A trial in a murder case against two men from Modimong village, near Taung has been postponed by the North West High Court sitting in Vryburg until 18 until 22 September 2023. The trial commenced last week Monday and more state witnesses are expected to ascend to the stand.
Rebaone Malekanyo (33) and Tumelo Tlonkwe (32) are facing a murder case after allegedly killing the former Vaaltar FM presenter and a socialite, Tshepang Seelo (32) back in 2021. Malekanyo and Tlonkwe are allegedly facing premeditated murder, assault, kidnapping, and defeating the ends of justice.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame, Seelo was allegedly killed on 31 October 2021, while walking from a local tavern with his girlfriend.
“The deceased allegedly saw the duo stealing roof sheets from a certain house and blew the whistle. Then the accused allegedly assaulted, kidnapped, and killed him before dumping his body in a furrow near Khibitswane village near Taung.
“Seelo’s girlfriend allegedly ran away and escaped unharmed. The deceased’s lifeless body was found floating on 3 November 2021. It is alleged that his body was also mutilated and his eyes and tongue were missing,” Mamothame said.
He said the two accused persons were arrested on 2 November 2021 after they handed themselves over to the police.
Setshwantsho: Mokhuduthamaga wa ditsela le dipalangwa, Oageng Molapisi o a jala
Ka BAKANG MOKOTO
Motsamaisi wa setheo sa bagodi le batho ba ba tshelang ka bogole kwa Lokgabeng Disability Centre, gaufi le Taung, Agnes Mokgobo are o itumeletse go bona dithuso go tswa kwa pusong. Seno se tla morago ga ketelo ya mokhuduthamaga wa ditsela ga mmogo le dipalangwa mono Bokone Bophirima, Saliva Molapisi.
Molapisi one a etela setheo seo le go keteka le bagodi. Gape, Molapisi one a jala dijalo tsa ntshetso-kunu kwa tshingwaneng eo.
“Tshingwana e ya rona e ntsha dijo tse dinang le dikotla, mme di thusa bagolo go ka ja dijo tse di itekanetseng. Rena le batho ba ba tshelang ka malwetsi a farologaneng ba le 57, mme rena le badiri ba le 24 ba ba ba tlhokometseng bosigo le motshegare. Re itumetse thata, mme re rotloetsa puso go ka tswelela go re ema nokeng jalo,” Mokgobo wa tlhalosa.
Majoro wa nakwana wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Itumeleng Maribe one a patile Molapisi mo loetong la gagwe. Go ya ka Maribe, Molapisi o tshimolotse ka go etela sekolo se segolwane sa Reivilo le go tlhabolola dikago teng, pele a ka leba kwa ditseleng kwa gone one a tsweletsa letsema la go tswala mesima mo ditseleng teng.
“Re lebogela ketelo ya mokhuduthamaga wa ditsela ga mmogo le dipalangwa ka thebolo ya ditirelo go baagi. Re ne ra tsogelela kwa Reivilo mo mosong, mme jaaka masepala, re lebogetse seo. Rene ra pata mokhuduthamaga gape fa a ne a tswala mesima mo ditseleng tsa rona tse difarologaneng teng kwa Reivilo.
“O tla gopola gore seemo sa rona sa ditsela mo Taung ga se se se jesang diwelang, mme ha re ka tswelela fela jalo go ka dira mmogo, re tla bona tswelelo pele. Re ile ra tla gape fa go ka tla go keteka ga mmogo le bagodi ba rona mo setheong. Re bone fa mokhuduthamaga a ntsha gape le dimphonyana go ka itumela ga mmogo le bagodi ba rona.,” Maribe wa tlhalosa.
O kaile fa ba rotloetsa mokhuduthamaga go ka tswelela ka porogerama e, gonne baagi ba Taung ba tlile go unngwelwa mo go yone. Maribe are, go maleba go isa ditirelo le ditlhabololo kwa bathung, gonne seo se tla fetola matshelo a bone.
Kgabagare, Molapisi o kaile fa ketelo ya gagwe ene e rulagantswe ka letsatsi la go keteka botshelo jwa mogaka o hulereng, Nelso Mandela. Molapisi are, fela seo ga sa kgonega gonne, gone gona le dikopano tse dingwe tse a ne a tshwanelwa ke go di tsenela.
“O tla gopola gore kgwedi e, ke kgwedi e e beetsweng thoko go ka keteka botshelo jwa mogaka wa rona, Nelson Mandela. Fa o tla go lebelela, Mandela one a na le mowa wa go abelana, ke ka moo go le botlhokwa gore re tsamaye mo dikgathong tsa gagwe.
