting one for the university, as it provides our BCom Financial Accountancy students with another opportunity to obtain a professional designation from a globally recognised professional body.
“We believe that the quality of our programmes, together with this opportunity to pursue the AGA(SA) qualification, will ensure that our students are well-equipped to fulfil their prospective roles in the industry.”
Northern Cape MEC for Transport Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem donates gifts/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Northern Cape MEC for Transport Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, donated bicycles to Louisvaleweg Primary School in Upington in commemoration of International Mandela Day. Bloem then proceeded to Kanoeneiland Police Station Victim Friendly Facility to donate furniture that caters to the needs of victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“A brief station profile and crime overview were presented by the Station Commander of Kanoeneiland, Captain Bakang Kgwadi. The newly-appointed District Commissioner, Major General Thabo Mphuthi, along with the members of Kanoeneiland SAPS warmly received the gifts,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mphuthi said: “On behalf of the SAPS management, we express gratitude and encourage our members to take care of the facility. They should ensure that, at all times, the victims are treated with respect and dignity.
“We have also refurbished a house belonging to an elderly man in Paballelo. The occupant was provided with new furniture and groceries.”
Picture: The traffic officers conducting roadblocks in Brits and Tshwane/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Motorists who allegedly transgressed on the roads between Brits in North West and Tshwane in Gauteng were penalised. This comes after the Trans Kalahari Corridor National Committee in the Republic of South Africa held the Inter-Provincial Joint Law Enforcement Operations between Brits and Tshwane on 18 July 2023.
The Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) is a road network ranging approximately 1900 kilometers across the territories of South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia.
The TKCS Executive Director, Leslie Mpofu said traffic fines were issued for those driving without licenses, illegal immigrants were arrested, those having warrants of arrest paying their dues on the spot, and discontinued unroadworthy vehicles.
Mpofu further said they also educated road users about the importance of road safety in honour of International Mandela Day. He added that, the operations were consisting of 253 law enforcement officials from North West and Gauteng Provinces.
“The law enforcement officials took to the N4 road after the opening parade to conduct stop and check in all vehicles coming and going to North West and Gauteng to ensure compliance of drivers, passengers and roadworthy of these vehicles.
“We were also joined by delegates from Eswatini. The support we receive from various stakeholders in South Africa is appreciated and clearly shows that, working together, we can achieve our set goals. I am further pleading for continued working relationship and supporting each other even in the future,” he said.
Mpofu said this will ensure that the roads are safe from accidents and criminal elements. He said operations like this will also ensure that motorists do comply with road regulations.
“We also welcomed delegations of Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA) led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Mfanimpela Myeni from Eswatini. The Eswatini MVA visit is informed by the SADC bilateral agreement on the harmonization of systems and processes in ensuring a better African trade.
“They are benchmarking on South African transport agencies’ regulations and tools to correlate their services and working force. The Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC) is a tripartite transboundary Corridor Management Institution that was established with a political and economic vision to pursue or contribute towards deeper regional integration programs of SADC, SACU, and indeed NEPAD,” he said.
Picture: One of the placards at Naledi Service Point in Vryburg/Morongwa News
By OBAKENG MAJE
The smooth running operations at North West Social Development’s service points in Vryburg and Ganyesa were affected on Monday. This comes after aggrieved security guards locked the gates of these service points demanding their three months’ salaries.
This left North West Social Development employees stranded.
According to one of the security guards, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal and works for Mabotwane Security Services, it’s been three months since they received their salaries.
Mabotwane Security Services company is contracted to the North West Social Development to guard some of the service points offices across the province.
“We barricaded the gates because we cannot work without being paid. This has affected our livelihoods and imagine how are we going to survive. We also have bills to pay, but our company keeps on giving us empty promises.
“Most of us are behind with our policy payments. Imagine if something happens to our family members. How are we going to handle the whole situation? Other security guards have been evicted from their rental homes because they were not able to pay rent,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Social Development spokesperson, Petrus Siko said they are aware of the matter. Siko said as the department, they have an obligation in terms of Treasury Regulation 8.2.3 to settle the invoices within 30 days upon receipt.
“However, during April and May this year, the department has been experiencing delays in processing payments of security services claims due to non-compliant vouchers. The delays of payments are attributed to non-submission or incomplete timesheets, incorrect invoices, and no submission of incident reports.
“As a way of intervention, the department will soon conduct a workshop with all contracted security companies to address the current challenges. We fully understand the plight and the inconvenience caused by the delays in paying the security officers,” he said.
Siko further said they request calm and patience as they work towards resolving the challenges at hand.
*The Mabotwane Security Services was not available for comment at the time we published the article. However, we will incorporate its comment in the article when received.
The Guardian 