By OBAKENG MAJE

A corruption case against the City of Matlosana’s MPAC chairperson, Merriam Methi (49) and her son, Tshegofatso Mosiako (20) was postponed to 9 November 2023 by the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The duo was arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation in Klerksdorp on 23 August 2023 after allegedly soliciting a bribe from a certain service provider. According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Col Tinyiko Mathebula, In January 2023, Methi allegedly consulted a particular service provider in Klerksdorp, where she introduced herself as the chairperson of MPAC in the City of Matlosana.

“The complainant allegedly told her that he had trucks that could be utilised for refuse removal and for her to inform him when tenders are advertised by the municipality for him to bid, and she allegedly obliged.

“In March 2023, the suspect reportedly met with the complainant, where she told him that his business partner was awarded a tender by the municipality to collect refuse. It is further alleged that she told the complainant that she knows he has rented his trucks to his business partner and is also benefiting from the tender,” he said.

Mathebula further said the complainant was allegedly given an ultimatum to pay the suspect an amount of R50 000, failure to do so will result in the contract being cancelled, with no chance of renewal.

He added that, the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team received information about the payment arrangement, which the suspect had reached with the complainant.

“An arranged entrapment was set to catch Methi and Mosiako in the act of committing an offence. They were arrested soon after being paid R30 000 in cash by the complainant,” said Mathebula.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the corruption case against Methi and her son, Mosiako was postponed to 9 November 2023, for further investigations.

“Methi was granted R15 000 bail, while Mosiako was granted R1000 bail. They were ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with the complainant, and to inform the investigating officer should there be a change in their home address.”

Meanwhile, the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in North West said it is both surprised and shocked by the arrest Methi. The F4SD provincial chairperson, Sechaba Sekhoto said: “As the organisation, we are deeply committed to transparency, good governance, and the rule of law. So, F4SD wishes to make it abundantly clear that, we distance ourselves unequivocally from any form of improper or illegal behaviour.

“This stance holds especially true when it comes to office bearers, who are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. We understand that, these are allegations at this stage and that due process must be followed.”

Sekhoto said, however, that they affirm their steadfast belief in the principles of justice and accountability. He added that F4SD is awaiting the outcome of the legal processes and is prepared to take appropriate action based on the findings.

“We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations, and we commend the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for their vigilance in tackling corruption.

“For a nation to thrive, public trust in its institutions must be maintained. F4SD continues to advocate for responsible governance and remains committed to serving the community in line with our core values and principles,” said Sekhoto.

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Picture: The alleged police killer, Daniel Wilfred Albert during arrest/Screengrab

By OBAKENG MAJE

The double murder case against the accused, Daniel Wilfred Albert has been postponed by the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court until 5 October 2023. Albert (38), was arrested after he allegedly shot and killed two police officials, Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) in a shoot-out in Kimberley on Tuesday.  

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Mashay Gamieldien, the two police officials, were following up on information about a stolen hired sedan that was allegedly stolen and en route from Bloemfontein.

Gamieldien said, the vehicle was spotted in Kimberley, and Mandindi and Masilo reacted when they spotted it. She further said the police officers gave chase and followed the stolen vehicle into the Transnet premises, where the suspect allegedly crashed the bakkie and fled the scene on foot.

“The police officers gave chase and were sadly fired upon, which led to the fatal shooting of them. The armed suspect fled the scene on foot, but was later arrested,” added Gamieldien.

The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said is saddened and shocked by the fatal shooting, which resulted in the death of two police officers. Otola said the police officers were attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad.

“An attack on the police is an attack on the state. We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, and colleagues of the two fallen police officers during this period.

“We as a country, are celebrating and paying tribute to women who have left their footprint in history,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Col Tebogo Thebe said, they have taken over the investigations of the case. Thebe said Albert abandoned his bail application.

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Picture: Extension 7 residents demand paved road/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The disgruntled residents at Extension 7, in Taung said, they have submitted a petition to the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe. The Chairperson of the Concerned Group, Moeketsi Jonathan Mokhobo said, they have raised various demands in the petition.

“As the residents of Extension 7, we demand a pavement road from Extension 6 (four-way stop) towards East of Extension 7, joins Depot Road then connects to the main road towards Taung Police Station. This petition is addressed to the municipal mayor to present it to the municipal council to immediately respond to our demands.

“We, the community of Ext 7 Section A, require council through the mayor to provide evident documentation of the Integrated Development Planning (IDP) and an indication of Ward 8 (Ext 7) specific road resolved for paving construction,” said Mokhobo.

He further said, they want a council resolution, where it undertook to construct a pavement. Mokhobo added that, the municipal council must in its third council meeting, discuss this petition and find solutions to consider the urgency of attending to it.

“This route is always playing converter route during the festive season. We pledge to consistently engage on these demands until the council satisfactorily achieves our undertaking to build an accessible road infrastructure closer to the CBD.

“Yours in equitable well-thought development, attached are signatures of residents in support of the above demand. We need documents right now to prove the facts of which route is planned for the current pavement. Secondly, we give the mayor seven days for the council to resolve on the matter,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure, Itumeleng Maribe said: “I’ve made a commitment on behalf of the mayor that, we will comply in addressing all the submissions they made. I have received the petition and you will remember that we have a road construction project that is underway at Ext 7.

“However, there is a mayhem on the route of the road. Some residents alleged that their route of the road was not what was agreed upon. Now, they demand to see evident documentation regarding consultation that was conducted with the residents before the project commenced.”

Maribe said the residents also want the evident documents regarding the municipal council resolution on the matter. He said he believe that Gaoraelwe will respond to the demands of the residents accordingly.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man aged 32 has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by the Mothibistad Regional Court for raping a girl (13). On 13 November 2018, the victim visited her friend at Promise Land Informal Settlement, near Mothibistad when Wilfred “Popeye” Joseph accosted her.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Joseph took the victim to his place and raped her.  