“Jaanong, re bone gole botlhokwa go ka tsweletsa ditiro tseo le go ka leka go fetola matshelo a batho. Mandela one a leka ka natla gore mongwe le mongwe a nne le botshelo jo bo botokwa, ke ka moo le rona re tsweletsang seo,” Molapisi wa tlhalosa.
Picture: The Democratic Alliance delegates during oversight visit at D201 road construction project
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance in North West said it is concerned about the delays marred the D201 road construction project. The R148m project is supposed to be completed and handed over to the community in November 2023.
However, the DA Shadow Minister of Public Works and Roads, Sello Seitlholo, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) said, that will be a mammoth task to complete.
Seitlholo and other DA delegates embarked on an oversight visit recently to assess the project.
“The situation is not promising at all. Remember, this is a 62 km road that starts from Pampierstad to Matlapaneng until N18 road. So, the 24km road is expected to be completed in November 2023, which is highly impossible. It was deliberate for us to do our oversight from the starting point until the end to determine how far the project is.
“What we have seen with our naked eye, it will be impossible for the road to be completed in November 2023. There are also allegations that the project was stopped because the so-called business forum, which is a syndicate of the construction mafias, has already imposed itself here,” he said.
Seitlholo further said it is alleged that the ‘construction mafias’ demanded 30% and also wanted their own people to come and work there. He added that the ‘construction mafias’ masquerading as business forums have stopped many projects across the country and cost the economy around R68 billion.
“We have written to the Lieutenant General, who is the Head of the Hawks’ Directorate of Priority Crimes to classify this criminal activity as a priority crime. On top of that, these construction mafias are taking away job opportunities that were supposed to benefit the locals.
“I also want to emphasise that, it is not always the case for rural municipalities to get projects, so it is important to ensure that these projects benefit the local communities. It is high time now for the treasury to review the particular 30% from the projects that must go to the SMMEs,” said Seitlholo.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi said: “We are on course, but the information I have received is that there were some delays because the contractor had some cash flow problems. I am told he underquoted for the overlays, however, they are on course as a joint venture.
“They have submitted a cash plan and we are thinking that in terms of contractual obligations, there should be no problems. We understand that there are also 27 SMMEs that were identified, but only 17 of them are on site as we speak.”
Molapisi said as a department, they would like to see all projects being completed timeously including this one. He said he hopes that the contractor will meet the target as per contractual obligation.
“Well, if there are some delays, we will definitely inform the communities. So, our intention is to hand over this project by November 2023. I would not dwell much on construction mafias because we do not have that information.
“Yes, it is true that we have challenges regarding construction mafias masquerading as business forums and demanding 30% across the country, but we cannot label every business forum as a construction mafia syndicate,” said Molapisi.
Picture: The funeral of five family members in Madipelesa village
By OBAKENG MAJE
The family of Molokwane in Madipelesa village, near Taung said even though the passing of five family members left them devastated, they managed to give them a dignified send-off. This comes after Tshepo, Keamogetse, Leano, Kaelo and Moitshepi Molokwane died in a head-on collision accident between a minibus taxi and Polo TSI along r31 Road in Danielskuil two weeks ago.
Masego Mocumi, who was working as admin clerk at Mamutla clinic and her daughter, Remo, also died in the accident and were buried last week in Mamutla village.
The family spokesperson, Modisa Molokwane said: “We are grateful that we managed to bury our loved ones even though it was not easy. Some government officials visited us during the week and promised to assist us financially, however, we have not received anything thus far.
“We just hope that they will fulfil their promises. The deaths of our loved ones left us devastated and traumatised. However, we put everything before God because he is our creator.”
Molokwane also sent his gratitude to those who came out in numbers to give support in the time of need.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the accident claimed nine lives on the spot, of whom three were children.
“Eleven people were hospitalised, of which, three injured were the occupants of the white Polo TSI, while eight people were in the minibus taxi. The police are investigating the circumstances that led to these tragic accidents,” said Shemane.
The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola conveyed her sincere condolences and expressed her deepest sympathy to the members of the bereaved families and the injured.
Otola also appealed to road users to obey all rules of the road, exercise caution and show good behaviour, while on the road.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Northern Cape, Ofentse Mokae, who is also DA Northern Cape Spokesperson of Transport, Safety & Liaison said they have submitted a written request to the chairpersons of the portfolio committees of Roads and Public Works and Transport, Safety and Liaison to convene a joint meeting with the respective departments in conjunction with Sanral.
