Picture: The acting Assistant Director for Out Patient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The community members in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region are encouraged to be cautious of mental illness. This comes after the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg recorded a total of 235 patients, who displayed substance-induced psychosis and 312 known mental users, ultimately being categorised as mental illnesses. 

The acting Assistant Director for Out Patient and Casualty, Tshepo Setlhabe at the Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital said mental illness entails a condition that involves psychological and emotional well-being and affects how one perceives things.

Setlhabe further said the community members are advised to take note of the signs and symptoms related to mental illnesses such as hallucination (seeing or hearing things that do not exist), delusions, false beliefs such as witchcraft, negligence of care, poor hygiene, and dirty clothes, insomnia, lack of maintenance of sleep, violence, physical and verbal abuse.

“Another sign might be roaming around without a particular destination. It is important that, when a person displays personality symptoms related to mental illness, they should be taken to the nearest clinic. In case the patient is violent, community members are advised to call the police for assistance.

“The common condition that is prevalent in the hospital is a substance-induced psychotic disorder with 80% of patients displaying this behaviour and dominated by male patients. The most common in patients is the use of a drug substance such as crystal meth, dagga, and nyaope,” he said. 

Setlhabe added that the hospital has put in place mechanisms to ensure that health education is promoted to affected patients. He said this is achieved through a multi-disciplinary approach, which entails social workers, psychiatrists, medical officers, nurses, and occupational therapists.

“However, after stabilisation and observation, the patient is then referred to other hospitals for further intervention and treatment. I urge all community members to accord support to those that have mental health illnesses.

“No one is immune to mental illnesses and it can happen to anyone,” said Setlhabe.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Six suspects were arrested for an attempted truck highjacking in Hammanskraal on Thursday. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said various police units were involved in securing this arrest, including Brits and Rustenburg Crime Intelligence, Brits Trio Task Team, Mooinooi and Jericho Visible Policing and District Detectives of Bojanala Platinum District.

“The police seized a Toyota Hilux, tools that can be used to strip a truck as well as numerous cellular phones allegedly used in the commission of the crime. The suspects, aged between 41 and 28, will appear before the Temba Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023.

“Further linkages to other cases are expected and investigations will continue by Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Unit,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the teams for their dedication and diligence that lead to these arrests. Kwena emphasised that police would leave no stone unturned to ensure that hardened criminals are put behind bars.

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By OBAKENBG MAJE

The third suspect linked to the theft of 51 rhino horns at the North West Parks Board offices on 26 June 2023, has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit. The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the suspect (46) was arrested in Rustenburg on 14 July 2023.

Mathebula further said the information led them to Rustenburg, where a suspect was arrested for the alleged theft of rhino horns. He added that this brings the number of arrests made thus far to three.

“The suspect is due to appear in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on 17 July 2023, where he will be facing a business burglary charge. Meanwhile, Lindani Mthombeni (32) and Elias Mangande (40), the accused in the alleged theft of rhino horns, made a brief appearance in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on 13 July 2023.

“The pair will be back in court on 21 July 2023 for bail application,” said Mathebula.

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Picture: A hijacking case opened in Rustenburg/Google  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The alleged hijacker has been arrested and is set to appear at Mogwase Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Abraham Alexander Mkhabela (31) is linked to three hijacking cases and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition in Sun City, Phokeng, and Mogwase and Mogwase.

These cases were reported between June 2016 to June 2023.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said in the last hijacking case reported at night on 3 June 2023 in Sun City along the R565 road, a motorist (33) 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 allegedly approached by three armed men, who were also driving a Mercedes Benz. They allegedly pointed him with a firearm and instructed him to get out of his vehicle.

“Furthermore, he was allegedly robbed of his vehicle and personal belongings. The victim was allegedly left unharmed next to the road. Mkhabela was arrested by the Rustenburg Public Order Policing (POP), Visible Policing, and Crime Intelligence police on 9 July 2023, while asleep at his flat,” she said.

Myburgh further said the police also seized a police reflective jacket. She added that Mkhabela’s first court appearance was on 10 July 2023, where he was remanded in custody.

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Picture: The explosives allegedly found in possession of two occupants/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects aged between 39 and 47 were arrested by the police consisting of Brits and Hartbeespoortdam Crime Prevention Units, Hartbeespoortdam K9, Brits Crime Intelligence, and Lethlabile Visible Policing at the corner of the R566 and New Road, in Brits for unlawfully being in possession of explosives.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the police allegedly cornered a white Toyota Conquest with two occupants after receiving a tip-off.

Myburgh further said the vehicle was searched and police allegedly found two electrical shock-tube initiators, two lengths of blasting cables, one battery, and one full blasting cartridge with an estimated street value of R25 000.

She added that, as a result, the duo was immediately arrested for unlawfully being in Possession of Explosives, thus contravening Section 128 of the Explosives Act, 1956 (Act No. 26 of 1956).

“The incident occurred on Friday and the suspects will appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their speedy reaction and bravery. Kwena also thanked the community for being the eyes and ears of the police and said that their positive response averted crime.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against five accused was postponed by the North West High Court in Garankuwa to 18 September 2023. Mamokgethe Gertrude Mashimbi (41) was charged with murder of her husband, the former policeman, Thomas Mashimbi, along with other four accused, Thandi Margaret Khumalo (38), William Maluleka (32), Nicholas Malope (35) and Jan Chauke (28).