“In an unrelated case, the Kimberley Regional Court handed down a 10-year direct prison sentence to Bethanie Sherman (44) for raping a woman (37) in Roodepan on 11 November 2017.

“On the said day, Sherman had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent while asleep at home. Both these cases were investigated by young vibrant female detectives,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded Detective Constables, Lorato Badukane and Kamo Morake from the Kuruman and Galeshewe FCS Units respectively for their dedication, hard work, and sterling investigations that ensured justice for women and girls during this Women’s Month.

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Picture: The suspect who allegedly killed two police officers/Twitter

By OBAKENG MAJE

The alleged police killer is expected to appear at Kimberley Magistrate’s Court today. The suspect aged 38 was arrested a few hours after he allegedly killed two police officials in a shoot-out in Kimberley on Tuesday.

According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Brig Mashay Gamieldien, the two police officials, Constable Okaetse Mandindi (35) and Sergeant Kedimetse Masilo (45) were following up on information about a stolen hired sedan that was allegedly stolen and en route from Bloemfontein.

Gamieldien said, the vehicle was spotted in Kimberley, and Mandindi and Masilo reacted when they spotted it. She further said the police officers gave chase and followed the stolen vehicle into the Transnet premises, where the suspect allegedly crashed the bakkie and fled the scene on foot.

“The police officers gave chase and were sadly fired upon, which led to the fatal shooting of them. The armed suspect fled the scene on foot, but was later arrested,” added Gamieldien.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola said is saddened and shocked by the fatal shooting, which resulted in the death of two police officers. Otola said the police officers were attached to the Kimberley Flying Squad.

“We have arrested the suspect after activating and mobilising all police resources in search of him. An attack on the police is an attack on the state. We would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families, relatives, and colleagues of the two fallen police officers during this period. We as a country, are celebrating and paying tribute to women who have left their footprint in history.

The suspect was charged with double murder.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in North West said it is both surprised and shocked by the arrest of the City of Matlosana’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) chairperson and her son. Two suspects aged 49 and 20 were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team for corruption in Klerksdorp on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, in January 2023, the suspect allegedly approached the service provider in Klerksdorp, where she allegedly introduced herself as a Chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) in the local municipality.

“The complainant allegedly told the woman to inform him when tenders are advertised by the municipality. She allegedly told the complainant that she would see what to do. In March 2023, the suspect reportedly had a meeting with the complainant, where she told him that his business partner was awarded a tender by the municipality to collect refuse.

“It is further alleged that, she told the complainant that she is aware that he has rented his trucks to his business partner and that he is also benefiting from the tender. The complainant was allegedly given an ultimatum to pay the suspect R100 000 or the contract will be cancelled and never renewed,” said Mathebula.

He further said the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team received information about the payment arrangement, which the suspect had reached with the complainant. Mathebula added that the suspect and her son were arrested soon after being paid R30 000 in cash by the complainant.

“They have been charged with corruption and will appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on 24 August 2023,” he said.

Meanwhile, the F4SD provincial chairperson, Sechaba Sekhoto said: “As the organisation, we are deeply committed to transparency, good governance, and the rule of law. So, F4SD wishes to make it abundantly clear that, we distance ourselves unequivocally from any form of improper or illegal behaviour.

“This stance holds especially true when it comes to office bearers, who are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. We understand that, these are allegations at this stage and that due process must be followed.”

Sekhoto further said, however, that they affirm their steadfast belief in the principles of justice and accountability. He added that F4SD is awaiting the outcome of the legal processes and is prepared to take appropriate action based on the findings.

“We urge all concerned parties to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations, and we commend the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) for their vigilance in tackling corruption.

“For a nation to thrive, public trust in its institutions must be maintained. F4SD continues to advocate for responsible governance and remains committed to serving the community in line with our core values and principles,” said Sekhoto.

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Picture: ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale back in court/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The disgraced ANC councillor, Tebogo Sepale (43), who is facing 11 provisional charges, two for statutory rape, three for the violation of a child with consent, one for manufacturing pornographic material, four for rape and one for sexual intimidation set to briefly appear at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court today.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “In one of the cases, Sepale allegedly shared nude pictures with the complainant, in the second and separate case, but involving the same suspect, two counts of statutory rape were laid against him on 6 May 2023 by the parents of two boys aged 15 and 17.

“He will remain in police custody until his next court appearance. A report by the police indicating that the Klerksdorp Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, was investigating a case of crimen injuria and two separate counts of statutory rape after they were reported at Kanana Police Station respectively.”

Mamothame further said the Orkney Magistrate’s Court postponed the case to 24 August 2023 for further investigations. He added that, the state is now awaiting the conclusion of investigations to possibly add more charges against Sepale in preparation for trial.

Meanwhile, the Sonke Gender Justice is outraged to learn that Sepale allegedly continues to earn a salary as a ward councillor in the Matlosana Local Municipality, while in prison. The Sonke Gender Justice and Co-Chairperson of the Global Men Engage Alliance, Bafana Khumalo alleged that ANC said its hands are tied from removing him from its employee’s list, as it can only be done once he is granted bail.

“This lack of action by the ruling party demonstrates one more time that they do not take Gender-Based Violence, Femicide and sexual violence seriously. It is unbelievable that, a party that professes to be committed to end sexual violence acts in this manner when one of their own is caught on the wrong side of the law.

“We all understand the principle of ‘no work no pay’, but by ANC standards this only applies to others and not their own. Why is a councillor sitting in prison being paid as he is not offering any service behind a cell? One wonders how this expense will be justified in an audit,” Khumalo said.

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