Mokae further said they will also include relevant municipalities so that a comprehensive approach to road safety along the R31 can be taken.
“Government’s failure to increase road safety along the R31 and branching roads is aggravating the unnecessary and tragic loss of lives on what is notoriously known as the “road of death”. On Sunday, ten people died and eleven were injured in two separate accidents along the R31 route in Danielskuil and Kathu respectively.
“These are not isolated accidents. In February, 13 people were injured when a minibus overturned. In September last year, seven people were killed on the R31 in close vicinity of Kuruman in a head-on collision and the list goes on.”
Mokae said they have addressed their concerns on various platforms, including legislature portfolio committee meetings. He said the DA’s Provincial Leader, Harold McGluwa, even raised the matter in a previous debate on the State of the Province Address (SOPA).
Picture: Three murder accused persons, Bakang Katong, Katlego Mosimege and Phenyo Katong/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
A murder case against four accused persons has been postponed to 2 October 2023 by the Taung Regional Court. The convicted rapist, Bakang Katong (32), Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34) were arrested more than a year ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) in cold blood.
They accused Mothibedi of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in Manthe village, near Taung.
The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried him back to Manthe village.
“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival. The accused were arrested and charged with murder,” Tselanyane said.
On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. The magistrate, Buti Zulu has excused himself from the case. This comes after Zulu sentenced Bakang to eight years imprisonment in a rape case a few months ago.
A new magistrate from Vryburg Magistrate’s Court is expected to take over the case.
Meanwhile, the court also heard that there was a letter from the community members requesting that the murder case be transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng owing to its nature, however, that was not entertained.
It is alleged that the state is set to call seven witnesses, while the accused persons will call four witnesses. There were also allegations that the accused persons intended to plead guilty. However, it is yet unknown if that is still their intention.
Picture: A Grade 9 learner, Gontse Makukumare/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A Grade 9 learner from Kebinelang Secondary School in Manthe village, near Taung is reeling in shock after he was allegedly assaulted by a teacher, Lucia Motlalepule Gaotlhaelwe. According to Gontse Makukumare (15), who celebrated his birthday a day before, he was sitting in the classroom with other learners when the incident happened.
Gontse’s brother, Brian Makukumare said they demand justice. He said his brother cannot be left injured like that with no accountability.
“My brother said the teacher demanded her homework and he took the book out. Gaotlhaelwe was allegedly going from table-to-table checking if all learners have done their homework when she suddenly attacked my brother.
“According to him, Gaotlhaelwe accused him of letting other learners copy the homework from his notes. Gontse said, Gaotlhaelwe hit him with a duster twice on his elbow. My brother suffered a broken elbow and he was rushed to the local clinic for medical attention,” he said.
Makukumare further said, Gaotlhaelwe and the learner’s mother who is working as a General Assistant at the same school, allegedly rushed Gontse to the local clinic, where he was transferred to Taung District Hospital. He added that now his brother has an arm plaster cast.
“We all know that corporal punishment has long been abolished. So, I want to understand on what grounds the teacher continues to use it against learners as a measure of discipline.
“Most learners allege that, Gaotlhaelwe continues to mistreat them at school and nothing is done about it. Learners cannot go to school and are being abused for no apparent reasons. So, we call on the North West Department of Education to take drastic measures against the teacher,” said Makukumare.
The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said: “The principal of Kebinelang Secondary School in Taung verified the event, in which the educator slapped the learner with a duster on the elbow. The educator and father drove the learner to the nearest clinic. The parent appears to be employed at the school as a general assistant.
“Labour Relations will file disciplinary action against the educator since, as we all know, corporal punishment is a thing of the past and no child should be subjected to it in school. At this time, the department is committed to assisting the learner through support and counselling.”
According to www.statssa.gov.za website, learners continue to be subjected to maltreatment including corporal punishment or physical violence by teachers, physical abuse by other learners or verbal abuse by either the teachers or other learners.
It says violence at schools seems to have a geographical component as nearly half (47,6%) of the children who experienced the violence were residents of Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and North West.
“In 2009, close to one in five children (18,6%) aged 5–17 years experienced some sort of violence at school which included corporal punishment or verbal abuse. This reduced to 8,2% in 2019, with just over one million out of 13 million school going children aged 5–17 years reporting that they had experienced some form of violence.
“Of those who experienced some form of violence, the majority (71%) were primary school children, with only 29,2% of secondary school learners reporting that they had experienced some form of violence. The majority of these children were aged 8–10 years, and most attended public schools.”
The Guardian 