Five suspects were arrested and charged with murder, two counts of conspiracy or incitement to commit murder, housebreaking with intent to kill, murder with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, fraud on accused one only, and perjury on accused one only.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The police investigations reveal that between 7 and 24 January 2018, Mashimbi approached two individuals, now state witnesses, and incited them to commit a planned robbery at their marital home in Lebanon, near Winterveldt.

“The two then failed to commit to the proposition, but reported the matter to the police. She then approached Khumalo, who arranged a meeting with the other three accused. Reports reveal that meetings were conducted between 7 and 24 February 2018, to plot the execution of the plan to murder Mashimbi.”

Mamothame further said, on 21 February 2018, Mashimbi allegedly ensured that the gates and kitchen door were not properly closed to facilitate entry into the premises. He added that Mashimbi allegedly went to the police on 10 November 2017 and complained that her husband was abusing her, thus requesting a protection order.

“The order was granted and Mashimbi’s firearm was confiscated as a result, pending the outcome of the SAPS internal process to ascertain his fitness to possess a firearm. The state argues that this was part of the plan to disarm the deceased, to prevent him from defending himself when the attack is executed.

“It is alleged that, on 21 February 2018, Maluleka, Malope, and Chauke entered the house and shot at the deceased, subsequently escaping the scene with two cellphones, a TV set and money estimated at R20 000. It is alleged that Gertrude and two of their children were in the house when the plan unfolded,” said Mamothame.

According to information, Gertrude was unharmed during the commissioning of the crime. The suspects were all arrested between 18 and 19 September 2019.

Mamothame said the state has completed its leading evidence with an expert from the cell phone network provider, who demonstrated the link in communication between all accused persons in plotting the murder. He said the defence attorneys have also completed cross-examining the witness.

“The state is expected to call more witnesses, including the investigating officer when the matter resumes in September. The five will remain in police custody until the matter is concluded,” he said.

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By OBAKEN GMAJE

The 47 suspects who have been on the run from the police for various crimes such as murder, business robbery, theft of firearm, assault GBH, housebreaking and theft, assault common, malicious damage to property, domestic violence, and contravention of protection orders were arrested.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sgt Timothy Sam said these suspects have been evading court appearance dates and others violated court orders.

Sam further said, the Detectives from various Police Stations in the Pixley Ka Seme District, embarked on a wanted suspects tracing operation between 13 and 14 July 2023.

“The suspects were arrested at their respective residences in Strydenburg, De Aar, Sunrise, Hopetown, Prieska, Colesberg, Kuyasa and Carnavon and will be appearing in the respective Magistrate’s Courts soon.

“The Detectives also took numerous warning statements from suspects that must be presented to the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) for decision to prosecute and summoned those with cases that were struck off the court and reinstated on the court roll to face offences that they were charged for,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Police Commissioner, Major General Nomana Mtukushe lauded the police for bringing wanted suspects to book and encouraged the public to keep on assisting the police by reporting any criminality.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Two men were arrested at the Swartkopfontein Port of Entry in Motswedi village, near Lehurutshe, whilst trying to leave South Africa by climbing over a fence. The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Bright Denvo (29) was arrested for contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) & (b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002).

Myburgh further said Mogakolodi Macala (40) was found in possession of 1.8 kg CAT (drugs) with an estimated street value of R300 000. She added that the incident took place on 15 December 2022 at around 4pm.

“Denvo briefly appeared at Lehurutshe Regional Court, where he was sentenced to two years imprisonment that was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of contravening the Immigration Act during that period.

“Macala was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for contravention of the Drug Trafficking Act, Act 140 of 1992 and contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) & (b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). Five years is wholly suspended on condition that the accused is not found guilty of contravening the Drug Trafficking Act during that period,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena lauded the excellent investigations done by the Provincial Organised Crime Detectives, Warrant Officer Martin Papke and Sergeant Thapelo Pelele, while assisted by the State Prosecutor, Neo Sedumedi.

Kwena said these sentences will definitely send a clear message that crime will not be tolerated.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Four illegal miners were sentenced to life imprisonment by the North West High Court sitting in Klerksdorp for killing Joseph Lebone Maputla. According to evidence heard before court, Maputla (44) and his family were attacked at their house in Chris Hani Street, Extension 8 in Khuma Township, near Stilfontein on 23 August 2018.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the atrocity took place in the early hours of the morning. Myburgh further said Maputla tried to flee, but sustained multiple injuries on his head.

“His wife was also assaulted and their house was ransacked. On arrival at the scene, the police found Maputla unconscious in the yard of a neighbour and he was rushed to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The motive of this attack was for a rival group of illegal miners to secure a bigger mining territory.

“Excellent investigations by Warrant Officer Etienne Fourie of Khuma Detectives lead to the arrest of five suspects. With further assistance of Me Leanne Veldskoen, the State Prosecutor, the accused were sentenced accordingly. Matla Shea (45) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and five years imprisonment for malicious damage to property,” she said.

Myburgh further said, Lebitso Thapelo Shea (35) was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, five years imprisonment for assault with the intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and five years imprisonment for malicious damage to property.

She added that Peete Shea (30) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and five years imprisonment for malicious damage to property.

“Ramatlad Mabae Phooko (41) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and five years imprisonment for malicious damage to property, while Lubabalo Godfrey Sihluku (35) was sentenced to five years imprisonment for malicious damage to property.

“Accused 1-4 was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, Act No. 60 of 2000,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Rachel Makhari welcome the life terms handed down to four illegal miners.

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